It was with some trepidation I boarded the 2nd Bracknell mini bus (available to hire for all your Scouting needs, see Minibus Hire) on Saturday evening. I had spent a very enjoyable hour in the hut watching the cubs from all three groups, Wolves, Stags and Foxes get to know each other while playing lots of their favourite games. Now I was on the mini bus making sure all fourteen cubs were strapped in and ready to go. We were to sleep on a narrowboat that night and I was dreading it. Small space, water and Cubs, not words you normally see together, so why did I say yes?
Why do we volunteer to take cubs away? Why do Leaders give up their time and energy spending weeks planning and executing a residential experience? It is all about the fun and going away is tremendous fun, for the young people and the leadership team. It also allows the young people to develop independence, leadership skills, build confidence, get to know their leaders and build new friendships. Taking young people away from home overnight, particularly camping, has always been at the heart of Scouting. However a residential is not just about the young people. A residential event also develops skills in the adult leaders, introduces them to new skills, new experiences, builds confidence within the leadership team, builds friendship and working relationships, and you get to see the young people growing.
On the weekend of 18th and 19th October 2013 a total of twenty cubs and eight leaders made a trip along a small section of the Grand Union Canal. Baloo had completed the logistics on who was going on what night. Friday night saw twelve cubs complete the trip and on Saturday night fourteen. Each trip had fourteen locks to open and close, and each child that wanted to steer the boat (under the watch full eye of the Skippers, Richard and Al) was able to. We were on the boats hired from the Hillingdon Narrowboat Association; our boats were called Star and Pisces.
We arrived on the side of the canal with very excitable cubs. Baloo split us amongst the two boats and we climbed aboard. It was surprisingly spacious inside the boats, once all the kits had been tided away. The Cubs soon found their way about and after a quick orientation the Cubs sat listening attentively to Richard the Skipper of Star. A safety lesson was absorbed by all the Cubs and Leaders, we were shown on the map our route for tomorrow and I sneaked in a little map reading lesson. The Cubs then got ready for bed and on Star were asleep by 10.30.
7.00am dawned grey and wet the weather did not bode well but the enthusiasm of the cubs brightened the boat like a huge ray of sunshine. After breakfast of cereal, sausages, eggs and beans the cubs got dressed for the weather and it was time to open the first lock. Even though it was raining the smiles from the Cubs as they pushed the locks open and closed made everyone smile. New skills were learnt and old ones remembered.
During the day all the cubs got on and off the narrow boat, this was more difficult for some of us Leaders, each Cub got to use the windlass to open the paddles, push the gates open and closed and watch life on the Canal.
By lunch time we were on our way back down the canal when the thunderstorm hit. The rain was sheet rain and a lock loamed. We decided that the Cubs were to stay in the narrow boat and the Heroes of the hour were the Skippers and Scout Leaders who got wet through so the Cubs (and Cub Leaders could stay dryish). By the time we got to the last lock the rain had eased, though the Cubs were very tired they donned waterproofs and lifejackets and got ready to open the lock.
After big Thankyous to Richard and Al (Skippers) Chris and Marion and Baloo (Peter) the Cubs climbed onto the mini bus and immediately become wide awake and ready to sing.
So would I go narrowboating again? No, I have a love of dry land and a stronger fear of boats than ever. Would I go narrowboating with the Cubs again? Yes, of course. I have come to the conclusion that it does not matter where you take the young people or what activities they do, their residential event is all about fun, friendships, skills, learning to be independent and building confidence. So where should I take the Cubs next? A nice warm, large, hall in Bracknell, comfy sofas and not a canal, lake or even pond in sight.