ROVER SCOUT RAMBLER BADGE

Boy Scouts Association of Canada

~ 1950

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 ROVER SCOUT RAMBLER BADGE

THE RAMBLER’S BADGE

RULE 327 – P.O. & R.
The Rover Scout must ramble and aggregate of 100 miles outside towns during week-ends or holidays (or
alternatively trips aggregating 200 miles by canoe or 400 miles by bicycle) and must keep and hand in a
log of his journeys. This log should give dates, places and distances, and preferably contain information of
use to other hikers, such as places of interest to be visited en route, good camping spots, directional hints
at difficult points, etc. Sketches, maps, other forms of illustration and nature notes should be included.
The object of this badge is to encourage the Rover to hike for sheer pleasure. It is not an athletic
feat.

INTRODUCTION
Rambling can be an exciting journey of discovery into the world of nature – plants and animals; rocks and
minerals; the weather and the firmament; or it may turn towards history and architecture. The expeditions
and explorations undertaken can disclose the interesting and important .facts about such things as the
blades of grass, spider webs, the flight of birds, or the majesty of the night sky.
Rambling seeks more than that the adventurer bring home “specimens” or learn the names of trees
or birds. Its purpose is to gather many varied experiences together to create a feeling of enjoyment and
awareness of the out-of-doors. It reveals something of the order, vastness, complexity and majesty of the
world of nature to those who live in it. It fosters growing hobby interests and finds room for wonder and
enthusiasm, the spirit of adventure and a spontaneous delight in discovery.
These notes, it is hoped, will stimulate your thinking, so that you produce ideas of your own. When
starting on your Rambler’s Log it is not necessary or expected that you will lay out things exactly as
shown here. It is expected that your report will record not only where you went and the purpose of your
ramble, but what you did and possibly why you did it.
What we hope you will endeavour to achieve is the grand spirit of adventure that Rambling can
produce. It is not sufficient just to fulfil the requirements for these should be undertaken in the spirit in
which they were meant to be carried out.
Rambling is the finest way of seeing your own countryside, or for that matter, any other country. It
should not cost very much except in the effort we take to do it properly. We hope that every Rover Scout
who undertakes to ramble will regard the earning of the Rambler’s Badge as the beginning of something
that will continue to grow throughout the years.
After reading these notes, we hope you will feel as we do that to undertake the Rambler’s Badge as
a part of your “Rover Questing” is a necessary step in the personal development of every Rover Scout.
These notes are not written to deprive a Rover Scout from doing his own thinking; but rather to help
him know what is essential and what is considered trimmings in the preparation of his “Rambler’s Log”.
The following pages will therefore highlight the essential factors; the trimmings will only be lightly
touched upon for it is there that the Rover Scout has his greatest opportunity of personal expression.

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FOREWORD
RAMBLING – The art of walking without a definite objective; but with a purposeful consideration of
one’s surroundings – The key activity of a Rover Scout, might also be described as “Wondering while
Wandering”. It is based on the habit of observation, on a comprehension of what is observed and the
ability to record what is seen and comprehended so that permanent records of your experiences may be
kept. The late Lord Baden-Powell refers to Rovering as a “Brotherhood of the open air”. If we, as Rover
Scouts are to carry out this purpose of our branch of the Scout Movement, there must be increased interest
developed in the out-of-doors, an urge to see new things, to adventure into strange places and to learn
more about nature. The seed of Rambling should be sown as soon as the Rover Scout enters the Crew, and
if the seed is well sown it will go on growing in breadth and depth throughout a Rover Scout’s life. All
that is needed to start the seed growing is direction – direction from someone who can encourage
sympathetically the Rover Scout’s sense of wonder and excitement at discovery .The source of this
wonder and excitement is not found indoors. It is some living creature observed in its native haunt, alive
and happy in the company of other living animals and plant life. The practice .of observation and the
process of deduction is an important ingredient towards gaining the Rambler’s Badge, because it is
through your ability to observe and deduce that the success of your Rambles is assured. It is up to you to
think for yourselves, and to discover the whys and wherefores of the daily happenings about you, helped
to a certain extent by the advice and experience of others, but not dependent on them.

KEEPING A RAMBLER’S LOG

There are, of course, many reasons for keeping a “Log” besides providing nostalgic memories of past
events or for the inspiration and encouragement of the new members who enter into your Crew’s life and
activities. Properly planned and maintained, the keeping of a Rambler’s Log can give each Rover Scout a
chance to express himself in his own way, by means of the written word, by pen or pencil sketches, or
with the aid of a camera.
Almost everyone, no matter what his station in life, is expected to have some writing ability. In fact,
to a very real extent, your success in today’s world depends on your ability to express yourself on paper.
For instance, when you are applying for that first job, or maybe a new one, you may be required to
write a letter outlining your qualifications, or past experiences. The person to whom you send this material
has never met you or even heard of you before; he has nothing to go by other than what you have written.
If this fails to interest him or get your message across clearly, if it gives an impression of sloppiness, or
coldness – you’re out of the running.
There are many who won’t face up to the effort required to record their hikes or rambles. Why this
lack of interest? Is it that they can’t be bothered; or that they find difficulty in putting their experiences on
paper; or that they find the challenge of preparing a Rambler’s Log too great?
When you don’t know what to write in your reports, it may be an admission that you are leading a
dull and empty life. Report the things you see, hear and do. Write to express your thoughts and ideas on
some aspect of your own choosing, be it natural life, architecture, forestry, history or anything that may be
of interest to you.
You may think of writing as somehow different from talking. It isn’t. Talking is an expression of
thoughts and ideas in spoken words. Writing is, or should be, those same words on paper.
The more your writing follows your own characteristic patter, the more engagingly it reflects the
colour and warmth of your personality.
Assuming that you have retained the elementary rules of grammar, spelling and composition you
learned at school, you need only a little extra effort to make yourself an effective writer.
What you will learn, no matter how you go about it, is that all good writing has three main
ingredients. These are Clarity, Force and Personality. Here’s what these three mean.

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CLARITY – Say what you have to say. Make it just long enough to get all your ideas in and to
avoid being curt. Be sure that you present your thoughts and ideas in logical order. Keep in mind what you
want to say – develop it along lines of clear, simple reasoning. Use short words, and sentences and active
verbs.
FORCE – Virtually everything you write is designed to get some kind of active response from the
reader – even though it is only an emotional one. Does what you say make one take action? That is what is
meant by force. How do you create force? First, decide exactly what response you want to get. Ask
yourself “What am I trying to get this fellow to do?” When you have done this, you have built the
backbone of your report.
PERSONALITY – The average person, when writing, can manage to sound like the most pompous
bore who ever lived. The reasons are academic English, long words, tangled sentences, mossy phrases –
and the disastrous, notion that you must not write as you speak.
The whole secret is to write in an easy, natural way – without self-consciousness – like one friendly
human being talking to another. Make your reports sound the way you sound... and they will reflect your
personality. Here are some helpful tips:
1. Use the personal pronouns, ‘I’ and ‘you’.
2. Don’t be shackled to formal grammar.
3. If you come to a point where a slang word or colloquialism expresses your meaning better than
anything else, use it. Be natural.
4. Avoid the wishy-washy tone that comes from too much use of the passive voice.
None of these points will make you a Shakespeare, but they will help you make yourself understood
and get the responses you want. Equally important, they’ll help your Rambler’s reports present you as the
kind of crisp, clear thinking, decisive fellow you think you are.
Remember – your writing represents you. Be sure it represents you to the best advantage.

PLANNING THE LOG BOOK

There is no standard method of preparing your Log, nor is it desirable that there should be. Select a binder
and paper of standard size and of good quality to hold your rambling reports. Don’t make the mistake
some Rover Scouts have done and use any old discarded book for the purpose. If you want others to take
pride in your “Rambler’s Log” then prepare a book they will be pleased to handle and read. Make it
something to be proud of; something that will last and not just meet the requirements.
Thought should be given to the type of cover which will be durable enough to protect it adequately
as in most cases, a Log Book receives a great deal of handling. You cannot do better than select a loose
leaf binder. This type of book makes it convenient to work on each page separately.
There are three sizes of binders satisfactory for this purpose. The largest and most common uses a
page size of 8½ x 11 inches. The other two are not so common but are considered suitable; one using a
page size of 6 x 9½ inches, the other pages of 5½ X 7½ inches. All these are readily available at most
stationers.

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Purchase sufficient quantities of paper so that you can complete your reports without running short.
After a year or so it is not always possible to purchase exactly the same kind of paper, so get all you think
you will need the first time.
A casual glance at the range of paper available may create a feeling of bewilderment as to what is
most suitable. What you select will depend to a large extent on how you decide to prepare the Log Book.
The cheapest and lowest quality papers are not sturdy and will not withstand much handling, nor
can they be expected to last very long without becoming dog-eared. Good quality paper is important if you
want your work to last.
If you are going to write or print your reports then you should select two kinds of paper for your
Log – ruled pages for written or lettered notes and plain (unruled) pages which can be used for maps,
sketches or for mounting photographs. If you are able to typewrite your reports, then plain pages should be
used throughout. All writing and/or printing in your Log should be done in ink, and for continuity should
be done in the same kind of ink throughout.
To make your pages as attractive as possible some thought must be given to “layout”. This means
that the page must have balance, that is, create a pleasing effect. Don’t crowd the margins. Leave a wider
margin at the bottom of your page than at the top or sides. A well balanced page never creates the
impression that the copy is crowding the edges of the paper.

Now let us consider the types of pages which should comprise a good Log. These can be described
as the frontispiece or introductory page; the index page; the report pages, and those used for maps,
sketches and photographs or postcards, etc.

The Introductory page should give the title

of your report, your name and Rover Crew. Some
small sketch or symbol gives the page more
interest and provides an opportunity to introduce a
bit of colour to the page. The use of colour
emphasizes important details or features and gives
a pleasing effect.
An index page is an excellent way to keep
track of your rambles in a neat and orderly manner.
It presents a quick method of locating a particular
ramble for reference when required. A summary of
total milages could be shown on this page. It must be remembered that two
miles by canoe equals one mile walking and that it takes four miles by bicycle to equal a walking mile.
The method of showing this is up to you. If your rambles are all walking, or all by canoe, there is no
problem. It is in the preparation of report pages that the Rover Scout has the best opportunity and scope
for individual expression. It is recommended that each new ramble start with a heading to identify it and
begin on a new page. A suggestion as to the information that should be in this heading is given here:

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Ramble No.30
Cycle Trip: Halifax to Windsor and Lunenburg, Nova Scotia.
Approximate milage: 80 miles.
Date: Saturday, August 20th, 1960.
General Weather Note: Sunny, for a change.

Copy material should only be placed on one side of the page. Maps, sketches, photographs, etc.,
may be placed separately or on the same page as your report. This is up to you. Each ramble report you
enter into your Log should be assigned a number so that all material pertaining to that report can bear the
same identification.

What Shall I Put In My Log?

Have an objective for each ramble.
Here are a number of important points which should help you in your planning.
1. Begin with local materials – Look to find the romance of things close at hand. Too often we are apt to
stress strange animals and plants, or distant places, ignoring the fascinating objects in our own
backyards.
2. Take full advantage of what the moment or season brings – Thus, if you start on a bird ramble and
find some other interesting facet of nature at work, stop to watch. You can go on with the bird ramble

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later or save it for another day. Focus your attention on what is important and different about each
aspect of nature at a particular time or season.
3. Observe everything – Use all your senses in discovering what is interesting and important about the
things you see. Use not only sight and hearing but also the neglected senses of taste, touch and smell.
4. Fit your program to your own natural interests. – Nature is enjoyed in different ways by different age
groups. Very small children are often most interested in shapes and habits of familiar plants and
animals and in stories about them. Boys of Scout age have a very intense interest in all of nature and
enjoy making collections, going on hikes and cooking out. You, as a Rover Scout should not miss the
opportunities to enjoy the same things but you should extend your interests possibly to such “Service”
projects as developing a nature trail. Your activities should further be directed towards the inter-
relationship of living things and conservation.
5. Direct your rambles to seek out important principles. To develop a real understanding and
appreciation of nature you must open your eyes to the fundamental principles of natural life. A study
of the inter-dependence of all natural objects will bring out the need for a “Balance of Nature”. This
should lead you towards an interest in conservation, a most important element in good citizenship.
6. Outline a definite long range programme. Although you will need to adapt your rambles to your
changing interests, it is important to have a general plan mapped out in order to keep your activities
from becoming too scattered or one-sided.
You are expected to report on some aspect of your own choosing, be it natural life, architecture,
history, forestry, or in fact, almost anything that appeals to you personally. The important thing to
remember in the preparation of your “Rambler’s Log” is that you must keep it human and full of your own
personality and humour.
The test of a good Log is, does it give the information wanted? It should include such information
as route covered, general weather notes, how far you rambled, who attended and the object or theme.
Remember, Rambling fosters growing hobby interests and finds room for wonder and enthusiasm,
the spirit of adventure and a spontaneous delight in discovery.

THE SKETCH MAP

A map is the beginning of all adventure. Travels and treasure hunts, wars and explorations all open to your
view with its unrolling. In your home or Crew den a map can be a magic carpet, taking the mind in a flash
anywhere you desire to go. You may journey over the entire world without any inconvenience.
What hopes, what dreams, what achievements have been pondered over a map. Imagine the spirit
aflame in the hearts of those lonely adventurers as they sailed out from their homelands in search of
spices, riches and new lands to conquer. What must a map have meant to them.
Today, we are apt to take maps for granted. Road maps are freely given, but at one time maps were
closely guarded. Any man who was caught revealing their secrets was often tortured or even put to death.
The history of mapping can be an interesting subject in itself. A study of the great explorers will show
how they added to man’s knowledge of the world by making maps of their voyages and explorations. The
explorations of Cabot and Cartier along the northeast coast of Canada, of LaSalle on the Mississippi, of
the Spanish in Florida, Texas and Mexico opened up the vast continent of North America. As the early
pioneers travelled west, the map unfolds and we are able to read their findings.
First, there was a wilderness, unknown to these adventurers, a challenge to their skill. The
moccasined feet of the frontiersmen made the first trails which were later followed by the settlers who left
routes well defined by their wagon tracks. These later became roads. Now the whole country is
crisscrossed with highways. To be able to make a rapid and accurate rough sketch map is a useful
accomplishment.

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There are maps and maps! Mapping requires practice, and it is one of the things that you can do on
your own. There is no reason why you should not get down to it, and by practice, become able to draw
neat and understandable sketch maps.
To make a map understandable to someone else you have to use symbols that he can read, and for
that purpose certain signs called “Conventional Signs” have been agreed upon. There are not many of
them, so they are soon learnt.

To get used to the symbols you can draw imaginary maps, but it is better to get out as soon as
possible and work from actual terrain.
When you draw a map do it neatly. Do not make the lines representing roads too far apart – one
sixteenth inch is plenty for any size map. Any lettering you put on the map should be done in small capital
letters – they are most easily read. Although your maps should have a certain freedom they should be kept
to an approximate scale. If you look on most maps you will find a scale line. This represents the distances
on the ground to which the map was drawn. See that a scale is included on all your maps.

Also important on your map is the compass direction. Without this it is not possible for anyone else
to orient your sketch map with the country it is meant to represent. As your maps should be kept simple,
there is no need to draw an elaborate compass rose – an arrow with “N” at the top is sufficient. Usually a
map is orientated to true North and not to magnetic North.

Each ramble should have its own sketch map, keyed by number, to the description of that ramble.

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Summary – or Let’s Sum Up!

As you may have gathered by now, Rambler reports, whether submitted for the Rambler’s Badge or not,
should have some serious thought given to their presentation. They should not be written into any old
scribbler or notebook which happens to be conveniently at hand. They should reflect the Rover Scout’s
pride of accomplishment.
The purpose of these reports is not to test a Rover Scout on his powers of composition, spelling,
artistry, etc., but rather to encourage him to express his findings and interests in his own way. It must be
remembered, though, that it is quite permissible for the examiner to assess the standard of a report on the
educational background of the applicant.
The point to keep in mind is that the Log is a personal record of what you did, where you went and
what you observed. Another thing. Logs are supposed to contain illustrations of interesting things. Why do
we place so much stress on sketching? You might reply that it is all right for those who can draw, but you
couldn’t do a decent sketch to save your life. Well, sketching is good observation training. You really see
something if you’ve got to sketch it. A sketch, accompanying a verbal description helps give a more
complete idea of an object. Lots of people who think they can’t draw find that they are much better than
they thought they were when they really try.
If you aren’t very good at sketching do not overlook other possible methods of introducing pictorial
information into your Log, i.e. photographs, post cards, souvenir booklets, etc.
A final piece of advice. Undertake your Rambles with your eyes wide open. Give a clear indication
of the nature of the countryside through which you pass, permanent landmarks, peculiar features seen en
route such as a roadside memorial or shrine, a novel gateway or any other object or place of interest to
you.
Before ending these notes may we say to you, that should you be encouraged to Ramble and
undertake the preparation of a Log to record such Rambles, we sincerely hope you will find enjoyment
and a whole world of new experiences.
The great thing about Rambling is to take it as a challenge to one’s Rovering and to enter the game
determined to get as much out of it as possible and to have a wonderful time doing it.

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