Hunsdon Cubs - 2007 Wild Goose Challenge

Wild Goose Challenge Team - Winners 2007

In September 2007 Hunsdon Tigers entered a team of 6 cubs in the annual Oxley Shield Camping Competition. This shield was originally presented to the district by Group Captain Oxley (a former ADC and Vice President) in 1929, and is competed for by around 10 packs from the Ware district. With very short notice and inexperienced leaders we rallied round and in true form, did our best. The team scored especially well on pioneering by building the tallest flag staff on site, and put on a good performance in the other skills areas of communication, tent pitching, first aid, home safety, map skills, tracking, knotting and assault course. In the evening they cooked their own dinner and collapsed into their tents, exhausted after all their hard work. We didn't win the Oxley Shield but we had a lot of fun participating in the competition.

The following morning, the Wild Goose handicraft competition was held. Teams were set the task of building a bridge out of straws, and Hunsdon Tigers were voted winners, coming home with the shield.

BADGE AWARDS & INVESTITURES

We've had a very busy time recently: 14 cubs were awarded their Naturalist badges, several earned Nights Away and Hikes Away badges, and 7 new cubs joined us. This term we have been brushing up our Emergency Aid skills and carrying out various activities relating to Home Safety. We'd love to finish off our Astronomer badge too, but we need to observe the moon through a telescope - if anyone can help us with that, please get in touch.

CHRISTMAS CAMP

With Scouting Centenary year being so busy we didn't get away for our Christmas camp until the end of January, but that didn't dampen the Christmas spirit. 12 cubs 'camped' away for 2 nights (in dorms) at the Well End Activity Centre. The weekend was packed with indoor games, a wide game by torch light, Christmas craft, a fancy dress party, a visit to Santa's Grotto and a full Christmas dinner.

SWIMMING GALA

In January we took a team of 9 to the Cubs District Swimming Gala in Ware. Everyone swam their socks off, including Bagheera who was up against a swimming instructor in the leaders' event, and the team managed a very respectable 4th place. Two of our team members had such fast times that they have been selected to represent Ware & District Cubs at the County Gala in St Albans in March.