Climbing rocks

Many of us would love to be exploring the coast today, climbing over rocks and enjoy the views from the cliff's edge of the coastline and maybe a beach as the weather is ideal for it today but as Staffordshire and most the Midlands lacks a coast it isn't possible currently.

Doing this in February really challenged wobbly footed me, with some hairy moments but I managed it.

Our summer hike

The boys enjoy another glorious day hiking in the hills, enjoying one another's company in the dazzling sunshine in much the same I've been this week.

Making our way back

The Scout and his leader going through a residential area in Germany with their backpack's on although why they might is open to speculation as normally you'd walk through a more rural area.

Could it be they have been to a pursuit centre using a field but within the urban limits so being kinder to the environment they have decided not to use a car?

Perhaps could it be he purposely seeing this young scout to his families front door in which instance while unusual at his age here in the U.K. having him that close might seem appropriate?

While I'm of pro shorts school of Scouting, it is good to see someone of his age actually doing camping rather than just staying in resort.

Be alert!

Phew just come in from exploring this glorious sunny day exploring comparing and contrasting what I had seen just a matter of weeks ago with what is out and about when it comes to flowers, crops and wildlife species. 

It's the kind of thing you might do when you were officially younger in the Cubs which apart from being good physical exercise is also a good mental exercise, being alert and noticing things.

I spent a fair bit time working on colour cast issue on the original image.

Scout Sections of the Past

Photo original source: vintage youth groups

It isn't uncommon within the Scout Association to reinvent things and so at the point this photograph was taken this was Venture Scouts, those then only boys aged between 16 and 25 years of age who had transferred from Scouts.
They were replaced around 2001 following a review started in 1995 due to a fall of and problems in retaining Venture Scouts.

This can be understood because for those in education they may have a heavy load of studying including independent research, those in work may have shifts or overtime before we take into account the urge to spend spare time on romantic passions.

A key difference organizationally was that the Venture Scouts where organized at the Scout Group level, the Explorer Scouts were from the District and from which it was felt the resources could be more effectively used across the area to develop a program  that would inspire them, maintaining their interests.

These things include challenges designed to encourage independence, maturity by setting tasks and physical challenges and also the Young Leader program to enable those with the aptitude to take on leadership roles within the organization.

Deciding on our plans

Source: roverscoutandy Additional processing by me.

Cutting the logs comes in handy for the campfire that provides not only warmth but a means of hot food being indeed the focal point of your camp that on my an evening you huddle around.

Other ways of getting about

If there was a quicker way to climb up the boys pecking order than being a Scout, a ATC Cadet or being in the Boys Brigade it was usually your Dad's car when I was younger so to be a Scout whose dad took you out in this classy car was a double hat trick.

It appears to have a good sized bonnet for all your camping stuff and I suspect his son has cleaned it all up so it really sparkles.

His uniform with the possible exception of the hat is first class.

Becoming the Cub

The youngest cub presents for the first time in front of his Six in what I suspect was a early 70's investiture in this grainy originally under exposed picture  that I have attempted to process.

This probably is a community hall or similar judging by the chairs and the type of windows rather than a  dedicated Scout Hut such as in parts of my City we still have.

As was the norm back the their shorts are mainly those they wore for school with one exception.

Summer exploring

It's been another beautiful sunny day out as I have been exploring out going in fields and country lanes with no need for a coat on at all which is nice as doing so is healthier, looking smart.

Like him you do find signs where other people have not as been as thoughtful as you would in disposing of things like drinks containers and the like which as scouts we are always expected to do so I end up putting them in spare carrier bag and putiing in the waste bin which is of course what that person should of done!

Taking a break

The Boys Brigade, not so talked about today as it was but still very much with us elevating boys to the highest standards in a classic picture probably 50's or early 60's of an older boy still in shorts as you were back then enjoying his comic.

While this blog isn't about it, I read a lot of comics as a boy such as Sparky, Beezer, Warlord, Roy of the Rovers, The Beano and The Dandy at home and saw through sharing Whizzer and Chips, Tiger and 2000AD.

Don't ask what today's liberals would make of many of the scenes in Popeye though!

Setting up

It may be bright and sunny but you really want those ground sheets down properly and the guy ropes securely fastened when you're out camping.

Here the younger scout is receiving some excellent hands on tution in this most essential of camping skills and we hope he's not all"fingers and thumbs".

Kandersteg International Scout Centre

Scouting may have its origins in England and the then British Empire, but is very much an international youth organization and movement, being practised all over the World.

The Kandersteg International Scout Centre (K.I.S.C.) is to be found in the Swiss Alps and was after being identified by the then Swiss Chief Scout in 1921 and upon being suggested to Baden-Powell as the ideal international meeting place for Scouts was established in 1930.

There are Chalets that are used for administration and guests, over 60 individual campsites that can accommodate 1,400 people with running water and modern wash blocks and four fixed buildings that are largely self contained including The Tower which was a former power station when the railway was built.

An international Scouting Centre is nothing if it is not used to further the aims of Scouting and so it offers an activity program appropriate for the unit of Scouts attending.

The activity program offered by the Centre is centred around the three themes of International Friendship, High Adventure and Eco Adventure, designed to help guests learn, develop while having  heaps of fun. 

Come Summertime they offer, within the three themes, a fixed weekly in-camp programme including International Campfire, Pioneering Competition and BBQ, as well as a wide range of daily activities such as trails, nature workshops, hiking, rock climbing, crafts, mountain biking, paragliding, river rafting and trips to various parts of Switzerland. 

The Winter program offers a range of alpine snow activities such as downhill or cross country skiing and snowboarding. There are also a variety of other traditional winter activities to be found in and around Kandersteg, like sledding, curling, ice skating, ice climbing and snow shoeing.

Proper Kit

Your kit bag makes a big difference in your hike from its cubic capacity, choice of material and the quality and finish of the straps.

I like to see canvas bags because while they may not appear to be as 'shiny' initially as synthetic materials do, they do hold up well overtime.

It is also interesting to note the wollen socks which are much better for hiking in, trust me, and the leather footwear.  This Scout would get a A:1 from me.

Looking after footways

The footway or path is a common scene in country areas, usually narrow rough with stones or possibly bits of brick in it that goes through open countryside or woods such as a field that goes an area which is mainly privately owned such as a farm.

I use them a lot.

Because of this the would be scout must remember to keep to the path, look out for machinery or cattle and close gates after him if it leads into another field accessed through one.

If cattle are about you need to be aware an adult member of that species will be very defensive toward what might be seen as a threat to it's young. You don't want to cross a bull or a horse under any circumstances.

A countryside walk

Today I went on lengthy work along a public right of way through these fields, looking at hedgerows, insect life and wild flowers such as buttercups that were growing in the glorious sunshine.

The planted crops continue to grow in this site on the edge of the village before one reaches the nearby motorway and through exploring this area more I am learning not just to identify species but appreciate what the natural world has to offer. 

The delights of Scout Cycling

One thing that has been suggested more people do to avoid some of the issues on public transportation presently is to cycle more and while people tend not to see so many  scouts cycling as they used to thanks to both crowded roads and "The Taxi of Mum and Dad", scouts did used to cycle a lot.

These three are enjoying their cycling along a lane in the woods with a Scout volunteer present and while outdoor formal activity remains on hold, you may just pass a scout on a bike as they like the rest of us are able to be out more than once a day in England from now on.

What really is a Scout?

Scouting isn't just having fun although it jolly well ought to be, nor is it a means of learning skills that you are awarded on although again you do or either a whizz to wear a uniform although we our proud of ours.

It is a way of life underpinned by strong, realistic moral code that we express in form of our Promise and the Law we pledge to uphold that travel on growing as boys in stature.

It's growing

The continuing adventures of the Wolf Cub under lockdown continued as I explored the local area on foot, observing the wildlife, watching crops grow.

Here are some species that have started to grow in a nearby field one sunny morning in May with cattle in fhe fields in the distance and on the day in question I found a bee resting on the soil.

While the lockdown thanks to Coronavirus is restricting, I have been making the most of the opportunities to both connect with nature and also to keep myself occupied and alert.

Lending a hand

A Scout of the B.S.A. (Boy Scout Association of America), making himself useful to the pack, carrying items in what is a contemporary but smart uniform which should not go unrecognized because everyone needs to do as much as they can to help while undertaking activities.

V.E Day

Today is V.E Day or in full Victory in Europe Day  which we'd of been marking with parades, street parties and other events all in Scouting would of taken part in to pay our respects to all who were involved, to give thanks for the freedom they fought for and for the sacrifice they made that enabled it.

Unfortunately the Covid-19 situation means much of what we'd planned, that government, service organizations and veterans also had has been stopped in its tracks and more limited measures devised to all this most important event to take place at all.

Although World War Two meant that many families across the UK and the rest of the world were separated, Scouting at home and abroad continued. Young Scouts offered their communities support by using their skills, contributing to the efforts and offering relief, with those who were old enough sent to fight on the front lines.


Many Scout Leaders who weren’t drafted took in children or families who had been displaced or evacuated due to the war.

All members of the Scouts Association have been able to get a Commemorative badge which it must be stressed isn't an Award Badge, to mark this occasion. 

Activities that have been set up for scouts to try include "Guess The Badge" where a set of pictures of 1940's Scouting badges are show and scouts talking to family members try to work what the name of badge is and what the nearest modern equivalent are and once they've been checked, everyone should look at the badges again. 

1940's Badges
Air Spotter
Civil defence
Firefighter
First Aid
Guide or Pathfinder
Handyman
Interpreter
Rabbit Farmer
Wirelessman 

The person leading the activity should explain some of the things people had to do to earn the badge.
Each team should chat about the skills the 1940s Scouts used and how the badge activities may have helped the war effort.
They are then encouraged to look at how they use their skills to help the community.
This counts toward Beaver and Cub Membership Awards, Scouts Local Knowledge Activity Badge and Explorers Membership award.

Scouts are being encouraged to run V.E Day events that may include cooking a V.E day banquet or have a "Fire-free campfire" put out Window displays and also to join the public  marking of this day across the country, being encouraged to head to their doorsteps and gardens at 3pm on Friday afternoon to take part and mark the occasion by clapping, cheering and making some noise.

Scout leaders are being encouraged to get their Scouts to get their full uniform on and commemorate the Scouts from that era who did so much to help the country during and after the war.

Tent Inspection

Source: norlington3 colour restored by me.

Going to camp which like most things is currently off, in the past would of involved more making it as while the site was there, there was rather less use of purpose built accommodation and I think it wasn't until around the very early 1970's restrictions on the Cubs camping out became stricter.

Before then and afterwards for those over nine and a half the Cub slept in his tent that would with sometimes a bit of help as needed putting down the groundsheet and erecting the remainder.

Here we have the other element of it, the Wolf Cubs who are from Surrey are required to stand to attention for tent inspection by their Leader as they will be judge on it not only for just putting them up but also for tidiness in this nineteen fifties photograph unusually in colour. 

Apart from having a great time, they are learning to responsible boys.

A salute to Scouting

Proudly taking your salute while at the same time being reminded of your Promise, you look and feel the smartest boy around as over the years you have learnt a lot and have moved on within the scouting family.

This picture also shows just how a smart uniform befits the Scout which is one area I feel the Scouting Association has drifted away from in recent years.

The Scout and the Cat

A scout cares for his pet and all living things which does tie into a award badge he can earn and indeed for all my childhood and beyond I cared for cats, a rabbit and goldfish too putting their needs above your own immediate satisfaction.

It isn't just about what to feed them, it involves exercise for them, grooming, spotting when they need veterinary attention and so on and it also teaches you things too.

A pet even shared, provides companionship and love which is always good for boys.

The Traditional Scout

Source: gakya additional processing by me

This is the Traditional Scout, the one I always had time for in full uniform where each and every item of it was designed for a purpose and has a symbolism that doesn't fall for fashion as scouting uniform was never about that.

It was all about practicality so we wear shorts to avoiding the damaging and muddying that happens if you wear longs in say erecting a tent and we keep our legs warm with thick proper long socks.

We are trusted to use a long sharp knife having learned how to use it so it is held in a leather holster on our belt for ease of access.

It is a uniform for the more mature Scout that builds up on what he wore as a Wolf Cub.

Off to camp

In Scotland it is by no means unknown for scouts not to just wear shorts (or heaven forbid, Longs) but also Kilts as a number of schools do any many weddings feature as well.

Here we have a scout unit gathered ready to travel to Camp for their picture from the 1970's that might of been taken for press or publicity reasons as photography was become more colour in that era but print remained black and white outside of the mastheads of newspapers.

Facing up to things head on

Apart from a strong personal dislike of 7/8ths trousers, on what is the first day of this Month, this picture is full of action carefully navigating along the rocks, having to go through a stream continuing on an epic adventure where he'll face his fears and learn to overcome them.

This is scouting at it's finest, developing character and backbone that helps with whatever life may throw at us.