|
Source: (consider it)
|
Thread: Heaven: 100 Years of the Scout Movement
|
Aggie
Ship's cat
# 4385
|
Posted
The Scout Movements celebrates its Centenary.
Great to see so many teenagers still enjoying Scouting, and having fun at the Jamboree.
I was a Brownie, and then a Guide. At that time, the movement was segregated into Guiding for girls, and Scouting for boys, which was a shame, as our local Scout troop did a lot more fun, outdoorsy things than we did, such as building rafts, canoeing, hiking etc.
Although we did have a summer camp, and the odd weekend camp, which was always great fun. Occasionally, we did a bit of tracking through the woods, but as there were a lot of girls, who didn't care for being outdoors in the elements, we did a lot of boring (IMHO, of course!) stuff like needlework, knitting, singing and dancing, acting, reciting poems etc. None of which I was very good at, or particularly enjoyed, so unfortunately I left.
I later heard that a lot of people became bored, and also left, and then several years later the Guide unit ceased to exist, which was a shame.
Although, I have heard that nowadays, girls are now allowed to join Scout troops, and there is also a lot more emphasis on outdoor activities, and team building games etc.
What are your memories of being a Scout/Guide? Or are you still involved as an adult leader?
[ 21. May 2008, 20:04: Message edited by: Belisarius ]
--------------------
“I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.”
(Joseph Mary Plunkett 1887-1917)
Posts: 581 | From: A crazy, crazy world | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Campbellite
Ut unum sint
# 1202
|
Posted
I have twenty odd years experience in the BSA, as a scout and as a scouter. Have the beads* and everything.
I expect our resident Scouter enthusiast along any minute now. (Unless PeteCanada crossposts with this).
*"Back to Gilwell, happy land..."
[botched code]
[ 01. August 2007, 15:46: Message edited by: Campbellite ]
--------------------
I upped mine. Up yours.
Suffering for Jesus since 1966.
WTFWED?
Posts: 12001 | From: between keyboard and chair | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
J Whitgift
Pro ecclesia dei!
# 1981
|
Posted
I was, in my time a Beaver, Cub, Scout and latterly Venture Scout - I left the movement in 1995 when I went to University.
I have mainly good memories of being a Scout in <Borough deleted>, South London. My first taste of Whiskey, my first time drunk, trespassing, setting fire to random things and hitchiking my D of E Silver hike. Happy days ... ![[Eek!]](eek.gif)
Despite our high-jinks, we actually had some great leaders (at our Scout troop) who allowed us a great deal of latitude, without letting us run wild. They also respected us and obviously enjoyed themselves, which can be very liberating! Had I not been a Scout I doubt I would have ever:
- Hiked in North Yorkshire
- Gone caving
- Abseiled
- Done rock climbing
- Gone camping
- Set fires in random fields of England
- Seen a full bottle of beer go into orbit after it had been left in the camp fire for too long.
Long may Scouting continue! ![[Big Grin]](biggrin.gif)
[ 01. August 2007, 15:52: Message edited by: J Whitgift ]
--------------------
On the issue of homosexuality the Liberals have spent their time thinking, considering and listening (in the spirit of the Windsor process), whereas Conservative Anglicans have used the time to further dig their feet in and become more intransigent.
Posts: 2838 | From: Gone shoreside | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Aggie
Ship's cat
# 4385
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by J Whitgift:
My first taste of Whiskey, my first time drunk, trespassing, setting fire to random things and hitchiking my D of E Silver hike. Happy days ...
Clearly Scouts did indeed have more fun! ![[Devil]](graemlins/devil.gif)
--------------------
“I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.”
(Joseph Mary Plunkett 1887-1917)
Posts: 581 | From: A crazy, crazy world | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Ann
Curious
# 94
|
Posted
I was a Brownie; I started Guides but the unit folded when the leader left to get married and I hadn't found anything interesting enough to look for another unit. The only bit of tracking we did (in an urban environment) was sabotaged by some scouts who re-positioned the twigs on the pavement so we went on a long walk reading signs into anything and everything and only just made it back for the end of the meeting.
My children have all been through the Scouts (or Brownies/Guides) and are all Scouts of one form or another now - the two girls took one look at the local senior section Guides and decided to join Explorer Scouts instead. The older boys are in Network (18-25) and both help out at Cubs and Scouts.
My daughter is one of those having fun (I hope) at the Jamboree.
--------------------
Ann
Posts: 3271 | From: IO 91 PI | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Knopwood
Shipmate
# 11596
|
Posted
I had a friend in high school who was involved in some kind of ultra-orthodox/Old Believer scouting organisation. I didn't know much about them, but they struck me as the Lefebvrists of scouting, and proudly retained their stetsons like traddie Catholics have their birettas and maniples. [/analogy]
Posts: 6806 | From: Tio'tia:ke | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
|
Posted
Scouting was fun when I were a kid, but I dropped out when I was 14 - overwhelmed with things happening in my life at that time.
I returned to Scouting as a leader in my mid-thirties, my kids finished long before I did, because I went on for nearly 20 years as an active leader - in either Cubs or Scouts and sometimes both simultaneously. I'm semi-retired now, still keep my membership, and am active in the Baden Powell Guild.
I have many fond memories of Scouting including several camps at -40, two Canadian jamborees on staff, many US/Canadian joint camps, area camps, provincial camps, leader camps. I had to cancel a third jamboree when I was diagnosed with cancer 3 weeks before. I remember trying to negotiate attendance with a promise that they could have me after, but I lost that battle. ![[Frown]](frown.gif)
This year the Canadians are jamboreeing at Tamaracouta Scout Camp in Quebec Province. I could have gone, I was so tempted, but reality intervened. Dang reality ![[Waterworks]](graemlins/bawling.gif)
Just a few weeks ago, a car screeched to a stop just before I crossed the road and a young man I hadn't seen since he was 16 came running up to me and gave me a hug.
It's times like that that make it all worth-while.
I ![[Axe murder]](graemlins/lovedrops.gif) Scouting
--------------------
Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Chelley
Ship's Old Boot
# 11322
|
Posted
I was a Brownie, a Guide, briefly a Ranger and then defected to Venture Scouts where I got the absolute bug for camping and walking up hills/being outdoors generally... I was not one of the most motivated of Scouts (significant understatement) and achieved pretty much nothing award wise, but I did have a lot of fun, make some excellent friends, get involved in a lot of community service type stuff, get the above mentioned bug for camping and climbing (which has never left me) plus a love of maps and orienteering and stuff... And where else would you get the opportunity to sit in the back of a van with all the windows covered, get dumped somewhere isolated and have to find your way home by the stars (or if they didn't take us far enough, by the pubs we passed! )
[ 01. August 2007, 21:08: Message edited by: Chelley ]
--------------------
"I love old things, they make me feel sad."
"What's good about sad?"
"It's happy for deep people!"
Sally Sparrow to Kathy - Doctor Who
Posts: 2870 | From: Wonderland, UK | Registered: Apr 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cusanus
Ship's Schoolmaster
# 692
|
Posted
I (perhaps) finally hung up my woggle last month after over 30 years in the movement. To be honest, I was becoming a bit jaded with the leadership in Oz - in my state in particular - which seems be becoming much more bureaucratic and out of touch with the realities of working directly with young people. As I have moved around the country a bit, Scouting was a great way to develop links with a new community that weren't restricted to work.
--------------------
"You are qualified," sa fotherington-tomas, "becos you can frankly never pass an exam and have 0 branes. Obviously you will be a skoolmaster - there is no other choice."
Posts: 3120 | From: The Peninsula | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
mousethief
Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953
|
Posted
Do American scouts get to weigh in too? We too trace our lineage back to Bade-Powell, who had demi-god status in the BSA when I was in it. After a brief experience with Cub Scouts whose duration I can't even recall, and a couple of scoutless years, I joined Boy Scouts when I was in Middle School, my new stepdad saying he wanted me doing something productive with my time, which for him meant either sports, or scouting. Since I had (and still have) four left thumbs, I picked scouting, where the camping and goofing off were far more important to me than all that merit badge and rank advancement stuff.
I remained in Boy Scouts until I was 14, at which point I discovered Sea Explorers (part of the Explorer program, but called "Sea Scouts" by just about everybody), since they had two things going for them that Boy Scouts did not: (1) boats, and (2) girls.
I cannot speak highly enough of my time in Sea Scouts. It accompanied me through the worst "growing up" years, and taught me leadership, the value of earning trust, skills in electricity, plumbing, carpentry and many other things, as well as a love of the sea. I can't recommend it highly enough.
--------------------
This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...
Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Petrified
Ship’s ballast
# 10667
|
Posted
Possibly not quite on topic but I thought this was well put youth crime
Both pebbles have gone right through Scouts/guides and enjoyed it.
In DofE expeditions you can always tell the Scouts because they tend to take the lead and can read a map!
I recall once on the way to an event at the local bowls club (in uniform) a group of teenagers hanging around shouted they were "sad" after a afternoon playing for the Scout trophy with help from the much older club members and stuffing themselves at a barbeque kindly put on we had no doubts who were "sad"
--------------------
At this time, a friend shall lose his friend's hammer and the young shall not know where lieth the things possessed by their fathers that their fathers put there only just the night before, about eight o'clock.
SoF a "prick against Bigotterie"
Posts: 540 | From: UK | Registered: Nov 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
J Whitgift
Pro ecclesia dei!
# 1981
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Ann:
I was a Brownie; I started Guides but the unit folded when the leader left to get married and I hadn't found anything interesting enough to look for another unit. The only bit of tracking we did (in an urban environment) was sabotaged by some scouts who re-positioned the twigs on the pavement so we went on a long walk reading signs into anything and everything and only just made it back for the end of the meeting.
![[Snigger]](graemlins/snigger.gif)
Reminds me of a night hike I once did as a Venture Scout, in South Croydon. The person who dropped us off at our start point dropped us off at the wrong railway station - Warlingham not Woldingham (which is about 4 miles away). We then spent the next 3 hours trying to figure out why the map we were using didn't have any of the features on it that we could see. ![[Disappointed]](graemlins/disappointed.gif)
In my time as a Venture/Scout, I have lost a whole group on a hike - they decided they knew a better route and turned up an hour after I'd got back to camp. On another occasion we dropped off a troop of Scouts for a 10 miles hike, got back to camp (about 30 minutes away), set off on our own 10 mile hike, including 30 minutes or so for lunch. It was when we got back and found that the Scouts hadn't turned up that we started to worry ... they eventually turned up 2 hours later, having spent 2 hours for lunch!!
--------------------
On the issue of homosexuality the Liberals have spent their time thinking, considering and listening (in the spirit of the Windsor process), whereas Conservative Anglicans have used the time to further dig their feet in and become more intransigent.
Posts: 2838 | From: Gone shoreside | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Uncle Pete
Loyaute me lie
# 10422
|
Posted
Ah, Scouting. Nothing like young people to keep your blood pressure up!
![[Biased]](wink.gif)
--------------------
Even more so than I was before
Posts: 20466 | From: No longer where I was | Registered: Sep 2005
| IP: Logged
|
|
Boopy
Shipmate
# 4738
|
Posted
I had a fun time as a Brownie about 30 years ago. One of my daughters was a Guide, but in a fairly ininspiring troupe - over 50 girls with 2 not-very-competent leaders. A great deal of disorganised, unfinished craft work, leaders not good at sorting out inter-group squabbles, and everything just feeling a bit last minute and unprepared.
One particular last straw was an evening devoted to patrols carrying out a 'survey' (buy and eat) of the local town chip shops.
The leaders were well intentioned and gave generously of their (voluntary) time, but it was a bit of a shambles, as if numbers had got away with them.
I remember contacting Guide headquarters to find out what the maximum numbers and guide-to-leader ratios were supposed to be, only to be told there was no maximum and that over 50 guides with 2 leaders was apparently fine. They were also apparently fine with Guides being transport in the private cars of other (unknown, not pre-arranged groups) parents on outings - which is unusual nowadays in any youth organisation. This was only a couple of years ago. Left me with rather a poor impression of the Guide movement I'm afraid, though no doubt there are other positive experiences to balance this.
Posts: 1170 | From: UK | Registered: Jul 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Chorister
Completely Frocked
# 473
|
Posted
I was a Brownie, but I so wanted to be a Scout. My brother had heaps more fun.
I lasted one week at Guides. Fortunately my mother hadn't got round to buying my uniform or I'd have been stuck in it for years.
I joined the church choir instead. 35 years later I'm still there.
--------------------
Retired, sitting back and watching others for a change.
Posts: 34626 | From: Cream Tealand | Registered: Jun 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Wandering Crucifer
Shipmate
# 7497
|
Posted
I was on a week long Scout camp last week, as an adult helper. We had all the traditional things such as wood fires, canvas patrol tents, and bucket toilets. We were in the North West of England, so we didn't have any major flooding, although it did rain heavily one day and the mess tent started to flood. When it got too wet we took the scouts bowling, swimming, and to the cinema. Apart from that, we had raft-building, cycling, climbing (on a climbing tower), pioneering, and backwoods cooking.
I was in Cubs, Scouts, and Ventures. I learnt how to read a map, tie knots, first aid, and many other things. I don't have much to do with Scouts now, except when I go away with my old troop on their annual week long camp.
--------------------
There is no end to the writing of books, and too much study will wear you out.
(Ecclesiastes 12:12, GNB)
Posts: 259 | From: Cambridge, UK | Registered: Jun 2004
| IP: Logged
|
|
Carys
Ship's Celticist
# 78
|
Posted
I was a brownie and enjoyed it. Did 18 months as a Guide but then people who'd been a Guide less long than me were asked on camp and I wasn't and they were changing the uniform and I just didn't go back after the summer (when I started at high school) much to the surprise of my guider. Sometimes I regret this. I think I might have enjoyed Scouts more, but I don't think they'd gone mixed at that point (and we didn't have them at church, oddly we had Guides/Brownies and Boys Brigade).
Carys
--------------------
O Lord, you have searched me and know me
You know when I sit and when I rise
Posts: 6896 | From: Bryste mwy na thebyg | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Agent Smith
Shipmate
# 3299
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Boopy:
I had a fun time as a Brownie about 30 years ago. One of my daughters was a Guide, but in a fairly ininspiring troupe - over 50 girls with 2 not-very-competent leaders. A great deal of disorganised, unfinished craft work, leaders not good at sorting out inter-group squabbles, and everything just feeling a bit last minute and unprepared.
One particular last straw was an evening devoted to patrols carrying out a 'survey' (buy and eat) of the local town chip shops.
The leaders were well intentioned and gave generously of their (voluntary) time, but it was a bit of a shambles, as if numbers had got away with them.
I remember contacting Guide headquarters to find out what the maximum numbers and guide-to-leader ratios were supposed to be, only to be told there was no maximum and that over 50 guides with 2 leaders was apparently fine. They were also apparently fine with Guides being transport in the private cars of other (unknown, not pre-arranged groups) parents on outings - which is unusual nowadays in any youth organisation. This was only a couple of years ago. Left me with rather a poor impression of the Guide movement I'm afraid, though no doubt there are other positive experiences to balance this.
I am sorry you were given a bad impression of the Guide movement. There are now strict controls on what is and isnt permitted. (I now work the the UK organisation)
We are preparing for our centenary in 2010, but there have been loads of scouts on the tube recently.
I went through Brownies (with the old brown uniforms and yellow ties), and then to Guides with navy shirts and skirts. I didnt enjoy Guiding as much however that may change in the next few months
--------------------
"I'm so English, I am probably descended from a Cricket Bat and a cup of tea".
James May - 20th Century
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agentsmith1974/
Posts: 536 | From: Inside M25 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
jedijudy
Organist of the Jedi Temple
# 333
|
Posted
I have many happy memories of scouting. I went through Brownies, then Cadet and then Senior Girl Scouts.
At that time, back when dinosaurs wandered the earth, the Boy Scouts had more adventures, as they could go to overnight camps, where we were only allowed day camps. But we learned to cook on large-sized vegetable can "Stoves" (yummy silver dollar pancakes!) and baked foil dinners under ground (not quite so tasty). We tied knots and learned knife handling, and lots of theoretical knowledge of what to do in an emergency. We'd take long hikes, which was a normal leisure time activity in the sparsely populated hills of my childhood.
Most especially, we did have a lot of fun!
--------------------
Jasmine, little cat with a big heart.
Posts: 18017 | From: 'Twixt the 'Glades and the Gulf | Registered: Aug 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Hugal
Shipmate
# 2734
|
Posted
I was a cub and a scout. I really enjoyed cubs despite being truned down for Sixer several times thanks, I think, to family polotics. I was always seconder. I performed the promise at a big area event in Preston. Our Scout pack was not as good as some of those mentioned. We did a bit of orienteering but not pot holeing or anything. I also was part of the local Penticostal Sunday school who had the hall next door to the scouts and has a youth evening on a Wednesday. I went camping with then and did some other things it was great.
--------------------
I have never done this trick in these trousers before.
Posts: 1887 | From: london | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
|
Posted
I was in the cubs and really enjoyed it. I rose to exalted rank of Sixer!
I then moved up to the Scouts but didn't enjoy it so much. The Troop Leader seemed to resent middle class kids or kids who went to church (despite this being a church affiliated group). As I fell into both categories, I didn't stand much of a chance and after a while got fed up with the snide and sarky comments about doing my homework or "being religious" so I left.
I wasn't the only one.
--------------------
"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
chukovsky
Ship's toddler
# 116
|
Posted
I was a Brownie, and then a Guide and a Venture Scout. I am now a Brownie leader. I am a bit sad that Scout groups are now compulsorily mixed - I have no objection to mixed groups, but girls now have the choice whereas boys can only go to mixed groups (in theory - in practice I think where Guiding is strong some groups are almost all-male).
Our Brownies was fairly normal but not too soppy but our Guides was a lot more outdoorsy than other local Guides (late 70s-early 80s) and it really depends a lot on the leaders - even now some Guides are very outdoorsy whereas others just do crafts and cooking. It is supposed to be much more girl-led now (not sure how far Scouts has gone in that direction), but girls of that age need ideas and encouragement to know what is out there.
--------------------
This space left intentionally blank. Do not write on both sides of the paper at once.
Posts: 6842 | From: somewhere else | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Raineyseason
Shipmate
# 12854
|
Posted
I read in the newspaper that one hundred years ago, the Scouts learnt to hunt and skin rabbits and roast them on an open fire.
And that now, they're not allowed a fire and it is all veggie burgers in case the presence of meat upsets those of a religion that only accepts veggie food.
Also, they dismantled the traditional outside Scout and Guide church, in case it "offended" those who are not of Christian faith.
It seems as though the Scout and Guide movement is in the hands of those who seek to "de-christianize" and that is common practice with those who work with kids, particularly in the education sector. For example, my last boss was a Head Teacher who explained to the gathered year groups 7,8,9 and 10, that "Christmas is a great Pagan Festival." Thankfully, they weren't listening, but chatting among themselves...as they tended to do during Assembly, so nobody started laughing at this Head.
As for the Scouts/Guides...well... I'm not for skinned rabbits, but no fire and no meat...and presumably no "Serve God and the Queen." Also?
Hmmmm.
--------------------
"Has your soul lost shape?is it too torn to heal?let my whole world be draped over its foreignness of feeling" Roddy Frame lyrics "high class music"
Posts: 86 | From: Manchester | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Agent Smith
Shipmate
# 3299
|
Posted
Serving the Queen is still in the Guiding Promise (I am not a brown owl or similar, but have this on good authority)
The promise can be named as a God (Ie the christian version) or other i.e Allah and Buddha etc. One has to have a belief in God, therefore athiests are not permitted to become members.
I had a discussion with a colleague (who is an athiest), about our thinking day service. The discussion went along the lines of doing away with thinking day and church service as its not what modern guiding is all about. ![[Mad]](angryfire.gif)
I disagreed wholeheartedly as it is a tradition and we should be looking back as well as celebrating what is to come, and having a religious celebration to encompas to serve "god" which ever version suits you. (This may get too purgatorial now)
--------------------
"I'm so English, I am probably descended from a Cricket Bat and a cup of tea".
James May - 20th Century
http://www.flickr.com/photos/agentsmith1974/
Posts: 536 | From: Inside M25 | Registered: Sep 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
philj
Apprentice
# 12884
|
Posted
I have been a scout all my life, from being in the movement as a member up to ventures and then leader until I had to leave to go to college again. I still class myself as a scout however.
As a leader the kids used to love the "chip-shop" challenge and was a regular request when we asked for their suggestions. We never complained about getting the odd chip either. Even the Cubs used to have their own version.
Scouting certainly taught me a lot and I will be hoping my kids carry on the tradition.
Posts: 1 | From: UK | Registered: Aug 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
AlmostRev
Shipmate
# 11571
|
Posted
I was a Junior Scout in elementary school, but the Cadet troup folded and I never found another one to join. I found my love of photography--I earned my photography badge.
My youngest brother was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout through Junior High School (ah, the Pinewood Derby days!!!). My nephew is a Sea Scout. One of my nieces was a Brownie, but swimming & dance lessons started to take up a lot of time so she dropped out.
Dee
Posts: 297 | From: Massachusetts | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged
|
|
Jengie jon
Semper Reformanda
# 273
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Raineyseason:
As for the Scouts/Guides...well... I'm not for skinned rabbits, but no fire and no meat...and presumably no "Serve God and the Queen." Also?
Hmmmm.
Don't you believe everything you are told, my nephew is now a cub at an Anglican pack where they have parades, and certainly eat meat. I know this because when he was in Beavers they had a "bring your favourite food" night. The Scouter was dreading it, imagining Pizza's, sweets and crisps with soft drinks galore. Instead the menu went something like:
- smoked salmon
- shepherds pie
- chicken curry
- macaroni cheese
Scouter decided she had rather an unusual set of Beavers. The chicken curry is genuine as that is what my nephew took! My sister is just hoping that my niece does not have similar evenings at Rainbows, as at present showing she will want to take some gourmet food along.
Oh me Brownie, Guide, Young Leader, Brownie Guider. In the movement solidly between the ages of 7 and 28, left after an incident when I feel I and the Brownies were badly let down over something by the hierarchy. I needed help, I knew I needed help, they were far more interested in keeping up appearances.
Jengie
--------------------
"To violate a persons ability to distinguish fact from fantasy is the epistemological equivalent of rape." Noretta Koertge
Back to my blog
Posts: 20894 | From: city of steel, butterflies and rainbows | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Cusanus
Ship's Schoolmaster
# 692
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Raineyseason:
It seems as though the Scout and Guide movement is in the hands of those who seek to "de-christianize" ...
As for the Scouts/Guides...well... I'm not for skinned rabbits, but no fire and no meat...and presumably no "Serve God and the Queen." Also?
Hmmmm.
Why don't you find out for yourself? These are ill-informed conclusions arising out of prejudice.
And Scouting has never been a 'Christian' organisation, although churches have sponsored groups (this has all but died out in Oz, though). Baden Powell was, if anything, a Romantic pantheist. Most Scouts in the world today are not Christians.
--------------------
"You are qualified," sa fotherington-tomas, "becos you can frankly never pass an exam and have 0 branes. Obviously you will be a skoolmaster - there is no other choice."
Posts: 3120 | From: The Peninsula | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
mousethief
Ship's Thieving Rodent
# 953
|
Posted
Cusanus, I don't know if you know, but that is being discussed somewhat hotly on the "Are Atheists a Persecuted Group?" thread in Purg. Come join your voice to the throng!
--------------------
This is the last sig I'll ever write for you...
Posts: 63536 | From: Washington | Registered: Jul 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Smudgie
Ship's Barnacle
# 2716
|
Posted
Another ex-brownie and guide signing in. I loved it, right up to the age of about 14. I didn't go on to Rangers, though - maybe it was just the sort of kid I was, but I wanted Guides to stretch us more and several of my friends felt the same way.
I have mixed memories of camp, most of them really good memories, and especially of doing our Patrol Camp Permit which was incredibly exciting, just six of us camping alone in a field, with campfire and a dug-out toilet. Probably wouldn't be allowed these days!
My boys adored Beavers, Cubs, Scouts, and now the eldest is waiting to be invested into Explorer Scouts, this being his only regret about going to boarding school that he misses most of the Explorer meetings! It certainly does depend on the leader the quality of experience the kids get. I moved Tiddles from one Cub pack to another (which now means driving half an hour to the scout hut, sitting for an hour and a half in the car park or going to the supermarket while I wait for them, then driving them home twice a week). The one pack didn't wear uniform, the leader hung around outside the hut waiting for them while smoking a cigarette, then they spend each evening playing frisbee or cricket on the field. The leader even forgot about his enrolment and turned up in civvies, without ever having even ordered his badges, cos six weeks later they still hadn't emerged! I didn't take much encouragement to move him to somewhere where he had the true experience of what real Cubs is like! And Smudgelet is going to have to move up to Scouts soon as he's running out of arm on his Cub jumper for all his badges!
As for me, if it wasn't for knowing that it does Smudgelet more good to be without me, I think I'd be tempted to spend my "waiting time" inside the Cub hut training to be a leader.... maybe.
--------------------
Miss you, Erin.
Posts: 14382 | From: Under the duvet | Registered: Apr 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
|
Posted
I'm bringing the reminiscences from the other Scouting thread over here.
--Mamacita, Heavenly Host
quote:
Originally posted by Agent Smith:
Springing from the Centenary Scouts thread, I thought it would be fun to reminisce about what you got up to as a Brownie, Guide, Ranger, Senior Section, Scouting person*.
Also if there are any badges which you may think appropriate, please join in.
I have fond memories of going to the 75th Anniversary Celebration for the Brownies (Agent Smith is a girl ![[Ultra confused]](graemlins/confused2.gif) , and learning to semaphore, etc. I didnt get up to anything rebelious - I saved that for a Church Youth Group
(Edited to add Liz ![[Hot and Hormonal]](icon_redface.gif) )
quote:
Originally posted by Spike:
Useful things I learned in the Scouts
- Setting fire to things
- Smoking
- Carving my initials with a penknife
- Pissing out of the back end of a tent when its raining outside
quote:
Originally posted by Legodude_uk:
I'll join in with:
- Burning things
- Canoeing
- Reading Maps
- tying bits of stick together to make things
- Sailing
- Camping
- a keen sense of adventure
One of the best memories is builidng a camp oven and roasting a chicken in it, I've never tasted chicken that good since, and it was fun slopping the mud around...and that was when I was in Ventures!!!
Worst memory, possibly getting hosed down with cold water after doing stream clearing for my Cub Conservation Badge, but we had hot tomato soup afterwards so that was OK!!!
More to come....
--------------------
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
|
Posted
More reminiscences from the other Scouting thread.
--Mamacita, Heavenly Host
quote:
Originally posted by Ju7ia:
Being able to roll my bedding up and balancing it, with other people's onto a precariously leaning bedding rack made of sticks. This gave me a marvellous learning experience of team work and perseverance - useful in my adult life. It was great...
quote:
Originally posted by Izzybee:
quote:
Originally posted by Ju7ia:
Being able to roll my bedding up and balancing it, with other people's onto a precariously leaning bedding rack made of sticks. This gave me a marvellous learning experience of team work and perseverance - useful in my adult life. It was great...
I was best at the dish racks made from garden center bamboo and endless legths of string. If you ever need some washing up done in the wild in China, then I'm your woman.
Actually, I loved Guides. We were outside nearly all the time. I'm also biased because my Mum took over our company when I was about 11. She didn't like camping, but loved sorting out the other outdoor activities, so she teamed up with another leader who was great at camping, but not so good at some of the other stuff. We had really fun camps - 2 units together made for some new friends, too ![[Smile]](smile.gif)
I think my "best Guide moment" was going to Switzerland with some Rangers (I was a Young Leader) - we had a blast and got to visit "Our Chalet" - lots of swimming and mountain hikes, and dinner every night with the Venture Scouts camping down the road.
quote:
Originally posted by Raineyseason:
Brownies was excellent. I learnt how to make knots with big ropes and how to skip and also some swear words.
The other thing that was good, was skipping around a four foot plastic toad stool with a gonk in repose at the stem and singing, "Here we are the jolly Pixies, helping people when in Fixies."
The toad stooll was a large mushroom. Red with white spots. Similar to hallucinagenic mushrooms.
Did somebody have a weird sense of humour going on there? Elves, Sprites, Pixies and alot of skipping and chanting in rhyme?
![[Yipee]](graemlins/spin.gif)
quote:
Originally posted by Chorister:
Tracking in the woods and swimming in the river. Lots of collecting natural items in matchboxes. Feeling upset when an arson attack burned down the wooden Scout hut.
Strange how it never rained when I was a Brownie.....
quote:
Originally posted by Campbellite:
I have too many great memories to list. There was the camp out in January when it got down to -25F in Mississippi of all places.
Or the time we couldn't find our assigned campsite, and the next morning discovering that during the night lightning had struck a large tree in the middle of the site we were supposed to be in and covered it with splinters up to 20 feet long. [hmm, that was also in Mississippi, come to think of it.]
Or the week-long summer camp where it rained every day for the entire six days.
Great fun. Really!
--------------------
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
J Whitgift
Pro ecclesia dei!
# 1981
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Cusanus:
quote:
Originally posted by Raineyseason:
It seems as though the Scout and Guide movement is in the hands of those who seek to "de-christianize" ...
As for the Scouts/Guides...well... I'm not for skinned rabbits, but no fire and no meat...and presumably no "Serve God and the Queen." Also?
Hmmmm.
Why don't you find out for yourself? These are ill-informed conclusions arising out of prejudice.
And Scouting has never been a 'Christian' organisation, although churches have sponsored groups (this has all but died out in Oz, though). Baden Powell was, if anything, a Romantic pantheist. Most Scouts in the world today are not Christians.
I agree Cusanus. My own Scout troop (separate to the Beaver/Cubs groups I went to) was attached to a Church and had Church parade, but outside of that the faith was implicit and not explicit. When we did have a 'Scouts Own*' it was to be told that we weren' going to have the faith rammed down our throats, but that some of our leaders were Christians. Which was quite appropriate under the circumstances.
Given how good Scouting has been/remains ar inspiring and engergising young people, whether there is a faith element attached or not seems to be a moot point. I suspect that many would be turned away by an overt expression of one faith or creed. However, as Scouting is about care for your environment, community, comradeship and good citizenship, it seems to fit in with the teaching of most religious faiths (not just of Christianity) as well as those of many non-religious belief/ethical systems.
In many ways Scouting seems to encapsulate that dictum of St. Francis about sharing the Gospel and of only reverting to words when all else has failed.
As Cusanus advises Raineyseason, you may want to revisit your opinions about Scouting after you've had the chance to view the modern Scouting movement at work. You may well be pleasantly surprised.
* A kind of time for reflection.
--------------------
On the issue of homosexuality the Liberals have spent their time thinking, considering and listening (in the spirit of the Windsor process), whereas Conservative Anglicans have used the time to further dig their feet in and become more intransigent.
Posts: 2838 | From: Gone shoreside | Registered: Dec 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Yangtze
Shipmate
# 4965
|
Posted
I loved Guides (though was also slightly embarrassed as I got older by how untrendy it was seen as being). I was a Brownie, a Guide and a Ranger Guide (the latter was in a combined troop of Rangers and Venture Scouts, we called ourselves Ravens).
All throughout we were an outdoorsy lot - the camping was the best bit (though I do remember organising a fahsion show for some badge or another so we must have done inside stuff too). I too can lash a mean draining board together out of bamboo. Not to mention other weird and wonderful camp gadgets. And we definitely cooked on open fires - anyone remembering softsoaping the pans?
Fun times.
[ 06. August 2007, 18:21: Message edited by: Yangtze ]
--------------------
Arthur & Henry Ethical Shirts for Men
organic cotton, fair trade cotton, linen
Sometimes I wonder What's for Afters?
Posts: 2022 | From: the smallest town in England | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
Spike
Mostly Harmless
# 36
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by J Whitgift:
I agree Cusanus. My own Scout troop (separate to the Beaver/Cubs groups I went to) was attached to a Church and had Church parade, but outside of that the faith was implicit and not explicit. When we did have a 'Scouts Own*' it was to be told that we weren' going to have the faith rammed down our throats, but that some of our leaders were Christians.
Same here with the church parades, but we didn't ever have a "Scouts Own". Our Rector once asked me if we ever had Scouts Own at weekend camps. As a Scout, I was told always to tell the truth, so I replied in all honesty that we didn't. The Rector then spoke to the Troop Leader pointing out that as a church sponsored group, we should be doing this. The Troop Leader then gave me a hard time for "dropping him in it" by "grassing him up" to the Rector.
It's about that time I decided I'd had enough and joined the St John Ambulance Cadets instead. That was OK as the adult leaders didn't get their kicks from taking the piss out of me for going to Church or having a "posh" accent. I also learned useful things like how to patch up a broken leg or revive someone who'd had a heart attack.
--------------------
"May you get to heaven before the devil knows you're dead" - Irish blessing
Posts: 12860 | From: The Valley of Crocuses | Registered: May 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Raineyseason
Shipmate
# 12854
|
Posted
Hello Whit and Cusanus, Thanks for your directives and yes, as an ex-teacher, I know how great it is to work with young people and Scouts/Guides need leaders. Thanks for the challenge to apply for leadership
The drawback is that I have a physical disability which means that I have a limmited amount of energy. I would be unreliable because I end up in hospital (very annoying) and it is true to say that if you are alot of physical pain, it is difficult to be around people. Dealing with pain makes people irritable when they don't mean to be. I think anyone who finds the time to lead Scouts and Guides has got my respect.
--------------------
"Has your soul lost shape?is it too torn to heal?let my whole world be draped over its foreignness of feeling" Roddy Frame lyrics "high class music"
Posts: 86 | From: Manchester | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Aggie
Ship's cat
# 4385
|
Posted
The Brownie/Guide and Cub/Scout movement where I lived was very closely affiliated to the church, and attending Church Parade was more or less compulsory, as was attendance at the Harvest Festival and the Carol Concert.
Before Church Parade, we used to stand outside the church for ages, before we were allowed to process in. I can remember Church Parade in winter being a grim experience, especially if it was very cold - as we were not allowed to wear coats or gloves, and our Guide uniforms consisted of a knee length navy blue skirt, white socks and a blue cotton blouse, as well as a hat and yellow woggle. I remember once we were standing outside in the churchyard in a sleety, snowy gale, and I was so cold that I wrapped the flag from the standard around my hands to keep them warm. The DC who was "inspecting" us noticed, and gave me a severe telling off for this. (Cannot imagine today's kids putting up with that sort of thing.)
I really enjoyed camping, although I think only went once or twice with the Guides, as we didn't do a lot of outdoorsy things. Although in the very hot summer of 1983? or 84 (whichever was the hottest) we shared a camp near Corfe Castle, Dorset, with a couple of other Guide troops, and it was great. We went hiking, rambling and canoeing, which I really enjoyed (and still do!). We also did rifle shooting (I didn't care for this very much, as I was terrified in case I accidentally killed someone! And also I bruised my shoulder from the kickback.)
We also swam in the sea and in a river near the camp - no one bothered, or concerned themselves about Weils Disease, poisonous algae etc, in those days.
My culinary skills were honed cooking over the fire at camp, and one day we cooked a meal for the visiting local DC and ADC, and their husbands.
We learned how to make a bedding roll, and how to make storage racks for bedding rolls and other items out of sticks. (And if you didn't do this properly, and it rained, then your sleeping bag and sheets got wet!) The only things I didn't enjoy about camping were having to empty the latrines, and not being able to have a proper wash. We made a "stand" for a wash basin (plastic washing up bowl) out of long sticks lashed together, and that was the only facility we had for washing both ourselves and our clothes.
[ 07. August 2007, 10:45: Message edited by: Aggie ]
--------------------
“I see his blood upon the rose
And in the stars the glory of his eyes,
His body gleams amid eternal snows,
His tears fall from the skies.”
(Joseph Mary Plunkett 1887-1917)
Posts: 581 | From: A crazy, crazy world | Registered: Apr 2003
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisymay
St Elmo's Fire
# 1480
|
Posted
My mother had an older sister who was a Girl Guide many years ago, and mum stood and jeered at them trying to march well through the streets in Dundee; mum went to a kirk that had a retired Sergeant Major who insisted on proper marching in the Girls' Guildry and Boys Brigade - so she was perfect at all marching movements.
My brother was a Scout, wearing kilt as uniform, greeted by Chief MacLean because he had the same kilt, and camped and cooked and hiked and mountain climbed for years.
My sister was a Brownie and a Guide and then a Guide Captain for ages till the Methodist Church she and her partner worked in (for the Guides and Scouts) banned them from being leaders because they hadn't had a wedding and they were expecting their first child. (They've been together for nearly 40 years ![[Cool]](cool.gif) ) Their kids have all been Scouts/Guides in the mixed groups and at least on of them is a leader now. The whole family is part of the SAGA, Scout and Guide Association, which meets regularly for camping and doing some necessary work, usually ecological, in UK or abroad.
I was a Brownie for a very, very short time, and my mum banned me from going because she said I was telling lies ![[Confused]](confused.gif) and I've never believed her about that.
I became a Ranger when I was 16, as it was started in our little town and a whole group of us joined. We were allowed to wear old army navy tops and the usual guide leather belts. It was a great group - we learned camping, hill-walking and mountain walking, map reading and compass following, all the sort of making fires and cooking that you see nowadays on the survival programmes on TV, and some of us went on to be leaders - I was a Tawny Owl when I was at uni and ended up as one of a group who went to Germany and stayed there, in Kassel, all summer and included a camp.
In London I was a Guide leader and a camp leader, usually out to the Beckonsfield area; the senior leader had them wear swimsuits when it was bucketing with rain.
I've always had to do the knotting and pole making, pole cutting and proper fires, not gas, and it's been very useful for nowadays - our NWine lot have learned to camp properly and look after their tents properly even although they weren't Scouts.
My great-uncle was also a Guide Captain - in individual performances and Pantomime Dame times. He'd be the only one who insisted in showing his "fleecy pants".
--------------------
London
Flickr fotos
Posts: 11224 | From: London - originally Dundee, Blairgowrie etc... | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
Raineyseason
Shipmate
# 12854
|
Posted
Daisymay that is a weird reason for your mother to stop you being a Brownie.
--------------------
"Has your soul lost shape?is it too torn to heal?let my whole world be draped over its foreignness of feeling" Roddy Frame lyrics "high class music"
Posts: 86 | From: Manchester | Registered: Jul 2007
| IP: Logged
|
|
Mamacita
Lakefront liberal
# 3659
|
Posted
Be that as it may, I expect it's a long family story. Here's the one I'd rather hear about: quote:
My great-uncle was also a Guide Captain - in individual performances and Pantomime Dame times. He'd be the only one who insisted in showing his "fleecy pants".
I don't think that US scouts have a tradition like that, so, can someone explain the "fleecy pants" to me?
--------------------
Do not be daunted by the enormity of the world’s grief. Do justly, now. Love mercy, now. Walk humbly, now. You are not obligated to complete the work, but neither are you free to abandon it.
Posts: 20761 | From: where the purple line ends | Registered: Dec 2002
| IP: Logged
|
|
daisymay
St Elmo's Fire
# 1480
|
Posted
quote:
Originally posted by Mamacita:
Be that as it may, I expect it's a long family story. Here's the one I'd rather hear about: quote:
My great-uncle was also a Guide Captain - in individual performances and Pantomime Dame times. He'd be the only one who insisted in showing his "fleecy pants".
I don't think that US scouts have a tradition like that, so, can someone explain the "fleecy pants" to me?
A bit about not dressing cool and wearing lots of make-up..
GS Melvin
click on that name and performance and you'll see ancient Guides and the old uniforms - and once or twice his knickers being shown to the audience.
--------------------
London
Flickr fotos
Posts: 11224 | From: London - originally Dundee, Blairgowrie etc... | Registered: Oct 2001
| IP: Logged
|
|
|
Printer-friendly view
