Following a successful Arbury Carnival, the Beaver leaders have come out in support of a potential Scout Troop opening at the 18th Cambridge.

Emma Roberts and Simon Gates have both declared their interest in seeing a Troop open "within the next nine months" and consider it the missing link to scouting in North Cambridge.

"With the way the group is at the moment, we feel the time is right to open a troop. All the other troops are struggling to take our kids, and we don't want to see them miss out or stop scouting."

Emma has personal experience of the 'scout troop' problem. Her son, Dominic, is a former Beaver and Cub with the 18th. When he eventually left the group to join scouts, he had no choice but to join one of the other local scout troops. Unfortunately, Dominic didn't settle and eventually left the movement, only to rejoin as a Young Leader a few years later.

Even so, Dominic feels he has missed out on years of scouting and believes if the 18th had a troop, he would have stayed. The same is true of Assistant Cub Leader, Chris Gawthrop-Bleet.

A Group Leaders Meeting has been called to raise the issue and look at the viability of opening a Troop by the beginning of 2009. If an agreement can be sought, the group will then approach the district for approval and begin searching for a Scout Leader and support team. It will also discuss the proposal with the Good Shepherd Church.

Emma Roberts, Simon Gates and Chris Gawthrop-Bleet have already signalled that they would be willing to take an active role in the Troop until a permanent leadership team steps forward. The 18th will make this a big issue that their up'n'coming Annual General Meeting and will seek parental support for a Troop.

Join the debate...

If you would be interested in developing scouting locally, or would like to put your name forward to help with the Beaver Colony, Cub Pack or potential Scout Troop, please contact:

Alan Leader (Group Scout Leader): gsl@18th-cambridge.org.uk

Your views...

Christopher Gawthrop-Bleet, Leader
"I think creating our very own Scout Troop would create many unique and wonderful opportunities for young poeple that we are not able to achieve with Beavers and Cubs. We could do more for our local community and also increase our development and training programs for new young leaders bringing in new and exciting ideas into the movement.

My younger scouting days ended with the 18th Cambridge Cubs when I had to leave to join another Scout Troop. There was only one group available to go to at the time with no one I recognised from my own group. Wanting to be back at the 18th with my friends and the leaders I grow up with, my days as a Scout ended shortly after.

I still wonder today what I might have achieved at that young age if the 18th Cambridge had its own Scout Troop for me to go to?"

Simon Gates, Leader and Executive
"Without a doubt, I believe the 18th can play a major role in providing scouting opportunities for a vastly expanding North Cambridge. The group as a whole is beginning to gel together really well and I believe our mix of exciting activities, new experiences and a relaxed 'family' atmosphere will encourage the young people to want to continue scouting beyond Cub age at the group.

If we can find the right sort of leaders to take on this challenge, who share the group's philosophy on scouting, then I believe anything is possible!"

Matthew Brown, Helper and 26th Scout
"Definitely! If only there was one when I left Cubs. Plus friendship groups can stay together."