Walking the Rails

Have you ever tried walking the rails? As a youngster growing up, I had to walk about a mile to school. The railroad track ran past both my house and the school. It was the shortest and quickest route. I can remember many times while walking to and from school that I would try to walk the rails—seeing how far I could go without falling off. I usually didn’t get too far before a foot would slip and I would be off the rail and on the crosstie.

I read once of a group of Scouts who happened upon some abandoned railroad track. Each Scout took his turn trying to walk the entire length of the track without falling off. None of the boys was able to go the entire length without falling off. Two of the boys got their heads together, and after some discussion came running to the group, smiling from ear to ear. They told the group that they were willing to bet that they could walk the entire length of the track without falling off. The others in the group thought it was a good bet because they had already seen each of the boys fail in the attempt to accomplish the feat.

So the bet was accepted and the two boys moved toward the track. Each of the boys got on one rail and began their walk. Side by side they were walking down the track. Soon one of them became a little shaky, so the boys stopped. They then did something none of the other boys had thought of—they reached out and joined hands! After joining hands, they were able to walk the entire length of the track without falling off. Joining hands and supporting each other, they were able to accomplish what neither of them could accomplish alone.

When we help another, we help ourselves. When we lend a helping hand, we receive one in return. Neither of the boys could walk the length of that track separately. But by the boys joining hands, the task was made relatively easy. There are many rails in life that have to be walked. Some of them are very difficult to master by ourselves. But if we are willing to extend a hand and receive a hand, we will find that walking the rails of life is much easier to accomplish.

Beaver Trek, 17/02/06

The Beaver Trek is not meant to be an arduous affair. It should be a short walk, either instead of the normal meeting or a morning or at another more suitable time.

There are a number of tips that you should bear in mind.

- Plan your trek to take into account the youngest / smallest Beaver.

- Plan the route in advance. Allow plenty of time for lunch and stops to point out items of interest.

- Devise reminder cards, noting items of interest that you will encounter.

- Carry out a reconnaissance.

- Ensure that all Beavers have Raingear and a packed lunch if appropriate.

- Remember the Country Code, see below.

Leave nothing but footprints, take home nothing but memories and photographs.

Things to do on a Beaver Trek.

You could give the Trek an exciting theme. You could all be Explorers, exploring the Amazon, a desert island – finding "Man Friday's footprints" in the sand. You could discover dinosaurs, animal tracks. Use your imagination.

Trails

The trail could be set up in advance by the Leader and a few older Beavers using flour, rice or barley. Leave a winding trail around your chosen area. Leave a hidden message to say that they have reached the end, or what they should do

next.

Colour matching trail

Pieces of coloured wool or paper are given out to the Beavers and they are asked to match the colour with something natural. Alternatively hide the different coloured wool or paper amongst the vegetation and get the Beavers to find as

many of the hidden colours as possible. For a St. Patrick's Day theme, cut snake shapes out of coloured paper and hide them for the Beavers to find. Or hide mouse shapes in different colours and let the Beavers be hunting owls. Discuss why bright colours are more easily identified and easily found while it is harder to find those which match the vegetation. Make sure that you clear up after you.

Follow basic tracking signs made from natural materials. Let a Leader set up the trail in advance for the Beavers to follow. Try and make it into an adventure, such as "Escape from the Vikings". How about camouflaging themselves with face paints or leavers. The Beavers could "write" their names or leave a greeting such as "Hello" using leaves, stones or fir cones.

The Country Code

Respect farmers and their land

Respect wildlife

Leave gates as you find them

If a dog comes with you, keep it under control

Do not damage fences or walls

Take all your litter home

Do not damage wildlife, plants or trees (Weeds are wildflowers, don’t destroy them)

Make no unnecessary noise

Do not pollute water

Guard against the risk of fire

Weather, 03/02/06

This is suitable for a late autumn or winter programme.

Opening ceremony 5 mins

River banks, roll call and tail slap.

Ice King/Queen and the Icicles 5 mins

Choose an Ice King or Queen and 3-4 Icicles. If these 4-5 tag anyone and say “Freeze”, that

person must stand still until they are released by an unfrozen person saying “Melt”. After 1-2 minutes choose a new Ice King/Queen and Icicles.

Activity 10 mins

Introduce the weather. Go outside and find out what the weather is like. Talk about weather and clothing. How do you keep warm and protect oneself from weather.

Make a weather chart 15 mins

Refer to present conditions on the chart.

Outdoor Clothing 10 mins

Ask the Beavers to bring the clothing they would take on Outings. Show them the sorts of clothing that you would like them to have in terms of woolly hats, wellington boots scarves and gloves.

Game 5 mins

Snowballs

Closing ceremony 5 mins

Build your dam; give out notices, prayer, Goodbye

Pearls of Wisdom—Quotes from Baden-Powell

“In Scouting, a boy is encouraged to educate himself instead of being instructed.”