Larry Green

The troop with which I am presently affiliated regularly features an interpatrol competition after skills instruction. Here's a link to some of our favorites (all pioneering-related): http://scoutpioneering.com/favorite-troop-meeting-challenges/

Competitions can bring out some good improvement however for every winner there is a looser. The main point of the Patrol system IMHO is that Patrols act separately and differently. If doing different things there is no real way to compete and there would not be uniformity in Patrol ability. A strong Patrol competition may well indicate that adults are running a very tight ship and PL's are not independent enough.

 

Sure there are essential basic skills straight from the advancement requirements and these are worth some competition. We all do that and rightly so,

 

I would rate excellent Patrol system being when the Patrols are not actually present together very often with each Patrol off doing it's own thing. Have not often enough reached that ideal but it remains more my focus than a strong competition. Have often had Patrols at very different standards with little good to come from what would be a lop sided competition.

 

Having pontificated I readily admit to competition not more than half of each quarter (5 weeks out of 10). Always try to have a set of optional activites that contribute to Patrol points. Like extra credit.

Just wanted to report that Pioneering is alive and well and growing here in the Pee Dee Area Council, and I believe there should be a solid resurgence on a national level in the next few years. Here in SC we have a plentiful supply of pine (and bamboo too) and a really fine source for 600' x 1/4" pure manila! In and through the silly height restrictions imposed upon us, our pioneering programs are flourishing. A major part of Pioneering is bridge building, and there are plenty of opportunities to span short chasms and gullies with SIngle Lock, Single Trestle and Single A-Frame bridges.

As for the disturbing 5' height restrictions, we're excited about a new project. We call it a Double Platform Monkey Bridge. It incorporates two 8' towers with 5' platforms, connected by a rope bridge. It's inauguraral construction is this April to be built by a crew from he Chicora Chapter of the Santee Lodge and featured at our upcoming Council Scout Expo. Also slotted for this expo is a 14' Tower Gateway. It's adapted from the 14' Double Ladder Signal Tower designed by the late Adolph Peschke, author of the previous Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet. The troop putting this up (using bamboo spars) is very excited! Looking forward to posting some photos!!

I've heard that the next World Jamboree will be held here in the USA at the Bechtel Family Scout Reservation. What on earth will we do about all the tall, tall Pioneering structures regularly erected at World Jamborees by other countries? I guess they can be as tall as they like, but they just can't climb 'em!

Just wanted to report that Pioneering is alive and well and growing here in the Pee Dee Area Council, and I believe there should be a solid resurgence on a national level in the next few years. Here in SC we have a plentiful supply of pine (and bamboo too) and a really fine source for 600' x 1/4" pure manila! In and through the silly height restrictions imposed upon us, our pioneering programs are flourishing. A major part of Pioneering is bridge building[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/03/09/pioneering-bridges-and-the-saga-of-the-bridge-of-fifteen-nations], and there are plenty of opportunities to span short chasms and gullies with SIngle Lock, Single Trestle and Single A-Frame bridges.

As for the disturbing 5' height restrictions, we're excited about a new project. We call it a Double Platform Monkey Bridge[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/01/04/double-platform-monkey-bridge/]. It incorporates two 8' towers with 5' platforms, connected by a rope bridge. It's inauguraral construction is this April to be built by a crew from he Chicora Chapter of the Santee Lodge and featured at our upcoming Council Scout Expo. Also slotted for this expo is a 14' Tower Gateway[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/02/28/tower-gateway-4-flag-tower/]. It's adapted from the 14' Double Ladder Signal Tower designed by the late Adolph Peschke, author of the previous Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet. The troop putting this up (using bamboo spars) is very excited! Looking forward to posting some photos!!

I've heard that the next World Jamboree will be held here in the USA at the Bechtel Family Scout Reservation. What on earth will we do about all the tall, tall Pioneering structures regularly erected at World Jamborees by other countries? I guess they can be as tall as they like, but they just can't climb 'em!

Pioneering is alive and well!

Just wanted to report that Pioneering is alive and well and growing here in the Pee Dee Area Council, and I believe there should be a solid resurgence on a national level in the next few years. Here in SC we have a plentiful supply of pine (and bamboo too) and a really fine source for 600' x 1/4" pure manila! In and through the silly height restrictions imposed upon us, our pioneering programs are flourishing. A major part of Pioneering is bridge building[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/03/09/pioneering-bridges-and-the-saga-of-the-bridge-of-fifteen-nations/], and there are plenty of opportunities to span short chasms and gullies with SIngle Lock, Single Trestle and Single A-Frame bridges.

As for the disturbing 5' height restrictions, we're excited about a new project. We call it a Double Platform Monkey Bridge[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/01/04/double-platform-monkey-bridge/]. It incorporates two 8' towers with 5' platforms, connected by a rope bridge. It's inauguraral construction is this April to be built by a crew from he Chicora Chapter of the Santee Lodge and featured at our upcoming Council Scout Expo. Also slotted for this expo is a 14' Tower Gateway[/url=http://scoutpioneering.com/2013/02/28/tower-gateway-4-flag-tower/]. It's adapted from the 14' Double Ladder Signal Tower designed by the late Adolph Peschke, author of the previous Pioneering Merit Badge Pamphlet. The troop putting this up (using bamboo spars) is very excited! Looking forward to posting some photos!!

I've heard that the next World Jamboree will be held here in the USA at the Bechtel Family Scout Reservation. What on earth will we do about all the tall, tall Pioneering structures regularly erected at World Jamborees by other countries? I guess they can be as tall as they like, but they just can't climb 'em!