Introduction

The successful and popular Cub Scout Pack and Beaver Scout Colony have been running in the villages for the past 15 years. It is unfortunate, however, that we do not have a Scout Troop in our Group

We form part of the Hinchingbrooke District, which in turn, is one of 12 Districts in Cambridgeshire County. Hinchingbrooke District covers a wide geographical area, from Kimbolton in the west to Hartford in the east, and from Sawtry in the north to St Neots/Eaton Socon in the south.

This Group welcomes boys between the ages of 6 and 10.5 years and who reside in the villages of Offord Cluny, Offord Darcy, Great Paxton, Graveley, Toseland and Papworth St Agnes or who attend the schools of Offord and Gt Paxton. Girls are eligible to join the Scout Movement and there are some Groups in Hinchingbrooke District who actively recruit girls in all their sections, however, we do not have girls in our Group.

BEAVERS

The age group for the youngest section is from 6 to 8 years and it is advisable to contact the Beaver Scout Leader with a boy's name and date of birth so that he can be placed on the waiting list which should ensure that he enters the Colony at the right age.

• Venue: Offord County Primary School, Millers Close, Offord Darcy
• Day: Tuesday evening (term times only)
• Times: 6.00 pm to 7.15 pm
• Leaders name: Mrs Jennie Duquemin
• Tel No: 0779 6310518

The motto of Beavers is "Fun and Friends" and this is promoted by the interesting and stimulating programmes that are organised for the boys each Tuesday evening, within a safe and secure environment.

Currently the number of Beavers runs at 18, with 2 fully qualified Leaders and a parent rota.

CUB SCOUTS

The age group for this section is 8 to 10.5 years, with the boys progressing on from Beavers and making the natural move upwards into the next section. It is difficult to accept boys who have not already been a Beaver, as the Pack numbers are kept at a maximum by those boys moving up. Currently the number of Cubs in the Pack runs from 22 to 30, with 3 fully qualified Leaders and a weekly parent rota.

• Venue: The Community Room, Gt Paxton School, Mount Pleasant, Gt Paxton
• Day: Tuesday evening (term time only)
• Times: 6.15 pm to 7.45 pm
• Leaders name: Mrs Jenny Griffiths, Tel No: 01480 811126

The programme for the Cub Scout Section is based on a progressive Award Scheme of 3 stages designed to stimulate and develop skills of this age range. Alongside the Award Scheme Cub Scouts can work for Activity badges covering a wide range of interests, e.g. Artist, Animal Lover, Collector, Handyman, Home Help, Cooks, Athlete, Swimmer, Sportsman, Musician etc etc. Special interest evenings are also arranged to link in with notable events, such as American Independence Day, Christmas, Easter, Pancake Day etc.

The Cub Scout Pack take a very active part in all the District events, such as Swimming Gala, Sports Day, handicraft competition, special camps, as well as having our own very busy programme throughout the year. Our next major event is the Pack camp (under canvas) to be held at Ripton Lodge, Abbots Ripton over the first weekend in September.

Just recently the Group were awarded a Cambridge Evening News Community Award which assisted towards the purchase of some new camping equipment.

The Group also assists the community by recently raising the sum of £580 by undertaking a sponsored walk for the National Asthma Campaign.

Please contact the above named people if you have a son who wishes to join the Group or you yourself are interested in assisting either the Beaver Scout Colony or the Cub Scout Pack.