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I've been approached to become a Beaver Scout leader!!

Blimey!

What's even crazier is the fact that I'm probably going to say yes!



Pete

good luck in scouting out the beaver!

need a hand? i can double as a sniff-a-dog

Did we reach the gutter so soon?

Surely that's some sort of record!!

Congrats Pete

I'm a proud alumni of the scouting system ( ), although I left Ventures fairly early because when they changed the age limits (lowering them to 16 for Ventures I think) it meant they couldn't meet in the pub as was tradition.

I think troops vary greatly... our troop was fantastic, and was basically an opportunity to let boys do stupid things in a controlled environment (first try of a cigarette, first chance to gulp smuggled booze away from the parents, endless chances to play with big knives... and of course, wonderful wonderful fire). Not to mention loads of canoeing and sailing, skinning rabbits, night hikes, playing murderball... I think our troop was the "worst" in terms of badges, because other local troops seemed to spend their evenings sitting round listening to a talk about musical instruments or woodland plants or something and getting certificates. We learnt exactly as much as we needed to get out into the wilderness without being a danger to ourselves.

Anyway, I digress! Beavers is the first step to that life of freedom and danger, so I commend you, and wish you well in this new endeavour!

Well done! Though I'd say the scout section is more fun; generally the first intro to knives, fire and things that make the kids' parents frown and look at you in a questioning way. That said,$ it is still fairly safe; in five years as a leader I've only had one kid break a bone, one sever a tendon in his hand whilst playing with a knife and one complaint to my district commissioner that I was performing black magic at meetings!

Well done Pete, just think of all the magical things you can teach those eager Beavers!

pcwells wrote:Did we reach the gutter so soon?

Surely that's some sort of record!!

If he hadn't said it I would... I was about to but several folks beat me to the punch.

There aren't enough scout leaders, so well done. The ones I know work really hard for precious little thanks.

My son has recently been inducted (or induced for the second time in his life) to beavers. He had to promise to love God, which seemed a little faustian but I thought that discretion was the better part of valour in this occasion.

nickj wrote:...and one complaint to my district commissioner that I was performing black magic at meetings!

Well done! That's a badge of honour in itself!

I was initially worried about the 'love God' promise, not being a practicing anything, but I take the word as a representation of niceness, compassion, respect and fair play. If there is a God, I doubt He or She will take issue with that.

Pete

Oh well done Pete, I was a venture scout and helped out with the cubs and beavers from time to time. It was great fun, you'll really enjoy it.

Nice one Pete.

I've recently become involved in a Scouting group who are doing theiir Duke of Edinburgh awards and I've started teaching basic magic to a group of around 10 teeagers alongside some local magicians.

I have to say that I've had a great time so far in doing something that feels very worthwhile and is important to those who attend.

Well done. The Scouts are a great organisation. I got several good years out of a bad troop. My son is in a good troop and is having a ball.
One strange thing: In Ireland they are the Catholic Boy Scouts, and as a child I had to go to the church and be sworn in. My son has been in four years now and they have never sworn him in. This has been a relief because he has been raised an athiest, and has never been inside a church. I didn't want to compromise that, but thankfully the issue has never arisen. Tony.