SCOUT NOTES

Southland Times, Issue 23228, 17 June 1937, Page 9

SCOUT NOTES

(By

PATHFINDER)

As there is to be another scout hobbies and handicraft exhibition in Dunedin during August, a scouters’ meeting is being held on Monday, June 21, to discuss a Southland display. Scouts and cubs should start now to prepare for it and senior scouts should try to join the party which will be going to the exhibition. Many people do not realize that while the scout movement is banned in Russia, it is still being carried on among the Russian boys who are living in countries other than their own. There are active troops of Russian scouts in many European countries, notably France, Latvia, Yugoslavia, Estonia and so on, and their latest census figures show that they are increasing. Their Chief Scout lives in the United States of America, they have a general commissioner living in France and their international commissioner, Dr Perott, lives in London. The way these Russian boys have kept together and have succeeded each year in increasing their membership is little short of wonderful and I think they provide us all with a wonderful example. Some of us in this country do not find it too easy to keep the interest of our boys, in spite of the popularity of scouting among the general public. How much more difficult is it to keep enthusiasm in a foreign country, where one is entirely dependent on one’s own activities to sink or swim—and yet these Russian Scouts are increasing yearly! A CUB SONG I’m only just a wolf cub, and a jolly wolf cub too, But now I’ve started cubbing, there’s lots and lots to do; I’m going to work my hardest, and do my very best, For I’m going to be a boy scout if I can. Off to scouting, happy land, happy land I’m going tc be a boy scout if I can. The tune is “Back to Gilwell.”

Below are given some of the changes in the recommended redraft _ of the rover rules in the book, “Policy, Organization and Rules.” As many points were previously indefinite, the alterations should help the rovers considerably. . . Rover training is a continuation of that given to cubs and scouts with the same objects as are laid down in rule 1, but with a wider outlook and with the added objects of helping rovers to make useful careers for themselves, and to give service to the community. Rover scouting covers the period during which the young man is developing his character and his powers by training them and trying to put into practice in a wider world the principles of the scout law. Rover scouting, as a brotherhood, of the open air and of service, is put into practice through:— (a) The continued use of the scout methods of training, and of the activities which fall under the term scoutcraft, but on an advanced plane to continue to appeal to those of an older age. (b) The use of the imagery of chivalry as a background of rover idealism. The activities of a rover crew fall under two main headings:— (a) Training activities are carried out along the lines suggested, with due regard to the needs of the younger members of the crew. General training in scout craft, physical education (hygiene, athletics, exercises, etc.), current affair- homecraft and so on should be carried out in the crew as a normal part of its programme. (b) Service activities entail careful selection and preparation according to the needs of the individual rover, as well as of the crew as a whole, and along lines such as are suggested in “Rovering to Success.”