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In You Go! A year or two in the life of a scout leader
“IN YOU GO! A year or two in the life of a scout leader” is about the first years that John Hemming-Clark spent as a scout leader in Chislehurst, Kent at a time of life when some are starting to think about putting their feet up.
His trials and tribulations as he seeks to learn the ropes with only the most essential training to help him, that and his life experiences, are written about in hilarious detail.
Troop meetings, hikes, camps, excursions, his relationship with beavers, cubs and explorers as well as girl guides, leaders, trainers and managers are all included.
Read about
• how John became a leader after having been sacked as a scout committee chairman
• his first troop meeting with just one scout, until three girls turned up
• a camping training weekend when John's past finally caught up with him
• the infamous hammock camp when a tsunami appeared out of nowhere
• the summer camp when a girl guide welly stick was liberated for the day, only to find out that it wasn't actually what the scouts thought it was
• a trip to Bewl Water reservoir when an alternative toilet was discovered
• a hike when some scouts took up smoking
• a winter camp where John was led very astray
• the day Bear Grylls ran over his 'phone
• the beavers' Nativity play when one boy stole the show
• why one team came last on Monopoly on the Run
• a family camp when a cub's parents disgraced themselves
• the resuscitation evening when Little Annie came into her own, despite being a dummy
• an Outdoor Challenge badge weekend when John went home with only one welly
• when the scouts made "non-alcoholic" cocktails with a secret ingredient
• the April Fool's Day activity badge that the scouts actually completed
• the day the scouts hiked along a sewer
• the day John nearly died whilst white water rafting with the devil
• the camp where a girl guide won the "best scout" award
• the day when a Swedish girl guide and John both had "heart attacks" after a Brown Owl's dinner was bombed
• a shopping trip to a reservoir
• and much, much more
35 chapters of some of the funniest things that have ever happened in scouting.
If ever you have wondered what really goes on at scouts once the children have been dropped off at what many consider to be an unofficial baby-sitting service, when sitting is the last thing that scouts do, then this book is for you.
His trials and tribulations as he seeks to learn the ropes with only the most essential training to help him, that and his life experiences, are written about in hilarious detail.
Troop meetings, hikes, camps, excursions, his relationship with beavers, cubs and explorers as well as girl guides, leaders, trainers and managers are all included.
Read about
• how John became a leader after having been sacked as a scout committee chairman
• his first troop meeting with just one scout, until three girls turned up
• a camping training weekend when John's past finally caught up with him
• the infamous hammock camp when a tsunami appeared out of nowhere
• the summer camp when a girl guide welly stick was liberated for the day, only to find out that it wasn't actually what the scouts thought it was
• a trip to Bewl Water reservoir when an alternative toilet was discovered
• a hike when some scouts took up smoking
• a winter camp where John was led very astray
• the day Bear Grylls ran over his 'phone
• the beavers' Nativity play when one boy stole the show
• why one team came last on Monopoly on the Run
• a family camp when a cub's parents disgraced themselves
• the resuscitation evening when Little Annie came into her own, despite being a dummy
• an Outdoor Challenge badge weekend when John went home with only one welly
• when the scouts made "non-alcoholic" cocktails with a secret ingredient
• the April Fool's Day activity badge that the scouts actually completed
• the day the scouts hiked along a sewer
• the day John nearly died whilst white water rafting with the devil
• the camp where a girl guide won the "best scout" award
• the day when a Swedish girl guide and John both had "heart attacks" after a Brown Owl's dinner was bombed
• a shopping trip to a reservoir
• and much, much more
35 chapters of some of the funniest things that have ever happened in scouting.
If ever you have wondered what really goes on at scouts once the children have been dropped off at what many consider to be an unofficial baby-sitting service, when sitting is the last thing that scouts do, then this book is for you.
280 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 24, 2014
6 people are currently reading
21 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
February 6, 2017
Decided to read this book as my son has been a cub for the last year, and has been on several camps. Whilst this book does focus mainly on Scout camps, I figured it would give me an insight into what he has to look forward to when he moves on up to Scouts. After reading some of the exploits in this book, I think I may make him join the Brownies!
The author, John Hemming-Clark is the Scout Leader of 3rd Chislehurst Scouts. This book simply recounts his tales of this time in this role. John was initially the Chairman of the Group, but was ‘persuaded’ to be Scout Leader when the group ended up with no one to lead the Scout group, and no Scouts to lead. The book does focus mainly on what happened on camps, as opposed to generally being a Scout Leader.
Not coming from a Scout background myself, I find it hard to understand the draw of the wild, and after reading some of the exploits, I’m glad I prefer the luxury of a warm bed and indoor toilet. Thankfully my son loves camping and if these are like any of his future camps he’ll love it! I have spent most of the book chuckling to myself and reading out sections of the book to my husband as I’ve found it so funny. I also didn’t realise how much work actually goes into a camp. I drop my son off, he spends a couple of nights with his pack and I pick him up – that’s how I see it!! In reality there are so many rules, regulations and training that go into being a leader and organising a camp. I shall look at all my son’s leaders in a different light from now on!!
If you love the outdoors or are part of a Scout, Cubs, Beavers, Guides or Brownies group then you’ll love this book and will probably be able to relate to a lot of it. I’ve read reviews from people who are teachers and say they that can relate to it also. In fact, if you just want to have a chuckle for a couple of hours, then give it a try. My favourite bits are too many to mention, but look out for Camp Bank, White Water Rafting and the VIP selfie…oh and Wanda the Stick– very funny!!!
The author, John Hemming-Clark is the Scout Leader of 3rd Chislehurst Scouts. This book simply recounts his tales of this time in this role. John was initially the Chairman of the Group, but was ‘persuaded’ to be Scout Leader when the group ended up with no one to lead the Scout group, and no Scouts to lead. The book does focus mainly on what happened on camps, as opposed to generally being a Scout Leader.
Not coming from a Scout background myself, I find it hard to understand the draw of the wild, and after reading some of the exploits, I’m glad I prefer the luxury of a warm bed and indoor toilet. Thankfully my son loves camping and if these are like any of his future camps he’ll love it! I have spent most of the book chuckling to myself and reading out sections of the book to my husband as I’ve found it so funny. I also didn’t realise how much work actually goes into a camp. I drop my son off, he spends a couple of nights with his pack and I pick him up – that’s how I see it!! In reality there are so many rules, regulations and training that go into being a leader and organising a camp. I shall look at all my son’s leaders in a different light from now on!!
If you love the outdoors or are part of a Scout, Cubs, Beavers, Guides or Brownies group then you’ll love this book and will probably be able to relate to a lot of it. I’ve read reviews from people who are teachers and say they that can relate to it also. In fact, if you just want to have a chuckle for a couple of hours, then give it a try. My favourite bits are too many to mention, but look out for Camp Bank, White Water Rafting and the VIP selfie…oh and Wanda the Stick– very funny!!!
May 21, 2025
Reminds me an awful lot of my time in the Scout association.
July 13, 2021
Whilst a little repetitive at times this was a fun read. As a leader in scouting I could relate to a lot of it but as an ex girl guide in Kent I enjoyed reminiscing. Welly stands are legendary and I loved the tale of Wanda!
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews