INTERNATIONAL

INDIA ~:~ The facts About

1]\ India .]1 Area: 3,268,000 square kilometres

.. .l1l1 popu'ation~ 680,000,000\ .u Political An independent republic. A'- I SIalus: Member 01 the Commonwealth \ _,:' 01 Nations

111.:11 Capital: New Delhi 1I

111 Geography: Alarge part 01 the Country consists 01 aL, .J lertile plain watered by the Ganges111 River and its tributaries, In the south is 111 the Deccan Plateau some GOO-900 metres

Wheat, barley, maize, rice, millet, sugar, potatoes, ground nuts, cottonseed, tea, tobacco, timber, cotton, coal, iron, manganese and copper ore. (otton, jute, silk manufacture, sugar refining, engineering, iron and steel. 1extiles, tea, raw iute and cotton, leather, manganese, nuts, bags and

sacks. Bombay, Calculla, Madras, Hyderabad

Anmerabad

high and in the north and north west are the irontiers 01 the Himalayan

Mountains.

111" .:JI JIll»\\ Jl

II] \\

JlI] 1.1] \ ]

I] \ Chiet

] Produets~

ChietI] 'ndustries~ ChietExports~

~-.1 ImporlanllIC Tuwns: .\~ Education~ School attendance is compulsory j about 30% 01 the people are literate

I:~ 119

INTERNATIONAL

INDIA CRAFT & GIFTS

India is a land of bright clear colours and sunlight. Divali is one Hindu festival which means a row of lights. It is a time for paying debts and for making good resolutions for kind and honest behaviour in the year ahead. Talk about resolutions and promises with the Beaver Scouts and try making a giant floor collage like the Hindu women do during the Divali festival.

COLONY FLOOR COLLAGE

You will need:

- Sheets of paper to cover an area of floor

- Coloured sand

- Flour - Crushed coloured chalks - Fine pebbles

- Shells - Pulses (various) - Plus any other brightly coloured

material - Materials to sweep and clear

away later

Gather together the above articles and spread paper over the floor. Allow the Beaver Scouts to work together to create a picture or pattern of their choice. Enjoy the result.

•

SPICES AS A GIFT

Indians enjoy spices in their cooking. Throughout the ages} spices have been an important part of life and have been given as gifts to people. In the Christian religion} the Three Wise Men came to see the Christ Child bearing gifts of spices. Here is a recipe for Garam Masala which is used in many Indian dishes. It would make an ideal gift used for Group fund raising.

Garam Masala

You will need:

- A quantity of small screw top jars which the Beaver Scouts could decorate.

- Tablespoons and teaspons

Ingredients for each Beaver Scout:

- Half teaspoon ground nutmeg -1 tablespoon ground coriander -1 tablespoon ground cumin -1 teaspoon ground cardamon - Half teaspoon ground cloves - Half teaspoon ground black pepper - Half teaspoon ground cinnamon

Spoon all the ingredients into the jar. Stir with a spoon. Cover with a lid then shake well. Store in a cool place away from sunlight.

During the activity make sure the Beaver Scouts have a chance to smell individual spices and possibly taste if they wish. Remember hygiene rules.

Z I'Tl ~

Z

-oz

>-I

>I""""

120

-I

INTERNATIONAL

FOOD

Many Indians avoid eating meat because of their religious faiths and beliefs. Here is a recipe which Beaver Scouts could help adults to prepare and all could eat together.

Spiced Vegetable Croquettes

Ingredients 1 tablespoon cooking oil Y2 teaspoon whole cumin seeds 1 onion, finely chopped 1 x 213g can butter beans, well drained 40g rolled oats 1 carrot, peeled 1 medium potato, peeled 1 teaspoon garam masala salt and pepper 1 egg, beaten

Equipment

grill pan frying pan baking tray wooden spoon

fork basin grater

Method

1 Set the oven to 190°CI375°F/Gas 5 and grease the baking tray.

2 Sprinkle the rolled oats into the base of the grill pan and toast under the grill, shaking the tray from time to time. The oats will take about 1-1% minutes to brown. Leave on one side to cool.

3 Heat the oil in a frying pan. Add the cumin seeds and stir. After about a minute the seeds will begin to pop.

4 Add the onions and fry for 3-4 minutes until lightly browned. Leave on one side.

S Mash the butter beans with a fork in a large basin. Stir in the fried onions.

6 Grate the carrot and potato and squeeze out any liquid.

7 Add these vegetables to the butter bean and onion mixture. Stir in the garam masala and seasoning.

•

8 Divide the mixture into four quarters and shape into flat croquettes.

9 Wash and dry your hands. Dip each croquette in egg and then sprinkle each side with the toasted oats. Place on the greased baking tray.

10 Bake the croquettes for 30-35 minutes.

This aCtivity can be worked in Lodges or small groups, with the Beaver Scouts helping to weigh and prepare the ingredients. You need sufficient adult help who will be responsible for the cooking. Suggest that they talk to the Beaver Scouts about the 'smells' coming from the ingredients being cooked. When the mixture is cool, the Beaver Scouts can shape the croquettes. Serve with natural yoghurt, also a favourite in India.

Bananas

Many Indians love bananas. They are eaten many ways, raw and cooked. They like bananas fried, boiled, stewed and in chips as well as plain. Here is an easy recipe to try:

You will need: -1 banana for each Beaver Scout - Hot grill or barbecue

Put bananas on the grill pan or barbecue griddle and cook for 10-15 minutes. Turn them over occasionally and take care towards the end of cooking because they could burst.

Bananas are cooked when soft and black. Allow to cool slightly. Remove from grill using tongs and/or oven gloves.

Peel back the skin and eat. They are good on their own or with ice cream, cream or chocolate sauce. Take care when peeling and eating because they will be very hot.

-

121

Z -I I'Tl ;:::I:l Z

-:> -I

o z :> r-

INTERNATIONAL

Semolina Halva

This very light, fluffy halva may be eaten as a snack or at the end of a meal. It is very popular with children.

Serves 6: 1 pint (S70ml) water S tablespoons vegetable oil or ghee 1 oz (2Sg) slivered, blanched almonds 11 oz (300g) fine-grained semolina SY2 oz (16Sg) sugar 2-3 tablespoons sultanas 1,14 teaspoon finely crushed cardamon seeds (use a pestle and mortar for this)

Put 1 pint (S70ml) water to boil in a saucepan. Once it comes to a rolling boil, turn the heat down to very low and let the saucepan sit on the back of the cooker.

Heat the oil or ghee in a large, preferably non-stick frying pan over a medium flame. When hot, put in the almonds. Stir and fry them until they turn golden. Take them out with a slotted spoon and leave them to drain on kitchen paper. Put the semolina into the same oil. Turn the heat to medium low. Now stir and saute the semolina for 810 minutes or until it turns a warm, golden colour. Do not let it brown.

Add the sugar to the pan and stir it in.

Very slowly, begin to pour the boiling water into the pan. Keep stirring as you do so. Take a good 2 minutes to do this. When all the water has been added, turn the heat to low. Stir and cook the halva for S minutes. Add the sultanas, almonds and crushed cardamon seeds. Stir and cook the halva for another S minutes.

This halva may be served hot or warm or at room temperature.

This is one for Leaders to prepare earlier and for the Beaver Scouts to eat!

RESOURCE

Madhur Jaffrey's Indian Cookery BBC Books.

122

GAMES

Snakes and Ladders

Symbolically a game of snakes and ladders is a moral journey through life to heaven. It is one of the best known children's board games and is often used in India for religious instruction, particularly by Hindus.

€>

0 Q €>

t)

e>

~

" i> €)

0 " ~

"",

0 (t)

0

There is no need to explain how to play the game of snakes and ladders here. Why not incorporate a game of snakes and ladders into a games or bases evening for Beaver Scouts. Board games are an excellent way to help the Beaver Scouts understand discipline of rules, co-operating and waiting for one another, and the fun of sharing an activity together. Perhaps the Beaver Scouts would like to make their own version of snakes and ladders and try it out on their friends. They could even make their own dice out of cardboard cubes if they want it completely homemade.

Kho

The Colony is divided into two teams, the squatters and the runners. One of the squatters is chosen to be a chaser. The squatters sit or crouch in a line, leaving spaces between them. The chaser stands at one end of the line, the runners at the other. At 'go' the chaser has 30 seconds to see how many runners he/she can catch. The runners can go in between the squatters but the chaser must go only round the line. The chaser may at any time change places with a squatter calling out 'Kho' to do so.

This game has many versions and is played by the Bulbuls in India.

RESOURCE

Carnes with a Point compiled by Alisa Brambley. Published GGA.

•

SOUTH ISLAND

Independent parliamentary state. Member of the Commonwealth

of Nations

,] The facts About ,11 New Zealand

270,000 square kilometres

population: 3,175,737 including 2BB,600 Maoris

Capital:

Geography:

INTERNATIONAL

NEW ZEALAND

]\ Area:

\. ]1 "----- \11\ poUtica\lsiJl Status:

l-n~ lin 1 ]111

\\]1 \]

'I]

I _,1 JIfi:

I] \] 1] ~~;d~cts:

1.1]

\ Jl

Important Towns:

Education \ I

Meat and dairy products, wood, wheat, barley, maize, oats, fruit, vegetables, natural gas, textiles, clothing, leather, timber and timber products some of which are exported.

Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Hamilton, Dunedin.

Children must attend school between 6 and 14 years 0\ age.

123

•

z ~ rn ;lC Z > ~,-'0 Z > r

'INTERNATIONAL·'

NEW ZEALAND

CRAFTS AND GIFTS

Stilt Making

Traditionally, Maoris, the original natives of New Zealand used stilts for hunting and tracking and even playing games. Why not make some stilts and afterwards have some fur activities or races?

You will need: .2 large empty tins for each Beaver

Scout • String or thin cord - 2 lengths for

each Beaver Scout • Self adhesive paper shapes for

decoration

Preparation: Ensure all tins are thoroughly clean and the cut edge is very smooth. Reject any which are unsafe/dangerous.

Pierce either side of tin. An awl or nail with a hammer are excellent. Cut string/ cord to approximate lengths.

Method: All Beaver Scouts can decorate tins to their own design with paper shapes. You can probably think of other methods. Tie cord/string to tin through the holes in the tins. Adjust string according to size of Beaver Scout. Practice stilt walking!

124

WOOL DOLLS OR MASCOTS

New Zealand farming is world famous and one of their products is wool from sheep farming. Using woollen yarn make a doll or mascot. Perhaps it could be made in favourite colours, like grey and maroon for Beaver Scouts or football team colours.

You will need:

• Wool cut into 15cms-20cms. 24 plus strands for each.

• Scissors

• 'Odd' lengths of wool for knotting

Method: Tie a knot at these points with matching wool strands. Lie wool strands flat, except for 6, and start as head and neck with knots. Beaver Scouts love tying knots but the secret is to give them a reasonable length to work with. Ends of wool can always be trimmed with scissors afterwards. Now place remaining 6 strands at right angles to the large amount and layout in between. Knot ends to form "hands" and continue to knot to form waist, trunk and legs. Cut loose ends and the mascot is complete.

You can add shirring elastic or thread to hang up or add two more strings to make a dancing doll, puppet or mascot.

Not an easy activity for Beaver Scouts but one that has been tried and tested successfully. Planning and preparation is important.

INTERNATIONAL

FOOD

Modern farming methods have made New Zealand an excellent source of kiwi fruit. The Kiwi bird is the national bird of New Zealand. Kiwi fruit are available in supermarkets and their bright acid green colour makes them most attractive. Trifles are often a treat served at birthday parties so why not make one.

Kiwi Trifle

You will need: • Jam Swiss roll without the 'cream'

• Kiwi fruit • Vanilla flavoured 'instant' dessert • Milk to make up instant dessert

• Apple juice • Aerosol cream (UHT) • Decoration for trifle e.g. Hundreds

and Thousands, vermicelli etc

• Individual paper serving dishes for each Beaver Scout

• Fork/spoon, one for each Beaver Scout

• Bowls or cups, one for each Beaver Scout

• Washing up equipment • Table knife, one for each Beaver

Scout

Beaver Scouts love to 'have a go' themselves, so divide up the instant dessert mixture in cups or bowls. Mix with milk and let the Beaver Scouts make up their mixture. Cut up kiwi fruit into thin slices and slice up the jam Swiss roll.

•

To make up the trifle place a slice of Swiss roll at the bottom of the paper dish and moisten with a little apple juice. Arrange kiwi fruit in slices on the top and then cover with the made up instant dessert mix.

Now the fun part! Allow Beaver Scouts to decorate their trifle with cream, any left over kiwi fruit and sugar decorations. They could make faces, or monsters on the top of the trifle. Eat and enjoy.

Making Butter

Dairy farming is an important industry in New Zealand. Why not get the Beaver Scouts to make their own butter and see if it tastes the same as their famous export.

You will need: • Clean screw top jars .2 pints full cream milk preferably

Jersey milk or 'breakfast milk' from su perma rkets

• One quarter pint single cream. (This speeds up the process!)

Mix the milk and cream together and put a small amount into the jars. Make sure the screw tops are securely fixed. Shake jars until the butter fat globules appear. Take care that the jars and the Beaver Scouts are not too near each other when shaking.

Having made the butter why not eat it on: Bread Crumpets Muffins Toast Pikelets Potatoes

<

Z o-I <

Z l:I:: .f",I,,(

I Z

125

....I

Z -of rTI ;:l Z >

-of-o z >

I""'"

INTERNATIONAL

or make a party snack called:

Peel Outs: You will need:

• Cooked.baked potato skins

• Butter

Turn on oven to 200°C/400°F or Gas mark 6. Cut the potato skins into 'crisp' sized pieces. Melt the butter gently in a saucepan. Remove from heat and brush each piece of skin with butter on both sides and put on a baking sheet. Bake for 20 minutes approximately. Remove from oven and when cooler} eat either by themselves or with a dip.

The Beaver Scouts will love this tasty} healthy snack and there are many ways to use up the discarded potato flesh} not least by your family!

BAAING LAMBS

New Zealand is famous for exporting sheep products. Here is a game to celebrate this export.

You will need: .A ball • Music from a tape cassette} radio etc

The Beaver Scouts sit in a circle and pass the ball around to the right whilst the music is played. Every once in a while the music stops and whichever Beaver Scout has the ball becomes the lamb. The 'Iamb} gets down on all fours and makes a 'baaing} sound. The 'Iamb} completes the task and passes the ball and the music continues.

126

•

The next time the music stops whichever Beaver Scout has the ball becomes the lamb but so does the Beaver Scout who was the lamb before. Once a lamb} you}re a lamb for the rest of the game. Soon there will be a room full of baaing lambs and it is definitely time to end the game or start again.

Use this one a,ld vary animal according to theme.

FRIENDS

No matter where people live in the world we should try to understand each other and be friends.

You will need:

• Music from a tape cassette} radio etc. • Pieces of card to denote a 'map}.

Beaver Scouts pair off with each other i.e.} they find a friend. The friends form two circles} one inside the other} with one friend in each circle. At this point it's a good idea to check that everyone knows who their 'friend} is and that two 'friends} are not in the same circle. The music starts and the outer circle walks in one direction and the inner circle in the other. The music stops and the 'friends} find each other and stoop or squat immediately. The last pair to stoop or squat are given a map token to help them be quicker next turn and all continue to play the game. Those friends without map tokens at the end of the game obviously know where their friends are.

127

~JlI

,] ] Area:

I Population:'" ]I Political

"--II Status: [-I] Capital:11 Geography:

1I!] I ] (II]

II] II

JI~] ).1] I ]

i] I] Chief

Products:I]

Important Towns:

Education:

I Money unit:

USSR INrfRNArlONAl

11'] The Facts About the "'''"~~.f'': USSR

22,274,000 square kilometres

270,000,000

Afederal union of 15 republics

Moscow

Vast inner lowlands open in the north to the Arctic and are bounded in the south, west and east by high mountainous regions. The European parts of the country are divided from the Asian part by the Ural Mountains rising to 1500 metres. The highest peaks are Tien Shan and Parmir rising to over 7,000 metres. The chief rivers are the Ob, Volga, Neva. Besides the Caspian Sea there are very large lakes such as the Sea of Aral.

.~:;~"

'I

Grain, sugar beet, potatoes, cotton, flax, hemp, timber, livestock, fish, petroleum, coal, minerals, electric power, steel, industrial and agricultural machinery, chemicals and textiles.

Moscow, Lenningrad, Kiev, Baku, Gorky, Tashkent, Tbilisi, Odessa, Onish, Riga.

It is free and compulsory from 7 to 15 or 16 years of age. Free nursery schooling is available.

Rouble.

Z """! ",

z " >-o z > r-

IN-TERNATIONAL

USSR CRAFTS AND GIFTS

The skills and craftsmanship of the Soviet people is renowned. One such tradition handed down is the decorative painting found on Russian dolls. These dolls fit inside each other and are very popular everywhere.

RUSSIAN DOLLS Very often 7 dolls are found in a set but Beaver Scouts can make one set using 3 as the number. If dolls do not appeal, try monsters or animals.

You will need for each Beaver Scout:

.3 dairy pot cartons of varying size e.g. 10 fluid oz yoghurt pot; 5 fluid oz yoghurt pot; 3 fluid oz fromage frais.

Or try boxes, cartons or tubs from food for a different effect • Paint, brushes, felt tips etc and/or

sticky paper shapes

• Scissors t:fE~~~~

Preparation: You may like to prepare the pots by giving them a quick coat of pale emulsion paint. Allow to dry. This gives a plain surface on which to work. Check pots of 3 different sizes fit inside each other for each Beaver Scout.

Method: Allow Beaver Scouts to decorate boxes, pots etc., according to theme. Bright primary colours are traditionally used as well as gold and silver. Allow to dry before letting the Beaver Scouts fit the shapes together.

Traditionally the decorations should be the same for each doll although colours may vary.

128

•

Metalwork skills are found allover the Soviet Union and one proud heritage is the working in precious metals and enamelling. Faberge who worked in Moscow in the late 19th and early 20th Centuries is one such jeweller and enameller of world renown.

FABERGE EGGS FROM BEAVER SCOUTS

You will need: • A large flat rounded pebble, as egg

shaped as possible for each Beaver Scout

• Gold and/or silver spray paint • Poster paints, brushes • Dilute PVA glue with water for

varnish or use a proprietary brand

Preparation: Spray pebbles with spray paint, ensuring that each is covered completely. Time must be allowed for pebbles to dry.

Method: Let the Beaver Scouts decorate the pebbles with paint. Make sure they leave some of the spray paint showing, after your hard work! Allow to dry and then the Beaver Scouts can seal the pebbles with PVA solution or varnish.

These can be used as a decoration, paper weights, etc.

---I

INTERNATIONAL

FOOD

The USSR is an enormous country which stretches from Europe in the west to China in the east. Its people come from many races and traditions. In the south, oriental and middle eastern cookery traditions prevail; in the east, European traditions. In other parts of this section oriental cookery is given so the European traditions have been included here.

Hot Bortsch Soup with Dumplings

Eastern Europe is very cold during the winter months with winds and weather from Siberia, coming to the Steppes. Here is something traditionally warming, filling and colourful to cheer guests.

You will need for 6-8 Beaver Scouts:

.1 large carrot

.2 medium onions

.4 medium cooked beetroots

• One quarter pint water • One quarter pint stock .4 ozs white cabbage

• Lemon juice • Seasoning .4 tablespoons Soured cream. (An

optional, authentic taste)

1. Prepare and grate carrot, onions and beet roots. Shred cabbage.

2. Put in saucepan. Bring to boil in the quarter pint of water and simmer for 30 minutes.

3. Now add stock, lemon juice and seasonings and simmer for a further 20 minutes.

4. Serve in bowls or mugs. Pour soured cream over each before serving.

Dumplings

Prepare these during stage 2 and cook at stage 3.

You will need: • 80zs self raising flour

• Salt .1 level teaspoon baking powder • 40zs shredded beef or vegetable suet • Quarter pint cold water

•

I Divide up dried mixture (teacups are as good as anything) so that 6-8 Beaver Scouts can have a go. Mix together dry ingredients and then add water to make a soft paste.

Roll into marble sized rounds to form dumplings - use hands. Use immediately and cook at stage 3 of soup.

BREADS

Dark breads are a traditional favourite in the USSR, rye breads, dark grainy wholemeal breads and pumpernickel type breads. They are delicious and can be made into attractive open sandwiches, allowing Beaver Scouts to use their imagination and skill.

Open Sandwiches

You will need for each Beaver Scout: .1 slice dark bread. Try pumpernickel

for a change (available from some supermarkets, delicatessens, health stores).

• Margarine/butter for spreading

Selection of prepared, sliced fillings:

• Hard boiled eggs • Fish e.g. tuna • Meats, e.g. ham, chicken

• Cheese etc

Selection of salad:

• Lettuce • Cucumber • Tomatoes • Radishes • Onions etc.

Method: Spread the margarine or butter thinly onto bread. Lay lettuce on top and allow Beaver Scouts to choose the composition of the open sandwich using ingredients available. Try a theme e.g. healthy eating, the navy (a fishy one), vegetarian. Put on a plate. Eat with a knife and fork; these sandwiches are precarious if picked up by hand!

01( Z o -~ I 01( Z ~ ~

I Z

....I

INTERNATIONAL

Siberian Relay

You will need for each team/Lodge: .1 hat • 1 jacket or coat .1 pair wellington boots .1 pair mittens or gloves .. Jumper • Trousers - jogging type best

It's best to have the clothing several sizes bigger than the average Beaver Scout. It makes the game easier.

Method: Each team chooses one Beaver Scout to be dressed up; that Beaver Scout is at one end of the room surrounded by the clothing. On command 'go' a Beaver Scout runs up and puts one article of clothing on the 'model' Beaver Scout. When task is completed, next one runs up and does the same, and so on until the 'model' is fully dressed. The game is completed.

You can vary the game by:

1. Dressing in certain order. 2. Expecting fasteners to be done up

correctly. 3. Having completed dressing, then

undressing.

GAMES In cold climates, soups, stews, casseroles are served to keep warm and healthy. This game is called:

Stir the Soup

You will need: .1 cane or straight stick 1 metre high

•

Method: Ask the Beaver Scouts to stand in a circle and nominate an adult to stand in middle as 'it'. 'It' stands the stick upright on floor with finger tips holding the top to prevent it falling over. Give the Beaver Scouts a number starting at 1,2,3,4, etc. 'It' calls a number and takes hand off the stick. The Beaver Scout whose number it is must run up to the stick and try to grab it before

- it falls. Try to ensure all have a go and keep a tally of successes. You can vary the gamez

"------'

~ by getting the 'it' to change places when"., ~ z>~

stick is caught by a Beaver Scout. Check everyone knows their numbers when they change places. Make sure this is a fast moving game with numbers calledo frequently and rapidly. The far north of the USSR has exceptionally

z> I""" cold winters when temperatures can be as

low as -40°C. Here is a game to keep you warm!

130