Scouts...

[ianrauk]

1st Morden, Surrey.
Assistant Patrol Leader, Woodpecker Patrol
Yellow/Green scarf, (a whittled from wood) woggle.
Proudest moment was my patrol winning the District Scouting Trophy for the first time for the group.


Tried the Boys Brigade... I didn't last long there

And your good selves? Cubs, Scouts, Boys Brigade, Brownies, Guides?

 

[Fnaar]

I was made to leave the cubs. After 2 yrs, I didn't even have my bronze arrow, as being a young republican, I refused to do a project on the royal family. My attempt getting a 'collecting' badge was 6 toy cars I picked up from around the house on my way out. They felt I wasn't taking it seriously enough. They were right. My priorities were playing for the footy team (on the right wing), and larking about.

 

[akb]

Cubs, then Cub scouts, then Venture Scouts, then Air Cadets, from Cadet through to Flight Sgt. I miss the Cadet days! Probably the most valuable 6yrs of my life. Learnt so much.

Congrats on the Trophy. What did it involve to win?

 

[ianrauk]

Cubs, then Cub scouts, then Venture Scouts, then Air Cadets, from Cadet through to Flight Sgt. I miss the Cadet days! Probably the most valuable 6yrs of my life. Learnt so much.

Congrats on the Trophy. What did it involve to win?

All the usual Scouting stuff. Orienteering to set points where there were Scouting tests. Tent putting upping, lighting fire and cooking etc

 

[Beebo]

1st Oxshott Cubs and Scouts.

I loved it, the summer camps were fabulous. We used to wander about the woods with knives down our socks, and no one batted an eyelid. That was only 20 years ago. You couldnt do that now.

 

[ianrauk]

1st Oxshott Cubs and Scouts.

I loved it, the summer camps were fabulous. We used to wander about the woods with knives down our socks, and no one batted an eyelid. That was only 20 years ago. You couldnt do that now.

indeed, loved the camping 2 weeks during school holidays.

 

[col]

53rd venus cubs 1968/70 ? In cyprus. We toured the island playing all the other troops in football and did very well too. That was my last interest in football. Loved all my time in the cubs, was made a sixer too. Left cyprus after three years and came back to england. Tried the cubs here but found them totally different and lacking, never stayed.

 

[swee'pea99]

'Larking about' can be a priority?
I was in the self-dubbed 'Dirty Thirty' - the Hammersmith & Fulham 30th, for about five years, from ten-ish to 15-ish, and loved every minute. Scouts really was the highlight of my week; and the camps, the highlight of my year. I was lucky enough to have very humane and pragmatic leaders who made it clear they weren't fazed by anyone who paid lip service at best to all that God, Queen & Country stuff; though they were bears at the stuff that mattered, like honesty, integrity, looking out for the younger kids and not being a big girl's blouse.

Even now, 35+ years on, I look back on it with real fondness, and appreciation for its legacy - both practically (I can chop wood, light a fire and cook a wholesome meal - and if I tie it on the roof-rack, it stays tied) and morally. Scouts probably contributed more to my basic outlook on life than any other single factor - parents included. And for the good - of that I'm certain.

 

[alecstilleyedye]

cubs, made seconder then sixer of black six (coincidentally, my favourite colour later in life), and then into scouts where i was, i kid you not, in beaver patrol.

i left after a year as i got bored and at least the drama club had girls. i really wish i'd kept the little label with beaver patrol on though, me subsequently becoming a pwei fan…

my eldest son now does cubs, girls are allowed to these days… can't help feeling that the whole thing has been slightly 'feminised as a result'; i don't recall doing a lot of drawing and making cakes when i was a cub, more 'stockades' and running about…

 

[accountantpete]

Cubs and Scouts until that fateful day when believing my mate was hiding in the toilet cubicle I kicked the door open to reveal the scout leader "relieving himself".

 

[Toshiba Boy]

Another "Air Training Corps", 84 Squadron, Baginton Airport, Coventry. c6 years (12-18) of great fun, flying, gliding, shooting, Duke of Edinburgh Awards etc., not all at the same time, mind. Managed to get to Flight Sergeant.

 

[fossyant]

Got as far as cubs - ours was run by an old lady - iron lady, and wasn' half as fun as it is now.

My son has progressed through Beavers into Scouts. I helped run Beavers for about 3 years but gave up last year after my shoulder op (and a row with a parent over bullying) I also helped out at cub camps as an extra pair of hands. Most of the folk running it have been doing so for years, so it can be a little clique, but they were generally great. One thing is parents, and lack of assistance - glorified baby sitting, oh and how they loved the camp weekends - getting rid of their kids for 2 days !

Unfortunately, can't be doing with 5-6 year olds swinging off my knackered shoulder anymore !

 

[ianrauk]

Son # 1 didn't enjoy the Cubs for some reason so didn't progress to the Scouts and I never pushed it on him. Hopefully son # 2 will enjoy it more. And I will definitely sign up as a helper.

Scouts - great days.

 

[Tim Hall]

Son # 1 didn't enjoy the Cubs for some reason so didn't progress to the Scouts and I never pushed it on him. Hopefully son # 2 will enjoy it more. And I will definitely sign up as a helper.

Scouts - great days.

Good man. They're crying out for more adult help. It doesn't have to be the full uniformed leader thing, just the odd evening helping out. You could take them through their cyclist's badge.

"And now we come to the most important part of bike maintenance - cleaning it. And then cleaning it some more."

 

[johnny mcgurk]

Sea Scouts......asked to leave after 10 days. My mother wasn't too chuffed as she'd just forked out for the hat and one of those peculiar ribbed jumpers with patches on the elbows an shoulders.