Outdoor scouting

While I'll be honest and say I do not  like seven-eights nor over the knee 'shorts' preferring mid thigh to just above the knee shorts, much else of this German scout uniform is ideal for summer hiking where you do want durable clothing that does breathe with ample pockets.

It's good to see proper hiking boots and woollen socks being worn to as it is too easy to develop blisters while out hiking over all manner of terrain.

Some people do tend to get warm and perspire more compared to others - I know I certainly do easily getting wringing wet hair - so good materials, deodorant and washes upon arrival at camp using the shower block do make a lot of sense in the summer months.

Outdoor Camp Cooking

Illustration by Pierre Joubert

Boyscouts of the Italian AGESCI (Associazione Guide E Scouts Cattolici Italiani) cooking dinner on the campfire made from materials found nearby and naturally enough using fresh ingredients.

Not for them tins or packets of prepared food just requiring reheating, this is an introduction to basic proper camp cooking that will keep them in good stead for the remainder of their lives.

A short history of the Wolf Cub program

The Wolf Cub program originated from the Boy Scouts Association in the UK to provide a training program that  was established in 1916 for those boys who had an interest in scouting but were too young to join the main program.

They typically included the siblings of scouts or younger friends of.

In establishing the program Baden-Powell realized this could not be a watered down scouting program as not only would not appeal to would be Wolf Cubs but also blur the linkage to the determent of both what would become the wolf cub and scouting programs thus it was to have it's own name, uniform and identity.

He called it "Wolf Cubs" and by agreement with the author Rudyard Kipling, used his Jungle Book universe and history as its motivational frame, writing in December 1916 the Wolf Cub Handbook and instituted the training program and badges in time for its second edition.

In terms of organization the word Akala was borrowed from the jungle book and used for the (adult) leader of the Pack, a pack is divided into teams known as Sixes with an older boy as it's leader.

Generally the program majors on spiritual and character growth, citizenship training and personal fitness within a setting of positive role models and peer group.

Within the Baden-Powell Scout Association, packs are themed on the Jungle Book, divided in to Sixes with each Sixth being identified by a coloured triangular patch on the members arm where a Sixer and a Seconder act as leader and secondary respectively whose ranks are indicated by yellow horizontally stripes sown on the left arm.

In the  British Boy Scouts and British Girl Scouts Association, it is an alternative program to their Junior Scouts one whereas in the Scout Association  from which both groups split from, the Sixths system prevails withe the Sixer wearing two strips and the seconder who is is the deputy, one withe the membership of any one Sixth being distinguished by their distinctive Woggle (That the neckerchief is fastened with).

All open and close the pack meeting with the Grand Howl we mentioned before.

Personally I hold with the traditions of the Wolf Cubs because I feel the vehicle it is delivered through using the Jungle Book is a more effective and appropriate one for the age group - UK around 7 through 11 depending on personal development -  feeling trying make it more mini-scouts and remove its roots says more about the issues of adults rather than recognizing the juvenile nature of boys who are just that and love the old ways. 

Grand Howl

A Sixer: "Dyb - dyb - dyb -dyb" The word "dyb" means "Do Your Best" which is the first part of the Cub Promise and was the original Wolf Cub motto. ... Cubs: "We-e-e-e-ll dob-dob-dob-dob", meaning "We'll do our best" which is the scout Promise.
This chant always was part of the original Wolf Cub Grand Howl.

The Scout

I am a fan of Norman Rockwell's illustrations and this one is a favourite showing a scout with the older uniform with a wide brimmed bush straw hat standing bold behind Lincoln and Washington two key figures in the Constitution of the United States of America.

A scout, any member of the Scout Family actually  should be patriotic supporting his Country and its principals, upholding Freedom and the rule of Law.

Field craft: Using a knife

Something I feel passionately you need to be taught is how to use knives safely, knowing which is the best for each task and to be able to perform that action for yourself so you can look after yourself properly.

Apparently some US Girl Scout groups programs do not teach these skills so much as simply show you them in the interests of safety which is really daft because being safe in this context comes from knowing and respecting your tools.

Current Cub badge scheme

The current UK Scouting Association Cub Scouts badge and award scheme shown by group.
Today marks the 50th post on the original blogger version of this blog that looks at the role of scouting in my boyhood past, the relevancy even today to those eternal values and to what as an adult little travelling in the spirit of a being a cub scout all over again is changing for good me.
That's why it's a good idea to look at the badges and awards of today even if they were different to those of my own era because what's behind them is the thing that counts.

Modern Scouts uniform

A good example of modern Scouts uniform that keeps much of the old traditions in such as the lanyard, neckerchief, thick shirt takes badges while being relatively modern with stout walking boots with a good sole and longer shorts that are more suited to hiking.
I am quite sure that would be most practical for such purposes and he looks exceedingly smart, being a credit to his pack.

Raising the Standards

Making your way with your Standards, Cubs, Scouts and Venture Scouts alike have made it and so fall in as one single unit in this instance of the Baden-Powell Scouts whose ethos and uniform is more traditional even though they are co-ed.

An eye to the prize

Getting to the summit took some doing for these Scouts but just look at the beautiful view they have to look out upon.

To me the discomfort, the need for support in doing such things is so worth it I am prepared to give it my all being the best boy I can.

Another year and scouting

In a week that saw my birthday as mentioned on the main blog, it is I feel incumbent to talk about how scouting and the spirit of being a cub scout is helping my life.

When I first looked at this subject, the first things that came into my mind was how I felt about missing out on what my siblings did because my parents did not care to enquire about me joining the local pack.
It was smoldering anger about something that my own difficulties aside and to which in the intervening years had learnt they could of coped with, that apart from providing boyish companionship while having fun also had the potential to teach me 'life skills' that no one else did that would of helped me be more independent and intergrated.

Taking a step back from that, I asked myself "If I met an Akela or Skip and said how I felt about this, then what would they of said?" and I came around to the conclusion they'd of and would encourage engaging in the sorts of activity I would of done then  and certainly not to wallow in self pity.

An expression of the difference hasn't just been in solo exploration and challenge but also in the time I was away being supported in undertaking hikes, helped to climber up to castles on hills one hand at a time.

I actually did things I never ever did in my life before, fighting my own nerves and conditioning developing more resilience too.

A year on and scouting is what this boy needed, got and benefited from,

On top of the world

Enjoying the surrounding he explored in all their glory before moving on and setting up for food and sleep ready for next adventure.

Making repairs

Carrying out a repair in the field is a most useful skill to learn where you may not be able to replace an item apart from helping to keep things lasting longer so what looks to me like darning while travelling on the bus is a sensible thing to do.

A tribute to Jodie

I don't like to stray into current affairs on what is supposed to be personal blog about scouting but this one thing I don't feel I can let go.

Jodie Chesney, a seventeen year old girl scout was murdered at Harold Hill play fields, Romford on Friday by youths while with her boyfriend.

She had a lot of life ahead of her, was well respected, was working on her Duke of Edinburgh Award Scheme badge and made her way through scouting pictured here at No 10 Downing Street on a visit.

It is early days but it is highly likely those responsible lacked real direction, a sense of moral purpose and above all a respect for others.

As much as her death upsets me and many others, it underlines the real need for scouting in our society to aid people to grow, to elevate them morally and show a real alternative to the gangs that offer a perverted form of unit identity that only takes away life.

R.I.P Jodie. 

A scouting weekend

One thing during the few days away was to go on half day hikes to places with support exploring nature reserves and castles so in a good many ways it was almost like a scouting weekend right down to shared chores at base camp.

Getting around isn't easy for someone with my difficulties as such places were functional for the time, being high up to spot and repel invaders with bows and arrows fired through slots such as these but the fact with support I did undermine something that goes to the beginning of this blog.
My disabilities ARE NOT a bar to scouting, nor to had be a Cub Scout then whatever my folks erroneously thought and certainly not now being that cub scout in spirit.