We follow a visit The Bear Grylls Adventure at the NEC in Birmingham, with Big Man in the woods, testing their nerves,courage and Scouting Skills.
News
Gilwell Park
Gilwell Park celebrated 100yrs in 2019 since it was purchased back in 1919. So here’s ten Facts about Gilwell Park that you might not know.
1- The Dorothy Hughes Pack Holiday Centre was built in 1970 by fitting interlocking logs together from a Norwegian tree, with no nails used to construct the original frame.
2- The land which will now know as. Gilwell Park was previously owned by King Henry VIII, who built a hunting lodge for his son Edward. A later owner of the land built around the lodge, which eventually became the White House
3- The Greenwich Meridian (the line of zero longitude) runs through the campsite
4- Behind the White House is the stone ballustrade from the London Bridge which was pulled down in 1923. The rest of the bridge is in Lake Havasu City, Arizona.
5- The campsite is believed to be haunted. For more than 60 years no one would live in the house. Those ghostly noises were later traced to a hidden well. The ghost of Margaret Chinnery has been seen along the Lime Walk that she planted. *Another reason why you should attend Scarefest at Gilwell Park*
6- The Gilwell Oak was voted England’s Tree of the Year by the public in 2017
7- A 2nd World War air-raid created the “Bomb Hole” which was enlarged and is used for canoeing
8- On the Buffalo Lawn is a bronze Buffalo, given by the Boy Scouts of America in memory of the unknown Scout who led to the creation of the Boy Scouts in America
9- In 1736 the highwayman Dick Turpin began using Gilwell’s forests to conceal himself and for ambushing travellers and freight along roads leading into London. Legend has it that he used to hide behide the famous Gilwell Oak Tree and pounce out on his victims from behide the Gilwell Oak.
10- Gilwell Park can hold up to 10,000 campers at any one time
Do you know any other Gilwell Park facts? We’d love to know them 🙂
Adapted from Big man in the woods
13 annoying things you can say to a scout leader
There are endless positives to being a Scout Leader but that doesn’t mean it comes without it’s sterotypes.
There are a few things people – outside of Scouting – wrongly assume about being a Scout Leader , like we all get paid and it’s all about camping…
Below you will find 13 of the most annoying things you could say to a Scout Leader
We can all relate….
1-Isn’t Scouts all about Knots?
NOPE!!
With over 100 activities badges ranging from 1st Aid to Kayaking, there are activities for everyone and yes you can still learn how to tie a clove hitch!
2- How much do you get paid?
Yes there are paid roles within Scouting, these are mainly based at Gilwell Park HQ but there are over 154k volunteers within Scouting in the UK ranging from Scout leaders to adults who seat on the executive board to volunteers behide the scenes such as the Group Quarter Master.
3- There’s no bacon for breakfast on camp!
A Scout leader’s worse nightmare on camp unless you don’t eat Bacon!
4- Cheapest babysitter I could ever have!
Every Scout Leader will hear this from time to time… Its true Scouting is much cheaper than a babysitter–it’s a Fact!
5- It’s only 2 hours a week!
No one actually knows where this quote started from. Everyone has heard it. But in actual fact you can volunteer within Scouting for just 2hours a week.
There is a role for every one!
6- Sorry I can’t possibly help. I have 2 children and I work full time.
Another quote I’m pretty sure ALL Scout Leader’s have heard and will continue to hear. Most of our volunteers do actually have full time work and started volunteering while they has children in beavers, cubs or scouts…. they could see the impact we make and still they continued after their scouts had moved on!
7- Johnny has come back without a plastic bowl, a left sock, and his toothpaste, please let me know when these are found so I can come and pick them up.
We often get asked if we can drop that item around to the house or re open up the Scout Hall. But Nope sorry… make sure it’s labelled and we will get it back to you at the next meeting. Leader want to get back to their own families from time to time 🙂
8- I didn’t know about that, I don’t check my emails very often…
Even if you snail mail, text or what’s app that parent, they will still claim they never received that message! Is this you?
9-Why don’t you run through the holidays?
Some groups do continue running through School Holidays. But for we valur our leaders… some of them have young children too!
10- Why have you picked a campsite an hour away on a Friday evening? I’ve had to leave work early to get him here, it’s really inconvenient.
Yes, this comment happens …. perhaps take time out to think about the leaders that have spent weeks, sometimes months planning the weekend for you little darling… may be taking his/her annual leave to accomodate it.
11- We’ll be off on holiday…. Would you mind dropping him off at home after camp?
Or we are at the cinema, Could you look after little Johnny for another Hour please because we are still out at the restaurant. Don’t even think it!
And the most annoying thing you can say to a Scout Leader is…
Dyb Dyb Dyb!!
Please note “Dyb Dyb Dyb” has not been used officially in scouting since 1967.
Adapted from Big man in the woods
What’s the point in a woggle?
Well, there’s many reasons, but it all started back in 1896, when the founder of scouting, Lord Baden-Powell, while off at war was working with an American born scout, called Frederick Russell Burnham, who gave him the idea of the scarf.
Frederick Russell Burnham
A sketch of Frederick Russell Burnham by Baden Powell
Where did it come from and why do we have it? Well, when scouting started, it was just a bit of cloth, the scarf or the Necker, with a loose knot. It wasn’t actually anything. And over time, as we know now, the Necker got really creased and it looked ugly with just some random scarf.
Again, BP went back to America and he got the inspiration for using a bit of bone. So William Hillcourt (August 6, 1900 – November 9, 1992), known within the Scouting movement as “Green Bar Bill” took the idea of the American’s bone ring, but wanted something a bit better. So what he did, he went back to his shed and rustled up some ideas and he went to his sewing machine and he took some leather and he invented this thing as we know, called the Turk’s Head.
The inspiration comes from America and the Americans call it the Boon Doggle, Bill wanted to take the inspiration of America, but didn’t like the word boon doggle. He thought about it and he copied the idea and he came up with woggle because it rhymes with doggle. The Boon Doggle turned into the English woggle. After a few attempts, he made up this Turk’s Head using thin sewing machine leather. And then he presented it to the camp chief and also rumour has it, he gave it to the Chief Scout, and they gave it the all okay.
On the 9th of June 1923 in a scouting magazine, the woggle was born, There was an article in a magazine giving some ideas about having this woggle and it became very popular and very fashionable in scouting. And the scouts loved this idea of having a woggle rather than an ugly knot. They took it on board and it went crazy. But as we know, the Turk’s Head is only actually allowed to be worn by a leader who has done their wood badge. And that Turk’s Head wobble is known as the first Gilwell Woggle.
Baden-Powell references the woggle in the 14th edition The Scouts magazine in 1929. said, “It, the scarf, may be fastened at the throat by a knot or woggle, which is some form of ring made of cord, metal or bone or anything you like”. Previous editions only refer to it as a ring. The design of the Gilwell Woggle, formally the Turk’s Head knot, as I say, is only really allowed to be worn by members of the first Gilwell Park who have done their wood beads and completed their training. But now it’s fashionable for anyone to do it.
There’s lots of different designs of the Turk’s Head, lots of Scouts actually do it, part of their camp craft and make them out of para cord, some amazing stuff and also some stuff that the Turk’s Head made out of LED lights. And there are hundreds of designs of woggles antler, bone, leather, plastic, many ones that we all do as scouts and make it ourselves to make a bit more personalized.
It’s a scout woggle woggle, is what we call it. Yeah, but there we are. The history of why scouts wear these, the woggle, or is it the boondoggle? I’ll leave it to you.
Adapted from big man in the woods
Why do scouts wear neckers?
Why do Scouts wear Neckerchiefs
A Scout Scarf or otherwise known as a Necker is made from triangular piece of cloth. The long edge is rolled towards the point, leaving a portion unrolled. The Scarf is then secured at the two ends either woggle or tied using a Friendship knot. So, Why do Scouts wear Scarfs?
Photograph by Sam Longhurt Photography
The origin of the Scouting Scarf/ neckerchief seems to be in Robert Baden-Powell’s participation in the Second Matabele War in 1896; where he worked with Frederick Russell Burnham, an American-born scout employed by the British Army.
BP copied Frederick’s practical style of dress, including “a grey-coloured handkerchief, loosely tied around the neck to prevent sunburn”. When Baden-Powell launched the Scout Movement with the book Scouting for Boys in 1908, he prescribed a neckerchief or scarf as part of the Scout uniform, which he stated was “very like the uniform worn by my men when I commanded the South African Constabulary”. He continued; “Every Troop has its own scarf colour, since the honour of your Troop is bound up in the scarf, you must be very careful to keep it tidy and clean.”
Initially, Scout neckerchiefs were tied with a variety of knots, but the use of a “woggle” or slide, originated in the United States in the early 1920s and quickly spread around the Scouting world.
Each Scout group would have a neckerchief of different design and colours. In most countries each Scout Troop uses its own colour Scarf. The colours are usually the “Troop Colours” which may have a historical significance to the troop or to the local community.
Baden-Powell designed the Neckerchief to protect the neck from sunburn, but even more important than this intended function was B-P’s eye as an artist. Around the world, a full-sized Neckerchief is the most striking aspect of the Scout Uniform! The size of a Traditional Boy Scout Neckerchief is a square 32″ X 32,” and it is worn over the collar.
Photography by Sam Longhurst Photography
This came across the pond in America…
The Neckerchief as a reminder of the Scout Oath and Law (from uscouts.org) My first Scoutmaster taught the importance of the Scout Oath and Law using the Neckerchief. He would hold the open neckerchief in his hands and remind the young scouts of what the last item of clothing they put on when they were getting dressed for the meeting was, his neckerchief.
The Scoutmaster then said that it was no coincidence that the neckerchief had 3 sides, just like the three parts of the Scout oath. He would run a side through his fingers and say “On my honour, I’ll do my best. To do my duty to God” The first and longest side is to remind you of your long-standing duty to God. This whole side is hidden from view, just as your faith is deep inside you. But without that faith, there is no strength for the rest.
Holding on to the neckerchief by the point he would run the next side through his fingers and say, “To help other people at all times….” This shorter side is to remind you of your duty to help others. Remember it is some of this duty that shows to others, just like part of this side of your neckerchief shows. So do your duty to others well so that people might see the good work you do in the name of Scouting.
The last side also shows. He would say “To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight.” This last side is your duty to yourself. This shows to others as well. They will know that by seeing your uniform, you are a young man who is physically fit. Has a strong moral foundation and who is not apt to fall into the temptations of drugs and alcohol. He would then say that this was a means by which we could remember the Scout Oath, every time we got dressed in uniform.
Of course we call it the scout promise now, and we have different versions for inclusivity for differnt cultures, but maybe you can share with your young person so that they may use it to help them remember the promise they made at investure.
Well there you go, the reason why us Scouts all wear Scarfs.
Adapted from Big man in the woods
AGM 2021
Hello everyone
We are now back to face to face meetings thankfully. We hope all your Beavers, Cubs and Scouts are now getting back into the swing of things.
We wanted to let you know that we have set our 2021 Annual General Meeting (AGM) for the 12th of July at 19:30. We will be hosting by a zoom meeting this year again. The invite has gone out on Facebook.
We hope you can attend the short meeting. Join us to find out how we have managed the group over the past year, and have your say how we run the next year.
What is an AGM?
The aim of the AGM is to provide the trustees and/or officers the opportunity to explain their management of the charity or organisation to the members. It also provides the members with an opportunity to ask questions before voting on business items on the agenda.
Volunteering
We will be appointing new members to the Exec at the AGM. We have recently recruited a new Secretary, who will be appointed at the meeting and we are hoping that our existing team will continue for another year. However we are short on parent representatives to join us.
What is a Parent Rep?
Parent Reps sit on the Scout Group’s Executive Committee. … They are there to raise any issues parents may have with their child’s Section, or as a point of liaison if a parent feels they have any great fund-raising ideas, or wishes to help out at an event or activity.
So you see, it is important that we have a rep from each of our sections. As an Exec team we meet bi-monthly, so there is not an overwhelming commitment to attend lots and lots of meetings. Is this something you could help with? If so, please get in touch with our Group Scout Leader, Sharon, on sharon@alwaysout.co.uk or Facebook or indeed any leader in your childs section.
Documents for the 2021 AGM can be found here.
Return to face to face meetings
Hello everyone, I hope you are all staying safe and well.
There are a few things that you need to be aware of for returning to face to face meetings.
According to scout rules from Head Quarters, we are now allowed to meet face to face inside or outside (outside preferably, however with dark nights upon us, this will prove difficult in the coming months).
We can meet with a maximum number of 15 young people and 5 leaders. (Carers are in addition to this and not counted in the numbers).
We have been trialling the scout section for the past couple of weeks. Therefore we now have a process in place to be able to start the beaver and cub sections.
The new systems
- When dropping off your young person, you (adults) should remain in your car.
- The young person should go to the “meet and greet” leader who will be outside the building to register attendance and sanitise their hands.
- They will then be directed to their designated meeting area.
- When collecting young people, we ask you to wait outside the building and the leaders will be bring out the young people in their designated group.
- It is a requirement that scouts wear a face covering and whilst it is not a requirement for beavers and cubs to wear a mask, they may do so if they wish.
- Hand sanitising stations will be set up and young people will be encouraged to use them at regular intervals. Scouts are being asked to ring their own mini bottle of sanitiser with them.
- In the process of planning, we will do our best to have none contact activities.
- All young people must have up to date emergency contact numbers. Please ensure we have this information.
Returning dates:
CUBS
Hipper Cubs and Rother cubs will be returning on the week commencing 12th October, So Monday evenings will meet on the 12th and the Friday evenings will meet on the 16th. Due to the large numbers in the cub sections we cannot meet with all young people, therefore we will be splitting the section and young people will be meeting on a fortnightly basis.
Leaders will be in touch to let you know which group your child will be in, in the near future. Group 1 will meet on the 12th or 16th and group 2 will be issued with an activity to undertake at home, then the following week group 2 will meet up and group one will be working on an activity at home and visa versa, until further notice is given from HQ regarding number changes.
BEAVERS
Both Hipper and Rother beavers will be starting week commencing 2nd November, so Monday section will meet on the 2nd and Friday section will meet on the 6th November.
SUBS
Payment of subs will re-commence from the 1st November. Unfortunately, there will be an increase to £15 per month, please amend your standing orders accordingly from that date. This is due to the lack of subs being paid during the pandemic, with insurance still having to be paid in February for each young person and leaders. The Exec team feel that this is reasonably the way forward, having not had an increase for many years, and will still offer excellent value for your young person.
PARENT ROTA
Of course we still need your help to run our sessions, so please speak to your leader to offer a night to help out.
4 WEEK CHALLENGE
We are short of leaders, is this something you have been thinking about but not yet sure? The four week challenge is a gradual introduction over four weeks that shows new volunteers how much they can get out of volunteering at the Scouts – new skills, new friendships, new experiences, and a sense of making a difference to the lives of young people in their community. Is this for you? It’s like a try before you buy scenario. Talk to a leader if you are interested, or email sharon@alwaysout.co.uk to discuss in more detail.
Or if you think you don’t have the time to dedicate fully, or don’t fancy the uniform and training, why not think about becoming a section assistant. Again talk with a leader or Sharon for more information.
Films that spark Scouting values (Pt3)
Welcome to our third and final week of movies with scouting values. This week we will be looking at Mulan, Beasts of the Southern Wild and The boy who harnessed wind.
Have you seen any of the films we have featured over the last few weeks? If you have, let’s know your thoughts. Please leave comments below, tell us what you thought about them.
Mulan (1998)
Suitable for: Beavers and up
It’s the 15th century and China is facing invasion from the Huns, a nomadic tribe keen to conquer the land. In an effort to gather defence, one man from every family is called to arms. But for the patriarch of the Fa family – a former warrior of great fame and respect – there are issues preventing him from fulfilling his duties. In old age, he cannot walk properly, and is certain to perish as soon as he steps into battle. That’s when his brave daughter, Mulan – tired of being mocked for being too ambitious and too tomboyish – decides to go on a secret mission to prove her worth in a society she feels is yet to acknowledge it. One dark and stormy night, she prays to her family’s ancestors for protection before fleeing into the heart of the conflict, dressed in her farther’s armour and disguised as a man. What follows is a classic Disney story of bravery, honour and a quest for love and truth – with a difference. Released at a time where the only other princesses on screen were mostly seen swanning around in big ball gowns and fainting
at the feet of their admirers, it stood out for all the right reasons, and continues to show girls they can do anything.
Scout values: integrity, belief, co-operation
Beasts of the Southern Wild (2012)
Suitable for: Cubs and up
‘The whole universe depends on everything fitting together just right. If one piece busts, even the smallest piece, the entire universe will get busted.’ Set in the fictional landscape of the Bath Tub (often compared to areas of New Orleans after Hurricane Katrina), this is the tale of Hushpuppy, a heroic six year old who – faced with a changing climate that threatens to flood what remains of her childhood home – decides to fight back. Along the the way, she must sail the seas, battle ancient creatures unleashed from the melting ice caps, and find her feet in an increasingly hostile world. It’s a fable that’s hard to describe, but don’t let the quirky appearance fool you. Beneath the whimsey is a film of lasting depth: a celebration of friendship forged across generations, the power of imagination and the importance of never giving up. It’s a tough watch in places, with moderate swearing and several harsh truth bombs that reveal the deep divide between the rich and the poor. But watch it with young people aged eight and above and it’s sure to become a firm favourite.
Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation
The Boy who Harnessed the Wind (2019)
Suitable for: Scouts and up
It’s 2001 in Malawi and the Kamkwamba family, like many others in the region, are struggling to make ends meet. Despite the burdensome financial costs, parents Trywell and Agnes try to keep on top of their children’s education. But when 13 year old William is forced to leave school after they fall behind on his payments, he becomes determined to help not only his family but the whole community, who are all doing their best to deal with an escalating famine
as violence and panic begin to break out. Inspired by instructions he finds in a a library book, William becomes
obsessed with the potential and wonder of basic engineering and building techniques, rising early and going to bed late in order to tirelessly research and work on a wind-powered device that he hopes will help to restore the land, and save as many people as possible while there’s still time. What follows is an amazing true story of a real-life hero; a
remarkable teen who harnessed his initiative and curiosity to change his community – before becoming one of
the world’s most famous engineers.
Scout values: integrity, co-operation
Words: Aimee-lee Abraham | Illustrations: Maria Suarez-Inclan. Courtesy of Summer Scouting Magazine
2020 AGM – Make a note of the date
An ‘AGM’ is an Annual General Meeting, open to all members. 13th July 2020 at 18:30
So, what is an AGM?
An Annual General Meeting, commonly referred to as an AGM, is a formal meeting which is held once
a year. It is a legal requirement for voluntary organisations that have company status, like our scout group.
It is good a good time for us to review of the year and deal with issues such as the
election of committee/board members and reviewing the annual accounts. Although it is a formal
meeting, it is also be a good opportunity to communicate with members, so we hope you can join us.
We would like to invite you to our online Zoom 2020 AGM meeting. We hope you can spare a little time find out how we are doing, and have a say on how we run the group next year.
Below you can find the link to join us and you can also look up the documentation on our AGM page.
Topic: 3rd (St Thomas’s) Brampton Scout Group Time: Jul 13, 2020 06:30 PM London
Join the AGM Zoom Meeting here
Meeting ID: 744 4145 3261 Password: 1qM2g1
We look forward to seeing you.
Films that spark Scouting values (Pt2)
Another weeks round up of films to catch up on. This week we are looking at Song of the Sea, The Goonies and My life as a Courgette:
Song of the Sea (2004)
Suitable for: Cubs and up
This film’s beautiful hand-drawn animations breathe life into the most magical of Celtic myths, capturing the story of the selkies – mythical creatures capable of theriantrophy: the art of changing from animal (in this case, seal) to human form. The story follows Ben, a 10 year old boy who lives with his father, Conor, sister, Saoirse, and sheepdog, Cu, in a lighthouse near the Irish shore.
When Saoirse is brought into the world, his mother vanishes. People claim she died in childbirth, but to Ben, things can’t be as they seem. Could it be that Saoirse – born mute – is not only responsible for Mum’s disappearance, but a selkie in disguise? Why is Dad acting so weird? And what really lies beneath the depths of the sea that borders their
home? Exploring grief from a child’s perspective, this film might not be suitable for those who’ve lost a parent,
especially recently. But in the end, it remains a powerful – and surprisingly funny – tale about finding voices literally and metaphorically), accepting how we feel (even when it’s sad or scary), and doing everything we can to protect those we love.
Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation
The Goonies (1985)
Suitable for: (Older) Scouts and up
Though this ’80s classic features several big scares and swears that will render it unsuitable for some young people, it remains an absolute favourite at camps and sleepovers – and it’s not difficult to figure why.
It follows the treacherous trail of a group of kids who stumble upon a treasure map in their parents’ attic. Then they find themselves being pursued by a hook-slinging, car-chasing gang of criminals who also want dibs on the treasure. There are near-impossible clues to solve and labyrinths to navigate, crazy cool gadgets to try out and booby traps
to dodge; pirate ships to climb aboard and crushes to win over – all the ingredients kids so dearly love. And beyond the (now-dated) special effects, over the top stunts and oversized props, there’s a crucial message, too: about being yourself and standing by your friends and siblings – even if they’re considered outcasts by the ‘cool’ kids – and
making sure no one gets left behind. Because Goonies, like Scouts, never give up, never give in, and know that
true friendship is worth more than its weight in gold.
Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation
My Life as a Courgette (2016)
Suitable for: (Older) Cubs and up
When we’re introduced to nine year old Icare, aka Courgette, he’s alone in his bedroom, surrounded by worn down crayons and spilled beer cans. Downstairs, his mother burps and yells at the TV. A ripped up family photo lies on the floor and an argument breaks out. After a terrible fight, Courgette finds himself sent to a children’s home where, in the words of one long-time resident, ‘Everybody’s the same: there’s no one left to love us’. What follows is a hilarious, heart wrenching insight into the care system, from the point of view of those within it. Blending wry dialogue with hartwarming stop-motion animation and a great soundtrack, it’s a unique and irresistible tale of resilience, hope and humour in the face of life’s bleakest scenarios; a testament to the power of the families we create for ourselves, geniously disguised as a harmless children’s film. Suitable for adults (who’ll be bowled over by its brilliance and tenderness) and young people (who will rightly miss some of the film’s underlying themes, but gain lots nonetheless): we can’t recommend it highly enough.
Scout values: integrity, care, co-operation
Words: Aimee-lee Abraham | Illustrations: Maria Suarez-Inclan. Courtesy of Summer Scouting Magazine
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