Nov
20

Cubs Expedition Hike

Author // Akela
Posted in // Cubs

The weekend saw the older cubs doing the final element to complete their adventure award – the  Cub expedition.  The forecast was not good but the weather was kind to us Saturday.    Up bright and early and to Ramsgate station to catch our train.  An uneventful journey to Sandwich where the Cubs were sorted into teams to lead the way. Sam and Jacob’s team  lead us out of station and into the town to the Quay where the next team took over.  They navigated us out of the town and onto the flats following the river and the way markers and into a farm.  He Cubs however found it surprising that sheep actually were in the fields as they picked their way along the path trying to  avoid the sheep pooh along the way but not making a very good job of it.   The sheep soon moved out of the way (not surprisingly with a bunch of noisy Cubs coming your way).   Team swop again whilst we followed the shoreline and back across Royal St Georges.   Teamswop again as Poppy lead us back into town.   The first “Are we nearly there yet” could be heard so we all stopped to eat our emergency rations.     Chocolate bars, jelly babies and Kendal mint cake devoured and with a second wind, we were off again for the final push to the Scout Hut.    Although a storm was forecast thie weather was beautiful and the storm did not hit until much later in the day.

On arrival at the site, a quick snack and then onto cooking lunch on the Trangiers.    Various flavours of pot noodles, pasta pots and porridge emerged but all successfully cooked and eaten. The final challenge was to build the shelters in the woods.    Sadly the weather looked like turning so after freetime allowing the cubs time to play in the shelters we took them down.  Glad we did with the wind and rain that followed. We know the rules say that the Cubs have to sleep in them but we would always err on the side of caution.

Once indoors in the warm again, the Cubs set to improving their map and compass skills and going over iffy points on the route and brushing up on their symbols ready for a quiz.     All too soon it was dinner and after a hearty meal of sausage and chips the Cubs set about putting their tents up .  During dinner, we found the hut had an old record player and tape deck and radio and the leaders enjoyed a good 70’s revival.

Freetime over it was time for bed and lights out, although for some cubs this doesn’t always mean sleep.    The wind and rain had started but we were toasty and warm inside.    Next morning however our plans to cook breakfast on our fire was thwarted once again by the weather and the enormous flood outside the door.     Hathi and Baggy did  good job with the full English though.

With the tents down, after breakfast  the Cubs revised their knotting and pioneering skills  to build a camp gadget and built a full size wash and dryer rack.   It was brilliant and even better than the Scouts’ gadgets.           Sadly the camp was drawing to a close, repacking kit and the final theory work on planning expeditions, this includes preparation, safety and what to take etc.       There was just enough time to do the pop quiz on map symbols which was a close run thing with only 2 points between first and second place.

On the whole a really good weekend, the Cubs worked well together, there was some good teamwork on display and all achieved much this weekend   Sorry folks, there’ll be some sewing after this one, lots of badges to award.   Thank you Leaders once again for your time and  effots making this an enjoyable event.      Well Done to Hathi who took this event on to gain experience before completing further training.

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