Computing and scouting

 

The 1990's was the start for many of something Big.

Computing was around in schools from the mid 1980's aided by the Acorn and BBC B home computers that hung around for quite a period so in term the badge scheme in Scouts adapted to that to include some basic (terrible pun!) computing skills as they became seen as more desirable and those early days we wrote or entered code to make the commputer do things.

Computing just got bigger and more user application lead as the crashed into 1995 and Windows 95 with it's emphasis on web based things like email, sites people joined to discuss things and news.

If you were a kid back then, you'd remember Blue Peter started with a website of its own and a feature on this.

What's this has to do with scouting is increasingly we used to communicate having local group sites, and what was covered in the Computing award changed.

The other element does go into wider society and a massive debate in many countries but really the challenge of getting children and young people to get off the smartphone and join the adventure, learning face to face from each other and switch off.

It wasn't that some of skills that applied in the era of the Phone Box didn't cease to be relevantjust now you had to use your phone as widespread usage has decimate phone box provision.

Inclusion at all levels

 

One good thing about Scouts and GirlGuiding is it is actually inclusive - if onely we could get that put over more - but what makes it inclusive?

For me a good start point is the involvement at all levels in delivering scouting people of all backgrounds and disabilities so the organization gains the shared experiences of its own people in what helps us all fit in.

It is about knowing what you as that person can do, things you may ned some help and perhaps some adjustments within the role to enable you and where the hard "not possibles" are.

That requires open, candid communication in a trusting environment so you and all involved locally feel able to talk about what can be done from a start point of looking at what that person has to offer first.

If you have that going on it is better when it comes to ensuring withing your group of children and young people you have a good level of inclusion because those people are so used to it, they will talk to that young person, their parents and any relevant experts at what we need to to ensure so that they can thrive in scouts and guides.

Good communication and sharing knowledge really helps.

That may mean equipment, it is likely to include some alterations of activities or help within undertaking them so the individual does it with support and there is advice around it available in both scouts and guides at national level.

There does, I feel need to more said in the offer of scouts and guides directly to children and parents about this so no one is excluded cos they never knew.

Spelling it out

Communication isn't always clear especially when relaying information which scouts can expect to be involved in some sometimes it makes sense to spell out phonetically things and just sounding a letter isn't clear like M and N getting mixed up.

Thankfully there is an international standard where every letter is spelt out using names and here it is which also has a pennant.

Learning it is very useful and actually I do know it off by heart!

Taking it all in

 

While I thaw out as it is still very cold and snowy, It is pleasant to remember those warmer days as we explored the woods and forests, going over streams in your walking boots taking it all in.

Sitting still, you soon pick up on the slightest activity of mammals and birds and indeed may ven be reward by being with a metre or so of them.

The french old school

 

Vintage Scout uniform as worn in France, showing the wide brimmed hats, short trosers, the bottoned shirt wih other accessories they way it was pre 1967 looking really smart and very much as B-P felt it should be, based on his experiences on what worked.

Something for the girls

 

Although emblems do change and so does the World Map  thanks to geo-politics, this nice set does go to show the extent that girls around the world have thie own opportunities though dedicated organizations in Scouting be it GirlGuiding or as in the United States of America, Girl Scouts.

Although the relationship with Scouts in some parts of the world remains tetchy with the latter departing from the views of Baden Powell who favoured having seperate bodies for boys and girls with collaberation it is good to know GirlGuiding for Girls remains popular.

Why shouldn't girls have thier on spaces and programs?

Onward

 

The world is very much a glow here with crisp colourful leaves as I stick my thick duffle coat on exploring, well wrapped up as temperature have drop and will be dropping next week with a possibility of snow even in higher parts.

Just being out, taking in that fresh air is really what matters.

Post 1,100+1

It says here we have reached 1,100 posts so this is one after that but given this last week was quite an important one in all forms of Scouting and I ought not to forget The Boys and Girls Brigades too, it was right to continue with that series of posts.

We've looked at scouting in the past,  today in world many of us would never of thought would of turned out the way it had and the third strand, the things I've done that relate to that.

For some of us 1979 was a important year in our own development, finding new interests, spending my first ever day in Keswick rambling, finding out more about myself, even enjoying parading.

Things in scouting were different, some such as safeguarding and having clear plans for activities for the better not that they should be a barrier to having fun and learning new skills, others such as what from my vantage point is a lowering of uniform standards more regretable.

It certainly isn't that we should be hung up on uniforms, the involvement and committment of children and young people do count for more but for more formal things such as parades, receptions  and award giving, being smart does matter.

This applies across both Scouts and GirlGuides.

The Cubs and Brownies and Scouts and Girl Guides in this picture look smarter than many today which isn't just about the uniform itself - although I have my reservations with elements of that like what resemble jogging bottoms, jeans and lycra shorts for Brownies for instance - but also the way it is worn.

While from the point of view of real uniformity - which is why we generally have uniforms I'd sooner all of these Beavers were in short trousers, actually for wearing a modern uniform they can and no doubt were aided to look smart on parade.

It does go to show that even accepting a few changes, some scout groups do manage to get what was second nature to us back then not just in Scouts or Guides but at school too.

Can we have more of that and some consideration of how a uniform looks in such situations?

The youngest do join in

 

Beavers on Parade at Ball Hayes, Leek, Staffordshire after no doubt learning all about why we do remember all who served.

Transmitting that message from one generation  to another is pricelesss.

Pix credit: Staffordshire Evening Sentinel.

Remembrance

 

This weekend is all about Remembrance, where we think of all who gave their lives to defend our country and those who otherwise lost their lives as modern warfare sadly isn't a distant affair reported on, it goes on all around you.

We in scouts think of what the wider scout family did from helping out at home running much need services to those who served in the military, those men and women who sadly did not come back and to that end we talk about that in our meetings.

There will be parades on Sunday, which I attended as a youngster and obviously later on where we pay our respects.

Do attend if at all possible.

Enjoying what's on offer

 

The mists of late autumn put in an appearence in the woods as you enjoy your ramble although I would recommend stout boots with good grip as you'll be going over carpets of leaves at this time of year.

Halloween may be over but did you have fun?

Halloween Edition 2024

 

This weekend I was off to a Halloween special which back in the 70's and early 80's wasn't really a thing because we marked All Souls Day which was more british and rather less merchandisingly friendly - we made our own toffee apples and that.

This is a Blanker Badge you too can sow onto your Scouts Blanket showing the current Scouts Family.

Halloween pause

 

There will be a bit of a break in transmission as it were as I'm going to be away a few days across the Fireworks and Halloween season, being outdoors having fun with friends.