thescoutmasterminute

June 27, 2011

BSA FIT

I am not sure if you all are aware yet.. but there is a website to help you and your Scouts to get and stay Fit.
I figured after my last post, that there should be some solutions offered as well. We can all stand to be better fit and lose a few unwanted pounds.
So check out BSA FIT and get FIT!
Check out the Boy’s Life Gym too.. this is a neat resource in getting you and your Scouts on the trail to fitness!
As for me and my unit.. we are looking into how we can get fit! Join us and the rest of the BSA, especially all the great Scouts and Scouters that are participating in #100daysstrong!
Have a Great Scouting Day!

June 16, 2011

Electronics and Scouting

There are many out there that feel that there is no place for electronics in Scouting.. no phones, ipods, or gps units. Well I tend to disagree with those folks, but with this caveat, training, skills, and appropriate time and place.
Training. IF you are going to use a gps unit you need to know how to read a map and compass. Goecaching has made gps very popular and has taken away some of the map and compass skills that we use in the field. The game of geocaching on the other hand has gotten lots of folks out in the woods and hiking from point to point. I love this idea, but… add the map and compass skill to your list when hunting for your next treasure. Total reliance on the gps may leave you stranded when the batteries die. the compass and map will never fail you. So map and compass training is a must.
Training in basic camping (outdoor) skills are a must. Knot tying, First aid, and setting camp, cooking, and the principles of leave no trace are all must have skills. Your iPhone can help in those endeavors. There are great apps out there that teach skills. The Boy Scout handbook is a nice tool on the iPhone to take Scouting where the Scout is… on his phone.
In my troop we do not discourage the use of electronics. Game units, gps, iPhones, etc are all welcome. We do not have a written policy or a guidebook on how and when to use these items, it is understood however that there is an appropriate time and place. Once a Scout understands the when and where and the fact that we welcome technology the instances of abuse are rare. It is a matter of teaching, trusting, and letting them lead in the use of their electronics.
I think that there is a place for electronics in Scouting… and Scouting thinks so too. If you trust your Scouts to do the right thing, train them in the proper use, and then establish the appropriate time and place that it all can be used, it will naturally find its place in your unit.
There recently was a good article in Backpacker magazine about skills and the iPhone.. check it out here.
Let me know what you think. Leave a comment or drop me an email.
Have a Great Scouting Day!

April 7, 2011

New G2SS – NO PATROL CAMPING!

In the new Guide to Safe Scouting there has been a rule change on allowing Patrols to camp alone.. without Adult supervision. This was always a great part of my Scouting experience when I was a youth and it is a bit heart breaking to see that the BSA has changed this. I know it is because of Lawyer’s and over protective parenting… Boys are no longer allowed to be boys.

BUT Worry not Scouters that love the real Patrol method. Your Patrols can still camp alone.. well kinda.. 2 Deep leadership does not mean holding their hand. They can still camp in their own camp site.. away from adults. Adult leadership need only be present.. but not on top of them.

We do this all the time. The Scouts take off down the trail.. they establish a camp site, we make one a couple hundred yards away. That is still in range to provide the necessary “Leadership”.. and yes I use that in quotes.. we should not be providing “Leadership” at all. We provide guidance, mentoring, coaching.. but not “Leadership”. In fact it is not really leadership at all in the Boy Scout program.. the Safety Sandwich talks about Supervision and Discipline. We adults provide adequate supervision. And if you can accomplish that by being a fair distance away than you are well within the G2SS. I am not saying buck the system. I am saying allow Boys to be Boys. Allow them to explore and seek adventure. Allow them to be alone with their buddies, not having to look over their shoulder to see if an adult is going to jump in. Never forsake safety or propriety… but let them go. Supervise and train them to do what is right, and they will. I have faith in them… just like my Scoutmaster had faith in me.

Anyway. Let them camp alone.. just be near by. The results are the same. Patrol time.
Here is the link to the new Guide to Safe Scouting.

Have a Great Scouting Day!