1st Cookham Scout Troop Cub Packs

2002

Mountain Camp
Easter 2002 - we hit Snowdonia. Bryn Gwynant youth hostel in the Nantgwynant vally behind Snowdon herself. This year 5 Explorers and 7 Scouts (plus 4 Leaders) participated.
Everyone seemed to have fun. We were blessed with a couple of days great weather and a couple not so good. Everyone had the chance to experience the Mountains - in mixed conditions - and everyone seemed to enjoy the experience. We will be hosting a report back soon.

Blind Drops
Explorers and Scouts have both been off on blind drops recently.
The Explorers figured out where they were - and then chose to walk the wrong way for an hour or so! The Scouts faired a bit better when they did it - though they did all manage to get lost too.
The Explorers had another crack (different area) and did manage to figure it out that time.

Advanced Kayaking
We continue our kayaking through the winter again this year. Following the huge success of last year, those who are already at or beyond their BCU Two Star level are enjoying sessions on local rivers. Later in the year / New Year we will be out and about on bigger water and maybe the sea!

MOUNTAIN CAMP
9 Scouts joined 5 Leaders for a weekend in the mountains of the Lakes.
This was our 'Easter' camp that was put on hold due to F&M.
Photos and reports will be posted soon

Camp Report Back & Anniversary
We were very happy to invite a large number of 'old boys' to the HQ to enjoy the celebrations of the recent history of our Group.
The occaision, joined by District and Country types, also saw the Chief Scout's Challenge Report Back by the senior patrol and then the audio visual treat of the Camp Report Back, Harlech 2001.

Summer Camp
Harlech 2001 - another huge success. We had a fantastic time in a lovely location - report and photos coming soon.

WORLD JAMBOREE
Cookham Scouts are very happy to support three lucky boys on the World Jamboree. Ian Batt, Frazer Callingham and Luke Evans are all on their way. Perhaps most interesting is Ian, who's elder brothers Jeremy and Chris have attended the past two World Jamboree's! Three in a row for Cookham Scouts and three in a row for one family... some record?

November
SPL Evening
Our SPL organised a great night of activities for the Troop.
These included the always popular bouncy boxing and a number of food related basis
(funnily enough!)
Checkout da photos

Scout Night Hike
Cookham entered two teams in this years District Incident Hike event. Yet again, a well organised event which everyone enjoyed. Both Cookham teams made it round before the 4.00am cerfew.
We used the event as a navigation training exercise for the younger Scouts attending and an opportunity for the older ones to teach their skills. We will post results when we know them. Checkout the photos ...

Scout Bonfire and Fireworks
Another year, another bonfire. This year I think we were bigger and better than ever and the magnificent firework display didn't disappoint the crowds.
Having watched and waited on the terrible storms and floods, we were blessed with a perfect day to build and a perfect night to ignite! See the photos from the day and thanks to all those who attended and helped us out.

September
Kayaking - Two/Three Star
It continues.....
Those hardy paddlers are still at it. We have been away most weekends practicing. We have tried all the decent weirs on the Thames, have been doing pool sessions to improve our technique and to learn to roll. Soon we're off to Wales either to the better rapid rivers or to the coast.

July
Scout Summer Camp - Cwm-y-Rhaiadr, Wales
As usual, this was the highlight of the Scout year. 4 Patrols camped and competed for the Camping Competition and the Competition Meal tropheys. The site was great and the weather kind. Our only problem was the killer midges who came out to play at dusk!
During Camp the boys had the chance to polish up their camping and camp cooking skills, they build and used obsticles in the mountain stream, climbed waterfalls, practiced abseiling, went back packing or hiking in the surrounding hills, swimming, town trip, wide games, used our two way radios and generally had a fun time without travelling miles and miles.
There will be a report on the Scout pages soon - photos too, and our Report Back is in December.

Bivouacing Evening
This popular event saw most of the Troop camping under the stars at Beechwood once more.
A huge campfire, twists into the night and the ability to just hangout in the woods seems as popular as ever. Thanks to the landowners for letting us stay - oh, and sorry about the noise!

June
Kayaking
The Scout Kayak courses kicked in during June and July. Once more we ran BCU One, Two and Three Star courses using Longridge as a base. All of our One Star paddlers were successful. The Two and Three Starers needing more water time will continue through the summer holidays and into next term - paddling most weekends!

Patrol Camps
The Patrol Camps, organised and run by the Patrol Leaders for their Patrols, proved yet again to be a lot of fun for those attending, all of whom learnt lots and started to prepare and hone their skills for Summer Camp. To add an interesting twist this time, we built a boat! Under supervision from our resident master craftsman the boys contructed a boat - we have the pictures to prove it!! It floats and holds 5-6 people.. not bad. We have now been told we have to build another so we can race them.

Summer Fair
The Scout Summer Fair remains a firm favorite in the village. This year saw less people, we think because of calendar conflicts and the Cookham bridge being closed. Great support from the Scouts helped the day go smoothly.

May
Climbers Badge
Once more we are running the Climbers Badge - stage One and Two - for the Troop. This proved so successful last time that we have had to run it all over again. The boys have visited and trained at indoor and outdoor walls and have then gone away lightweight camping and climbing on real crags. We have been pretty lucky with the weather and everyone enjoyed themselves.. oh, and they all got through the Awards!

April 2000
Mountain Camp
7 Scouts & 5 Leaders attended MC this year. Hosted at the YHA Pen-y-Pass we enjoyed 6 days in the mountains. Apart from group control, navigation, route finding, radio and emergency procedures, the groups also managed Tryfan, The Glyders and the Snowdon Horseshoe.
Full report and pics. soon.

District 5-a-side
Scouts ~ Thanks to those who turned out and represented the Troop this year. Unfortunately we did not retain the trophy, but this wasn't due to any lack of effort on the part of those who played

District Laser Quest
Scouts ~ somehow making it to the finals we proved beyond all doubt that our outdoor programme of events and activities with a heavy focus on skills learning and use are no match to those who'd rather play video games! We lost all battles in the finals. Thanks to those who turned out.

March 2000
Winter Camp, Rememnham
The Scouts cycled to Remenham for a weekend of fun activities, including the famous bouncy boxing!! This year we even went night navigating in the scary woods..

Swimmers ~ Stages 1&2
All the Troop were put through the assessments to ensure safety in our challenging outdoor programme. About 25 got stage one and 10 stage 2

March 3rd-5 LIMA
Our Mountaineering Leaders took off for the weekend to Snowdonia.
Here, with the County Assessors the Leaders were put through their paces in various mountain skills, including snow and ice!

Feb 20th County Scout Fun Day ~ Youlbury
We had a small but enthusiastic group attend this excellent event.

2000 District Scout Swimming Gala
Despite a number of no-shows, we entered practically all the races we could and everyone seemed to have fun in the process.
We managed joint 2nd for the second year in the overall competition - makes you wonder how we would have done if everyone had turned up and swam?
LEADERS RACE
We managed 1st, 2nd, 3rd and 4th.

1999 Kaffirs Boxing Day Games
The Cookham Leader team retained their tug-o-war title for the 4th consecutive year.

Scouts ~Summer Camp Report Back, Christmas Party and Film Evening
The Christmas term culminated in the usual Party at the HQ.
Loads of games, activities, food and drink.
This year we continued the evening with our SUMMER CAMP report back
Parents and friends from the Group joined us for a festive drink and the audi/visual presentation of the Scout Expedition to Exmoor.
Following all this, Scouts had the opportunity to spend the night watching films on the 8x4 screen and the big sound system!

Cubs ~District Cub Football League and Cup
Congratulations to David Livingstone Cubs for this great acheivement - a first!! The cub team won both District Football Cup and League under the coaching of Jose Revez

Scouts ~ Nemises - County PL Weekend Saturday & Sunday September '99
A unique opportunity for PLs, APLs and Senior Scouts to attend a camp designed exclusively for them. During the course of Friday to Sunday the Scouts participated in activities and entertainments which often are not available as part of a regular Troop programme Scuba diving; Mountain biking; Caving; Climbing; Go karts; Shooting; Archery; Zip wire etc., Despite some poor weather the Cookham contingent seemed to have fun and were extreemly useful when Camp had to be broken in the rain storms.

National Dragon Boat Championships Saturday 4th September 1999
Well, we entered a team to defend our championship win of last year. The competition had definately taken the challenge seriously and due to a lack of support from the ranks the team was short just a little manpower! Everyone who turned out did have a great time in the sunshine and enjoyed a great day at Longridge - we even battled through to the semis'.SCOUT HUT REVAMP
During the Summer holidays the Scout HQ has been completely redecorated, top to bottom. The greatest additions to the hut has been the new basketball hoops.

Summer Camp XMOOR '99
Summer Camp was in sunny Exmoor this year. Activities included stream crossing, mountain biking, horse back riding, backpacking, survival Watch the Troop pages for the report and photos.

Mountain Camp '99
It happened again - Troop members and Leaders took to the hills of the Lake District. Watch for a report in the Troop pages Winter Camp Happens the weekend of March 20-21st.
Watch the pages for reports and photos on the galleries

On Trial!!
The Troop is on trial Friday March 19th. We will be having a trial (with a real Judge ~ thanks Neil) to determine whether the Defendant was innocent or guilty.. wait for the update.

1999 District Cross Country Competition
Thank you everyone who ran for the Troop in this event. This year attracted a larger than normal crowd with some excellent runners. Congratulations to Ian Batt (Junior 2nd); Graham LePage (Senior 3rd); Steven Rawlins (Senior 4th) and Alex Jones (Senior 4th) Unfortunately our overall points were not enough to retain the shield... There's always next year!!Cub Trading Post
Thanks to all of the Scouts who turned up to help run the Trading Post for the Cubs. The Cubs had a great time - hope you did too!

1999 District Swimming Competition
The Troop, once more, entered a large team for this event. Thank you to all the Scouts and parents who turned up to swim or support our efforts. This year, for the first time ever, we had boys through to the final of every race. We didn't manage to retain the overall Trophey (well done PG) but we were Runners Up.