‘Twas the night before Christmas, when all through the house, Not a creature was stirring, not even a mouse’… – If only!
The Cubs arrived full of excitement for our final gathering of the year, and got to work straight away making paper chains to decorate the school hall!
Then, after a few games in the dark outside, we headed for the bandstand in the woodland for the most important event of the year – the renewal of our promise at 19:16, on the 100th anniversary of Cubs, alongside Cubs all over the country who were doing the same at the same time as us. The area was lit with candles (don’t worry, they were battery powered), and we all made the scout sign and renewed our promise
I promise that I will do my best
To do my duty to God and to the Queen
To help other people
And to keep the Cub Scout Law.
The ‘atmospheric’ candles 
Everyone practising their Scout Sign 
After the Promise Renewal
Re-energised, we headed inside and did some crafts. The Cubs did some scratch art and made a stocking each. After that, we made ‘snowmen’ in pairs, here’s a selection;
Even the Young Leaders joined in – they’re big kids really!
The evening was finished off with a hot dog and hot chocolate, followed by a few more games, and then the cubs got ready for bed, and went to sleep in pop-up tents in the school hall.
The following morning the Cubs were up and at ’em, and packed all of their things away just in time for a full English breakfast (cooked by Baloo’s husband Steve – thank you!). We then played a Christmas themed orienteering game on the school field, which was muddy, but everyone had fun.
Finally, Phil Earl, the County Commissioner for Oxfordshire, came and presented an award. Megan, one of our Young Leaders who left us in the summer to go to university, had earned her Queen’s Scout Award. This is the highest award that a young person can achieve in scouting.
To gain her Queen Scout award Megan had previously earned her Diamond and Platinum Awards which build towards the Queen Scout Award. For all three awards she had to complete certain projects that had an international, environmental or values theme, which included running a cowboy themed night, helping the Cubs to make bird boxes for their world challenge badge, and leading the Cubs in achieving their A Million Hands Award.
In addition to this, she also completed her Bronze, Silver and Gold Duke of Edinburgh awards where she had to do a sport, a skill and volunteer for a certain amount of time. There was also a expedition section and so she’s been hiking all over England including the Forest of Dean, Peak District and Breacon Beacons. For her Gold D of E, she also had to undertake a residential, so she went on an international scout camp in Iceland with other scouts from Oxfordshire.
We are all very proud of her. Well done Megan!
Celebrating with Megan after she received her award from Phil Earl
After a few more games and a drink and a biscuit, the Cubs headed home after yet another successful but tiring Christmas sleepover.
From all of us at Windmill Pack, we wish you a Merry Christmas, and hope you enjoy the break!