Cubs – 8 to 10½ years
When you join Cubs you will be introduced to lots of new activities.
You will learn practical skills such as bushcraft, biking, canoeing, hiking, cooking, kayaking, camping and much more. And about teamwork, kindness and looking after each other.
Awards
Completing Challenge Awards lets you do more, learn more and be more. See what’s on offer and start your journey to the top.
Activity and Staged Badges
Become an expert in something you love, or try something shiny and new. From athletics and astronomy to photography and pioneering, there’s something for everyone.
Behaviour
Cubs are expected to conform to our Code of Conduct.
Annual Subscriptions 2026-27
Annual subscriptions (subs) cover the year from 1st September to 31st August the following year. Invoices for subs are typically sent out late in September.
For those joining part way through the year a pro-rata charge will be applied (generally based on the number of half-terms attended). Invoices for these are typically sent out after 3 or 4 meetings.
See payment methods for details of how subs can be paid. If you would like to pay subs by instalments, please make sure that a direct debit has been set up before the subs invoices are sent out.
| Section | Year Group | Annual Subscription |
|---|---|---|
| Beavers | £186 | |
| Cubs | £252 | |
| Cubs | Year 6 | £300 |
| Scouts | £396 | |
| Explorers | Years 9 and 10 | £396 |
| Explorers | Year 11 | £288 |
| Explorers | Year 12 | £162 |
| Explorers | Year 13 | £72 |
The level of subs is set each year by our Trustee Board to support the continued financing of the group. The variation in our subs for different age groups is intended to reflect:
- The increasing level of programme available as members progress through the sections;
- The contribution of older age groups to running the group, e.g. through our Young Leader programme.
This year the Trustee Board decided to:
- Increase Cubs subscriptions to reflect the increased access to weekend activities for Cubs and to reduce Scout/Explorer subscriptions to offset this;
- Increase the Year13 subs to make sure they cover the per member external subscriptions the group pays.
Overall, this increases the lifetime subs of someone attending from the start of Beavers through to the end of Explorers by 0.72% (which is well below the current rate of inflation).
Note that Explorers in Year 13 cease being Explorers when they reach the age of 18. However, they can continue to be involved in the Explorer programme throughout the year provided they complete a DBS check. Therefore, we expect Year 13 members to pay a full year’s subs regardless of when in the year they turn 18.
If you have any questions about subs please contact the Finance team using the contact form.
Cubs Meeting Times
We currently have two Cub Packs. They meet between 5:30 and 7pm on Monday and Tuesday evenings during school term time.
Meetings are normally at our Headquarters (HQ) located just off Bishopgate.
Drop off
The Group is not responsible for members until the meeting starts.
Lower School Cubs are offered a place in Homework Club from 4pm to 5pm during which time they change into cub uniforms. Between 5pm and 5:20pm they will be given a chance to eat a packed tea (provided from home) before being collected and taken to their meeting.
Cubs not staying for homework club or from other schools needs to arrive at HQ at 5:30pm.
Pickup
Unless otherwise advised, Cubs must be collected from HQ at 7pm. Please do not drive down the section of Riverside Walk from Bishopgate to our HQ. There is little room down there, and there are obvious safety issues with mixing traffic with children. If parking in Bishopgate, please respect the resident’s parking spaces.
Events
Cubs have the opportunity to access a range of events throughout the year. These include camping, biking, water activities and many more. Please see the website for forthcoming Cubs events. These can fill very quickly and early sign-ups are requested. Please check drop-off and pick-up locations as these may not be the HQ.
Cubs Uniform
We are a uniformed organisation and expect Cubs to attend all meetings, unless notified otherwise, wearing uniform. We provide an 8th Norwich blue polo shirt, necker and woggle. Parents are asked to provide the green Cub jumper and practical trousers (not jeans). Cubs should wear shoes that are suitable for running in and sometimes getting a bit dirty!
During Summer and Autumn Cubs will take it in turn to do water activities. For these we request wetsuits or light clothes that won’t get too heavy if they get wet; wetsuits (short), water shoes/wetsuit boots are very practical. We will tell Cubs when it is their turn to be on the water!
All uniform must be labelled, as lost property needs to be identifiable
Purchase
Please see our uniform page for how to purchase new or secondhand uniform items and other uniform information.
Badges
Please go to the OSM Parents Portal, select your member, and then click on “Badges”. There are four tabs:
- Completed – see what badges have been completed;
- In Progress – see progress towards badges that have been started but not yet completed. Click on a badge for details of which steps are done and which are still to be done;
- Completable at Home – click on a badge to see what needs to be done to get a badge. Click on “COMPLETE AT HOME” to upload evidence for the badge;
- Uniform Placement – see where awarded badges go on the uniform.
Contact
- If your Cub is unable to attend a meeting night please use the absence notification on OSM Parent Portal to let us know.
- For contact regarding an event, see the “Event Organisers” information on that event’s page.
- Otherwise, please use the contact form.
- And please keep medical details and emergency contact details on OSM up to date in case we need to contact you.
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