Cane Festival Preparation

Last night was a craft night dssigned to get our display for the Cane Featival Parade. Ths theme is Queensland Heritage, and we were focusing on our love of Cars.

Some of the cubs created cardboard box cars and have done a pretty good job too.

It was during a visit to Ably Schwarz house that he presented a set of folders that contained a heap.of old newspapers. An idea came to me that we could use the.old adverts m, blow them up and create placards. Those cubs not on cars last night were inside highlighting some of the text, as being old and yellowing, some of the text was too light. They did a terrific job and were so focused.

It gets me how somethong so simple can keep them.so occupied, and quiet.

The Cane Festival starts at 12pm, weare assembling at the rear of Red Rooster and then walk down the Kent street start point. Water is being provided again for all youth memebrs so please no camel packs or drink bottles. Collection will be at showground arena after parade, once the float has been packed up. Please attend it is our way of getting out and showing off our great group and those that turn up each week.

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Boomerang work clarification

Please be mindful that if cubs are working on the boomerang badges at home, that tbey understand tge terms.

The term MAKE, is used to have cubs ceate something. Now we are looking for more then just a simple drawing. Take make a compass. We actually are asking the cubs to go away and research how to make a very simple one. A quick search on Google will help and all they really need is a cork, 4 pins, magnet and a cup of water. It does work.

Also, we understand that cubs may struggle with knowledge retention, so we have no problems if they jot down points and bring along to help.

We dont make it difficult, but we need to challenge else we would just give the badge away. It all leads to personal acheivement and sets them on lifes true journey.

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Boomerang Age Brackets

One of the key things in Boomerang Awards is it is based on age. The brackets are:

BRONZE: 7.5 to 9
SILVER: 9 to 10
GOLD: 10 to 11
GREY WOLF: completion of GOLD level, but can work towards it while working on GOLD.

Their is a little room to start these no more than 6 months before the age bracket, but they will not get awarded the bafge until they turn the age bracket. Their is a lot in the boomerang work and to ensure enough time to complete Grey Wolf is why we allow the early start point. However, they must have completed the previous boomerang level first.

Also, if they do not complete all 10 sections by birthday, they will not acheive the badge. Again, if they are close to completing, say one or two weeks, we will allow it, but if they come two months later than they lose that badge and must start next one.

The GREY WOLF award can be worn on their shirt in Scouts, until they earn the Pioneering Badge.

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Cub chat about badgework

One of the things that we had to do this week was talk to the cubs about badgework and why we do the cool activities each week.

With so many new faces and young joeys in our section it was time to explain our badgework strategy. Each week the cubs are expected to bring along their yellow books, and place in a green bin by the door. This is done so that if we complete Boomerang Badgework on our nights we can sign it off.

Now we do test our cubs, we dont just sign it off. Each time we add a Boomerang section to our den night, we include challenges to reinforce that learning. As long as they show they understand and do their best we will sign off. But, and it is a big BUT, it is up to the cubs to bring along their yellow books and add to the bucket/bin. No book, no sign off. We know who attends and keep a record of sections completed so that we can sign off in a week or two. Any longer and we will ask that cub some general questions or ask them to demostrate they have retained the knowledge.

If a cub has Acheivement badgework, they need to place yellow book in bin, and write name on whiteboard at front of den. This way we can see they need testing as we dont target acheivement badges, unless we decide to, it is something the cubs have to do for themselves. It gives them great pride when they acheive a badge on their own.

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Navigation and extra bits

This weeks focus was again on Navigation. We continued on wth compass work from last week, only this week we had the cubs set coordinates and and find items around the grounds.

Cubs were taught that once you have set your compass and have turned the direction you want to go, they then need to lift their heads and tell me the first thing they saw in that direction. Allowing that some cubs were two or three steps left and right of the set point they got the idea. Basically when a coordinate is set, the person setting it will focus on a static object in the distance and walk towards it. This way they dont need to check compass bearing all the time. Plus if you are slightly off course and need to recheck constantly, it could see you heading off on a different direction.

The next base was trail signs. This was about showing the standard signs for home, left, right, danger, and river ahead. It is all about safety in the bush and what you might need to do if you get lost or in a difficult to navigate location. The cubs enjoyed this challenge.

The final base for the night was to get the cubs to roll their scraves properly, and to learn how to roll the flags at the end of night. Most of our cubs are new and it was important to teach them to roll scarf as it is an important part of our uniform and as most have been showing little care in dressing for parade, we felt it was time to address the matter.

Folding the flag is an important duty each, and if it is not done correctly, when time comes to open the flag it does not always open. Can be a little embarrassing when we have guests on parade ;-)

There was one more session but that is another quick update .....

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Cuboree 2012 Update

Cuboree 2012 is only 13.5 months out. The event will be June 29 to July 3, 2012 and will be held at Rockhampton. The theme is 'Magical Mystery Tour'. For your cub to attend they must be:

<ul>
<li>9 years to 11 years at time of Cuboree starting</li>
<li>Have completed Silver Boomerang</li>
<li>Attend 2 camps with a minimum of 2 nights away from home.</li></ul>
Based on this, 90% of the cubs in Beenleigh will be eligible to attend, but it is up to them to ensure they acheive their Silver Boomerang Badge.

I have been advised that the price will be around $350 per cub to attend. This will include transport to the event and home again. The bus trip is one of the many activities they will participate in, as they will have set tasks to do for every pick up they do along the way. The trip is estimated to take 10 hours.

At Cuboree 2010 we had 13 cubs attend and 5 helpers. We expect that again for Cuboree 2012 based on the numbers we have, and the cubs that can qualify for Silver Boomerang status. Our programs are centered on Boomerang work, but we expect the cubs to bring along their Yellow Books each week to ensure they get things signed off. No book, means reduced chances of getting to Cuboree. We do however register who attended but the Cubs have to take ownership of getting badge work signed off.

As a result of the costs, we need to fundraise to help bring down the impact for everyone. This event is one the Leaders have to pay for as well, there are no exceptions. Fundraising last Cuboree saw most cubs get some discount off the event. For Cuboree 2012, we have to complete with Scout Jamboree Fundraising, as a result it has been decided Cubs will fundraise from now until End of Year, to ensure we do not cut into each others fundraising needs. The following Cuboree Fundraising events will take place, I encourage you all to get as many people to come along as the money raised will benefit your cub.

Events:

<ul>
<li>July 10 - Beenleigh Sunday Markets </li>
<ul>
<li>Bring along your unwanted bits from home so we can take to the markets to sell. Deadline for goods will be End of Term 2.</li></ul>

<li>July 23 - Family Trivia &amp; Bingo Night
<ul>
<li>Come along for some serious fun. $10 a head or $50 a table of 6 - extras on a table will be $10 a head (12 on a table $100)</li>
<li>Sausage Sizzle and Drinks available</li></ul>
Oct 29 - Family Halloween Trivia Night

<ul>
<li>Get dressed up for another fun filled night. Same price structure as pervious event</li></ul>
Dec 4 - Family Car Rally

<ul>
<li>$20 a car </li>
<li>Start at Den, end - who knows where.</li></ul></li></ul>Outside of this I we would like to put on Movie Sessions at the Loganholme Cinemas. We are looing at CARS 2 or KUNG FU PANDA 2 in 3D on July 3. Cost is $20 per adult and $17 per child. Includes Small popcorn and Drink. This saves around $5 per person if you went as a family of 4. We will be passing this to schools to see if we can get them to attend also. I hope we can run a couple of others in the next 6 months with a family theme.

To add your family and numbers to the Movie Session, send an email to register and once I have numbers to move forward I will advise on how to pay and redeem tickets for the session.

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Jupiter, Venus and Mercury

Hi Cubs, this week I have news on being able to see Jupiter, Mercury and Venus all in a rowin the eastern sky. Best time to view os 5am and you wont need a telescope to see them shine bright. They will be visible for the next few days.

http://i.space.com/images/i/9445/i02/four-planets-together-mercury-boston.jpg?1304620968

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