The Scots Scout

 

The Scottish Scout in his natural environment very much looking smart whilst on an organized outing.

I do quite like the kilted look of scottish scouts as much as I am very much a short trousered traditionalist at heart.

Top ten survival tips

While it seems set to change by the weekend, even as I type this it remains really quite hot indoors and when you're out there are other challenges such as finding shade and keeping hydriated.

Generally there are ten steps you need consider to ensure your survival while out especially if you're facing unexpected challenges.

Prepare and Plan Ahead: Research, plan and pack accordingly to ensure a safe adventure.

Master Navigation Techniques: Familiarize yourself with maps, compasses and natural navigation methods.

Build a Shelter: Identify suitable locations, construct shelters and insulate for warmth and protection.

Find and Purify Water: Locate water sources and employ purification methods to stay hydrated.

Make Fire: Understand the importance of fire, gather fire-starting materials and utilize different

 techniques.

Secure Food and Forage: Identify edible plants, learn basic trapping and fishing and prioritize food safety.

First Aid and Medical Skills: Carry a well-equipped first aid kit, know essential techniques and manage emergencies.

Wildlife Awareness and Safety: Educate yourself, prevent encounters and store food properly.

Signal for Help: Know distress signals, use signaling devices effectively and seek help when needed.

Maintain a Positive Mindset: Cultivate mental resilience, practice mindfulness and believe in your ability to overcome challenges.

Some such as making a shelter, securing food and water purification may not come into a day activity you're planning but it is as well to remember stuff happens so at least know these thing should you be stuck until you're either able to continue on or get assistance,

Beaver annuals

 

Scouting used to have a good number of annual publications both official and unofficial before they were discontinued in the early 2000's and we have over the years covered a number for Cubs/Wolf Cubs, Scouts and the odd Girl Guiding one.

Beavers was established within the Scout Association in 1986, although the BP-SA had had them for longer for 6 to 8 year olds so had less time in print than many of others.

The cover is bright,cheerful and appealing designed more to appeal to that age group than the more formal look of many cub annuals although it does show things you can do in Beavers and has sections about them inside.

An increasing concern was percieved value as while the internet was less established and E-Books had yet to take off, books had to tackle such calls on a young childs attention as toys and television so stressing the number of pages mattered to persuade adults to buy the Beaver the annual.

Given in the UK the annual remains a popular gift for children, I do feel it's unfortunate that rather than being redesigned for greater appeal, such publications were just dropped.

Plant a meadow

 

After yesterday's reported idiotic assault on Stonehenge by environmental activists, I thought we might look at something you can do to support bio-diversity and help the bees out.

Going out this week showed a goodly proportion of meadowland despite the best endeavours of the municipal "as flat as a bowling green" grass cutting team on our greens and the edges of our park.

You might consider growing a small meadow, not least where some might of taken up front gardens for parking spaces or you may only have a balcony or small plot.

One thing is a good mix of wild flowers even in a narrow strip in a planter or direct to the soil will bring in more insect activity than your average mowed lawn which as good as having a green space is really does't support much.

Passing one property I saw more going on in a island of wildflowers by an area made into a parking area than a neighbouring flat grass garden.

You can involve children in doing this clearing the area and planting too so how about it?

Challenging perceptions

Sometimes there's an idea about that children and young people are really rather self absorbed and generally want to apply any physical or mental effort to doing something beyond just entertaining them but in my experience this is often wide of the mark.

A good many do get involved in things from learning a new sport, skills such as first aid, conservation or fund raising.

Recently Harry aged 8 appeared on Blue Peter who starting doing things such as his 100 mile bike challenge in Beavers and never really stopped doing things.

He recently completed a cycling challenge from Land's End, Cornwall to John O' Groats, Scotland raising some 21,000 pounds for St Tiddywinkles, the national charity for Hedgehogs.

His fundraising activities meant he was awarded his Gold Blue Peter badge with Chief Scout Bear Grylls and presenter Shini.

He has plans to continue in his fundraising activities, supported by his parents.

Updates

Nothing stays still in Scouting and the following changes will be coming into effect.

On Friday June 14 it was announced His Majesty King Charles III was to formally become Patron of the Scout Association continuing in a long tradition of Royal patronage, taking over from his mother, the late Queen Elizabeth II.

He was as a youngster a Scout and this came a day before his "official" birthday which was marked on saturday in the Trooping The Colour.

It was announced on Saturday Bear Grylls, would be standing down from September from being the Chief Scout after some 15 years and five terms in post having been appointed in 2009.

This was planned as he was for standing down in 2020 but stayed on for an additional term which has seen membership rise not withstanding challenges from Covid and reform within the movement to encourage more youngsters to join and volunteering easier to fit better into modern lives.

Continuing on

 

One thing on a unseasonal cool day like today to remember is being outside steering your narrow boat you can get cold quickly which is compounded by having to handle cold objects opening lock gates and the like so you do need a decent coat on.

That's been the frustrating thing this week beyond the rain as it's nice to be able to take the layers off and have fresh around you in the summer months and half way through this month that's just not been possible.

This section of the canal has kept more of its country feel.

Coming in

 

Coming in to the lock along a heavily developed section of the canal enroute for Wheelock and beyond, the scene is different from the canals commercial hayday when the cottages on the far left existed and the area had more of a semi rural feel to it.

What can we learn from D-Day as scouts?

A good question, well worth asking is what is the practical import, the value of the D-Day commemorations to the young, not least those in scouting regardless of which branch?

What for that matter can the rest of us take from what they did?

 As then BSA National Commissioner Tico Perez said in 2018, the Normandy camporee, through remembrance of the sacrifices made during D-Day, teaches the importance of leadership to drive and to push you beyond yourself to accomplish a greater goal – even if it’s hard or even if you may not want to. What better place to learn these lessons –  of overcoming seemingly insurmountable personal and situational obstacles – than in Normandy.

Sometimes we appear to promote risk aversion to the point we refuse to contemplate necessary actions lest obstacles get in the way or some other thing just might happen but through proper preparedness we can meet them.

The photograph is of special D-Day commemoration in Oxfordshire.

The badge

 

Like many I guess, I have been moved upon learning more about the D-Day Landings this week having watched several programs on BBC Television looking at the planning and how it worked out in practice, looking athe roles of different groups involved.

A joint Royal British Legion and Scouts Anniversary Blanket Badge has been issued and is designed as a symbol of honour and respect for all that took part in that essential part of the liberation of France and of Europe.

Sandpiper

 

Being summer, it is pretty busy on the canal as the barges pass through going from the Midlands to the North and you'll often spot interesting reflections of their colourful decorations in the water.

A reflection upon 80 years from D-Day

 

Across this week we are marking the 80th anniversary of D-Day, the allied landings on Normandy, France that started the liberation of Europe at the cost of so many thousands of lives.

It needs to be remembered how many of those who gave their lives were Scouts from when they joined as young boys, learning new skills along the way who answered the call when war was declared, joining the armed services

Watching some of the Tv specials this weekend really broght home to me the horrors many went though both those who died and those who lived having to carry on as comrades and friends lay on the beaches.

Freedom came at a terrible cost. Don't forget it.