Cubjam - 2009

After packing tents, poles, and the occassional groundsheet we then went to our stores and collected the rest of the equipment. Luckily, although a friday night, the M25 was relatively clear and we made good time, finally arriving at just gone 6.30pm. Truck and car unloaded, with truck driver waving goodbye, mike and I set about putting up the tents - with only two of us it was obvious that the mess tent would have to wait, but by 9.30 - after erecting two patrol tents, kitchen tent, store tent, and a couple of leader tents, Mike and I decided to call it a day.

After dropping mike off at home, i then delivered those up-date forms that i appeared to have missed!! This took rather longer than expected as one of the Cubs had only just recently returned from picking up two medals for Ice Hockey - Well Done Matthew.

Home again, and i needed to check that everything was in order for tomorrow - at this point i remembered the contingent flag - only one side was ready (we had Louis M. to thank for the design), but the flag had two sides!!

The race was on to decide on the other side - did we go with Louis again, or choose another design - i decided to go with the latter, so our second side was designed by Freddie T.

Flag now complete - it was time for bed!

Saturday 23rd May

After collecting everything necessary (including persuading Chris to help) it was back to Gillwell and tents. It was while we were putting up the third patrol tent that we had a few cubs turn up unexpectedly - over 2 1/2 hours early!!

So we had a few extra hands helping with the mess tent!!

With tents now up, and kitchen tent getting sorted, we turned our attention to sorting out the rest of the leader tents.

At this point i had to leave to take Chris home and pick up Jo - together with anything else we still needed.

By 5.30pm the Cubs had all arrived, and we had returned. Tents were filled and sorted, water carriers filled and rules given out. All Cubs were given arm bands, Camp Bank was sorted out and we sat everyone down for our late dinner - packed lunches were opened and bites were taken ............ only to find out that the opening ceremony was due to start!!!

We quickly found our flag and joined the rest of our 'sub camp' and marched off singing to the stage area, where the entertainment was to be.

The group were good, shame the singer wasn't! Still we enjoyed ourselves, dancing and singing along with the songs (well those of us who knew the words did!!). Flags were waived, and fun was had.

Comment by Mick Cross: "Seeing all the hundreds of Cubs jumping around and listening to the live band was fantastic".

After the ceremony, we returned to base to finish our lunches, and then bed - we even got some sleep!! Most impressed.

Sunday 24th May

Despite being woken at 4am by .... of all things - a helicopter!!! - we managed to stay in bed until 7am. The Cubs were all excellent, remaining in their tents until allowed out to wash and dress - yes .... i did say wash, unheard of at Cub Camp!!

Breakfast was cereal, bread and jam and squash - followed by teeth brushing, a trend started by our adoptee Cub, Amy.

Our first site activity was 'It's a Knockout' involving working as teams while having fun on bouncy castles - of course it wouldn't have been the same without foam - so there was plenty of that! Great fun was had by all - even those who didn't originally want to take part, and the Cubs comments - Excellent (Jamie T) and Wicked (Jake C) gives you some idea of what they thought of it all.

Our next activity wasn't until 4pm so everyone went off to see what they could do in the meantime - face painting and bouncy castles and seemed popular by all, though a couple took a look in the circus skills tent.

Lunch followed - none to soon for some, but others just wanted to carry on. Asked to comment so far Matthew M said that Cubjam was 'fandabidosie! At about 3pm some of the Cubs realised that the 'walking bus' activities seemed to be filling up fast, and being determined to 'have their go' many of them took to queueing but they all had to take water bottles and hats with them - it was a hot afternoon. Still the system worked, and everyone got to go on the activity they wanted.

Amy was determined to have her go on climbing - despite being the only girl queueing, and have her go she did - out climbing all the lads that took up the challenge and getting to the top of every side .... she was like a little whippet climbing that wall - Well Done Amy.

Of few of our lads went to archery - using different bows to those we've used before, but that didn't seem to phase them at all, with some high scores getting counted.

Most of our lads though, took the challenge of the Aeroball, you couldn't see a great deal, as the trampolines were within netting, but they seemed to have enjoyed it - but it was 'very tiring' according to a rather red faced Matt B. In case you're not sure what 'aeroball' is - two sections all netted in with just the top part open, the Cubs bounce on trampolines while trying to keep the ball out of their section - not easy when you've got the other person doing the same!!

Activity finished and free time was available - this was unusual for cubs as at camp everything is planned for them, still they got used to the system fairly quickly, and were soon off either on the bouncy castles, the shop or oddly enough looking into the 'CSI Cubjam' incident. The shops of course didn't just sell sweets - amy went and got a water pistol ............... needless to say within minutes she wasn't the only one!

Monday 25th May

Monday dawned and although we were told that rain was the order of the day, and though it was certainly overcast, it held off, and looked to brighten.

We were only due to take part in two activity sessions and both were in the afternoon, so we decided to take all the Cubs to the Circus Skills tent - there were masses of different activity skills to take part in : stilt walking, unicycling, juggling (balls and skittles), balancing, plate twirling and lots more.

We were in there ages, and really only left when lunch was due - the Cubs were excellent, and determined to improve in everything they attempted - mind you, the leaders weren't that bad either!!

Consensus of opinion was that the 'uni-cycle' was unrideable!

After lunch the Cubs queued up at the 'walking bus stops' for whichever activity has taken their fancy, with some activities having limited spaces available there was much walking up and down before finally everyone had 'hit' on the one they really wanted. This now sorted, we decided that actually they had all better take drinks with them, so, much running around later (leaders this time!), all was finally settled, and just in time too - the bus 'drivers' had arrived, and the cubs departed for their chosen activity.

If leaders had thought they could now relax, we were sadly mistaken, washing up and dinner were calling, as was the tidying up of the mess tent - tea towels, plates, cups and cutlery were everywhere!!

we did try to go and visit some of the cubs on their activities, but this wasn't as easy as it sounds, with them all split up, and the activities spread out we had trouble finding all our cubs to take pictures, when they all returned however they were most impressed, and chatted with each other about how they'd got on, and the fun they'd had.

not for long though, because the next session was soon upon us, and rushing to make sure everyone was set, and had drinks, filled our time.

we also need to get some craft work sorted out, because they were due to complete some of it after dinner, and as this was stored in various places around our site - some in my tent, some in the mess tent, and strangely some found in the stores tent!! it was a little while before we were really ready.

but finally ready we were, not everyone wanted to make their masks yet, but there were a few who were quite happy to start, and some who were more than pleased to have a go at other craft activities

Tuesday 26th May

After a night of rain (and i mean RAIN!!) we were pleasently surprised that it decided to stop at about 10am - very handy we thought. A rather dull morning, but then the sun shone - and faces were smiling again! This morning saw Mick C and Jo (Beaver Assistant Narla) leave, but numbers were increased slightly when parent Dave L turned up to visit.

This was our day of unrivalled site activities, and we were determined to make the most of it. Several quickly made their way to the bus stops as soon as breakfast was finished - grass sledging took most of them, though swimming was a pretty close second. Others decided that they would rather solve the 'CSI Cubjam Murder Mystery' - and were certainly intent on reasons why, who and how, it had occurred.

Lunch (hotdogs) was welcomed inbetween the activities but they were soon off again. The shops for souvenirs, sweets and ices took a hitting too (well the sun was shining!!)

The site activities again took a pounding in the afternoon, archery, rifles, revolving wall, 3G Swing, swimming and jump mats were all certainly used - together with grass sledging, low ropes and most of the others.

Cubs were either queueing for activities or on them - which meant photos were difficult to get, but everyone was having a great time - and smiles were widespread.

I cant say that any of them were overjoyed about the next activity we had planned, and some of them were downright disgusted, but showers they did all have, with Mike outside sending back all those who didn't smell like they'd used soap!!

I supervised Amy - and i had to keep getting out of my shower to turn the light back on. Very infuriating!!

It was while dinner was being served that I went to collect Claire from the station - i'd been low on adult helpers (and although Mike, a young leader, was good he wasn't yet an adult) and so Claire had agreed to help me out - she's a guide leader so is used to 'roughing it' as well as dealing with anything that could crop up at camp

The Cubs were all interested in who Claire was, so she had an interesting 20 minutes or so when questions were fired at her from all directions - but she coped brilliantly. Cubs now fully informed - it was washing up time - and a few had moans and groans about it!! Especially those who had to do the main cooking dishes as punishment!

With dishes now clean the Cubs disappeared to cover the evening activities - although most stayed on site, to make their mask, ready for the carnival parade on thursday - and some were excellent too with sequins and feathers all over - very festive i thought.

When back on site everyone had to find their backpacks and water bottles for the next day, they also had to give their order for lunch. We were due to be waiting for the coaches at 8.15am - which meant leaving our site at 8am - so everything had to be ready to go in the morning.

Bed followed - and pretty soon sleep too, they'd had a pretty tiring day. Leaders however now had to get Wednesday's lunch made and sorted - good job we worked well together!

Wednesday 27th May

Chessington World of Adventure - here we come!

Getting the Cubs up, dressed and fed was fairly easy, even sorting out medicine and lunches was done quickly and efficiently - but getting them to the coaches by 8.15am proved more difficult! Still, manage it we did - in fact the only other people waiting when we got there was the organisers and the rest of our coach!

Katie had managed to get to site before we left, but she was taking her car to Chessington, so she waved goodbye while we waited.

The coaches were all there, so it should have been easy enough, instead of which we had to wait .... and wait ...... and wait. It was while we waited that the sky's changed, from blue and clear to cloudy and then just plain dark ...... and it wasn't long before the rain started.

We were in coach number 6 and despite being first ready, we were the last to board - a tad annoyed and slightly damp around the edges, we made our way to the rear of the coach. Everyone seatbelted in, and we were off - finally!

Two hours or more later (traffic!) we arrived. With weather not improved at all, we made our way into the park. Toilets, and then decisions ..... what rides to go on? Everyone of course wanted to go on vampire - but the queue was hugely long. After explaining that it would take at least one hour (and probably longer), and with us due to leave in 3 - most of the Cubs decided to go elsewhere, there were a few who decided to stay (along with Mike) while the rest looked for something with a shorter queue. With the group spitting up and reforming several times during the day, it was lucky that we had borrowed some walky talkies - certainly saved us phone bills!

Poor George didn't really have a fun day, he'd woken with a bad throat and despite dosing him during the day, he wasn't really any better .... luckily the others had had a brilliant time!

Back at camp i decided to talk to the 'camp' first aider, so while dinner was underway that's where i went. She felt that George could have tonsilitis. I was pretty concerned to hear this, and i decided a visit to the local 'drop in clinic' was in order.

Back on site katie had left and dinner had been slightly delayed. This was not good news as we had an after dinner activity planned , however, George was more important. As soon as we had finished dinner Claire, George and I left for the clinic.

Another huge wait later, and George was diagnosed with a throat infection - he wanted to stay, but didn't want to go to Colchester Zoo the next day feeling like he did, so after a quick phone call to his mum, he decided that home was best.

Our Cubs were supposed to have had their turn on the assault course, but with dinner being late because of checking up on George, and then the visit to the 'clinic' it meant that we had less leaders to sort everything else out, and sadly we missed the start. It was then decided that rather than only to have a short time on the course, that we could perhaps use the course the next available time slot - unfortunately, this was during the 'parade' on the thursday. we went back to the cubs to put it to the vote, no surprises then to learn that they were more interested in 'doing the assault course' than joining in with the parade !!!

Thursday 28th May

Getting everyone up again proved easy - and with breakfast over, medicines dolled out, and money sorted, we were once again on our way to the coaches - the walk this time was slightly quicker, and we were once again there early. Luckily however, the 'rota' of yesterday was dispensed with and we boarded our coach fairly soon. The weather wasn't brilliant sunshine, but neither was it raining, so were were all pretty pleased about that!

Traffic however was just as bad!! Two hours later and we were finally through the entrance. The first port of call - toilets!! Luckily Adrian turned up just as we had finished with them. This time we decided to all stay together and do the full tour of the zoo as just one group. This proved most beneficial, as it then meant that we could all stop for lunch at the same time, and as lunch was being bought on site, there was no worry about where to eat - it was where ever we were at the time!!

I could give a list of the animals that we saw, but we basically saw everything that was there, we also however, went on a short train ride, and a short safari ride - neither were edge of the seat stuff, but they were interesting, and they did save our feet!!

I have to add, that we also bumped into the 'Cubjam radio presenters' several times, and were heard on the Cubjam radio, and not everyone can say that!

Before we left we again visited the toilets (well, with a possible two hour ride wouldn't you?!?!?!), we also had a fairly long visit in the shop (no surprises there either??), however, a small group of cubs also wanted to visit the 'petting' area, so with five of them in tow, that's where i went. This was really interesting stuff, and i was sorry that only five had wanted to go - the zoo keeper there, kept us very well informed about how to look after each of the animals (loose term here!) that were lined up (in their 'cages' of course).

We were then given the choice to hold them or not - can i just say now, that i wasn't joking when i said that animals was a loose term - we're talking huge huge HUGE BUGS!! OK, i admit, i wasn't overly keen on touching any of them, let alone hold one, but then i had reckoned without 'Cub persistence' - anyway, hold i finally did, as did the cubs, and i have pictures to prove it!!

Time now completely run out, we quickly washed our hands, and joined the others in the shop - with very little time to 'choose' my five did manage to get themselves something as a reminder, and saying 'bye' to adrian, we made our way back to the coach, and the lengthy ride back to camp.

Dinner was obviously our first objective, so while we got on with that the cubs had a little free time. Adrian was already on site when we got back, and had boiled the kettle for a much needed cup of tea.

As lunch had been a cooked meal, it meant that 'dinner' was just going to be sandwiches, so although not particularly leader friendly, it did mean that it didn't take us very long to get it sorted.

While we were finishing, the horn for the 'carnival parade' sounded, which was our signal to clear up, and to make our way to the assault course.

This was brilliantly designed, and certainly not a 'playground', this was proper army stuff, over walls, through tunnels, monkey bars, slopes, drops, swinging ropes, and of course through mud, and puddles galore - really really great fun - much better than any carnival parade, thats for sure!

Certainly muddy, but very happy, our cubs joined the shouting, dancing, singing bit at the end of the parade very well pleased with their decision!

Friday 29th May

Ahh, friday seemed to come much too quickly for everyone - but come it did, and with it the time to break camp.

With breakfast over, all hands were on deck to clear up the mess tent, to pack kit, tents, and equipment and to have a last look around our site before finally saying goodbye to the Cubs and to Cubjam.

Not to each other though ...... that would come much much later, when all the kit and equipment had been packed onto the cars and vans, and driven back to stores, some two to three hours later, by very tired leaders, and some very patient parents.

Summing Up !

This was a brilliant, brilliant week - and one i shall never forget. It was definitely hard work, and had been frustrating at times, but hopefully it will be one of the most memorable camps for all concerned.

Huge, huge thanks to all those parents who helped cart stuff about, erect tents, and goodness knows what else.

Massive thanks also to those leaders who took time off from work to help me cover the necessary adult/child ratio.

Huge thanks also to my young leaders, who took time off from their studies to help me give the Cubs such a brilliant week.

Thanks also, to the people who organised Cubjam - without whom it would never have happened.

And lastly, thanks to the Cubs who came - for their enthusiasm, good spirits and love of 'having a good time',

Until next time !!

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Cubjam - 2009

Setting Up !!

Saturday 23rd May

Sunday 24th May

Monday 25th May

Tuesday 26th May

Wednesday 27th May

Thursday 28th May

Friday 29th May

Summing Up !

Setting Up !!

Saturday 23rd May

Sunday 24th May

Monday 25th May

Tuesday 26th May

Wednesday 27th May

Thursday 28th May

Friday 29th May

Summing Up !