CUBS

CUBS

CHARTWELL CUB PACK THE STAR AWARDS THE ONE AND TWO STAR TESTS

Cub Section Leader

Paul J Nimmo Akela

4 Jones Crescent,

Melville,

Hamilton, 3210, Mob: 021 329 583

Email:paul.nimmo@ihug.co.nz

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Contents

Page Heading

3 Introduction

4 The Original First Star Test

4 How Cubs Began & The Stars Were Born

6 The First Star (New Version)

10 The Original Second Star Test

12 The Second Star Test (New Version)

15 Comments

16 Record Card

17 Notes

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The One and two Star Tests for Chartwell Cubs Introduction

The one and two star tests/awards were part of the old Wolf Cub award scheme and like so many things, were phased out of cubbing because they were felt to be dated and not capturing the imagination of the children within the pack at the time, this also coincided with the removal of the tenderpad badge from the cap and disappeared completely after the removal of the cub cap from general use by scouting groups after various uniform reviews. One thing that’s obvious is that although the tests were dated, the star awards themselves had deep meaning within the cubs theme of the Jungle book and if we go back to the original cub handbooks and read the jungle book, we can see where BP got the idea for them from. BP when he decided on the Wolf for his model for a cub, looked at the early life of the wolf, from being blind at birth, to becoming an accomplished hunter within the pack, how they learned from the older wolves and the strict hierarchy that existed within it and then applied this to this newest section of the scout movement. Using this as a model he then added an award scheme, the stars, which tracked the development of a cub, from his first day being blind to the world of cubbing, until he earned his leaping wolf badge as a true member of the pack, which he carried on his uniform even into his first years as a scout. Many of the badges deemed to have replaced these awards, arrow awards, bronze, silver and gold awards etc have never ever captured or indeed kept to the theme of the jungle book or that of the cub, and all this has succeeded in doing is watering down cubbing to the extent that it has become just another youth group, but with scarf’s. So I decided to sit down and re-examine these awards “the stars “and see if they could be brought up-to-date and be considered for reintroduction, not as a replacement for the existing award scheme, but as a voluntary badge to be earned, but capturing the theme of the Jungle book and story of how Mowgli grew within the pack and how as he became more experienced and wiser, his eyes became open to the Jungle around him. The principle of the star awards based on the original tests themselves, were to cover the following aspects of a cubs personal and physical development:-

Physical Fitness.

Scouting Knowledge

Health and Hygiene

Technology and the safe use of that technology

Patriotism i.e. Duty To Your Country

Personal safety

Knowledge of the Highway Code

Mental Agility and Observation

First Aid

Understanding Nature/Conservation

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CUBS Of the two star tests, the second star needs the least amount of work to make it applicable to the cub of today, therefore we will look at the one star test first to make sure it’s content and structure is challenging and relevant to our cubs of today.

The Original First Star Test

1. Know the composition of the union flag and the correct way to fly it 2. Know in very simple terms the stories of the 3 saints that make up the union flag. 3. Recite the first verse of “God save the Queen” 4. Demonstrate and tied the following knots, reef knot and sheet bend. 5. Turn a somersault. 6. leap frog over another cub of similar size 7. Throw a ball six times so that a cub 10 yards away can catch it, catch a ball with both

hands together, thrown to him from a distance of 10 yards 8. Walk upright with good carriage, with a weight of about two pounds on his head

without using his hands, for a distance of 10 yards, turn and come back to the starting point, a cub cap may be worn.

9. Know why and how to keep his hands and feet clean, his nails clean and cut and his teeth clean, and why to breath through his nose and be carrying out these things in practice.

10. Be able to tell the time by a clock 11. Grow one of the following:-

a. A bulb in water, peat, moss or soil b. A chestnut or acorn in water, peat moss or soil. c. Mustard and cress, peas or beans on flannel

12. Clean a pair of boots or shoes, folds his clothes, and satisfies the C.M. that he is doing his best to keep the pack den tidy and to leave no litter anywhere.

13. Show that he understands the meaning of the Highway Code, paragraphs 1-15 inclusive.

14. Have at least three months service 15. Repass the tenderpad tests, this test to be taken last.

Ok that seems allot and some of it out of context with today’s children, however, if you look at its’ essence, it still even its original text would be challenging even to a modern day cub.

How Cubs Began & the Stars Were Born

BP noticed when he was in the Military, that the average young soldier that he came across could not even tie the most basic of knots and would get lost if he strayed more than 50 yards from his company in the bush, this alongside the events that unfolded at Mafeking and the cadets who served there, inspired him to write a book about scouting for soldiers, this eventually becoming scouting for boys which was is acknowledged as the catalyst for our movement as we know it today.

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CUBS In the years preceding 1916, BP had noticed that within his blooming scout organisation at many troop meetings, there were lots of boys who were not of scouting age but who wanted to take part, some as young as seven being adopted by the troops as mascots. Rather then just excluding these young boys, he came to the conclusion with others that this age group would provide the very foundations and longevity that the scouting movement needed and decided that the scouting movement needed to provide a specific section for their development. Realising that younger children were captivated by stories and having a great friendship with Rudyard Kipling, he asked Kipling, all be it after the cub hand book was drawn up, if he could base this junior section of scouts on his book, The Jungle Book, Kipling agreed. The Wolf Cubs were then officially started in 1916, although some cub packs had already sprung up in 1914, and with the organisations formation came an award system to test the cubs, but which was deeply wrapped up in the story of the Jungle Book and the Seeonee Pack. The tenderpad, One Star , Two Star and Leaping wolf were a recognition of not only a cubs scouting knowledge, loyalty, fitness and Mental/Physical ability, but of his standing within the pack itself. So what value do the Star tests have today? Well it gives us as leaders and the cub’s a level playing field to judge their scouting and physical development. But as there is no time limit within which they have to take the test, it allows for the different development stages of the children, allowing them to take the test when they are ready. The interesting thing here, that I did not know until recently, is that you used to have to pass the Star Awards, before you could start earning interest badges. This I might add is not the case with these awards, these are optional and can be taken when you as a cub are ready. Taking each Star and each test one by one I’ve brought them up-to-date and hopefully make them more relevant to this country.

Logan Palmer The First Cub In 40 Years to Receive His Two Stars In New Zealand

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The First Star Test (New Version)

1. Know the composition of the New Zealand flag and the correct way to fly it! Having knowledge of your countries own flag and how it should be flown, forms part of your promise of duty to country, it also encourages general knowledge and personal pride in where you live. A good understanding of how to interpret the way a flag is flown is important, i.e. if it is flown upside down it indicates you are in distress, or at half mast as a sign of respect for someone passing etc.

2. Know how to find the Southern Cross; it’s relevance to our countries flag, the reason why the union flag is present in the New Zealand national flag.

This is a little more knowledge based, but also is connected to navigation, previously we had to know what the composition of the old union flag was, this was a great method of teaching the cubs about the Patron Saints, St Patrick, St George and St Andrew, who are the patron saints of England, Scotland and Ireland, the national flags of which when combined make up the union flag. How relevant this is to the average Kiwi is questionable, even though the stories as to how these people became saints are interesting. The principle is knowing what makes up the countries flag and the reasoning behind the choices made to put it together. Hopefully the above two tests encompasses this.

3. Recite the national Anthem in both Maori and English Knowledge of the National Anthem in both languages is important, it is sung in both languages for deep cultural and ethical reasons and this should be reflected in the cub’s knowledge of the countries anthem. It would be probable easier for them to sing, but cubs get embarrassed easily, so make sure it’s out of earshot of other pointy ears.

4. Be able to demonstrate the following Knots, the Sheet bend, square (reef) knot and the cloves hitch.

I’ve added the cloves hitch as this is one of the most standard knots used in pioneering; the sheet bend is used when preparing the flag for flying and forms part of test one, without which flying the flag properly can’t really be accomplished. The reef knot (square knot) is one of the traditional knots that all cubs learn and teaches the difference between a granny knot, a knot that can’t be easily undone and one that can. The cloves hitch is the start of most pioneering activities undertaken in scouts and therefore knowledge of this particular knot is well worth having in new cub’s repertoire.

5. Turn a somersault, or complete a forward role. Don’t see the requirement to change this, still a confidence thing; you’ll be amazed how many cubs will struggle with this even today. This falls into the physical activity aspect of the tests.

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6. Leapfrog over a cub of the same size and gender. Just added the gender thing in here to deal with the fact that we have both genders in cubs, leapfrogs, have you ever seen a modern day cub leap frog over another cub, most of them are so wary of touching each other in anyway. I have some ideas why leapfrogging was dropped in schools, but it can be a really fun activity. It’s basically a straddle vault for those interested.

7. Throw a ball to a cub standing 10 meters away 6 times which can be caught and catch a ball six times from a cub standing the same distance away in both hands.

Now this sounds easy, however, as a sports coach, I can tell you, you’ll be amazed how many children cannot throw or catch a ball, it’s quite a challenge in hand eye coordination, for some it will be easy, for others a major task. This is due to a difference between the physical age of children and their actual biological development age, which may vary upto as much as 3 years.

8. Hop(Using each foot for half the distance) round a figure 8 course approximately 25 yards long

We missed this out of the first draft of the test, so I have added it in, this is not very physically demanding, however, again BP seems to have seized on a basic of sports coaching, with regards to symmetry and the possibility of the over development of one side of the young person body. All of the cubs love this exercise, basically because it’s fun!!

9. Walk a long a two inch wide balance beam 3 m long turn and return to start point without touching the floor.

The original test was to look at posture and balance, this again varies considerable with each child, a similar test can be achieved by having the cubs walk along a 2” wide beam, located on the floor without loosing their balance, turn and return to the start point, general posture should be looked at and encouraged, watch for shoulders rolled forward, upper back curvature (slouching) especially when sitting.

10. Personal Hygiene, how and why do we wash our hands and feet? Why and how to keep nails trimmed and tidy, maintaining good breathing techniques.

This is fundamentally the same as it’s an important part of a cubs personal development and will help prevent the spread of bugs in the pack and on camp. Nails trimmed, not chewed, I like most kids chew my nails, but there’re pretty good reasons not to, every type of bacteria can lurk under there, as well as when nails are long they can be broken or split, resulting in a very painful finger or thumb. Washing and drying your feet prevent foot infections and in long term wet conditions trench foot, Good breathing techniques, help maximise oxygen in the body and increase aerobic and anaerobic performance, and may help especially if you get a child hyperventilating.

11. Be able to tell the time by a non digital clock. Interesting this, most children are used to digital readouts on their watches and videos, computers and mobile phones, not sure how relevant this is. But it’s still in at the moment.

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12. Grow one of the following:- a. A bulb in water, peat, moss or soil b. A chestnut or acorn in water, peat moss or soil. c. Mustard and cress, peas or beans on flannel

This is still good and the cubs still find this interesting to do, patience is required here and preplanning to make sure this is ready to bring in on the day of their test. Conservation and wild animals and birds are covered in test 2.

13. Clean and reproof/polish a pair of walking boots or shoes, fold his/her clothes, and satisfy the SL (Section Leader). That he/she is doing his/her best to keep the pack den tidy and to leave no litter anywhere.

I’ve added the reproof here, bearing in mind that the only shoes that children seem to wear in NZ are walking shoes, reproofing them and cleaning them following a hike may be the best option. Folding clothes, always good creates a little self-discipline and cleaning the hall, is all part of being on the team.

14. Show the cub has an understanding of the NZ road code, with regard to pedestrians and cyclists.

There’s a general rule here, common sense rules, but also make sure the cubs have an understanding of their responsibilities as pedestrians and cyclist. They have little or no understanding of how their behaviour whilst on the footpath as pedestrians or on the road as cyclists affects the way that other road users behave around them.

15. Have at least 3 months continuous service. Service is not just turning up, it means being a cub and working to their best ability to comply with their promise and obey the law, working as a member of the pack, helping the leaders and around the den etc.

16. Re-Pass the Tenderpad tests a. Say, know and understand your Promise and Law b. Have read the first story of the jungle book c. Demonstrate the scout sign and salute d. Explain briefly the history of cub scouting and who our founder was. e. Take part in the grand howl f. Explain why we as scouts shake hands with our left hand. g. What is the scouts moto.

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CUBS So there you have it for the First Star, not allot of changes really, but wrapped up with these tests and the reason for the wearing of the stars is taken straight from the Jungle Book law. You may know or not know that wolves are born blind and helpless and as such rely on their immediate family to sustain and look after them. When a cub receives their 1st Star, it indicates that the cub has one eye open to the Jungle which surrounds him, the jungle being the world that he or she lives within, this is what Bagheera tells Mowgli when they are walking through the jungle. The second star is worn to indicate that the cub has both eyes open to the jungle, he is experienced in the ways of the pack and nearly ready to move onto scouts. Do these awards have relevance to cubs these days? I think so, the tests are fun, there is room for error, but they are still challenging. The great thing about them is you don’t have to be a sportsman or academic to pass them, but you do have to prepare, you do have to plan, you do have to do your best.

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The Original Second Star Test The second star as I said earlier does not really need allot of adjustment, however, consideration should be given to the badges possibly earned as interest badges by the cubs during their service. The timing of the badge is relevant too, it requires a minimum of 9 months service, these means the badges are nicely spread so a cub cannot rush at them, but in so saying, both stars can be earned in under a year. These were the original tests and as with the First Star, I will be altering them as required to make them more relevant to New Zealand and to the time in which we live.

1. Swim 15 yards or skip with both feet together 15 times forward and 15 times back wards, the cub turning the rope himself.

2. Use a compass to show knowledge off the eight principal cardinal points. 3. be able to tie the following and demonstrate their uses:-

a. bowline b. round turn and two half hitches

4. Understand the meaning of thrift in all things and be carrying it out in practice. Show evidence of the care of the cub uniform.

5. Produce a satisfactory model or article made entirely by the cub in any of the following:-

a. Wood, Metal, Cardboard, Clay, Plasticine or similar substance b. Or a article knitted or netted, woven or carved. c. Or a set of at least eight sketches by himself in colours (chalk or paint) of

national flags, animals, or flowers with the names clearly written.

Note: Models made with Meccano or other partly constructed materials are not admissible.

6. Lay and light a fire, indoors or outdoors. 7. Make a pot of tea 8. Run or cycle over a stated route with a verbal message of 15 to 20 words, including

figures, and repeat it correctly. Be able to use a public telephone; know where and how to ask for assistance in an emergency (ambulance, fire and Police)

9. Show how to clean and dress a cut finger, cover a scald or burn. Understand the danger of dirt in a scratch. Know the simple treatment for shock (not electric). Understand the necessity for summoning adult help.

10. Observe and point out from life three birds (not domestic), three trees, and three other natural things such as insects, flowers, fishes, the choice is made by the cub inn each case.

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11. Demonstrate the safe way to use:- a. A pocket Knife b. Strike a match c. Guard a fire and handle an iron

Understand the dangers of broken glass, rusty nails and frayed electric cables. Know the safe way to plug in and disconnect electric appliances, or how to light a gas fire or ring or how to light oil lamps or stoves.

12. Have at least 9 months satisfactory service as a cub. 13. Repass the First Star test. This test will be done last.

These tests would certainly test even a modern day cub, however, as with the one star, these days children may not come across some of the items mentioned any more. Hence we need to bring them up to date.

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The Second Star Test (New Version)

1. Have earned your level 1 swimming badge or complete one of the following:- a. skip with both feet together 15 times forward and 15 times back wards,

the Cub turning the rope him/her self. b. Skateboard/snake board through a slalom course and show that you can

stop effectively all safety equipment must be worn. c. Using a scooter, blades or skates negotiate a course set up by your

examiner you must demonstrate control and an ability to stop when asked to, all safety equipment must be worn.

The level 1 swimming test, based on the figures nationally with drowning is the test we’d like to see happen here, also most cubs would have covered this during the groups program. I have reasoned that skipping nowadays is not really a boys thing, however, to exclude it would be unreasonable to the girls who now form much of our numbers. I’ve included other skills which take coordination and balance, these appear to be the core requirements of the original test and hopefully the activities listed will appeal to most of the cubs, male or female.

2. Use a compass to show knowledge of the 8 principal cardinal points of the compass. Nothing to change here, cubs getting to grips with a compass is an important part of preparing them for scouts.

3. Be able to tie and demonstrate the use of the following Knots. a. The Sheet Bend b. The Reef Knot c. The Cloves Hitch d. The Bow Line e. The Square Lashing f. Round Turn two and half hitches

Now I’ve added the knots from the first test, plus a lashing, it is important that the cubs are practiced in these knots and how and when they are used, I have also included the one star knots as I do not intend for the cubs to retake the whole of the one star test again at the end of their two stat test.

4. The world we are living is has depleting natural resources and the need to recycle waste materials is becoming part of our everyday lives. Provide evidence of what you do to help preserve our natural resources by recycling, demonstrate how to save power and water and what you can do as an individual to save energy.

Thrift in the original text refers to the above and is mentioned again in the scout law, a scout uses his resources wisely, very simply put don’t be wasteful, recycle where we can, reduce our power consumption and in so doing increase the longevity of our earths resources, I even thought of including earth hour in this as a suitable example of participation.

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5. Produce a satisfactory model or article made entirely by the cub from any of the following:-

a. Wood, Metal, Cardboard, Clay, Plasticine or similar substance b. Or a article knitted or netted, woven or carved. c. Or a set of at least eight sketches by him/herself in colours (chalk or

paint) of national flags, animals, or flowers with the names clearly written.

Note: Models made with kits or other partly constructed materials are not admissible.

I have left this as is, purely because children of this generation are not very hands on, the only thing they generally do with their hands is to direct a character around a computer screen these days, which takes very little preparation or planning, fundamental skills to becoming a good scout. It is important to note, however, that the quality of the items produced should not be judged on their own, they should be judged on the effort that goes into them and that in the view of the leaders, the cub has done their best.

6. Lay and light one of the following types of fires:- a. Star Fire b. Cooking fire c. Pyramid Fire.

The original test is not referring to lighting a fire of any of the above types in the den, but more to lighting a fire for heating purposes, i.e. one in a grate and fireplace. Because these days most halls are heated by heats pumps, gas or radiant heat, this is no longer relevant. Therefore giving the cub an option of a fire type to construct will ensure allot more interest these days, more so probably then it did at the time of the original tests writing as it was an everyday task for some children during that period. After watching scouts trying to light a fire for nearly an hour and then one of my cubs lighting the same fire in less than 5 minutes, it’s a great skill to carry into scouts.

7. Boil an egg on one of the following:- a. A petrol camping stove b. A gas camping stove c. A paraffin stove.

Demonstrate the safe use of one the above, including site selection etc and inform the instructors of possible dangers. Again this is a skill that they can carry into scouts, making a pot of tea is nice for the leaders, but not really a demonstration of the cubs understanding of the hazards in making it or the equipment required to accomplish it.

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8. Skip with feet together fifteen times forward and 15 times backwards, the cub mast turn the rope himself. Then Walk a plank 4 m long by 180 mm wide 900mm to 1.2m off the ground.

This is about coordination, balance and confidence; the cubs will have a blast doing this and in preparation, may annoy their younger sister by grabbing and practicing their skipping, this is a good developmental stage test.

9. Run or cycle over a stated route with a verbal message of 15 to 20 words, including figures, and repeat it correctly. Be able to use a mobile and public telephone; know where and how to ask for assistance in an emergency (ambulance, fire and Police)

I’ve just added the mobile phone in here, with payphones becoming rapidly a thing of the past, this is a tough test for anyone, let alone a Cub, and however, it remains.

10. Have Passed your first aid badge. Interesting original test, where getting help was at the end of the test and the treatment of shock, was included. Whilst the treatment of shock isn’t named in the current first aid badge, it is dealt with in the general treatment of the patient, however, the individuals own safety is highlighted and the need to seek assistance as a priority.

11. Observe and point out from life three birds (not domestic), three trees, and three other natural things such as insects, flowers, fishes, the choice is made by the cub in each case.

I’m going to leave this as, knowledge of our natural world and the animals, birds and trees that grow and live within it are great thing to be made aware of, again we are not looking for perfection here, but evidence that the cub has made an effort to increase their knowledge of our natural world.

12. Demonstrate the safe way to :- a. Use a pocket Knife b. Strike a match c. Use a computer on line

Understand the dangers of broken glass, rusty nails and frayed electric cables. Know the safe way to plug in and disconnect electric appliances.

The original test looks at some uses again of items the cubs would in all probability not have come across even in cubs, so they have been removed. I have added another item for the safe use of a computer on line, most children are instructed on this in Primary school so they should be ware of the dangers of online chatrooms etc.

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13. Have 9 months minimum satisfactory cub service. I like this time space, it gives cubs the opportunity even if they join as 9 year olds to complete this test and earn their star, also provides the cubs with an additional award outside of the bronze and silver awards. The retaking of the One Star test is not deemed necessary, it creates too much additional time for a leader or a cub to repeat something that they have already shown that they are capable of. However, the cub must be able to recite his promise and law and the meanings of them both.

Comments Well that’s allot of words for two stars, but I think I have brought them just about up to date, let me know what your thoughts are;- The last part of the badge series was the leaping wolf badge, earned on the completion of, both Stars and 3 Interest Badges. I was thinking of changing this to the southern cross badge, but on second thoughts keeping it as it is would be true to the evolution of the award scheme, the only change I would make, is that 10 interest badges would need to be earned. Have a go at these awards but be aware of the following:-

If you do not pass a section of this test you do not pass, that what makes it difficult to attain.

Practice to make sure you know what to do, before you turn up.

Something’s need to be prepared prior to the tests, ie models and plants to be grown.

Gather the evidence you need to show you have completed some of the tasks ie recycling.

Practice catching, nothing worse than missing out because you drop a ball.

If you miss a challenge continue the rest, whilst you won’t be able to have another go this time, you can try to complete the one part of the test that went wrong on the next test date and get that star.

Remember do your best. If you’re interested let me know, there are two Sunday afternoons which you can do these test’s this term. Kindest regards Akela.

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“You have now shown

that you have both eyes open and have been trained in the duties of a cub and a leader. You will from now on wear a cap with two marks on it, which means your two eyes are as bright as stars and you will see quickly and well, you will let nothing escape your notice, you will look ahead and be prepared to do what is wanted, you will look around and see how you can help others, you will look back and remember what has been told to you. In this way you will be a smart and useful cub.”

Have you got what it takes to

earn your leaping Wolf?