Where are NDSS Original Scouts Now?
The Formation of the NDSS Cub Pack
By
Susan Singh
While attending the various parent/child meetings of my son and his then cub pack at San Fernando Boys R.C. School, I became intrigued with all that it encumbered and was very involved with my son and his stint at Boys R.C. At the time, the First Notre Dame Sea Scouts were an integral part of the then cub pack at the Boys R.C. and it was a natural transition for my son to join their Sea Scouts group upon his graduation.
I however, was still very much involved with the San Fernando Boys R.C. group. Every Saturday, when taking my son to his meetings I often stayed and observed their "goings on". I noticed I was not the only one viewing these meetings. There were quite a few younger boys there. Boys who were too young for the sea scouts but just the right age to be a cub scout.
My decision was made for me right there and then. My next step was to approach the then Group Scout Leader Mr. Dave Gopaul. Three weeks later, history was made and the First Notre Dame cub pack was formed on a sunny Saturday in 1983 with six young and enthusiastic boys.
Meetings were held in-conjunction with the Sea Scouts meetings. The Notre Dame family was formed and thrived under the tutelage of each other. The first investiture ceremony was held seven weeks after. I was first inducted as the new Akela by the then District Commissioner for The San Fernando District, Mr. Azam Khan and with pride in my eyes, my new boys were inducted as the first cubs of the newly formed 1st. Notre Dame Cub Pack. It was quite an emotional and memorable afternoon down by the wharf.
Ms. Susan Singh receiving her certificate as Akela of the newly form 1st. NDSS Cubs Cubs - 1983
1st. Investiture ceremony
Many persons were responsible for this act. Mr. Dave Gopaul, Mr. S. K. Ramsingh, Mr Horace Joseph, Mr George Sammy and not withstanding all the parents and well-wishers in attendance. A special thank you had to be acknowledged for all the boys and leaders of the Sea Scouts. Without their support and understanding the cub pack would have still been just an idea.
By the end of the year the cub packed had tripled its membership and an additional two leaders, Ronnie Mohammed and Leon John both senior members of the Sea Scouts, were brought in.
Over the years I attended various training sessions at Paxvale both with local and regional members. We were growing in numbers and in recognition? By 1984, we were ready to join the rest of the region and thus we attended our very first "Cuboree" in Antigua. The boys had a blast and we came away with many friends and long lasting memories but strong in the knowledge that we will be their again the next year.
During my time as akela the cubs, leaders and I also attended Cuboree in Grenada. During the same period we went camping in Barbados, St, Vincent, St. Lucia and St Kitts. We also had joint camps in Trinidad with various other cub packs. The boys also toured Trinidad by visiting our more mentionable sites such as the Pitch Lake, The Asa Wright Bird Sanctuary and Tobago etc.
Akela Susan Singh with the NDSS Cubs departing for the Cuboree in Grenada -1989
NDSS Cub Scouts and Scout Leaders in Grenada
We also participated in the yearly National Totem Pole competition. During those first few years of the competition we gained valuable insight and experience that we took with us to the competition in the following years. Our tenacity finally paid off and we celebrated our very first win of many in 1987. A glorious year indeed, Notre Dame Cub Pack was finally a pack to be reckoned in Trinidad. We received many accolades and worthy mentions from the various District Commissioners alike. First Notre Dame was topping most of the district competitions. Competitions such as cooking and survival skills.
From these achievements I also achieved. I went on to receive my Gildwell scarf and woggle from the President Sir Ellis Clarke and I later became the Assistant District Commissioner for Cub Scouts for the San Fernando District. I even attended the Scout Training course which I found to be quite helpful in my interactions with the Sea Scouts. I was also privileged to be a part of the association that assisted in the implementation of the Caribbean Boy Scout programme.
Akela Susan Singh receiving her Gildwell Scarf & Woggle
from the President of Trinidad and Tobago - Sir Ellis Clark
The cub pack was a key player in assisting the Sea Scouts with their 25th Anniversary Ceremony. A role we were more than willing and happy to provide. It was a proud moment indeed to know that the Sea Scouts had evolved and you were there to witness such.
My stint at First Notre Dame is indelible in my memories. It was the most exciting time for all involved. I wish them all the continued support and thank each and every member for my making my life thus richer and happier. Thank You 1st. Notre Dame and God Bless.
We came , we saw, we conquered.
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