mashmaster

 You mean I was taught how to swim by a non-instructor. (dad) Yes it is a skill and believe me once you get a person comfortable with just being in the water the rest comes easy. I've taught many boys who never learned to swim how to and I am no instructor. I am in the process of teaching my 4 year old granddaughter. It is just like fire building or lashing, a skill that can be taught without having some kind of special certificate. Now was he handicapped in any way?  This could be a problem and in that case I would want to get an instructor. You never mentioned the other camps.

I can give her your contact info :-)  I do and do for the boys, if he went to camp he would have gotten to do 99% of everything which I told her.  He passed the beginner test barely so fear isn't the issue, it is a technical issue for him.  This week I have already given multiple hours for the boys, Not sure how much more I can give.  He isn't handicapped 

Neither do I, now. The point was to offer to help not whether I had a pool or not. Change to the community pool, Y, or school pool. That's what you got out of what I said? I have met many boys in my time as a leader who have never been introduced or even given the chance to learn how to swim. Instead ofr blaming parents maybe it would be helpful to offer to help. The offer could also be done right there at camp.

 

First off, I am not a swim instructor.  He needs professional swimming help not mine or my sons help.  Swimming is a life skill, he is very far away from being able to pass the test.

Secondly, mom has known he needs help swimming she has told us he needs lessons but she has decided not to send him.  He does manage to go to a bunch of expensive camps already, so that is where the priorities are.

Got a text from the parent, they said I was singling out their son because he was the only one not to pass the test.  I explained how I didn't perform the test it was the lifeguard, but clearly it is my fault.   I saw him swim and I wouldn't have passed him either.  It is a safety thing not a "Do your best thing".  They will have a rude awakening when he gets to Boy Scouts.  

I love working with the boys, they have such a great time and I love seeing their smiles.  But when the parent drama kicks in, I wonder why I do all this.  For instance a boy falls his swim test because of his abilities, the parent starts saying he will not be going to camp is just petty and the only one it hurts is the boy.  He could be enrolled in swimming lessons to potentially save his life but no he is now being punished because he can't swim.  What a great lesson to teach him.

Sigh, we should be able to drink in the program.....

Sorry just needed to rant.

Digging up an old topic.

My son who is about to cross over into scouts had his knife go missing.  It was a basic swiss army knife.  For a replacement, what knife would you suggest for him.  December he with be entering Boy Scouts.

And, no, it wasn't his fault the knife disappeared.  I borrowed it for an OWL course I was directing and it disappeared after the course.  Along with about 5 other knives. Darn Scouters.....

I wrote up how to read and decode UTM coordinates from a map for our district newsletter.  It is here if you want to read it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5vjCFsun5SAZ24tOXFXOWlxNk0/view

RIP very sad.  my condolences

Well we did it and the Webelos really liked it.  The coolest part was that I had them find a location on the map and create the UTM coordinate for it.  We used handyGPS app on the phones and we walked there.  Of course we went through the brush and trees and ended up finiding out spot on the road.  They asked why didn't we just take the road :-)  I asked them that same question back.  They had a map.  Even though we talked about using the ma\p for terrain and roads they didn't get it until we actually searched for a place.

After that I had them use the phones(gps's) to find caches I setup around camp.  That was a hit.

One excersize that I enjoy doing is marking an unsuspecting volunteer's fist with contour lines.

 

The Map and Compass belt loop and pin: still part of the program?

Love that idea :-)

no, the loops and pins went away.

Personally I find that the ability to understand geographic features from a topographic map is one of the most valuable map reading skills. Takes some practice though. 

 

 

The key to staying oriented on a hike is to be constantly checking every map feature against the features you observe in the world.  I almost always know within a hundred feet or so of my location on a map.  It's fairly rare that I need to pull out a compass,  since a topo map usually has so many visual features that can be used to identify your location.

 

It's trickier when I'm out boating,  especially in fog.  That's when compass and piloting skills really count!

Or you are in Texas and the topology is fairly flat :-)

One of our parents works for USGS so I got full size plotted topo maps at 1:24,000 scale.  I have most of the other things on your list to help explain how everything relates to the real world.  I have the UTM coordinates for several locations on the campsite so I will go through the firering UTM coordinate so we understand how to find it.  Then I will have them use the map to create a coordinate and we will use a phone GPS to walk there and see how close we get.  

Finally, I will hand them utm coordinates and let them figure out where they need to go.  at each location will be a prize of some kind.  

I am hoping for the best :-)

This weekend I am going to teach my Webelos 1's and 2's how to read topo maps, understand utm coordinates to find positions on maps, and then use that to do some geocaching.

I was wondering if these skills will translate to anything in the new program?  I know it will be fun for the boys.  Geocaching without gps units is a great skill imho. 

When I review candidates I might notice it and ask about it.  I want to hear about a passion about what you do.  Scouting/woodworking/whatever.   Show me your excitement and dedication, I want that same interest and dedication to your job.  I work in tech so it may be different for your industry.

Scouter's training award, for two years of service.  plus that have to be trained and attend university of scouting or 4 roundtables  during each year.

They aren't, that's why with those our district ignores the orders in order to teach them at least once a year (it was twice).. Council Executive thinks if they just throw troops & packs the syllabus and tell them to train themselves that the Council will get training done faster..  Not too many besides the CE think this is a good idea, but when they totally ignored him he got angry, so now they half ignore him..  But, now in our Council you can mark yourself trained for a course if a) you think you know it  b) you glance over the syllabus and think you know it c) your Pack/troop try to take the syllabus and do the course  d) if you take the secretive, illegally held district course (if your district offers that)

 

Per our Council :  "No more training, No more training.. All trainers have officially been retired from voluntary service.."

That is horrible.  As a course director for OWLS which we always do in conjunction with IOLS it is a ton of work to get staff for the courses, the information is valuable and well received.  

Good luck in your future ventures.  I bet we will see you again when your grandkids someday :-)

I have looked at the new Webelos program in depth and compared it against the old one.  It is mostly the same but tweaked IMHO.  I this the fact that the character connections are gone is the biggest win in the new program.  I like that the new program is specific in what is to be done.  I see to many leaders sign off on requirements now that are just done wrong.

It isn't perfect, I have issues with some of the omissions but I will approach it with an open mind.

I know my area continues to grow in Asian population especially Indian.  We have almost no Indian presence in our council.  I think STEM scouts may potentially interest them more than traditional scouting.  Who knows maybe it will break down bariers and the will try traditional scouting as well.

I think the audience has changed drastically, IMHO.

I wish I had one.  My parents where not into scouts or camping.  So I think that is why I really enjoy it with my son and fellow scouts.

I am a true believer in the lessons that camping teaches us as there is always some problem to figure out a solution for.

A bit of a spin off, but let's have some fun.

 

Anyone read today's (5-6-15) Bryon On Scouting Blog and the ban on water guns unless you are shooting at non living targets and wearing eye protection?

 

Sorry, but in my neck of the woods, water guns are used to keep Cub cooled down at day camp, and help out tremendously. And even with the water guns and other water cooling devices, we still had folks going home early due to heat exhaustion.

 

Your thoughts?

It is stupid IMHO.  I would be against water guns that look like real guns in any color, but water guns that are shaped like super soakers don't look like guns.  

I could see the argument about water conservation being invoked which would make some sense.

Mash,

 

Boating was restricted to district/council events which required either a NCS certified Aquatics Director, or an NCS certfied CS Aquatics Supervisor.

 

Now, According to the Guide to Safe Scouting, page 24, "Cub Scout activities afloat are limited to council, district, pack, or den events that do not include moving water or float trips (expeditions). Safety Afloat standards apply to the use of canoes, kayaks, rowboats, rafts, floating tubes, sailboats, motorboats (including waterskiing), and other small craft, but do not apply to transportation on large commercial vessels such as ferries and cruise ships."

 

 

What I find hillarious is that the second link's  "AGE-APPROPRIATE GUIDELINES FOR SCOUTING ACTIVITIES"  still states that boating activities are for the district/ council level only still.

 

 

Guess they need to update the 2015 Age Appropriate Guidelines again.

thanks!

That is awesome.  Having a new volunteers is great.

@@Eagle94-A1, seems council just asked our unit to run the tomahawk and slingshot range for next spring's cub program. Our SM reminded them about 'hawks and CS being a no-no. Seems sling shots are okay. Earth-friendly shot? Dog chow.

Our district does hawks at Webelos Woods.  Interesting that it is against the rules.  Maybe because it is a camporee with Webelos guests?

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

I'm confused, what exactly can Cubs and Webelos do now that they couldn't before.  I would love to see a side by side to see exactly what changed.

Our council is one of the pilot programs.  I watched the presentation to our council and it looks really interesting.  I may start a "lab" unit myself.  I see it as something totally complimentary to boy scouts.  They said that 85% of the stem scouts are new to bsa in the original pilot, so I don't think it is pulling away from traditional scouting.