EagleBeaver

At our next troop meeting, we'll be having a cooking competition - each of the 9 patrols will cook anything they want to share with the troop. The main goals are for regular patrols to make something they are proud of and for New Scout Patrols to see new things they could cook. Of course there will be some sort of awards decided by impartial judges.

On weekend campouts, the troop cooks all Saturday meals. A previous SPL and his PLC said Sunday would be a no-cook meal and it turned out that was because they wanted to get home early for homework. The current PLC has decided we'll cook Sunday breakfast also.

Each patrol is supposed to pass its menu by the SPL or ASPL for a check before buying their campout food. Our Troop Guides have been doing an excellent job with the NSPs this spring so they are getting good meals planned.

No special requirements.

Paul

The BSA High Adventure base is called 'Northern Tier' - see http://www.ntier.org/

They have 3 programs - Sommers Canoe Base in Ely, MN - Northern Expeditions in Bissett, MB - Don Rogert Canoe Base in Atkokan, ON

Sommers Canoe Base is the BWCAW program.

- winter snow camping

- icefishing

- klondike derby

- rock climbing (indoor or out)

- archery and shooting

- building catapults

- sailboating

- spelunking (caving)

- white-water rafting

- fossil hunting / rockhounding

- biking

- alligator wrestling (well, maybe not :-)

At our district's fall camporee, our troop hosted a tomahawk throwing competition. It was fairly popular.

I would think a flycasting or lure casting competition for accuracy and/or distance would be fun, simple, and promote the fishing merit badges.

Using a set supply of poles and ropes, lash a bridge that your patrol uses to cross a 10 foot wide stream.

Have your patrol line up facing directly south without using a compass, GPS, or other such tool.

Boundary Waters in June.

Philmont 1st of August.

Kayaking the Brule River end of August.

I believe a scouter's responsibility is to provide a safe scouting environment for the scouts. When an adult's weight, strength, height, eyesight, hearing, or other sense, body type, or ability is a hinderance to an activity then s/he has the responsibility to not participate. The activity is for the benefit of the scouts, and adults are a support system for them.

For example, an adult on a canoe trip without adequate armstrength or endurance or with excessive weight may be more of a hinderance than a support.

For example, the BSA High Adventure camps have weight/height and physical condition requirements to ensure a safe experience for the scouts.

As far as dealing with obese scouters, I think that is more important with SMs and ASMs - those actively participating in the outdoors program. Those I know that are aware of and working on their weight, I try to encourage and find useful, physical tasks for them to help with. Those that do not feel there is an issue, I treat as normal but will find others first to do physical activities.

Paul

Karl,

From my limited viewpoint, it seems your last question is the most important - does your son need scouting? That's an easy one for me - YES! :-)

The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical choices over their lifetime by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law.

It is lots more than camping. It's lots more than games. It's lots more than a social clique. And, each step of the program from 1st grade to 18 years old builds on the previous step wonderfully. My goal as a Scoutmaster is to fulfill that mission through our troop for every scout involved in the program.

If your son is almost of Scouting age and you mean 1st grade Tiger Scouts, then it would be a great opportunity for you and him to join the program together since Tiger Dens rely on parent/son participation. As he grows through the cub scout program, your continued involvement can evolve as he progresses.

If you mean that he is 4th or 5th grade and did not do cub scouting, then starting right into Boy Scouts when he meets the joining requirements works too - we have 2 scouts in our troop doing that right now.

You didn't say anything about your son having special needs, but in Viking Council we have the Challenger District specially designed for special needs scouting. Info at http://www.scoutingbsa.org/Forms_and_Publications/Publications_PDF/Challenger/Challenger.062101.pdf

That does not mean we keyhole scouts into a different program, but it is available for those that prefer it. Your local Council may have similar opportunities if needed.

Scout On,

Paul

On our Pioneering campout last weekend, some scouts made a flagpole with a tripod base and crossbraces. The center flagpole was tied to all three corners with 2 half hitches and a tautline hitch so it could be adjusted. The tripod was made with a tripod lashing (duh :-) and the braces were attached with square lashings. A short piece of rope with a bowline loop was attached to the top for a pulley to raise the flag.

There's a picture at http://www.hotspotsporting.com/kautz/boyscouts/Pioneer_Apr_2005/flag3.jpg and other pictures in that same folder.

Scout On,

Paul

http://www.gogofrog.com/userdata/scoutmaster/ - sample of troop photos.

The interface reminds me of the old 'Tank' video game, but it has potential to be really fun. I hope it continues to evolve.

Our Webelos used thin layers of playdoh stacked in a pile rather than a sandwich. Then, to show upheaval, the sides were squished together and the pile was sliced with a knife to see the folded layers.

Everything we did for Geologist is listed at: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/webelos/badge-geologist.asp

Digging polished rocks from hard clay was a big hit, but takes a long lead time for it to dry.

The paleo-snacks were also fun.

What do I think? I think most every scouter that sees you will ask, "Hey, where can I get a pair of those?" :-)

Every few months, I enter a request for convertible pants in the feedback form at ScoutStuff.org in the ongoing hope that someday it will happen.

According to the official Scoutmaster Key progress card (1993 printing) at http://www.boyscouttrail.com/docs/scoutmasterkey_award_progress.pdf

The actual requirements are worded:

"Conduct troop youth leader training (three years)"

"Participate as an adult in youth leader training by either serving onthe staff or attending the Scoutmaste orientation sessionof the council youth leader training congerence."

Paul

That is correct, FScouter.

The National Honor Patrol award is a great incentive for patrols to work together. Unfortunately, it has some requirements that many patrols can't meet - such as having at least 8 patrol members. Award details are at: http://www.boyscouttrail.com/content/Award/award-272.asp

An example patrol contest like you mention is at:

http://www.troop479.org/dloads/patrolspirit.pdf

Depending on the goals of your contest, you could change what activities are rewarded.

Paul

We got our 4th out of 4 choices requested. But, we have a crew going to Sea Base in 2006!

Paul

At http://www.scoutstuff.org/cgi/catalog, click 'Awards, Jewelry, Gifts', then click 'Standard Emblems' at the end of the list. There are a whole bunch of different patchs you can order for whatever reason you want.

Our Webelos den camped out and found frost on our sleeping bags, so they all got a 'Cold Weather' patch. Lots of possibilities.

Paul

You could get a list of all the packs in your area by entering your zipcode at http://www.joincubscouting.org/locator/index.html

Paul

Our Webelos den all earned their Webelos rank badges in January of 4th grade. At that time, they chose a patrol emblem, name, and yell since they could then put the emblem on their new tan uniforms.

Our process was similar to Semper's and they were very democratic about it.

I think you should make it clear to the scouts that the patrol they create in Webelos should NOT continue on into Boy Scouts. When they join a troop, they will create a new patrol or join an existing one, depending on the troop.

At http://www.boyscouttrail.com/OurProgress.asp you can see the flag that the scouts created for the Caterpillar Crushing Cobras patrol.

At http://www.boyscouttrail.com/webelos/w2/mascots.htm you can see the BSA patrol patches as well as some custom ones, Australian, and joke patches.

Contact local US Fish & Wildlife or US Forest Service.

My Webelos den gathered wild prairie grass seeds as a den outing to a remote wild area. Then, a month later, they helped the rest of the pack do the same thing at a more 'tame' location.

The seeds are used to replant areas that have been damaged or are being reclaimed.

I expect the USFW and USFS would have many other project ideas too.

Paul

You are describing a "council fire" I think.

See http://www.rangers.asn.au/resources/councilfires.htm for a picture, but I'd not recommend the method they explain to light it.

It is like a logcabin fire and has large logs on the bottom, working smaller logs up and closer together so it looks like a pyramid. You can make platforms of logs periodically up the stack so the burning wood that falls piles there and burns its way through.

If made well, they can last a long time.

Paul

If your son would like to see a couple cars that never won a race but were a ton of fun to make and race, here are some pictures. My sons and I have a tradition of trying for the 'most original' award because everyone notices a cool, strange, or weird looking car, but not the fastest one. I make my own car right along with them and its more fun than stressing about competing against 'dad-builts'.

Wolf - all 3 of us made cars that looked like granite rocks by covering the car with spray foam and then granite spray paint. http://www.hotspotsporting.com/kautz/CubScouts/Pinewood/CarsWolf.jpg

Bear - a Snickers bar wrapper glued around the block of wood - http://www.hotspotsporting.com/kautz/CubScouts/pinewood2003/cars_bear.jpg

I made my own Hogwart's Express with a working light and red smoke coming out the stack - http://www.hotspotsporting.com/kautz/CubScouts/pinewood2003/hogwarts.jpg

Webelos - a railroad car full of logs - http://www.hotspotsporting.com/kautz/CubScouts/pinewood2004/carsjrwebelos.jpg

Paul

Sliding off topic some, but it helps a little if you keep your receipts for expense deductions come tax time. Travel, uniform, food, other expenses required to fulfill your volunteering role may be tax deductible.

http://www.boyscouttrail.com/awards.asp lists different awards for cub scouts and their requirements.

Don't forget the 75th anniversary awards.

And, http://www.scoutstuff.org has lots of generic patchs you can use for many different den events from Backyard Camping to Winter Fun. You need to go to the main page, Enter, click "Awards, Jewelry, and Fine Gifts", click "Standard Emblems" to see the patches.

Paul

Viking Council and Indianhead Council have been discussing a merger for the past year and it will probably come to a vote in 2005 and get implemented in 06 or 07. http://taskforce.realscouting.com/ is a site tracking the process.

Paul(This message has been edited by mn_scout)

It's great that you are looking for more!

Training of the troop leadership to perform their roles is the responsibility of the scoutmaster. In a troop being run the right way as you describe yours (with the scouts running the show), I'd bet a request for more training to your scoutmaster would get you great results. Have your PLC make up a specific list of the things you want to learn and present it to your SM. Between the troop committee and the PLC, I bet you could find experts in pretty much any area to come and present to your troop.

I'd also like to mention that a ton of 'training' is really happening on all your outings and at your meetings. It's just not specifically labeled as Training. When a more experienced scout takes the time to prepare and present a good demonstration on lashing, wood tools, first aid, or leading a meeting, then that is good training.

In our troop, scouts present a skills session at each troop meeting. The troop Instructor positions normally do this, but others with expertise also contribute.

Paul