So how did we finish last year? Well, we learnt years ago not to run too much in mid-December – we would be competing against every school play, concert and sports club event and party going. We are taking this opportunity in the report on the four sections of 1st Kettering Scout Group to say something about our Sections – as well as a bit about the meetings we ran last month!
- our Squirrel Scout section, our youngest section for 4 – 6 years, is led by Hannah, ably assisted by Tom, Sam, and Jennie – all referred to during the Drey Meetings with their Squirrel Names – Paprika, Chilli, Sage, and Saffron. They had one meeting of making strawberry and cream Santas, and Matchstick Men (from chocolate matchsticks and cakes) – then eating them, before finishing the term by introducing 4 years old Squirrels to 10 pin bowling at the Thunder Bowl ….
- our Beaver Scout section is for 6 – 8 years. Just like the Wombles, their leader names are chosen by the Beavers from an atlas – so they are led by Rachel (Cairo), helped by Malabar (Chris), supported by Olivia and Michaela (who will be officially placed at the first meeting back!), and supported by Chrissie and Yvonne from the Scout Leader Team. Their last meeting before Christmas was a once-only performance of the Grinch and the Snowman, using the puppets and props they had been making previously in the term with their scripts. The Colony finished the term at Thunder Bowl, in a joint meeting with our Cub Pack.
- our Cub Scout Section is for 8 – 10½ years, and their Leaders’ Pack names still come from the Jungle Book after 100 years. On Thursday nights you’ll see the Cub Leader Team led by Chil (Becky), supported by Bagheera (Maureen), Mickey (Haithi – who is about to transfer to support the Squirrel Section leader team), Joe (Baloo), James and Olivia. Their last formal Pack Meeting of the year was spent celebrating St Andrew, along with the other patron saints of the Union, before spending an evening with our feeder Beaver Unit at the Thunder Bowl.
- the Scout Section is for the oldest members of the Group, and is for 10½ – 14½ years. Quite boringly, heir leaders are known by their first names – so the leader team is led by John, supported by Chrissie, Pete, Yvonne, James, Dom and Dom, Cheryl, Richard, Salty and Joe. They spent a Sunday evening underwater sub-aqua diving in Rothwell Pool with GP Diving, before finishing with the last Tuesday meeting by zapping each other crazy at the Wellingborough Laser Maze.
- intentionally not named above are our Young Leaders. These young people, aged between 14 and 18 years, have all been through the Scout Movement, and in learning leadership skills are returning the fun they had themselves – with some enthusiasm. Our YLs include Matthew (Squirrels), Ben (Beavers and Scouts), Millie (Cubs), Lily (Cubs and Scouts), Lottie (Beavers and Cubs), Maddie (Beavers and Cubs), Luke (Scouts) and Louis (Scouts). Whilst still officially “young”, all sections include them fully in their Leader Teams, and they in turn support tirelessly all of our four sections. Indeed, they are responsible for them operating as well as they do, and are the leaders of the future.
That’s the 1st Kettering, the Group you support – thank you!
