A QM is the person who takes care of all the equipment
Every Scout Group reaches a moment when someone looks at the equipment store, squints, and says the words everyone else is too polite (or too traumatised) to say out loud.
For us, that moment came this week.
One dad, estate-born, ex-Army, now a police officer, walked into our kit area, took one long look around, and announced:
“Well this is a fucking mess… let me help.”
And just like that,
ladies and gentlemen,
we have ourselves a Quartermaster.
Where Did All This Kit Even Come From?
Short answer:
Covid.
Longer answer:
We inherited the entire equipment stash of a Scout group that sadly closed during the pandemic. A whole collection of:
- tents held together by gaffer tape
- mismatched poles
- stoves that require both faith and CPR to ignite
- ropes that may or may not have last been used in 1998
- tarps that have definitely seen things
- boxes labelled “stuff from camp” that contain everything except things you’d actually find useful
This is the stuff we used on our first camp.
And bless the Cubs, they didn’t mind the wonky tent doors or the sleeping mats thinner than half a custard cream.
But our new Quartermaster took one look and made a noise somewhere between a gasp and a disappointed father sigh.
Quartermaster Energy: Military Precision Meets Estate Pragmatism
This man is a gift. My gosh he is amazing!
He works on instinct, order, and a deep internal need to straighten things.
If he sees a pile of tangled guy ropes, he visibly twitches.
Within a few hours he was:
- sorting poles by LENGTH and COLOUR
- binning anything that smelled like despair
- inspecting tents like he was looking for contraband
- muttering “this is bollocks” under his breath with increasing intensity
- creating a plan, a system, and a vision
He even has spreadsheets.
Actual spreadsheets.
We have truly entered a new era.
And Now… We’re Buying New Kit
Because of our funding, we can finally replace the worst of the worst:
- tents that leak out of spite
- cookers that only work on days ending with “y” and only if you beg
- lanterns that flicker like they’re haunted
- storage boxes held together with tape and optimism
Our Quartermaster is in charge of choosing it all. And we don’t need to touch our 5K to do it either, because our Scout District had popped us over £1500 to get started, along with a donation from Go Outdoors who have honestly set us up with some amazing kit.
Tony said, “If I’m responsible for it, we’re doing it properly.”
We nodded.
We do not argue with men who have served in the Army and deal with estate dad life and work in policing.
This is a man who has seen true chaos and said, “Nah, not today.”
The Cubs?
They love him already.
He’s the only adult they’ve ever willingly handed a stick back to.
What This Really Means For Us
Having a Quartermaster isn’t just about tidy shelves.
It means:
- camps will run smoother
- kit will last longer
- leaders won’t cry while trying to find the right pole
- we can grow without drowning in broken gear
- the Pack has another strong, reliable, brilliant adult role model
And on a council estate, role models matter.
Our kids get to see someone who:
- grew up where they grew up
- understands their lives
- worked hard
- served his country
- now serves his community
- and still gives his free time to help their Cub Pack
That’s incredibly powerful.
The Start of Something Exciting
So yes the store was a mess.
Yes he was correct.
Yes he is now in charge.
And honestly?
We have never felt so organised in our lives.
It’s going to transform our camps, our adventures, and how we teach these Cubs to take pride in the equipment they use.
Welcome to the team, Quartermaster.
We don’t deserve you, but we’re very glad you’re here.
UPDATE: I am banned from the stores.
Council Estate Cub Pack 
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