and peace in the world?”
Then came the Jamboree in Holland in 1937. The symbol then was the Jacob’s Staff which mariners used in olden times in navigation.
We little knew then what agony was to come to that gallant country and to many others before many years passed. At the final rally I said:
“This Brotherhood of Scouting is in many respects similar to a Crusade. You Scouts have assembled from all parts of the world as ambassadors of goodwill, and you have been making friends, breaking down any barriers of race, of creed, or of class. That surely is a great Crusade. I advise you now to continue that good work, for soon you will be men, and if quarrels should arise between any nations it is upon you that the burden of responsibility will fall.
“If you are friends you will not want to be in dispute, and by cultivating these friendships such as have been cemented at this great Jamboree, you are preparing the way for solutions of international problems by discussion of a peaceful character. This will have a vital and very far-reaching effect throughout the world in the cause of peace, and so pledge all of you here in this great assembly of Youth, to do your utmost to establish friendship among Scouts of all nations.”
The Coming of War
When war came in September, 1939, it looked at first as though we had failed. But there was another side of the picture. The wonderful way in which all members of the Boy Scouts offered themselves for service to their countries; the courage shown even by the youngest, and the herois m displayed by many a boy, give us hope. If only the same spirit can animate us during peace, we can face the future with confidence.
It is the spirit that matters. Our Scout Law and Promise, when we really put them into practice, take away all occasion for wars and strife between nations.
So let us all do our part. Those who are Scouts now should determine to be better Scouts, not only in backwoodsmanship and camping, but in sticking to the Law and carrying it out. If you are not a Scout, come along and join this happy Brotherhood; there are great times ahead, and we shall need you!
Finally
I hope I have been able in this book to show you something of the appeal that lies in Scouting for all of us. I want you to feel that you are really Scouts out in the wilds, able to work things out for yourselves, and not just Scouts in a Troop carefully looked after by Patrol Leaders and Scouters. I know that you want to be up and doing things for yourselves; that these old explorers and frontiersmen appeal to the spirit of adventure in you; that, despite all the modem inventions of the cinema, wireless, motor-bicycles, etc., you want to get out on your own, fending for yourselves, pitting yourselves against the forces of nature, exercising yourselves with games, enjoying the freedom of the open air.
I have just tried to suggest to you some ways of doing this and of helping yourselves to become real men. Scouting is a fine game, if we put our backs into it and tackle it well;. and no game is any good to anyone unless he works up some kind of enthusiasm about it. As with other games, too, we will find that we gain strength of body, mind, and spirit from the playing of it. But remember ! it is a game for the open air, so whenever the opportunity occurs get out into the open, and good luck and good camping go with you.
SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICE
1. Some of the suggestions made at the end of the previous yarn can be applied to foreign countries; e.g., yarns of exploration, pen-pals, linked-Troops and Patrols.
2. Films of Jamborees can be borrowed from I.H.Q.
3. Every attempt should be made to get some of the Troop to the International Jamborees; the aim should be that every Scout at least once in his Scout life gets to one Jamboree. This will mean raising funds and saving-up, and a Troop fund for this purpose is worth instituting.
4. Camping and hiking abroad can be done without exceptional expense, and both activities are to be strongly encouraged. The aim should be, not so much sight- seeing, as bringing British Scouts into contact with Scouts of other countries in camp or in their homes. Exchange visits between Troops are another way of achieving this.
