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Being Prepared
![boy scout camp](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/raintent.jpg)
Last week at camp, I often saw scouts ill-prepared for the day. Whether it was 'forgetting' their water bottle, rain coat, merit badge material, towel, or sunscreen, some scouts would constantly be in need. Reminders from the SPL before breakfast, reminders from the Scoutmaster after lunch, and reminders from Patrol Leaders in the evening fell on a more than a couple pairs of deaf ears.
We are asked to train scouts and then let them practice their skills. When a scout is told, shown, and asked to practice a behavior and then does not do it, what should an adult leader do? The training has been done, punishment is not an option, so letting him get dehydrated, soaked, or burned and then taken to the health lodge seems like the next step. Seems like a tough way to learn.
I believe some boys are so coddled that they don't grasp the concept of self-sufficiency and responsibility. The 'training' some have received at home for the past 11 or 12 years is that someone will take care of them, pick up after them, fix it for them, or in some other way make everything ok for them. At some point, each boy will finally understand that his actions and the resulting consequences are his alone, but some have been guided by the hand for so long, it takes extra practice.
Providing them with more opportunities to make decisions is key. We had a great lesson the morning we left camp. A severe weather risk caused the camp staff to evacuate all troops to the dining hall at 4:30am. Almost 20% of the scouts could not find their raincoat. Afterwards, we discussed how having a few important items readily at hand during the night is important. Hopefully, it will be remembered next time. Another opportunity was each evening's campfire. The guys gather, start the fire, have a fun time, and then remember that they don't have a flashlight. I'd guess almost half the guys were in that boat, even towards the end of the week.
It sure sounds like I'm complaining, doesn't it? I guess I am, about the coddling anyway. But, I'm also pointing out that 11-16 year olds don't connect all the dots like adults. Planning ahead, being prepared, and considering consequences takes some mental development that some of these guys just don't have yet. Keep instructing them, keep caring about them, keep encouraging them, and sooner or later you'll notice a change. You might even see a clean, dry shirt or two at the end of the week.
Scout On
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Posted: 23:21 07-28-2011 647
Read the Button
![boy scout pants](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/pants.jpg)
One scout was a bit confused at the troop meeting, though. The other scouts had complained that he was not wearing official BSA short pants - green pants similar to BSA are common. He believed that his WERE official but did not make a big deal about it and sat down. Since he felt he had the full uniform on, he asked me about it at the end of the meeting.
I said the pants sure didn't look quite like other BSA pants I've seen, but there's a simple way to prove it. I had him look at the button above the zipper and tell me what it said. Sure enough, "Boy Scouts of America" stamped into the plastic button. These are the Canvas Convertible pants and we hadn't seen them before.
So, I told him he might want to go tell the SPL to "Read my Button" and then open the box. It's easy to jump to conclusions when something isn't just as we expect it to be. Being observant, flexible, and open-minded helps us improve, whether that is recognizing a new version of BSA pants or improving a skill or accepting a better way to do things than how it's always been done around here.
Scout On
Scout-run Troops
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Posted: 6:58 07-27-2011 646
Vitamin "R"
![Boy Scout Summer Camp](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/vitamin_r.jpg)
The first three days of camp set heat index records and it wiped out some scouts and adults. Even though they drank water, slowed down, and ate meals, a few were effected enough to need a quick trip to the health lodge.
As an adult volunteer on outings, it's crucial to keep an eye on all scouts to ensure they are taking care of themselves. Training the scouts to look out for each other is just as important. Even if it appears that everyone is being careful, remain wary for signs of heat or cold illness, depending on the environment. Someone doing all the right things can still become ill.
The lack of sleep while camping, especially for a week or more, can become a safety concern. Tired people make poor choices, are not as physically able, and tend to get injured more - besides, they just don't have as much fun. A sure sign of a 'tenderfoot', or inexperienced outdoorsman, is someone that stays up talking late into the night.
Taking time to rest and having reasonable Lights Out and are good ideas. We're fortunate to have an older scout as Bugler who is not afraid to enforce the quiet after lights out.
Scout On
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Posted: 6:35 07-26-2011 645
Camp Numbers
![boy scout summer camp](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/tick.jpg)
- 37 - scouts at camp
- 111 - completed merit badges
- 11 - incomplete merit badges
- 2 - embedded ticks removed
- 1 - weather evacuations
- 3 - record-setting heat index days
- 20 - NRA shooting certificates earned
- 1 - BSA Snorkeling awards
I'll post more after I get my tent dried and recognitions prepared for tomorrow's troop meeting.
Scout On
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Posted: 11:14 07-24-2011 644
Summer Camp or Bust
![Many Point Scout Camp](http://profile.ak.fbcdn.net/profile-ak-snc4/object2/197/17/n81159758459_5427.jpg)
Four scouts have asked the SPL to lead campfires for their Communications badge requirement so our evening entertainment is set. We're using the dining hall this year, so the food will be easy and good. All the paperwork is ready to go. Not much left for me to do but find a good stick and sharpen my knife when I get there. :-)
Scout On, and have a great week while we're gone!
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Posted: 6:18 07-17-2011 643
High Adventure 2013
![boy scout high adventure](http://www.boyscouttrail.com/i/award_triplecrown.gif)
Troops can attend a BSA high adventure base every two years, at most. If your troop does the Sea Base/Philmont flip-flop, then NOW is the time to start generating interest in your 2013 High Adventure. Philmont lottery entries are submitted in October and Sea Base lottery occurs in February. The next lotteries are for 2013, not 2012. Families need a couple months to hear about this great adventure, discuss it, digest it, and finally commit to it. Waiting until October to tell folks about your 2013 Philmont trek is too late!
This 16-20 month pre-planning requirement gives some troops massive fits and frustration - having scout families commit to a weekend campout three days before it happens is hard enough! Scouts wonder if they'll be active in two years, will they be big enough, will they enjoy it, ... and parents have to cough up some deposit money they may never see again.
To ensure success of your far-in-the-future high adventures, here are some tips that may help:
- Brag - have scouts that just returned present their favorite parts. Showing short slide shows, video, patches, and dusty boots is not too much.
- Budget - tell everyone how much it will probably cost and explain how they can set aside a bit each month now to pay for it then.
- Brand - show off the last crew's "one-of-a-kind" t-shirt and ask scouts to start designing the next one, making it a special opportunity not to be missed.
- Interest - check your troop roster to make a list of names of scouts that will be old enough but not too old in 2013. You might have them stand up at a troop meeting and announce that these are the guys that have this great opportunity.
- Commit - get a sign-up out now so scouts and adults can commit to going. This helps define how many crews are needed.
- Pay - before entering the lottery, have everyone pony up a deposit to show they are serious. Until the lottery results are received, it is refundable. Once the crew dates are known, request an additional deposit that is non-refundable. This is where you find out who is really going.
- Pay Again - have periodic payment dates. As the final payment date to the high adventure date approaches, make sure the troop is not behind on collecting funds. If the troop pays the high adventure base before collecting from the scout, they are out the money.
Does your troop have other tips to share?
Scout On
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Posted: 18:04 07-14-2011 642
Summer Advancement
![boy scout advancement](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/misc/poison-ivy.jpg)
I encourage scouts to accomplish the following 'summer' requirements as soon as possible so they aren't stuck in their advancement trail waiting to do one requirement over the winter.
- Tenderfoot #3 - assist in preparing and cooking a meal
- Tenderfoot #11 - identify poisonous plants
- Second Class #1b - five-mile hike with map and compass
- Second Class #3g - plan and cook a meal
- Second Class #6 - identify 10 wild animals
- Second Class #8 - swimming and water rescue skills
- First Class #1 - find direction without a compass
- First Class #2 - one-mile orienteering course
- First Class #4e - serve as patrol cook
- First Class #6 - identify 10 native plants
- First Class #9 - swimming and water rescue skills
The cooking requirements can be very difficult and discouraging when the temperature is below freezing. Animals are more abundant and active in summer. It's more enjoyable to be hiking in nice weather rather than through a foot of snow.
It's 'possible' to do all the requirements except one at any time of the year, but planning ahead can make it more enjoyable. I believe enjoying the outing is more important than advancing.
That one requirement that I don't think can be done at any time is identifying poisonous plants. When the plants have died off and are covered with snow, it can't be done. I've heard of letting scouts point to a picture of poison ivy. I've heard of letting them just describe what poison ivy looks like. This doesn't seem to meet the goal of the requirement to me, which I feel is to be able to recognize and avoid these plants in the wild.
Have you any ways to let scouts identify poisonous plants when they are not actively growing and visible?
Scout On
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Posted: 10:23 07-10-2011 641
Backpack Menu Planner
![backpacking menu planner](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/backpackfood.jpg)
So, I've been working on a menu planner for backpacking over the long weekend. This Menu Planner lets you save the different foods you use on the trail, combine them into meals, and use that set of meals to create a menu and shopping list. You can share your menu so others can use it as it is or get ideas to make their own.
If you have some time to try it out, or tell your scouts about it, I'd really appreciate your feedback. It is brand new and only in the 'testing' phase with changes to be made based on your input.
Take a test run at Backpacking Menu Planner and leave some feedback. There is one menu currently saved which is the menu our troop used backpacking in Wyoming last year.
Scout On
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Posted: 7:57 07-05-2011 640
Good Neighbors
![summer camp](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/crowd.jpg)
We've got 39 scouts going and the other troop has only 3 so it will be a lopsided 'integration' and we're probably going to be the 'troublesome' troop. But, we've done what we can to smooth the road.
- I met with the other SM at lunch last week to discuss how she'd like to have camp run. They sound like they're doing a good job, so I don't think we'll have any "Yellow Shirt Day" scenes. :-)
- We reviewed the campsite map and she showed where they usually have adults tent and then scouts tent by patrols the rest of the place. Good.
- They have a different patrol plan campfire each evening. Good.
- I'm sending her the merit badges our guys are taking so the scouts can use that connection to get to know each other. We'll probably do troop activities together as well.
- Both SPLs will be at camp. Our SPL is at NYLT this week and I'll talk with him when he gets home about how he'd like to integrate troops. We've already talked and he's excited to run camp. Us two scoutmasters felt having the two SPLs tenting close would be good so they could talk as needed, but we'll see.
We'll do our best to be good neighbors and campers! :-)
If you're wondering why we're sharing a site, it's because of the reservation policy in our council and blunders. A troop has first dibs on a campsite every year F O R E V E R as long as they reserve it in the spring. The other troop has used the site F O R E V E R so they get it, even though it holds 70 people and is the largest site in camp.
Last summer, our SPL saw the site was open and reserved it but the reservation folks had made a mistake so the site was double-booked. By the time we found out, there were no other sites available to hold our troop and the other troop was expecting a small turn-out so they decided to share with us. It will be a fun week and a good opportunity to be good neighbors.
Scout On
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Posted: 8:57 06-29-2011 639
Pinewood for Boy Scouts
![boy scout car racing](http://boyscouttrail.com/i/blog/xtreme.jpg)
The BSA needs 100 scouts to sign up and design cars to help promote this new racing program.
100 E2Xtreme car kits are being given away to scouts this week at ScoutStuff.org
Scroll down and click the blue "Giveaway" image. The lucky 100 scouts are asked to design, create, and photograph their cars for a contest to win a $100 ScoutStuff gift card.
Since the contest entry window is so short, tell your scouts about it and there's a pretty good chance one of them will get randomly selected. If nothing else, they'll get a free car kit to check out if they're selected.
Scout On
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Posted: 9:43 06-23-2011 638
First Aid Fun
![boy scout first aid](http://firstaiddude.com/i/object1.jpg)
To make the first aid scenarios a bit more fun, I've created fake wounds that are reusable. Putting moulage on a person looks cool, but has to be redone every time and gets messy. These wounds simply velcro on and off and still look pretty good.
I also use these when scouts are doing their T-2-1 first aid advancment or the First Aid merit badge. I've noticed a much more focused effort from the scouts and better retention of the skill - besides they like to teach others because then they get to wear the wounds.
It's really easy to make your own, and you might have this as a project for some artistic scouts. See Fake Wounds for examples, instructions, and printable images that you can just tape on for a super-simple solution.
Scout On
Scouts CAN run their troop
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Posted: 8:15 06-22-2011 637
Past Trail's End
![camp birchwood for boys](http://www.activitytree.com/public/upload/provider/profile/Logo%20W%20Camp%20copy.jpg)
Earlier this month, I got to present Wilderness First Aid to the summer staff at Camp Birchwood for Boys. It is at the end, the very end, of the famous Gunflint Trail in Minnesota, only a stone's throw from Canada. When I reached the end of the trail, there was nothing but a mailbox with 'Camp Birchwood' on it indicating the camp, and a lake.
Fortunately, there was a small outfitter's building there so I asked if they knew where the camp might be. "Well, you've got to take a boat to get there," was the reply.
Fortunately again, the outfitter was a helpful sort and gave Birchwood a call letting them know I was waiting. Remember, I'm one of the five people left in the country that doesn't have a cell phone.
About ten minutes later a motorboat buzzed up, I dumped my training gear in, and we headed to camp - a bit further than the end of the trail. And, what a wonderful place it is! Boys that attend the camp go on canoe trips, or bike trips, or hiking trips, or rock climbing trips, or stay at camp. They have archery, shooting, sailing, windsurfing, kayaking, a river swing, and an enormous waterslide that dumps into the river. Most importantly, the directors and staff are great people running a super program. I got to meet some young guys from England, Ireland, and Scotland as well as around the USA. A few of them were scouts.
If you've got some scouts looking for a challenging job in 2012 a bit past the end of the beaten trail, you might point them towards Camp Birchwood. It's a leadership challenge in one of those beautiful, wild places left in the country.
Scout On
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Posted: 15:59 06-20-2011 636
Previous PostsComments:
Feb 25, 2023 - Joe Patterson
Just out of curiosity, are the Rockwell paintings on exhibit anywhere
Mar 16, 2023 - Adam John
Great question Joe! Have you checked out the Norman Rockwell Museum in
Stockbridge MA? (nrm.org) There is also the Rockwell Museum in Corning
NY. (rockwellmuseum.org) I believe the latter has more art. Hope this
helps!
Jan 21, 2024 - Johnna Downing
The Scouting museum at Philmont, Cimmaron, NM hopefully has the ones that
used to hang at the museum in Irving, TX. Good luck. Johnna
Scouting 2024 - Ask a Question - Add Content
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