What is Scouting?
Scouting is the largest youth movement in the world with over 28 million members worldwide. It aims to promote the development of young people in achieving their full physical, intellectual, social and spiritual potential; as individuals, as responsible citizens and as members of their local, national and international communities. The method of achieving this is by providing an enjoyable and attractive scheme of progressive training, based on the Scout Promise and Law, and guided by adult leadership.

Scouting was founded by Lord Robert Baden-Powell in 1907 when he held an experimental camp for 20 boys on Brownsea Island in Dorset. He had a vision which appealed to young people, ideas of personal development through fun, friendship, challenge and adventure which still survive to this day. In 2007, we celebrated 100 years since the movement was founded with special events and camps throughout the year.

About the 18th Cambridge Scout Group
The 18th Cambridge Scout Group is based at the Good Shepherd Church on Mansel Way, Cambridge. It is located on the edge of the Arbury estate and serve the local Arbury and Kings Hedges Communities. The group wear a light blue necker with dark blue border and has three active scouting sections:

The majority of the scouts who meet at the 18th come from different social backgrounds, which means they get to meet and mix with other children that they may not otherwise meet outside of scouting.

Each scouting section has their own set of leaders who provide a weekly programme for their scouts. Every so often the section leaders will meet up to discuss group events and activities. The Scout Group is headed by a Group Scout Leader (Alan Leader) and is supported by an Executive Committee.

The 18th Cambridge Scout Group is sponsored by the Church of the Good Shepherd. The Church allow the group to use their facilities for free, providing it attends two special church services per term. This allows the group to keep the membership fee to a minimum, making it one of the cheapest scout groups to scout with in Cambridge.

About the Leaders
You can find out more about the leaders and adults supporting the 18th Cambridge by clicking here.

About the Executive Committee
The Executive Committee is the body in charge of making decisions about the group, with the support of the Group Scout Leader. There is a Chairman, a Treasurer, a Secretary and a number of parent representatives. Also sitting on the committee are the section leaders and the Group Scout Leader.

The job/duty of the Executive Committee is to support the Scout Group and it's operations, ensuring that the sections have what they need and are well supported. This could mean fundraising for special events, providing admin support, writing letters or making important decisions about the future direction of the group. It meets together every 3-4 months and holds an Annual General Meeting once a year.

About the Scout District: Cambridge
The 18th is part of the Cambridge Scout District. It consists of 16 scout groups based in and around the city of Cambridge, stretching as far as Milton, Fulbourn, Fen Ditton and Waterbeach. There are over 900 scouts in the District, all meeting at different times and days of the week. The District is headed up by the District Commissioner, who is in charge of the day-to-day running of the District.

Church of the Good Shepherd
An account by Dr. Henry Disney, Churchwarden

As Cambridge continued to expand after the Second World War, the population of some of the old Church of England parishes around the edge of the city steadily increased. In response some of these parishes were split up and new churches built to serve these new housing developments. The Parish of the Good Shepherd was one of these newly designated parishes.

The foundation stone for the new church was laid on 31st July 1957 by H.R.H. Princess Margaret. The new church was consecrated on 24th October 1964 . The building was designed by Stephen Dykes Bower and built by Coulsons.

It is notable for its beautiful use of hand-made bricks. The church has a central Nave with chairs for the congregation. These normally face the Altar at the East end, but for some special services they are arranged in a circle around the lectern, which is then moved to the middle of the nave. For some events, such as concerts to raise funds for a charity, the chairs are turned to face the West end. This is because the choir, the electronic organ and the piano are all at the West end.

In front of the choir is the font. The Altar stands a little in front of the East wall as the priests stand behind it facing the congregation during services of Holy Communion. On the East wall is a large figure of Christ on the cross. The figure of Jesus was made in Italy but the cross was made in Cambridge.

Either side of the nave are the Aisles. On the walls of these are a series of stone carvings of the 'Stations of the Cross' that depict incidents during Christ's journey from Jerusalem to the place where he was crucified outside the city. In the North Aisle there is a children's altar and a Book of Remembrance on a lectern. Beyond the east aisle is the Church Office. In the South Aisle there is another lectern with the Chantry Book that records lists of benefactors and gifts to the church. There is also the cupboard with hymn and service books by the main entrance. Beyond the south aisle is the Chapel, which is used for services with small congregations such as at weekday services.

Beside the church is the Church Hall which is used for a Children's Group during the first part of the main morning service on Sundays; meeting for a cup of coffee, etc., after services; for special social events, such as a monthly Lunch Club for elderly people who mainly live on their own; for Scout meetings; or for any group who wants to hire the hall for an event such as a 'Keep Fit Class' or a Birthday Celebration. The Church of the Good Shepherd exists to serve the entire local community. It particularly values its links with the schools in the parish and especially welcomes groups such as the local Scouts.

The Local Community: Arbury

The 18th is local to 3 main greens and is just a short walk away from Arbury Court (shopping) and the Community Centre. There are 7 primary schools within a mile of the 18th, which makes it a popular choice for parents. Travel to the group is easy using public transport...there are 'Citi 1' bus stops on Arbury Road and Campkin Road just a short walk away. The Arbury and Kings Hedges communities hold a carnival every year which the 18th always takes part in.