| Rovering James Grimshaw |
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First, I should start by explaining what Rovers really are. Rovers are a small part of the large scouting movement. It all starts with Cubs. After reaching an age of twelve
you step up to scouts. In Scouting the fun begins. Starting with little projects and gradually working to bigger and more important things. What with camps and weekend
hikes in the open air, it's really interesting. You learn about animals and their ways, how to cook over an open fire, how to build shelters, and most important you are taught
how to work as a team. At the age of sixteen the next jump is into Rovers. It isn't a club that anyone can join. First you must have been in cubs or scouts. Someone comes to
ask you if you are interested in joining the crew. After going to a few of their meetings and deciding what your answer will be, you are put on a trial bases, or as they put it,
you are an honourary squire . The person who asked you to join is your sponsor and is responsible for you while you are a squire. A squire is to do what a Rover asks him to. In this period you are asked to do everything under the sun, such as making coffee, opening doors, running errands, in fact its almost like being a servant but you have a large number of bosses, but they must ask you. Besides a person would do something more willfully and cheerfully if he is asked. Once when the Rovers were having a banquet the mate (the Rover Leader), was sitting at the head of the table. Directly in front of him was the salt shaker. With a very soft voice he said, "Squire, bring me the salt, please." Without a sound the squire got up, (he was sitting at the far end of the room) wiggled among the chairs and around the tables, picked up the salt, and moved it a distance of about six inches into the Mate's hand. He was thanked and then returned to his seat. Things like this make Rovering a lot of fun. The Rovers do services for the town and its people . For example, the red and yellow garbage cans that you see down town were bought, painted , and distributed by the Rovers. They have also planted small trees around the town. We are always on call, and if something happens in the town, such as a fire or a flood, we are prepared to help in any way we can. Last summer we took part in a search for a missing boy at Sylvan Glen, and one of the boys had the misfortune of finding the little boy's body. It wasn't a very pleasant experience for any of us. So, as I have said before, we have a lot of fun. We went to the Sportsmen's Show as a crew, and have gone on a number of interesting tours through factories and important buildings. |