9th Benoni Catch Up Day - 27th October 2007

Today we held a 'catch-up' day to ensure that come the new year, all cubs will be on the New Cub Programme.

It was very well attended by all the cubs.

Here our Pack Helper, Elize, is showing them how to make compost.

She has taken all her vegetable peelings, egg shells, sawdust etc. and the cubs had to put them in the "compost heap" (bucket) . While she was doing this, she explained to the cubs why it is important to make a compost heap.

Every half hour during the day, we had a break from Instruction and played a few games. Heere we are having fun with some balloons.

Divide the cubs into 2 teams. They are to sit opposite each other and are supposedly not to move! One balloon is introduced and must be hit from one team to the other and must not touch the ground. If it does, that team loses a point. After a while introduce another balloon.

We were learning all about Living Things - including insects, animals and also trees.

Kendra winding her cardboard for her Buddy Burner.

Ricardo and Nishlan busy making their Buddy Burners.

Take tuna cans (or similar) and cut strips of cardboard the same height as the can. Wind the cardboard round, and round inside the can until it fits snugly and tightly. Ensure that you have placed a piece of string in the centre for the wick. Heat candle wax and slowly pour into the tin until it covers the cardboad. Allow to set and cool. Be very careful and wax can burn.

This is "Incy Wincy" the junk craft spider. Isn't he just gorgeous. One of the cubs told me his spider is the love spider and if he bites you, you will fall in love! Isn't that wonderful.

This little spider is made from the egg carton - one little section is cut out and turned over - and painted black. Little holes are made in the side for its legs which are pipe cleaners. The Cubs can then paint eyes and lips on if they so desire. Glitter and sequins etc. can also be added.

Now this is a FUN, FUN, FUN game!

A line is drawn on the floor - we stuck a strip of plaster on the floor.

Cubs are divided into two teams and they stand either side of the line and numbered off 1 to n. A leader stands at each end of the line. Cubs on the left are told where their starting point is and Cubs on the right are told where their starting point is.

A number is called - let's say number 4 is called. Cub number 4 from both sides runs to the top of their starting line and gets handed a pillow. He must now "walk the line" one foot in front of the other until his opponent reaches him where they will have a pillow fight. The first cub to set off the line is out and the other team gains a point.

The cubs loved this game and wanted to play it over and over again.

We showed them how to do water purification.

Cut a 2 lire coke bottle in half and turn the top part round and place into the bottom half. We put a cotton ball inside at the neck of the bottle. We then took some very fine stones and placed a layer of those across the top of the cottom wool. We then place about 2 cm of slightly courser stones and finally about 3 cm of stones. We took the hankies from our emergency kits and placed them over the top of the bottles and then collected some of the dam water and poured in into the hanky.

This water looked clean but once it went through this filtration process we could see all the dirty particles staying behind in the cottonwool.

To still perfect it further, it is suggested to boil the water for a full 10 minutes or to use special tables that are available from the chemist.

By this time the Cubs were starving and the Lions needed to build a fire. We showed the Cubs how to cook omelettes in a Ziploc Bag.

Everyone enjoyed this novel idea!

Great fun was had by all and we are now all on the New Cub Programme.

Until next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

See next event - AGM and Prize Giving

9th Benoni Prize Giving 2007

As is usual every year come October, it is time for our AGM. Another norm for this time of the year - it rains ... and this year was not different!

The Kudu horn announced the start of our AGM and Prize Giving and we all huddled into 9th Benoni's hall to ward off the cold and rain. For those of you wondering, yes we are in the middle of our summer here in South Africa!

The Group Scouter read his report and then it was time for the Branch Reports.

The Cubs did themselves proud when they told all the parents and scouts what they had been up to during the year.
We won the gala this year which was a great achievement.
We had a fantastic District Camp at Arrowe Park.
We rode around Korsman's Bird Sanctuary this year for our Annual District Cycle Rally.
Kontiki was awesome and our James Bond Base was awarded 2nd place.
We joined with the Scouts for a fun day and played 3-legged soccer - this was for our National Cub Challenge.
Our 'good turn' for the year was collecting kitchen items for Arrowe Park for the District Cub Leaders to use when we all camp.
We really have a wonderful fun-filled, adventurous year.

This year, the Cub of the year Trophy went to Kendra McAravey (far right)
Here she is with her brother Caleb and sister Erin.

Matthew, my youngest son, receives a certificate and cup for excellent attendance!
From Left to Right. Andrew Witt, Ryan Gardiner, Andrew Kohl, Matthew Hutchinson.

Luke, my oldest son, and Patrol Leader for Leopards - together with Graham Griffiths, receives their certificate for Patrol of the Year.

Another successful AGM and Prize-Giving came to an end with a brilliant slide show by our Chairman. Photos were shown of Scouting events that took place during the year.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Fun! Fun! and more Fun!

What a week I have had!

I don't think I could have fitted more cubbing fun into it if I tried!

At the 9th Benoni Bambanani Pack, we welcomed, Keegen - a new chum - into the Pack. Here Thoriso and Forest are giving him a good welcome!
The Leopards learnt about an Interesting Place - The Guide Dog Association. Forest - a Labrador Retriever - was destined to be a Guide Dog but ended up being homed with his Trainer.

9th Benoni Cubs

Some more 9th Benoni Cubs

We had so much fun being Pirates this week and trading treasures under the sea!

The Circus was in town at 5th Boksburg and here 2 clowns were acting up!

5th Boksburg's display

Cubs and Akela Sheree outside their hall in Boksburg

What does that taste like? .... mmmmm .. vegetable popcorn! Cubs had to eat popcorn and remember all the different types they had eaten.

Mmmm - now what could that be ..... Some more tasting!

At 2nd Boksburg we were true Sportsmen and with South Africa winning the Rugby World Cup this was a fitting theme! Here the cubs had to walk under the rope and each time it was lowered by about a foot!

Checking their strength..... doing a few head-stands.

2nd Boksburg meet in the grounds of the St Michaels Anglican Church. I couldn't help but take this picture as this Herbert Baker church is absolutely beautiful....

Playing a Kim's Game and tasting all sorts of chips!

Just look at all these different knots!

..... and this is 2nd Boksburg - cubs together with Akela Barbara and Nicky.

Isn't it just wonderful to be a Cub!

You have so much fun at Pack Meetings and play so many games and do so many different activities! I can't wait till next week...

Till then,

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Another term of fun with the Cubs!

Hello everyone! It's time for Cub Scouts again!

We are back after a short school holiday - ready for some adventure and lots and lots of fun!

Today we concentrated on Knotting...

The bunch of cubs at 9th Benoni Bambanani.

Trying to do some basic knots - have we got them right?

How does that Sheetbend go?

... and I can even tie a knot behind my back - simple!

After all that knotting, it was time to relax a bit with a fun game. It was raining outside so here the cubs were doing the "Hippo Waddle" in the hall. A ball (or any object) is placed between the cubs knees and they have to run across to the other predetermined location and back. This is a relay game and when the Six is finished their turn, they sit down declaring themselves the winner!

Our Cheetahs learnt all about Soil Erosion. Here they are pouring water onto soil and onto grass.

Flag folding is very important and here our Leopard group are learning the "ins and outs" on how to fold the flag correctly.

..... and our Lions learnt all about the 16 points of the Compass.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy