1st Tidbury Green (Wythall) Scout Group

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Cub Scouts - Mafeking Pack

So why all the funny names that the leaders use?

Well, we haven't been able to find out for sure but, this is what we reckon.

When Scouting was first invented by Robert Baden-Powell back in 1908, life was very different to today and society had some different values. See if you can make a list of ten differences between then and now. For example, there was no radio or television. Children were expected to be respectful to adults at all times which meant calling them Mr Smith, or whatever their name was. Now this must have seemed terribly formal and our guess is that the names were introduced to provide a less formal environment whilst avoiding the use of leader's first name.

Traditionally Scout leaders were called 'Skip', presumably short for 'Skipper', although our Scouts call their leaders by their first names of Phil and Robin. Perhaps a sign that the Scouting movement does change with the times.

When Wolf Cubs were introduced in 1916 the whole theme was based on Rudyard Kipling's Jungle Book so the names were there in the book, just waiting to be used. Akela was the leader of the Wolf Pack and so it is normal for the leader in charge to be called 'Akela'. Other Cub leaders also take their names from the Jungle Book, often choosing 'Baloo' and 'Bagheera' who taught Mowgli the law of the Jungle and how to survive.

When the Beaver Scouts section started in the 1980's, the leaders continued the tradition that had been established. The leaders at our Colony tend to take their names from riverside creatures. We've had leaders called 'Swan', 'Heron', 'Kingfisher', 'Otter' and 'Trout'.

Whatever name your leader goes by, it is worth remembering that the names were there to encourage a friendly setting for the meetings to take place in whilst retaining a level of respect that young people should always have for their elders.

The following may be of interest to scouters not familiar with the Jungle Book nomenclature. It is reproduced from the Gilcraft book entitled "Wolf Cubs", my copy is dated 1948.

This is a table of accepted pronunciations.