Scout Notes

Southland Times, Issue 22956, 31 July 1936, Page 5

Scout Notes

(By

“Pathfinder.”)

The First Class Journey. The first class Scout badge is moulded something like the test Red Indians and Zulu boys had to undergo in the old days. While still a second class Scout, you are taught to swim, cook, make maps, estimate heights and distances, to care for yourself and other people by means of first aid, and to use an axe. Finally, when you have passed all these tests successfully, you are sent out on a final quest—the first class journey. You are sent out for 24 hours, equipped only with hiking kit, to fend entirely for yourself, and to put into practice all the things you have learned in your quest for the first class badge. The test is exactly the same, but a few alterations have been made to suit local conditions. That is why it is really impossible to do the first class journey until all other tests for first class have been passed; why, every Scout who’s half a Scout will want to do a real first class journey. We don’t pay half enough attention to first class journey. It is really the peak point in scouting tests —the test of a real Scout, a test quest of adventure.

The Wood Badge. The scheme of training for Scouters was devised by the Chief Scout, and particulars will be found in the pamphlet “The Training of Scouters.” Briefly it comprises the following:— Part 1 (theory).—This is done by correspondence in the winter and gives the Scouter tlie opportunity of thinking things out and expressing his ideas. Part 11. (practical).—This is done in camp either at Gilwell Park or at a “recognized local training camp.” Scouters should ask those who have attended a Gilwell camp what they thought of it. The answer is always the same—“lt’s great.” Part HI. (application).—When a Scouter has completed Parts I. and 11., the District Commissioner, after a period of four months, recommends the Scouter for the Wood Badge, if he considers that good work is being done. This is where the boys come in, and where they can help your Scouter. He is doing a lot of hard work for your sakes, and the success of the troop depends on how you back him up. These courses are for Scouters dealing with, (1) Wolf Cubs; (2) Boy Scouts, and (3) Rover Scouts. Special courses are also held for commissioners and for specialized activities.

World Jamboree, 1937. “I have just been over to Holland to have a look at the site for next year’s World Jamboree and to discuss preliminary arrangements with Dutch Headquarters,” writes the International Commissioner. “Let me say at once that the site chosen for the camp is ideal. It is a large, beautifully wooded private estate called Vogelensang, near Bloemendaal, which is about six miles from Haarlem and some twenty miles from The Hague. “Vogelensang in appearance bears a remarkable resemblance to Arrowe Park—beautiful grassland with little woods dotted here and there. The water supply will be good and ample, so much so that it will be possible to erect shower baths at each of the washing places. The site is about three miles from the sea.

“The dates for the jamboree are now definitely fixed. Contingents will arrive on July 29 and 30, 1937. The official opening of the jamboree will be on July 31. The official closing day of the jamboree will bo August 9. On August 10, 11 and 12 excursions will be arranged. During these three days the international conference will be held and we are hoping to get permission to hold it in the magnificent Palace of Peace at The Hague. The public will be admitted to the camp on nine out of ten days. On one day the camp will be closed to the public in accordance with the decision of the International Conference at Stockholm. It has also been decided to clear the camp of the public by 7.30 each night. On two evenings great camp fires, to which the public will be admitted, will be held, but these will be situated outside the confines of the camp.”

Yet Another Scouting Country. By the time these notes appear, the International Bureau and the International Committee will have completed the formal recognition and registration of the Boy Scouts de Venezuela. This brings the total number of countries in which there is a recognized national Scout association to 49—counting the British Commonwealth of Nations as one nation. I wonder who will be the fiftieth nation? The Venezuelan Scouts are very keen and are making excellent progress. They have been closely in touch with the Scouts in Trinidad and have taken the opportunity of sending some of their leaders to Trinidad to study for themselves the methods of Scout training and activity there. Their total strength now is in the neighbourhood of 1000. Good luck to them all! We hope there will be some of them at the world jamboree in Holland next year. Scout Badge. Handyman: Be able to do 10 out of the following, at least three of Handyman which (selected by the examiner) I must be demonstrated: (1) Paint a door or similar object; (2) Whitewash , or distemper a wall or ceiling; (3) Clean ; and adjust gas fittings and replace : mantles; (4) Replace electric-light ■

bulbs, lamp-shades and fuses; (5) Replace a tap-washer and adjust a ballcock; (6) Hang pictures and fix curtain rods; (7) Fix, repair and adjust blinds; (8) Take up, beat and re-lay a carpet; (9) Repair furniture, upholstery or china; (10) Sharpen knives; (11) Glaze a window; (12) Top up and care for an accumulator; (13) Replace a sash-cord; (14) Replace a spring in a door lock; (15) Know what immediate steps to take in the case of a burst water-pipe or gas leak; (16) Hang wall paper; (17) Attend to stopped gutters, waste pipes and frozen pipes.