Southpaw

If you are near Salt Lake City your son is always welcome to join my troop either full-time or part-time.  We are an LDS group and meet must Wednesdays at 7:00 pm. We are just off the I-215 by the airport.  While we are not a perfect troop, we do have a camp out planned for every mouth.

As far as getting your troop to camp monthly I have had the best of luck pointing out that as a troop we only have two years to work with the scouts before they move on to the Varsity Team.  They need 20 nights with their troop and only one summer camp counts. That means 15 monthly campouts are needed.  Divided over the two years that is 8 and 7 monthly camp outs each year, leaving 3 and 4 mouths for options.  Knowing that not every Scout can attend every outing do to school, sports, and family conflicts; not to mention flaky leaders and weather; it is vital that LDS troops run year round camping programs so that the scouts even have the opportunity to complete the Camping merit badge in the two year window.   

On the LDS-BSA Relationships website there are two blog posts that might be of help you, they are:

Mac’s Message #1: Gaining a Vision of Scouting and the Aaronic Priesthood

I just picked up a copy of the book Last Child in the Woods by Richard Louv. Any other required reading for a class I would have just checked it out from the library, however the subtitle, Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder, struck a cord within me and I bought the book.

I would like to hear what opinions and thoughts people, who work with youth, have regarding the book.

Last Child in the Woods

Saving Our Children from Nature-Deficit Disorder

by Richard Louv

None of the camps that I have been to provide tents. We provide our own which is great because I personally prefer my Tipi. The Scouts love Tipis also. In case of bugs I use netting and/or spray when needed. Netting can easily be hung up inside a Tipi.

I feel that the police should be involved as it sounds like an assault incident. Now, I am not encouraging the filling of charges, rather I am suggesting that you discus the situation with your local law enforcement for advice and assistance.

I have milked cows, cooked and waited at a restaurant, worked 5 summers at a scout camp, worked in wilderness therapy, and served in the army. Now, I work part-time at a ropes/challenge course and go to college full time (studying Outdoor Recreation Management).

As far as scouts go, I have been the Varsity Coach, Assistant Scoutmaster, and now a Cub Den Leader.

I have an idea that I would like to throw out for some feedback.

Just over a year ago I purchased an old (maybe 60s) tandem bike. My wife and I ride it a lot on the multi-use path that is near the house as well as around the local neighborhood streets and to church. The bike created a lot of buzz and excitement. This energy then led to my idea.

I would like to get some tandem bikes and start using the tandems to work on the Cycling merit badge. I was thinking that maybe tandem bikes might spark a little more excitement from the youth about Biking. I have spoken with a couple Scout leaders and the idea seemed to perk some interest. If I can get youth interested in continued riding, I could then look into including longer rides and some touring as high adventure activities.

For funding, I am looking into grants; I also have a small company that is willing to purchase some low-end tandems to see if the idea would work.

I would like to know anyone's thoughts, ideas, and/or experiences using tandem bikes for the Cycling merit badge.

Thanks,

Shane Heaps

When I started working with group of 11-year-old scouts, they had no interest in tying knots. So we simulated a survival situation, using stacks of chairs and table legs as trees and rocks we demonstrated how the knots could and should be used. Then on outings, we would have the scouts build their shelters with ropes and tarps. They thought camping with no tents was a lot of fun. I am also a fan of the tipi; it uses lashings and scouts love it.

Make knot tying a practical skill. We have the scouts tie down the camp equipment on the trailer with appropriate knots.

During the winter, I like to build miniature towers, bridges and other pioneer projects inside. Use dowels and cordage to make towers 4 or 5 feet tall. I have also used chopsticks and kite string for tabletop structures.

I like the Knot of the Night idea.

Hello, my name is Shane Heaps; I have been active with the scouts for most of my life. While growing up I got the chance to work at a scout camp for five summers since then I have had the opportunity to be a leader for the Varsity scouts, and for 11-year-old scouts. I have recently been asked to be a Bear Den Leader.

As most of my experience (scouting and work) is with older youth my search for Cub related information led me to this forum. I look forward to taping into the immense knowledge and wisdom of this forum.

Keep up the good work,

Southpaw