KidsOutdoors

8th February 2008 - Barming Panther Cubs are always up for an adventure out of doors and this week's meeting took us all off to the local dry-ski slope for an evening of thrilling toboggan rides on the 650 metre Cresta Run, the longest toboggan ride in the UK. Edgar who arranged the activity had promised us all a fantastic fun way to get an adrenaline boost.

We started the evening off with some apprehension about what was to follow but the supervisor at the centre was very friendly and explained the health and safety rules and how to operate the break on the toboggan to get the most out of the experience. We each had our own toboggan to ride and, although we had to take turns on the run, no-one minded the waiting as we were watching the toboggans being lifted by cable up the long slope to the top and waiting with anticipation for a sight of a Cub to come whizzing round the final bend of the run to the finish line. After a slow trial ride for some Cubs, everyone soon got the hang of how to get the most out of the rides and by the end of the evening everyone was experiencing the thrill of a lifetime as they zoomed down the twisting and turning metal chute, leaning into and taking corners at breakneck speeds. Kitty almost didn't stop at the end on one of her rides! In order to get a ride, Kaa persuaded Oliver, one of the youngest and smallest Cubs, that he'd go faster with a bit more weight in his toboggan , and boy, did he go extra fast that time so much so that Edgar was invited to join him on the next ride!

Yes, we got a bit cold standing around but eyes sparkling and faces glowing red with the exhilaration of the thrill of the rides showed that everyone, Cubs and Leaders alike, had thoroughly enjoyed their Cresta Run outdoor adventure."