Righting Wrongs II

Anyone who has read this blog knows one of three reasons why this blog exists and as part of that I am putting together a uniform an amalgam of past and present as authentic as it gets for this Wolf Cub in spirit.

This is a genuine contemporary neckerchief from an official supplier  for me to learn to fold properly  and fasten

Purists and traditionalists may well prefer leather woggles which aesthetically they may have a point with but contemporary cubs from which Wolf Cubs were replaced by do use plastic ones today.
I may well get a leather one at some point but I don't like the angular Cubs written in bold designs like what's so wrong with having an actual logo a wolf cub perhaps and "cubs" underneath it?
The main thing me is to work on my dexterity so I can wear it correctly with given my conditions is itself a challenge.

Different packs had and have different attitudes to things like socks so I'm sticking with the old school grey school shorts and school socks that with the green top do look smart.

That for now wraps it up until next time

Taking time out

Sitting in the sun, enjoying a break, even taking off your sunglasses is so much like last season given it was 2.5 degrees C with just  a bit hazy sun today when I was out which is rather different.

These German Scouts clearly are enjoying the opportunity talking with each other and maybe sharing a joke before they resume their activities.

I do like the blue neckerchief.

Dens

Source: aleftheelf

A den is something a good number us can recall, that spot removed from where we had come that we could have magical adventures in with friends in the outdoors but protected from the elements.

Some Dens are by design rustic, made of local and found materials others not although they may require assembly but all are a home from home.

Going back in time

The way things were when within the Scout Association Wolfcubs were a thing, here it's a South London pack around 1962 looking fresh, very well turned out and full of excitement for loving what the Wolf Cub program then offered boys.

It's that which keeps me going.

Standing still

Standing to attention on what appears a milder time of year well turned out.

The traditional shorts with inside pocket or on the thighs of longer shorts argument often rages but to me the long deep pocket has some practical applications such as ease of carrying items and are less likely to fall out of traditional side cut ones unless they have either a button or a zip.

Scouting in the snow

It won't be long before the Winter scouting season will be among us as we brave the elements with decent boots on exploring the natural world although I will say denim jeans are amongst the worst things for wearing out of doors as the soon trap rain and melted snow that the cling next to year skin  where it soon gets cold and irritated.

It may sound counter intuitive but a decent pair of shorts and thick woollen socks is much better unless you're going into actual waterproof trouser wearing as rain evaporates off your legs better.

Rover Scout uniform of the past

The look of a bygone age more's the pity but the old Rover Scout uniform pre 1967 was really good for just that  - Rovering - being based in what was worn in the bush so was tried and tested rather than faddy.

I do like these drawings because the encapsulate in one picture all you need to know about how to wear your uniform correctly.

Winter scouting

We may have some deep snow but it won't be this week at least here in Staffordshire but these scouts are definitely hardy with good footwear on so they were able to get about in the snow and they managed to get that big metal container sorted too.

When it comes to winter wear I prioritize headwear, gloves, decent water resistant boots and thick long socks.

Original pix by wintershortsfan

Learning about the past

Cub looking at soldier of the South Staffordshire Regiment which alongside the North Staffordshire one thought in WW1 and 2 before being combined to a single County Regiment recruiting from as far north as Flash and as south as West Bromwich taking in all points east and west of our County. 

It is important for boys to learn about the sacrifices made by men in the past to defend our freedoms and way of life as well as to learn of their own County's soldiers.

Tidying up.

Source: totinchip

After an active session, the Scout needs to remember to tidy up not just after himself but all of his troop as a combined effort to keep things today whither or not it is their Scout Hut, a community building hired or even a traditional out of doors camp.

Here he is getting on the job that needs to be done while others just visible are also doing their bit which also is good training for when he gets to handle more responsibility as he grows up as no one will tidy up after him then. 

Leadership

Taking instructions on the outdoor exercise from the leader requires the acceptance of his authority and the discipline to both pay attention to detail such as any one part you will be responsible for  and to know his word is the final one.

Developing leadership is an important thing in all branches of Scouting and something personally I feel this society badly needs.

Scouting discourse

Uniform Research

There are those not least on the Tumblr version of this blog who have commented on the last few posts about the uniforms of cubs today  to which in the context of Remembrance Sunday and Armistice posts I would not comment upon because that act matters more.

I agree that the older uniform is more smarter but to my eyes most of this really stems from the decision in 1966/7 to break with BP's traditions and reasons for it because in doing so the ship scouting lost a rudder rather than more evolutionary gradual change keeping the core things such as the unit names, focus and uniforms the same.

The post 1967 Cub uniform wasn't too far removed from the previous Wolf Cub version but where things really went awry was in the Scouts with a extensive redesign that eliminated shorts which still can be seen in many troops even now where more boys are starting wear shorts again in that 10 through 14 age group for school.

As for girls and scouting, that one is wrapped in contemporary gender politics which views not allowing girls to join as being sex discrimination while at the same time allowing girls to have their own unit which to me is illogical but not untypical of where we are in wider society.

Personally I feel boys are on the whole different with different needs connected to their gender which are best met within a structure just for boys but there is no reason some activities and exercises cannot be shared with Girl Guiding which can provide opportunities for co-operation and treating each other with respect.

Pledge

‘On my honor, I will do my best to do my duty to God and my country, to obey the Scout Law, to help other people at all times, to keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.’

While that is the Boy Scouts of America pledge, it does contain the nuggets of what I endeavour to keep to within my life.

This photo often circulates on Tumblr but I have carefully adjusted the exposure to get to what I consider the best it can be as it shows the Spirit of a Cub in the Winter.

Armistice Day

It is Armistice Day where on the Eleventh Hour of the Eleventh Day of the Eleventh Month, we mark the formal ending of WW1 and remember all those in conflict. 

Here Cub Scouts from Essex mark the day.

Paying our respects

Today Cubs, Scouts, GirlGuiding UK, The Baden-Powell Scouting Association and other members of the scouting family will be laying their wreaths this Remembrance Sunday as these members of the 27th Woolwich (London) scouts did a few years ago.
Tomorrow being Armistice day itself, other scouting associations from the Commonwealth and also the United States will too be joining in our mark of respect for those who lost their lives securing our freedoms.

Assembled

Phew! Just come in from a ramble collecting Conkers (Horse Chestnuts) with temperatures at 2 degrees C and a 10 mph wind in grey shorts and mid calf grey socks admiring the fallen colourful leaves and the odd acorn.
I think just being out there doing it is building some very useful resilience in me worthy of these finely turned out Scouts who also are in shorts.

Waterside activities

Fishing it had to be said wasn't something I exactly got not least because it required rather more hand-eye coordination than I had or for that matter have even now although several of my immediate peer group did and I did accompany them out.

I was happier sailing to be honest but in the end as the modern expression goes, it's all good as there's something involving the outdoors and being by or on water that you'll take up which is one of things you can do gaining your awards  within scouting as apart from being enjoyable, they are practical survival skills.

Being out with temperatures about 7 degrees in shorts and grey socks this morning reminds me of the revigurating properties of spending time outdoors being physical.

Going to the beat of ones drum

Scouts will no doubt be preparing for this weekends Armistice events if my experience is anything to go by, parading to the Cenotaph and laying a wreath which is something in my adult life I have done usually with and being sat by them!

A parade often goes better to the sound of a drum and these members appear to have their drum sticks at the ready, looking very well turned out.

Mateship

The closeness of boys friendship is not generally appreciated but in this photograph is quite touching as here both Scouts having made their hike so far are so comfortable with each other that one can put his arm around the other and show him the sights within their distance. 

In this way his teaching and showing the other itself is a sign of mateship, learning from one another.

Gay Fawkes Night

Today is Guy Fawkes Night although events tend to go either side of that date and it is by no means uncommon for Scout Troupes to put on a Bonfire and Firework show in part to aid funds in many localities and I know a couple in this area (North Staffordshire) have in recent years.
It is also an opportunity for cubs and scouts to offer back something to the wider community too being organized in to groups to provide certain facilities such as selling drinks.

Jamborees of the past

Among the many good things regarding this illustration of a U.S. Scouts uniform one aspect shown us the use of belt clips to keep such useful things as  Pen Knife and good length of cord although sadly today to show the presence of any knife may be enough to lead  to awkward questions from the likes of the police.

Inspection!

Camp inspection for these Scouts to check they're turned out smartly which wasn't a million miles removed from regular inspection at school and for similar reasons.

Nice to see a traditional canvas tent too with all the cook utensils hanging up to dry adjacent to it.