Friday, November 23, 2007

Cub Cricket - 23 November 2007

Today we had a fun sporty type of programme! The cubs enjoyed a game of "cricket with a difference!"

Group photo of our little darlings!

Aren't they just precious!

Taking a good swing

Oops! ... and he is out!

..... and so is he.

Having fun - like boys do!

And here they are learning all about theirEmergency Kits.... what to put into an Emergency Kit, what phone numbers to have, etc.

I thought I would add this beautiful photo of the dam at our hall.
As I have said before, we are very priviledged to have such beautiful grounds.
Till next Time
Keep Cubbing
Akela Joy

Saturday, November 17, 2007

6th Benoni Cub Pack

Tonight I had the opportunity to visit 6th Benoni Cub Pack. What a wonderful pack this is - full of enthusiam and spirit!
The theme for their programme was "the patron saints" and the first one they learnt about was St Patrick. Being from Ireland, it is traditional that everyone wears green on the 17th March. It is believed that he chased out all the snakes from Ireland and so the cubs played a game called "catch the snake" just after the opening.

The other two saints they learnt about were Saint Christopher and Saint Anthony. Saint Christopher - the saint of travel and Saint Anthony the saint to pray to should you lose anything.

This was one of the Memory Games the cubs played. A number of items are placed on the floor (same amount as there are cubs). Example: pen, glue, scissors, battery, torch etc. Cubs may look at them for approximately 30 seconds. Then their caps are placed over the items and these are arranged in a cirlce. Divide the pack into two teams. Team A nominates someone from Team B to find the 'scissors'. If he gets it correct, he may take it and gets 1 point. Then Team B nominates someone from Team A to find the 'glue' or whatever item; and so it goes on.
They loved this game and had so much fun when they actually found the correct item!

One of the Cubs updating the Progress Chart.
Till next Time
Keep cubbing
Akela Joy

Sunday, November 11, 2007

Leaders Skill Day - 10 November

Approximately 75 Pack Scouters and Pack Helpers descended on Gilwell Florida here in Johannesburg to add to their vast knowledge and learn a few more ideas to take back to their own Packs.
Many brilliant ideas were put forward in games, craft work, compass work, puzzles, golf, ... to name just a few. Here the Pack Scouters are having fun making a Toucan Bird Feeder.The Knotting Base - by the Sea Captain himself!

Little pine cone bird.

The craft ladies in action

Pirates of the Caribbean - compass work

The South African Flag - with a difference!
The Jungle Book - a wealth of ideas!

.... and a beautiful mask to make!

The static base told us all about the new Interest Badges that had been introduced as well as other interesting facts like "World Thinking Day"
Brilliant ideas will now be taken back to each Pack in the Area.
Email me if you would like any of these ideas for your Pack.
Till Next Time
Keep Cubing
Akela Joy

Homecraft Badge - 9th November 2007

Today was real "housekeeping" day at 9th Benoni! The Cubs were getting set for their Homecraft Interest Badge.

We are very priviledged at 9th Benoni to have such beautiful and well maintained grounds both at the hall and at Arrowe Park. Here our Cubs are listening to instructions for their Steam Release Game from our Group Scouter, Mr Shane Gardiner.

To make sure our Cubs know how to set that Christmas Party table, we pre-set one to show them one of the correct ways to set a table.

.... and just look how well they did! Well done to our guys - you did such a stunning job.

Cleaning that dirty brass!

And washing the dishes!
The cubs also ironed their scarves and sewed a button.
At home, to complete the Interest Badge, the Cubs will have to make their beds and bring a note to Akela.
Till next Time
Keep Cubbing
Akela Joy

Friday, November 02, 2007

3rd Impala - Boksburg

The Jungle Book follows the ups and downs of the man-cub Mowgli as he journeys through life in the jungle, making friends with the wise panther Bagheera whilst trying to escape the ruthless tiger Shere Khan. Along the way, he meets unforgettable friends and foes including the hypnotic snake Kaa and the loveable, happy-go-lucky bear Baloo, who teaches Mowgli the true meaning of friendship.
Fun and excitement for all at every turn!
Kaa the ssssnake happened to sssslither in.

I visited 3rd Impala in Boksburg today and a whole jungle of animals awaited me! From snakes, to bears and panthers to beautiful girls and even a little man cub!

.... and here are they.
Let me introduce you to them!
This is Bagheera the Panther and Mowgli the 'man cub'

.... Bagheera the Panther.....
Just look at that tail!

Wow! Isn't she just gorgeous!
This is Messua from the village

... and here Akela Kate is teaching them a new song.

The Jungle Bunch
Till nex Time
Keep Cubbing
Akela Joy

Cub Progrmme - 2 November

Another fun programme - from start to finish!

After our forman opening.....
...we played a quick game (with water) which the cubs love.

Two of our Leaping Wolf cubs are busy writing an article on what they did last week Saturday at the 'Catch-Up' Day held at the hall.
Some monkeys in the tree!

Is that a Figure-of-Eight?

Nearly there..... let's try again!

.... and the Bowline goes like this....
Till nex Time
Keep Cubbing
Akela Joy

Saturday, October 27, 2007

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