The purpose of the weekend was to complete the Cub Explorer Badge (or Adventure badge as it is called in the new programme that we are starting in January). It was quite wet at times and the Cubs certainly went home with some very muddy clothes!

Akela had his little digital camera and took the following pictures which may give you a feel for some of the activities that we did.

• The Scouts slept in tents while the Cubs were nice and dry inside the hall
• David surveys the site from a tree
• Charlie enjoys a biscuit as everybody stops for a quick drink of squash

One of the tasks in the badge is to build a shelter. We divided the Cubs into teams and gave each team a couple of Scouts to assist them.

• Each team was allowed a few pioneering poles to get them started but then had to decide what to do next.
• They also had to pick a suitable place for their shelter. Unfortunately this group were to find that being in a hollow isn't such a good idea if water collects there.
• Of course having the poles isn't much good if you can't tie them together.
• We also gave each group a piece of thin plastic sheet. Matthew watches as his team's shelter comes together.
• With only a limited supply of cut branches on the site Robert rushes back to his group with an armful.
• Construction of this shelter is well underway with Jonathan and Oliver working out how to fix the branches to the pole. But should the plastic sheet really go over the top of the branches?
• Tim's team took a different view and put the plastic sheet on first.
• If you get stuck you can always ask a leader for advice. Alex and Jake sought Dale's advice.
• While the Cubs were building their shelters our Explorer Scouts thought they'd have a go. There's no plastic here but it's not all branches either. The side furthest from the camera is made up of a fence panel found on the wood pile.
• Encouraged by this more rustic approach some of the Cubs decided to have a go.

When the shelter was built the whole team had to get inside while Bagheera checked for waterproofing by pouring water onto it.

• Jonathan's team pose outside their completed shelter. They had decided to save their plastic to use as a groundsheet rather than use it in the walls.
• Getting the whole team to fit in was a bit of a squeeze. Sam is only just in the shelter as Bagheera pours the water.
• Felix's team look rather pensive in front of their shelter. They went for the minimalistic approach with just poles and plastic.
• Again, it is a bit of a squeeze as Bagheera stands by with his jug of water. Then the moment of truth as the water starts to pour.
• Alex's team are definitely looking worried as they stand in front of their shelter. They certainly put plenty of branches and leaves on top of their plastic.
• Bagheera is getting a bit of an expert at this now and knows exactly where to pour the water.
• Luke's team pose in front of their shelter. This group had many re-designs and ended up with a couple of shelters to judge.
• This one is very small and will only take a couple of people. Jack waits to squeeze into his shelter. As Bagheera waits with the water it looks as if Luke will be definitely getting wet.
• Here comes the water as Luke and Jack try to get under cover.
• Tim and Stephen decided to do their own thing and stand by their shelter. Looks as if it will be a bit cosy in there.
• When the water comes it simply runs down the plastic.
• David & Nathaniel look confident outside their completed shelter.
• Bagheera fills his jug - making sure that he is testing the side which does not contain the fence panel.
• Surely Rikki isn't really going to throw the whole billy of water onto the shelter...

With testing complete it is time to take down the shelters and tidy away all the used branches. Nicholas and Francis return one of the pioneering poles to the store. With the site tidy one of the service team gives the Cubs a few tips on shelter building.

All that shelter building can build up an appetite but it's important to wash all the mud off before lunch.

After lunch the task is to light a fire and make a hot drink. Unfortunately the clouds are gathering and it is looking like rain. Undaunted the Scouts start to build their fires in the camp fire circle. Tim decides to use one of the altar fires instead. Unfortunately the rain during lunch has made all the wood wet and when it then starts to rain again we decide that we will have to abandon the fires.

On Sunday we did the final part of the badge. This is a 5km (3 mile) hike. The site at Runway's End is very close to the Basingstoke Canal so we set off down there.

• As you can see, it was rather muddy underfoot in places.
• Some parts of the canal were busy with fishermen but in other places we were the only people about.
• Once we got past the third bridge things opened out and we lost the woodland for a bit. While this gave good views over the runway it was rather unfortunately timed as the heavens opened and a cold wind got up for a time. It doesn't seem to have dampened spirits as Jake runs towards the camera.
• After the short exposed section it was back into woods again as we headed towards bridges 4 and 5 which were where we turned back. It wasn't a moment too soon for some of the Cubs who were getting fairly tired by now.
• The return journey followed the airfield perimeter fence and was easy walking as it was mainly on the road.
• Some of the Cubs were very glad to have a sit down when we got back to the hall.

We all had a good, if tiring and rather soggy weekend. Special thanks go to Raksha for organising the weekend. We also need to thank the other leaders and helpers as could not have managed without them.