MORE than 100 Cub Scouts were joined by their MP on a night hike to celebrate the centenary of the youth organisation.
Rishi Sunak, MP for Richmond, took part in the celebration at Croft Circuit with cubs and leaders from the Northallerton and Leven Scout districts.
The anniversary of the foundation of the Cub Scout movement in 1916 was marked with a trek around the two-mile Croft racing circuit followed by a mass renewal of the Cubs’ Promise at 19.16pm.
It was just one of hundreds of Promise Parties held around the UK.
The cub scouts from Northallerton, RAF Leeming, Bedale, Romanby, Great Smeaton, Appleton Wiske and Stokesley area packs individually completed laps to make up more than 100 in total.
Mr Sunak, a former Cub, said: “The hike was a lot of fun and it was great to meet so many young people and the leaders who make being a Cub Scout possible.
“Being a Cub taught me a lot, about teamwork, friendship, challenging yourself and looking out for others, so I was delighted to be invited to be part of this important anniversary.
He added: “Cub Scout groups in the Richmond constituency do a tremendous job in providing opportunities to hundreds of young people and I wish them well in their efforts to extend those opportunities further.”
Cath Wright, of Northallerton Scout District, said scouting was thriving in the area with many young people wanting to join. But packs could only expand with more volunteer leaders.
She said: “We are working hard to make it easier to be a volunteer leader, to allow for flexibility of commitment. We do need more leaders.”
Cub Scouting was launched in December 1916 with a Wolf Cubs display at Caxton Hall, London. Influential guests were invited to the Wolf Cubs' display. Following a speech from Baden-Powell, guests were presented with displays of Cub activities including gymnastics and 'good turns', a Grand Howl and the investiture of a new Cub.
Many of the skills the early Wolf cubs were taught are still on the programme today, including First Aid and helping around the home.
There are now more than 150,000 Cub Scouts aged eight to 11-years old.