Lock-down

Scout

Harpenden and Wheathampstead (+Kimpton) Scout District

Our Magazine for Isolated Scouts

16th May 2020 FreeIssue No. 8

For as long as it takes

Beavers: Stilts

Cubs: Lolly-stick catapult

Scouts: Paper Banger!

Explorers: Compass

Six more trees

Story: Part 1:Goodall’ good turn

Ocarina

Thought for the week

Recipe: Stuffed onions

American Scouts

Amazing knots

The printer’s box

Puzzles

Scout art: Baden-Powell

Lock-down ScoutContents

Bang!

You have to

try stilts!

2

Lock-down Scout

Virtual Scout meetings are keeping us going. All over the country, indeed the world, Scouts are Zooming together and

keeping Scouting alive.

Common to most are the telling of stories, sharing videos, quizes, and making posters and flags. Well done the leaders, well done the Scouts.

I like the idea that Scouts can still make progress towards their badges at home. A good example in many Districts is allowing every night camped in the garden to count as one ‘Night Away’. Scouting doesn’t stop because we can’t meet face to face. rv.

Feedback and contributions to rjvassie@gmail.com

Three things to remember:

1

2

3

Sometimes we’re on our own

Art is often the best route to understanding. Take this old Boy’s Own magazine front showing a young Sea Scout, on his own, at the helm of a boat.

He is in control, showing skill, doing it right and having fun!

Although we spend most of our time together, sometimes its okay to be on our own– it’s when we prove ourselves. That, too, is a kind of fun.

School comes first. Organise your workplace and do the assignments. This is a priority.

Don’t get in the way of your parents working at home. They need space to succeed. As far as possible be self-sufficient. Share time when it is okay to do so.

You are a Scout. However young, however old, you made a promise. Live up to it!

3

Lock-down Scout

BeaversBeavers

Stilts

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DNc0KTELRfg

Stilts

There comes a time in everyone’s life when they just have to try stilts. These are only one foot high so they are fun and safe.

Making stilts is a bit beyond Beavers so the task falls to parents or friends who can spare an hour in the shed cutting and drilling wood. It is the Beaver’s challenge to get up on the stilts and walk a few paces, or even lots of paces!

I made the stilts in the picture from odd scraps of timber and I expect you will do the same. The instructions on the next page are a guide. Adapt them to suit what you have.

Two points to note: everywhere must be smooth and splinter free. And the blocks should be securely fixed with countersunk screws. (Bolt-heads are less safe).

Take a picture!

4

StiltsThe uprights could, for instance, be round broom- sticks. They would be strong enough but they would sink into soft grass. Better to choose square section about 30mm across which has the added advantage of a stronger fixing at the block.

Be creative with what you have!

Lock-down Scout

Why not wear a mask while striding on stilts? Google:

‘Printable Masks’and you will find

many designsto suit

everyone

Or ...print this one,

mount it on card, and cut it out.

Use string or elastic to fix it on your head

30cm

3cm

150cm

15cm

9cm5cm

3 x 60mmCountersinkscrews

5

Lock-down Scout

CubsCubsLolly-stickcatapult

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WpLFC_SOpXs

Visit:

You will need:

11 Lolly-sticks (broad ones are best)

1 Packet of small rubber bands

Plastic bottle-top

Glue (to fix bottle-top)

tart with the base, then make the side-

Spieces. Bring them together, winding the rubber bands around the lolly-sticks to

fix them.

Add the front and top spars.

Glue the bottle-cap onto the last lolly-stick (the YouTube video used hot-melt glue) and fix it with the rubber band that provides the power. See the picture below.

The catapult is ready. Screw up some paper into miniature balls, put one in the bottle cap, pull back the arm and let go. WHOOSH!

Take a picture!

Make a

6

SCOUTSSCOUTS

Lock-down Scout

This is so simple yet it makes a terrifically loud bang. You fold the paper inside the card outer, hold the tip of the triangle, raise it above your

head, and then...... swing your arm down quickly and— BANG!!!

The rush of air gets into the folded paper and forces it out explosively and makes a surprising amount of noise doing it. In fact, the force can be so great that it bursts the paper. (So, choose strong paper!)

You’ll get some fun out of a paper banger but why not also use it at 8pm on Thursdays– instead of clapping the NHS staff, with your banger you could give them a

21 gun salute!

Just gluing the paper and card together is too easy so spend a moment dreaming up

ways to give it a personality. Why not paint a dragon face on it, or put a message inside, or just decorate it?

Have fun. Take a picture.

A4 CardFolded

A4 paper

Glue

See instructions next page

Make a Paper Banger

Bang!

7

#

A4 sheetof card

Discard

Fold

Fold both ways

#

# #

A4 sheetof strong paper

Discard

Discard

Cut

Cut

Fold

up

Fold up

Ì

Gluehere first.Fix to outer card...

...and thenglue here,and fix to outer card

Paper

Card

Align points

Press firstglued flaponto card.......then glue

this flapand press to card

Lock-down Scout

A4 CardFolded

A4 paper

Glue

How to make the Paper Banger

Traditionally, these bangers were made from the sides of cereal boxes and brown wrapping paper.

And they were often give-aways in comics.

But the ones made by hand at home were easy the most fun.

8

Lock-down Scout

EXPLORERSEXPLORERS

A Portable CompassFrom recyced packaging

n easy to make compass that is practical and works reliably

Ain the field. The design needs the minimum of craft tools and is tolerant of build errors.

Standard drink-cans and bottles should work okay but be prepared for a little creativity if what you have to hand is different.

Choose aluminium cans so as not to interfere with the magnetic fields. Choose quality dressmaker’s pins (i.e. hard and not bendy) because they are magnetically stronger. Magnets can be obtained via eBay at low cost but fridge magnets and those used on phone cases will work well.

Clear plastic bottle

Aluminium drinks can.(Could be plastic)

Cork

3 Dressmaker’s pins

Ruler

Scissors

Knife

Pencil

Red pen

Black pen Blu-Tack(3 small pieces)

Magnet

Cardboard(Food carton)

What you will need

When cut, the

aluminiun can might

have sharp edges. This

can be overcome by

covering the cut edge

with any strong

adhesive tape. ‘Gaffa’

tape or electrical PVC

tape is ideal.

Safety Notice

See supplement at the back for full details

9

Lock-down Scout

Scout?There are hundreds of different

trees and they are all

important. To help care for them

Scouts learn the names of the

commonest trees. But, of course, it’s not

just conservation that interests Scouts– we

play among trees and we rely on them

constantly, just as the wildlife does.

Recognising them and naming them is

traditional to Scouts because woodland lore was

so valued by the first Scouts. They made trees

part of their Scout life and we keep the skill going.

Answerson page 15

10

7

9

11

12

Can you name an extra six trees?

8

10

Lock-down Scout

A MYSTERY.

I WISH I could find out why Jack Goodall was unable to turn up at the last two Troop meetings," said Patrol- leader James to his Second, Bob Horley. “I saw him

yesterday and I asked him straight out for the reason. He replied by saying that he had been asked to do a Good Turn, but that he could not say what it was. He added that he would not be at next Thursday's meeting.”

“Seems to me that we can do nothing," replied Bob. “Besides, it wouldn't be right for us to try to find out. Jack is a good Scout, and you can bet that he has an excellent reason for staying away, and that there is nothing wrong in the good turn he is doing. I vote we let it rest at that."

The Patrol-leader agreed, but all the same he could not help thinking about it, as was only natural.

The following Thursday Goodall was again absent, but he turned up as usual on Saturday afternoon when the Troop went into the country for Scouting practice.

“I propose we go across the fields to Hopley Woods,” suggested James to his patrol. It's the best Scouting country for miles round here."

"'Good idea," answered Bob. “And on the way back we could have a look at the old mill that's supposed to be haunted."

" I wouldn't go near it if I were you," put in Jack Goodall hastily.

The patrol laughed.

“Surely you don't believe that the old mill is haunted and

that you are afraid?" said James.

“No-er, I'm not afraid, but I'd rather keep away if you don't mind," Jack told him. “But you've been there heaps of times before," put in Bob Horley. “Why don't you to go there this afternoon?"

For a moment Goodall was silent. His face had gone white and he looked confused. “I can't tell you," he managed to say at last. " It's a personal reason and I'd be glad if you fellows would stay away. Nobody else goes near the mill because they are afraid to. I - I—"

“That's all right, old chap," cut in the Patrol-leader. "We will go to Hopley Woods, but we will cut out the visit to the mill."

Nothing more was said that afternoon and Scouts soon forgot the incident in an exciting game of flag raiding. But on the way home Patrol-leader James remembered it again, and when the patrol had dismissed for the day he contrived to get Goodall on his own.

They walked along to the latter's home. He lived with an old couple in a quiet house on the outskirts of the town.

Goodall had come to Blanton to work in the local post office, and had joined the Scouts there soon after. Nobody had asked him how he came to be living in lodgings, and he did not think to volunteer the information. The Scouts thought he was an orphan.

" I don't want to appear inquisitive Jack," said the Patrol-leader as they walked along, but I'm very curious to know just why you didn't want us to go to the old mill this afternoon.

“If you don't mind, I'd rather not talk about it," replied Jack. “I was glad you decided not to go.' Perhaps I shall be able to give you my reason later on, but for the present I have given my word to keep silent, and I can't break a promise."

“I'm sorry, Jack. Forget all about it. I ought not to have mentioned it, but it made me very curious, and I thought that I might be able to help you."

“Thank you very much. I may need your assistance, and you may be sure that I'll come to you if I do. I know all this seems funny to you, but I give you my word of honour as a Scout that everything is above board. If you were in my place you would do the same as me."

They said good-bye and on the way to his own home the

Telling of Scout’s mysteriousdisappearance, and what happenedwhen he was found by his chums.

By F. Haydn Dimmock

A strong gust of wind caught the haunted mill, which rocked dangerously. Suddenly, the piles gave way under the strain, and the whole structure

crashed to the ground.

10 Sept 1921 PART ONE

11

Patrol-leader tried to find a solution to the mystery. One thing was certain, in some way or other the old mill was connected with it. That was evident by Goodall's concern when it was proposed to visit it that afternoon. James knew that if he went to the mill he might learn all he wanted to know, but he realised that it wouldn't be a Scout-like thing to do after what Goodall had said. He resolved to trust the Scout and wait until he was able to explain matters.

Then suddenly the mystery deepened. Goodall disappeared.

James got the news direct from the old people with whom Goodall lived. He had called to see Jack and had found his landlady in a terrible way.

He's been gone two days, Master James," she said. “I'm sure I don't know what has happened to the poor lad. He's been that worried just lately about something, and he's been right off his food. I'm worried to death about him, for he was such a nice, quiet boy and so good. I thought perhaps he might have got into trouble at the post office, but I have been to see the postmaster this morning and he told me that everything was all right. He's just as worried as I am. I do hope you will be able to find him, Master James."

“|'m going to do my very best," answered the Patrol-leader “and I will let you know how I get on.”

He did not tell her that he was going to rally his patrol,

and that the first place he was going to search was the haunted mill on the other side of Hopley Wood.

IN THE STORMIt did not take the Patrol-leader long to gather his Scouts together and they were all anxious to help in the search for their missing chum.

“I think that the first thing for us to do is to visit the old mill,” he told them. “I've got an idea that we shall find a clue there."

There was immediate excitement among the Scouts. They remembered the incident of the previous Saturday afternoon when Goodall had turned pale when the Patrol-leader had suggested a visit to the mill.

"Do you think we shall find him there? " asked Bob Horley.

“That is hard to say," replied the Patrol leader. "It is quite possible that we shall, but I shouldn't like to be too sure."

The patrol were soon on their way to the mill. They went the quickest route across the fields and through Hopley Woods. It was a dull evening. Heavy black clouds were in the sky and the air was oppressive.

“Looks to me as if we're going to have a storm," opined Bob Horley as they entered the wood. “I don't like the feel of the atmosphere.”

Lock-down Scout

To be continued

OcarinaAs featured in

‘Take Nobody’s Word for it’

withProfessor Ian Fells

and Carol Vorderman1989

Print out the plan on A4 card, cut it out, glue it together and play your

own ocarina

See supplement for full detailsa10

12

Whenever we are absorbed by something we detach from the practical affairs of the world to give ourselves wholly to that thing. We become

'lost' in fascination, perhaps in a book or in conversation. The climax of a game can be a detachment where all else is excluded save the

excitement of the play. Laughter and sorrow are detachments and just as potent in disconnecting us from the world.

A Scout's life should be rooted in the world but move from one detachment to another: fascinated, compassionate, involved,

crying in a sad lm, laughing with the best of friends and giving their everything on the eld of play. Romance, reverie and

reection – our detachments from the world are essential to our health and happiness.

There is another detachment we all engage but rarely talk of. Sometimes we think about existence; what we are; how we

came to be; how we are to live; is there a God for me? These are spiritual moments where the world dissolves and leaves us

very alone with our mind and the cosmos. We discover that this unique detachment is a safe place to be, where truth is

naked and the mind is truly free. Here too is the only place where thankfulness is valid. Go there sometimes to be

complete: laugh, cry, be fascinated, be involved but be spiritual too.

rv Feb 2014

Detachment

Lock-down Scout

RecipeBACKWOODS

You will need:OnionsButterChopped, cooked meat

Method:Cut each onion in half, from top to bottom, and remove three or four layers of onion from the centre.

Fill the two halves with the chopped, cooked meat and put them back together again.

Put a dab of butter with each onion and wrap in a double thickness of foil, consigning the package to the hot embers for 20 to 30 minutes turning occasionally.

The food wil be cooked when the package feels soft to touch.

FAME

Phil: “Yes, Skakespeare was a great man, but I wonder whether he’d be as famous were he alive today.”

Sophy: “Sure: why he would be at least three hundred years old!”

For the BBQ

Stuffed onions

13

Lighterman’s Mooring Hitch

The mooring rope is given a round-turn on a bollard as at A, then a bight is formed in the end of the rope as at B.

The bight is slipped over the bollard as at C.

A loop is then made in the end as at D, and it is slipped over the bollard.

The finished hitch is shown at E.

When ropes are heavy, the ease with which this secure hitch comes apart is a major asset.

A

B

C

D

E

Lighterman’s Mooring HitchAmazing Knots

Lock-down Scout

Scouts throughout the world are responding to the Coronavirus pandemic. Here American Boy Scouts are helping at a medical centre marking out walk-ways so that patients maintain two metre distance from each other.

Other Scouts are giving hand-wash tutorials, making things for the needy and sending letters of friendship to isolated people.

14

Lock-down Scout

Use strong paper or light card.

rv

The Printer’s Box

15

Lock-down Scout

PuzzlesCan you name this place?

Solution to Matchstick puzzle 10 (Issue 7)

Remove three matches from the five squares so as to leave only three of the squares

11

A N S W E R

A N S W E RA N S W E R

Solution to touching coins (Iss 7)

IE ME ITET O KOTTIGI A TET O MODAY

Add the same letter 12 times to make sense of this nonsense

T O M

C S A

J E W R O

F A C A K D F

K C I L T E R

H A D O N

R B R

T H U

Ten boys’ names are hidden in this puzzle. They can be found by reading certain of the letters in adjoining squares. You may read upwards, downwards and sideways, but not diagonally.

Can you find them?

Can you name 6 extra trees?

(p 9)

7 Beech

8 Plane

9 Willow

10 Sweet Chestnut

11 Aspen

12 Hawthorn

16

Lock-down Scout

Scout art Lord Baden-Powell (22 february 1857 – 8 January 1941)

Robert Baden-Powell was a

competent water-colour artist as the two examples

here show. But his most influential art was in his sketches, particularly the

ones in Scouting for Boys. The examples on this page are typical and it is no exaggeration to say they launched

Scouting. Of course the words in his book nailed his intention, but his sketches worked just

as hard, maybe harder, in conveying the essence of

Scouting. It was always purposeful, innocent, and

associated with health and growing well.

The uniform showed Scouting to be a way-of-life choice, the

settings were generally out-doors, the outlook

was that life is good and structured.

The sketches (there are scores of them) depict freedom and the proper use of it.

They informed the first fifty years of Scouting

across the world.

For many years Scouting for Boys was the biggest best-seller next to

the bible.

17

Cut the aluminium can twice: first make a rough cut, then a finish cut to make a smooth cup about 60mm high.Add tape to the edgefor safety.(Not shown)

Cut the base off a clear

bottle

Cut a stripfrom the bottle.10mm x 30mm

The bottle bottom should fitjust inside the aluminium can

10mm

15m

m

to makethe ‘tent’

Discard

Slice about 6mm from the end of a cork

Push an unmagnetisedpin through the cork centre

Push twomagnetisedpins through...

Place the aluminium can over the cardboard and with the pencil mark the circular outline. Cut out with scissors so that the disc just fits inside the can.

Mark the compass points as shownusing the black pen. Mark the North arrow using the red pen.

Cut a small hole in the centre.

..and gently place the tenton the upright pin.

To make the dialHold both pins together and stroke with one pole of the magnet ina circle as shown. Repeat 5 times

Magnetise two pins

Hold 2 pinstogether

1

2

3

4

5 6

7

8

9

10

Lock-down

ScoutOur Magazine for Isolated Scouts

Issue No. 8

For as long as it takes

Project supplement: Instructions

The compassshould alignNorth-South

Be careful

with sharp

tools

Tip: Add alittle dent herewith a blunt nail.(Improves stabilitywhen compass is moved.See over.

Portable Compass

18

Cut a strip of cardboard about 10mm wide (you must decide what is just right) and long enough to go around the inside of the can.

Fold it concertina fashion to create a support for the dial.

Also, see the three pieces of blu-tack (shown flattened by the cork). If blu-tack is not available, other kinds of glue will serve just as well.

Prepare 3 balls of blu-tackabout 5mm diameter and attach to the underside of the cork. Place in the centre of the can and squeeze on the blu-tack to fix. (The blu-tac in the can shows where they will go).

Setting up the compass

When magnetising the pins with ‘found’ magnets, it is usually impossible to know which

end of the pin will seek the North pole; so the sharp ends of your compass may

point North or South! To find out which way it points, set the compass up in

the morning when the sun rises in the East, or at evening when the sun

sets in the West. Either way, you can work out which way the compass

pins point. Put a red dot on the tent on the side that points North.

To use the compass

The tent is free to fall off its bearing pin but this is of little consequence

because it is easy to replace when needed. A little practice will show how

easy it is to set. To protect the compass in the kit-bag and to shield against

the wind, add the base of a close fitting clear plastic bottle. This also serves

to retain the tent when not in use.

Set the compass in any space free from metal objects and allow the tent to

settle. Rotate the can to align the North arrow to bring all the compass points

true to their proper directions. Have fun!

11

12

16

15

Sign off

Lock-down Scout

Adding a dent(optional)

Place the tent upside down on a piece of soft

wood. Gently tap a smooth blunt nail in the exact

centre of the crease.

If you go through the plastic, the

pin will jam. (Make a new

tent!)

This compass was designed for Ghanaian Scouts who rarely have access to Silva compasses. They do, however, have aluminium cans, drinks bottles and pins. The compass is strong enough and small enough to travel in a kit-bag and can be set up in a moment. RV 2016

13Lastly, place the dial over the cork to rest on the concertina strip.

14

Portable Compass

19

aa

b

b

c

c

dd

f

f

f

gg

h

hk

kl

l

m

m

e

e

Ocari

na

Print on A

4 c

ard

. S

core

all

the c

rease

lines.

( A

blu

nt bu

tter-

knife

a

gain

st a

rule

r w

ork

s w

ell)

. U

se the b

lue li

nes

to a

lign the r

ule

r. D

o

not sc

ore

tab g

-g.

Cut out th

e o

carina fro

m the c

ard

. U

se s

ciss

ors

or

(pre

ferr

ed)

craft

kn

ife a

nd s

teel r

ule

r. H

ole

s are

best

cut w

ith a

cra

ft k

nife

.

Glu

e the o

carina togeth

er

(Prit-

stic

k) m

atc

hin

g the le

tters

. (T

he la

st

thre

e tabs

are

hard

est

).

Sco

re a

nd c

ut out th

e m

outh

-pie

ce, fo

ld, and g

lue g

-g o

nto

tab. A

lign

S w

ith S

.

Let th

e g

lue d

ry, and th

en p

lay

the o

carina. (b

low

gently

).

s

g g

s

IN

ST

RU

CT

IO

NS

Lock-down Scout

Mouth

-pie

ce

20

In lock-downHarpenden and Wheathampstead Scout District

https://www.scouts.org.uk/the-great-indoors/

Extra activities available from Scouts.org

Find out more at:

Lock-down Scout