Scoutmaster

Linear Versus Interactive Learning

In his essay The Impending Demise of the University Don Tapscott defines linear learning;

In the industrial model of student mass production, the teacher is the broadcaster. A broadcast is by definition the transmission of information from transmitter to receiver in a one-way, linear fashion. The teacher is the transmitter and student is a receptor in the learning process. The formula goes like this: "I'm a professor and I have knowledge. You're a student, you're an empty vessel and you don't. Get ready, here it comes. Your goal is to take this data into your short-term memory and through practice and repetition build deeper cognitive structures so you can recall it to me when I test you."

He asserts that this style of teaching and learning is changing

... students, who have grown up in an interactive digital world, learn differently. Schooled on Google and Wikipedia, they want to inquire, not rely on the professor for a detailed roadmap. They want an animated conversation, not a lecture. They want an interactive education, not a broadcast one.

That you are reading my blog is evidence of how the process of learning is changing from groups of learners gathering around an expert to people looking for information in a highly targeted, individual way.

Scouting is uniquely well positioned to take advantage of this shift because it has always been based on experiential, engaging hands-on learning. In the merit badge program Scouts pursue things that interest them individually, work interactively with a counselor and achieve on a highly individualized scale.

It is important that we understand the intention and unique nature of Scout instruction to apply it without defaulting to the linear model of lecture and test.

Here is some practical advice on how to take full advantage of the unique opportunity aforded us as Scoutmasters.

Instructional Methods for Scouts

1. Introduction
2. Round Robins
3. Guided Discovery
4. Coach and Pupil
5. Kim’s Game and Variations
6. Circle Up!
7. Preparing
8. Who Instructs?

All these posts as a PDF.

The Case For Working With Your Hands
Manual Training - Experiential Learning
Merit Badge Instruction

Einstein's Beast of Prey and the Holy Curiosity of Inquiry

IT IS, IN FACT, NOTHING short of a miracle that the modern methods of education have not yet entirely strangled the holy curiosity of inquiry; for this delicate little plant, aside from stimulation, stands mainly in need of freedom; without this it goes to wrack and ruin without fail. It is a very grave mistake to think that the enjoyment of seeing and searching can be promoted by means of coercion and a sense of duty. To the contrary, I believe that it would be possible to rob even a healthy beast of prey of its voraciousness, if it were possible, with the aid of a whip, to force the beast to devour continuously, even when not hungry, especially if the food, handed out under such coercion, were to be selected accordingly.
--Albert Einstein

The curious mind is voracious so long as it is free to follow its own course of inquiry.

The genius Einstein possessed bridled against the compulsion of formal education but free to follow its own course developed concepts that changed the world.

Many of us respond well to the discipline of education, many do not. I have had many Scouts who struggle with their grades but excel in other fields of inquiry. They may be expert in the intricacies of video gaming, skateboarding or fly fishing spending every waking moment engaged in thoughtful pursuit of goals we see as distractions. But these intense occupations bear witness to their considerable abilities of critical thinking, analysis and an endless capacity to learn.

Scouting capitalizes on this powerful instinct by opening a wide field of opportunity to study, to achieve and inquire, to seek out compelling experiences. Scouting best achieves its goals when it preserves free inquiry rather than a sense of coercion.

Like Einstein's beast of prey Scouts best advance on a timetable dictated by their own interest rather than one set by their leaders. Give them the resources and the latitude to set their own agenda and Scouts will exceed our expectations every time.

Green Hour

The National Wildlife Federation website Green Hour advocates

"...giving our children a "Green Hour" a day -- a bit of time for unstructured play and interaction with the natural world -- we can set them on the path toward physical, mental, and emotional well-being. .. Each week we publish a fresh issue full of activities and information to help guide the exploration and focus on fun."

I like the idea (however planning an hour of 'unstructured play' seems a contradiction in terms) of intentional nature study.

Here's a couple of examples that, with a little adaptation, can become part of a hike or camp out or Troop program:

Issue #91: Nature Table

What is it about kids and collecting things? Baseball cards, action figures, rocks. You name it, and they seem to collect it. Giving in to this natural drive to collect, I've let the kids start a small nature table in the family room. We started out with a shoe box, but delicate items like dried leaves and seed pods were getting crushed, so a table seemed to be a better solution.

We have a few rules. No more than 10 items each on the table at one time. If you collect an 11th, you have to take one of your other items back outside for someone else to find and treasure. Items larger than Dad's hand count as two. This system seemed fair to all, and the kids loved tracing his hand as the official measurement tool for our little museum.

Rocks, Leaves. Seed pods. A piece of bark. Pine cones. Simple things that are safe and easy to collect and have in the house. My daughter has made labels for each of the items, and a "Nature Museum" sign proudly hangs on the wall. They both delight in showing their friends what they have collected, and are always anxious to go out and find more "inventory."

A drawer in the table is now the home for our nature journal. We keep a couple of magnifying glasses and our binoculars and field guides there as well. It's become a one-stop-shop for all our nature discovery needs, and is fast becoming this mom's favorite part of the family room.

Hands-On Fun

No room for a Nature Table? No problem. You can make a nature shelf, tackle box, or even use a hanging cosmetic or shoe organizer to save space. Limit the size of your child's collectibles. Rotate out the inventory so it does not grow beyond your space.

Issue #54: Treasure Hunt

X marks the spot, and today the whole family is out looking for treasure! After reading a book about buried treasure to the kids, my husband got the bright idea that we should go on a family treasure hunt. Arrgghh -- a family of pirates are we, matey!

So, that’s exactly what we’re doing today. Each of the kids has made a colorful map -- featuring different nature paths at our favorite local park -- as the basis for our treasure hunt. They've also made a bunch of clues, written on slips of paper, to be hidden.

At the local dollar store, I’d purchased some stickers, magnifying glasses, and a few other trinkets to serve as the treasure, all of which fits neatly into some small boxes I had lying around the house. Instant treasure chests.

We've divided into teams and have hidden our treasures in the leaf litter alongside the trails, and have left clues under rocks and tied to tree branches along the way. Next, the kids will swap maps (and parents, so we can't tell them where to find the clues we’ve just helped to hide) and the true adventure can begin.

Oh, the fun we all will have! The kids are so excited that they’re already asking when the next treasure hunt will be and if they can bring their friends.

Patrol Outings

I would guess that one Troop in twenty schedules actual, independent Patrol outings. More likely than not the Patrols all go camping at once - AKA a Troop outing (like my Troop).

I haven't pursued independent Patrol outings for a couple of reasons;
Logistics - Planning, supplying and launching three or four separate outings is more difficult than planning one Troop outing.
Leadership - Maintaining prescribed levels of adult leadership would be a problem. Two adults with six or eight Scouts makes adult interference with Scout leadership almost inevitable

Our next outing will be a hybrid Troop/Patrol outing at our Scout Camp. Friday evening will be pretty routine. We have some activities planned for Saturday morning and afternoon. Late Saturday afternoon the Scouts will pack up their patrol and head out to separate campsites for the night. They'll be within a mile of our Friday Night spot and will function on their own - no adults, no senior Scouts. We'll find some excuse to drop by the campsites periodically and each patrol leader will have a two way radio. I am not concerned about their safety.

The Troop will reassemble the next morning and I'll be anxious to hear about the different patrol adventures.

UPDATE

The outing was a great success. Of course the Scouts enjoyed the independence and challenge of operating as a Patrol. They experienced a great snse of adventure and we look forward to building this kind of Patrol-based element into furture outings.

Program - Canned or Fresh?

Canned programs for Scouts are attractive because they are easy. They are also poor excuses for a Scout activity. Canned experiences require little preparation, skill development or leadership. In our part of the world there are whitewater rafting trips, ski weekends, museum lock-ins and similar activities that only require Scouts show up and be led by the hand through an activity or presentation.

Scoutmasters should be adamant that activities are aimed at fulfilling the promises of Scouting and not simply entertainment. Activities that Scouts plan and present for themselves, as imperfect or halting as they may be, are always preferable to a canned program.

All of our Scouts want to 'have fun'. Canned programs can be 'fun' but are simply an end in themselves. Fun is not an aim of Scouting but Scouting is fun. Scouts get a real sense of satisfaction from creating their own program. Scouting demands that Scouts be more than participants - they must be the planners, the leaders the developers.

A Scout-made program surpasses any canned program. When the Scouts have invested themselves in building a challenging, ambitious activity they benefit from something they have done for themselves.

Build Your Own High Adventure

High Adventure trips are generally thought of as long-term camping experiences in remote or otherwise remarkable areas for experienced Scouts and Scouters.

There are three heavily promoted National High Adventure Bases - Florida Sea Base, Northern Tier (Minnesota), and Philmont Scout Ranch (New Mexico). In addition many Councils have established High Adventure Programs. The other option is developing and leading your own high adventure trips.

Inspired by other 'home brewed' high adventure trips our Troop is planning it's fifth annual trip this summer. We will take eighteen Scouts and Leaders on an eight day canoe trip to Algonquin Provincial Park in Ontario, Canada.

There are several factors that make developing our own trips attractive;

• Cost - our trip is just about half of the current fee for our Council-led contingents to the BSA bases.
• Planning and Preparing - building your own high adventure program is more involved than the somewhat canned experiences available at the BSA Bases. This calls for crew members to be much more involved with the process and therefore makes the trip all that much more worthwhile. Scouts derive great satisfaction and valuable experience when they do it for themselves.
• Flexibility - We can schedule trips in a much more flexible time frame and suit the challenge to the participants. We can also plan our pre-trip shakedowns and meetings to suit our schedules.
• Crew Dynamics - Council contingents fill predetermined crew sizes. The good news is that you may get to spend a week or so with Scouts or leaders you don't know. This may be a chance to make new friends or a real ordeal. Filling a crew from a single Troop where everyone is familiar with one another makes the outcome more predictable.

The necessary specialized skills, knowledge and experience are not that difficult to develop. Consulting with other Scouters, searching the web and reading up on the place and activity your Troop chooses is half the fun.

Here are some resources to get you started:
Selden's High Adventure Resources - Some of the links are dated but this collection of information is bound to be useful. There is a great collection trip logs  on the web from Troops and Crews that  have designed their own high adventure experiences.
AMC Guide to Outdoor Leadership - A solidly well-written and thorough guide that merits close study by anyone leading groups in the outdoors.
Expedition Canoeing - No other book was more helpful in making our canoe adventures a success.

Neckerchief Official Policies and Practices

This is all the official verbiage you will find on wearing a neckerchief - anything else you have heard is  urban legend. From the BSA Insignia Guide :

The Neckerchief

Boy Scout neckerchiefs are optional. The troop decides by vote, and all members abide by the decision. If the neckerchief is not worn, then the shirt is worn with open collar. Boy Scout and Boy Scout leader neckerchiefs may be worn in a variety of plain colors and contrasting borders. Those available through Supply Group include the embroidered universal Scouting emblem if perma-press, or printed if not. Troops choose their own official neckerchief.

Local councils may prescribe the specific official neckerchief to be worn by Boy Scouts and Scouters on a council or district basis.

The neckerchief is worn only with the official uniform and never with T-shirts or civilian clothing. All members of a troop wear the same color.

Special neckerchiefs, the same size as the official ones, may be authorized by local councils. Such neckerchiefs may include identification of the chartered organization. The standard designed neckerchief may be personalized with troop number, city, and state. By troop approval an Eagle may wear an Eagle neckerchief.

Neckerchief slides. Several official slides are available from the Supply Group. Boy-made handicraft slides also  may be worn.

How to Wear the Neckerchief

a. Fold long edge over several flat folds to about six inches from tip of neckerchief. A tight fold prevents gathering around the neck and is more efficient than rolling or twirling.
b. The unit has a choice of wearing the neckerchief over the collar or under the collar.
c. Draw neckerchief slide over ends and adjust to fit snugly.
d. By vote of troop, ends may be left hanging loose or may be tied in a slipknot.

Related posts at Scoutmaster
Custom Neckerchiefs
Neckerchiefs

Custom Neckerchiefs

Neckerchiefs are one way to lend some Troop spirit to the uniform. Custom neckerchiefs are not too much more costly than those offered by national supply. Here are some sources for designing and buying custom neckerchiefs.

Moritz Embroidery Minimum Order Quantity on blank solid color neckerchiefs only 50 Pieces @ $5.50 each. If you are looking for a truly custom neckerchief choose from one of our plaid materials and add your own special touches with custom direct embroidery, silk screening, or sewn or iron on patches. From original concept to finished product, Moritz can handle any job. All of our plaid neckerchiefs have folded sewn hemmed edges. Prices: Blank plaid nerckerchiefs are just $6.85 each for a 50 piece order. (I have yet to find another place to get custom plaid neckerchiefs in the U.S.)

Stadri Custom Emblems Minimum order of 12, offers direct embroidery with prices starting at $10.95 each. Blank neckerchiefs in 75 fabric and piping colors start at $2.95 each.

Chief Neckerchief We have been designing custom neckerchiefs for the past 40+ years. Send us your ideas and we can make them as is or suggest some changes to enhance the overall appeal.  Neckerchiefs include a 1/4" fabric binding on all three sides.  We provide 1/2 of the order as a regular size 44" across the top and 1/2 as large size 48". (no pricing posted on website)

Scout's Custom Factory (Canada) Beginning at $4.95 each in many different configurations. Offers youth and adult sizes.

Scoutneckers.com (U.K.) Welcome to the No. 1 site for Scout and Guide neckerchiefs. Where we are pleased to offer you the largest collection to date. You can also learn about the history of the necker, and discover just how useful this piece of Scout equipment can be. This site also offers you the opportunity to buy or design your very own necker, for yourself or for your whole troop. Why not design your own unique "event " necker - on line.

Eastern Emblem Direct embroidered, screen printed, or patch sewn on or just plain. All scarves are official standard size and can be ordered as oversize as well. Minimum order 12 a $6.50 each.

Related posts at Scoutmaster
Neckerchief Official Policies and Practices
Neckerchiefs

Neckerchiefs

 

Called neckerchiefs, scarves, neckers they have been with us since Baden Powell published Scouting for Boys:

The Scout Uniform is very like the uniform worn by my men when I commanded the South African Constabulary. They knew what was comfortable, serviceable, and a good protection against the weather. So Scouts have much the same uniform. ...
... the scarf or neckerchief which is folded into a triangle with the point at the back of the neck. Every Troop has its own scarf color, and since the honor of your Troop is bound up in the scarf, you must be very careful to keep it clean and tidy. It is fastened at the throat by a knot, or "woggle", which is some form of ring made of cord, metal, or bone, or anything you like. The scarf protects your neck from sunburn and serves many purposes, such as for a bandage or as an emergency rope.

Love them or leave them neckerchiefs identify scouts as scouts the world over.

Scout Neckerchief resources at inquiry.net
Necessary Neckerchief
The Neckerchief is the thing by which Scouting is most quickly recognized the world over.
How to make a Traditional (square) Neckerchief
Ever wonder why your Troop doesn't look like a Norman Rockwell painting? One reason is the design of the Scout Neckerchief.  In the 1970s, the Neckerchief was relegated to its current position as an under-the-collar fashion accessory.   Baden-Powell designed the Neckerchief to protect the neck from sunburn, but even more important than this intended function was B-P's eye as an artist.  Around the world, a full-sized Neckerchief is the most striking aspect of the Scout Uniform!  The size of a Traditional Boy Scout Neckerchief is a square 32" X 32," and it is worn over the collar.

Scouting with a Neckerchief (1927)
... the Scout Uniform has been brightened by the addition of the colorful Scout kerchief, which is now regarded as an indispensable article of equipment for every member of the Boy Scouts of America. It is more than a part of the Scout Uniform; it is actually one of the most useful items of a Scout's equipment.

The Neckerchief as a reminder of the Scout Oath and Law
From uscouts.org

My first Scoutmaster taught the importance of the Scout Oath and Law using the Neckerchief. He would hold the open neckerchief in his hands and remind the young scouts of what the last item of clothing they put on when they were getting dressed for the meeting was, his neckerchief.

He said that it was no coincidence that the neckerchief had 3 sides, just like the three parts of the       Scout oath. He would run a side through his fingers and say "On my honor, I'll do my best. To do my duty to God" The first and longest side is to remind you of your long standing duty to God. This whole side is hidden from view, just as your faith is deep inside you. But with out that faith, there is no strength for the rest.

Holding on to the neckerchief by the point he would run the next side through his fingers and say "To help other people at all times...." This shorter side is to remind you of your duty to help others. Remember it is some of this duty that shows to others, just like part of this side of your neckerchief      shows. So do your duty to others well so that people might see the good work you do in the name of Scouting.

The last side also shows. He would say "To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight." This last side is your duty to your self. This shows to others as well. They will know that by seeing your uniform, you are a young  man who is physically fit. Has a strong moral foundation and who is not apt to fall into the temptations of drugs and alcohol. He would then say that this was a means by which we could remember the Scout Oath, every time we got dressed in uniform.

He also gave us a means by which to remember the Scout Law. While wrapping the neckerchief up for wear, he said to wrap it tight in small twists, 12 in fact. And to repeat the 12 points of the Scout Law as you did so. Then as you placed your neckerchief around your neck for wear, the elements of the Scout     Oath and Law were with you. They were in fact part of you.   

Related posts at Scoutmaster
Neckerchief Official Policies and Practices
Custom Neckerchiefs

Downloads Available from Scoutmaster

Over the past couple of years I have`attempted to post some reference and resources that I have found valuable. Below are those things that I have set up in PDF files that can be downloaded directly from the blog:

PIONEERING BOOKLET I put this booklet together for our scouts when we were working on pioneering merit badge. Knots, lashings and methods that were absent from or poorly explained in the official merit badge book are included. The average merit badge book is rather dismal; hopefully this one is a little more engaging. The booklet includes the revised requirements as of 1/06

The PDF is set to print the booklet on 8 1/2 x 11 paper, two sides, folded in half and stapled on the spine. AXE MANUAL Many of us have only seen a tree chopped down with an axe in the movies, or on TV and fail to recognize the danger or finesse involved in felling even a small tree: A tree can be hacked down in a haphazard, laborious fashion or it can be dropped easily and quickly -exactly where you want it to go. Fayette R. Plumb Inc. engaged 'America's Champion Chopper' Peter McLaren to write a manual for their product- the redoubtable Plumb Axe. Though it was published in in the 1930's the advice us as relevant today as it was then. Photo illustrations make the concise text descriptions easy to understand. The sections available to view here are How to Sharpen and Care for Your Axe, How to Use an Axe, Felling a Tree and Playing it Safe. A pdf of is available to download.

NIGHT HIKE OUTLINE Next campout take your Scouts and a few rolls of Wint-O-Green Lifesavers on a night hike. A well planned night hike is an exciting experience with practical results. Scouts can learn about wildlife, to conquer their fear of the dark, how their eyes work and some interesting science. Here's an Download NightHike.pdf (75.0K)outline (PDF file) I have used (based on a variety of sources found online)

INSTRUCTIONAL METHODS FOR SCOUTS There is a magic moment when an instructor, counselor, teacher, scoutmaster connects with their pupil, camper, student, Scout in a way that real learning takes place. This kind of eureka moment is not just a chance occurance; it is a result of applying effective methods. Most of us default to 'classroom' methods of teaching and evaluating; methods where the teacher is active and the pupils are passive. Lecture style instruction is never as effective or compelling as a process of guided discovery. These situations are more likely to result in frustration rather than learning. Effective methods of instructing Scouts are not simply classroom methods disguised by renaming them; they are actually different methods. It may be useful to eliminate some classroom methods from the outset; •    No lectures lasting more than about 2 minutes (a lecture, for our purposes, is defined as pupils passively listening to an instructor speak) •    No preprinted written tests or evaluations •    No handouts over 1 page long (back and front) •    No extensive note taking •    No 'homework' Now that we have eliminated most of the methods of instructing common in Scout Troops and Camp we can examine methods (in the next several postings to this blog) that inspire the spirit of inquiry and active learning that is the goal of Scouting. Instructional Methods for Scouts Introduction Round Robins Guided Discovery Coach and Pupil Kim’s Game and Variations Circle Up! Preparing Who Instructs? All these posts as a PDF.

'World Champion Fire Starter' Eagle Scout Dudley Winn Smith from Independence, Missouri held the record for starting a fire using a bow and drill. The 1937 book Games and Recreational Methods for Clubs, Camps and Scouts, C.F. Smith, records his winning method.  I have tried this out and it works(!) "When the starter said ‘Go’ I drew my bow back and forth with long complete strokes. In about three seconds a little pile of smoking black charcoal issued from the pit. Then I stopped rubbing, picked up both the board and the tinder and blew directly onto the smoking pile, which immediately turned into a red ember. In 71/5 seconds after I drew the first stroke the tinder burst into flame. Luckily for me the three timers all agreed. The suggestions below are given in hopes that they will help you make fire rapidly. I worked a long time before I was able to produce a blaze in less than a minute. Do not get discouraged if you fail at first; keep trying and you are sure to succeed. " The full instructions are in this PDF.