The things we do...

 

One thought you might have is "What's this doing here?"

Organizing any event takes a lot of people and a fair number of groups and providers and that's where our Scouts come in as they don't just have fun, earn their badges they do things for real that show their abilities.

And what we do is marshall the car parking collecting fees, seeing people are parked properly in lines and can actually get out without much faff so just think of all the skill sets they are using and developing while also showing we're very much a part of the community.

In a week where lack of skills in being able to get and hold down a job have been talked about here in the media and people in business and politics we are actually doing something that will help.

On the hike

 

On the hike can mean different things but a hike through a wood or forest is very different than through a field and requires a bit more preporation  as they may be insects whose bites may cause issues and some vegetation can cause at least irritation of not stinging or infection so you need to have tablets with you and definately a working mobile phone in case further assistance is needed.

An intrusion?

 

A modern sight on a scouts outing, checking websites, especially social media while away and before anyone says it no you can't remove access to a phone for safeguarding reasons as children have a right to report anything they feel isn't right to bodies such as Childine free from being overseen or intimidation.

I do feel a plain 4g phone would meet these needs but reduce the intrusion of social media when we are trying to get away from things and enjoy being out in country, focussed very much on making our adventure.

The uniform debate

Things are different in 2026 compared with 1986 or 1970 when it comes to both what's available to wear for more casual out of doors activities when back then ofte it was cast offs from our sunday best or school uniform unless it involved winter hikes that might of had some bought especially kit like boots, thick wollen socks and the like.

What you wore in Scouts while away did differ, there werre many among the leaders who having served in the service were more for Uniform at all times, believing it a desirable discipline in its own right  and today where only the  more formal activities might require it (and things like caps aren't a thing anymore in the Scout Association).

While I'm pragmatically minded not least for some of us who know how dressing can be difficult, somehow modern pictures of such occassions just don't have the same sense of smartness or even purpose when jeans or track suit bottoms are in (and there's nothing like wet denim for feeling cold).

Sometimes I feel we ought not to feel akward about wishing to stand out and be recognized in the community dressed in a practical rather than "cool" way with review after review.
 

World Password Day

There can be little denying that unlike previous generations of girlguides and scouts, computer and smartphone use is front and centre in their social lives whoever future usage may be shaped by 16 and under social media polices being considered by the U.K. Government and others in Europe.

From that it's entirely understandable that both wings of Scouting in the U.K. do talk about and have in their programs for children sections covering the Internet and Computer usage looking at bothe opportunities the internet provides and awareness of the risks we all face.

May 7th was World Password Day which was used by some to discuss and practise setting strong passwords in Scouts.

In the earlier days of the internet which I dare say some of us recall keeping our accounts such as email accounts and that of any sites we used was focussed on a single strong password that had upper and lower case characters, numbers and punctuation not just "password" or "123456".

Modern thinking around online security has changed as computer programs used by people who want access to accounts to exploit for fraud and such like automatically run though thousands of combinations to the belief that a a specific pass though you have created is harder to break provided it has at least several words in it.

The choice of suitably hard to crack ones is the kind of thing that would be discussed and how frequent we should change them.

Getting about

 
 That dash across the ground can cause me the odd cramp or two if I'm out which I have been between the odd shower or two this week where grass has been mowed which does nothing for my hay fever but still you do it for the buzz you get from a sense of achieving something.

When you spent part your early life  in a wheelchair and struggled when upright, setting yourself a target and going the distance really means something even if I may need to rest for a short while afterwards.

Rest

 

Despite what the weather forecast said, actually it was quite pleasant to be out yesterday so after a few chores I was out taking a gentle stroll in our local green spaces taking in the fresh air and sun watching the hedge sparrows, pigeons, butterlies and odd bee about.

Beeston Castle, Cheshire

 You don't have to travel far around these parts to see some great sites or experience fantastic scenery on a good hike.

Beeston Castle is perched on a rocky sandstone crag 350 feet above the Cheshire Plain and boasting spectacular views that on a clear day stretch from the Pennines to the Welsh mountains you can discover the castle's 4,000-year history and explore the 40-acre woodland park.

It's popular with Guides and Scouts apart from school trips which I remember well being close to the Shropshire, Cheshire border.

At the Castle you can climb to the top of the castle and peer down into the spiraling well below.

One of the deepest castle wells in England, it is steeped in legend as the hiding place of Richard II's lost treasure has been missing for centuries and is thought it was buried in the Castle well in 1399, however, despite many attempts to find it, it remains missing.

Exploring

 

Spring is a time for exploring, ideally in a small group along paths and on to your destination with supplies well packed.

Just remember to have a map, compass, a fully charged mobile phone with all your important contacts entered and your senses fully on. 

Out and about

 

It's a bank holiday Monday here, a bit warmish but what are YOU doing?

I find being indoors especially if it involves staring for long hours at the Chromebooks screen isn't good for either getting to sleep later, my miagraines or general well being so I've been out to the tow path and adjacent countryside.

Apart from fresh air - and the tendency to burn things here results in bad air often - I find it helps to get to notice more gradual changes, the movements of birds, various species of butterfly hovering about apart from enjoying the meadows on what was a former industrial site.

Shooting up

 

Things are very much coming up here and things have been planted in the far edges of the area where moving from the built up to open countryside is abrupt, terracotta brick to greens.

It's a windy, rather warm day sat out enjoying the views and that conbination of what you get in vast conurbation and the access to green spaces, nay countryside makes for a good balence.

Erasmus+ is back!

 

When we left the European Union in 2020 following the 2019 General Election it had consequencies beyond trade and travel and one was the Erasmus program that allows for inter-Europe youth exchange programs to study and broaden depth of understanding between young people across the continent.

It didn't strictly speaking had to - arrangement to pay in could of been made - but politics and postering by interested parties put an end to that.

Fortunately there has been a change of heart and it is being restored.

This is great news for international movements like Scouting supporting international exchanges, joint projects and discussions that explore global issues. This aligns directly with Scouts Association strategy and ambition to be a place to belong, where young people feel connected not just locally, but globally too.

It also supports our commitment to helping young people engage with the world around them, understanding different cultures and their role in creating a better future. 

Moving on be learning to be "Part of the team"

 

What could be more fun than learning to plan, see through and complete a project in the great outdoors discovering new skills like leadership, being engage from the get go in it rather than just letting others set the pace, stepping up to offer to do something?

These kinds of things are very much what we need to do so to do this, outside while having a fun time is just so useful.

People can't help being set less than good examples but we can help change that and change those peoples lives.

St Georges Edition

Yesterday was St. Georges Day which was something that was marked in school when I was younger and is in Girlguiding and Scouts.

We celebrate St George’s Day because Baden-Powell chose St George to be the patron saint of Scouts. He wanted St George’s Day to be a time to reflect on the Scout Promise and what it means to be a Scout.

Many groups run competitions, talk about the life of St George and even march!

Here's one group of cubs out parading from a few years back with our Standard.

Earth Day

Today is Earth Day which is an annual global event celebrated on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection, featuring over a billion people in nearly 200 countries. Founded in 1970 to combat pollution, it focuses on climate action, sustainability, and conservation through activities like tree planting, cleanups, and advocacy. 

This is something marked in Scouts and Girl Guiding

What is the theme of Earth Day in 2026?

The theme of Earth Day 2026 is “Our Power, Our Planet.” It highlights the urgent need to accelerate the shift to renewable energy and empower individuals to take action for a sustainable future.

Intergrating disabled children, their schools and scouting

One running sore growing up was the disconnect between school programs for those of us with disabilities and those in the wider community as often it seemed they were almost two different countries apart neither knowing of and about each other to our detriment.

It might be things like Swimming Clubs with sessions specifically for the disabled and access to disability swimming competitions in your region or across the whole country, Holiday clubs where you could get involved in things with support be they days out arts and crafts or sports or Scouting which strangely enough in my experience is seldom mentioned to you.

It does appear today some in the world of what is termed "Special Needs Education" are getting together with Scouting because some issues stem from our past experience of being excluded or just not wanted so we don't seek out things are available and those we look for to help us with such as school just don't have the knowledge.

Some schools now are working on things like creating activities related to just those at a school such such as in Explorers where because the program is centred more around individual independence you actually need more assistance with than say in Cubs or Scouts where things tend to more pack based.

Evidence has shown an offer can lead to more movement of those individuals toward getting involved within the mainstream scouting activities such as activity days and camps where staff at the school join scout leaders delivering which is the ultimate goal.

Few of us want to be segregated from mainstream activities especially when you're young but we do need assistance and leg up to get involved.

Schools doing this find not only does it help children and young people but it is often singled out for praise by the schools inspectorate OFSTED, for the difference it makes given the idea of special schools is to meet those needs that a mainstream school with some adjustments simply cannot.

Let's bridge the gap between the sectors and help disabled children and young adults make the most of their lives.

Locks

Canals in many ways were the information superhighway of the eighteenth and nineteenth century enabling goods, often mass produced to get to markets and ports.

Staffordshire, my home county was very much at the centre of the Industrial Revolution with coal, iron ore, clay all together enabling iron works, coal and pottery production to take place on a vast scale,

Here on Bratch Lock on the Staffordshire and Worcestershire canal we see one of the many locks you had to navigate along the way as a barge driver taking your wares on behald of the company you worked for.

Ready for summer

 

Almost over, the local bluebells will be back this time next year.

Fun Day

 

As we exit Easter, here's an example of an event held that sounds like a load of fun

On the hunt...

 

Friday and we're off for a weekend of fun involving a Egg Hunt if we can keep pesky ants away from the sweet chocolate, quizzes and outdoor games.

They may well a pause on Monday as my hands rather swollen at times and so not up to typing.

Enroute

Making plans to be away for a few days so they may be a gap in publishing while these two might well of been off to camp, which I wouldn't blame being the sort that lives fun and games outdoors and camp fires.

We may even have one.

The Scouts Bunny Bash!

 This is being assembled Easter Day between some storm damage so things are a bit hetic.

Anyway many Scout groups around the world do have what I'd call whole events days that cover making Easter connected arts and crafts things like bonnets, bunnies (never can have enough bunnies!) egg decoration and various games.

This one poster from American Girl Scouts showing the sort of event day that can be done with a bit of planning and goodwill. Obviously you do have a "Plan B" should rain or be windy outdoors.

That to me sounds very much like FUN!

Easter fun

 

Easter is with us and so across the Easter weekend scouts up and down the country will be holding Easter Egg hunts often with a prize.

Running around looking anywhere within the target area fur them is just fun and I just love it!

April Fool Scouts

 

It's not unknown for April Fool's Day to be marked with pranks at your meeting and here's some you could do!

Switch Leaders’ Names: Call leaders by different names throughout the meeting.

Paper-Filled Shoes: Lightly stuff shoes with paper so they feel snug when scouts put them back on.

Mashed Potato Cookies: Shape mashed potatoes to look like cookies (bonus if you add chocolate chips for the look).

Backwards Day: Announce that it’s backwards day and do everything in reverse, like starting the meeting with the closing ceremony.

Invisible Ink Messages: Use white crayon to write secret messages on paper, then let scouts paint over them to reveal the words.

Colour-Changing Water: Place a drop of food colouring under a tap’s spout so it surprises scouts when the water flows.

Upside-Down Supplies: Turn troop supplies like chairs or books upside-down before the meeting.

Silly Name Tags: Swap out everyone’s name tags with funny alternatives like “Queen of Cookies” or “Captain Giggles.”

Balloon Surprise: Fill a closet or cupboard with balloons so they spill out when opened.

Googly Eye Takeover: Add googly eyes to random items like snack bags, supplies, or troop gear.

Frozen Snacks: Freeze juice boxes or fruit snacks so they’re unexpectedly icy.

Switch Snacks: Replace chips in a bag with baby carrots or another healthy snack.

Sticky Seats: Lightly tape sticky notes to chair seats so they stick when scouts stand up.

Moving Trash Bin: Tape a toy or balloon to a string, hide, and slowly drag it past unsuspecting scouts.

Mixed-Up Song Lyrics: Change a familiar camp song’s lyrics and see who catches on.

The Donut Switcheroo: Bring a box of donuts, but inside is a veggie tray instead! After the initial surprise, reveal the hidden donuts to avoid disappointing hungry scouts.

Goals

Goals, not just literally the ones scored in the backs of football nets matter not least if we are not to just drift aimlessly on, not really working towards achieving anything in our lives and many have found Scouting helped snd is helping them in developing a sense of direction and opportunities to discover what really makes them tick.
 

Scouts and the War in Iran

Few of us can avoid it but there's another war going on not that we're getting into the politics of that but that creates issues that do concern Scouting of one Scouts in the affected region - The Middle East - such as the effects of bombing and the loss of parents and siblings.

Scouting is endeavoring to support all affected without favour.

An issue that applies to us here in the U.K. is that various groups in society push harmful and very damaging narratives around Jews and Muslims that risk undermining the sense of unity of Britains of all heritages and faiths, spreading the politics of that region into our communities including schools and scouts.

As scouts we are called upon to look beyond such matters, treating each other as equals, respecting differences of view and working together  and to call out such attitudes and associated behaviours where they endanger all of us.

We all have a part however small to help ensure we all are valued and treated with fairness and compassion in scouts and in the reminder of our lives.

Getting about Scots style

 

Exploring and hiking be it in scouts or outside of it can take different forms and some prefer especially whilst in Scotland to wear traditional dress including a kilt which after all used in battle over the centuries over more modern forms.

Having worn kilts out exploring I can understand that although keeping your socks fully up and defeating the midges can be a challenge!

An example to us all?

 

Something that by British standards seems a tadge old-fashioned but very welcome, the U.S. Scout, this one from Raleigh, North Carolina, out in the woods looking very smart.

Just why is it presently over here we seem to have a problem of being practically dressed AND smart?

Back to the seventies

 

Memories from the past include seeing and knowing Cubs know at the time as Cub Scouts at church at various services looking smart like these two posed ones did, common place in many suburban and country districts .

8 Fun games while hiking

 

8 Fun Hiking Activities for Kids (and Adults)

Scavenger Hunt Hike

Penny Flip Hike

Fit on a Penny Hike

ABC Hike

Monogram Hike

Insect Hike

Sketching or Drawing Hike

Nature Friends

1. Scavenger Hunt Hike

Make a list of things the Scouts will look for, but these won’t be things they’ll pick up and take home. They’re things they’ll experience. List 3 or 4 items in these categories:  Smell, Texture, Sound, and Sight.

For example, your Sound category might include a bird chirping and leaves rustling. Smells could be dirt and flowers. 

2. Penny Flip Hike

Flip a penny to decide which direction you’ll take on your hike. You might say, “Heads, we’ll go toward the creek, and tails, we’ll walk toward that big tree.” 

Flip your penny for silly stuff too like, “Heads, we’ll sing Yankee Doodle Dandy, and tails, we’ll moo like a cow until we get to that rock.”

3. Fit on a Penny Hike

For this hike, walk to a designated spot and give each Scout a penny. They have 5 minutes to find as many things as possible that will fit on the penny. 

Remind the Scouts that they should only pick up things that are on the ground. Cub Scouts should always follow Scouting’s Outdoor Code.

4. ABC Hike

Pair up the Scouts. They are looking for items that start with each letter of the alphabet. When they find an item that begins with A (acorn, for example), they’ll call out the name and begin looking for the next letter.

5. Monogram Hike

Scouts try to find something that begins with each of their initials. The items don’t have to be physical–they can be sounds or smells too.

6. Insect Hike

Each Scout should bring a camera. If all of them don’t have one, you can pair them up. Tell the Scouts to take as many pictures of different kinds of insects as possible.

7. Sketching or Drawing Hike

Bring along paper and pencils or crayons. Hike to a scenic location, and have the Scouts draw what they see.

8. Nature Friends

Each Scout picks up an item from the ground to be their “friend.” As you hike, have each child explain why the item is their friend.

Spring fundraising

 

It looks highly likely last weeks fundraiser raised over 1K including direct contributions along the way and that but apart from a sponsered overnight hike there are other ways groups do such as this group of scouts who are doing a sponsered cycle ride around their district.

It doesn't matter how you do it, it's that you undertake a challenge in your own time to raise fund yourself that counts rather than waiting on somebody else.

It's over there!

 

That classic moment when on your group hike where we attempt to relate the physical features such as lakes and streams before us to the map and detirmine exactly where we are and in what direction to proceed.

It's over there!

Chefs Badge 2026 style

 

Monday saw the new launch of the Chefs Badge which has always been a part of scouting and not just doing hot dogs and toasted marshmallows over the campfire as much as some of us adore all of that.

No, aided by Ainsley Harriet promoting it, this badge requires you to plan a meal including the shopping bit, learn some basic cookery skills to turn all of that into a meal that is presented so it tastes good while staying safe around sharp knives and hot ovens.

It's not really fancy cookery but really a essential life skill that with less being taught in schools, even less going on in the home, you do need to life beyond putting ready meals in the microwave.

When you consider beyond the issue of so many people including children and young people feeling unable to cook, the sheer amount of wasted food that gets tossed away, this is so timely.

Fundraising locally

Today, something that matters, fundraising, and our local Scout leaders went on a 24 hour sponsered walk to see how far they could go, fully supported of course.

The £500 target was smashed!  So far £970 was raised. I made a substancial donation given it was my birthday weekend feeling it could really do some good.

The great spring tidy up

 

Things we can do this Spring include clearing up our green's parks and camp sites as it's that time we spend a bit more time out of doors although it goes without saying children should be supervised when using any tools.

It sometimes seems too easy for our green spaces to get covered in tissues, crisp packets and the like.

Post 1,300

We do hit a anniversary in this blog today, a physically challenge or two aside when from when we started in 2018 during a period of issues with Tumblr and initially simicasting on Tumblr when I found I wanted to talk about scouting, past and present and the great outdoors.

One group in Scouting we're inclined to forget about is those over 14.

Many of us loved Cubs, you might of been a Beaver and moved up to Scouts at 10 1/2 to about 14 years where for some other interests may come more to the fore, some may see Scouts as a bit too "childish" or uncool and so drop out.

In scouting it need not be this way, there are programs that are more suited to your abilities and awards you can work toward, all of which do add something that helps you stand out looking for work or getting a place at college or university.

From the time of Baden-Powell, there have been arrangements for young people who wanted to continue after their time in the Scout Section,and in 1967, Venture Scouts were formed from the existing Senior Scout and Rover Scout Sections. 

During the late 1990s the Scout Association decided that, to meet the changing needs of young people, there should be two sections for the over-14s:

Explorer Scouts for 14 to 18-year-olds, and the Scout Network.

The Scout Network allows 18 to 25 year-olds who have an interest in both Scouting and their own personal development,and ultimately want to have fun, the opportunity to do so.

This also enables them to continue and complete their Duke of Edinburgh Gold Award and/or become a King’s Scout.

Activities

Scout Network members take part in a variety of activities, which they undertake and organise themselves

with the support of a Scout Network Leader.

Example activities include Abseiling, award work, bowling, camping, circus skills, climbing, cooking, games, go-karting, gorge walking, hiking,pioneering, shooting and watersports.

Some may help running the younger programs or events too.

There we have it, life continues for scouts and in a uncertain world facing challenges children and young people being prepared to deal with whatever happens while having fun.

Saint David's day

 

St David is the patron saint of Wales and St David's Day is celebrated on 1st March each year. This marks the anniversary of his death in 589AD. The day is traditionally celebrated by hosting parades, and eating traditional Welsh food, such as Welsh rarebit which is made from cheese.

In Scouts we do market it with activities like baking Welsh Cakes, learning about St. David and making cards with daffodils.

Out and about

 

More things are out seeing spring happens officially Sunday as things slowly warm up.

The Catkins are here!

 

More signs of Spring here where the Catkins are out.

Catkins are long, slim, often drooping clusters of tiny, wind-pollinated, petal-less flowers found on trees such as hazel, birch, oak, and willow. Appearing in winter and spring, these "lamb’s tails" are actually the male flowers releasing pollen to female flowers. They are crucial for early-season pollination before leaves appear.

They're out!

 

After a long wait and some seriously cold days here, the daffodils are finally out ready for Spring which is not far off at all looking great.

Seeing things come back to life, the resumption of the Dawn Chorus is what I really love.

Outdoor fun

 

Trees have figured in both stories and imaginary play and actually some Scouts have been involved in making Tree Trails that people have to spot which can be used to raise environmental awareness and also as test of observation skills.

Just the sort of thing as make our way towards Spring.

Standing tall

 

Looking smart in the thick of it, these two are a credit to the grown ups in their lives.

Things to do in this cold Winter

Sometimes it may be hard to think of something fresh and really interesting that could be run this time of year not least outside

Winter hikes can be exciting. Scouts can look for animal tracks in the snow learning to identify different tracks and understand animal behaviour.

Believe me, scavenger hunts are fun. What you do is make a list of things to find, like pinecones, animal tracks, or specific types of leaves. This keeps Scouts engaged and observant.

Play games like “I Spy” or “20 Questions” during the hike. It keeps the group entertained and thinking. These games are simple and require no equipment.

Teach Scouts about winter survival. Show them how to find shelter or identify safe drinking water sources as it’s a practical skill that adds purpose to the hike.

In the event of it being impossible to get out you could create a scenario that could be talked through indoors looking at what things we need to remember in order to enjoy being out of doors and stay safe.

It may even take the form of a game you could play!

Meet Scouts newest ambassador

 

Recently it was announced Lucy Spraggan a singersongwriter had been appointed Scouts Ambassador who themslves had been in Scouts.

She spends her spare time in the outdoors and won Celebrity SAS Who Dares Wins. 

Ambassadors help raise the Awareness of Scouting, assisting within the body in various, often hands on ways and in doing so help grow scouting as a Movement.

How it was here

Pasts are a thing I've spoke of here over the years by that the pasts of many members of Scouts or that of those I knew.

The past sometimes seems a different kind of a place and here with Our Cubs it was because until the 1990's we didn't have a centre for youth, only a Community Hall and two places of worship that offered rooms when not in for services.

These are some of that generation I knew here the way it was with the 70's, early 80's cub uniform - well most are, two have very different ideas - with leaders at the Village Hall which they'd set up for a meeting enjoying themselves although the floor from memory was always rather "glidy" and not that comfortable.

What do you do?

 

There are lots of ways you can try to attract more to join your pack, word of mouth short leaflets you might arrange to placed around the area or there is this just listing everythung you do with a collage of photo's that illustrate them.

That's a busy pack.

Desktops

 

In the modern era we tend to use different forms of working.

We may of made covers for our guidebooks to keep them in great shape and we had - some of us still do have - various posters around where we sit to do work of which a few may well have connections with scouting.

It's very common for people to have screen savers and the like on their computers so some Scouts do have a few you can download that don't just personalize your computer but as with this one remind us of what our true standards are even when you're not at a meeting or taking part in an organized event.

I find it helps especially in more stressful situations.

Spouting...

 Officially January has been the wettest this year in many a while with the ground being really quite soft in many areas.

Recently I notices the Daffodils have began to emerge from their Winter sleep, not quite out but it won't be more than three weeks or so weather permitting when that sign of Spring will emerge along our greens while the snow drops are already out.

Snowtime!

 

If you believe some people we may have heavy snow and sub zero temperatures in a few days time but as these Canadian Scouts show that need not prevent you from being out and havin g fun with friends so long as you wrap up warm.

Snowfest

 

Just the kind of thing that would of appealed to me at the time and I'm sure all attendees of Camp Grizzly will have a great time with winter sports such as skiing and curling plus fun including camping options with fire.

Winter Fitness

 

It's a chilly morning as I go out but did you know there is such a thing as Winter Fitness Award as during winter it is easy to get into a more sedentary, calorie heavy lifestyle not least in an age of instant fun on our phones and tablets.

This one is run by Scouts Canada and I feel a great idea.