Pitch In Week

16th Bowen Island Cubs participate in the Canada-wide Pitch-In week by cleaning up Sandy Beach on April 24th. Two bags of garbage were collected. Good going Cubs!

Cub in a Cold, but Cozy, Cave

At the beginning of Spring Break, one of the Bowen Cubs decided to spend the weekend in a cave –as Wolf Cubs sometimes do (you may have heard this if you’ve ever read a book about wolves and other forest animals, or perhaps you remember it from The Jungle Book story).  So, yes, it’s true, Wolf Cubs do spend some time in caves.  Even in snow caves! Here’s how it happened:  we left Horseshoe Bay on Saturday morning, and it was raining.  However, Horseshoe Bay is at sea level, where it’s usually warmer than up high in the mountains, and we had checked the weather forecast for the mountains, where it was supposed to be colder, so we figured it wouldn’t be raining up in the mountains.  So, we decided to drove up to Mt. Seymour ski resort.  In fact, it wasn’t raining up there:  it was hailing Smartie-sized pieces of ice, and there was loud thunder too!  But it soon stopped, and even snowed a little.  We hiked down a trail through the woods, up and down hills, and stopped near a frozen lake.  There, we found a good and not-too-steep hill to dig a cave in.  Dad started … Continue Reading →

Bowen Scouts Begin Boat Building Project By Making Scale Models

The Bowen Scouts have started their boat building project –building some Puddle Duck Racer sailboats, a sailboat billed as “the easiest boat in the world to build and race.” (See pdracer.com for details.) In February, the Scouts used measuring and cutting tools to make models of the real boats.  They learned to read basic plans and, with a tape measure and pencils, make accurate measurements and lines on cardboard.  Not as easy as they first thought –neatness and accuracy really count here!  Then, using squares, straight edges and utility knives (and not a small amount of tape!), they managed to make some nice little quarter-scale models that should help them understand how the bigger wood pieces for the real 8 foot long boats will fit together once those pieces are cut.  Way to go, everyone! We’d also like to gratefully acknowledge the support of the Bowen Building Centre (IRLY) for their kind donation of building materials for one of our boats.  The Building Centre has a history of supporting community initiatives, and we’re delighted to receive their support.  So, from the Bowen Cubs and Scouts:  a big thank you to the Bowen Building Centre!

Winter Camp Roundup

What a fantastic weekend! The weather was great the whole time.  The adventure started on Friday night for the Scouts , the leaders and their families with a hike in by headlamp towing in sleds full of food and gear. That was a long night and I was impressed with the Scouts stamina. For more photos see the gallery click here The next day we hiked out to meet the cubs at the parking lot and once we got all the gear sorted it was back on the trail for the hike to the cabin.  Although it was foggy below on the island, we were above the clouds in beautiful sunshine.  What followed was a fun-filled afternoon of sledding, building snow forts and tunnels and snowball fights. After some yummy lasagna,  there was time for a bit of story-telling,  riddle solving and singing before bed.  Sunday was more of the same as the previous day – more sledding, playing in the snow and snowshoeing. Thanks to the parents who joined us on the camp. Leah, Michael, Kevin and James your help and participation were much appreciated. Also thanks to Vikk for doing the food shop and Helen for arranging transportation … Continue Reading →

Kub Kar and Winter Camp update

Note: Tuesday night is bring a friend night. If Cubs bring a friend, they are eligible for a $5 gift certificate at Scout House. Cubs and (probably parents too), have been working intensely on their Kub Kars, sanding and painting the cut blocks. Tuesday night we’ll be putting the wheels on the kars, adding the weights if needed and testing them on a track. Ideally the Kars should be painted and decorated before the wheels go on but if not we’ll have some sandpaper and paint to finish them. Scouts too will be working on their Scout Trucks. The first rule of Kub Kars is to have fun. There are other “unofficial rules” to ensure a level playing field, a key one being weight (5 ounces or 142 grams). We will have a scale on hand on Tuesday. This Saturday (January 26th) the Cubs are going to the Squamish Kub Kar rally. Here is little description provided the Squamish Scouts: Come one, come all for our Kub Kar Rally! Former Cubs are welcome to join us as well with their old Kub Kars. See you all there! Entry fee for each Kub Kar is $5.00. There will be prizes for … Continue Reading →

Welcome back Bowen Scouts, Cubs and Parents

The leaders held a planning meeting last week and I think we’ve put together a fantastic and adventurous program for this spring. I am really looking forward to it. You may have noticed on the most recent emails to parents there is a link to this website. One of the things we are going to try to do is post upcoming information and news. Mike Kerr has been working hard to get the website up and running — thanks Mike. One feature that should help is the google calendar on the Events and Calendar page. We will be working to fill-out the rest of the year planning to June. Please check it out and if you have any questions drop one of us a line. Also the usual caveat with the calendar applies – meetings and activities are subject to change based on leader availability and weather etc. Keep a lookout for changes. As you are already aware, our first meeting is Tuesday, January 15th. You may have also noticed we have switched our meetings to the Multi-Purpose Room in the school, this room will suit us better than the MOD for the meeting activities we have planned this spring. … Continue Reading →

Scout & Cub Winter Camp

Our next camp will be in the cozy Scout cabin on Cypress Mountain just below Hollyburn Cross Country Ski Lodge. We have booked and paid for the the first weekend in February (1-3). The plan is for the Scouts to head in on Friday evening with the leaders to warm up the cabin for the Cubs the following day. Parents are welcome. Please let us know if you are interested as there are some forms and administrative tasks to complete. Here is some initial info. The cabin is a three-story structure that will easily accommodate 30 people and still provide sufficient areas for activities. The kitchen has a propane stove and running cold water. There is an air-tight wood stove on the main level. A loft sleeps 30 on a vinyl floor, Cubs and Scouts must bring sleeping bags and sleeping pad. There is a leaders room on the main floor, leaders must also bring sleeping bags and sleeping pads. Lighting is provided by propane fueled mantle type lamps. Lavatories – consist of a two compartment pit toilet located south of the building Getting there Take the the Cypress Bowl Skiing exit from the Upper Levels Highway (Highway 1) in … Continue Reading →

Queen of Capilano Ferry Tour- April 24th

Our Queen of Capilano Ferry Tour is on! The meeting will start at 5:45pm for both Beavers and Cubs. If everyone could please be on time and meet at Government dock. Please ensure your child is wearing their uniform. Pick up time will be at 7pm at the library.