I was recently asked the question regarding my thoughts on programme restrictions by section for activities in scouting. So here they are

Oh to have explored more I have now been involved in scouting since the age of 8 that is a total of 28 years and I really only have one Scouting Regret the fact I never completed my Explorer Belt. I have blogged about this before but wanted to revisit it.  See I wonder what people’s thoughts are on an adult explorer belt?  For those not in the know the UK Scout Association says the explorer belt is: The explorer belt is the challenge of a lifetime, open to explorer scouts aged 16 and over and members of the scout network. It is a chance to take part in a ten-day expedition that brings a real understanding of a different country, its people and way of life. To complete the explorer belt award, an explorer scout or scout network member must: be over 16 years old be a member of [...]

The last words are key and a good speakers will tell you the not matter how short of long your talk is, people will usually only really remember your opening joke and your parting line. Knock knock ………. (Ok maybe not) So a question for you what is a Scoutmasters Minute? Nope it is not the amount free time a leader gets on camp or the breathing time between the next stupid question asked by a member of your Unit. Neither is it a rather good blog by Scoutmaster Jerry it is the last words of a scout meeting the parting message The BSA factsheet says The Scoutmaster’s Minute is brief in duration but one of the most important parts of a troop meeting. Occurring at the closing of the meeting, it is the thought that will go home with the boys. It is the time to teach one of [...]

As we read this our Ninja Puffin Leader in the making is making fine progress in his training. He has been let lose from his crate and learning to master the new Ninja power and moves. For all those that are reading this, we will be exclusively revealing a sneaky paparazzi shot of our Kiff in training. Please don’t worry he does have his top on in the photo, we’ll will be revealing this here at Jabbering at 1pm today!!!!!! Back to today’s topic though, MOTIVATION. How do you motivate your young members in Scouting. We all know what teenagers can be like, so how do you do it? DO you try to motivate your members every week? Or just for big events? Do you motivate them with actions or words? Do they need motivating? Is there a big difference in the sections, such as Beavers and Scouts? I am [...]

TAKEOVER! TAKEOVER! TAKEOVER! TAKEOVER! TAKEOVER! TAKEOVER! There is nothing wrong with your computer screen. Do not attempt to adjust the picture. We are controlling Jabbering. If we wish to make it louder, we will bring up the volume. If we wish to make it softer, we will tune it to a whisper. We will control the horizontal. We will control the vertical. We can roll the image, make it flutter. We can change the focus to a soft blur or sharpen it to crystal clarity. For the time you are reading this, sit quietly and we will control all that you see and hear. We repeat: there is nothing wrong with your computer screen. You are about to participate in a great adventure. You are about to experience the awe and mystery which reaches from the inner mind to — The Cilben Collective. We have packaged Kiff off to a small island to where he will [...]

What is the impact of scouting on a person or a community? The adventurer Ed Coats has just become a the Scouting Ambassador for Avon Scout County. Ed Coats was recently at the National Scout Centre Woodhouse Park and discussed the impact of scouting as he see it. See the video here Enjoy

Archery and Air Rifle shooting is a very active sport in the UK and is growing in popularity because of the Olympic Games 2012 and the various youth organisations out there that offer access to the activity. It is even accessible in schools!