Bear Grylls To Be New Chief Scout!

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firecrest

Full Member
Mar 16, 2008
2,496
4
uk
Ok, sorry for going off subject. its just its no great surprise to me that Bear should become leader, what with him also leading an alpha couse. To organisations such as the Scouts this is seen as a bonus credential.
 

Wallenstein

Settler
Feb 14, 2008
753
1
46
Warwickshire, UK
The biggest challenge IMO is the need for new leaders.

There are over 30,000 kids on waiting lists for Cubs / Scouts, so that's not a problem. It's getting the adults to help out.

If Bear can raise the profile of scouting so people volunteer that will be great.
 

BorderReiver

Full Member
Mar 31, 2004
2,693
16
Norfolk U.K.
You think being a christian makes a person wholesome? as opposed to what? being an atheist or a jew? Are catholic priests wholesome? clearly being religious didnt make a dent on their ethical values.
Sorry but the scouts and their quazi-religious status is something that has irked me for a long time. They actively refuse to let people become leaders for being atheists or not following a religion they like. Bigots, in otherwords.


Whoa there boy.:eek:

I am a dyed in the wool atheist.:rolleyes:

I was commenting from the perspective of the Scouts.

Wholesome does not come with any religion, IMO; I refer you to the recent report on child abuse by clergy.

I'll say no more as we don't do religion on BcUK.;)
 

Mat

Forager
Nov 20, 2003
121
0
52
Hampshire
You are not allowed to join the scouts if you are an atheist. fact.

Nope. I've been a Leader for 15 years and am as atheist as they come.

To get back on subject, did anyone listen to the new Bear Grylls on Jo Wiley's radio show?

I think he came across as very passionate and enthusiastic about being the new Chief Scout. Less about knowning the Promise and earning Badges and more about getting out and having adventure.

He's got it spot on in my opinion ....
 

crazydave

Settler
Aug 25, 2006
858
1
54
Gloucester
You think being a christian makes a person wholesome? as opposed to what? being an atheist or a jew? Are catholic priests wholesome? clearly being religious didnt make a dent on their ethical values.
Sorry but the scouts and their quazi-religious status is something that has irked me for a long time. They actively refuse to let people become leaders for being atheists or not following a religion they like. Bigots, in otherwords.

I dont know where you get this from - yes they dont like athiests thats because they like people to have a faith but the good thing is you could put jedi as long as you believed in something. I used to put gnostic on my forms and didn't attend church parades. it did make teaching the my faith badge interesting.

rm's as a much a tv creation as bg or les stroud. I got a msg today asking for survival instructors for a discovery survival show which is supposedly taking the middle path and doing survival as its meant to be which will upset a lot you again no doubt - so he's not the first and wont be the last.

peter duncan didn't do a great deal but he was known by parents, bg is known by the kids and will interact with them far more than any previous chief scout. I love the fact that he has kids on the waiting list even though its because they are too young to join.

he wont suit a lot of you because you dont watch his programs properly which is your choice I guess as most of the complainers dont understand survival properly also complaining that eastenders isnt very bushy orientated when albert square has a park in it. but when kids ask me about why you do this or that you get the chance to explain how they would do it if they were in such a situation. its no worse than that chris ryan program where he was hunted everywhere as he nearly died on a couple of occasions as well.

theres more tales of americans remembering the escapades of man vs wild and using them for self rescue than there is rm bushcraft ones so something in the format does work. when they havent been trained with a scenario they can copy people remember what they have seen and try to emulate it. Come the zombie invasion americans will go to the shopping mall and brits will find a big country house. rm failed in his opportunity to lay out a plan for people to follow properly choosing reenacted anecdotes instead so allthough its showy there is a purpose to it. bg will be 41 by the time he gives up the scout role and will have hung his spurs up and moved onto the gentler art of bearcraft I reckon which is good as you can still call it bcuk. with rm obviously winding down to pre retirement or a slot on countryfile you need to find the next guy to carry the adventure torch on to the younger generation whatever he believes in :)

Although I am sticking up for him again I too would prefer he use a gentler style but then it would never carry through a full program unless you were a devotee of the subject.
 

Tadpole

Full Member
Nov 12, 2005
2,842
21
60
Bristol
theres more tales of americans remembering the escapades of man vs wild and using them for self rescue than there is rm bushcraft ones so something in the format does work. .
Or it might just mean that the people who are idiotic enough to copy BBQ Grylls are also the ones likely to get themselves in trouble. :rolleyes:
 

John Fenna

Lifetime Member & Maker
Oct 7, 2006
23,137
2,878
66
Pembrokeshire
I was 15 years a Scout leader and never did Church parade!
Although not athiest I do not follow any Dogma - Scouting was fine by that!
As to getting kids motivated, perhaps BG can do this, but I would love to see him explain the difference between what can be dne by him and what can be dne acording to POR and why! :D
 

locum76

Bushcrafter (boy, I've got a lot to say!)
Oct 9, 2005
2,772
9
47
Kirkliston
...but if you don't make the promise, because you don't want to pledge allegiance to god or queen, are you allowed to take part? I thought they'd dropped the whole allegiance thing altogether?
 

Barney

Settler
Aug 15, 2008
947
0
Lancashire
Middle aged spread set in, need something calm and informative for the weekend? then Ray's yer man.

Under sixteen, need something exciting and stimulating for the weekend? Then Bear is the man.

If there is ever a requirement for a bushcraft leader of Sedate OAP's then ray should be first to get offered the job.

Horses for courses really.

Myself I am a big Ray fan but then I realise that I am mostly out of touch with the yoof of 2day.

Great choice I think:)
 

Rebel

Native
Jun 12, 2005
1,052
6
Hertfordshire (UK)
As much as I dislike Bear Grylls' TV shows (I'm an RM man myself) I think that he could well be a good choice for Chief Scout. I know the TV programs are OTT and staged (I've slagged them off here before) but they are fun, upbeat and reach people who might not otherwise be interested in the outdoors.

Bear could have a positive and modernising influence on the Scouts. I have two kids in Scouts and I look forward with interest to this appointment.

I know that we like to bash Christians here but the Scouts were originally a Church sponsored organisation and they still want you to do your "duty to God." This doesn't mean you have to be a Christian, there's a Jewish troupe in our region, but they do want you to have faith in a higher power.
 

Wallenstein

Settler
Feb 14, 2008
753
1
46
Warwickshire, UK
...but if you don't make the promise, because you don't want to pledge allegiance to god or queen, are you allowed to take part? I thought they'd dropped the whole allegiance thing altogether?
Here's the official position, but don't let that put you off helping out. There are different levels of support you can give, not all of which involve the Promise.

Scouting is not a religious organisation and the Movement does not align itself with any particular religion. Scouting gives young people the opportunity to explore and value personal faith and deepen their relationship and commitment to God.

Scouting recognises that there are diverse ways in which God may appear to mankind. It is possible for young people to be unsure of the existence of God and remain a Member of the Association, but it is not possible for an atheist to hold a Warrant as a Leader*.

*there are lots of other roles apart from "leader"

http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/library/hqdocs/facts/pdfs/fs140004.pdf

(PDF warning)
 

Peter_t

Native
Oct 13, 2007
1,353
2
East Sussex
Girls have been a part of the scout movement for the best part of 10 years!!!

This is a message that Bear Grylls needs to get out there - Scouts is fully inclusive and welcomes boys AND GIRLS!!

imo having girls involved is a bad thing, alot of young lads want somewhere to socialise without the pressure of girls about, i know thats how i felt at that age. after all isnt that what brownys is for???

do u recon there will be a 'eating live animals' badge :lmao:

pete
 
Oct 6, 2008
495
0
Cheshire
Kids love Bear, with him as the figurehead more kids will want to become involved. I would have preferred to see Ray there but its not blokes approaching forty the Scout movement is aimed at.

Good for you Mr Grylls.
(And my mate will not believe I said that.)

There has to be a Running Pointlessly and Jumping Over Something badge.

A Climbing Everest badge would be something to really aim for.
 

firecrest

Full Member
Mar 16, 2008
2,496
4
uk
edit - Brownies
now includes make up tips and mall sleepsovers. funded by the shops in the mall.
 

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