Scouting and Me review 2023

 Over the last two years we decided to do a bit of a review of the year unlike previous years and I am inclined to devote a bit of time to that this time.

The year has seen some challenges not least the loss of my Mum, coping with the emotionally intense reactions of Dad as he obviously grieved not being helped by the delays in getting all the funeral arrangements done and a few bouts of covid on my part too although I did get my booster done early this month.

I did however continue exploring the woods, meeting people and helping out in the community in various ways all of which have helped deal with some of the long term effects of not just the pandemic but having contracted it myself.

I managed to get away which allowed for exploring of the southern half of Westmorland around The Lakes and the Ribble Valley area of Lancashire.

We looked on this blog a bit the places I had visited when I was younger and got the bug for all this with the skills and lessons I have learned along the way.

Uniform was renewed too from quality suppliers.

I wrote about modern day scouting on this blog, the challenges, the sterling work of all in it running the programs, the badges and just what children and young people get out of it.

This blog beyond the "And me" always looks outwards and this year I contributed not just on a monthly basis to Gilwell aiding the Scout Association nationally in its work but with the Squirrel appeal for our four to six year olds that were established in their Dreys last year.

I also contributed to our own scouts, here in the Potteries North district in a number of ways enjoying seeing them taking part in community life, something that cheers me up no end.

Overall in excess of £980 was raised through the Santa appeal through peoples generosity locally in December which was amazing and testiment to how we feel about Scouts.

Here's to Twenty Twenty Four!

Guides outdoors

By tradition on this blog we mainly look at the units that boys in scouting would join although the Scout Association today being co-ed is open for girls too and this blog isn't just a nostalgia based one.

Somehow and somewhere boys of a certain age tend to get the idea girls have it easier even in Scouting and yes elements of the programs can differ but those in Girlguiding have never had it easy.

Then as now camping was more or less the same for guides as scouts, these guides from 1948 have had to pitch their tent, ensure their uniform was put away properly and look smart on parade.

When I sometimes see cubs and scouts today I sometimes feel those in charge could usefuly get them 'smartened up' not least in public settings.

The thing for the Scout

It's christmas so I do look at the odd thing in the stocking that pertains to scouting and this is this years.

Basically it's a  book stuffed like an overfilled rucksack with tips and tricks from one of the world's most celebrated adventurers apart from being Chief Scout from pitching a tent, leading a team, how to keep fit, tie knots, memorise facts, identify trees, stars and birds, as well as learning real survival skills like putting up a tent in the wild and stashing your breakfast in ground to keep it hot for the next morning?

This is the book for anyone who is a Scout, was a Scout, or wants to be a Scout and was very much a wanted present this year.

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.
 

Ho Ho Ho!

The countdown continues here as in most places by the arrival of the Man himself, Mr Santa Claus who really gets around.

Here this happens thanks to the local Scout Group as the sleigh does a circular tour of all the main estates with a powerful sound system followed by local members and leaders which happened yesterday as I was out cheering him on.

Funds are raised for the local unit and we all enjoy seeing Mr Claus in all his refinery.

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.