Cargo shorts

It sure isn't like that here today with sleet and snowfall but it is interesting these two scouts are in more cargo styled shorts rather than grey school shorts or heaven's above the longs that crept in post 1967 because shorts are more practical out and a scout can't have too many pockets.

As well, we have sold green turnover tops on blue socks rather than variations on grey that match the uniform well although the boy on the left needs to pull his up.

Snow business

This reminded me of a couple of things, one being how yesterday parts of the wider area did have snow such as Stockton Brock, Werrington and Biddulph Moor while the rest of us had very strong winds with wind chill that cut you to the bone, waiting for a bus a way up the ridge.

The other was how in parts of Westmoreland the peaks were covered with now again where where we wore was not which does underline the importance of getting up to date information before setting off and being prepared for all eventualities.

Snow can be enjoyable in moderation of course none less than skiing in it as in this alpine picture.

Socks for the Wolf Cub

One topic I haven't actually spoken of on here is socks because it was unusual for the Scout Association to make a stipulation about the exact form although a pack may of had tradition and in the days of Wolf Cubs and Cubs even the shorts were basically the same as you had at school.

One often sees at infant and junior level patterned socks for boys with characters and motifs although some schools do insist on them being a plain colour but one place that still stocks the plainer long sock I wore is Marks and Spencers and they do go to size 4-7 which may fit some (certainly does with me).

These do fit well with 'proper' school type shorts for scouting type activities without drawing too much attention being what I wore for a long time after formal school with ribbing and aren't expensive.

I bought a pack for my activities today.

Operation Explore

Not technically the best picture, taken by a friend, this does capture the moment of Scouting, noticing and exploring that which is around you going across fields, fences and over stiles having fun.

We were on a four mile walk across Silverdale and Arnside following an approved signed route which required map reading and orienteering skills to keep abreast of knowing what sort of terrain we were traversing.

Here we have Arnside's coast looking toward the railway line that takes you toward Kendal and Oxenholme, a great view in this magical area taken a day later.

For me this return to being a Wolf Cub in spirit is just the ticket.

A place to stay

There are a lot of cottages around where I was staying used by people in Scouting and Girlguides as well as other movements such as Youth Hostelling where people hike or cycle but stay under a roof rather than under canvas.

I passed a number of Scouts and adult hikers along the week I was away who had a great time although the weather was not very good , no doubt learning not just about this area but also moe of themselves, helping to progress in character training.

What a week of scouting did for me

I explored along lane, woodland, across streams and rocks in wet and stormy conditions that tested my stamina and physical coordination to the limit as I struggled to stay upright being well out out of my comfort zone.
It was difficult and indeed very scary but I achieved it being complemented by peers on my resilience doing this which I had never managed before.
Scouting and it's founders ideals made a Real Boy out of me this week

On the birthday of Lord Robert Baden-Powell

Today in 1857 in Paddington, London, England Robert Baden-Powell founder of Scouting, author of Scouting for Boys was born, transforming the lives of boys and girls, helping to shape them into useful citizens, fit to cope with anything.

It is fitting that this blog dedicated to the spirit of an eternal Wolf Cub marks with respect his appreciation for all he offered boys such as himself and girls and the legacy he left us.

"

The most worth-while thing is to try to put happiness into the lives of others.

A Scout smiles and whistles under all circumstances.

A Scout is never taken by surprise; he knows exactly what to do when anything unexpected happens.

"

Happy birthday Skip!

Thoughts upon get set to return

The most important thing I and others need to remember is to be found in this extract from the 1965 Wolf Cub annual while we learn from Cubbing it is above all else Fun and this week has been fun and it all started with One man and his Mission for Boys.

Spirit

The spirit of the week will be no doubt just like that.

The manual

Much of the week will be engaged with the spirit of this books contents for real developing and using skills in the field.

Going over rocks, learning to look after yourself and be fit were all things that came into play not least enroute to this the Pepper Pot Monument built in 1857.

The Coast is our inspiration

We're fortunate to have this coastline within a few minutes walking distance to explore as the previous places have been some way from a coast and indeed last February we were very much inland in Shropshire.

This will be where some of the structured activities will take place.

Exploring

Exploring together, that will be what I am doing this week while I am away rovering which is what I am all about.

The program begins

Today I am off for a whole week, a week different than most of those I have been away for because there will be a lot of time spent doing things around scouting as an activity in itself  exploring in an area of  outstanding natural beauty rather than the odd spot in day of being out although last year was a lot better for it.

It is time to let out all that inner cub feelings and take a step forward in the persuit of doing the things I get the most out of, having a virtual Wolf Cub camp holiday.

A musical parade

Members of a Scout troop playing their instruments on parade most probably in Germany looking smart and keeping in time to the beat at an important occasion.

Fixing a meal

A shade of the past from when you cooked using a small tin your rations and ate them from it saving on the washing up afterwards mirroring what was prevalent in the armed services and to which you could often find in the military surplus stores cheaply.

With the trend particularly in the younger sections toward the use of self contained facilities that may even have catering it isn't something all scouts today have experience of. 

Jamborees

Taking part in gatherings is an opportunity open to all in Scouting and GirlGuiding from all ages and at different levels from Cub Camp upwards but this scout is taking art in a scouting Jamboree which is a large gathering of Scouts either from the whole of Country such as the United Kingdom or from many Nations.

For instance The World Scout Jamboree is a Scouting jamboree of the World Organization of the Scout Movement, typically attended by several tens of thousands of Scouts from around the world, aged 14 to 17. 

The first World Scout Jamboree was organized in 1920 by The Boy Scout Association in London and today a gathering may have up to 50,000 Scouts from more than 150 countries around the World.

Pictured are the 1st Crawley, Sussex scouts selected to attend.

To represent your local Scouting Association and Country is a great honour.

Just look at this!

Fun in old 'bangers' often excites the teen boy and here the car appears to had been driven up the tree where no doubt marks at least have been left on tree and car. 

One can only assume it was an attempt to let a little steam off as I can't see a scouting activity this actually slots into.

Scouts in the snow

Source: Shorts in the snow

This is very much like it is at the moment having been out where strong storms have left leaving snow with massive chunks falling down here so had this of been in the morning a scene like this would of been most likely

Snow doesn't put me off.

Prepare to take off...

Part of this blog looks at what all members in Scouting do today and in April last year 1st Hartford Scouts near Northwich, Cheshire sent a balloon to the very edge of Space which is quite fitting being they are a short distance from the site of the Lovell Radio Telescope at Jodrell Bank, Near Goostrey.

That's just the kind of activity I loved doing around their age although I'm not sure I'd attempt a similar thing this morning as we have a major storm passing over here!

Photography and the Scout

Photography has been in the Scouting Awards for a good while going well back into the period film photograph was the only game in town.

Today of course it is different although there are those who still prefer to use film but one constant attitude you tend to hear is to take good photographs, you need expensive cameras and lenses regardless of media.

This is simply not true although better equipment can afford possibilities not always available on less expensive equipment but take this Scout here for instance.

He is using a fairly simple digital compact camera with a single built in zoom lens highly likely to be one of Canon's which by coincidence I do own although I have a Nikon Digital Single lens reflex camera with seperate interchangeable lenses.

He is quite capable of taking some very good general photographic images with his because I know I have got very good results out of mine some of which are in this blog and others in my main one on what is an inexpensive model.

Most things come down to technique which you can learn and developing an eye for a good picture as you go about such as at camp or whilst hiking.

Just go out there practise and DO IT.

A little horse play along the way?

It appears to be an overcast day outdoors at camp but I am intrigued by what is happening as the scout in seven-eighths trousers seems to holding the other boys arm back but I'll be damned if I  can why on the evidence in this picture.

They may be horsing around - I used to that a lot at that age - but suspect it was some trek both are really meant to be going on along the field which at least is possible here at the minute.

On parade

Scouts of all ages parade in style showing discipline and professionalism from the oldest to the youngest as one single tight unit.
B-P would be proud of them.

Taking it all in

A good long walk in the countryside is something I've always enjoyed either on my own or with others, taking some needed exercise and enjoying the fresh air as these two scouts are dressed in a more traditional style than some English Scouts do with shorts and turn over socks which is how I prefer to do this.

The mindset you adopt to this makes a big difference when it comes to the outcome which is you should have an idea of how long it would take and any key times to meet but not otherwise rush it so you really take in your surroundings switching off from our connected sophisticated everyday environment. 

Chilly having a great time

Original Source: wintershortsfan

Today was forecast to be quite cold but I doubt if down here we will see any snow even if at the top of the ridge there will be so I would say these scouts from central Europe must be a very hardy bunch not just for wearing shots but having fairly short socks too!

At the weekend I noticed the White snowdrops were out  which bodes well for the annual Snowdrop Walk here which is quiet famous.

Putting your all into it

Rustic adventure courses are not only different to those we may of had in our school gym halls for not being wood and metal based but the more inspiring for being in the outdoors meaning all your senses are engaged.

This scout may be finding it quite a challenge but however good he may be in it, his participation in such challenges will bring on some very really character forming and molding which will serve him well in later years.

Scouting for the Disabled

One thing I am passionate over is Scouting for the Disabled because for one thing this blog writer was a disabled boy, these days a disabled adult little boy who believes we should not be denied the same sorts of experiences as non-disabled boys either because organizations choice to exclude us of which the Scouting Association and others certainly haven't before it was fashionable to talk about inclusion or because of parental misunderstandings about what actually is possible.

The second thing I will say I know will cause some offence but I shall anyway and that is too many parents and so-called professionals are so tied into the notion of fragility they simply won't let a disabled boy do what he's programmed to do cos on the inside he's still a boy with same urges and needs.

It often means he doesn't learn to do as much as he could even if he needs help because they'd soon do it all that which also cuts him off from other boys, removes sources of pride, self-respect and grit all of which he'll need perhaps more than his non-disabled peers in coping with his condition and challenges that go with it.

Many Scouting Associations manage through support from the District and above to include disabled children in regular scouting at all levels while in some situations, special units may be set up, possibly attached to special S.E.N. boarding schools.

The unit show in a vintage picture is Glasgow Disabled Scouts, in Scotland, U.K.  which has been providing scouting for the disabled since 1933.