Were you ever in the brownies, Guides, Cubs or Scouts?

I joined the brownies when I was 7 in 1979. I had a great time, playing games every week, putting on plays, going on pack holiday to hesley wood scout camp, swimming in the open air (freezing) swimming pool and playing in the adventure playground. I was in the Imps six, but didn;t get many badges.

As I grew older, if not wiser, I joined the Guides in the 'snowdrop' patrol and again had another 4 years of great fun camping, acting and learning new skills. Skills that I still put into use today such as local history knowledge, sewing and first aid. But also softer skills such as leadership, self confidence and time management.

What a great time!!!! I even met the queen once and her short little sister, Princess Margaret.

I would love to hear from any other ex-guiding (& scouting) people on this forum (If you are willing to admit you once wore a woggle!)

Loopy Lou.

I was in the scouts (And it's a woggle)

In 1972, The 3rd Wentworth group in Chapeltown (Now it is the 82nd Sheffield)

Hangs head in shame - of course its a woggle........ edited my first post so I don't look quite so stupid.

So Viking, did you enjoy the scouts - what did your lot get up to ?

Originally posted by LoopyLou

Hangs head in shame - of course its a woggle........ edited by first post so I don't look quite so stupid.

 

So Viking, did you enjoy the scouts - what did your lot get up to ?

Loved it, we used to meet every Tuesday night, But it is the camping i remember, in fact i still go camping to this day, and i am bringing my lad up to do the same.

How about Woodcraft Folk people? Just as much fun, but with members of the opposite sex (so, err, even more fun, I guess )

My daughter is in guides now, its still going strong, things have changed a bit now though, especially with the uniforms.

They are now designed by top designers like Jeff Banks and Ally Capellino and use modern stuff like fleeces and polo shirts.

They have a very good web site too

http://www.girlguiding.org.uk/new/

They have their own pop concert too at the NEC, with top pop acts more details here

Big Gig

This year also sees the the International camp come to Chatsworth House, where thousands from all over the world come together.

http://www.peak2005.org.uk/index.shtml

Loopy Lou - its sounds like you are a budding leader, they are crying out for new leaders. In fact we got a letter begging parents to get involved.

Me - I was in the 56th Boys Brigade

Originally posted by DanSumption

How about Woodcraft Folk people? Just as much fun, but with members of the opposite sex (so, err, even more fun, I guess )

Oh at long last, someone else who was in the Woodcraft Folk!

None of my mates believe me when I talk about it, they all take the mickey, and reckon I've made it all up!

I was in the Intake group for a couple of years - it must have been in the early 80s. I loved it. It set me up for a life of camping and trudging around the countryside. I never did get my firelighting badge though but I do know how to make a shelter out of twigs, leaves and a bin liner! Comes in handy that!

Been in brownies, and guides. Also attended cubs and scouts (Dad is a Scout Leader).

Helped out running numerous pack meetings, used to teach sea scouts to sail. Also been on various camps/jamborees helping out.

Also done Duke Of Edinburgh, Bronze, Silver and Gold and went to St James Palace. Again used to assist with Young Duke of Edinburgh particpants in the training of expedition skills and other criteria.

Not involved at present due to moving as far away as possible from my home town to North Sheffield.

Never mind about wearing woggles, did you actually make your own?

Yup, Woodcraft Folk does exist still going strong in fact, I am in the middle of making arrangements to take a group of Woodcraft Folk kids to Germany.

I went to Woodcraft in London (Teddington), but my wife went to a group here in Sheffield: we first met on a Woodcraft exchange trip to India. In fact, her parents also met through Woodcraft Folk: it seems to be the source of a great many lifelong friendships (most of my friends I've stayed in touch with since childhood are ex-Woodcraft or friends of other Woodcraft members, very few are people I met through school or elsewhere), and more than a few marriages.

Originally posted by DanSumption

but with members of the opposite sex (so, err, even more fun, I guess

I think that you will find that the Scouts have been taking girls for the last 10 years or so (admittedly not all troops are there yet)

Let me rephrase that: "have been accepting girls into the organisation"

I know you didn't make them up, badhairday! I've had two experiences of the Woodcraft Folk:-

there were loads of WF members on the Stop the War march in Feb 2003, singing positive songs all the way round the march (which only got a tiny bit annoying after the fifth hour of being jammed next to them!)

I used to work for a young people's drugs project and did a session with a Woodcraft Folk group which shall remain nameless, who were all incredibly interested in everyhting I could tell them about weed in all its forms!

So - they seem like a groovier, leftie version of the brownies/guides, right?

(I was in the Sprites. My Brown Owl was a hero, my sixer was a fascist. People, eh?!)

Joy

Yeah, I did find out recently that they have left-wing/socialist connections. Not that politics bothered me when I was 10 - I just remember it being good fun and teaching me a thing or two about outdoor life.

I remember going camping one weekend - I thought we'd gone miles and we were only at Norton!