The future of the Cub Section

[1st Southwater GSL]

Dear Beaver Parents

The following email has just been sent to the Cub parents. As your young people will be hoping to move to the cub section after their time in Beavers, please take the time to read it and consider if you can help. 

Dear All

You will all know by now that four of our five cub leaders are stepping down at Christmas - Akela, Bagheera, Shere Khan and Baloo. I am stepping down as Group Scout Leader at the same time.

Unfortunately, unless we have some volunteers to step forward to take over Cubs, the section will have to close after Christmas.

If you have been thinking about coming forward and volunteering, I hope the following may give you confidence to at least get in touch with me - by email or call - 07948 246704

If you haven't been thinking about volunteering, I hope the following will give you confidence to at least get in touch with me - by email or call - 07948 246704

1. It sounds very daunting, will I be on my own? No, Cubs will be not operating unless there is a minimum of 4 adults to run the section
2. Do I need previous experience of scouting? No, it would makes things a bit easier to start, but there are lots of people to support you, lots of information online and training available.
3. Do I need to have experience of working with children? You already have that - you are a parent! However, not even that is required. My experience was only with my own children - I was a management consultant in my previous life!
4. Do I need to camp / learn to kayak? No . . . but it is fun. At least two of the new leaders need to be able to stay overnight with the young people, but not necessarily all!
5. Will I get training? There is a minimum training requirement to start - about three hours online, so can be done at your pace. Further training is available and recommended, but you can get involved in that when you are ready.
6. How much work is involved? I will not lie - alot, BUT if you have a good team, support each other and spread the workload, it reduces the load on one person - hence not running the section unless we have 4 volunteers.
7. Do I need to be there every week? NO! It helps with planning if you know when you will / not be available. However, things always come up and when a leader cannot make it, the session is adjusted, extra parents stay. Also, there are a lot of admin tasks that do not need weekly presence. Shifts are not an excuse not to do it!
8. It's a lot of children to look after - what if I lose one? There are ways of doing activities that help ensure no one gets left behind - you will pick it up very quickly. If in doubt, ask for more parental help.

Please, please, please - consider stepping up. The cubs are not as scary as they look, it is very rewarding watching them have fun, grow in confidence and experience things they do not get the chance to otherwise. You will also get opportunitites to take part, learn something new (kayaking?!?!?!?) and work with a great bunch of people.

If the volunteers have not come forward by the end of October, the Group needs to take the next steps in the process of shutting the section, so do not hesitate to get in touch.

This is one of the hardest emails I have ever had to write - please do not make me write a worse one in November.

Fingers crossed, Sue

Cubs Section Leader

Acting Group Scout Leader

1st Southwater Sea Scouts

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