May 25th, 2008 |
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Other | 2 Comments
No, not personally why I’m a leader. A nice poem from the US.
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
May 24th, 2008 |
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In just over an hour (24th May 2008), two of my groups (7th/17th Radcliffe, Greater Manchester North) leaders will be tying a different kind of knot (what a pun!).
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!
May 24th, 2008 |
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News
Today is the start of Outdoor Activity Week, which aims:
- To achieve a greater understanding among the general public of the scope of outdoor provision and the benefits of participation, with the aim of increasing demand.
- To promote the value of the outdoors as a venue for healthy exercise, fresh air, recreation and appreciation of the rural and natural environment.
- To contribute to achieving a balanced view of risks and benefits and to promote an adventurous approach to life.
Basically, it wants everyone in the UK to get outdoors and do something adventurous. Which means it’s a great opportunity to promote Scouting and the KidsOutdoors campaign!
Outdoor Activity Week – Institute for Outdoor Learning
May 23rd, 2008 |
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Other
If you’re anything like my group, ordering your badges from the badge secretary is too much like hard work. There’s nothing wrong with it. It’s just a bit old fashioned.
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
May 20th, 2008 |
Published in
Ideas
The Campfire Song Book describes itself as a collection of traditional Guide, Scout and campfire songs, and it’s exactly that. And best of all, there are MIDI files included for every single song, so you can learn the tune.
The songs are sorted both alphabetically and by subject. There’s also a few links to even MORE campfire song sites.
Campfire Song Book