Robert Robert - Scouting for Boys

You can deter mine the height of a tree with the aid

of a Scout staff, which you have marked in inches.

Weights and Numbers

You should also know how to estimate weights—a letter of an ounce, or a fish or a potato of one pound, or a sack of bran, and also the probable weight of a man from his appearance. These, again, are only learnt by practice.

Learn also to judge numbers—to tell at a glance approximately how many people are in a group, or on a bus, or in a big crowd.; how many sheep in a flock; how many marbles on a tray, and so on. You can practice for yourself at all times in the street or field.

PATROL PRACTICES IN PIONEERING

Practice knot tying against time, by having races between the Scouts in pairs. The losers pair off again for further races, until the slowest knot tier is found. In this way (which can be used for practice in other Scoutcrafts also), the worst performers get the most practice—and the competition is just as great to avoid being the worst as it would be in striving to be the best, and win a prize.

A parbuckle is an effective way for moving a heavy log—or some other kind of heavy object.

A Patrol hut may be made by placing slender trees together, and by covering the framework with sods.

Knot tying races in the dark are fun. The Patrol Leader turns out the lights for a few seconds after naming the knot to be tied. Instead of turning off the lights, the competitors may be blindfolded. Make models of bridges with Scout staffs, tying them together with cord or rope.

GAME

Scouting Race

The umpire stations three individuals or groups, each group differently clothed as far as possible, and carrying different articles (such as stick, bundle, paper, etc.), at distances from 300 to 1,200 yards from starting point. If there are other people about, these groups might be told to kneel on one knee, or take some such position to distinguish them from passers-by. The umpire makes out a circular course of three points for the competitors to run, say, about ¼ mile, with a few jumps if possible.

The competitors start and run to No. 1 point. Here the umpire tells them the compass-direction of the group they have to report on. Each competitor on seeing this group writes a report showing—

1. How many in the group.

2. How clothed or how distinguishable.

3. Position as regards any landmark near them.

4. Estimation of distance from his own position.

He then runs to the next point and repeats the same on another group, and so on; and finally he runs with his report to the winning post.

Marks—Full marks, 5 for each correct and complete description of a group—that is, an aggregate of 15 marks for the course. One mark deducted for every ten seconds later than the first boy handing in his report at the winning post. Marks or half marks deducted for mistakes or omissions in reports.

You can make a simple raft from “sausages”—waterproof covers filled with straw or dry leaves. Lash them to a frame of Scout staves.

CAMP FIRE YARN NO. 9

CAMPING

Comfort in Camp — Ground — Camp Equipment

Camp Pitching — Fire Building — Keeping Camp Clean

Some people talk of “roughing it” in camp. Well, a tenderfoot may find it rough and uncomfortable. But there is no “roughing it” for an old Scout; he knows how to look after himself and make himself comfortable. If he has no tent, he doesn’t sit down to shiver and grouse, but sets to work to rig up a shelter or hut for himself. He chooses a good spot for it where he is not likely to be flooded out if a storm of rain were to come on. Then he lights a camp fire, and makes himself a soft mattress of ferns or straw.

An old Scout is full of resource. He can find a way out of any difficulty or discomfort.

Ground

When you go camping, you must first decide where you will have your camp, and then what kind of camp it shall be.

The nearer it is to your homes, the less will be the expense of travelling.

To my mind, the best place for a camp is in or close by a wood where you have permission to cut firewood and to build huts. So if you know of an owner in your neighbourhood who may let you use a corner of his wood, there is your chance. Inside a wood the ground may be damp and the trees will continue dripping in wet weather. Be on the look-out for this. If you build good rain- proof huts, you need no tents.

The seaside also gives some good camp grounds if you find a place where boats are available and bathing possible. Sometimes you can get the use of a boathouse to live in. Don’t forget that you will want good water and some firewood.

Or you can go to mountains, moor, or river, and get permission to pitch your camp.

In choosing the camp site, always think what it would be if the weather became very rainy and windy. Choose the driest and most sheltered spot, not too far away from your water supply. Remember that a good water supply is of first importance. And make sure that your drinking water is pure.

Tramping Camps

Instead of a fixed or “standing camp”, many Scouts prefer a ‘‘tramping camp’’.

Of course, it is much better fun to go over new country. But to make a tramping camp enjoyable you want good weather.

In arranging your tramp, your first point will be to select the line of country you want to visit,

and mark out from the map where you will halt each night. You will find that about five miles a

day is as much as you will want to do.

You might want to make a trek-cart for carrying your tents, blankets, waterproof sheets, and so on.

At the end of each day’s march you would get permission from a farmer to pitch your camp in

his field, or get the use of his barn to sleep in—especially if the weather be wet.

Tents

Before you know which type of tent you will want, you must decide whether it will be wanted for a standing or moving camp.

For a standing camp, from which you don’t mean to move, I prefer the kind used by explorers called a ridge tent or wall tent. They are unequalled for comfort and for making the camp look neat. If they have fly-sheets, they will be quite waterproof, even if you touch the inside of the tent, and the fly-sheet will keep the tent cool in hot sunshine and warm in frosty weather.

Smaller Scout tents also do very well for camp if you can have two or more for each Patrol. You can make your own tent during the winter months—and this, perhaps, is the best way of all, as it comes cheapest in the end. And if, while you are about it, you make one or two extra ones, you may be able to sell them at a good profit.

The “ridge tent” or “wall tent” is one of the favorite tent

models used by explorers in many parts of the world.

Where the expense of tents prohibits buying them, remember that used tents may often be hired for a week or more at small cost.