RichardB

BSA precludes Cubs from throwing tomahawks unless at a council event governed by a RSO/Instructor (i.e., an archery instructor).

I'm really interested in the source of where this "unless" comes from as the shooting sports information found in both the Guide to Safe Scouting and the Shooting Sports Manual both point out that this is not a Cub Scout program.  Background program materials links below.    .   

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/Outdoor%20Program/pdf/30931_WB.pdf

Tomahawk Throwing This is a program for Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Sea Scouts. This program is not approved for Cub Scouts or Webelos Scouts.

or http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss07.aspx

Still silly that only council (or a professional facility) can run an archery, sling shot or tomahawk event for Cubs and Webelos. I get BB guns, but sling shots? Please.

The Cub Scout shooting sports program is designed for council or district events not specific facilities although council camps are typically a good place with dedicated ranges to do these activities.   And throwing hawks or knives is not part of Cub Scouting so not sure where there would be any angst about that.....

Not sure how Scouts could be instructors as age restrictions place minimums in archery or BB gun range master at 18.   NRA certifications for a full instructor are 21.   

Richard

Everyone seems to have an opinion of WFA.  

1) BSA has no desire at this time to be in the certification business.  

2) WFA curriculum was developed and will be revised from time to time.  However, it is delivered thru organizations - systems already set up to deliver.  

3) In many cases, units, districts, councils use their network of ARC or ECSI instructors (who are BSA volunteers) to deliver the training at low or reduced costs.

4) There are three scheduled train the trainer courses - two at PTC and one at SBR if you know folks who would like to become more knowledgeable or deliver the WFA training locally.   

There are no and will be no unit centric WFA requirements in 2016 coming out of the National Service Center unless something is going on in an organizational unit who doesn't own it.......It could be a local council policy.   WFA is program centric, for example the Philmont Trek programs require it.     Your local council could be using this as a means to manage their trek program as well.   

It remains recommended at a unit level.     

There are several providers teaching the BSA Curriculum.   American Red Cross and ECSI are two that the BSA has worked with to develop instructor capacity.   

If you can't find instructors in your area, those with instructor credentials can transition into WFA teaching roles.  

Recommend you take an intro class, learn some strokes and find a retailer that has a demo day and try out several types, shapes, etc.  There are many options. The "yoga" boards are wide, the racing boards narrow.  As a general rule, longer is faster.  Lots of surface finish options.    Bought a couple of demos - Hobie ATR (12-14'?) and an 11' ATR-II.  Really light and handle well.   

Don't have the desire to manage an inflatable, I could see that as a popular option if transport options were limited but they are not quick set ups.  

My use is mostly lakes, but have taken them to the coast a time or two.   Great core workout, if you want your core strong to prevent the backache this will do it.  The yoga might also help.  

You can sit, stand or kneel on them.   Wind loading plays a large role in your paddle experience.   

Goal Zero Guide 10 plus Nomad 7 kit.   Can open and place on pack while hiking.   Keep a couple extra rechargeable AA's and you can rotate them out.   

Download the PDF: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdfchanges noted on the 6th page of the download prior to the TOC.

or peruse the html version which as a couple of landing page tweaks to complete the transition left.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx

If you are online then suggest you review YP section for updated barriers to abuse, the Medical and FA section, Age Appropriate Guidelines and the Insurance section for changes......

Richard

District has purchased from these folks, suggest at least two extra handles per hawk in reserve.    http://www.crazycrow.com/hand-forged-throwing-hawks 

I also throw the SOG's but they are "modern".  

Have not tried these yet but this is SOG's latest entry in a three hawk package:  http://www.sogknives.com/throwing-hawks.html- seen them as low as for $50 for three.   

These folks make some nicer stuff:   http://www.hbforge.com/hand-forged-throwing-tomahawks Not sure I'd invest this much per hawk for bulk learning.   

For knives, I really prefer the cold steel true flights, they hold up better than any other off the shelf solution tried and they have enough weight to them they stick well.    

Yes, somewhere in Texas RichardB breaks into a cold sweat and doesn't know why.

Very doubtful......it was officially 104 here yesterday.    Nothing cold about that, nor wondering why.   

Have a plan, Run the program, have fun and life is good.  Anything outside of that isn't scouting.......

Enjoy.   

Personally I thought this was now covered in the 4+ pages BSA health form required for camp. Anyway a parent, who had signed his son's health forms but not a separate camp Pick-up Authorization Form (sounds like movie Brazil, Brazil), needed to pick-up his son early.

 

What an unnecessary headache all around!

It could be addressed via the use of the bottom of Part A of the AHMR.    In a general, several states regulate the pick up of youth and may require a different format. Some accept the Part A inclusion.   Your mileage may vary.   

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdfis current.   Nothing changing as the OP rumors have it.......

There are NO unit level shooting opportunities for Cub Scouts - So Bad Wolf - you have Bad information.

Exactly! But I think the problem that both @@JoeBob and @@Stosh point out is that finding anything from BSA in one, definitive place is nearly impossible. Information management is problem for them. They started this news portal to aggregate BSA information but even that is not as clear and concise as it should be.

 

What is sorely needed at BSA is a information management audit where professionals can come in and help them consolidate and manage their content and how to present it to the public. Too many tentacles on this octopus.

Again, solutions, maybe not the ones YOU want are being worked on in the digital world.  Until then, might suggest that a simple one stop solution is to pick up, read a handbook and follow it.   Pick up a Field Book if you are feeling edgy.  Leaders guides developed by the HAB are great as well if your unit HA plan includes similar stuff.   

Want a one stop shop to help you plan an event:   http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/HealthandSafety/TourPlanFAQ.aspx 

Interesting thread.   Anyone ever think to reference the Sweet 16 of BSA as a planning checklist?   http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/Resources/sweet16.aspx Might be something to review and point out to those who haven't used it before.   

So a boy shows up from Webelos cross-over and the parents approach the SM and inform him/her that their boy is autistic.  

 

While that is all well and good, what skills does the SM have other than looking up autism on Google and finding out there are millions of variations to consider.  The parents reassure you they will be there 24/7, but even they have to sleep sometime.   How is this going to impact the troop?  How will things have to be rearranged to make it work?

 

So, what does BSA have to support a SM in this situation?  Last time I checked it was NADA.

 

Okay, the boy is ADD, the next boy is ADHD, the next boy is deaf, the next boy has Asperger's, and the list goes on and on.  And that doesn't even begin to cover the old run-of-the-mill brat that occasionally comes on the scene for a while.

 

Sometimes maturity can make a difference in the SM, sometimes experience especially if the SM has had a special needs child of his own.  But one can't always expect that from every SM out there.

Little more than NADA....http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2014/11/18/scouts-with-autism/ 

Boys and girls, reading the last couple of pages has made a light bulb come on.

The variety of specialized information needed to cover every type of HA that we want to expose our boys to is not readily available in all communities.  But the internet is.

 

Video tutorials for almost everything are online.  Want to replace the ABS sensor in a 1999 Volvo V70r?  Google it.

 

BSA should sponsor a set of multi-media training for the different types of HA and another set for basic scout skills.

Photos, concise text, and short video snippets could do a good job of communicating the subtle, but crucial, information needed for success.  Treat it like a Wiki and have another expert update the info every few years.  Have a returning troop add photos.  And have it linked to important BSA pages so that leaders and youth can find it.

 

I think that many volunteers join scouting expecting to learn and/or improve their skills.  I know that I expected to pick up advanced techniques for some of my skills and learn new things from being an SM.  The training is just not there.  I have learned how to train myself.

 

These interesting and informative tutorials could even serve as a tool to coax troops to do things that otherwise they would hesitate to attempt.  Adventure sells scouting.

This is actually a work in progress.....Not exactly as described.  Stay tuned.....

So with the extra info - taking to another camp - if part of another unit - tag into that unit (BS, Team, Crew).   If this is a Mom and Me / Dad and Lad (CS) then the tour and activity plan is just a tool to plan their outing (as the unit they are coming from could complete the task as well) it will most likely have flags during a review either way.   Doesn't mean it cannot be done.    

The intent of Tour and Activity Planning is to have a plan, work thru the risks.   Statistically, the travel to and from the event in this endeavor is the high risk activity to have a plan for.    

Would really suggest reviewing the FAQ's at the link provided.....Many assumptions already in the thread that may or may not be valid.   

Tour Permits went away circa 2011....A Tour and Activity Plan is current.   http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/HealthandSafety/TourPlanFAQ.aspx 

I'm not sure there is enough information in the OP to give guidance other than the camp and parent / Lone Scout need to work it out.......there is typically not a tour for two folks, even parent / son.

http://www.scouting.org/Home/HealthandSafety/Alerts/LDSChurchSafety.aspx

Something to talk about at your next meeting......

Richard

You may wish to review the updated membership guidelines that went in to affect March 2015.   Summary is here:  http://www.scouting.org/filestore/venturing/pdf/venturingfaqs.pdfor validate with your local council conducting said event.    Begin bottom of page 2, top of 3 in the document.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/toc.aspx has the latest updates posted this week.     In addition to those below, the revisions include the age appropriate guidelines as well.    http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416_Insert_Web.pdf

Would ask that you take the time to review the updated Climbing and COPE activities section and share this information with others in your area.   Would also suggest that if you have not reviewed it Belay On - the publication referenced - is a relatively new piece of literature for those who engage in the COPE / Climbing world.   It can be found with other reference material here:   http://www.scouting.org/Home/OutdoorProgram/COPE.aspx

2015 Updates

April

II. Aquatics Safety: The Safety Afloat section was updated to clarify Cub Scout participation in pack and den events.

VIII. Sports and Activities: The Climbing and Rappelling, and COPE Activities sections were each revised and expanded throughout.

XI. Transportation: Additions to this chapter include the future policy on using 15-passenger vans and guidelines on safe driving.

Richard

This has gotten a little off of the original topic but I'd suggest everyone who is involved with BSA review the policy on prescriptions:  http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss05.aspx#g is a direct link.  

The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual’s parent or guardian. A leader, after obtaining all the necessary information, can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a youth takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time, but BSA does not mandate or necessarily encourage the leader to do so. Also, if state laws are more limiting, they must be followed. BSA camp standards may modify this for specific camp operation.

http://www.scouting.org/filestore/HealthSafety/pdf/2013Guidelines_Managing_Food_Allergies.pdf

Some thoughts.....

Swooping in to say - really?    

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS.aspx

is the direct link to the most current version of the GTSS.   There are a couple of updates in process.  Should be published any day now.  

Let these statements found in the preface be the expectations......

When does a unit have to complete a tour and activity plan - it can be added to by local councils and by design includes high risk activities.....(not sure how this could be more simple)

Q. When do I need to complete a tour and activity plan?

A. Times when a tour and activity plan must be submitted for council review include the following:

• Trips of 500 miles or more; or
  
• Trips outside of council borders (exception: not to your council-owned property); or
  
• Trips to Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier, Philmont Scout Ranch, Summit Bechtel Reserve (you will be asked to present a copy of your tour and activity plan upon arrival),national Scout jamboree, National Order of the Arrow Conference, or a regionally sponsored event; or
  
• When conducting any of the following activities outside of council or district events:
  
  • Aquatics activities (swimming, boating, floating, scuba, etc.)
    
  • Climbing and rappelling
    
  • Orientation flights (process flying plan)
    
  • Shooting sports
    
  • Any activities involving motorized vehicles as part of the program (snowmobiles, boating, etc.); or
    
  • At a council's request (Contact your local council for additional guidelines or regulations concerning tour and activity plans; many have set guidelines for events or activities within council boundaries such as for Cub Scout overnight camping.)