Scoutmaster

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.

Walking tour of churches preaches tolerance to Scouts

Saturday, November 24, 2007

By Ann Rodgers, Pittsburgh Post-Gazette

While others slept off the turkey yesterday morning, 375 Boy Scouts and their families hiked through Oakland and Shadyside, visiting houses of worship to hear how the faith traditions understand the 10 Commandments.

It was intended to be a lesson in tolerance, and it was. They heard from Jews, Catholics, Baptists, Christian Scientists, Hindus, Buddhists and even an atheist Unitarian.

For John Welsh, 17, from Bethel Park, it was about learning to interpret differences.

"You see that all of the religions are based on the same principles, but you also see how they vary, and what the differences are," he said.

"It helps you look at something that is ornate and find out what is behind it, or look at something that is plain and why it was made that way."

Full article at the Pittsburgh Post Gazette

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Reverence
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Baden Powell on Training Scouts

WHEN I visit a district to inspect Scouts a big parade of them is held at which as many as possible are present, but though this is the only way in which a large number can be seen at one time, I think we must all feel -- Scouts, Scoutmasters, and myself -- that it is, after all, a formal affair which really does not give very much opportunity of testing the individual qualities of the boys or the officers.

I therefore make a point of going about whenever I can get a spare hour or two to watch Scouts at their work when not under the limelight of a formal inspection.

I have done a good deal of this lately, as a rule unknown to the Troops concerned, and one or two points which I noted may be of interest.

I have been on the whole very pleased with what I have seen, but I need not enlarge upon this. I would rather point out where I think improvement might in some cases be made, and I am sure Scoutmasters will not think that I am writing in any spirit of faultfinding, but with the sole desire to help them in their work.

In the first place, many Scoutmasters seem to have read /Scouting for Boys/ once, and then to have gone off into other forms of training, some of which are not always very good for the boys.  As I have written before now, the Great Aim should be kept before one, whereas some Scoutmasters have evidently fallen back on to certain ideas of training which were familiar to them, but which really have no reference to forming the individual character of the lads.

Too much drill, too little woodcraft, is a usual fault. To make the lads disciplined while using therol ir own wits is our aim -- much on the principle of the sailor's handiness, and not so much on the machine-like routine life of the soldier. Stick to the lines of the handbook and develop on them.

Baden Powell's OUTLOOKS June 1910.

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Scoutmasters at the Troop Meeting

Scoutmasters spend an inordinate amount of time worrying over the entertainment quality of their Troop Meetings.  So far as I can tell they are actually running the meetings - this is a big no no.

A Troop meeting is not a television show hosted by the Scoutmaster. 

Here's some thoughts from (presumably) an old Scoutmaster's Handbook on Inquiry.net

As the years have gone by, some Scoutmasters have set this Troop Meeting upon a too elevated pedestal.  They have spoken of it reverently; they have spent hours and hours in perfecting its programs and have seemed to consider that the conducting of a Troop meeting successfully once a week was the whole idea and purpose of the Scout Movement-that by running a fine, lively meeting on Friday nights-or Tuesdays or Thursdays-their work was done for seven days.

There never was a falser idol set up than this glorification of the weekly Troop meeting to the exclusion of other forms of Scout activity.

We must keep clearly in mind at all times that the weekly Troop meeting is but a means to an end.  It is not an end in itself.  Its business is not to be the Scouting of your Troop for a week.  Its business is to make Scouting for a week-to inspire it, to pep it up, to give it purpose and activities, to make it extend all through the week in each Patrol's and each boy's life.

We can't accomplish much actual work in one and a half or two hours every week, but we can use those hours to motivate every other hour of the same period.   And by motivate we mean to stimulate activity by providing a motive to every boy and every Patrol ...

 

 

... The Troop meeting can have great value     by simply bringing the boys together for a common experience.  It can make them feel     they belong together, as parts of the whole big Scouting Brotherhood.

More from the One Minute Scoutmaster

The young man was still puzzled. "Okay, let's go back a minute. If you guys do everything without the SM's guidance, how do you know what to do at meetings and activities?"

"I thought you'd want to know that." Rob grinned. "It's really simple. We know because we all sit down together and plan everything. We mostly come up with the program plan, but he provides the materials and some suggestions. But everybody has to agree on what we're going to do, and everything we agree to gets written down. Everybody keeps a copy so that there's no doubt later of who agreed to do what. It takes a lot of work for us, but we get to do what we want to do, not what a bunch of adults think we should."

Additional resources at Scoutmaster

Fun

 

Rods, Cones and Wint-O-Green Lightning

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 excerpt from the Download NightHike.pdf (75.0K)outline (PDF file) I have used (based on a variety of sources found online)

Humans do not see colors well at night. The retina contains two types of photoreceptor (light sensitive) cells, rods and cones. The rods are more numerous, some 120 million, and are more sensitive than the cones. However, they are not sensitive to color. The 6 to 7 million cones provide the eye's color sensitivity.
The only other animals that can see colors nearly as well as humans are diurnal (active during the day) birds. This is demonstrated in that many female birds choose their mates by the bright coloration of the males.    

In order to survive at night nocturnal animals have to find food in the dark. Some have developed a highly-advanced sense of smell or specialized hearing abilities such the echolocation used by some bats. Others acquired eye adaptations for improved night vision     Nocturnal animals generally have proportionately larger eyes, with wider pupils and larger lenses that can collect more light. For example, an owl's eyes fill over one half its skull. Many nocturnal animals cannot move their eyes within the orbit. Instead, they have evolved extraordinary rotational ability in the neck. Owls can rotate their neck through 270°.

Here is a downloadable outline in PDF format Night Hike

Related resources at Scoutmaster:
Astronomy and Scouts
Astronomy and Scouts - Tools
Astronomy and Scouts - Web Resources