Scoutmaster

Knives for Scouts - Leatherman Wave

I have had a few different multi tools over the years but none of them compare to the Leatherman Wave. I read lot's of multi tool reviews and the Wave came out on top in each one. The wave is solidly built an each component functions extraordinarily well. I blanched slightly at spending around seventy bucks for mine, but it has proved it's worth many times over.  I carry the Wave at work and when I am out in the woods and it has yet to let me down.

Available at Amazon and at my Amazon Store Scoutmaster Essentials

Knives for Scouts - Russell Sheath Knife

The Guide to Safe Scouting states:

Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish.

That's all you will find in any official National literature although camps may have their own rules regarding  carrying sheath knives. I keep a sheath knife in my gear mostly for kitchen chores my favorite being the Russell. Nessmuk (George W. Sears), one of the founding fathers of camping as we know it, had this to say about sheath knives:

A word as to knife, or knives. These are of prime necessity, and should be of the best, both as to shape and temper. The “bowies” and “hunting knives” usually kept on sale, are thick, clumsy affairs, with a sort of ridge along the middle of the blade, murderous-looking, but of little use; rather fitted to adorn a dime novel or the belt of “Billy the Kid,” than the outfit of the hunter. The one shown in the cut is thin in the blade, and handy for skinning, cutting meat, or eating with.

Knives are the single most written about, discussed and studied piece of outdoor gear. Here's an extensive article that is part of an astounding archive about knives. I don't hunt or play army any more so I need a simple, practical knife that is sturdy enough for the woodpile and delicate enough to slice vegetables. The knife lives in my pack, not on my belt (I've discussed why elsewhere) Best of all it is available for fifteen or twenty bucks.

The Russell sheath knife also allows for a little romance. The design has not changed appreciably in a 150 years or so. You will have to make your own sheath (only adding to the knife's mystique)-
Making a pouch sheath
Making a simple leather sheath

Russell Sheath Knife Available from Memphis Net and Twine.

Knives for Scouts - Safety and Offical Policy

Not the actual stitches mentioned below

The infamous record for my Troop is eight.

Stitches, that is.

Minor knife cuts are reasonably rare and I can recall only three trips to the emergency room because of a knife in twenty three years ( about 1000  days and nights camping) of being a Scoutmaster.

Knife safety is comprised of training in common sense augmented by careful attention. I have heard any number of old wives's tales about sheath knives and official policies - here is the straight dope on the subject:

From The Guide to Safe Scouting

A sharp pocketknife with a can opener on it is an invaluable back country tool. Keep it clean, sharp, and handy. Avoid large sheath knives. They are heavy and awkward to carry, and unnecessary for most camp chores except for cleaning fish. Since its inception, Boy Scouting has relied heavily on an outdoor program to achieve its objectives. This program meets more of the purposes of Scouting than any other single feature. We believe we have a duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility.

To my knowledge this language hasn't changed in a good many years. Sheath knives (even large ones) are not prohibited, but we are cautioned to avoid large sheath knives. Good advice.

Scouts learn how to handle wood's tools (knife saw and axe) by earning a Totin' Chip card

From the reverse of the card -
This certification grants a Scout the right to carry and use woods tools. The Scout must show his Scout leader, or someone designated by his leader, that he understands his responsibility to do the following:    
1. Read and understand woods tools use and safety rules from the Boy Scout Handbook.    
2. Demonstrate proper handling, care, and use of the pocket knife, ax, and saw.    
3. Use the knife, ax, and saw as tools, not playthings.    
4. Respect all safety rules to protect others.    
5. Respect property. Cut living and dead trees only with permission and with good reason.    
6. Subscribe to the Outdoor Code.
The Scout's "Totin' Rights" can be taken from him if he fails in his responsibility.

Historic Archive of Boy's Life Magazine

An unofficial archive of Boy's Life Magazine that features many scans of old Boy's Life covers like the one above.

The first issue of Boys' Life appeared in March of 1911... not too many years later it became the official magazine of the Boy Scouts of America, and it has since gone on to over 1,100 issues... and still publishing!

This site is a work in progress, a "catalog" of the David Britton Collection of Boys' Life — a collection which includes almost all the issues!

We realized that a full reference for Boy's Life was unavailable on the web, and that an index to all the articles, authors and illustrators would be a valuable resource for many researchers. To this end we have begun a Boys' Life database, and as new issues are added, they will appear here.

LINK to the archive

Purifying Water - How Long to Boil?

I have been saying for years that all one had to do is raise water to the boiling point to purify it and have received many skeptical looks in return. Here is a reasoned examination that explains exactly why this is true;

The fact is, with a water temperature of 165 degrees F (74 C) it takes just half an hour for all disease causing organisms to be inactivated. At 185 degrees this is cut to just a few minutes. By the time water hits its boiling point of 212 F (100 C) the water is safe. Even at high altitudes the time it takes for the water to reach a rolling boil and then cool means you can safely drink it.

There are many, many sources that will disagree but just reaching the boiling point is all that is needed. Read the full story;

• How Long Do You Need To Boil Water?          
• How Long Must Water Be Boiled Revisited

From Survival Blog at Survival Topics

Off to Camp!

I'm off for a week at Camp on Sunday ! I have some posts lined up for next week but I'll be whiling away the hours at Chester County Council's Camp Horseshoe. Here's an excerpt from our leader's guide I wrote some time ago:

Leadership at Camp
The best and only leadership method in Scouting is the Patrol Method. Camp Horseshoe's program will help strengthen and build Patrols.
Here are a few dos and don'ts:
• Do allow Patrols to plan and carry out some of the things they think of and want to do.
• Do allow for and suggest some free time so that a Scout can go and experience interesting areas of Camp with a pal or two.
• Do be sure that throughout the week Scouts achieve personal advancement while having fun.
• Do set a tone that lends real class to any troop. Insist on manners, good fellowship, sportsmanship, clean fun and a clean camp.
• Do informally talk to each Patrol every day so that you know what is going on.
• Don't allow Scouts to get too busy to enjoy themselves. Camp should be a challenge, but not a grind.
• Don't emphasize activities that can be better done back home; take advantage of the unique things that Horseshoe has to offer.
• Don't give Scouts a title and a leadership position and then do all the leading yourself.

No matter how many years (23) I go back to camp as a Scoutmaster I do have to remind myself what a Scoutmaster does at camp; keeps out of the way of the Scouts!

Scouts in Antartica?

Scouts in Antarctica?   here are a couple of pictures -

Looks like a nice day for a hike.

Nice pioneering projects too!

I would like to know more about Grupo Scout NRO. 3 "Esperanza" if you have any information  The Antarctica Argentina is considered part of Argentina. Here is a history of the base that is home to the scouts.

Virtual National Parks

If you are stuck behind a desk here's a great website for taking a quick (virtual) vacation: VirtualParks.

The product of eleven years of hiking, exploring, and VR photography, VirtualParks.org is a successful proof of concept that showed high quality panoramas could excite people about our wild places. Since 1995, millions of people have visited this site and gotten a glimpse of what it's like to visit incredible wilderness locales such as Kings Canyon, Crater Lake, Yosemite, Banff, Zion, Arches, Big Basin, Mono Lake and hundreds of other parks & preserves.

I must say that these are some really stunning panoramas that are easy to loose yourself in.
Via The Goat
Link to VirtualParks

What 'Partly Cloudy' Means, and More

What does the weather forecast mean by 'Partly Cloudy' or '30 percent chance of rain'?
Heres a post at the Algonquin Canoe Trips Blog that will answer some questions.

SEE ALSO
General Forecast Terminology from NOAA.

TRIX Tick Lasso

Here's another tick removal tool that looks promising. The concept is similar to the Tick Twister but is reportedly more effective. This tool uses a steel lasso to isolate and remove large or small ticks.

TRIX is the ULTIMATE Tick Remover. We have looked at various Tick Removal systems and this one is by far the easiest product to use. Its safe for you and your pets. For your cat or dog its painless and removes the entire tick. You must remove the entire tick so no saliva remains to enter the blood stream.

Made of ABS plastic with a carbon fiber lasso, this product is made to last which is why it carries a 10 year limited warranty. Made in Sweden, you know the quality of the workmanship is legendary.

Available from Ultimate Pet Products
Via Cool Tools

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Ixodes Scapularis or Tick Season
Tick Twister
Treatment for Bites and Stings
Ultrathon