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Showing content with the highest reputation on 08/03/18 in all areas

  1. We just got back from Sea Base and our Sea Exploring adventure. I'll probably add to this as my memory allows. This adventure is sailing on a large sailboat with 18-20 of your troop's crew plus 4 more (2 captains and 2 mates). This is the first problem. 18-20 plus 4 is too many. It might be fine if the weather is perfect, but we had rain at least part of every night. That many people cramped down below creates a heat and smell that makes things not joyful, at least for adults. Younger scouts seem to sleep in any condition. Sixteen is would be a better max. We maxed out our vessel
    4 points
  2. Safe Swim Defense is an online course that covers these elements of Safe Swim Defense Discipline Buddy System Ability Groups Lifeguards Look Outs Physical Fitness Qualified Supervision Safety Afloat is also online and covers the following elements Qualified Supervision Personal Health Review aka Physical Fitness Swimming Ability Life Jackets Buddy System Skill Proficiency Planning Equipment Discipline An overview can be found here: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss02/
    4 points
  3. I'm staffing one of the pilot courses and getting ready for our final staff development weekend in a week. What I can say is that, yes, changes have been made and they are certainly for the better. Folks will notice updated material (think current management and leadership techniques) as well as a combining of material that may have seemed redundant to participants. It indeed has been shortened if using the two weekend format, by one day. As others have noted, certain parts of the course have been shuffled in hopes that the flow is better. I believe I saw someone ask about the Patrol
    3 points
  4. Knowing what you're doing means you'd have certified guards in your company and their training and advice would spare you wasting time with strangers on the internet! If you do have them, and you are just getting a second opinion, well thanks for the conversation. Lot's of packs canoe out to islands for family campouts. They don't go swimming. No big deal. This is not about lawyers. This is about forestalling death.
    2 points
  5. And I cleaned up/reopened the thread.
    1 point
  6. I think you need to start by going through the established channels. If they sweep it under the rug, then go higher. Bypassing the established channels could do more harm than good.
    1 point
  7. Ok then, nothing personal was intended just friendly advice from experienced, caring scouters. I cannot recall seeing kayaks back in the 60's and 70's though I am sure they must have existed. I cannot remember any plastic/composite boats back then either. Back in the 60's we had to wait an hour after eating before swimming. Back in the 60's we had two kinds of scouts at the waterfront - those who passed their swim test in good form and those who were being taught to swim in good form. Can't swim, no boat! Every scout a swimmer. I have heard that word "life preservers" is making a com
    1 point
  8. Don't know when you made Eagle, but yes, times are different. We did a LOT of things back in the 60s and 70s without proper training that would make today's BSA lawyers apoplectic. The rules are there for a reason...to prevent kids from dying and to prevent you from losing all your worldly goods in a lawsuit. Your attitude scares me. Please get training and memorize the latest copy of the Guide to Safe Scouting (free online). It's for your own good, mate.
    1 point
  9. Do not shy away from an activity just for fear of litigation. With that mindset, you may never leave the house. Anyway, for the activity: Take the Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat courses Follow them as detailed and enjoy the activity. Put in some basic guidelines and mainly maintain discipline. If canoeing the big issue is familiarity with actually canoeing. Getting in and out is where you get injuries. Orient and train them, practice holding the paddles, etc. If swimming make sure you have the swim tests, and if in a lake, lots of kids these days do not have exp
    1 point
  10. Yes, all the advice here was invaluable. Thank you. Unlike the chickens of Key West, our scouts were not free range. Between the number of 13 year olds, 2 kids with Autism, and one scout whose behavior was awful this week, we were with them at all times. We allowed 2 very responsible 18 year old Eagles on the crew some free time. I'd be more concerned with a place like San Francisco with its defecation and hypodermics on the sidewalks. Sending us adults to Key West with the rule of no drinking is like training a dog not to eat the biscuit on his nose, but that's the rule. We abi
    1 point
  11. Makes tons of sense for those of us who've been there! I love reports like this. Hopefully, our experiences helped informed your decisions. Regarding Key West, it's not just "their snowflakes". Some scouters contend with leaders who want time off from mid-week to have a drink (or seven, or ten). Or, we have kids with nascent behavior disorders. Or, we coeds have late teens with budding romances but a lack of discipline when backs are turned. Either way, we realize in the months leading up to the adventure that the short leash principle must apply. A major tourist city with a notorious
    1 point
  12. Yes. Swim tests for all, Cubs and adults alike. Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat must be followed. And of course, in a pond or lake, no moving water, for Cubs still.
    1 point
  13. @VolcanoDunker welcome to scouter.com
    1 point
  14. When it is not fun anymore. It is still fun when I am out with my scouts.
    1 point
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