Remembrance I

 

We are approaching Remembrance Sunday, a day we pay our respects to those who gave their lives for our freedoms and in scouting we remember the role those in our movement paid during both World Wars, both leaders and children in keeping people safe and dealing with casualties from bombing through things such as First Aid and running messages.

The scout knife

 

Today carrying knives especially for children is riddled with issues often requiring prior permission to use in any activity but for some us having a knife such as  penknife was just an everyday thing so knives were marketed to scouts.

These made in Sheffield, West Riding, were of a fine standard and no doubt treasured.

Post 1,400

It's been a long time since the last post here and I had a post in mind but I was taken seriously ill some ten days ago and I've struggled to have the energy to do anything.

I don't feel it's defeatist or lacking in grumption to be just honest about how events have left you although I hope to be feeling much better. able to reasume activities because that is so much the real me, the one this life  helps me move forward in.

It's not giving in, it's rebuilding your strength, renewing those roots that matters, a battle I've had from birth and over a number of challenges and health concerns since,

This blog, like me will be going forward.

B.S.A. Cub Scouts

 

We don't tend to mention them as they're not in the first instance part of teh UK set up and the second they're not Commonwelath either but this was an interesting break down of the groupings for American Cub Scouts with the kinds of adventures and an indication of the ranks they could obtain.

Modern day scouts

 

Scouting in respect always changes from conception, through our own childhood to that of today's children who live in world rather different to ours was.

Today scouts is still for 10 1/2 to 14 year olds but is co-ed following a similar program to the immediate past although obviously working though modern day health and safety and safeguarding issues and all the planning in advance that brings.

The modern uniform is well different than the pre 1967 although the mushroom trousers have gone  but I do feel a greater attempt at smartness and well uniformity in the uniform wouldn't go amiss although we have to be grateful in an age of instant gratification on the end of a smartphone it is good actually the want to be scouts and are prepared to do things face to face.

Meet the Tigers

 

What do 7 year olds do in the states?

Join cub scouts as a Tiger, starting their first adventures and gaining theit initial awards and here is their uniform complete with notes on how is to be worn.

What is so striking is this does look really smart compared to the more leisure British beavers uniform.

Clunk-click

 

From around 1929 to 1933, this Kodak camera was made specifically for Scouts in the States as well as the UK where this particular model was aimed  in paft to popularize photography and tying in with awards you could earn.

It's hard to see if today a modern version using silcon chips rather than roll film would be made just for scouts to use.