ABOUT THE COLONY
Meet: 6:15-7:30pm, Thursdays
Location: Good Shepherd Church Hall, Mansel Way, Cambridge
Membership Fee: £15 per term

Our main aim is to provide activities which are fun and challenging to the 6-8 year age range, allowing them to try new things, meet new people, make new friends, learn about themselves, others and the world around them, have fun, play games and all in an environment that is safe. As a leader, we encourage the scouts to discover new skills and talents whilst trying to develop them physically, mentally, socially and spiritually. We try to be out and about as much as possible, especially in the Summer.

We deliver activities through a varied weekly programme. Starting with an opening ceremony, we construct an evening from all sorts of fun and adventurous activities, such as games, crafts, chatting, singing, performing, story telling, outings, guests and much, much more; all ending with a closing ceremony to finish the meeting. We also reward the Beavers for good behaviour and personal development through a number of Badges that are available in Beaver Scouting. These badges are worn on the uniform to represent their achievements.

The 18th hold at least 3 Beaver Sleepover a year, which is usually the first time a scout spends a night away from home. In the past we've visited the local panto at Christmas and held at least one performance for parents a year. We've had water fights in the summer, gone on trips to Milton Country Park and Wandlebury for exploring and occasionally join other local colonies for an evening of fun and games.

As well as our usual weekly meetings we take the opportunity to attend numerous District activities where Beavers from across Cambridge come together for big scouting events, such as the District Beaver Sleepover, District Hike, District Outing (which was to Drayton Manor Theme Park in 2006), District Activity Days at the local campsite, and District Parties.

The cost of Beaver Scouting at the 18th is £15 per term. This covers the cost of the Scout Association membership and insurance, as well as weekly activity costs. As the 18th is a sponsored group, the Church of the Good Shepherd allow us to use their facilities for free, providing we attend special services twice a term.

Beavers, like all scouting sections, is a uniformed movement which means a member must wear the correct uniform to meetings. The cost of the uniform is around £15 and includes the turquoise sweatshirt/jumper, necker, woggle, membership badges and investiture certificate. These can be purchased from the Group, online at scoutshops.com or from the Scout Shop at 195 Perne Road (6:45-8:30pm - Mondays & Wednesdays).

In order for a child to become a Beaver Scout, they are expected to wear uniform, attend at least 4 'starter meetings', learn about the basic history of scouting and be able to accept and recite the Beaver Scout Promise:

I Promise to do my best,
To be kind and helpful,
And to love my God.

On completing all 4 of these objectives, the child will partake in a small investiture ceremony where they'll officially become members of the group and the worldwide scout movement.

Beaver Scouting is very much the foundation of a long term scouting experience. When a Beaver reaches 8 years of age for example, they have the option to continue their scouting adventure in the form of Cub Scouting, which opens up even more adventurous opportunities. Activities such as camping, water sports, archery and climbing become available at this age (8+). Beaver Scouting introduces many of the scouting concepts used in the older scout sections but from an early age.

BEAVER SCOUTING ACTIVITIES
Below are just a few of the typical Beaver Scouting activities that the 18th will feature in their programme:

BEYOND THE 18TH
The 18th Cambridge Beaver Colony is Pro-District, which means it will always attend and help set up district events. District events allow scouts from all over the Cambridge area to come together and share in a common scouting activity. For example, the District Beaver Hike has Beaver Scouts from all over the city participating in a long walk along a predetermined route. Below are just a few of the special events the 18th Beavers take part in:

"TriBe" THE THREE BEAVERS
The 18th Cambridge Colony has a special union between the 12th and 26th Cambridge Colonies called "TriBe". All three are run by Emma and Simon, and all three share leaders, resources and scouting opportunities. Atleast once a term, two of the TriBe colonies will meet up for a joint evening. TriBe also runs a termly Colony Competition which encourages the Beavers to work as a team on issues such as positive behaviour and following instructions. The winning colony gets a special treat at the end of the term, such as a party or outing.

THE LEADERS
Beaver Scout Leader: Emma Roberts
Assistant Beaver Scout Leader: Simon K Gates
Assistant Beaver Scout Leader: Stef Barker
Assistant Beaver Scout Leader: Claire Rickard
Young Beaver Leader: Dominic Roberts

WANT TO JOIN?
If you would like to join the 18th Cambridge Beavers, either as a Beavers or a helper/leader, please contact Emma Roberts by calling: (01223) 426043 or by emailing:
beavers@18th-cambridge.org.uk