09.08.09
Into the pack
Many of us grew up being involved in organised groups such as guides, girls brigade or scouts. I remember well being a brownie then flying up to Guides in St Anthony’s 71st down in Christchurch. I often wonder if it is still an active troop. There are many memories of our activities: selling Girl Guide biscuits door to door (in and around Wainoni too which I don’t think would be done much these days, sadly), polishing the brass guide badge until it SHONE, likewise the shoes. Making and cooking damper over a real campfire in somwhere that felt like it was in the wop-wops but really was just in the massive grounds of our leader’s home. Going on a camp for the first time somewhere near Oxford and being part of the Six that found a cow skull. Those Six leaders were mad…. they spray painted the skull with luminous green glow in the dark paint and then waited until dark to scare the bejeebus out of a rival Six……!! Fun times!!
I think that some of the skills that I learned first in Brownies, and then in Guides (keeping three 2c pieces in a hanky at all times and knowing how to dial for help in a phone booth…. Or, lashing together a bivouac from tree branches and a raincoat…) have taught me more things than I’ve realised. And in this age of PC-dom and bubble wrapping of kids, I realise just how much fun it was to learn a bunch of skills towards independence alongside other kids just like me.
I was thrilled then to finally be able to get Mr 8 into Cubs at the local den. Even more so that I was able to get a mate of his to start at the same time. They’ve been learning the ways and wherefores of becoming a cub… quite a bit different to the ways of Brown Owl and the mushroom! It was recommended that we get the original Jungle Book story (ie NOT the Disney version! LOL) to help with understanding some of the things that cubs do. In preparation to take the Oath and be invested as a cub, Mr 8 and friend have been learning about good turns, what it means to be a cub and all sorts of other good stuff.
A couple of weeks ago, the group had some relay races involving lighting a candle with matches. It made me realise how many simple tasks that I learned when I was younger just don’t seem to feature in today’s world that often. I loved hearing about how excited and pleased Mr 8 was to be able to actually DO this for himself. And now, we’re learning how to make a cup of tea from go to whoa – including pouring boiling water safely. Why on earth did we wait so long to teach these things???! I now have hot cups of tea almost on tap… wooohooo!! 
And then last week, they were invested:
Mr 8 and friend with Akela
Mr 8 was so proud to get his Investiture Badges (five in total!) and his woggle and scarf. Now I just need to get them sewn onto the vest in time for the next meetng. Actually, I’m sewing on four and a half – Mr 8 wants to sew some as well.
Hay said,
September 8, 2009 at 1:25 pm
That is very cool, especially the cups of tea! lol. My girls tried brownies, but it wasn’t for them unfortunately.
Hannah said,
September 8, 2009 at 1:34 pm
Awesome!! Making a cup of tea is a good skill for a young boy to have … and one that definitely benefits his parents!
I didn’t do Brownies or Guides as a young girl but I did go to Rally, which is run by the church and follows a similar concept (earning badges, having a uniform and code, etc).
I’m hopeful that Ethan might be interested in Cubs next year … he’ll be 8 then. Are you going to enrol your youngest Mr as well?
Heather said,
September 8, 2009 at 4:35 pm
How fantastic!
I’m went right through Girl Guides from Brownie to Ranger when I was 19 and learnt some very important skills myself.
I had hoped for a daughter to do the same but with two boys I guess DH and I will just have to get involved in Scouts.
Trace said,
September 8, 2009 at 6:04 pm
Oh that brings back memories Kell, I to was a Brownie then a Guide – loved getting all the badges lol.
Donna said,
September 9, 2009 at 7:36 am
It was a toadstool – not a mushroom
I’ll try to see if it’s still an active unit
scrappydo said,
September 9, 2009 at 9:01 am
It was too!! Red with white spots!
Jenny E said,
September 9, 2009 at 9:17 pm
I agree about wrapping kids in cotton wool. My nephew at 7 yo old used to make tea for me – on a tray, in a pot and with a jug of milk and today he is a great big 26 yo who has just climbed Mt Kilimanjaro
Janine said,
September 14, 2009 at 7:20 pm
hey now thats cool. I am so pleased that children still do these things as they are taught life skills, that are valuable for the future. Good score on the cup of tea too, wait till he starts on making you brekkie.
Nikki aka WiddleShamrock said,
September 15, 2009 at 3:46 pm
Sewing your badge on goes towards Home Help badge.
I know your Arkela too. It’s a good pack down there isn’t it?
Jock is now a cub leader too.
Vicki said,
September 28, 2009 at 2:48 pm
As Mum to a Ranger nearly at the end of all our Guiding years must admit that it has been great for the girls and they both certainly learnt a huge amount of things over all the years. Alexia especially stuck with it right from Pippins at age 5 to now Rangers at 17. There are a lot worse things they could get into especially in those teenage years. Cups of tea are a great start and LOL over the matches.