The Christmas pause

 

Tis the time this eternal Scout needs to pause the blog as we have lots of things to do at home as well as helping others make their Christmas so I'm wishing everyone a Happy Christmas and all the best for 2025.

Christmas activities

 

Around Christmas, many Scout and GirlGuiding groups devote time to seasonal arts and crafts such as making Christmas cards and decorations that having been drawn can be coloured in or take part in community events such as singing Carols.

He came!

He came, we saw Mr Claus with powerful sound system on his float yesterday with elves and many cubs,scouts and others all following as he entertained us  and indeed one cub was so exited he really got into being a reindeer just like his lovely raindeer costume which several of us just adored for simple unbashed cuteness of it.

Collections were going to our local Scouts, part of the Potteries North district here in North Staffordshire and while I'd never say what mine was let's say it was "substancial".

Christmas is coming II

 

It's that man again!

This time we are in the UK, Burley, to be precise where the local Scouts and Guides co-operate a lot running a joint float to raise funds and add christmas cheer to all in the area which does go to show what can be done when both scouting organizations come together within traditional structures.

Appeals

 

Something that does run at this time of year as we move across Advent into Christmas is appeals by local scout groups to help keep scouting running, changing the lives of many learning new skills, going on adventures, moving on.

It's worth while looking if your local group is holding an appeal of if there's any other way you can help by contacting its leaderand make a big difference in the lives of children and young people in your area.

Christmas Pause edition

Now then, now then, now then!

As the weekend begins I get busy as Christmas is upon us visiting folk and on Monday the day itself is here so we normally pause on note of seasonal greetings for all who follow this blog.

Wishing you all a very happy christmas and all the best for 2024.

Joint activities

Here's a great idea, a combined Brownies and Cubs Christmas pantomine show with everybody not in costume looking really smart and some scout groups do Christmas performances.
 

The Christmas post service

Amazingly the great tradition of writing Christmas cards and your local scout or guide group arranging a collection service in its area is alive and well with lots of drop off points to make it very convienent for locals.

A small fee here is charged with proceeds going to the local scouts with an organized delivery system in place.

Was Santa Claus a boy scout?

 

One thing that has often facinated me is how many historical figures may perhaps of been Scouts before it really started when you look at their lives and how they live them

Let's take a look at Santa Claus shall we and see how he may compare and specifically how he compares against the Scout Law:

Trustworthy – You certainly can trust that Santa will show up every year, just like he promises.

Loyal – He’s very dedicated to his craft and his mission. Imagine the disappointment if he wasn’t loyal to his work.

Helpful – saves many Dads from last-minute shopping. Dads are notorious for leaving things to the last minute, just ask a mom.

Friendly – how many adults would let a millions of kids sit on their lap and listen to what they want? And smile while doing it?

Courteous – He always says “thank You” for the billions of calories he gets in milk and cookies each year.

Kind – delivering gifts to children is a great act of kindness. Except for the drum sets. That’s not too kind, at least to the parents.

Obedient – I emailed Mrs. Claus on this one. No reply, but seeing he’s been married for all those years, I’m going to bet he does what she tells him.

Cheerful – Ho ho ho. Need I say more?

Thrifty – makes his own toys. Saves a bundle on shipping alone.

Brave – would you get in a magic sleigh pulled by reindeer and fly? Me neither.

Clean – not sure how he does it, but that red suit looks great even after the millionth chimney has been gone down

Reverent – does his thing on a very special night for his religion and represents the spirit of the day.

…So yes Troop, it looks like Santa Claus may indeed have been a Boy Scout.

This time of year no matter what holiday you celebrate, remember that doing your best every day and living the Scout Oath and Law is what really makes each of you a Boy Scout!

Carols

Today's unscheduled post remains on this side of Christmas and something young or old many of us do and have strong memories of from our younger days.

The singing of often quite traditional Christmas Carols that may go back to Victorian times where much of our modern day christmas originates that touch on the the Nativity and life of Jesus Christ is something many of us do and in scouting it is by no means uncommon for Groups to host a Carol Service or to join in a municipal one.

Earlier in the month our local Scout Camp centre hosted an event which given all we endoured throught the pandemic I am sure was much appreciated because time spent together singing carols is so much fun.

Christmas camp

We may be in the build up to a very busy and exciting time but that doesn't mean things in Scouting are winding down.

It's not unknown for a scout group to run a Christmas themed camp for Cubs where there would be a mixture of of out of doors activities such as competitions and sports activity apart from the amazing cooking by camp fire.

Somehow that from the earliest years makes a big impression on you and it never goes away.

In addition arts and crafts with a christmas theme may be run such as making your very own christmas cards, decorations and yes, a christmas stocking.

You can't beat a well run camp!

Scouts at Christmas

This week we are counting down Christmas so for post before the Christmas pause here we are looking at few classic scout magazine front covers from the past.

Many has been the scout troop who had a Santa but I don't know if any had such spirited helpers in making him such a great one filling him out and sorting out the beard.

Baubles on your Christmas tree complete with tinsel and lights are by no means uncommon but have you ever had a bauble reflect an image of a scout? 

Having put up the family tree and set everything up were this scouts parents expecting a bugle call as part of the service?

I find vintage scout related art fascinating to look at. 

Xmas Scavenger Hunt

Christmas fun activities can include a Scavenger Hunt apart from parties with games and quizzes.

I always loved those sorts of activities although it may not be easiest thing for the fun taking part which when there's several of you is infectious.

Cubs is at it best when it remembers it's for children and caters for their innate juvenile state rather than trying be a cut down older child or adult activity and occupation.

Christmas

As mentioned, we are taking a break over the Christmas period on Scouting and Me because duties and responsibilities as a Wolf Cub in spirit require me to do things with my family.

Although we also worship differently, Christmas is accepted as a major celebration and I wish all this blogs followers a very happy Christmas.

While a full account of Christmas is published today elsewhere, I did have this The Complete Guide To Scouting Skills to help spur me on in this resumption of the life and principals of Scouting through providing practical know-how better able to plan and contribute when with others to my outdoor adventures.

It's been a great touch to a year where through this I have made personal progress, physically as as mentally being far more alert and self confident through the practice of Scouting, better able to cope the pandemics restrictions.

I've got this for after Christmas Lunch with my folks.

Christmas week edition

 

Image credits: Scouts.org

We will be pausing this blog after today with it being Christmas week that brings many things to do in the build up for Christmas Day with our next post being on Christmas Day itself.

*** Scouting and Me wishes everyone who follows it a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year ***

Christmas events

There usually is a lot going on in a scout group just before Christmas although the nature of it no doubt this year would of been changed a bit.

In previous years some such as the 4th Sevenoaks, Kent Scout Group would run a Christmas camp that would feature activities such as archery, climbing but also include things like a talent show and a party

Most cubs and beavers sections would have a party where games some with scouting themes and others such as pass the parcel or Statues aka Grandmothers Steps would be played.

These Boy Scouts are American but the idea is the same the world over and Mr Claus may put in an appearance.

Some may be working with other groups towards a Gang Show with often hilarious skits and songs.

Christmas is a magical time, not least for children so naturally we have it in Scouting.

Christmas activities

As we make our way towards Christmas in more normal times many a scout group would be holding events which may be parties or a open day with things for sale but because things are a little different this year doesn't mean seasonal activities won't happen.

Many groups do seasonal  arts and crafts activities which may involve making Christmas cards and decorations which can count towards awards of which this example by the Tackley scout group is a good example.

Crafts was something I loved doing when I was younger.

Christmas Eve edition

Slough, Buckinghamshire Cub Scouts enjoy  their Christmas party which is one thing about Christmas I always loved as a boy.
Things like playing Bursting Balloons with a stick and hunting for things just excite me.

The Tumblr version of this blog is on pause and this will be updated a little less frequently than normal with it being Christmas Eve today

*** Scouting and Me wishes everyone who follows it a Happy Christmas and all the best for the New Year ***

Xmas Party

Something else that you have in Cubs is your Christmas party which has songs such carols sang, games and competitions.
They may even be a Santa Claus.
In Britain this is likely to be held in either a dedicated Scout Hut or a Community centre of some description such as a Village Hall or as here in the Young Peoples Community Centre 

The cub scout annual 1974

If the Christmas entry on the main blog reflect that for me at least this christmas was in 1974  more or less redux then it might seem apt to look at something else of that year although it would of been Christmas 1973 because annuals are almost without exception printed in the year before the one they are for so you have for the year rather than it being the annual of the year.

The popularity of the program needless to say lead to a number of annuals for pack members and outside of The Sixer this is one of the same era I have.

It follows a similar style to The Sixer except for having less to say about the Awards and things you can do to earn them which seems odd as this one was an ‘official’ publication.

As ever, the front cover is very much activity centred this time on a camp Tug Of War between two packs with participants being encouraged by the adults in attendance that does reflect something of the spirit of being a cub in that era