How do you rate the BSA's 10 essentials?

CM_Rick said:
Handle using cordage appropriately. Little guys tend to do things like wrapping it around their fingers and/or hands tightly, cutting off circulation. Tying rocks or make-shift grappling hooks to it and swinging them around. Stuff like that is what I want to avoid. So, I'm asking what anyone thinks would be an appropriate age to introduce cordage into their kits. Thinking about it, we do officially introduce the blade at the 3rd grade level. So, 3rd grade might be appropriate. Thoughts?
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Rick,

I forgot to add I was in Cubs too! We didn't do anything with cordage when I was in Cubs or Webelos. If anything I would think that starting at Webelos level would be ok.
 
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CM_Rick said:
Handle using cordage appropriately. Little guys tend to do things like wrapping it around their fingers and/or hands tightly, cutting off circulation. Tying rocks or make-shift grappling hooks to it and swinging them around. Stuff like that is what I want to avoid. So, I'm asking what anyone thinks would be an appropriate age to introduce cordage into their kits. Thinking about it, we do officially introduce the blade at the 3rd grade level. So, 3rd grade might be appropriate. Thoughts?
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Not to mention tying other kids up. O____O

I am not telling you anything, but the younger the subjects, the greater the need for adult supervision. And one-on-one is the best ratio for teaching knots, hitches, and lashings even for adult subjects.

I have never taught knots to kids younger than Bear (9 more-or-less). There were no problems. But we focused very strongly on safety issues. (They WILL go home and try things out with drapery cord or whatever else they find, so they need to take away what is good and bad.)

Here's a fun site: http://www.activitytv.com/471-knot-impossible
 
Yeah, it's just where I am Cubmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster I have to think of all age groups. I'll probably just stick to the WEBELOS having cordage on them. Kids understand that knives are dangerous, but I don't think they are ready to accept the possible danger of cutting off circulation with cordage. Cordage alone does not appear dangerous.
 
I guess I am lucky, I had excellent scout leaders, almost all were very proficient in at least one area of outdoor lore. We had excellent hunters, navigators, and outdoor cooks ;)

Most had a good amount of common sense too.

Once, a scoutmaster and I had stayed late shooting a black powder rifle at a public range, a 3-4 mile hike from our camp. Everyone else had departed several hours before and we lost track of time having a shooting competion and sunst was upon us. All we had was a pin-on bubble compass, a bag of carmel chews and a canteen between the two of us and his rifle and possibles bag. I those days I carried a gerber gator folder on every campout. We started off and quickly lost the poorly marked trail due to darkness. We sat down, ate some candy and had a drink. Then he calmly used the situation as a learning experience and had me use dead reconing back to our camp using star navigation. We got in well after midnight....could we have been more prepared? yes. I was probably 16 and don't remember being scared or worried at all, because I was supremely confident in the outdoor skills of this leader. And he was good leader because he made me solve the problem with my own knowledge and skills.

My hats off to all who volunteer for BSA.

Now back to the OP...

I think the scout ten essentials are a good base line, in fact even in the scout handbook (I still have mine-signed out all the way to Eagle;) ) you are supposed to augment them accordingly with additional items as required by the type of outdoor activity you are enjoying. The main thing is it teaches you a "be prepared" mindset. This lesson still follows me to this day. My son is 5 and will begin scouts next year - and I look forward to getting involved. BE PREPARED is one of the best lessons you can learn - it teaches you self reliance and accountablity as well as responsibility to the team.

Typically, I add my CC weapon and ammo to the list, since I carry them around EDC anyway. I also bring a canteen cup everytime I hit the outdoors - a good insurance policy if you ever need to boil water.

Some will add an subtract as required for thier purposes ... and this is good. It the preparedness mindset and skills owned that will carry the day.
 
darthstrevel,

good post and well said. Enjoy your son's time in scouts, and it's your chance to be a kid again. lol
 
in regards to the kids learning about cordage, I would use your judgement, by all means have a go with the younger kids but if you dont think there mature enough to use it in a responsible manner, wait till they get older and just teach the more mature guys.
 
yeah, that's pretty much the best idea, stew. I've got about 50/50 of scouts that would be mature enough vs. those that wouldn't be. I'll probably start cordage with webelos and boy scouts.
 
good luck Rick, Im sure you will be fine mate, have fun and take care out there
 
CM_Rick said:
Sunscreen
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As others have said, there are scores of "10 Essentials" lists floating around, each a bit different. Personally, this is the one item on that list that I consider the most situational. Perhaps in the desert or high altitudes this is truly "essential", but personally in most situations I would rather have along some extra clothing instead. :cool:
 
adaman04 said:
Really it's a pretty good list. And the parts we disagree on, we have to remember this was focused towards boys 18 and under. I do with BSA would go back to including the usefullness of a small fixed blade knife, but the problem is that a lot of kids show up with a $15 sawback "survival knife" and it truly is dangerous because it is a weak, poor design and dull as a butter knife.

Scouting is a great organization and that they even teach any of this is great.

Eagle Scout, 2001 here.
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Adaman:

Give the kids a list of acceptable knives. Start with things like the Mora or the Cold Steel Canadian/Russell knife
 
CM_Rick said:
Agreed. The only time I advise scouts to leave their location, when lost, is in the event of severe weather coming down on top of them. The latest program for kids (not scouts) is called "hug a tree and survive." I happened to be at a seminar in Gatlinburg for this. It is basically the same advice of just staying put, don't run, panic, or throw clothing away, and keep a trash bag (for a bivy) in their pocket and a whistle. But, they tell the kids the tree can be their friend and they can talk to it while they sit still. The problem is a thunderstorm, or the tree being dead and a possible widow maker. I teach scouts how to identify possible dead fall trees and to avoid them while hiking or camping. Also, I teach scouts about what to do in case severe weather comes down on them suddenly.

Linton,
As for the items individual importance, I just stick to the rule of them all having equal importance. That way they carry them all at all times. You are correct, first aid is the most important in practicality.
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Years ago my family went camping. At the time my niece and nephew were seven and nine. I gave them each a whistle and told them, “If you get lost, hug a tree. Blow your whistle. Stay where you are until someone finds you.”

Later they tagged along as my father went fishing. They got lost. They hugged a tree. They blew their whistles. They blew their whistles. They hugged their tree. My father thought it was loggers blowing whistles. He went on fishing.

Eventually the kids got bored with whistling. They fell out of love with the tree. So they struck out on their own, and found their way back to camp.
 
Raymond1000 said:
Years ago my family went camping. At the time my niece and nephew were seven and nine. I gave them each a whistle and told them, “If you get lost, hug a tree. Blow your whistle. Stay where you are until someone finds you.”

Later they tagged along as my father went fishing. They got lost. They hugged a tree. They blew their whistles. They blew their whistles. They hugged their tree. My father thought it was loggers blowing whistles. He went on fishing.

Eventually the kids got bored with whistling. They fell out of love with the tree. So they struck out on their own, and found their way back to camp.
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You father didn't notice the kids were missing? There must be more to the story. I'm guessing your father wanted to fish in peace and knew the kids were OK.

Three blows on the whistle is the emergency signal.
 
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