THE EXPLORER CUB PACK

Our Cubs meet at our hall on Thursday Evenings

between the hours of 7:00 - 8:30pm

Cubs are for boys and girls who are around 7½ and have not yet turned 11. From about 10½ they can commence 'linking' up to Scouts. If your child is 10½ and has not yet started with Cubs, you may consider going straight to Scouts.

What are the fundamental aims for a Cub Pack?

• To have fun in a safe and structured environment.
• To be introduced to, or continue to develop within the world of scouting.
• Begin, or continue to develop a sense of belonging to a structured fun activity outside school and sports.
• Become more independent through achieving individual goals in scouting in an uncompetitive atmosphere.

Typical Activities

Cubs begin to develop their 'life skills' learnt through scouting activities. They start being recognised for their achievements through a badge award system that they progressively work though while they're in Cubs. As an eight year old they are encouraged too aim for their 'Bronze Boomerang' badge which they only receive when they have worked through a series of exercises/activities that develop their skills not only in scouting but for life in general. These will include (but not be limited too) things like cleanliness, home & road safety, tying things, outdoor scouting and self expression.
At Nine and Ten years of age they will be encouraged to do their 'Silver' & 'Gold' Boomerangs respectively which continue on the same theme as the 'Bronze Boomerang' but at a more advanced level.
There are any number of achievement badges our youth members can also do as they go including swimming, cycling, first aid and the like.
At the 1st East Ryde, our Cubs typical weekly meeting is divided into 3 - 4 different activities in no particular order.

• Stories
  Our Leaders will tell stories about Baden Powell (the founder of the scouting movement) and the interesting life he had and stories about our wonderful country, Australia.
• Games
  There are literally hundreds of different games our Leaders know and teach our children to play. Some have a scouting connection that actually teaches while they are played while others are simply for fun.
• Arts & Craft
  Cub's will often sit around a table and do various sorts of craft that will help develop their skills and understanding of life in general. They might make a sailing boat or a plane for example and learn the various parts that make them work.
• Community Service
  Along with our Leaders our Cubs may march at our local Memorial March on Anzac day or participate in 'Clean up Australia Day'.
• Outdoor Activities
  Our Cubs will regularly visit the local Police Station, Fire Brigade or the like and learn about the community service these places provide. We do Bush walking around our area as there are a number of bush track (surprisingly) in our suburb that start right out the back of our hall. We also go on camps 3 - 4 times a year, usually at another scouting facility in a hall.

Because we like to maintain our Cubs interest, we don't (at this point anyway) have our Cubs sleep in tents. We believe this is something they can look forward too in Scouts. This helps maintain an interest in the adventure yet to unfold when they link up to scouts.