schleining

I am heading out the door this afternoon to start Wood badge!

In our welcome packet it was suggested that we not USE anyelectronics during the course work.

As I have been to Camp Clark a hand full of times, I know that cell phone coverage is limited at best, so I'll leave it in the car.

So far as CD players etc. I am sure I will want to be getting to know my Patrol mates rather than be alone listening to tunes...

Anyway-

I use a Palm pilot and it is as usefull as the user wants it to be.

It has value.

I also use a laptop. We use Troopmaster so all of our record keeping is on the computer.

Electronics are here to stay and many of us leaders for the 21st Century are knee deep in using them already.

That will never replace a leader though and so Wood badge will never loose its place in Scouting.

So far as myths... the only Myth that I hope is true about Wood badge is that I will have the time of my life.

Jerry

I do not think that it will ever be a "SKILL".

However we will see more and more of the GPS and a complement to the Map and Compass.

Just as the Army does not rely totally on GPS, we still use the old map and lensatic compass to find our way.

Having said that. The GPS is a fantastic way of knowing exactly where you are and an easy navigational tool. But it does not require a whole lot of skill.

The GPS validates the work of the map and compass.

I love my GPS and use it a ton...

It depends on the GPS unit you have, mine has a built in compass and maps, but I still use the traditional method of map and compass.

Jerry

One of the best ways to make the Patrol Method work is to Work the Patrol method.

Learn it and start having the boys live it.

Rely on the SPL and PLs to do the work. Give them clear instructions away from the rest of the Troop and let them go at it.

This has worked great for my 1 year old Troop.

Jerry

Like I said earlier, we adults are not a Patrol, but we establish the adult area of the campsite like a Patrol.

And then at Camporee this last weekend I came back to the campsite to find the Water jug marked with "OLD GOATS".

Not turning into a Patrol, but a good way of marking our gear.

I had to laugh.

Jerry

Good questions... I think we have all been in them boots before.

You got the qoutes from the G2SS... so here is what I do.

If I go with only my son...which is rare, we share a tent.. that is not a problem.

Going to the latrine... I wait outside until my son gets done then I go in. I tell my son to tell the next person that they can't go in.

Make the business quick and get out.

I have walked into restrooms where there are a group of Scouts and I turn and walk out right away.

I think that the G2SS and YP are ways or managing risk. If you put yourself in a compromising position you will get comporomised.

Jerry

A compass... great piece of equipment...

but you need to know how to use it.

Saw a Troop at Camporee... everyone had neat compasses... no one knew which way was North.

Map and Compass/ GPS are skills that need to be practiced over and over.

Jerry

Menus are different, but here are some ideas (from my last backpack trip)

Breakfasts- I take about 6 eggs and crack them into a water bottle, chop up ham and throw it in there too. That is enough breakfast for two days.

Lunches- I found these little bags of tortellini at Safeway. The come in a bag, so it is easy. I take about a half a small bottle of sauce and put it in a zip lock bag... boil water and add noodles, after noodles are done.. add sauce. Good lunch.

Dinners- I have taken the dehydrated stuff. My favorites are the Chicken stews and noodles. Good Carbs and filling.

I take jerky to snack on and something sweet.

Of all of this I only have two ziplock backs and the bag from the dehydrated food. It all fits into a 1 gallon zip lock bag.

I take crystel light powder mix to add to water, or just water.

Light and healthy. You can mix and match, but the menu above is typical of the type of food.

I always eat well, and I never sacrifice food for weight. I would rather leave behind something non essential.

The Fieldbook has some good info on cooking for a trek.

Jerry

To continue on that thought....

First you should take as little trash with you on the hike.

Remove all packaging possible before you leave home.. paper etc.

Food items should be repackaged to meet your LNT needs on the hike.

Second, if you do burn trash down to small ash it will not hurt the ground. But you need to ensure it has burned all the way down.

I have backpacked with very little trash... in fact using the "Pack it out" school of thought.. I can remember packing out all my trash in a 1 gallon zip lock bag. That is not a lot of trash and not heavy or messy either.

Bottom line- it is all in the planning. If you plan around your trash you will find that you have very little in the end.

Jerry

Ok eaglescout2004 you and I will agree on that. A Scout does not have to excel at advancement to be a good Scout.. and I'll add; have fun at Scouting.

Now I will say that if the PLC and Troop Committee have a solid program the Scout will have fun and advance at the same time. Advancement is the individual Scouts responsibility, but the Troop program has a way of stearing the young man in the right direction.

To link it all back to the topic- D&D should not be a part of the Troop program.

Jerry

eaglescout2004-

Scouts is about advancement- Advancement is one of the methods to achieve the Aims... therefore yes Scouts is about advancment. At least 1/8th of Scouting to be exact.

Advancement is part of the FUN.

Jerry

D&D is not by itself a bad thing... its a game.

I do not particularly care for it, but we have some of our scouts that play it or variations of it.

Its not allowed during Scout events like camp, but they talk about.

I treat it like a gameboy.. just not allowed.

I think there are better things that they could be doing.

It is kind of a joke among the ASMs about the D&D thing. Its kind of the "geeky high school kid" thing. (NO OFFENSE) Never played it, don't understand it, don't allow it. They have plenty of non Scouting time to play it.

And the bottom line is it does not seem like an issue in my Troop. Although the SPL thinks he is a midevil ninja dragon slayer sometimes... we all get a chuckle out of it.

Jerry

We allow the boys to burn paper and paper products in the fire. LNT trace is not violated and here is why in our case.

Up here more and more camp sites/grounds only allow fires that are above ground. So we have portable fire pits we take with us.

With the above ground portable fire pits we take all of our ash out with us. So LNT is not violated as we take it all out with us.

No plastics in the fire, no garbage, just paper type waste.

On trips that we do not bring the portable pits..if paper goes in it must burn all the way to nothing, so typically we don't burn anything but wood.

Jerry

OGE-

Great, I am glad to see that. They are both good contributors to this forum. Hate to see things come to that.

The way it appeared would leave wonder.

Glad it is no the case.

Happy Scouting!

Jerry

WOW.. that must have been a doooooozy to be totally edited out...

Very unScout like if you ask me.

Come on guys- its a discussion on Cooking...

Jerry

We are fortunate in that our CO bought the Troop tents this year. Now that we are entering our 2nd yr. as a Troop.

So tentage is not an issue.

We do a shake down, lead by the SPL before EVERY Campout to ensure that the boys bring what is on the packing list. The shake down is on at the Troop meeting prior to the campout, in our case that is Monday nights.

It is up to the PL to make sure it gets brought to camp. It is amazing what gets unpacked between Monday and Friday night.

Anyway, we find that the Shake down really helped up in getting the right gear to camp and weeded out the un needed gear, it's equally amazing how much stuff they want to bring vs. what is needed.

Jerry

Knots and Beads...

Good topic...

I encourage our Scouts to wear everything that they are awarded.

A temp patch is not an award, so I don't really push those, besides in our Council we all wear district patches on the Temp pocket.

I currently have three knots, and I wear them all. Fourth knot is forthcoming.

What I have found is 1. It helps provide an example. I wear my uniform properly. Nothing out of place, the full uniform, and in good repair. I wear it the same way every time in every situation. The boys will never see my shirt untucked or badges out of place.

2. The knots and service stars do lend credibility to the leader. I have found this over the past year as a newer Scoutmaster. It also helps with recruiting new Scouts. When I sit in the living room of a prospective Scout and his mom and dad, they can see that I am trained and that I have been around the block a couple of times. Hopefully it sets their mind at ease about what they are getting into.

3. To the other leaders in my Troop and the Pack that I serve, it encourages them to get trained.

Someone earlier stated that while this is the boys program, it is ours too. I don't know about you all, but I have a lot of fun doing this Scouting stuff.

The BSA has these knots to recognize the work, dedication, and committment of the leaders of Scouting. Therefore there is absolutely nothing wrong with it.

Oh... and next year when I finish my ticket and get my Wood badge beads... I will wear them everytime my uniform is on. My Dad earned his beads, my father in law wears his... and I will be just as proud as those two to wear mine.

Also, someone made mention of the military awards and the "option" of wearing them in the military. You are wrong. You are required to wear awards that have been awarded. There are no options. Barracks lawyers will suggest you have the right to wear what you want, but the regs say other wise...another topic for another day and another forum, just thought I'd share.

BP wore all his stuff... I'll wear mine.

Jerry

Kristi-

That is a good answer. Lovin' it!

SR540Beaver- that is the ulitmate in truths... clean underwear is essential in all cases.

This, folks is what I am talking about. We get enough good stuff like this we should write our our version of "Chicken Soup"...

Chicken Soup for the Scouter..

Although Kristi- I noticed you left off one extremely important one... so make 10 +1.. Common sense. Common sense trumps in almost every case.

Thanks

Jerry

No Dug..not gonna narrow it.. the question is what do boys need to be prepared.

The answer is that it depends... and that is what we teach...

Part of the discussion is what do our boys need... Philmont, weekend campout, summer camp, snow caves,,........LIFE.

Jerry

What gear do you need/expect the Scouts to have?

This is a spin off of the Cooking expectations discussion.

Just what do the boys need to "BE PREPARED"?

Lets chew on this one for awhile..

Jerry

Bobwhite, my friend... you are correct sir....

A troop guide would be nice.

As you are aware my troop is new (11 months old). So when we get to that point I will surely use him.

In the mean time...I am the troop guide/ Scoutmaster.

Not an argument, just clarification.

I love the way you and Ed go back and forth. I am going to start a thread on colors... I am sure that you and Ed could not agree on what the color Black looks like.

hahahahaha

I love Scouting!

Jerry

I think that the topic of this discussion has turned from Cooking expectations to that of "BEING PREPARED".

What a wonderful motto we have.

BE PREPARED.

A central theme in Camping and teaching boys to camp.

I want the Scouts of my Troop to be prepared. Prepared for what?

I want them to have enough food for their Patrol...

I want them to have the right gear to get through the weekend... Dry socks, extra clothing, mess kits, cooking utensils, a backpack to carry it all in... (yes I actually had a new scout show up with a suitcase... made for an interesting hike into camp... and guess who carried it most of the way...I suppose I should have let the kid drag it to camp and learn a valuable lesson....not my style..and he learned anyway...showed up the next month with a nice backpack)

I want the boys to know how to start a fire, tie knots, make camp gadgets, do first aid, find their way with or without a compass, read a map.

This my friends is Scouting.

After all this discussion I find it incredable that any of the above gets done because we are so wrapped up in whos not doing what and how it is being done.

There are Methods to achieve Aims. We use the Patrol method as a tool to get boys to learn. They learn how to plan meals, cook, clean, hike, set up camp, build pioneering projects, etc etc etc...all as a team. Most importantly they have fun as a team.

I think it completely within the Scope of a Scoutmasters job to require the Scouts to do something ie: cook good meals and not just ramen. Why...because the Scoutmaster knows the boys, he knows what they need to learn, he knows their ability level. He can share life experience with them and he has mastered the art of Scouting. He leads by example and giving a poncho to a scout that forgot one is an example of the Scout Law and Oath, it also teaches preparedness.

You all have different styles, but what you have in common is that all of our Shirts say Boy Scouts of America on them.. and so that is the program we follow, that is the leadership model that should be followed.

'nough said.

Jerry

t487-

I am not saying do the work for them or baby them, I am just saying that I don't let them go without. Its really that simple.

Raingear- yeah I wear it... the kids may not always, but we encourage them to wear it.

Don't get me wrong, I am not talking about the "perfect experience" and I am not saying anyone has lef tor os going to to leave, but I have talked with SMs in our area that have had it happen.

Jerry

Just had a fantastic weekend at Camporee..

Here are the menus that the Patrols had for this weekend...

COBRA PATROL-

Friday night- DO Pizza

Saturday Breakfast- Eggs, Bacon and Toast

Saturday Lunch- Another DO PizZQ (They are quick to fix)

Saturday Dinner- One pot meal from BSA Field book, included noodles, beef, vegies etc.

Sunday Breakfast- Biscuits and Country Gravy.

VIKING PATROL-

Friday night- Beef stew

Saturday breakfast- Oatmeal and fruit

Saturday Lunch- Soup and Ham Sandwiches

Saturday Dinner- DO Pizza 2 pizzas for the Patrol

Sunday Breakfast- Cereal and Muffins, juice and fruit.

All the meals required the boys to do something like cook, work together as a team, clean up etc etc etc... in short...work as a Patrol.

One Patrol cooked a lot more, while the other fixed easier meals. They all ate well and no one went hungry.

I am all for learning by making mistakes, but letting a Scout go hungry, wet, and cold, is not teaching...

I carry a bunch of disposable ponchos with me every campout. IF a Scout forgets his raingear than he has a poncho and a lecture on being Prepared.

If a Patrol screws up a meal, we leaders always bring extra, typically enough to feed another patrol. They get to eat a hearty meal, and listen to instructions on cooking.

Not once has this become a "Well if we just forget they will feed us....I don't need raingear...the Scoutmaster will take care of me".

They are lessons that are taught without pain and misery.

A Scout that is taught that suffering makes him tougher just does not come back.

My 2.5 cents.

Jerry

My Scouts eat well! Its all about the Skills Baby!

Not to take away from this discussion forum or any other,

But I have created a Blog for Scouting discussion.

An extention of Roundtable if you will.

It is up and running and your thoughts, comments etc are welcome.

Here is the url:

http://scoutingblog.blogspot.com/

My name in the blog is Scouter664

Jerry

"Being a scoutmaster means to be a master of scouting...not a master of scouts."

BobWhite- Great saying.. mind if I use it?

I could not agree with you more.

While I would not agree with the Scout heting up a hot dog, I do agree that when they get hungry they will eat.

I started this thread by asking if anyone else impossed requirements about the type of meal. My Troop does. Cooking is a Scout Craft and needs to be practiced.

Never once have I suggested that breakfast is at 8:00 am, Lunch at 12:00 and so on.

On our last campout the Scouts choose to eat much later. They used the time in the day light to do other activities and cooked when it got dark. The Patrols had the free will to make that choice.

I think as a Scoutmaster I might have a talk with the PL and find out what his Patrol was planning on doing to ensure they all eat, but beyond that, I think that they would eventually get to cooking.

I have seen the Scouts in my Troop so tired they could not stand up. Then a couple of the guys get out the stoves etc and sooner than you know it a meal is cooked and they are all eating.

Unless there are strict timelines that need to be followed, the in camp pace should be set by the Patrols and the members therein.

Jerry