1. How to start a campfire

To build a typical campfire, you need three types of fuel: tinder, kindling and logs. The first rule of fire-making is to always have twice as much of each as you think you’ll need. Have these ready before you even strike a match. Adam Plowden

1. Carefully remove the turf from an area about a metre square and push a twig in the ground in the middle. Store the turf out of the way and water regularly.

2. Surround the central twig with kindling and tinder – lots of small dry twigs, pine needles and strips of bark.

3. Using progressively thicker twigs, build a wigwam shape but leave a gap on the windward side so you can place a match right into the kindling.

4. Light the kindling – blow very gently if the fire does not take hold on its own.

5. Add more tiny twigs to each flame; as your fire begins to grow, use larger and larger twigs and then sticks.

6. When firmly established, lay a log parallel with the wind direction on either side. Abandon the wigwam shape by adding sticks, split logs and so on. Place a fire grill across the logs and within a few minutes you will be ready to start cooking!

Always ask permission of the landowner first before building your fire or use a designated area if on a campsite.

2. How to find dry kindling in the rain

In wet weather if you have no dry kindling, go to the nearest hedge. You can always find dry dead wood for starting a fire in the thickest part of the hedge, but take care not to damage the hedge itself.

The September/October 2006 issue of ‘Scouting’ magazine has a great article with tips from various people in scouting. Read the rest of the article here.

Scouting Magazine Online

We took 8 scouts, 1 cub, 3 leaders, 3 cars and 5 tents to the Essex International Jamboree 2008. We were on the Pygmy hippo (Pink neckers!) subcamp and through 7 days, our Scouts did climbing, abseiling, quadbiking, go-karts, rifle shooting, archery, parkour, scuba diving, mountain biking, swimming, kayaking, scrap heap challenge, assault course, it’s a knockout, pizza making, incident challenge and much more. We took part in an international food festival (we were the ones with corned-beef hash, vimto and Uncle Joe’s mintballs) and took part in some (sadly, not all) of the themed dress days (trash, and subcamp colours). Over half our Scouts earned the Global Explorer badge – the rest were too busy chatting up the Israeli girls, which is fair enough.

Here are some of the best bits:

I’m not a Cub Scout Leader for the easy hours, high pay, parents’ gratitude, power or prestige.

I’m a leader because I want the world for your son and mine,

I want it to be a world he can shape and help shape; a world of love and laughter, where he can show compassion.

I want him to be able to look at the stars, a sunrise, a sunset, the work and world of man — and feel their beauty inside himself.

I want to help him to learn to finish anything he starts and do it well. I want to guide him to know his worth with a deeper understanding of himself.

I want to help shape men who have strength of character and are sensitive to the needs of others. I want them to be the best they can be.

I’m giving of myself and my time. I reap rewards far beyond what I give. I receive for my children and future generations a better world.

I am a Cub Scout Leader because I care.

From Baloo’s Bugle via Rikki’s Scouting Resources

They met through Scouting, at a jamboree fundraiser. Tim was already a long-standing leader in Crompton and Royton district, but when he got together with Angie, our group got him too. And I think both Angie and the group are lucky to have him.

They make a great couple and I wish them all the best in the future. Now I better be off, something about a guard of honour…

Congratulations!

But there is an alternative. A few internet-savvy local scout shops have gone online. If you’ve got access to the internet, you can order your badges online and wait for them to arrive through your postbox! You don’t have to be a computer whizz either, just have a debit/crebit card ready together with your membership number. Here are a few of the best!

Glasgow Scout Shop

I mention this site first because it’s the one we use. Simply browse through the badges (and other stuff too, of course) and add what you want to your ‘basket’. Enter your membership number, address, pay and you’re done. Usually within a week, your badges will arrive together with a receipt. Easy.

Glasgow Scout Shop

Scout and Guide Shop (Sheffield)

I’ve not used any of the other sites I mention, simply because Glasgow Scout Shops has been wonderful. But I think that’s about to change. Why? Because Sheffield’s Scout and Guide Shop has a loyalty bonus scheme. For every £100 spent with them, they will issue the group with a £5 voucher. For every £1000 spent, they’ll issue two vouchers. It sounds a lot, but that sort of money soon gets spent.
The site looks the height of professional, and they sell everything you expect. Another big thing is they sell stuff for Guides! Could be handy for parents with young people in both organisations.

Scout and Guide Shop

Stevenage Scout Shop

This site isn’t as polished as the others, but it looks like it’ll do the job. All the usual, uniform, badges and publications. Also has a ’sale’ section, with out-of-date items such as the old joining in badges.

Stevenage Scout Shop

Scout Shops

Then of course there’s the ‘official’ Scout Shops site. The big let down for me is they don’t sell activity badges. On the plus side, they should have the most up-to-date things, as well as the widest range. If you’re not buying badges and you just want to browse, this is still probably your best bet.

Scout Shops

Here’s to the membership,
Here’s to the children,
Creators of havoc
And makers of such a din.

They scream and they holler
And batter our ears.
They run and they tumble
And they drive us to tears.

But still, in the end,
They grow and they learn.
They show off the skills
And the badges they earn.

We guide them and teach them
Because, in the end,
They’re what it’s all for—

We do it for them.

(I’m not sure where I saw this. If you’re the author, please leave a comment so I can credit you.)