The 2020 Scouting and Me review

 

This year we are doing a short review which isn't something on this blog we ever did before probably because I didn't feel there was much of a need.

The first thing to say is that for reasons I rather not go into on here as they fall under speculation, I lost the Tumblr version of this blog which was disappointing but undeterred I carried on here altering the publishing cycle to make what I felt were more posts of value.

We are not a current affairs blog but Covid 19 as it crept in and regulations emerged around March 16th  had a huge impact on peoples lives not just in terms of the do's and don'ts but upon your mental well-being and many places you may of been able to visit were not possible any more.

I decided to jump two feet in with exploring, hiking and scouting in the open countryside I could get to getting more acquainted with nature, practising skills and learning more about the natural world, taking pictures.

The "& Me" bit grew as indeed I grew on here documenting those things, meeting interesting people, having experiences that I had not undertaken before.

Some of that followed on from February's week in the Lake District, just missing lockdown by weeks where I climbed over rocks and up rugged terrain even if similar weeks are on hold presently.

It showed what I could do, disabilities aside with support and that following the path of scouting was the best thing for me facing fears and conquering them, moving me on.

It also helped my mental health no end.

Image credits: Scout Association

This year was a tough year for the Scouting Movement, not just with restrictions on what could be done although much was done over the internet with virtual beaver, cub, scout, explorer and network meetings with online activities and work done to aid the wider community.

Although things are a bit grim presently with reports of a Covid new strain, Scout Groups had began to reopen for outdoor and some indoor activities following guidance.

One problem as that much of the traditional fundraising though jumble and car boot sales, events such as fireworks and so on meant that 500 groups were at risk of becoming unsustainable losing valuable experiences often in the most disadvantaged areas for children and young people.

Indeed this would have strains upon the National level with posts, paid officials and facilities such as adventure centres used.

The Race Around The World open to all scouts and with opportunities for others such as former scouts to take part raising funds though sponsored activities and the opportunity to make donations was the response.

So far over £250,000 has been raised which will be match-funded on a pound for pound basis by one of the Scouting Associations main sponsors plus additional contributions from the Pears Foundation and the Department for Culture, Media and Sport.

This will enable those groups to continue although there remains as in previous years difficulties in some areas with recruiting volunteers.

I made a substantial donation and encouraged friends to do likewise.

The target of £300,000 remains and donations can be made until January 8th

Christmas

As mentioned, we are taking a break over the Christmas period on Scouting and Me because duties and responsibilities as a Wolf Cub in spirit require me to do things with my family.

Although we also worship differently, Christmas is accepted as a major celebration and I wish all this blogs followers a very happy Christmas.

While a full account of Christmas is published today elsewhere, I did have this The Complete Guide To Scouting Skills to help spur me on in this resumption of the life and principals of Scouting through providing practical know-how better able to plan and contribute when with others to my outdoor adventures.

It's been a great touch to a year where through this I have made personal progress, physically as as mentally being far more alert and self confident through the practice of Scouting, better able to cope the pandemics restrictions.

I've got this for after Christmas Lunch with my folks.

Christmas week edition

 

Image credits: Scouts.org

We will be pausing this blog after today with it being Christmas week that brings many things to do in the build up for Christmas Day with our next post being on Christmas Day itself.

*** Scouting and Me wishes everyone who follows it a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year ***

BP SA 3

The final set from 1975 is notable for the Scout Marksmen badge award course pictures as a combination of concerns over the potential for accidents and the idea of children, admittedly older and more mature ones handling weapons tended to put such activities under spotlight.

Trying to balance that risk while teaching real life skills that young people can be assessed on is challenging with litigation and parental concerns.

Uses of stocks!

Practising using a rifle.

It is very clear that in the BP SA at that time the girls were equals within a program largely unaltered from its origins at the point they split from the Scouting Association.

BP SA 2

The second curated part from the 1970's at a Camp

Girls in the BP SA then wore skirts with the regular uniform and their tent area is separate while at that time the Scouts Association was just for boys.

The Boys always wore short trousers which outside of Cubs had been removed in the Scout Association from 1967.

BP SA 1

On the last week before Xmas I thought I'd post some photosets that used to be on Tumblr of the Baden-Powell Scout Association that were compiled by "School Outfitters"

The mixture of old traditions with an openness to new ideas within that structure is something I'm personally receptive to

Christmas events

There usually is a lot going on in a scout group just before Christmas although the nature of it no doubt this year would of been changed a bit.

In previous years some such as the 4th Sevenoaks, Kent Scout Group would run a Christmas camp that would feature activities such as archery, climbing but also include things like a talent show and a party

Most cubs and beavers sections would have a party where games some with scouting themes and others such as pass the parcel or Statues aka Grandmothers Steps would be played.

These Boy Scouts are American but the idea is the same the world over and Mr Claus may put in an appearance.

Some may be working with other groups towards a Gang Show with often hilarious skits and songs.

Christmas is a magical time, not least for children so naturally we have it in Scouting.

Christmas activities

As we make our way towards Christmas in more normal times many a scout group would be holding events which may be parties or a open day with things for sale but because things are a little different this year doesn't mean seasonal activities won't happen.

Many groups do seasonal  arts and crafts activities which may involve making Christmas cards and decorations which can count towards awards of which this example by the Tackley scout group is a good example.

Crafts was something I loved doing when I was younger.

The Christmas post

While we may well be able to have a more normal twenty twenty-one including Christmas that in different ways will be marked on here, sometimes in all the buzz about adventure in Scouting we forget an important element.

Community service.

In more normal times many Scout units do things for their community one popular seasonal one being operating a postal service getting Christmas Cards to older people who may struggle keeping in touch with others in this simple but important way.

These two Cubs from the Harpenden, Herts Scouts were part of a team that sent card to their elderly, taking them in person.

During lockdown as part of The Great Indoors, Scouts kept contact with people who may be isolated helping out.

Such things do count for awards and judging by their left arms these two certainly have been putting a lot of work into gaining their badges as many boys and girls do.

Whittling

The term whittling can refer to carving an object out of wood using tools such as a chisel or as here using your trusty pen knife which he's doing at Camp.

You might do so to fashion an ornamental object as a crafts exercise or it may be that the object has a more practical application.

Apart from a good knife whose blades wold be made from tempered steel, a good sharpening stone used to ensure the blade is really sharp is recommended.  

Scouting stories

 Sometimes the things in your past and other peoples can spark a genre of novel.

Books that are about adventure which certainly is a part of scouting are not unknown, not least in the English language but there have been fictional books centred on the actual experience of being in scouts.

For a number of years there had been fictional stories published in various Cub and Scout annuals usually fairly short ones that underscored core skills, abilities and values that inspired you.

Scouting is nothing if not practical so they might show improvization and quick thinking but these are two examples of the longer form in Dutch.

Upon the appointment of a new Scout Adventurer

 

Pix credit: Jo Sarsby

It was announced Tuesday November 24 that Sal Montgomery, the kayaker and adventurer would be joining the Scout Adventurer team.

Sal's first experiences of canoeing growing up in Nottingham in the East Midlands, was through Scouts Camp and indeed openly acknowledges what she learnt from being a Scout in terms of bring people together, having fun while learning new skills and opening up your eyes  to possibilities that you might not of considered in your life.

Her family were not particularly adventure minded but her time spent in scouts did show that was very much her and presented possibilities that otherwise might not of come her way.

Scout Adventurers are in many ways beacons of the movement, people who have and are having a great time having adventures around the world in the outdoors that they love who help inspire young people to get out there to.

The last days of November

 

As we make away in a few days time into December and all that will bring, the last remnants of the carpet of leaves is gone so here is a remind of just as it was with no 'staging' ready for the cycle to repeat itself next year.

This week I have seen a good number of Grey Squirrels about and a number of birds.

This, the Eurasian Blue Tit is one species I have seen apart from the Grey Tits and House Sparrow, aided by having much local woodland here even if the trend to take up front garden's may not help.

White horses

 

Horses were a passion I shared with my older brother who I helped with things such as some of his scouting activities as much as he helped me with things.

It's not so surprising then that I may go around parts here where I know I can find horses just to spend time with them and their owners, sometimes taking pictures, learning more about both owner and the breeds.

It's important when you do to respect the horses diets if you do feed them which I generally don't without permission, indeed on farm I know does put a prominent but polite not to feed the horses which if they are being treated for certain conditions may be very important.

If, as happened to me several years ago somehow a horse managed to grab and pull my camera bag into his field, to contact and work with the landowner rather than risk a confrontation with a horse.

The impact from a horses hooves is very severe.

Keeping safe

 Although no one wishes to bring such topics as we'd soon all just get along, for a variety of reasons Scouts, like most organizations has rules for people decide to join it and there very clear cut procedures for Adults who help in any way if their questions regarding their conduct not least directly in connexion with children and young people.

It goes without saying anyone with regular unsupervised contact with children and young people are DBS checked and is the responsibility of each Scout Group to cause that to happen before appointing them. 

This is an example of such a policy and how it ties into The Scout Promise and Scout law.

There always was a discipline policy within Scouting for Children and Young people even it it and society may have changed over time not just for being disrespectful of Scouts, Leaders and Helpers, spoiling the session but for such matters as bullying and messing around.

Messing around it needs to be remembered can easily lead into serious accidents although Level Two matters are the most serious such as those that may put at risk your or other members safety by defying clear instructions, violence, bullying and the like.

No one likes to be a killjoy but ultimately the Group is responsible if anything happens and so anyone departing from careful consideration of how to protect everyone's welfare and safety must be dealt with.

The onset of Winter

 As the Winter begins to approach us, it's time to look back upon this Autumn

Canopies in woodland has always fascinated me as the branches of the individual trees mingle into one structure not least when have the orangey sun reflecting brilliantly upon them.

Even the suburban hedgerow, beloved by the nations gardeners takes on a most colourful appearance in this time of year, which in a year so changed in ways non of us would of anticipated helps in staying alert and mentally resilient as hard as it has been for many.

Contrasts

 Although it has been rather wet in the last few days although I was able to dodge heavy showers to explore, it has also been quite sunny too.

The impact of this season can be easily seen in this district and here is a good example of how the deciduous trees just lose their leaf covering across autumn ready for winter where their neighbouring trees which are not maintain full leaf coverage contrasting perfectly.

You can always tell when their are Oak Trees about and here we have a fair number of them which are popular with our grey squirrels at this time of year having seen his nutkins this Sunday morning going off with his acorns.