BOAT CRUISING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXXVIII, Issue 19953, 10 November 1934, Page 10

BOAT CRUISING

THE CHIEF’S FIRST TASTE OF OUT-DOOR SCOUTING Instead of tramping or cycling, it is also an excellent practice for a patrol to take a boat and make a trip through the country; but no one should be allowed in the boat who is not a good swimmer, because accidents are pretty sure to happen and if all are swimmers it does not matter—in fact, it is rather a good experience than otherwise. I once made such a cruise with two of my brothers (relates the Chief Scout in “Scouting for Boys.”) We took a small folding up canvas boat, and went as far up the Thames as we could possibly get, then we took the boat on the Avon, which rises near the source of the Thames but flows to the westward, and, here again we began where the river was very small and gradually worked our way down until it developed into a big stream, and so through Bath and Bristol on. to the Severn. Then across the Severn and up the Wye into Wales. We carried with us our tent, cooking apparatus, etc., so that we were able to live out, independent of houses the whole time.

By cruises such as these the Chief Scout (Lord Baden-Powell) learned the full value of a boy being able to cook and fend for himself and that is one of the principles on which Scouting is established to-day. Scouts learn through hiking and camping to fend for themselves at the same time enjoying themselves immensely in happy, healthy surroundings. This "call of the open” is the time and the great chance a scout has of putting into practice the theory and work he has learnt at his Scout Den in the town.