Physicality

I've always tended to believe being close to nature both mentally as well as physically is really healthy for men and especially boys where we live in age where so much can be done from the single mouse click or tap.

That's why outdoor things be they sports, hiking or camping are increasingly important because they offer so much more say e-sports and in any event we do need a break from screens.

Sensation matters too. In play we feel our own bodies, the bodies of others and the surfaces we are in  contact with such grass, the ball we may be playing with and so on and it it's the combination of all that helps us feel that much more alive.

That is why we and I know I need rougher, harder lives than the tv and computer can provide

BPSA Parade

While it is questionable I'll be out here with severe rainfall that has left major chunks of our district flooded  today, here is a lovely picture of scouts and wolf cubs on Parade from the Summer with their Standards.

I think judging by the caps an' hats these are the Baden-Powell Scouts Association as everything is is pleasingly traditional  such as the jerseys and shorts across the board.

Autumn Scouting

Although the weather has not been good, I had been out scouting this week where I spotted this lovely scene.
Autumn had been slow in coming here in Staffordshire as it had been mild for much of October compared say to Lancashire or the Lake District in Northern England but had finally arrived by weeks end and in fact is pouring down today.

Making a difference

Marching very much to the beat of your own drum in a procession.

This week it was reported a 10-year-old boy climbed more than 300ft down a ravine to save his mother who was seriously injured in a fall.

Oban Mountain Rescue in Scotland praised the boy who used his mum's phone to call the emergency services to give directions to their location.

The boy was also accompanied by his father and two sisters when the accident happened and she said to be "out of danger and comfortable" in hospital.

Details about this boy are scarce possibly for a reason but in order to do what he did he needed to have learned to climb, make a call and know how to help keep a person conscious but it seems quite possible he belong to some organization that may of taught this.

Sometimes we here so much negativity about youth and especially about boys but here is something that is very commendable and certainly worthy of an award.

Hiking

Out enjoying a days hiking through the woodland is something I love to do which is one great thing about this area as one doesn't have to go by car or bus to get out of the built up bit which is what I did this crisp autumnal morning in my shorts and long socks. 

Disembarking

Some Scouts and Cubs are in the fortunate position of having their own minibus to take youngster to various places for camp, hiking or other relevant scouting activities  while others may hire one with the driver having a appropriate license to drive one.

Here the Cubs are almost set for an adventure made possible by their bus and a trained volunteer driver.

Craftwork outdoors

Putting skills taught into practice for Camp cutting the sections of  wood and fastening together with a very strong knot to make a cross