SCOUTING

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 10 (Supplement)

SCOUTING

8-x

"Golden Quill”

SCOUT NOTES There must be quite a lot of people who read these columns and see descriptions of the work and play of the various sections of the movement and who do not understand what is meant by the various terms and names. Others, and I have come into contact with these quite often, have been Scouts in the past when there were no such things as Wolf Cubs or Rover Scouts and the notes are more or less meaningless to them. Perhaps, if I can in some small way describe these branches, it will enable parents and others to take a more active Interest in the work of the Groups in the district. What are Wolf Cubs? The term “Wolf Cubs” has tended to put off many people who would otherwise have shown interest in the Cubs. For this reason, perhaps, one could wish that another story’, another frame or setting had been adopted. For that is all it is; there is nothing of “naturalism” or even “animalism” as some critics have declared in the scheme, which is a very simple and sound way of teaching the boy by a system of work and play and service and physical exercise suited to his age. Its ideals are particularly Christian, so it is unfortunate that the villain of Christian symbolism—the wolf—should play so large a part in the "romantic setting” and give his name to the scheme. The answer, of course, to the objection that the wolf has few characteristics which can be held up to the boy, is that we are not concerned with the actual wolf, but with the very much idealized wolf of Kipling’s Jungle Book. In this story, the wolf, the young cubs, the bear, the panther, and the python, and various other jungle animals, are embodiments of various noble and useful characteristics and play corresponding roles in a very fascinating story. The tiger, ‘Mowgli’s” hereditary enemy, is an embodiment of cruelty,, cowardice, pride, and is fought and finally conquered by the Man Cub, assisted by his animal allies. The monkeys and jackals stand for such things as bickering, vanity, greed, flattery, fawning, ly±ng and sneaking. “Mowgli" is superior even to the great wolf-leader, “Akela” because he is a man and master of the beasts.

The scheme does not tend to dominate the boy’s mind and set him playing at being a wolf in season and out. It has ’ T captured the boy himself as the setting of backwoodsmanship has or should capture the Scout.

The Jungle enthusiasts are the grown-ups. Wherever such jungle symbolism or atmosphere is found in a Pack, it is due to the leaders of the Pack, and is a carefully organised t »ing, not a natural outburst of makebelieves on the part of the boy. Such Packs are usually doing good work, because symbolism of any sort is always full of teaching possibilities, dramatic activities provide a means of self expression, while ceremony is at the same time excellent discipline, and a satisfaction to the romantic tendencies of the boy. The Cub is not confined to the Jungle Books for romance. Storytelling is an essential part of the Pack's life, and so a. whole world of adventure is opened —Robin Hood, Red Indians, Pirates, Cowboys, and the heroes of our Empire who have made us v'rat we are to-day. History and religious stories also find their place in the programme and with this all we link up play-acting in its simpler forms, because the boy likes to do things as well as hear about them.

Much of the programme consists cf games—Nature's way of training the small boy. Endless variety is found in the games played—games which let off steam, team games, quiet games, games' of skill of limbs or senses and long games in the open ah. The Cub wants to do things. This desire is met by interspersing short periods of work between the games, stories and play-acting, Tests leading up to the badge work comply to the Programme, but this after all is but a step on the road of Scouting, for when the Cub has reached the “going-up” age, his outlook has broadened and he is ready for something bigger and so on to the land of Scouting with its possibilities and comradeships, its glorious times spent in camp and out in the open air. The Cub Promise is:—"l promise to do my best to do my duty to God and the King, to keep the Law of the Wolf Cub Pack, and to do a good turn to somebody every day.” The Law is:—“The Cub gives in to the Old Wolf, The Cub does not give in to himself.” It will be hard to find a definition

of duty to God and one's neighbour more suited to the boyish understanding.