Number crunching with the Cubs

Firstly some numbers - 15, 30 & 42 - they represent fifteen years as Gold Pack Akela, thirty years as a Cub Scout Leader and forty two years in Scouting at St. Edmund's (so far).

I have decided to take a short break from Scouting and this includes 'retiring' as Akela of Gold Pack (Thursday Cubs). I have really enjoyed my time as Akela and have many memories. These include over 1,000 cub meetings and the Cubs' smiling faces after the many activities we have put on at meetings and weekend camps.

I have been on 150 nights away in 30 years. Highlights include the Millennium Camp at Nostel Priory and Centenary Camp at Bramham Park in 2007 which were both large Jamboree style camps. I was also recently invited to join an audience with the new Chief Scout, Bear Grylls. The many outdoor activities include sailing, climbing, canoeing, scuba-diving, shelter-building, archery and go-karting. All these have proved very popular and enjoyed by over 400 cubs that have been in Gold Pack over the last 30 years.

As mentioned above, this is only a 'break' and in January next year, I will return to Scouting as Group Scout Leader, with overall responsibility for Scouting at St. Edmund's, working alongside the newly reformed Scout Executive.

To those with current involvement at Gold Pack as Leader, parent or Cub a very big thank you for my send off and presents at my last meeting on Thursday 23rd July at Wike Campsite.

As famously quoted - "I'll be back."

David Mitchell