scouts

The magazine

for Scout Leaders October/

November 2010

FREEJOIN-IN-JAMBOREE

BOOKLET

The axeman cometh

Eddie Langdown’s guide to axes

and saws

Patrol programme

Keep Patrol Leaders interested

and inspired

ALL CHANGE PLEASEALL CHANGE PLEASE

Helping Cubs to move on to Scouts

SCOUTS FINAL.indd 1 13/09/2010 16:06

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INTRO

3scouts.org.uk/pol

WELCOME

This issue, we roll out the welcome mat for Bianca Cole, the new Programme

and Development Adviser for Scouts

To begin with I would like to thank Nicola Ashby for overseeing the Scouts supplement over the past few months and for helping me settle into my new

role. I am very excited to be the Programme and Development Adviser for

Scouts and can’t wait to get my teeth into developing projects that will help the

section grow.

This is where I enlist your help as leaders to help me make your supplement all

about you and your experiences. If you have any great stories to tell, news you

want to celebrate or you just want to pass on advice then please get in touch via

[email protected]

And if you have any events that the our team could attend or ideas that you

think could feature in this supplement then do get in touch.

This issue Eddie Langdown has written a fantastic skills piece about hand

axes. This is an important Scouting skill but one with obvious safety issues,

which sometimes generate a lack of confidence among young people. We look

at an initiative in Fordell Firs to help Cubs move through to Scouts and Louise

Henderson offers her usual look at Patrols and their important place in the

Scout section.

Meanwhile Chief Scout Bear Grylls has been leading the way in encouraging

leaders to get Scouts to achieve the Chief Scout’s Gold Award by hosting his

24-hour survival camp for Scouts. You can read all about this in your

accompanying Scouting magazine (page 35).

Lastly, we also feature our special Join-in-Jamboree resource. This aims to give

you a host of activities that will inspire you to create a balanced programme in

the year leading up to, and throughout, Jamboree 2011 whether you are going

to Sweden or not.

New girl in town

4 The cutting crewSafe yet fun ways to get your Scouts used to axes and saws

6 Fast forwardA new camping initiative in Scotland to help Cubs move on to Scouts

7 PromosThe latest offers, activities and resources from our partners

10 Is training always enough?Maintaining a good Patrol Leader requires constant attention to their needs

Contents

Your Scout Support TeamAlasdair McBay – UK Adviser (Scout Section),Bianca Cole – Programme and Development Adviser

Contact them at:[email protected]

Scout Support Team The Scout Association, Gilwell Park, Chingford, London E4 7QW; Tel. 0845 300 1818

AdvertisingRichard Ellacott [email protected] Tel: 020 8962 1258

Read all other Section supplements online at www.scouts.org.uk/magazine

CONTRIBUTORSRegularsEddie Langdown is a Group Scout Leader in central London and our resident skills expert. Louise Henderson is a Scout Leader in Moray and writes regularly on the subject of Patrols.

This issue we are giving away a special Join-in-Jamboree resource; packed with activities and ideas for you to try with your Troop.


4

The cutting crewI was recently involved in refreshing our 2011

County Jamboree contingent on axe and saw skills.

While doing so, I found that only half had ever

seriously used them, and even less felt confident

doing so.

If your Troop owns hand axes and saws and expects

Scouts to use them, my serious advice is that they, and all

your adults and Young Leaders practise safety rules just

about every week around your camping season. The

youngest can start, supervised, using two hands with a

light axe.

How to teach hand axe and sawPrepare by reading the Uses of Axes and Saws factsheet

(FS315070). Collect examples of different axes: lighter and

heavier, sharp, blunt, loose and a felling axe. Source some

single, two-handed and folding saws. Use a solid

chopping block (bring one back from camp).

You need to have your Scouts’ complete attention so

don’t bore them by naming parts of the axe. Start by

passing the tools around while discussing safety and

common sense rules. Always keep in mind the following:

1. Axes and saws are dangerousYou could easily lose a finger or smash an axe into your

foot or knee. A saw is a row of razor blades that could

rip a hand open. Step on it and you might tear

ligaments. Achieve eye contact when teaching; don’t

be side-tracked by tales of horror movies.

2. Axes and saws are safe if you follow the safety rules every time, all the timeSee box below for tips on safety rules.

3. Using axes and saws is is a great skillA cooking fire needs a steady supply of sawn and split

hardwood logs. Posts and pegs need pointing and

dresser hooks can be chopped from twiggy branches.

Start them sawing and then chopping in pairs Supervise closely. Personally I find all this chopping a ‘v’

unnecessarily wasteful (you may find differently). If the

wood is thicker than a broomstick it is best sawed. Use

hand axes for splitting and pointing wood.

Work through and teach the following safety points: 1. Preparing yourself and having a partner.

2. Getting to know the axe/saw and the block.

3. Organising and creating the safe area.

4. How to pass and carry tools.

5. How to squat – with thumbs and fingers safe.

6. Keeping others safe, when to stop, leaving

tools safe.

7. As you talk, pass axes around. Let them hear

the ‘ring’ of a sharp axe when they drag their

fingers across it, not along it!

Skills expert Eddie Langdown offers

some ideas on safe yet fun ways to

teach an important Scouting skill

Scouts October/November 2010

sc

All profi ts go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

01903 766 921

A knitted Beanie with the Scout section logo.An essential on cool evenings at camp or on a hike. The whole Troop will want one.

Scout Section Knitted Beanie Navy Ref 1027446

£5

Scout ‘Be Prepared’Knitted Hat Navy Ref 1027660

£5

This T-shirt has a modern look for wearing when uniform is not required and is a great addition to the i.Scout range. Sizes: S-XXL

With the Chief Scout’s signature and footprint motif, this is a fantastic addition to the i.Scout range. Fabric: 100% cotton,Sizes: S-XXL

i.Eat i.Sleep i.Scout T-shirtRef 1028202R

£8.75

i.Follow The BearT-shirt Ref 1028213R

£11

The adult Hooded Sweatshirt with the Scouts ‘be prepared’ logo embroidered on the front. Ideal for wearing at camp when the weather turns cold.Sizes: XS-XXL

Adult Be Prepared Hoodie Ref 1025542R

£18.50

NEW NEW

Activity TrousersRef 1006953R

£27

The new Scout Activity Trousers have been redesigned to meet the modern day requirements of Scouting. Available in men’s, women’s and youth sizes.Changes include: Soft handle water resistant fi nish, redesign of the pockets, new tunnel waistband with adjustable internal elastic to give a better fi t and a repositioned mobile phone pocket.

Sizes: Men’s 32”-60”, Women’s 8-36

NEWrestyled


SKILLS

TOP TEACHING TIPS• Try to catch them out by wrongly

handing them the wooden haft and not the metal head. This way they will learn safe handling by fun and repetition.

• Trick them by walking up to them while they are chopping. See if they stop when you get too near. Make them ‘order’ you to step away in a loud authoritative voice.

• Get them to saw a natural tent peg out of a forked branch, and point it with an axe.

• Have a splitting competition. See who can keep splitting a small log the thinnest, taking turns at splitting the thinnest piece each time. Or try splitting matchsticks.

Get in touchDo you have any other tips for teaching this skill?

Has Eddie offered some useful ideas which you hadn’t

thought of before? Let us know at

[email protected]

More skillsUsing axes and saws is just one

of the many skills covered in

A Complete Guide to Scouting Skills. Available from Scout Shops

for just £9.99.

www.scouts.org.uk/shop

sc

All profi ts go back into Scouting. The Scout Association Registered Charity number 306101 (England and Wales) and SC038437 (Scotland).

01903 766 921

A knitted Beanie with the Scout section logo.An essential on cool evenings at camp or on a hike. The whole Troop will want one.

Scout Section Knitted Beanie Navy Ref 1027446

£5

Scout ‘Be Prepared’Knitted Hat Navy Ref 1027660

£5

This T-shirt has a modern look for wearing when uniform is not required and is a great addition to the i.Scout range. Sizes: S-XXL

With the Chief Scout’s signature and footprint motif, this is a fantastic addition to the i.Scout range. Fabric: 100% cotton,Sizes: S-XXL

i.Eat i.Sleep i.Scout T-shirtRef 1028202R

£8.75

i.Follow The BearT-shirt Ref 1028213R

£11

The adult Hooded Sweatshirt with the Scouts ‘be prepared’ logo embroidered on the front. Ideal for wearing at camp when the weather turns cold.Sizes: XS-XXL

Adult Be Prepared Hoodie Ref 1025542R

£18.50

NEW NEW

Activity TrousersRef 1006953R

£27

The new Scout Activity Trousers have been redesigned to meet the modern day requirements of Scouting. Available in men’s, women’s and youth sizes.Changes include: Soft handle water resistant fi nish, redesign of the pockets, new tunnel waistband with adjustable internal elastic to give a better fi t and a repositioned mobile phone pocket.

Sizes: Men’s 32”-60”, Women’s 8-36

NEWrestyled


6 Scouts October/November 2010

Fordell fast forwardAround 300 Cubs and Scouts came from across Scotland to Fordell Firs National

Activity centre in Fife in May. They brought leaders, tents, energy, enthusiasm –

and the sun. Ruth Bennett was there to watch

PARTICIPANTS’ GRAFFITI WALL COMMENTSI’m having a great time! Bungee Trampoline was

AWESOME – Regan I’m making new friends – Ross

Awesome! Loving every second of it. WOW – Simon

The camp has been great. I would come back any day!

The camp has been very tiring but fun!

Fast Forward rocks! It is really fun!

Fordell Firs is amazing. I definitely want to come again.

I love this camp, it is great! – Nathalie

I think it is super fun, fun, fun! – Beth

It’s really great so far, you’re always busy!!!

Scouting is really good and I am enjoying it very much!

Really fun and want to have a camp like this

again – GaleI think this camp is very, very good! – Blyth

Amazing fun! Best time ever, Scouts rule!!

I think Fordell Fast Forward is brilliant.

It’s the best camp I’ve been to.

I’m having a gr8 time. Best camp ever!

It’s great here and so are the activities.

Good for making new friends

I’m having a great time so far, it rocks!

Scouting Rules – BethOne of my favourite ever camps!

It’s awesome! – Eleanor

This feels like home now. I don’t want to leave!

T he camp had been commissioned for older

Cubs and younger Scouts as there was concern

about the drop-off rates between the sections.

Some brought young people from both

sections while others just had either Cubs or Scouts,

depending on the current age make-up of the Group.

Camp chief Richard Fairbairn, Assistant District

Commissioner Cub Scouts for Midlothian, and his team

organised a fantastic weekend of activities using the

permanent features of Fordell Firs like King Swing and

grass sledges as well as other bases such as hunting

famous people and woggle-making.

A full programme of activities was on offer which kept

everyone busy. There were smiles all round and screams

of enjoyment all weekend culminating in a Scout’s Own

on Sunday afternoon.

Over the weekend all the young people worked

together, made new friends, got to know those in their

own Group better – and discovered that Scouts are not

scary and Cubs are not annoying!

Leaders had a fantastic weekend too and were able

to chat and share ideas – the best bit about camps.

Was it worth it?Judging by the graffiti wall comments (see box) it was.

Obviously we won’t know until the census whether

all the Cubs will move on to Scouts but it has forged

stronger links between the two sections within

the Groups involved.

Most importantly though everyone learned that we

achieve more together and the weekend could not have

happened without that teamwork.




Interactive resource for DIY badge

Write a short adventure story and win a visit from Chris Bradford

An interactive resource has been launched by WD-40 as part of the company’s sponsorship of the Scout DIY Activity Badge

Leaders and Scouts can access the resource at www.scouts.org.uk/wd40

more info

win a visit from Chris Bradford

How to enterWrite and email a children’s adventure story

(no more than 500 words) to scouting.

[email protected] by 15 October 2010.

Please also briefly outline where your visit

from Chris might take place and how you

would secure an audience of at least 75

people.

Visit www.scouts.org.uk/puffin for

Chris’s helpful hints on writing for

children and to see him in action in

the new Puffin Adventure Challenge

Award video. You can motivate your

Troop to start their quest for the

award by sharing this video with them.

The Puffin Adventure Challenge AwardWhether they’re into sailing, orienteering or cycling, the

Puffin Adventure Challenge Award will set your Scouts

on the right course.

The newly refreshed resources pack, including wall

chart and cards, will outline the tasks involved, taking

Scouts on extreme adventures with Puffin’s most

popular adventure titles; Young Samurai by Chris

Bradford, TimeRiders by Alex Scarrow, The Enemy by Charlie Higson, Artemis Fowl by

Eoin Colfer and Percy Jackson by Rick

Riordan.

Download or order your pack today at

www.scouts.org.uk/puffin

Chris Bradford, The Puffin Adventure Challenge Award Champion, author of Puffin’s Young Samurai series and former Scout will demonstrate how to become a young samurai with a mind-blowing sword display, all-kicking book reading and much more

The educational tool, in the form of a website, guides

Scouts and leaders through the process of gaining the

badge. Safety is a key focus and the site ensures that

Scouts learn about the potential hazards relating to DIY

and how to stay safe.

The microsite also includes tips and suggestions for

ways in which WD-40 multi-purpose product can help in

the home and garden including cleaning paintbrushes,

removing crayon from walls, cleaning and protecting

garden equipment, and preventing corrosion on tools.

Although the site has been designed for Scouts to

access at home, there are also downloadable resources for

leaders to use with the Troop.

It includes a step-by-step guide to creating a handmade

toolbox and features a game where Scouts must put each

action in the correct order against the clock.

WD-40’s Senior Brand Manager Neil

Gow says: ‘After recent research by

WD-40 found that people would rather

call in a professional than tackle simple DIY tasks by

themselves, we felt we needed to teach tomorrow’s

homeowners how to carry out simple DIY jobs.

‘We believe by sponsoring the DIY Activity Badge and

providing this interactive resource we can educate the DIY

experts of the future.’


PROMO

Chubb Fire annual Christmas card competitionChubb Fire is calling on Scout Groups to put their creative skills into action to spread a fire safety message in its annual Christmas card competition

For further details on the competition and the Fire Safety Badge, visit www.chubb.co.uk and go to the News & Resources page.

more info

This year’s competition challenges Scouts to design a card

on the theme of ‘How fire is involved in your Christmas’.

Scouts are asked to picture ways that fire features such as

toasting chestnuts or keeping warm. The winning design

will be used as Chubb Fire’s Christmas e-card.

The competition is open to Beaver, Cub and Scout

Groups with entries produced by the whole Group. The

winner will also receive £300

towards a Group outdoor activity.

Two runners up will win £100

each. The closing date is 29

October with the winner

announced by 12 November.

‘Previous entries have always

been of a high standard,’ says

Jane Garland, Chubb Fire’s

Marketing Communications

Manager. ‘It’s great to see so many Scouts getting into the

festive spirit. Customers loved last year’s designs and we

look forward to seeing this year’s entries.’

The competition is part of Chubb Fire’s ongoing support

for The Scout Association and its commitment to

spreading the fire safety message. Earlier this year, it

renewed its sponsorship of the Fire Safety Badge which

offers advice on fire prevention, detection and escape

routes, causes of fire, calling the Fire Brigade, fire blanket

and extinguisher usage, and fire safety for the home.

Since its introduction in November 2003 more than

74,000 Scouts have received the badge.



Is training always enough?

There is more to inspiring a good Patrol Leader than just training says Louise Henderson

W hat would a snapshot of a perfect Troop

night look like? Perhaps it would feature

Patrols with everyone engaged and the

Patrol Leader helping a young Scout

with an unfamiliar skill. This is not easy to achieve and may

end up with the Scout Leader wondering if all the Patrol

Leader training has been a waste of time.

Even with the best training in the world Patrol Leaders

are only human (and 12 or 13 years old). As well as the

skills for their role they need the programme to be

designed to allow them to use their training or they are

left feeling bored and inadequate.

A Patrol Leader naturally tends to want to lead from the

front but this is not always best. A useful question to

consider is whether it’s always necessary for them to do

the task. This can produce interesting discussions as they

consider the merits of leading from the front as opposed

to co-ordinating from above, and hopefully conclude that

each has its place depending on the activity.

Forward planningAnother good tip is to spend time with the Patrol Leaders

the preceding week to run through the forthcoming task

and get them to consider how they might effectively

organise their Patrol. This can be an interesting process to

observe as they make the change from planning their own

actions to planning those of others.

This can also work retrospectively if an evening has

gone wrong for no apparent reason. The Patrol Leaders

can discuss what would have made it better. The usual

result is that they decide that it would have been better

if they’d delegated parts of the task rather than trying

to do everything themselves.

The right taskIn order to create the best chance for the Patrol Leader

to run the Patrol in a positive and productive way the

programme has to be designed to give them all the help

it can. For instance, consider the programme titled ‘Five

ways to cook an egg’. There’s wood to collect, a fire to

light, an orange to be hollowed, a flat rock to find, a tin

to turn into a stove, a safety pin to be stuck in an egg,

a stick to be threaded through an egg and so on.

The whole Patrol has something to do and is working

towards a common end. The Patrol Leader is in control

and, more importantly, the Patrol sees him/her as being

competent and everyone has a busy and enjoyable

evening.

So next time your Troop night has dissolved into barely

organised chaos and you wonder what on earth the Patrol

Leaders are up to, consider if maybe they are just doing

the best they can within the constraints of the activity

you gave them.


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scouts

Documents

scouts supplement

scout association

scout leaders octobernovember

group scout leader

new programme

chief scout bear grylls

chief scouts gold award

bianca cole programme