Meet the Beavers!

I hadn't said much about Beavers, probably because when I was young they weren't a thing in Scouting, here so today we'll take a brief look them.

Beaver Scouts, often shortened to Beavers, is the second youngest official section of Scouting operated by The Scout Association in the United Kingdom. The core age range for Beaver Scouts is six to eight years. 

Sections of Beaver Scouts are known as Colonies and are run locally by Scout Groups that enables easy moving on to Cubs.

In Beavers together you get with your Colony you might build a den, or go on a trip to the seaside, or host a Beaver sleepover beneath the stars enjoying the great outdoors.

Things you learn include things like integrity – which is about being honest and doing what you think is right – and initiative – which means knowing how to take the lead on something without being asked. It’s all about having the courage to try new things and learn from them.

You also get to learn about helping others both at your meeting and beyond.

It's an awesome program for boys and girls within that age range.

Thoughts on Remembrance Sunday

Yesterday was Remembrance Sunday which for me always started  the day before polishing up ones shoes and then getting permission to stay up to watch the Royal British Legion Festival of Remembrance on the Saturday seeing the different arms of the Services and hearing inspiring stories and poignant reminders of the sacrifice given.

It was also something to see them all in full highly polished uniform.

Parades on Remembrance Sunday are etched into my memories, marching with the local Scout Group from the community hall to the church for the afternoon service.

I have laid wreaths a number of times and there is a protocol to it you observe.

Having laid it and stood back, you are stuck with the sobering realization of the loss not least as minutes before you heard the Post and the Roll Call of those who lost their lives.

"They shall grow not old, as we that are left grow old: Age shall not weary them, nor the years condemn. At the going down of the sun and in the morning, We Will remember them"

From the poem "For The Fallen" by Laurence Binyon.

Remembrance Day

 

Today is Remembrance or Armistice Day where we mark the moment what became known as the First World War ended and has become the day we think about the sacrifices given for our freedom and liberty

In The U.K. apart from providing advice and support for those who have left the armed  services, the Royal British Legion is front and centre of the transmission of what that act of sacrifice meant - the loss of lives, the injuries sustained and its impact together with the freedom that was preserved at that cost so they work with the Scouts Association who provided support during both World Wars at home and in the Field too in teaching this to children and young adults.

Shown is this years badge set.

For reasons probably more connected around convenience since W.W.2. in this country more store by way of acts of Remembrance has been given to Remembrance Sunday which will be in two days time where Scouts and Girl Guides will parade, lay down their Standards and present their wreath at the local cenotaph

A pause along the way

 

I'm afraid that won't be me, as much as I would love to be out there today because I have hurt the hamstrings in my left leg and have to rest them for a bit being unable to get down the stairs on foot, having to pull myself up and down on my bottom.

Instead I'm reading my books on scouting tips and planning adventures for the future.

At our Post Office and General Store, the post box has been decked out to mark the sacrifice the members of our armed services made and all who suffered in conflicts in advance of Remembrance Day by locals.

There were fireworks displays nearby apart from in peoples own gardens and this is a picture from an event I attended.

Cubs wherever you may be

 

Usually if one mentions Scouting the usual context is that as after school activity with a once a week hourly session in the early evening with other events slotted in because the majority of schildren attend day schools but this isn't always the case.

Some like me attended boarding schools which either had weekly boarding or term based which means that connected with school would be organized at or with arrangements made in order for you to attend such using school buses or lifts.

Scouting often featured, some having their very own Scout Groups when it came to Prep Schools and some like while mine did host the local cubs which give 8 to 10 1/2 year olds the chance to join in.

Cubs can and does involve a variety of things some may involve fund raising for local charitable concerns or community facilities such a  Children's Hospice by a group of Cubs in Cornwall shown here.

Treemendous trees

 

There just is something really magical about being in a wood or forest at this time of year with a carpet of leaves and beautiful colourful leaves in the glistening sun.

It's not uncommon to find acorns about ready to be buried by the squirrels.

Spooky Bonfire Season

We are at that inbetween stage between Halloween which has just gone and Guy Fawkes Night which is to come Saturday where we don't usually publish on here.

I recall Penny For The Guy but never Penny for the scout!

At the sort of age you'd be in Beavers or especially Cubs or Scouts these two events are very much a part of your social currency, attending, having a role within them or making something for them.

Not unsurprisingly it does with me so recently while away, I made this lantern although it was meant to be supported  on an apax really.

Equally I enjoyed being suitably wrapped up a traditional Bonfire and Fireworks display which with the crackling, smell of smoke and colourful fireworks whizzing through the air in star shapes just took me back to my yoouth and what I loved about the Scout Firework displays I attended.