Met a Dragon Recently

St George & the Dragon

St George is best known for his feat of slaying the dragon but what else do you know about him? St George was a Greek prince who lived in Palestine under roman rule. He became an important officer in the Roman cavalry. He was a Christian at a time when Christians were persecuted for their faith. St George was a strong and happy man, well loved by all who knew him. He worked hard and campaigned with the Roman legion in harsh deserts and cold hills, while maintaining his good humour. He also served in the Roman legion in Britain. The Emperor Diocletian respected St George for his fearlessness and uprightness.

In those days the Roman Emperor was so powerful that people were expected to worship him and bow down before his statue. Christians were persecuted because they would not do this. When St George returned from Britain to see the Emperor in Rome, he asked him to stop persecuting the Christians; he told the Emperor that the Christians did not harm others, were peaceful, worshipped the true God and loved their neighbours. The Emperor imprisoned St George but offered him his freedom if he would renounce his faith. St George refused to do this and he was beheaded.

The knights of England were so inspired by the example of St George, they wore his Red Cross on their shields and tunics. He is said to have favoured roses which are symbolic of England.

Baden-Powell chose St George as the Patron Saint of all Scouts everywhere because he exemplified devotion, piety, courage, leadership, truthfulness and dedication - these are symbolic of Scout ideals. St George is not only the Patron Saint of England but also the Patron Saint of Chivalry through Europe. He is revered by Christians, Islamites and many others.

Now, about the dragon! On the way to Rome, it is said that St George saved a princess from being devoured by a dragon. She was being sacrificed to protect the people of Sylene (later Libya). St George took his sword, found the dragon and beheaded it.

St George was made a saint by Pope Gelasius in AD 494. We celebrate St George's Day on 23rd April.

AND NOW FOR THE DRAGONS - HAVE floor. Joey Scouts stand in a circle while YOU MET ONE RECENTLY? the dragon walks around the outside of the circle and taps one Joey Scout on the There is an air of magic about dragons, shoulder. This Joey Scouts then chases even though they can be quite scary at the dragon and tries to catch him before times. I do think they are often misjudged he is safely back in their spot. If caught, and their actions misinterpreted. Let's the dragon tries again; if the dragon take some time to get to know them a little makes it to safety, the other Joey Scout better. But let's not forget the knights of becomes the next dragon. old.

GAMES The Rescue - Two Joey Scouts are chosen to be the Knights and Dragons - Dragons, who sit blindfolded in the centre Joey Scouts are knights at one end of the of the hall. Divide the rest of the Mob into hall; choose two dragons who stand in the Knights and Princesses with the Knights at centre, which is dragon territory. On one end of the hall and the Princesses at signal, the knights try to cross over the the other. The Knights must try to creep dragon territory, while the dragons try to past the Dragons to rescue a Princess and catch as many as possible. Those caught take her back to the Knights end of the must help the dragons by catching and hall. The Dragons try to pinpoint the holding on to any knights trying to cross, Knight's whereabouts, by pointing directly until one of the original dragons touches at the Knight and if heard the Knight him/her and turns them into dragons too. returns to his starting point. (Leaders The game continues until the knights and must stay alert during this game to make dragons become one large pride of sure the Dragons are pointing directly at dragons. the Knights and not just pointing indiscriminately.) Red Roses and White Roses - Joey Scouts form two lines up the centre of the hall along a dividing line. One team Rob the Lair - are White Roses, the other Red Roses. Dragons are very protective of their lair Whichever team is called, chase the because that is where they keep all their opposing team to the wall. When caught, treasure. However, other prides of Joey Scouts join the opposing side. To dragons do at times try to take their simplify matters, Joey Scouts could wear a treasure. white or red streamer to indicate their team. Divide the Dragons into 3 or 4 prides (teams), each with their own lair. Have Dragons Tails - lots of treasure in the centre of the hall, All Dragons (Joey Scouts) have a tail (strip and taking turns, one member from each of material) tucked into their waistband at pride runs out to collect a piece of their back. On a given signal, dragons treasure; once this is done they can then chase each other and see how many tails take from opposing dragon pride's lair. they can collect. Redistribute tails and try Only one piece of treasure can be taken at again. a time. Keep an eye on things as you may need to Variation - This can be played as a team stop and redistribute the wealth game, but then you would need two occasionally - that is start again! colours for the dragon's tails.

Step on it - It (the dragon) has a piece of rope tucked in the back of his/her waistband; the rope must be long enough to dangle on the Defending the Waterhole - forward, and the hunters follow. The We all know that dragons also have their hunters must try to collect the bones favourite waterholes and at times may feel without being seen picking them up. The the need to protect it from intruders. Dragon looks around frequently and any Joey Scouts form a small circle facing hunter seen to move is sent to the back of outwards and holding hands, with 3 inside the hunters. the circle and two outside. The two outside try to penetrate the waterhole, by Chase Your Tail - throwing soft balls into the centre while the Form Joey Scouts into pairs. On signal, Joey Scouts inside the circle try to stop each pair must run and try to tag another them from landing. pair. When caught, this pair join to form a larger dragon. Continue until there is one Dragon's Lair - big dragon, which must then try to catch its Form a dragon's lair using 3-4 chairs. 3 own tail. (Be ready to stop this game if it Joey Scouts hold hands to form a dragon; becomes too boisterous. Good to play remaining Joey Scouts are the knights. outside.) The dragon tries to capture (tag) the knights, who must then sit on the chairs. A Dragon Tag - brave knight can free captured knights but 3-4 chairs for dragon’s lair. 3 Joey Scouts first has to get past the dragon! hold hands to form dragon; others are knights. Dragon tries to capture (tag) Dragon's Treasure - knights, who must sit on chairs when Box of Treasure and a length of red tagged. A brave knight can free captured material required for this game. One Joey knights but first has to get past the dragon. Scout is the dragon who is blindfolded and sits in the centre of a ring formed by the Transforming Dragons - other Joey Scouts, the knights. On a Divide the Joey Scouts into groups of four signal, one knight tries to creep in and and ask them to make themselves into a steal the treasure box. The dragon dragon. "CHANGE" into a crocodile, defends the treasure with fire - by elephant, etc., until finally they reform into swinging the red material. If touched by a dragon. the fire, the knights must return to the outside of the circle. Who's afraid of the Dragon - Determine safe areas at both ends or Dragon Hunt - sides of the hall. A Leader is the dragon in Two chalk marks down the hall about 3 the centre and calls out 'Who's afraid of metres apart - this is dragon territory. The the dragon?' The Joey Scouts answer Leaders are the Dragon Slayers and the 'Not I' then try to run across the area Joey Scouts are the Dragons. without getting tagged. They must run across and cannot turn back. If tagged The Dragon Slayers are arranged outside they join hands with the Leader to become the lines and must not enter dragon a bigger dragon. territory. The dragons must stay between the lines. The Dragon Slayers catch the CRAFT: dinosaurs by hitting them below the knees  Make a dragon collage by pasting his with a soft ball. Any Dragon caught scales on one by one. becomes a Dragon Slayer until there is  Make models of dragons using play only one Dragon left. dough, plasticine, or clay.

Dragon Bones - Scatter dragon bones around the hall (use small sticks, rolled up paper, etc.). The Joey Scouts are the hunters and gather at one end of the hall behind the Dragon (the Leader)!! The dragon walks slowly ACTIVITIES:  Make your own pin the tail on the We can't go under it. dragon game (outline included). Oh no! We've got to go through it.  Draw your own dragon, according to (Run, run, run, run) the roll of the dice - roll 1, draw face, roll 2 draw legs, etc. We're going on a dragon hunt ….  Find and copy a number of different Oh-oh! A cave. dragons to make a concentration A deep, scary cave. game. We can't go over it.  Enlarge and copy the picture of St We can't go under it. George & the Dragon and make it into Oh no! We've got to go through it. a jigsaw. (Grope, grope, grope, grope)

SONGS: What's that? Oona's Song - A hard spiky nose! (To the tune of I'm a little teapot) A hot, long tongue! I'm a fiery dragon, big and green, Big sharp teeth! People think I'm ugly, horrible, and mean; It's a Dragon!! When they try to get me, then I fight And huff and blow with all my might. Quick, back through the cave (grope, grope, grope, grope); We are going on a Dragon Hunt - back through the forest (run, run, run, run); (An adaptation of a Bear Hunt) back through the grass (swish, swish, We're going on a dragon hunt. swish, swish); We're going to catch a big one. back through the moat (splash, splash, What a beautiful day! splash, splash); We're not scared. through the drawbridge (bang, bang, bang, bang). Oh-oh! A drawbridge! Inside the castle - now shut the door! A big wooden drawbridge. BANG!! We can't go over it, Whew, that was close! We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it! (Bash, bash, bash, bash)

We're going on a dragon hunt …. Oh-oh! A moat! A deep, cold moat. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it. (Splash, splash, splash, splash)

We're going on a dragon hunt …. Oh-oh! Long grass! Long, wavy grass. We can't go over it. We can't go under it. Oh no! We've got to go through it. Information about St George is from the (Swish, swish, swish, swish) Cubfile and the Wolf Cub's Handbook; dragon pictures from Scales & Fire. We're going on a dragon hunt …. Published in Australian Scout Magazine Oh-oh! A forest. February 2002. A big, dark forest. We can't go over it.

The Union Jack is part of our Australian Flag representing our link with the British Commonwealth. The Union Jack is made up of three flags - St George of England, St Andrew of Scotland and St Patrick of Ireland. Our Australian flag includes the constellation of the South Cross, and a six-pointed star representing the six states; a seventh point representing the territories was added in 1908.

On April 12, 1606, it was declared by Royal proclamation that all subjects of the Isle and Kingdom of Great Britain should bear the Union flag, which consisted of the red cross of St George and the white diagonal cross of St Andrew, superimposed. This was the first Union Jack. On April 17, 1707, Queen Anne ordered the Union Jack to be used in all flags, banners, standards and ensigns at sea and on land. The cross of St Patrick was added to the two sister crosses when the union with the Kingdom of Ireland was effected in 1801. The three cross Jack is now the national flag of Great Britain on land and sea.

St Patrick of Ireland St Andrew of Scotland It is thought that St St George of England St Andrew was the Patrick was born in St George was a brother of Simon Peter Scotland about 389 and Christian and was put to and he was one of Jesus' that he was brought up as death in the year 303. In first disciples. Both of a Christian. We know the thirteenth century, them were fisherman that when he was sixteen after the Crusades, he which is why the emblem he was captured by was adopted as the of Scotland is a fish. We pirates and taken to patron saint of England. know that St Andrew was Ireland. However, after The story of St George a simple, kind natured some years he escaped slaying the dragon is a man and courageous to Gaul, but he returned dramatic way of enough to defend his to Ireland to teach. Later describing victory of good faith, and for this he was on he was made a bishop over evil. The rose was put to death by the and so the bishop's mitre St George's favourite Romans, on 30th became an emblem of flower and is now the November. Ireland. On St Patrick's emblem of England. Day, 17th March, the Irish The thistle is an emblem wear a shamrock, for it is for Scotland, for it is said said that St Patrick used that when the Danes a shamrock leaf in order invaded the country on a to explain to the people dark night one of them the mystery of the Trinity. trod on a thistle with his bare foot. His cry of pain gave away the whereabouts of the invaders.