This week’s Comet column was written by Biggleswade assistant scout leader Chris Wells.

This year is the year we celebrate 100 years of Cub Scouts and we are looking forward to a range of exciting events in 2016.

I am involved with the scouts because it made a huge difference to me when I was growing up and I want to see it make a huge difference to other young people. I enjoy seeing young people achieve new things and develop into young adults who have the skills and confidence to succeed.

Scouting is designed to teach a wide range of valuable life skills. Practical skills like first aid, map reading and cooking, interpersonal skills like team leadership and how to make friends, spiritual development like being charitable, making allowances for disabilities, understanding right and wrong, and intellectual skills like problem solving.

You can also take part in adventurous activities like climbing, canoeing, mountain biking and skiing.

We have an Open Day on Saturday which is a great opportunity for young people with their parents to experience the fun that scouting offers and the sense of achievement that comes from trying something new.

It is a free event and there will be at least 10 activities to try including first aid with realistic wounds, engineering projects such as building towers, knotting and designing a model camp site.

We know the young people will have a great time – because 200 of their peers already enjoy what we deliver every week.

We hope that many of the parents who attend will also enjoy the day and might consider volunteering.

Saturday’s open day takes place between 2pm and 4pm at St Andrew’s Church. If you are aged between five and 14 years old, come along with a parent or guardian.

You can get in touch with Chris by emailing chris@thewellsfamily.org.uk or calling 07970 269896.