Being in the Cub Scouts........
Discussion
I just met up with some members of my family and as you do, started reminiscing about the old days. Anyway, we got on to my time in the cub scouts and much hilarity followed. My memory not being what it should be, I was struggling to recall how many badges I managed to get in my time there.....It seems that 1 badge was about the size of it... If I remember rightly it was a science badge, obtained due to the fact that I managed to grow a crystal, by dangling a piece of cotton in a cup filled with this blue liquid, over a period of a number of weeks. I'm sure Akela gave the badge to me, because she felt sorry for me.
My Mum, then recalled the immense pride she felt at my "promotion" to "Sixer" and the fact that I then held a position of responsibility within the group. How I got this is beyond me as I only managed to get myself 1 badge. I tried remembering what the actual advantages of being a "Sixer" were and racked my brains but could comeup with nothing other than, I got to sleep next to the tent door (which was actually far from an advantage, as I was always the coldest) and also that when forming a line of bodies, for whatever reason, I was put at the head of the queue.
Needless to say I failed to see the advantage of becoming a full on scout and starting BMX'ing instead.
Ahhh those were the days......
>>> Edited by anniesdad on Thursday 10th February 14:13
My Mum, then recalled the immense pride she felt at my "promotion" to "Sixer" and the fact that I then held a position of responsibility within the group. How I got this is beyond me as I only managed to get myself 1 badge. I tried remembering what the actual advantages of being a "Sixer" were and racked my brains but could comeup with nothing other than, I got to sleep next to the tent door (which was actually far from an advantage, as I was always the coldest) and also that when forming a line of bodies, for whatever reason, I was put at the head of the queue.
Needless to say I failed to see the advantage of becoming a full on scout and starting BMX'ing instead.
Ahhh those were the days......
>>> Edited by anniesdad on Thursday 10th February 14:13
in my time i have been a:
beaver (i know - how funny)
cub
scout
cadet - (air cadet)
they were all great times but i get letters quite often from my old scout leaders looking for akelas. clearly there is a dearth of them atm, should i feel guilty about turning them down? if i was in a constant job i might have gone for it. for now though - it might be unfair as i might move away and so have to sever my connections.
ive also thought about being a civilian instructor at my local ATC. i could teach engines, principles of flight, survival etc.
again though - i cant offer consistency ATM which is what the guys really need.
as above, i really enjoyed my time in the relative groups and would love to give something back, but, not just yet. im sure i will in the future though, i think these groups have a lot to offer, not just for the kids, but also for those that teach them.
beaver (i know - how funny)
cub
scout
cadet - (air cadet)
they were all great times but i get letters quite often from my old scout leaders looking for akelas. clearly there is a dearth of them atm, should i feel guilty about turning them down? if i was in a constant job i might have gone for it. for now though - it might be unfair as i might move away and so have to sever my connections.
ive also thought about being a civilian instructor at my local ATC. i could teach engines, principles of flight, survival etc.
again though - i cant offer consistency ATM which is what the guys really need.
as above, i really enjoyed my time in the relative groups and would love to give something back, but, not just yet. im sure i will in the future though, i think these groups have a lot to offer, not just for the kids, but also for those that teach them.
I was a Scout here in the States for about a week I think...
...Did join the Civil Air Patrol at 14 and received training on single engined props. Actually had some stick time behind a large multi-engined prop as well (trip from Montgomery, Alabama to Brownsville, Texas).
Retired from the CAP as a cadet Captain shortly after discovering cars at about 16-17 years of age...
ErnestM
...Did join the Civil Air Patrol at 14 and received training on single engined props. Actually had some stick time behind a large multi-engined prop as well (trip from Montgomery, Alabama to Brownsville, Texas).
Retired from the CAP as a cadet Captain shortly after discovering cars at about 16-17 years of age...
ErnestM
I was in cubs when I was really little, I was a 2nd'er and remember a time when my mate Chris was stood in front of me when we lined up in our "6", Chris bent over and put his hands between his knees and said "Stu, you grab my hands and pull and I'll do a somersault" what actually happened was that Chris headbutted the parquet floor with his head going about 50mph, he split the side of his head open and bled everywhere. I never understood why I got in loads of trouble for that.
Akela, it's the truth!
>> Edited by love machine on Thursday 10th February 14:34
Akela, it's the truth!
>> Edited by love machine on Thursday 10th February 14:34
Was never bothered much about cubs but had a good time in the Scouts. My troop was good during my time and were near enough army without guns with the sort of good leadership, activities and genuine interest and pride in proper camping and bush craft .etc.
Got to see France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Italy, Austria, Lichtenstein.
Taught me both independence and team work.
Got to see France, Belgium, Luxemburg, Germany, Italy, Austria, Lichtenstein.
Taught me both independence and team work.
I've been through all the sections and am just now (and have been for ten years) a leader. Its damn hard work but (much as I imagine with being a teacher) if you can make the difference with just one kid it is deeply satisfying.
However, we're so constrained with rules and regulations nowadays it is taking the fun out of things a bit. You used to be able to take kids mountain biking, hiking, swimming etc without much trouble as long as you were sensible. I now need a formal qualification for each of these things. The hillwalking alone is two full weeks of assessment once every two years, out of my holidays, which I have to pay for (several hundred pounds). You've got to love the UK nowadays.
However, I have in my time been to Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Chile and the USA with the Scouts.
>> Edited by Nevin on Thursday 10th February 14:53
However, we're so constrained with rules and regulations nowadays it is taking the fun out of things a bit. You used to be able to take kids mountain biking, hiking, swimming etc without much trouble as long as you were sensible. I now need a formal qualification for each of these things. The hillwalking alone is two full weeks of assessment once every two years, out of my holidays, which I have to pay for (several hundred pounds). You've got to love the UK nowadays.
However, I have in my time been to Estonia, Sweden, Denmark, Japan, South Korea, Brazil, Chile and the USA with the Scouts.
>> Edited by Nevin on Thursday 10th February 14:53
beaver, cub, sea scout. The sea scouts was cool, had my first ever car crash with them (was karting and one of the steering rods broke mid corner).
Had loads of fun in the sea scouts... karting, climbing, sailing, canoeing... even got our photos in a yachting mag as we narrowly avoided death at the hands of a large car ferry. The props on those things are pretty big.....
Had loads of fun in the sea scouts... karting, climbing, sailing, canoeing... even got our photos in a yachting mag as we narrowly avoided death at the hands of a large car ferry. The props on those things are pretty big.....
vetteheadracer said:
....is illegal
(unless your name is Michael Jackson)
Sorry I'll get my coat
You tend to get fairly sick of jokes like this when you are a leader. Another reason for not doing it nowadays. Its good to see the PC parts of society destroying the parts that make it worthwile living in in the first place.
Not having a go at you VHR, just generally exasperated by this kind of thing.
Nevin said:
....is illegal
(unless your name is Michael Jackson)
Sorry I'll get my coat
You tend to get fairly sick of jokes like this when you are a leader. Another reason for not doing it nowadays. Its good to see the PC parts of society destroying the parts that make it worthwile living in in the first place.
Not having a go at you VHR, just generally exasperated by this kind of thing.
Also prevents men from becoming teachers therefore increasing the feminisation (i.e. touch-feely, anti-competitive, can't do any wrong) attitude prevalent in schools nowadays.
I blame the 1960's feminists for starting this PC/anti-men culture.
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