Scouts in their natural environment

A group of very traditional scouts on a day out in the Countryside looking as though they may be conducted into songwhile standing on a dry stone wall by a public woods.

Some interesting touches to this photograph are how it appears light grey with solid red turn over tops are the patrols uniform and everyone is in compliance and the sense of unity between all.

Learning about knots

Learning which knots are best for what and how to make them yourself is one the basic things a cub learns from "the old wolf" and that is what is going on this illustration set at Camp.

Neckerchiefs

It is a good while since I looked at Wolf Cub uniform as it applies to the Wolf Cub in Spriit like me and this is a new Neckerchief I got in Scout Green from a official supplier  which while new doesn't look out of place.

You cannot talk about neckerchiefs without talking about Woggles and there is concern that the move to plastic woggles for modern day cubs with an eye of 'elf and safety' isn't environmentally friendly so I got a Brown leather one from a person who makes them for scouts in Pelsall, Walsall, here in Staffordshire that is plain like the plastic ones but much better for the environment.

Making adjustments enroute

The last couple of days have seen me have to re-map some of exploratory routes "on the fly" due to unannounced road closures in this area except unlike these two, I had the advantage of local knowledge so didn't need to resort to my well developed map reading skills.

These are the classic pre-1967 Scouts identifiable straight away by the traditional thick shirt and the khaki green shorts, a little longer than that of the cubs which were mainly grey school shorts and the caps plus gartered socks.

A more 'mature' version of the Wolf Cub uniform for lads, well that bit more mature for being in Wolf Cubs before, striding mainly the later years of Prep school.

Shorts for the LB Scout or Wolf Cub

For some time I had been looking around the topic of shorts suitable for Scouts or some Wolf Cubs as most used the iniquitous Grey School Shorts many of us recall from that era that you could wear while undertaking Wolf Cub/Scouts in Spirit type activities side stepping that post 1967 Scout longs move. 

These which are available in waist sizes thirty through to forty-eight originally by Wrangler the jeans and chino's manufacturer I think would fit the bill.

They are available in a number colours but "Stone" matches most replica or close enough in spirit replacements such as a green plain jersey and t shirt where in more populated areas you may blend in better being free from external visible branding.

They are also timeless fitting above the knee with a good variety of secure pockets including a rear zipped one as for our purposes we can't have enough pockets and are hard wearing.

Obviously we'd team them with long socks and either shoes or walking boots.


*** Important notice***

Because of both a reduction of posting on tumblr around scouting and shortage of new images being published, I will be reducing the number of posts on this blog from next month.

I normally do about one a week on my other blogs and in the time we've been here we only started doing appreciable more than two a week from around May of last year so with all the challenges in bring you this blog I think to had kept things up thus far has been pretty good going.

Obviously in time I'll establish a new posting routine that I feel is sustainable not just in terms of available content but also interest too.

Affirmation

To go down on your knees before someone and make the sign is act rich in symbolism and I am sure this person will make headway within Scouting for many years to come because he knows it's not all about him, it is what he contributes that counts.

The view from The Lock

The delights doing ones Exploring as the Wolf Cub in spirit can take you explore the past in the present such as this lock on the inland waterway, recently reopened and to the left, the Lock Keepers Cottage where that most essential of men in the age of the Canal that linked everything that was needed to produce goods and the finished product to market.

Giving it your all

These Cub Scouts are practising running through the tires one behind of each other,  a test of co-ordination and stamina thoroughly enjoying it although why a group at the boys at the rear do not appear to be in uniform beats me!

Going native!

There always has been strong links between Scotland and France politically - the "Auld Alliance" - and here such links between Scottish and French Scouts are to be found with the French scouts wearing the kilt with their uniform, something that is common place in Scottish Scouting while enjoying their hike as guests of a Scottish District.

Getting a record of your activities

Ah the days when I walked with a film Single Lens Reflex camera usually either my trusty Minolta XD7 or X500 strapped to me in the easy release case rather than the big canvas messenger bag which as less fiddly in the field taking pictures with another carrying a bag as trying to stay straight carrying stuff on top of my disabilities isn't easy.

The ties that bind

Here we have a Scoutof the Baden-Powell Scout Association working on learning his knots which are jolly useful and with my disabilities a right pain too at Camp in their fairly traditional uniform which owns more to B-P's ideas than the Scouting Associations.

While Bear Grylls addressed for the Scout Association his views that the (infamous) statute of B-P at Poole should remain in which he indicated how B-P had set the way and was (like most of us) imperfect, in saying scouting evolved past him to me suggested that in certain respects he wasn't holding entirely for the methods and principles set out in B-P's core manuals such as Scouting For Boys.

Everyone accepts things do change over time but elements such as the Uniform were based on real life experiences and while we'd all agree discrimination on the grounds of race, disability, religion and class should have no place within Scouting, there is a clear need for a program for and with males highly involved in delivering a program targeted at boys and their specific needs preparing them to become the best Men they can.

Those are things the Scout Association have walked away from and disagree with as much as I am delighted by the achievements of those young people who are in the Scouts and the effort they put in.

The fruits of our labour

Those of us who were,are or support Scouting are pleased to hear Baden Powell's statue will be boarded up and not removed for good as feared following misguided attempts to vandalize it.

He gave these boys and millions like them a lot that made them better boys and men, raising the standard of the wider community.

Our Founder is at Risk

The Statue of Robert Baden-Powell  at Poole, Dorset, opposite Brownsea Island, founder of the Scouting Association and GirlGuiding is being removed by Bournemouth and Poole Council following threats to topple it by Black Live Matter supporters in the UK. 

A movement that is non racist, very inclusive of all cultures, gender and disability.

I am appalled.

The unit are one

There's nothing like being together with fellow scouts sheltering for that feeling of companionship and developing bonds.

Our excursion out

Normally if you look at travelling for cubs and scouts, you would normally think of the minibus, typically a twelve seater with space for stuff at the back and possibly a roof rack on or shared cars.

These most probably scouts as they look to be the age to moved up from cubs are travelling on a service train on a day out with racksacks on the luggage racks as there's nothing by their feet.

The train in some areas may well be best overall way of getting about quickly as good for them for using it.

Getting to grips with the Compass

Compasses come in different sizes and shapes from thin see through plastic ones used in orienteering to more sturdier ones such as the one this scout is using, setting true north which really does help.

You will note there is a telescopic sight at the rear which is designed to aid locating and aligning which is the mark of a quality one.

You can always rely on a map and compass to get about, trust me, having learned this from boyhood and while having a mobile phone I prefer to keep that for text messages, calls and if it were a smartphone to just local weather on before setting off.  

Taking care of our clothes

One of the big things about going to camp rather like going on your own hols is you can't take that much with you not least if you're also hiking to the next spot with your tent.

These scouts in a picture taken in England about 1950 are therefore going to have to wash their socks to remove the dirt and odor from them so they can be worn the next day which depending on your upbringing could be quite a shock if they're used to just leaving them to Mum!

Point is of course a scout has to (within personal limits) look after himself in all settings and you can't if you don't know how to wash your own clothes which no doubt they are going to learn.

Learning about the past

Today isn't the best of weather even if it is officially Summer for being out so you may well of decided it's for the best to visit a museum and I would guess that is what this Scout is doing looking at the period kitchen set up he is next too.

I'm interested in the past too having visited a number of places that have rooms set to illustrate time periods so no doubt I'd of jumped at the chance.

Unfortunately our museums remain closed for now. 

A pause for a Tree

The Scout, probably German, given his uniform puts down his guitar he was carrying across his shoulders to play at camp to examine this most interesting tree stump with its clearly visable root system which may of been there for over a hundred years.

I adore trees finding them extremely interesting.

Guess what we're taking today?

It seems unusual today to transport a electric typewriter, a common enough thing in my own youth on a scouting mission but if you need to have 'hard copies' and may not have a printer where you're going it would take up less space than a laptop and printer.

Electronic models, the top line in typewriters back then had varying degrees of electronic correction and some even had word processor functionality.

Taking it in

Enjoying a moment in the sun relaxing in your folding camp chair knowing everything is ready for the next part of your adventure that week.

Little does he realize what he's learning is going to set him up for and provide warm memories for life.

He made it

It was arduous, the most challenging thing that scout had done but with support at the very end, he made it. It was his victory.

When the going gets tough, you can rely on the support of those around you to get through it. 

"I will make it"

Artwork for the 1948 calendar of Scouts de France by Robert Goulier showing the scouts prowess as he runs on with the standard, confident he will make it.

As awful as what I'll be dealing with today is I know what is in me, the spirit I get from scouting will help me through  this situation.