July - boating, athletics and water fights

It's been a really busy summer for all our sections and although regular meetings have now stopped until September, there is still plenty going on with Scouts and Explorers going on summer camp.

Some of our Explore Scouts have also had the fantastic opportunity to take part in the International Jamboree in Iceland.

What else have we been up to since the last update?

Sea Scouts expedition camp

July began with our Sea Scouts' annual expedition camp at our boat base at Kings Lock Island, Wolvercote. They had a great weekend boating along the Thames, with plenty of fun in the water along the way.

Districts Cubs sports day

Both Mowgli and Jacala Cub packs were lucky enough to see what it's like to compete at a real athletics venue when they took part in the District sports day at Horspath Athletics Ground. Everyone had great fun!

End of term celebrations

Jacala Cubs and our Land Scouts marked the end of term with a water fight and barbecue. Jacala Cubs held there's at Youlbury Scout Camp at Boars Hill and a great time chasing each other through the woods and getting thoroughly soaked.

Mowgli Cubs spent their last meeting of the term ten pin bowling.

Behind the scenes

You may have noticed that we've recently made some improvements at the Scout Centre, including a new fence around the cesspit that was installed last year, new ceiling tiles to replace the ones that were damaged, and new radiator covers.

Over the summer, volunteers from our fundraising partners, the Midcounties Cooperative, are helping us out by cleaning the Centre, and we plan to repaint the walls soon too.

We were extremely grateful for all the help we received on our gardening day at the start of July, and we'll be holding another working party day in the autumn to do some more gardening and maintenance jobs around the centre.

Fancy getting involved?

Whether you can spare an hour to make cups of tea at a fundraising event or want to become a leader, we want to hear from you! Get in touch at www.kidlingtonscoutgroup.org.uk/help

June - celebrating 100 years of Cubs

Both our Cub Packs celebrated 100 years of Cubs this month at CubFest County Camp. Around 2000 Cubs and Leaders from all over Oxfordshire had a great weekend at Cornbury Park, taking part in activities based on the past, present and future.

Dressed as evacuees for the opening parade. Each group dressed in the style of a different era.

Bubble football

Traditional fairground games

Gladiator games

All about the (boat) base

Our Sea Scout and Explorer units are well into their boating seasons now, spending their weekly meetings at our boat base on the Thames in Wolvercote.

The Cubs have also been joining in, by taking part in the District boating day on 25th June, and having special boating evenings run by the Sea Scout leaders. 

David the Sea Scout Leader with Mowgli Cubs

The Cubs practicing their skills on the water

Fire safety

Once again, Kidlington Fire Station have welcomed us to a tour and the opportunity to learn about fire safety. This time it was the Land Scouts' turn.

The Land Scouts trying out the rescue boat.

Learning what equipment is on a Fire Engine.

AGM and donation from Oxfordshire Freemasons

At the start of June we held our Annual General Meeting and open evening, where parents had the opportunity to learn about what we've been up to over the last 12 months.

District Commissioner Anna Weekes joined us to present Group Chairman Margaret Boggs with a certificate for 20 years' service, and Group Deputy Chairman and Administrator, Ron Shewry, with a certificate for 40 years' service.

We also welcomed a special guest, Roger Hampshire, representing the Oxfordshire Freemasons. Roger has been a friend of the Scout Group for several years, supporting out annual fundraising model railway event, ScoutRail, by displaying two of his own model rail layouts.

Roger gave a talk about the Freemasons' charity work and kindly presented us with a cheque for £150.

If you were unable to join us at the AGM, watch this video for a taste of what goes on around the group. We also announced plans for a big celebration in 2017 to mark the Scout Group's 75th anniversary, so watch this space!

Fancy getting involved?

We're always happy to welcome more volunteers, whether as a regular leader or occasional helper. To learn more about the different ways you can join us, see the 'adult help' pages on our website.