JAY’S SUMMER CAMP 1963

                      Author : Jay Bee JBates3327@aol.com

In the last two weeks of August our Scout Group held its summer camp. At eighteen and a bit I was now the senior, senior scout. Camp wasn’t going to be as much fun as it had been in earlier years. This time I had responsibilities. I had to organise the other seniors, I was in charge of all water based activities and, worst of all, when Mr MacKenzie the Group Scout Leader was away, I was responsible for boys’ discipline.

The week before we left I got a long lecture from him about this. Boys in trouble would be sent to me with a note from their Leader. If the note specified a punishment that was what I should give them. Otherwise it was up to me. I could award up to eight with the slipper for the cubs or eight with the strap for scouts. All spankings were to be done on their bare bottoms. In addition I could discipline boys I saw breaking the rules myself. If I did so I should inform their Leader. If I took advantage of my power then I would end up in his garage after camp for a good spanking on my own bare bottom.

"Not that I think that is likely, Jay," he concluded, "If anything I’ll have to do it because you failed in your duty. For make no mistake, it is a duty and I expect you to carry it out properly."

"Yes sir," I said for about the twentieth time that evening. Conversations with Mr MacKenzie tended to go like that. He laid down the law. The wise boy agreed. As an ex sergeant major in the Scots Guards it was a very unwise boy that tried to argue with him. Cubs got the slipper, scouts the strap but for seniors like me a wicked riding crop could be used. It really hurt. You either did things his way, got spanked or left the Group. I was having far too good a time to leave. I was a qualified canoe instructor by now and our canoeing team was winning a few competitions. I was really looking forward to the autumn and the start of a new series of events. It would take something extra bad to force me out.

Mr Foster, my landlord, nearly had a fit when I told him of my new duties. When he recovered he offered me some advice of his own. In particular I should never spank in anger. I should always allow a cooling off period between the time I saw or heard about the offence and the time I punished the offender. Otherwise there was a risk I would punish too severely. I nodded my agreement.

"There is something else I should add," he continued. "You know after I’ve given you nearly all of your whacks, you sometimes turn round and beg me to stop?"

I turned bright red. He wasn’t supposed to mention that. It was a source of shame to me that not once in all the spankings he’d given me had I been able to take it without howling or crying. But I knew what he meant. In my mind’s eye I saw myself jumping up, clutching at my bare, burning bottom and sobbing `please sir, oh please sir.’ I just nodded again and looked at the carpet.

"Well you’ll come to understand why you rarely get any mercy. You have to carry on. You have decided the boy’s punishment. That is what he must get. You must harden your heart and tell him to get back down."

"Yes, sir," I muttered; wishing a hole would open up in the floor and swallow me.

He clapped me on the back. "You’re a good boy, Jay. It’ll work out alright. After the first one or two it won’t seem so terrible."

Scout camp started on the Friday afternoon. I couldn’t get away from work until 5.00 so it was arranged that I would travel down later with Simmy - Mr Simmonds the Senior Scout Leader - and the canoes. When I got to the boathouse to help load the canoes there was a problem with the trailer. By the time that was fixed and we were on our way it was nearly dark. We didn’t arrive at the camp site until 10.30. We just parked up, had a quick cup of tea and then went to bed. The advantage of my new rank was that I got a small tent to myself. I collapsed into it and was asleep almost immediately.

I was awoken next morning by the bugle blowing. It took me a minute to realise where I was. I lay back and relaxed. I really liked this place. The Group came to the same site every year. It was in a private estate that had been used by the Army during the war. Some of the old buildings remained - offices, a mess hall, shower block and so on. We used them as necessary; although Mr MacKenzie insisted that we sleep in tents. There was a river flowing through the heavily wooded area and there were two medium sized lakes. It was a perfect place for a summer camp. I allowed myself a couple of minutes to think about the next fortnight. Then I hastily got up and scrambled into my swimming trunks. The early morning run and dip was compulsory for all boys. It wouldn’t do to start my time as the senior scout with a few fiery lines across my bottom.

After the swim I strolled back and put my uniform on. I now wore a yellow and black lanyard on my right shoulder to show my new status. I hadn’t worn it before. I had shaved last week so I didn’t need to bother with that for a bit. I made sure my dark brown hair was neat, my shoes were properly polished and my uniform immaculate then walked over to the dining hall. On the way I passed other boys. It wasn’t until I had encountered three or four that I realised something was wrong. Before we would exchange grins and maybe have a few words. Now instead of a grin they checked their uniforms to see all the buttons were done up and looked away. One cub stared at me with wide, frightened eyes as if I was going to eat him up. I realised what was wrong. Before I had been good old Jay who was a boy like them. Now I was the senior who could spank them. I went thoughtfully into the hall for breakfast. I didn’t like this new atmosphere at all.

The first week flew by. After a shaky start I settled into my new role. It was easier because I spent a lot of time on the water either giving every boy an introductory canoe course, organising a raft making competition and race or supervising the swimming sessions. Nick and Tim, the two other senior scouts who were also qualified canoe instructors, helped me out. We got on well together and I could unwind with them. Also the seniors were allowed one night down the pub once a week and that helped.

As far as my duties were concerned I took it fairly easily. I handed out a few punishments for sloppy dress, not doing chores or other minor offences but these were extra work or not being allowed to talk at meals or a fine. I had to send two boys I caught fighting to Mr MacKenzie but that was the only spanking offence I came across. When they saw I wasn’t going to be too strict the boys began to relax. I got back to almost normal with some. But there was still that edge of uneasiness. They knew I could and would punish them if I felt I had to.

Almost before I knew it the middle Friday of the camp was on me. That weekend Mr MacKenzie would be away for his break. He always went to a hotel about fifty miles away for a short holiday. As he put it he didn’t get much time off work and he liked to have a little break with his wife during the summer. It was alright for him. But from after breakfast on that Friday until the Sunday evening I was in charge of discipline. As I watched him drive off I prayed that everyone would be on their best behaviour for the next three days.

I spent Friday morning expecting that at any moment I’d be summoned to discipline some wayward boy. The worry got me unusually snappy. I bit one poor cub’s head off for having his hands in his pockets. He looked really scared of me. As he ran off I wanted to call him back and apologise. After that I got a grip on myself. Although I didn’t have to, I hauled all the boats out of the water and repaired any damage I could see. By lunchtime I was in a much better frame of mind.

As I left the mess hall afterwards to go to the senior scouts’ meeting I was intercepted by another cub. He looked about eleven.

"Please Jay," he stammered, "Mrs Higgins said I was to give you this note."

I sighed and took the note from him. It simply read "Jay, please punish Andrew for me," and was signed by her. Mrs Higgins was the Cub Mistress. She was a motherly woman, slightly plump and usually friendly to me. She was quite capable of dealing with most of the mischief that young boys get up to so this had to be bad. I looked at Andrew. Other boys were leaving the hall so I told him to come with me. When we’d got away from the others I stopped and asked him what it was all about.

He shivered and stared up at me with wide brown eyes. Yesterday he’d done something wrong. His punishment had been not being allowed to talk at supper - being on silence as we called it. He was caught talking. He was put on silence for breakfast and lunch. At lunch he’d talked again.

My heart sank. I took a closer look at the first boy I would ever spank. He was about five foot tall, slightly built but with a round face topped by a mop of short dark hair that flopped all over his head. Right now he was looking miserably at his feet. He knew what was coming. I thought about doing it right away and getting it over with. Then I remembered Mr Foster’s advice.

"Come and see me in the office at 4.15," I told him.

He gave a little sob, "Yes Jay."

I let him go and he wandered off. As he went I looked at his retreating bottom. It was firm and round in his shorts. Soon I’d see it without them.

I couldn’t concentrate during the meeting. We were organising an orienteering course for Sunday. To make it more interesting, at some of the points the teams would have to do a challenge like first aid or knotting. We divided up the duties, worked out a hard course for the scouts and an easier one for the cubs, discussed timings and so on. But I kept thinking of Andrew and what I would have to do at 4.15.

After the meeting all the seniors went swimming. We had a game of mini water polo. It was really good. It was a lovely, sunny day, the water in the lake was warm and we just laughed and splashed about and enjoyed ourselves. At 4.00 the organised activities for the other boys ended and some came down for a quick dip. I sighed and reluctantly headed back to the camp site. Part of the punishment was an inspection. Andrew would have to be in an immaculate uniform. So I had to drag my own uniform on as well.

I got to the office about five minutes early. Andrew was already there in his uniform. He stiffened to attention as I came up. I paid no notice but just walked past him and into the room. Out of the corner of my eye I saw his fearful gaze follow me as I went in. I closed the door and left him to stew.

The office itself was sparsely furnished. There was a desk in one corner of the room, a couple of chairs, a filing cabinet and a small table. I went over to the desk. The slipper was in the bottom right hand drawer. I took it out and examined it. It was a large one, at least size 12. The sole was smooth through contact with numerous bottoms. The sides were also a bit worn where they had been firmly gripped. I took a good hold of it and tried a few practice swings. I was just about to try another when there was a hesitant knock on the door. For a second I panicked. Did I really want to do this? But I knew I had to. I put the slipper on the desk.

"Come in," I called.

The door opened. Andrew appeared. He came in, closed the door behind him and marched up to me. He stood to attention, his brown eyes already a little moist. I looked him up and down. I’m not sure which of us was more nervous. Hesitantly I told him to stand at ease. Then I brought him back to attention. I criticised his drill and made him do it again.

The inspection started. His shoes were gleaming. I told him they needed more work. I looked his hands which trembled slightly as he extended them. There were slight traces of dirt under his fingernails. I said he was filthy. I walked round his back and adjusted his scarf. Coming round to his front again I noticed his belt needed more polish. I made him open his mouth to see if his teeth were clean. They weren’t. By the time I had finished a tear had escaped from his left eye and was running down his face.

"Now, you know why Mrs Higgins sent you to me?"

"Yes Jay," he muttered, looking at the floor.

"Why were you talking when you were on silence?" I demanded sternly. In fact inside I felt anything but stern. I was sure that any second now he’d tell me to get lost and walk out.

"Oh, Jay, I didn’t mean to. It’s just that they were chatting about the football tournament and I had to join in."

"And what about the time before?"

"I don’t know Jay."

"You don’t take these punishments very seriously do you?" I asked.

He looked up at me, pleading with his eyes, "Please Jay, I’m sorry. I won’t do it again." His eyes left my face. They looked at the desk. He saw the slipper. More tears started to fall. I felt really sorry for him. I’d been in the same situation enough times; desperately hoping for a reprieve but knowing that all too soon the pain would begin.

"Is there any reason why I shouldn’t punish you?"

He dumbly shook his head, his gaze still locked on that dreadful slipper.

"Is there anything you want to say to me before I punish you?"

"I’m sorry Jay. Really I am. Please don’t."

All I wanted to do was tell him to go. But I knew I couldn’t. For one thing if I did Mr MacKenzie’s crop would descend on my own bare bottom. But also I had my duty and I was going to carry it out properly.

"You should have thought about this before you started chatting." I said. "Turn and face the window."

He gave me one last desperate look. Then his shoulders sagged. He slowly turned round. He was now standing at right angles to me.

"Take your shorts and pants down."

I heard a sob. His hands moved reluctantly to his shorts. He unfastened the buttons and gave them a push. They dropped to his knees. He bent over slightly, his shirt tail rising up to reveal his white pants, and pushed them further down. He took a grip on his pants. Then he paused.

"Please Jay, how many?"

"Six."

There was a gasp. His grip on the pants tightened. Slowly he pulled them down. He’d been in the sun a lot. His thighs were brown. His pale, round bottom made a startling contrast. As his pants reached his ankles he made as if to straighten. Then he thought better of it and stayed down.

"Get your feet apart and straighten your knees" I ordered. He’d learn. By the time he got to my age it would be automatic. Pants down, legs straight, feet wide apart. Anything to please.

He obeyed me, shuffling his feet until his pants and shorts were taut around his ankles. His knees straightened raising his bottom into the air. He gripped his ankles low down. I could see he’d done this before. I moved closer to him, took hold of his shirt tail and lifted it up over his back. His white, bare bottom gleamed in the light. He was ready.

Stepping back a bit, I picked the slipper up from the desk and gripped it firmly. I looked at his quivering bottom. I couldn’t see all of it. Somehow I’d expected to see both cheeks. But from my angle all I saw was most of the left and the ridge of the right. Copying what happened to me, I rested the sole of the slipper in the centre of his behind, making sure I was covering as much as I could. He flinched and shivered. I sympathised. I knew that feeling only too well. The cold leather resting on you. You hate it. Then it gets lifted away and you just want it back resting against you again. I lifted the slipper away.

For a moment I nearly didn’t go through with it. Even the thought of Mr MacKenzie’s crop wasn’t enough. In the end it was really a matter of pride. I knew if I let him go I would be thought of as a weakling for ever. I took a deep breath and drew the slipper behind me. Then I brought it down firmly on those milky white cheeks. It landed with a loud whack. He jerked forward a bit and shivered with the pain. A little gasp escaped him.

The second landed a bit low down. I should have concentrated on the reddening mark made by the first. He gasped again, louder this time and bounced a little on his toes. I waited until he settled down. Then I brought the slipper close to the mark of the first one, drew it back and let fly with the third. It got him dead centre. He squealed with the pain and wriggled around. This time I didn’t wait for him to still. I just brought the slipper down hard once more. It really got him. He howled in agony. His hands left his ankles and flew to his burning bottom. He had the sense to stay down but he couldn’t prevent his hands from trying to protect himself.

"Take your hands away," I snapped.

The hands wavered then hesitantly returned to his ankles. I could hear him sobbing. I gave him a little time then whacked those reddening cheeks once more. He really howled at that one. Again his hands rose up but this time he managed to stop himself from clasping them to his backside.

"Oh Jay, please Jay, no more," he cried.

I looked at him with pity. I knew he’d had enough. But I had set his punishment at six. Six is what he had to have.

"One more, straighten your knees." I said softly.

Sobbing he got back into the right position. When he was ready I drew the slipper back for the last one. I was tempted to make it a light one. Then I thought better of it. I didn’t want to be taken for an easy mark. So instead I whipped it down, getting him dead centre across both cheeks. His wail of distress must have been heard outside the office. He jiggled about, panting and puffing, trying to ease his scalded bottom.

I let him stay down. Putting the slipper back on the desk, I moved round to look at my handiwork. Those white cheeks were now scarlet. One low whack had nearly got the back of his thighs but otherwise most had landed dead on target. On the right cheek the outline of the sole of the slipper was quite clear.

"Alright," I said, "You can get up and get dressed."

He rose slowly, pulling his pants and shorts up in one. When he was decent, he tucked his shirt in then turned and faced me. His face was nearly as red as his bottom, the tracks of his tears standing out. He was still sniffling but the flow seemed to have stopped. He cautiously put his hands behind him. When he saw I wasn’t going to object he started to give his wounded rear a good rub.

"The next time you’re put on silence I suggest you keep it," I remarked.

"Yes Jay," he sniffed. "Thank you Jay."

"Very well, off you go."

He took one last look at the slipper then fled. I put it away then walked slowly out into the sunshine. It was only 4.25. I felt as if I had been in that office for hours. Tea was at 4.30 but I didn’t feel like any. I went for a stroll around the lakes. I’d spanked my first boy. I hadn’t liked it but at least now I knew I could do it. Hopefully the others would be easier.

They were. Before Mr MacKenzie returned I had two more cubs to deal with. Luckily the scouts were well behaved so I didn’t have to use the strap. I breathed a sigh of relief once he was back. With any luck I wouldn’t have to whack any more boys this summer. I could relax and enjoy the rest of the camp.

But the matter didn’t quite end there. One evening I was walking past the shower block. Feeling thirsty I went in for a drink. As I entered I could hear some cubs talking.

"Oh, a whacking from Jay’s nothing," one of them was saying. "He didn’t even make me shiver with it."

I rounded the corner. There in a middle of a group of other cubs was Andrew. He looked up when I came in and went bright red. I said nothing. Everything went really quiet. I got my drink and turned to go. Andrew wouldn’t meet my eyes. He must have realised that I’d heard what he said. Once more I seemed to hear him sob `Please Jay, no more.’ I left without a word. He knew the truth. If the others were sent to me with a note they’d soon find out. I walked back to my tent confidently. I still didn’t like my new role much. But I knew now that I could cope with it.

Jay Bee

June 7 1998.