The Group Scarf
So you stand in the investiture and you make your promise, you get all these badges given to you as well as this scarf thing. How much though do you give to what they mean?
The Badges all have certain meanings – they represent that you are now part of a family of Scouts the world over; they represent that you are now a member of the County and of the District; the name tape tells you which Group you joined and the Patrol badge which “team” you are now part of.
But the scarf? Why the scarf?
In practical terms the scarf has many uses. Traditionally large enough to be used as a triangular bandage, useful for a leader to tell “his” or “her” members from the others.
However it also has a much bigger meaning. The badges that you wear on your uniform are your membership to Scouting – the scarf is the Group letting you be a part of their history. Each groups colours are registered with the Scout Association – you may find that there is another group with the same colour combination (and that always feels odd when that happens!) but it is highly unlikely to see it in the same County.
The scarf that you wear around your shoulders was worn by the first Scout of your Group and many thousands before you; it will also be worn by many after you. It represents all the Cubs, Scouts, leaders that have created and built the group – and whilst you may not get involved in the annual reunion of the older members, it is that scarf that made them the friends that they still are today. It is something that should be worn with pride, not just draped around your shoulders.
Fitness and Problem solving – part 3
So we met once more to work on press ups, shuttle runs, step ups, squat thrusts and skipping – and once again the results were “varied” – some better, some not so.
The challenge this week involved K*Nex, two tables and a weight. Each Patrol was challenged to create a bridge from the K*nex moving the tables as wide apart as they could – but the bridge had to be sturdy enough to hold the weight.
We finished off with a game of Fireball – which some Scouts enjoyed.
It was an interesting evening and the boys worked quite well.
Fitness challenge and Problem Solving – part 2
The fitness challenge had been kicked off last week (your regular editor having yet more weeks off the Scout meeting 
) and we picked up this week where we left off. As we are now meeting at the church headquarters rather than the scout hall (for those outside the troop because we are running two troops together we split where we meet to be fair to all our Scouts) we also broke the patrols up to do their fitness tests – I felt a bit sorry for two patrols who ended up doing press ups and shuttle sprints as the members of the Cactus Society turned up for their meeting. But everyone was very grown up about it all – and left us to do our thing.
The problem solving challenge was the simple premise that nothing could touch the ground past a set line, and the patrols had to make a chalk line as far past the line as they could. We gave some thinking time, before they set off – as leaders we did need to offer a couple of “prompt thoughts” (such as getting them to think of levers and pivots… and they though physics was a “school-only” thing!!) to help them gain the additional inches on the ground markings!
The time flew by. The 9 Scouts that we had were all of a similar age and mentality, which made the evening quite fun.
Armistice Day
Today is 90 years from the end of the Great War. Today we recognise the many men and women that made an incredible sacrifice so that we can enjoy what we do today.
During the wars, many Scout Leaders were called up to serve; the Scouts continued to meet and train during that time. The link http://www.greatwardifferent.com/Great_War/Boy_Scouts/Boy_Scouts_00.htm will take you to some pictures and some notes about how the Scouts were affected and dealt with that time – and in some cases contributed positively to the war effort for their country, acting not as boys playing at soldiers, but working at supporting the hospitals, guarding key areas such as reservoirs and railway lines and bridges. Being a world-wide movement, this effort is not just within the UK and some of the information on the website relates to other countries such as France. Being involved in the war was not without risk and several Scouts were killed in action
To that end, As well as remembering the men and women that gave their lives, we should also remember everyone who played their part.
They shall grow not old as we who 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.
District Adventure weekend
The District Activity Weekend commenced for Ash, Ivor and Tom today. The days target was Cwm Rhadiar, just past Brecon in Wales which is a straight drive using the A40.
So Ivor using his car and scout trailer, picked up Tom from his place at 11.35am, and then went on to Ash’s to collect him and most of the equipment. Departure took place about 12.10 and it took 5 hours to reach the destination. This was the first error because we wanted to get there before it got dark so that putting out tents up was easy.
However we succeeded with tent erection but it probably took 3 times as long as normal. This followed with a meal for the 3 of us cooked in one tent and then later that night we went to the main barn and joined others from the District playing cards with spoons!! Tom did not feel lonely after that. However it was a very cold night on the Friday and the barn had no electricity, gas or mains drainage. There was no hot water, showers or flushing toilets (buckets with seats on they were described as!) The barn did have an original Aga cooker which worked well and when there were lots of people inside we all warmed up ok.
Next day we all went on our various hikes. Tom, Ash and Ivor stayed together in a group following a route that Tom and Ash had prepared earlier that week. Tom did most of the map reading and guidance. There was help from Ash and Ivor but when you are climbing hills, going through fields with sheep, jumping streams and other obstacles completely alien to North London, you do have to work together. The walk was circular so we returned to the barn and our tents at about 3pm having set off at 9am. As Friday, a meal was cooked by Tom but Ash and Ivor ate with the leaders in the barn. The scouts and Explorers got a nice fire going outdoors but the wind was very strong on Saturday. At least it wasn’t as cold as Friday because we had woken up to frost all over our tents Saturday morning. Friday evening we had the benefit of a very clear sky and a sensation that the stars were in the field with us, but Saturday was completely cloudy.
In the evening the 17th Harrow leaders had everybody playing bingo, the prizes being the crisps and food not used that day. However everybody was very tired and disappeared to bed by 10.30pm.
Sunday was a mad rush because we had to be off site by 9am in order to be at Langorse climbing centre for 10.15am. Breakfast, packing, and tents down was very tight in such a small space of time and Ash, Ivor and Tom were last off by 9.15am. Ivor put his foot down in the car, and they arrived at the centre at 10.20 only to find they had beaten the others there. It appears the wrong postcode was put into the Satnav. Tom and Ash went pony trekking with 10 others from the District, while Ivor caught up with some sleep and at 12.30pm everybody collected their bits for lunch. Everybody made their way home then. We used the M4 and reached Harrow by 4pm.
Keep Fit – Evening 1
The day before half term break and as expected our numbers were low with 10 scouts attending.
However this helped our evenings progression as the objective was to discuss exercises to practice for the Keep Fit Challenge badge over the next 6 weeks.
In our 3 bases the leaders were able to discuss the affect on fitness and health, from taking drugs, smoking, from incorrect sleep and also from a poor diet.
The scouts all agreed on the following exercises to be monitored over the next 6 weeks :- press ups, Squat thrusts, step ups, skipping, shuttle run and long weights.
We also played lined knee ball, which the boys enjoyed because they were still involved even when out!
