herwin
Gary Sherwin (sherwin@SUNSHINE.PGH.WEC.COM)
Wed, 22 Mar 1995 13:07:10 EST
Jack
In my neck of the woods, "snipe hunting" is considered hazzing.
As such it is considered to be against the policies of BSA. I have
been in and conducted such hunts many years ago and felt they were
fun, but they are an initiation rite and do not send an appropriate
message to the new and older scouts and leaders. Consequently we
no longer use them. If you or others disagree with this, please
discuss it openly, maybe someones mind will change. There are other
activities that do not purposely single out individuals for possible
embarassment and may teach real skills in the process. Our troop
enjoys lights-off night hikes with unexpected program features
attached to them.
For example, we have used these as features so far:
1. Find water on a mountop by following the sounds of frogs.
2. Dead reacon orrienteer at night to find our way home.
3. Wildlife spotting, with or without lights. (It depends on
what you want to see. A portable search lite (Coleman-Spot)
works well to show turkeys, owls, deer, flying squirls, racoons
and other creatures of the night.
4. Foxfire search (Hunting for examples of biological luninesence)
5. Fright Hike (A Haloween Special) Individuals try to psyche out
their pals, according to strict rules.
6. On trail emergency. A dead serious firstaid drill.
7. Star hike.
8. Puddle hike. (Puddles reflect light from the sky at night.)
9. Suprise destination hike (Ice Cream or Deli Destination).
10. Mountain top vista (Try to locate various locations using
a topographical map and the lights between the mountain and
the horizon. ie. Which way is home? The radio station? etc.
These hikes are strictly voluntary and all participate equally. They
do not single out new or old scouts, and everyone, including the event leader
learns something new that is valid not a ruse. Troop 461 likes these better
than "snipe hunts". Youre mileage may vary.
YiS
I used to be an Eagle NE-V-19-20
Eagle Scout Class of 1967
Vigil-Wagion Lodge 6
(Mr.) Gary W. Sherwin SM
Troop 461 Yukon, Pa.
sherwin@sunshine.pgh.wec.com
Terry Howerton Sakima Group, Inc. SCOUTER Magazine Kansas City | 
