Scout and cubs
Discussion
I was in cubs, scouts and venture scouts through the mid 80s and early 90s and loved it. Camping, playing with fire and axes, it was fun.
I live in Germany now and for some reason they still tend to shy away from putting kids in uniforms, so it isn't something my own kids will experience.
I live in Germany now and for some reason they still tend to shy away from putting kids in uniforms, so it isn't something my own kids will experience.
My daughter goes to Brownies, she seems to really enjoy it. She's an only child, so we try to expose her to as much extra curricular social interaction as possible.
I went to Beavers, Cubs and Scouts when I was a kid, not sure I enjoyed it, I didn't go to Scouts for very long. The group was very cliquey consisting of the 'not cool' kids from school, so they were determined to be the top dogs in this environment and liked to make life difficult for newbies. Still it builds character and all that, things are a lot more inclusive now I'm sure. I think my parents just wanted shut of me for a few hours so sent me.
I went to Beavers, Cubs and Scouts when I was a kid, not sure I enjoyed it, I didn't go to Scouts for very long. The group was very cliquey consisting of the 'not cool' kids from school, so they were determined to be the top dogs in this environment and liked to make life difficult for newbies. Still it builds character and all that, things are a lot more inclusive now I'm sure. I think my parents just wanted shut of me for a few hours so sent me.
nismocat said:
I was a cub and then a scout in the early 80s. Used to go to Phasells Wood in Hertfordshire.
Absolutely hated it.
Anyone else?
Do your kids go?
Yep, was a Cub then a Scout, absolutely hated Scouts. Parents made me attend, I eventually became a bit of a dick and was kicked out.Absolutely hated it.
Anyone else?
Do your kids go?
Parents were involved with running our local pack in the 80 s so had no choice but to go and I did enjoy it.
We got to go to see behind the scenes at places like local fire, police and the local airport and ended up doing a three day hike around the Peak District as a Venture Scout which we, as a Team, organised from start to finish.
Think it gave me a bit more confidence than others to get out there and enjoy the outdoors and I can still read a map and navigate using a compass, might still come in useful!
We got to go to see behind the scenes at places like local fire, police and the local airport and ended up doing a three day hike around the Peak District as a Venture Scout which we, as a Team, organised from start to finish.
Think it gave me a bit more confidence than others to get out there and enjoy the outdoors and I can still read a map and navigate using a compass, might still come in useful!
It’s an excellent organisation. Nearly all run by volunteers and anyone paid is definitely not doing it for the money
Subscriptions for the term are cheap as and kids get to do all manner of cool things. I highly recommend it for all kids
I didn’t go myself but my son attends scouts and started back in beavers.
Safeguarding is important to consider and to that end, I volunteered as a leader some years back to see the processes etc. all very robust.
Subscriptions for the term are cheap as and kids get to do all manner of cool things. I highly recommend it for all kids
I didn’t go myself but my son attends scouts and started back in beavers.
Safeguarding is important to consider and to that end, I volunteered as a leader some years back to see the processes etc. all very robust.
My little one started squirrels before they started school.
It was really good as on the nervous first day of school she knew a good handful of kids her age and the year above
This has carried on into junior school where they get split up from friendship groups, they have a bunch of well balanced kids pre prepared.
They also go and do cool stuff - always a cop car / small fire appliance/ small life boat on a trailer in the car park thanks to helpful parents.
They do Christmas sleep overs - my kid is really really shy, non the less they come back having had a fantastic time
I am an occasional helper (basically when a few leaders are sick/ they need adult numbers to tick paper work)
I won’t force is once they are at secondary school, but hopefully they will carry on
It was really good as on the nervous first day of school she knew a good handful of kids her age and the year above
This has carried on into junior school where they get split up from friendship groups, they have a bunch of well balanced kids pre prepared.
They also go and do cool stuff - always a cop car / small fire appliance/ small life boat on a trailer in the car park thanks to helpful parents.
They do Christmas sleep overs - my kid is really really shy, non the less they come back having had a fantastic time
I am an occasional helper (basically when a few leaders are sick/ they need adult numbers to tick paper work)
I won’t force is once they are at secondary school, but hopefully they will carry on
Did Cubs, Scouts and Ventures.. had some amazing experiences.
Our Scout leader was ex-forces so had a few connections which enabled us to do all sorts of crazy things. Those that come to mind included rifle range at Wendover I think, hiking a lap of Guernsey (unassisted at about 13/14), trekking in the Brecon Beacons, winter survival camps with army ration packs and learning to trap rabbits/hares.
I did end up with a somewhat serious back injury after a climbing accident in the Peak district when I was about 16 or so.
One night that sticks in the mind was a sleepover at the scout hut, with snuck in alcohol, watching Quadrophenia on pirate video..
Our Scout leader was ex-forces so had a few connections which enabled us to do all sorts of crazy things. Those that come to mind included rifle range at Wendover I think, hiking a lap of Guernsey (unassisted at about 13/14), trekking in the Brecon Beacons, winter survival camps with army ration packs and learning to trap rabbits/hares.
I did end up with a somewhat serious back injury after a climbing accident in the Peak district when I was about 16 or so.
One night that sticks in the mind was a sleepover at the scout hut, with snuck in alcohol, watching Quadrophenia on pirate video..
I didn't enjoy it when I was a kid so was ambivalent about it but my wife was very keen for my son to go.
He went all the way through Beavers to Explorers and experienced some amazing trips and activities, as well as just chilling out and talking b
ks around a campfire. I'm really glad he attended and I think it's given him an independence and confidence he wouldn't have had otherwise.
It's a big thumbs up from me but I would say we were extremely fortunate with the leaders and volunteers who ran our local groups.
He went all the way through Beavers to Explorers and experienced some amazing trips and activities, as well as just chilling out and talking b
ks around a campfire. I'm really glad he attended and I think it's given him an independence and confidence he wouldn't have had otherwise.It's a big thumbs up from me but I would say we were extremely fortunate with the leaders and volunteers who ran our local groups.
I didn't like Scouts and left and joined CCF (Navy), but joined Venture Scouts later. Had a great time, lots of parties, drinking, camping, travel - all with lovely people.
My 2 kids joined cubs, one liked it the other didn't. Eldest has made it all the way through and at 18 has just left. He has the King's Scout Award, DoE Gold and a lifetime of brilliant memories. He has spent the last 4 years volunteering 3 hours a week cleaning our community, has spent lots of time mentoring younger Scouts, done lots of cool adventurous things and has a confidence beyond his years. His hobbies now include wild camping, wild swimming and pretty much anything adventurous. 3 months after passing his driving test he drove to Reykjavik from Cheshire, via the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. He's currently taking a year out before uni working 3 jobs to save enough to go traveling - he has mates who want to go with him, but he's favouring just going off on his own, so he can do what he wants to do and meet new people. I'm incredibly proud of him.
I suspect a lot has to do with the people running these things and the chap who ran my son's group was this awesome chilled bloke similar age to me who empowered the kids and was always super positive. Obviously my son being awesome is not solely down to Scouts (none Scout son is also pretty cool), my wife and I have always pushed our kids to be adventurous and bold, and instilled good values. But it definitely helped.
My 2 kids joined cubs, one liked it the other didn't. Eldest has made it all the way through and at 18 has just left. He has the King's Scout Award, DoE Gold and a lifetime of brilliant memories. He has spent the last 4 years volunteering 3 hours a week cleaning our community, has spent lots of time mentoring younger Scouts, done lots of cool adventurous things and has a confidence beyond his years. His hobbies now include wild camping, wild swimming and pretty much anything adventurous. 3 months after passing his driving test he drove to Reykjavik from Cheshire, via the Netherlands, Germany, Denmark and the Faroe Islands. He's currently taking a year out before uni working 3 jobs to save enough to go traveling - he has mates who want to go with him, but he's favouring just going off on his own, so he can do what he wants to do and meet new people. I'm incredibly proud of him.
I suspect a lot has to do with the people running these things and the chap who ran my son's group was this awesome chilled bloke similar age to me who empowered the kids and was always super positive. Obviously my son being awesome is not solely down to Scouts (none Scout son is also pretty cool), my wife and I have always pushed our kids to be adventurous and bold, and instilled good values. But it definitely helped.
I help take Scouts/cubs/guides/beavers/whatever they are caving most weeks. We CBA with child protection so we insist on having leaders along on trips. It is incredibly rewarding at times, but sometimes frustrating with their behaviour - in general, kids from poorer areas well behaved, listen to instructions, and your wealthier groups of Tarquins and Annabelles, do what they want and just fk around.
Some areas are really struggling with helpers. It seems everyone wants to drop their kids off, but very few want to help. It doesn't help when you talk about it and the default comment is that you're a kiddie fiddler.
k around.Some areas are really struggling with helpers. It seems everyone wants to drop their kids off, but very few want to help. It doesn't help when you talk about it and the default comment is that you're a kiddie fiddler.
I went to Scouts and one year the parents had a whip round and bought a couple of old coaches from the 60s which were renovated and then used for a trip to see the Olympic Games in Munich and we stayed in various places including tents! Once home the coaches were sold to recoup the cost and they never missed a beat for the entire trip.
They also had a mould to build fibreglass canoes which many of us did and would use them on the rivers in rural Wales and the local lido, good times!
They also had a mould to build fibreglass canoes which many of us did and would use them on the rivers in rural Wales and the local lido, good times!
vikingaero said:
I help take Scouts/cubs/guides/beavers/whatever they are caving most weeks. We CBA with child protection so we insist on having leaders along on trips. It is incredibly rewarding at times, but sometimes frustrating with their behaviour - in general, kids from poorer areas well behaved, listen to instructions, and your wealthier groups of Tarquins and Annabelles, do what they want and just fk around.
Some areas are really struggling with helpers. It seems everyone wants to drop their kids off, but very few want to help. It doesn't help when you talk about it and the default comment is that you're a kiddie fiddler.
I feel your frustration on the volunteering. I've helped where I can, but 12 years of running 2 football teams for the kids ate into my time. But we always tried to help where available and both my wife and I have separately been on annual camps and I'd always help with anything cycling related. However, it got to the point where we started to refuse to help as the parents of the younger cohorts never volunteered and relied on our cohort to look after their kids week in and week out (ours didn't need help at this point).k around.Some areas are really struggling with helpers. It seems everyone wants to drop their kids off, but very few want to help. It doesn't help when you talk about it and the default comment is that you're a kiddie fiddler.
Landlubber said:
I did Air Cadets.
Same here. Beavers, cubs then air cadets. It was a fantastic experience and one I want my daughter to repeat.
Being 13 and shooting .22 rifles, flying gliders (Hullavington) and Bulldogs (Colerne) and doing aerobatics in a top gun style helmet, night exercises, representing the Glos region in Drill (even learning to do American Port Arms with a .303
) Also met my first GF on a week camp at RAF St Andrews. I look back on that 3 years really fondly. Gassing Station | The Lounge | Top of Page | What's New | My Stuff