Prepare Like a Goose

On my hike this morning, I saw my first goose formation practicing for migration. It's still early, but I guess the cool morning got them thinking it's time to start preparing. They know that they don't just take off one day and head South. They build their skills and muscles and then, when the time is right, they go for it.

Being able to look ahead and prepare now for a future challenge is a great skill for scouts and one that tends to be lacking in guys their age. If a Philmont trek is scheduled for 2012, making a gear list now in time for Christmas :-) is a good idea. Planning out a few merit badges to do over the winter, figuring when to tackle First Class cooking, camping enough nights for OA are all examples of looking past today and planning. There are many such opportunities in Scouting.

Just like geese and other animals plan ahead for winter, we need to prepare now for adventures later. Here's a few scoutmaster minutes, games, and skits that have to do with geese (at least a little):

• Goose Sense minute
• Drafting minute
• Duck Duck Goose game
• Feather Toss game
• Oh What a Goose skit

Scout On