Happy New Year to you all. Let’s hope that 2016 is a great year for Scouting in Queensland.
I was fortunate to spend four days at the 24th Australian Jamboree (AJ2016) and caught up with as many Leaders and Youth Members as was possible in that time. We should be proud of our Contingent and the great image they were for Scouting in Australia. Remember the Jamboree badge can only be worn for three months.
As we head toward Founder’s Day do not lose sight of that this is the special year for Cub Scouting – 100 years since Wolf Cubs began.
Make sure your Cub Scout Section understands their beginning. Many older Leaders remember being Cub Masters until the late 1970s and Wolf Cubs. Introduce your Cub Scouts to:
When the Cub Scout Section was formed in 1916 for eight to 11 year olds, they were called Wolf Cubs. When they first joined, they were referred to as Tenderpads who had their eyes closed. Their aim was to earn their stars which were metal badges worn on their Cub cap. A Cub with two stars was said to have both eyes open. Research this and go through the tests with the Cub Scouts. Ask them if they think there is much difference between what the Wolf Cubs did 100 years ago, compared to now. Are some of the tasks still relevant?
Use some of the activities to design an introductory Cub Scout Challenge. Introduce the Cub Scouts to the original 12 proficiency badges which a Wolf Cub could earn; Collector, Observer, Gardener, Team Player, Guide, Swimmer, Homecraft, Toy Maker Artist, Athlete, House Orderly, First Aid.
The top award for any Wolf Cub was the Leaping Wolf. Wolf Cubs had to have both 1st and 2nd stars plus three proficiency badges (one had to be from the red set) to get their Leaping Wolf award.
Follow up your research into the old badges by looking at the ones which are currently available. Wolf Cub Packs each had their own totem pole which consisted of a wooden staff about the size of a broom handle with a wolf’s head surmounted on the top.
Ribbons were attached to the pole every time a person got a Proficiency Badge. The ribbon was the same colour as for the badge (red, green, yellow or blue), and the person’s name and that of the badge was written on the ribbon. At the end of the year a ring, bearing the date, could be slipped over the ribbons to divide those of one year from those gained in the next. Other honours earned by your Pack would have been added as well.
Baden-Powell recommended that new recruits ‘added’ their contributions to the Pack’s traditions by affixing a brass-headed nail to the stem of the pole.
Your pack can make a totem pole using papier mâché, card and polystyrene, or any other suitable materials. It should be easy to carry, so only about 1200mm at the most.
This is only a smattering of the old Wolf Cub Section, find out more and challenge your Pack to use some of the ideas over the next year.