Akela's Cubs

Gala Winners!

2012-01-30T05:50:00.000-08:00

Congratulations to all our Gala Swimmers and thank you for winning!

Our fabulous four who won the Mixed Relay Race.
Well done!

9th Benoni when they heard they had won!

A very proud and happy Akela on hearing that 9th Benoni had won!

Take a look at that cup!

Thanks to everyone who made this possible.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Cub Gala - 28th January 2012

2012-01-28T07:48:00.000-08:00

What a fun day we had at the District Gala - and guess who won? 9th Benoni Bambanani - isn't that great! We are so proud of all our swimmers - you did us proud!

This is a random selection of photos from the gala - enjoy!

T-shirt race ....

Akela's Automobile!

Our awesome mom - who can swim like lightning!

and so can her boys!

and then this mom is just the most "awesome-ist"

she agreed to be our "Viking Mom" and do a full length of the pool - being pushed by the cubs!

Winners photos will be posted shortly.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Concrete Jungle - 27th January 2011

2012-01-27T10:53:00.000-08:00

Today we learnt about the "concrete jungle" and that we must not talk to strangers in this big world of ours!

We started off by playing "brothers" but had to adapt it slightly as our pack has grown in leaps and bounds!

The Pack is in 2 equal circles, one inside the other. Cubs are paired off, one inside and one outside. Each pair is known as brothers/sisters. The inside circle faces left, the outside right. On ‘go’, all run around until the signal, and then they must find their ‘brother/sister’. As the brothers/sisters find each other, they must stand at the alert, salute each other and shake hands correctly.
We must always remember to keep safe no matter where we go ...

Cubs listening to a yarn.

Because this was an interactive yarn the cubs had to stand up and yell on the top of their voices - woke the neighbourhood for sure!

Our next game was "getting to know your neighbours"

The Pack sits in a circle on chairs. One Cub is ‘It’. His/her chair is removed and he/she stands in the centre. ‘It’ asks one of the players ‘how do you like your neighbour?’ The Cub then replies ‘I don’t like him/her’. ‘It’ then asks ‘who do you prefer?’ The Cub replies with the names of two Cubs in the circle. The two Cubs named may then change places, ‘It’ endeavouring to capture one of the seats. Alternatively, the Cub addressed may answer, ‘I like him/her – but I am going to move!’ This is a signal for everyone to change places. If ‘It’ obtains possession of a chair, the Cub left out becomes ‘It’.

It is always special to have a friend and find time to play!

Playing a ball game with friends.

Cubs always have fun!

Happy faces...

Time for instruction and the cubs learnt about "Stranger Danger" today.

Connor brought along his go-cart that he and his dad had made.

He told us all about how they had gone about making the go-cart and then offered 1 person a ride.

The lucky participant was Katia.

Tomorrow is the Gala - see you all there!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Programmes on a Plate go to this web site

and please give us feedback

Guide Dog Visit - 20th January 2012

2012-01-20T20:28:00.000-08:00

We had a very special visitor today - Ntini - our new Guide Dog!

But first we had to say goodbye to Imrani who joined us for Grand Howl!
More about these wonderful guide dogs a bit later...

We started on an Interest Badge and got all the cubs painting an empty tin early in the pack meeting so that it could dry.

Beautiful colours ....

...pink for girls......

and this was going to be used for the "useful article".

9th Benoni Cubs have so far sponsonred 2 guide dogs - Imrani being our second one and Ike being the first one.

Alice and Nico brought along Imrani to say goodbye and introduce us to our new puppy Ntini.

Unfortunately Imrani has hip problems and is not suitable to be a guide dog - what a pity.

Nico told the cubs all about it.....

whilst the guide dogs sat patiently ....

and then we had a special ceremony whereby the 9th Benoni scarf was transferred from Imrani to Ntini.... how special is that?

Photo shoot!

Ntini - Ninth's guide dog.

Some special time together...

and then back to decoratin the tins that were now dry...

The cubs were asked what these tins could be used for and some of the answers were mind boggling - utensils, pens, bullets!

The second part of the interest badge was a lovely book mark made from a paper clip which we started .......

Fun at the first meeting!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

AKela Joy

Things I have learnt....

2012-01-05T09:47:00.000-08:00

Share everything.

Play fair.

Don't hit people.

Put things back where you found them.

Clean up your own mess.

Don't take things that aren't yours.

Say you're sorry when you hurt somebody.

Wash your hands before you eat.

Flush.

Warm cookies and cold milk are good for you.

Live a balance life - learn some and think some and draw some and paint and some and dance and play and work every day some.

Take a nap every afternoon.

When you go out into the world, watch out for traffic, hold hands and stick together.

Be aware of wonder. Remember the little seed in the Styrofoam cup: the roots go down and the plant goes up and nobody really knows how or why, but we are all like that.

Goldfish and hamsters and white mice and even the little seed in the stryrofoam cup; they all die. So do we.

And then remember the Dick-and-Jane books and the first word you learned; the biggest word of all - LOOK.

Everything you need to know is there somewhere. The Golden rule and love and basic sanitation, ecology, and politics and sane living.

Think of what a bettwe world it would be if we all, the whole world, had cookes and milk about 3pm every afternoon and then lay down with our blankets for a nap.

Or we had a basic policy in our nation and other nations to always put things back

where we found them

and clean up our messes.

And it is still true; no matter how old you are, when you go out in the world,

it is best to hold hands and stick together.

Robert Fulghum

Good luck to all the children starting on that great adventure of "big school"

Till next time

Akela Joy

End of the Year Outing - Spur Glen Marais

2011-12-02T10:20:00.000-08:00

Great fun today - we had our end of the year function at the Spur in Glen Marais!

We pre-ordered all the food (Kiddies Party Combo) which made it so much more manageble.
But of course the cubs could not pass by the computer games!

Good outdoor fun!

There is so much to do there ....

.... and then it was time for "the fun to begin!"

A great way to end off a superb year!

Till next Year

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Santa Special - 25th November

2011-11-25T09:51:00.000-08:00

We were all hoping that Santa would stop by ... even if we are a month early!

Our Steam Release game was called "Presents" based on our traditional "klompies" game.

Cubs run around and a number is called out. Cubs must huddle together with that number of cubs in a group.

Time for instruction and the Caracals learnt about the animals from the Jungle Book.

Cheetahs brushed up once again on their compass skills.

Santa had to get the presents to the children - and the sleighs were out of order. Clever Santa asked the cubs to "roll" the presents inside a snowball down the hill to the waiting children!

Rolling snowballs with their noses!

It was then time for a Christmas Craft.

Rama - aka Magnificent Michelle - showed the cubs how to make sure Santa stopped over!

Santa, please stop here!

I am sure Santa will oblige!

It was then time for a story!

Cubs had to listen to the story, then find the different leaders who would ask them a question relating to the story. If the cubs got it correct, the Six was awarded a "sparkler". Once they had answered all 5 questions they sat down at a central point.

CHRISTMAS STORY

One Christmas Eve, Father Christmas was getting ready to leave the North Pole. All the toys had been made, all the lists checked to see which children had been good and all the letters had been read.

Elf Dewey had loaded all the toys and all the reindeer were ready. Rudolf's nose had been specially washed and polished. Father Christmas got onto his sleigh and "whoosh" off he went to deliver all his presents to all the children around the world.

Father Christmas delivered presents likes planes, trains and Barbie Dolls in North America and South America. As he landed in Benoni South AFrica, Rudolf's nose went out! "Oh dear, what am I going to do now? How am I going to deliver all these presents in the dark?"

Luckily he met a few of the cub scouts from 9th Benoni Bambanani who knew just what to do to help Father Christmas.

The cubs checked Rudolf's batteries and all was okay. After checking these they realised the bulf had fused. The cubs raced off to the Lighting Warehouse to get a new bulb - too bad it was shut. However they know that Builders Warehouse would be open for a light bulb.

The cubs raced back to Father Christmas and fixed Rudolf's nose! Unfortunately now, Father Christmas was running late and was not going to be able to deliver all the presents in time.

Father Christmas pulled out his Blackberry and BBM'ed Elf Dewey asking him to bring the spare sleigh.

In a flash Elf Dewey was there! The cubs had divided the presents and hopped onto the spare sleigh. They were going to help deliver the presents around the world.

Father Christmas waved goodbye and off he went with a 'ho, ho, ho". Our helpful cubs now had a big task. they delivered the presents to the rest of Africa. From the sleigh they saw lots of countries like Namibia, Zambia and Kenya. They even flew over Mount Kilamanjaro.

They arrived home just before sun rise and realised they never delivered presents for themselves! As they walked into their houses they found huge presents from Father Christmas to say thank you for making Christmas special for so many other children around the world!

Asking a question - will they get it right?

Time for some fun!

Circle Game: Christmas Calamity

Cubs are named : Santa, Sleigh and Reindeer. A name is called out and those cubs run around and back to their place and in to the middle. This time the last 2 cubs were out and had to sit under the tree.

Next week we are off to the Spur for our end of the year outing.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Birds of Prey visit - 18 November 2011

2011-11-18T10:10:00.000-08:00

The Birds of Prey visited us today at 9th Benoni.

What special creatures these are....

These are just random photos of the visit...

Enjoy!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Remembrance Sunday - 13th November 2011

2011-11-13T02:58:00.000-08:00

In Flanders fields the poppies blow

Between the crosses, row on row,

That mark our place; and in the sky

The larks, still bravely singing, fly

Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago

We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,

Loved and were loved, and now we lie,

In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:

To you from failing hands we throw

The torch; be yours to hold it high.

If ye break faith with us who die

We shall not sleep, though poppies grow

In Flanders fields.

We will remember them.

Till next Time

Akela Joy

Survivor - 11th November 2011

2011-11-11T09:29:00.000-08:00

What a privilege it was today to have a group of young people join us from Delmas. They are hoping to start up a Cup Pack in that area and joined us today for some fun!

Our theme this week was "survivor" and we were stranded on the island of Mauritius!

(I wouldn't mind being stranded on this island!)

Our steam release game had the cubs running around looking for a colourful item found on the island. This put them into their teams.

Just before our meeting, some of the cubs did the Chess Interest Badge.

.... and it was then time for lots of fun!!!

Cubs had to spin the wheel and eat whatever it landed on... there were rancid rats, juicy worms, dead ducks, and the like!

some of the dead ducks did not taste so good!

another base was for knotting....

a simple ball game ...

and the next base was trying the hit the bottle off the bench with a ball.

Each bottle had a number written on it and totals were tallied.

Tug of War ...

What a lovely programme - thanks for the fold who arrived from Delmas to join us - please join us again!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Fun on the Magic Bus - 6th Benoni Pack Camp

2011-11-07T09:35:00.000-08:00

6th Benoni held a pack camp in Arrowe Park over the past weekend - and I had the opportunity to be there!

What fun the cubs had - travelling on the Magic Bus!
I have included random photos taken over the weekend ..... enjoy!

Till next Time

Keept Cubbing

Akela Joy

Guy Fawkes - 4th November

2011-11-04T12:06:00.000-07:00

The rain did not dampen our spirits and we once again improvised - and the cubs (and scouts) had great fun!

We started off by investing 5 new chums!

(these three guys transferred from another pack)

... and the rain was still pouring down so we decided to play indoor hockey....

Everyone having a great time!

and the rain still poured down!

and time for a new game!

port, bow, starboard, torpedo, etc.....

the cubs loved this as they had to take cover, or climb onto things ....

I can just see them asking for this game at the next Sixer Council Meeting!

It is good to let the cubs and scouts mingle and get to know one another....

and at last .... no rain for 30 minutes and in that time we quickly had a campfire.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Halloween Sleepover - 28th October 2011

2011-10-29T11:55:00.000-07:00

Another very successful Halloween Sleepover over and done!

We had a 99% turnout and we know that the cubs just love this annual event!
Cubs may dress up in any outfit they like - it does not have to be Halloween related.
Just look at some of these fantastic outfits!

We had the cubs parade in front of the leaders in order to find the "best dressed".... this was not an easy task!

... but eventually they narrowed it down to these 3 fantastic outfits!

Our first game was a quick steam release where scary photos were printed, cut in half and each half given to different cubs. On go, cubs had to run around and on the blow of the whistle, look for their "partner" (other half of the pictures).

We continued with our Instruction and this group were making some clay items.

Ghosts blowing in the wind - such a good idea this...

Halloween would not be the same without "apple bobbing"

The cubs really got wet playing this game but they wanted to play it over and over again!

Some of the fabulous Halloween decorations that were put up in the hall.

and then it was time to do some "high flying"

It was then time for "goulish goo" and "boo brew"

and here we have some amputated mummies fingers...

... along with intestines and graveyard eyeballs...

Dessert was terrancula tartlets

followed by poisonous potion.

It was around this time that the Heavens opened and it poured for the next 2 hours and Plan B came into operation.

Our first lot of bases were set up in the hall and here we have cubs decorating Halloween shaped biscuits.

... making some great spiders .....

Cubs were blindfolded and had to pin the nose on the pumpkin...

Cubs walked along the passage area and 3 scouts jumped out to scare the cubs who had to ward them off with special cards....

an angel in the house!

face painting base

At this base cubs were blindfolded and had to feel for certain items...

our leaders having fun with a laser light

The rain abated and the second round of bases were held outside....

The scouts ran all the bases and if you know scouts, all they want to do is scare the cubs to death! This base was one of those! The scouts were hiding on the shelves and as the cubs walked past to fetch sweets at the end, they jumped out and scared them.... this was all in darkness!

the cubs had to try and peel an apple to see who could get the longest peel.

At this base cubs were given card with the following on.

Each cub had to make up a story using this as the start...

The coffin creaked......

A body lay in the corner - it looked like .....

Inside the boiling pot, a hand bobbed .....

The door creaked open .....

The skeleton stood up .....

Suddenly the severed head opened an eye .....

The ghost moaned .....

Apologies for the blurred photo but it will give you the idea... here the scouts gave each cub a glowstick which they put inside a balloon which they blew up.Quite cool .

and this was awesome and the cubs had a great time at this base..... this is a "glow in the dark" skeleton ..... and this is how it glows.....

here I had a flash on - so you can see it more clearly.

Cubs were given water balloons to get their revenge on the scouts!

Here the cubs had to put their face into a bowl of flour and dig for sour worms.and this is what they looked like!

some more wizards in flight

Harry Potter at his best!

What a wonderful event!....

and as you can see enjoyed by all.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

A visit to 1st Benoni - 21st October 2011

2011-10-21T22:01:00.000-07:00

A bee-keeper arrived whilst I was visiting 1st Benoni - and what an interesting story she had to tell...

The cubs were enthralled and learnt all about the wonders of bees and why we need to save our bees for the continuation of our world.

The cubs were shown the wax the bees had made and also how the bees get into their hives.

Each cub made their own wax candle.

and then each cub was very lucky to be able to take home some lip-balm which is being prepared here.

Wow - aren't we so lucky to have these little creatures around!

At the next base the cubs were making a "mess kit bag".

They were using a standard bag obtainable at any supermarket and decoupaging a lovely picture to personalise it.

At the next base the cubs were being shown how to pitch a tent.

.... and because 1st Benoni is a Sea Scout group, the cubs at this base, were being shown the very basics of how to canoe - and all the water safety rules that go with it.

What a fun time these cubs had!

(and so did I!)

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

1st Bokburg Cameron Cub Pack

2011-10-19T09:58:00.000-07:00

I had the opportunity to visit 1st Boksburg today.

What a lovely little cub pack - and at the moment they have about 7 cubs in the pack.Their programme today was "money, money, money" and they learnt all about the different ways to save, bank and earn money.

This was a fun game!

A large silver coin in placed in a bucket of water. The cubs are then given bronze coins which they must try and drop onto the silver coin.

Cubs making a compass

which they then used to do an activity.

5 steps north

3 steps east etc.

The final picture was a "bank" - in line with the theme.

It was then onto the work session.

Cubs were shown how to tie two sticks together.

They would need these later....

But first a game..

Cubs linked arms and had to run a distance around a chair and back.

and then it was time to find the millions....

Cubs used their sticks to hit the balloons to find their treasure

and on closing, 3 cubs received badges.

I really enjoyed my time at 1st Boksburg - thank you guys.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Sixer Council Meeting - 15th October

2011-10-15T07:30:00.000-07:00

What fun we had today at the Sixer Council Meeting!

Sixers joined me at Arrowe Park where the annual Joti/Jota was taking place.
We held our meeting on the island where the Sixers revised their responsibilities and duties as Sixers. A Sixer Council would not be much fun unless there was something special for each cub and so each received a chocolate, some juice and a lovely bookmark with a beaded wolf-head.

As Joti/Jota is a scout event, the cubs were not allowed to participate in all events but just 2. They were awe-struck with what awaits them when they go up to scouts and so it was a wonderful way to whet their appetites.

They were allowed to do some tie-dyeing....

which they loved ...

... perhaps because it was quite messy .....

and the end result was just perfect!

Scouts talking on the Ham Radio

Scouts using the air-rifles

The cubs were also allowed to use the catapults...

Just such a lovely picture taken at Arrowe Park. Scouts were allowed to go out on the gigs.

In the hall computers were set up where Scouts were busily contacting friends around the world whilst others were gaming.

A great and fun Sixer Council.... and the cubs cannot wait for the next one!

Till next time

Keep Cubbing

Akela JOy

Do as the Detective Does - 14th October 2011

2011-10-14T11:52:00.000-07:00

Tonight was our first night back at Cub Scouts - we were Detectives on the Beat!.....

We also held our AGM and Prize Giving.....

Well done to our Cub of the Year - Quentin Best.
We did our Secret Codes badge today and our first game was called "Catch the Criminals"

All cubs are given stickers which they have to try and stick on the other cub's back without getting any stickers stuck on them! When the whistle blows, cubs with the least stickers are the winners.

We wrote "secret messages" for the other detectives to decipher..

... and to confuse the criminals, we played gibberish hockey.

Cubs are first taugh basic gibberish. Sitting in two lines facing each other they each repeat their number. (one the gun, two the goo, three the gee, four the gour etc) When their number is called, a cub from each side runs up and tries to score a goal.

Because our pack is so big we called out two number - hence having 4 people actively involved each time.

It was then time to decipher a secret code written by Akela.

and what better fun that revealing the secret message by using fire!

Cubs were taught fire safety and how to strike the match correctly.... and we did have some mishaps!

But all in all, it went very well.

Chris, one of our APS's has joined the Troop - well done.

and we have a new APS - Jacques - welcome.

At our Prize Giving the following cubs won awards:

Ryan Leslie for the best attendance.

Connor Howells for the Best Cubbing Spirit

Purple Six were the Six of the Year

and Quentin Best won Cub of the Year - congratulations!

The Troop also held their prize giving and here are my two sons - Matthew - receiving his award for being a scout up till his 18th birthday.

and Andrew - my adoped son - also receiving his trophy for attending scouts till his 18th birthday. Well done guys!

We have a fabulous term lined up with some great cubbing so be sure to keep coming back to check out what we are doing.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

A visit to 4th Benoni Air Scouts

2011-10-02T08:09:00.001-07:00

It was such a pleasure to visit 4th Benoni last week Friday...

This was inside of one of the shelters the cubs built.

One of the many pages from their log book - beautifully done!
A true work of art!

Opening Grand Howl

The theme was "the out in Scouting" and each Six had to build a shelter out doors.

This was the other shelter.

Having fun playing a game.

and this was the start of the other shelter.

What fun the cubs had!

Till next Time

Keep cubbing

Akela Joy

Looking after our world - 23rd September 2011

2011-09-23T10:30:00.000-07:00

As part of the National Cub Challenge, the cubs enjoyed planting an Olive Tree today.

Cubs started off by running around in Arrowe Park just with their socks on (sorry mom!) - this was to enable them to see how many different seeds they could collect.

Next we scattered items around the playing field - some belong in nature - others did not. Cubs had to collect all the items that did not belong in nature.

this was a good exercise to teach them to clean up after themselves as well...

explaining what would happen if these items just get left lying around - are they bio-degradeable?

Just for fun - we added in the "egg and spoon" race..

doing well ...

excellent work ...

keep going ...

you are doing so well ......

wow - good work .....

what happened?

oh, dear!

and some more...

and more!

The Caracals learnt some knotting today..

Tree planting time

pose for the camera please

and the cubs helped fill up the hole

and then we invested one more cub ...

welcome Kendra...

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

District Cub Camp - September 2011

2011-09-20T09:56:00.000-07:00

Cubbing Fun - from beginning to end!

Our District Cub Camp was held last weekend and over 60 cubs enjoyed this fun-filled event together with about 15 leaders.
I have randomly selected some photos - just a very few of the millions I take - but unfortunately cannot upload them all...

All "countries" arriving with their flags...

.... and welcome to China ...

and then it was on to Germany

"tikka, takka, tikka, takka"

"oi, oi, oi"

(or something similar!)

and then it was on to Brazil

My camera battery went flat here so missed a few photos....

but just look at this - what a wonderful example for inspection. They earned full marks and deserved every point! These guys were exceptional! Well done to their Akela!

and then on to Switzerland to do some tobogganing

and the archery of William Tell

some "ice hockey" with a difference

camp flag (inside a bottle top)

and of course the wonderful chocolate ....

Next was the USA and what better way to start with the Statue of Liberty herself!

soap carving

and then lots of adventure through the different states..

gold mining

and we closed off with the Cubs doing the Cubs Own.

What a wonderful camp!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

I want to pretend - 16th September

2011-09-16T11:23:00.000-07:00

It was time for a bit of fun - and today we "pretended" we were someone else!

Cubs came dressed up as mermaids, soccer players, lawyers, monsters - all sorts!
... and to get rid of all that excitement, we quickly played a "steam release" game called Rats and Rabbits - with the one side being "on" and catching the other side.

Yarn: Circus Story

The cubs loved this active story and begged to play it twice!

Cubs are named as clowns, bears, jugglers, lions, tamer, monkeys, elephan, seal, dog, acrobats and the band. The Circus Story is read and each time the name of an animal or performer is called, the cubs go into the middle and perform!

as you can see from the photos, our cubs love acting...

the clowns

big brown bears

jugglers

lions

and of course the monkeys

this cub was incredible!

and our band of mother helpers...

It was time to pretend that we were all soccer players and everyone enjoyed making a finger puppet.

finished...

they used their finger pupper to shoot their soccer balls into the goals.

Instruction time

the caracals this week followed a simple trail

simple directions

another game the cubs loved and asked to play again was "can you hop well enough to spell"

in relay cubs line up and each cubs selects a letter and hops it out.... the others must guess what it is.

As you can see, cubs always have such fun!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

I want to be SAFE - 9th September 2011

2011-09-11T09:06:00.000-07:00

We focused our programme today on SAFETY....

and it's important to know right from wrong when it comes to safety and health...
a quick steam release game of "yes", "no", "maybe" was played.
(NSEW)

Some road safety and when to cross the road...

Cubs made robots..

Traffic Light Game

Yarn about fire safety

Learning to light a match the correct way.

We included a few other games as well as instruction before closing.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

PoP

Gilwell Reunion - 3 September 2011

2011-09-03T23:21:00.001-07:00

Rugby madness at Gilwell Reunion 2011...

Photos from Gilwell Runion - September 2011

Tree planting..

Scouts Own

Rugby Fun!

East Rand Girl power!

Campfire's burning..

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

I want to do - 2nd September 2011

2011-09-02T21:59:00.000-07:00

Cubs always "want to do" - so that was what our theme was for the week.

Over the pas year we have been collecting "funny money" for a worthy cause. This year the money will go towards 6 "Santa Shoeboxes"
Each shoebox has items in that are useful - clothing, stationery, toiletries, sweets etc. These are then handed to a company who collects and distributes to worthy institutions. We have nominated KidsHaven in Benoni.
Thank you once again to all our Cubs for continuing to bring your money each and every week.

We started off with a quick Steam Release game - divided the cubs into 2 teams - each with different colour wool in their belt. On 'go' they had to try and retrieve someone else wool.

Having great fun!

It is always important to "do your best"

The cubs listened to a yarn about doing your best.

and then it was on to a Circle Game to see who could run the fastest - and even our Mother Helpers got involved!

Our cubs love playacting - they are such little clowns!

Each Six was giving something to prepare and then we all had to guess....

Preparing

driving down to the seaside

hanging up washing

getting ready for school

grocery shopping - note the shopping trolley!

washing windows

baking

After Instruction and a few other games we managed to go fishing!

We also welcomed 2 new chums into the pack this week - so welcome to Jessica and Caelen.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

I want to be happy -- 26th August 2011

2011-08-26T10:44:00.000-07:00

At the begining of our meeting today we invested Haithi into the Pack - welcome - we hope you have a long and enjoyable stay with us.

Akela Sharon putting on his 9th Benoni scarf.

Our Steam Release Game was called "take cover" and on the blow of the whistle the cubs had to hide and count to 10 before appearing again.

Happy cubs...

They seemed to enjoy hiding behind this huge tree!

Instruction Time and I had very few Caracals this week...

We learnt the Cub's Prayer

The Leopards in action

The Lions doing their best..

... and the Cheetahs did knotting ...

The cubs made a laughing tin today - they took a tin and threaded a piece of string through it and wet the strin and tugged hard on it whilst placing the open side to their ear -- the sound was similar to "laughing"

The cubs loved this...

On to our circle game of "ha ha"

which the cubs thought was hilariously funny...

Singing - If you know you are happy clap your hands

and then we played some indoor hockey... which always goes down well.

A great programme enjoyed by all.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Visit to the World Scout Jamboree - Sweden 2011

2011-08-21T00:31:00.000-07:00

What an adventure!

This is the gateway that welcomed visitors to the WSJ in Sweden... very big and very impressive!
As you walked along the roads, the "spirit of scouting" was very evident...

Millions of visitors each day ...

This is a huge tower .... I would have liked to have climbed it but the queue was just too long and I believe the wait was about 1 and a half hours... too long when you only have 1 day at the Jamboree.

The queue for the Jamboree Shop!

My friend Lotta from Sweden... we met up after being "facebook friends" for over 3 years. Lotta was very involved with the organisation of the WSJ and during the Jamboree was seconded to "site services".... well done for all that hard work!

Horse racing with a difference..... hilariously funny!

.... and this is beyond words.....

a pioneered ferris wheel

Magnificent!

Swings!

and a haystack with a difference....

first you have to climb the haystack ...

and the benefit of all this hard work was the "foofie" slide at the top! .... wonderfully engineered.

The Jamboree was just stunning!

Till next Time

Keep cubbing

Akela Joy

WSJ

2011-08-02T20:50:00.000-07:00

Sweden - here we come!

Leave today for our visit to the WSJ in Sweden - going to be awesome! .... and then a 2 week tour of Europe.

See you all when we get back.

Till then

Take care

Joy

Winter Cubbing - 29th July

2011-07-29T11:08:00.000-07:00

Today was really winter! Too freezing even to go outside!

So it was perfect weather for our cub programme!

... and our first game was "Snow Shovel".... cubs divided into 3 teams and on go, they each had a huge broom and shovelled pine cones from one end of the hall, around a chair and back again.

Being stranded, we had to learn how to cross the frozen lake...

.. so in sixes, each cub was given a piece of paper which they placed on the floor as they walked forward....

This was great fun!

We realised then that someone was stranded on the other side of the frozen lake ane we needed to rescue them.... of course the ice was very thin, so we had to form a human chain and slide carefully to reach them.

Time for Instruction and here the Caracals are learning about First Aid.

Leopards did "alone at home"

and the Lions make some stunning bird feeders.

We invested two new chums.....this is Ethan

and then we also invested Kamil..

Rikki telling everyone about our scarf.

Welcome to both Ethan and Kamil.

We hope that you both have a fun filled time with us at 9th Benoni.

We had a "going up" Ceremony for 3 of our cubs today as well. It was very sad to see them go but we know that they are ready for Scouts and they will enjoy it.

We will miss you.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

District Cycle Rally - 2011

2011-07-24T01:03:00.000-07:00

Our District Cycle Rally was once again held at Arrowe Park this year - a fabulous venue for any cubbing or scouting event.

I have just posted some random pictures of the event ....

Winners of the Cycle Rally - 1st Boksburg / 1st Kempton and Norkem - well done!

Thank you to everyone who helped make this day such a huge success!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Cubs Scouts - Back to Basics - 22nd July

2011-07-22T10:30:00.000-07:00

The cub gives in to the old Wolf

The cub does not give in to himself.

We are back! after a long school holdiay....
Our first meeting we re-introduced the cubs to the ways of the Jungle...

... and the on to some fun games....

remembering the importance of discipline...

while still enjoying oneself...

We learnt the Promise again and this time the cubs had to write it out and tear up....

... before they could play the relay game!

... and put it all together again ....

the Lions wrote an article

whilst the Caracals learnt all about safety....

the 2 Cheetahs today learnt how to greet in another language....

and the Leopards revised the Promise and Law...

Just getting back to basics....

Till next Week

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Mandela Day - 18th July

2011-07-18T12:51:00.000-07:00

Mandela Day is celebrated each year with us doing 67 minutes of charitable work. Read here for more information about Mandela Day.....

The cubs from the East Rand District got together and helped clean up Arrowe Park.

Well done - we are proud of you all !

Till next Time
Keep Cubbing
Akela Joy

Gala Fun - 2008

2011-07-12T20:22:00.000-07:00

Fun at the Gala!

"Santa" arriving with his present!

"Mrs Santa"

The cork race!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

More photos through the years....

2011-07-06T20:15:00.000-07:00

Cubbing is such fun! .... filled with parties, pirates and plenty of adventure!

One of the many special programmes we have....

"making a mummy of me"!

trying their best...

cooking bananas and marshmallows! ...

one of our many fun galas

a Kontiki from years back with the theme of "Harry Potter"

We are still on school holiday.... and will be back on the 22nd July - see you all then.

Take care

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Where the "funny money" goes to .....

2011-06-22T08:09:00.000-07:00

"Funny Money" - a strange name for such a wonderful cause!

Each week we ask the cubs to bring a little bit of money (usually loose change in mom's purse!) which we collect over the term or year, and this goes to a good cause.

Above in the picture is IMRANI the Guide Dog for the Blind. The cubs collected their 'funny money' for about 3 years before we could afford the sponsorship fees in 2009.
It was probably around 2004 or 2005 that we had once again collected enough 'funny money' to sponsor IKE - this beautiful black labrador guide dog - who is now with his wonderful owner in Namibia.

We started off our 'funny money' sponsorship when we gave the East Rand Police Dogs a bullet proof jacket.. Crime is quite rife and when the police dogs are taken in to risky areas, the bullet proof jackets help them tremendously.

We encourage all the cubs to contribute...

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Special Programme - Cubbing Cowboys

2011-06-20T08:55:00.000-07:00

Another programme from yesteryear!

Cubs had such fun being cowboys...

and no huge amounts of money were spent on the outfits...

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Cub Camping is G-R-E-A-T!

2011-06-17T03:37:00.000-07:00

This was a camp we held in 2007 themed "Around the World" .... and boy did we have great fun!

Our trip included a boat cruise.... (on the QE2!)

a special limousine trip down the streets of Hollywood!

... and the air-hostessess on board our flight were very helpful!

A great team and a great camp!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

A day in our cubbing life .....

2011-06-14T10:02:00.000-07:00

We are on school holiday now - till mid July - so I thought I would post some random photos taken over the past couple of years!

This one is clearly my favourite!

If there are dreams about a beautiful South AFrica, there are also roads that lead to their goal. Two of these roads could be named Goodness and Forgiveness. (Nelson Mandela)

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

What do your feet say? - 10th June 2011

2011-06-10T11:20:00.000-07:00

Somebody very famous has lost his foot and we are going to help Scotland Yard find it. Are you up to some investigating in the freezing weather?

Steam Release: Find that foot!

Different coloured footprints are cut up and hidden in the playing field. Each Six must find "their colour" and put together a pair of prints.

.... and there we have it!

Have we all guessed who has lost his foot?

That is right - a very famous South African - Nelson Mandela!

.... and his feet have walked many miles .....

He has walked far and wide and seen many interesting places but has had to overcome some great obstacles.... let's see if you are up to some obstacles.

The Sixers had a Sixer Council Meeting and received special lollies!

Advancement carried on as normal and First Aid was enjoyed by all....

(Our little actors!)

Feats of Skill

... and while I was takingn photos I noticed some Red Indians, and distant drums which caught my attention - so hurried to field off yonder only to find Haiwatha and her clan making fire!
(Special programme being held at 1st Benoni - cub scouts next door to us)

Because Father's Day is soon, the cubs made special gifts of soap and a card.

and remembering that Nelson came from the hills of the Eastern Cape, where lots of singing takes place, we taught the cubs the campfire song "Bananas"

which goes like this:

Banana lovers of the world unite...

Peel bananas, peel, peel bananas

Peel banans, peel, peel bananss

Eat bananas, eat, eat bananas
Eat Bananas, eat eat bananas

Go Bananas, go, go bananas

(Clasp hands above your head as if to make yourself look like a banana.

Then when the song starts, start to act like your hands are the peels of the banana peeling.

then when it comes to eat the banana, act like you are shoving bananas in your mouth.... and of course when is says "go bananas" then you act like a monkey and go crazy!

Because we were doing "footprints" we also showed the cubs some "spoor"

We are closed now for school holidays.

Our cycle rally takes place on the 23rd July. Make sure that you are registered to ride as it is going to be great fun!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Last Term's Lunch Box - 3rd June 2011

2011-06-03T11:15:00.000-07:00

It was a freezing day on the Highveld - but we braved the cold with the cubs and had F-U-N!

There are all sorts of diseases around us, everyone is carrying their own special germs. Careful you don't catch something....
Steam Release Game: Touches

Germs breed in many places and one of their favourite places is in LAST TERM'S LUNCH BOX! still buried in the bottom of your school bag. Juwt what will we find there.....

Kim's Games: A number of "squishy" items are passed around for cubs to feel which they need to identify afterwards.

(and in between this there is always time to get up to mischief!)

or meditate

Perhpas because they are blindfolded, they don't think that we can see them getting up to mischief!!!

We had to call on our wonderful parents to help us out with Instruction this week.

We are very "short staffed" and are in desperate need of leaders to join us....

Teaching Time

The little ones made special greeting cards for dads.

some did knotting...

Oh!, you will never gues what we found at the very bottom of the suitcase! These very smelly socks - they must have been hiding there for a really long time....

GAME: 3 legged race.

Sometimes though our mistakes lead to wonderful discoveries....

YARN: Simple yarn about Madam Curie and the discovery of penicillin.

We also quickly went over "healthy living"

To start feeling better we decided to make some lovely roses.

mmm - they do smell good!

Penicillin is normally injected by needle.

GAME: Drop the Toothpick

In relay formation, cubs run up and in an upright position see if they can drop the toothpick into a coke bottle.

So if you don't want to end up in hospital, remember to empty your lunch box every day!

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Bunny Park Clean Up

2011-06-01T20:19:00.000-07:00

As part of their Community Service, the cubs of 9th Benoni visited the Bunny Park and picked up litter...

They all had a great time whilst making it a lot cleaner for the bunnies!

Thank you to all those who attended.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

Akela Joy

Dog Show

2011-05-31T20:21:00.000-07:00

Dr Jane Hall held a very successful Dog Show at the hall on Sunday.... here are some of the many photos taken.

Till next Time

Keep Cubbing

AKela Joy