Scout Logo 1st Great Amwell Scout History    

Frequently Asked Historical Questions

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Q: When were Beaver Scouts introduced to Great Amwell?
A: Our first Beaver Colony was set up in 1989 following the official introduction of Beavers into the U.K in 1982. Our additional "Wolves" Beaver colony started in 18th February 2008.

Beaver Scouts are for ages of 6 to 8 years.

Q: When were Cub Scouts introduced to Great Amwell?
A: Our first Cub pack was introduced in 1940s. They were initially called Wolf Cubs and met in the Vicars rooms Great Amwell. Unfortunately they had to closed for a short period in 1959, due to leader shortages. Our second Cub pack ran between 1983 and 1990 to cater for ever increasing number at the time. A new Cub pack was again introduced in May 2008 to reduce large waiting lists across Ware and District (For further details please see the History page)

Cub Scouts are for ages 8-10½ years.

Q: When were Scouts introduced to Great Amwell?
A: Our Scout Troop was started in 1941, initially as a Sea Scout Group meeting in the Vicars rooms Great Amwell. As with the Cubs, they also closed for a short period in 1959 due to leader shortages. (Please see the History page for further details)

Scouts are for ages 10½-14 years [14½ upper age limit maximum]

 

Q: History of the Cub Scout Grand Howl

A: The Grand Howl is an opening and closing ceremony used by Cub Scouts. The howling of the wolf is a sound of rare beauty, and has awoken a sense of fear tempered by wonder since time began. Of course the call of the wolf is intended mainly to gather the wolves together after they have become scattered in the hunt; but it has also been shown that wolves howl for no apparent reason, as if it were an expression of joy at being alive. In the Grand Howl the cubs gather round, acknowledge each other as equals and through a series of ceremonial gestures and shouts show their joy at being together. The exact way the Grand Howl is carried out depends on the traditions of the individual pack

 

Q: History of the Scout Sign

A: The Scout sign is made with the right hand by holding your palm outward, keeping your little finger tucked underneath your thumb so that the first three fingers of your hand stand upright. It is said that the three fingers remind a Scout of the three main points of their Promise.

 

Q: What is a Scout Salute?

A: A Scout salute originated from the start of Scouting in 1907. It is made by forming the Scout Sign with the right hand and bringing it smartly up to nearly touch the right eye.

 

Q: History of why Scouts traditionally shake hands with their left hand

A: Baden Powell would tell the story of two tribes in Africa that were constantly at war with one another. One day the leader of one of the tribes decided to make peace with the opposing tribe. The leader met the opposing tribe leader on the border of his territory. He threw down his shield and held out his left hand in friendship. This was an important sign of trust and friendship as shaking with your left hand meant lowering your shield while the other person still had their spear in their right hand.

 

Q: When and who started our group?

A: The Scout group began as Sea Scouts in 1941 run by the Revd Thomas Gill Leech. They originally met at the Vicars room in Hillside Lane, Great Amwell. (Use the History link to read full story)

 

Q: What is a Wood Badge?

A: The Wood Badge is an award that Leaders obtain once they have completed their leader training. (See Wood Badge origins)

 

Q: What competitions have our Scouts historically enter?

A: Scouts have normally enter a team in the following competitions:

  1. District Cooking Competition (February)
  2. Light Weight Camping Competition (May)
  3. Raft Race (July)
  4. District Bowls Gala (July)
  5. District Swimming Gala (July)
  6. District Nocturnal Challenge (September)
  7. Heavy Weight Camping Competition
  8. Green Beret Challenge (November)
  9. Peak Assault (only if they a placed tenth or less in the Green Beret)

 

Q: What competitions have our Cub Scouts historically enter?

A: Cubs have normally enter a team in the following competitions:

  1. Go Kart Race (April)
  2. Tug-of-War
  3. Swimming Gala
  4. Oxley Shield
  5. Ware Carnival (July)

 

Q: What competitions have our Beaver Scouts historically enter?

A: Beavers normally enter a team in the following:

  1. Tug-of-War

  2. Handicraft Competition

  3. Ware Carnival (July)

 

Q: When do Beavers, Cubs and Scouts hold their weekly meetings?

A: Meeting times during school term time are as follows:       

 

Name Day Time
Beaver Bears Colony Tuesday 5.30pm to 6.45pm.
Beaver Wolves Colony Wednesday 5.30pm to 6.45pm.
Cubs Leopards Pack Tuesday 7.15 pm to 8.30pm
Cubs Otters Pack Thursday 7.00pm to 8.15pm
Scouts ALVAR Troop Monday 7:30pm to 9:00pm (2010 - 2011)
Scouts Friday Troop Friday 7:30pm to 9:30om