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.

Preserving memories

One day to go before the new year and although it is a little cooler out today than it was I've been out exploring locally although sadly not on bike as with my disabilities I cannot use one in my shorts and long socks.

I would invite you however to cast out that image of the bike, make it late spring or summer and that boy would be me (indeed only the shorter and not ginger hair is different cos I look much younger than my years) a boy, a rover and Wolf Cub in Spirit out in the country.

Readers of my other blog would know in the era this picture was taken, I would of been using my X500 and XD7 (aka XDII) Minolta film cameras to take pictures as I explored guessing he's using a 35mm focal length lens as I find that was right one to have on the body with the 'standard' 50mm  with macro converter for close ups of flowers and a 135mm telephoto for details in the bag with spare film.

Today it's either my trusty Canon A470 digital compact for general pictures or the Nikon DSLR for its creative control and higher quality lenses I use while out.

The one thing that hasn't changed is I'm still that boy though!

The Young want tradition!

Recently a young follower submitted this post of them as a Scout (they're in glasses, short and blond) a few years back on a St. George's Day Parade expressing the view that they'd wished they could of been a Scout in the traditional Shorts and Long socks era.

I find it actually interesting that he feels that way because that move in Scouts to longs was one of the products of the Advanced Party Report of 1966/7 which amongst other things suggested that they saw Scouts as "Juvenile" and uncool in the form Baden-Powell set out which lead to the formation of the Baden-Powell Scouting Association because they recognized scouting for what it was and refused to change.

My own feelings are that shorts and long socks at the very least ought to be an option within the Scouting Associations Scouts rather like with the BPSA they have Khaki shorts and long socks being recognized from the outset as more practical and hygienic in the field by BP himself and mandatory in Cubs.
A few Scout Troops have reverted to shorts in the last couple of years mirroring the Grey School Shorts revival in high schools.

My suspicions are that boys like my young follower actually love chunks of traditional boyhood and of having a distinct identity rather more than some adults in positions of authority think, wanting to follow in our footsteps and that's just great.

My message for adults in such positions  like Scout Leaders is to talk and especially listen to them rather than anonymous trendy focus groups.

Pix submitted by "olderboyshortshorts"

Inspection

These cubs certainly know how to make the salute correctly although I'd have a word with the one on the right regarding the state of his neckerchief as it should be fitted around his neck and then gathered in for the knot to secure it rather than draped over it in very careless fashion.

B.P. set out in Scouting For Boys  the essence of Scouting and in particular what he felt was correct attire which certainly included shorts even if they need not be a short as school  shorts were in the 1970's and early 80's.

As a Cub in spirit I always wear shorts out when Scouting with mine fitting neatly just above the knee with good quality long socks.

There is honestly no reason  what so ever for longs or 'combat fatigues' to even be considered in this country.