Kudu

Internet Scouting conversations are often reminiscent of the proverbial three blind men who encounter an elephant. One man feels the elephant's trunk and says, "An elephant is like a snake!" The second man holds the elephant's tail and says, "An elephant is like a rope!" The third puts his arms around the elephant's leg and says, "An elephant is like a tree!" In a similar way, anarchist writes: If I read it right, you have a small group of real "older" scouts...maybe hanging on (or hanging around occasionally) and a group of soon to be aging /higher ranked scouts 13-14 yrs old(

"Safety Afloat" and CPR are requirements of Canoeing Merit Badge, which is one of the prerequisites for our canoe trips. "Swift Water Training" is probably the name of some local Council's training course. EagleInKY writes: Actually, the user of a guide/outfitter is a great way of not only ensuring a safe trip, but also teaching/reinforcing the safety afloat guidelines. Yes, our guides structure the beginners' trip so that it only requires three hours of continuous paddling to get to the first night's camping spot. That way if it takes twice as long as planned, we can stil

(This message has been edited by Kudu)

Eamonn writes: Maybe you could explain how I came to not understand the following: "Canoeing on moving water without prior training or planning is one of our Troop's most popular events." Eamonn, Apparently you are only reading Bob White's posts. Bob only quoted part of the sentence. OneHour had written, My question is how do we, as a troop and of course the usual ... boy plan, lead, and execute ... a program that will integrate high adv into the regular troop program. I'm looking for examples.... Here is the situation. Currently, we have about 12 'olde

Who posted? "Jump over open campfire (apparent it was done before my time with the troop to 'initiate' new scouts) The attraction of "secret" campfire rituals is universal. Try your own new Scout initiation ceremony based on traditional Scout campfire war dances and war songs performed with Scout Staves" Three different people, actually: Jump over open campfire (apparent it was done before my time with the troop to 'initiate' new scouts) Was written by OneHour and he appears to be opposed to the practice. The attraction of "secret" campfire rituals is universal.

Anyway, Kudu, are you in a BSA unit or some other organization. I am a Scoutmaster of a BSA Troop, and a local Council basic cold weather training & advanced winter camping ("Okpik") instructor. At one time I thought you were a member of a non-BSA unit, but you say you follow the G2SS so I am not sure. Yes, I also involved with the American branch of the Baden-Powell Scout Association (BPSA-USA) in the development of their Traditional Uniforms and Traditional Scout & Senior Scout Section advancement programs. I can kinda sorta in a way see the looking for the "natur

Sure it might seem like harmless fun to have young Scouts leaping over fires as part of a stupid and non BSA approved initiation ceremony. However the real harm comes when Scouts see that this sort of thing is all fine and dandy then decide that they will try it with bigger and better fires when the adults are not around. You and your fellow-travelers can't find that specific quote, can you? You say things that are not true. What kind of "example" is that? Kudu(This message has been edited by Kudu)

If you follow the program as it is designed, the TG joins the New Scout Patrol and stays with them until they either disband to join other patrols or are ready to elect a full term patrol leader. Bob, where exactly did you find such a definitive answer? I beg to differ. I believe the program states that Troop Guides do not leave their "home" patrol - they are not members of the NSP. acco40, I couldn't find that either. In my current troop the TG is generally the retiring SPL, having been appointed by the Scoutmaster. pmickle1027, I think that is the ideal situation.

Note that at one time, the so-called "Points" of the Promise were actually numbered. In the rest of the world, these "Three Points" of the Scout Promise, are literally the three numbered points, for instance : 1) To do my duty to God and the Queen; 2) To help other people at all times; 3) To obey the Scout Law. Because the BSA added "physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight" to their Oath, it became necessary for them to combine "To obey the Scout Law" with the first point, and then substitute abstract general categories for the Three Points of the Oath: 1) D

Eamonn writes: I am a little concerned when you post: "Make sure that the Guide to Safe Scouting is not just an excuse for the adults to reject activities with which they are not familiar or qualified to run themselves." OneHour had written, "Here is the situation. Currently, we have about 12 'older scouts' who came from the time when our troop was 95% adult-run, which allows them to do things that would go against G2SS guidelines. These boys complained that the new scoutmasters do not allow them to have fun any more. On the contrary, the PLC decides the events we ask various G2SS gu

Bob White writes: You determine if water is dangerous based on what other groups do and how deep the water is rather than on routine safety standards held by the BSA others who are involved in water safety. The bottom line is that I conform to the Guide to Safe Scouting. That being said, yeah I look at what other groups do when forming my own objective opinion. The image of you wearing a PFD in water no more than six inches deep is a perfect example of the triumph of blind obedience over common sense. Yes, if I was going tubing in water no more than two feet deep as a BSA ev

Anarchist writes: KUDU- I am hoping some of you comments are either mild frustration, resignation or even slightly tongue in cheek but I have to say I am rather distressed that a canoe trip is "better" by engaging an outfitter because "who wants to plan or train". Only "slightly" tongue in cheek? :-) Seriously, an outfitter canoe trip is better than postponing a canoe trip until an inexperienced PLC somehow figures out how to plan one. In our case, the outfitter company is owned by the Scouters who run our Council's yearly adult canoe training course. They offer a number

JM, The BSA no longer offers Rovering. However, the sponsoring organization of a BSA Troop can establish a Rover Crew if it is understood that Rovering is a separate program in no way connected with the Boy Scouts of America. For help in establishing a traditional Rover Crew, see the Rover Scouts Association (RSA): http://www.roverscouts.org/ The RSA has a very active listserv. To subscribe send an Email to: roverscouts-subscribe@yahoogroups.com The Baden-Powell Scout Association (BPSA-USA) is affiliated with the RSA and will offer a traditional Rover program in th

I will be very straight forward on this. Your unit is a death trap waiting to spring. The fact that it has not killed or seriously injured someone is just a matter of time sic. If what you post is true then it's not a question of will someone be killed, it is simply a matter of when. Bob, I will be very straight forward with you. Your inability to read for comprehension is a death trap waiting to spring. The fact that it has not killed or seriously injured someone is just a matter of time. If what you post is truly what you think you read, then it's not a question of will someone be

That's the problem. They can't tell me. A good Troop Brainstorming session with everyone yelling out wild ideas will solve this problem. Interesting activities will emerge if you make sure that no idea is discouraged at this point in the process (because of G2SS, for instance). I will leave it to others to discuss leadership development, but leadership follows enthusiasm. Laser Zone: I'm with your Scouts on this one. This is a only a problem because the BSA has recently decided to use the G2SS to promote political correctness. For a collection of politically incorre

Currently, we have about 12 "older scouts" who came from the time when our troop was 95% adult-run, which allows them to do things that would go against G2SS guidelines. These boys complained that the new scoutmasters do not allow them to have fun any more. Would you list the activities that they considered to be fun, even though they don't comply with G2SS guidelines?

Here are some ideas to help them get started: http://www.inquiry.net/outdoor/activities/older_scouts.htm It goes without saying that the Scouts must plan these activities themselves, or they will never buy into them. For additional ideas, try Troop Brainstorming--or a modified version for just the older Scouts: http://www.inquiry.net/patrol/brainstorming.htm Venture Patrol and Venturing handbooks are another source of ideas and how-to techniques. High Adventure attempts fizzled out last year after a trip to Double H, namely because there was no adult sponsor. It

I have assembled a collection of close-up photographs of the BSA uniform pants comparing them to various cheaper alternatives. Let me know if you find any inaccuracies, or if you know of any alternatives that I have omitted: http://www.inquiry.net/uniforms/bdu.htm

Bob White: It is interesting that the 1980 Wood Badge syllabus would cite the same sources as Lewis Orans. Miki: Does it sound like B-P is presenting it as his idea, or is he reacting to a new American idea? This would have been 15 years before Hillcourt's "Methods of Scouting" was published in Handbook for Scoutmasters. I hope I can find a copy. Does anyone know how long such material remains in copyright?

Miki, Since Bob White references both Lessons from the Varsity of Life and Aids to Scoutmastership, his source is probably the Pine Tree Web, see: http://www.pinetreeweb.com/ethics.htm However the Webmaster, Lewis P. Orans, can not find a specific reference either. As far as I can tell, the quote first appears in the third edition of Handbook for Scoutmasters (edited by William Hillcourt) as one of the "Ten Essentials of Scoutmastership." This wording (probably by Hillcourt) shows a deeper understanding of Scouting than the current shorter version: "A realization th

SirJimmyG writes: I was wondering if any of you had some original ideas for program content. I know the PLC will be able to plan a good program; I'd just like some ideas to get the ball rolling. The basic idea is to spend the weekly meetings developing skills for the next campout. 108 specific ideas for outdoor winter activities can be found at "Okpik On Line:" www.inquiry.net/outdoor/winter/activities 42 Night Games (to train for the world of Night Scouting) at: www.inquiry.net/outdoor/night 84 Wide Games (for older Scouts) at: www.inquiry.net/outdoor/

Patrol Competitions You can find the "point system" details for our Patrol competitions at: http://www.inquiry.net/patrol/competition.htm Basically, we award different colored ribbons at weekly meeting openings and closings, and at monthly campouts. The categories of colored ribbons are based on the requirements for the National Honor Patrol Award, plus additional categories that reward a Patrol for other traditional Scouting practices, such as best Patrol campsite; quickest silence at "Signs Up;" introducing new songs, skits, and wide games; teaching a skill at a meeting

To generate ideas for your 2005-2006 program, try a Troop Brainstorming Session This is a whole-Troop event, not just the PLC. The rules for brainstorming are: 1) Quantity Not Quality. 2) No Negative Feedback Allowed. 3) Hitchhiking is Encouraged. Make sure everybody understands the three rules. Then write down the ideas as they are shouted out so that everyone can see them from where they are seated. Try using a blackboard or a tripod easel that holds a large tablet of newsprint or some other surface on which you can write. 1) Quantity Not Quality: Tr

Most of you know that Baden-Powell's Scouting for Boys probably sold more copies than any other title during the twentieth century with the exception of the Bible. Fewer people are aware of his father as co-author of the radical Essays and Reviews (March 1860--published in this country as Recent Inquiries in Theology), one of the most famous books of the nineteenth century! The Reverend Baden Powell was the first eminent cleric to declare publicly for Darwin, and Darwin admired Powell's writings as he indicated very clearly in his introduction to the third edition of The Origin of

I suspect that Baden-Powell would have found such questions distasteful and better left between the Scout and his gods. B-P's requirement was a retest with the Scoutmaster to "ensure that you understand the Law and Promise in accordance with your age and development"