December 16, 1916 may not be a significant date to most people, but to the 10-million former Cubs (in the UK alone) and 30-million current Scouting members worldwide, it is the official registration date of the Cub Scout section.
Nine years after the foundation of the Boy Scouts movement, Robert Baden-Powell wanted to set up a junior scheme for those boys who were too young to join.
He wanted something quite different from a watered down Boy Scout program so he asked his friend Rudyard Kipling for the use of his Jungle Book story as a frame for the wolf cub scheme.
Hence the name Akela is used as the leader of the Cub pack and why Cub groups often start their evening meetings with the grand howl.
Recently Cubs from Devon, including members from Tavistock and Okehampton, celebrated with an enormous party and ‘non-sleep’ sleepover, while Cubs from East Cornwall held a special indoor campfire celebration at Sterts Theatre in Upton Cross.
Around 1,200 Cubs and their leaders arrived by specially organised trains and buses from all corners of Devon and descended upon the sports halls of Exeter University.
A live band and entertainment was provided until 10pm, after which members of the movement switched on their tea lights and renewed their Cub promise.
The Cubs then sang a specially written ‘happy birthday’ song dedicated to the Cub Scout movement. The singing was lead by the Assistant Chief Constable of Devon and Cornwall Police, Paul Netherton.
The children also tucked into a giant birthday cake which was made by Diana McDowell — the Mary Berry of Mary Tavy — who took on the mammoth challenge of baking 1,200 cupcakes.
After the party the Cubs and leaders then returned to the indoor tennis courts where they laid out their sleeping bags ready for a night of back-to-back films.
Any Cubs who did sleep were woken at 6am for breakfast which was followed by presentations. Several Cubs received their Chief Scout’s silver award — a prestigious award in the Cub programme.
During the presentations Sandra Johnson, who has stepped down after 10 years as a county commissioner for Devon Cubs, was commended and praised for spending the last two years planning the event.
Sandra, who has been involved with Cubs for 36 years, said: ‘I was overwhelmed by all of the kind words written by Cub leaders and the hundreds of signatures from the children. I am just glad that I didn’t open all of the lovely presents in front of everyone — as I would have burst into tears. It was so overwhelming and I am very thankful.’
Linda Atouguia, of the Okehampton Cubs, said: ‘What a night! It was amazing to meet so many people from one organisation and it made me realise how worldwide Scouting truly is, by seeing so many Cubs from just one county in the UK.’
Cubs from East Cornwall, including youngsters from Callington, Stoke Climsland, Upton Cross, Torpoint, Saltash and Liskeard, joined in the 100-year celebrations by hosting an indoor campfire party at Sterts Theatre.
Clare Bain, leader of the Stoke Climsland Cubs, said: ‘It was a fantastic evening — everything went to plan and the children had a great time. We held a traditional campfire event, with a pretend fire on the stage at Sterts.
‘We sang traditional campfire songs and the children took part in small comedy sketches on the stage. Around 100 Cubs attended plus former Cubs and their families and they all seemed to have a brilliant time.’
Emily Batchelor, of the Scout Association, said: ‘We’ve had a busy year celebrating with Cubs and thousands of volunteers from across the UK.
‘Scouts gives young people the chance to experience fun, adventure and learn skills for life that they may not get elsewhere and we now have an incredible 150,000 plus Cub Scouts in the UK. It’s a growing movement that offers young people life changing experiences and we look forward to the next 100 years!’
If you would like to become involved with Scouting by helping young people have adventures and try new activities, plus promoting good citizenship, social values and gain life skills, e-mail [email protected]
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