Staves

A traditional part of scouting equipment, the Group has a selection for pioneering.

Material

Grow them or seek a source and ask. Mine are hazel, thinnings from my garden, thumb thick and slightly above shoulder high. The bark remains, bevelled carefully at the end. More traditionally they are stripped of bark, possibly with a foot between two and three feet from the top for grip. If you hang them to dry weight the base to keep straight. Other European woods – ash, chestnut.

Shape

Straight as possible; thumb sticks are not staves

Size

Fit to the owner. Some sources suggest 5’0’’ for the patrol, 5’6’’ for the patrol leader (to allow for pennant), thumb stick for Scout Leader.

Markings

Traditionally incised in yards, feet and inches. Pick your own scale, they must be of use before ornament.
Incorporate small markers of patrol or troop as signs of ownership.
A metal foot (ferrule) will protect the end, in the form of a distinguishing mark may act as a tool in tracking games and may tap out a rhythm in discrete warning.
Some use staves as carriers of a history with metal badges. Be prepared to move on to another stave when the original is too weighty or battered for everyday use.

Flags

Knowing of no source for pennants you will have to make your own. Half the size of a necker, ensure the dyes are waterproof and the stitching sound as the weather will find out flaws. Flags act as markers in wide games, mark tents in camp and identify you to the world.
At the 2007 Jamboree some European Troops routinely carried a flagged stave.

Lanterns

Last used to carry a lantern at the Founders Day 2007 it will require a way of temporarily attaching a swivel.

Grips

Bound leather will increase grip. A loop through a hole may be of use.

Uses

Is man a biped or a triped? Despite the new popularity of single or double sticks with walkers a stave will but infrequently aid the scout in walking. Balance on stepping stones, or steep inclines when with a rucksack.
Without a load it shouldn’t handicap a scout.