ozemu

OK got it.

I will endevour to avoid all snow that is not white.

Our system is so different. In the following I use BSA terminology so that it makes sense to you all.

I cannot imagine an activity without my approval here. I realise though that the forms dont actually require my signature. Given that I supervise the PLC and they have sole responsibility for advancement and program (incl all activities and meetings) these things would have to pass under my nose. My only ability in these meetings is power of veto to prevent them doing something dangerous, hurtful or really stupid. Otherwise I get to offer advice. ASMs are always invited but have no vote at all - just my veto.

Some of our experience here might help but probably not as BSA has a different take on what is a Scouting formation. Your experience is making me think though.

Good luck.

Great ideas.

Never thought of using the word Klondike in a search. What is that anyway? I think that it is a place in Canada. Im Australian remember.

We live 14 hours drive from the snow and the vast majority have never seen any. Preparing beforehand will be very important. Im sure the PLC will program adequately after I show them this email. Im a bit concerned about persoanl gear for the Scouts. We normally camp in or near sub tropical rainforest. Maybe I can dig up a guest speaker.

Acco do you mean write your name in the snow like you would in sand?

Does your system allow a unit to conduct an activity without your (SM's) signature? Or are they doing this not under your Troop's umbrella?

Is the SM one of these people?

Here is nothing new but topped off with an extra dash of Chippewa and given a twist. (sorry - it's late)

Plan the most adventuresome activity that you and the PLC can come up with. One that you cannot do alone - not possible. Then ask a parent to help as it is in danger of coming undone and that they have the skill/enthusiasm/organisation that is needed to get the activity done.

Has worked for me.

I went all out until it was help or bust. I asked particular people and after a few 'helpings' I got four ASM's and a few other certain volunteers. That is way above the norm (here). Now my next 'crisis' is....our fourth Patrol. Need another ASM or it cannot be done. Now which parent do I target this time? Second choice would be...?

So get you PLC on fire. What parent can say no to an enthusiastic and going places bunch with a haggard and bleary eyed adult trying to get their child overseas, or up a high mountain, etc etc?

One ASM has been booting around a plan for 2005 major camp that involves going to the snow for a week.

Yes we have some. I saw it once. It was cold.

Apart from ski, tobogan, snow man and snow ball fights what can you do and what should I take precautions about pls? Links are welcome.

Awful news. This is not the way Scouting is meant to change your life. I really hope that there are no further complications and that he can continue his lifes course.

Big question.

Family: to be a good dad. Given that we are a foster family that is an interesting aim as most do not want a dad so I would settle happily for being a safe adult male maybe with a little bit of "mentor" about it but lets not hope for too much.

Scouting: I am but a link in a chain. Our Troop has a feeling about it which I know is largely due to my quirks and insistance. So therefor I see a legacy for the 20 plus young people (currently) of being a safe but stimulating group of friends. They mix so well compared to school and sport. They make me very proud but I think the pay off will be in the future. A legacy but not mine alone.

NOT this one:

http://www.lis.net.au/~emu/

I gave away the computer with the pages on it and havent gotten around to re-doing it. Actually a Scout volunteered but I have to show him how to upload etc.

We have one fool dad too. Nice bloke one on one. Arrogant chauvanist twit other times. Helps everyone appreciatte that the son has a few issues but isnt too bad considering.

Try an expedition. Requires a physical effort and teamwork in order to participate.

Eisley I got the term confused as you suggested. I am interested in something other than a sumnmer camp then. Camps run by Troops in the summer for a week or so.

A longer hike with our older Scouts would be good. Our Nat Parks are not all that accessable for rescue. I will start looking further afield.

Thanks sctldr. 107F is it.

Iĺl pass on Proud Eagles itiniary as the fares to USA are a bit out of reach. The travelling camps sound pretty good though. We did a shorter standing camp in order to run a JLTC type program but our last camp was mid winter on Fraser Island - biggest sand island in the southern hemispere or world or something. Sand everywhere - tastes crunchy. Summer there will be crowded so we are wondering about other things.

Huck Fin sounds alright too. Were not called the Northern Rivers for nothing.

I was wondering what camps you have organised at Troop level that run for a week or so in summer.

I figure that a canoe expedition or beach camp might be the go. Temps here will be into the low 40's (pls translate someone) so being around water is vital. Too many snakes in the bush too.

For myself I have never run a weeks Troop camping in summer. Winter I have done but summer is the next challenge.

So what have you done that was a real rip snorter?

I don't know the US names for these so I hope Eammon enjoys this list.

Most useful - clove hitch

Most important - Truckies hitch

Most painful - square lashing (tent falls on your head if you get it wrong)

Quickest - Alpine Buterfly (very quick when I'm on the tower and I can't find a close anchor

Prettiest - backsplice

Hardest - any whipping

Most Practical - Fig 8 lashing (not knot) makes quick and strong tripods. My campsites are full of tripods.

Best for a quick gettaway - Highwaymans hitch (good to get that fly sheet down quick)

Safest - Rethreaded Fig 8 (Knot not lashing) as it cannot be untied after they leave the ground

Having said that I'm not into knots really. They are great when needed but I recall many Troops spending lots of time doing knotting as a fill in and the programs went down hill. If we need them for the programmed activities then we visit the knots needed. Otherwise we play games and have adventures.

Oh you blokes are missing out on a lot.

All Scouters here have a knickname (Scout name we call it). I believe that you sometimes use them but not as a rule. It is obligatory here.

In our Troop the adults are Emu, Tigger, Kingfisher, Bandicoot and Coyote (she may change to Dingo after the last camp).

Amongst the Scouts we have BJ, Big Red (falling into disuse as she has let the colour grow out), Nibbles, Chief, and a few others that come and go as the adventures progress (Chaffin' Chicken turned back into BJ as the walkathon receeded in memory)

Everyone gets right of refusal. None have taken it yet but we would rigourously enforce that right if requested.

Nibbles (as explained on another thread) sought of came out of the last camp and his lack of success but determination surf fishing, Chief has been in existence for years. I think that started when he was the smallest and youngest but most intellectual Scout. Big Red died her hair, BJ was the second Ben in the Troop.

Bandicoot is farmer (could be a silly coot too), Tigger bounces around, Kingfisher owns a fish farm , Coyote was American but she got better (she had a close call with a dingo last camp and some are calling her that - we'll see).....

and I am a silly looking ground based bird with long legs.(This message has been edited by ozemu)

My dad and a couple of mates wanted to be Scouts back in the 1930's. They went and asked a teacher to be the SM and started things up. SM stayed until retirement. Later dad became an SM. Whole family involved at some point so it was just natural that I started as soon as I came of age. Stayed on and off due to work through to being ASM several times over. Been SM now for four years. Both of my children and one foster boy in the Troop too.

Lessons - in may case (and many others above) family tradition seems to be a key. What can we do locally and nationally to encourage this?

Owww!

That means traction and a really sturdy stretcher. Any idea how far they carried him?

If the troops that you have tried so far have bullying or just plain lack of regard when you visit then I would suspect that those are signs of worse things to come should your sin join them. They should be trying their hardest on night one.

Maybe it is just a bad night at the Troop but follow your intuition.

Great advice elsewhere from those who know.

Just had a boy refered by the Dept of Community Services. ODD etc but we have not seen anything worrying. He went on his first camp - six days straight interstate! I was a bit wary I can tell you. He came through very well. Got a knickname. I quickly told the Scouts that knicknames were only OK if the recipient was happy. I then checked and found that 'Nibbles' is delighted - he saw it as a sign of acceptance. And I believe that was how it was intended.

Good Troops are full of great kids - I hope you find one.

sorry - just caught up on some other threads and see the issue has been addressed.(This message has been edited by ozemu)

I teach outdoor skills to schools and adults. I work with emotionally disturbed young people a lot.

What I enjoy about Scouting is seeing young people perform well under stress. We can do more than schools because we train and trust the Scouts to get out without adults. Few schools will do that and then teachers and parents think that it is becasue the kids are not capable.

Many many kids out there have not got their act together enough to be okay in the bush without adults.

We are privelaged to work with our Scouts. Watching them and testing them makes me proud of our young people and reminds me that their peers can come up to scratch also .... if only they had the right care and training.

I wanted to be in the Army. As an adult I tried the ranks and got a commission too but got injured and ended up turning another direction.

As a teenager I actually wanted to be a professional SM but they did not exist and still don't.

Now I am an outdoor education teacher. Doing a lot of adventure based therapy with state wards and kids with behaviour problems.

So basically I play games and have adventures 5 days a week and do Scouting on weekends. Maybe I am yet to grow up too?

Crickey - after only 14 posts! Must be a record. Didn't understand the detail but the thrust was more provocative than reality TV.

Plan to recruit adults early. Even before you look at attracting Scouts if possible.

With the adults you can get - offer your PLC the best and most exciting activities that you can think of. Ask other Scouters in your area.

When the PLC gets going with ideas encourage them.

In short get the best, most exciting, attention grabbing program that you can. Challenge your Scouts to do better, go further and train them for it.

They will be so proud and excited that they will bring in th enew Scouts for you.

It works but willnot happen overnight. If you get a bulk lot of new Scouts without the program to keep and develop them then you will ultimately be wasting your time.

Thanks FB. Your last post has been cut and pasted into my good ideas to consider file.