Scouts

[Liam Ryan]

Hey guys, pitmans thread about teaching his son brought back memories of my days in cubs, never made it very far, and all we did was build cub cars
to race down a ramp, that was the big thing, and we played ball hockey and
did bottle drives. One time we went on a fishing trip.
I remember it was fun, but I remember there was almost no encouragment to earn our badges.
I now have the urge to help out scouts in some way, if the program is even running back home in NS.I think its really important to teach kids about the wilderness and survival.
I'd like to hear everyones own scouts experience and thoughts.

 

[Lindey]

Cubs we mostly stuck to indoor camping but did some nice hikes. Scouts on the other hand was a bit more beneficial. Once a year we'd do a big outdoor camp at camp Wataskawin in the short hills. We'd sleep in leanto's that we build the weekend before. ONe of the other real character building experiences was a 25km hike through the shorthills. That was a big learning experience in itself. I rembember repacking my pack the proper way and eating as much of my food as i could spare after the first portion was done. Before going off to University I was a cub leader for a little while and tried to show them a bit more practical skills other than cubcar building. I think one problem is is that since leadership is solely volunteer based it is often a take what you can get operation therefore those that get leaders who truely know their bushcraft are lucky. I've often considered getting involved again unfortunately my work shcedule just would permit such a commitment.

-LIndey

 

[flybri]

i'm a leader in vancouver... was a cub leader for 3 years, and now i'm a venturer (14-18 yrs old) leader. it's good to get the kids outdoors, regardless of what age... we'll put emphasis into the 'kub kars' when the time comes, but the key was doing 3-4 trips (usually cabin camping) per year, and getting them comfortable out there. once they can pick up the mentality that the wilderness/outdoors isn't some dangerous mysterious place of animal attacks and extreme weather, they'll be able to enjoy themselves and learn more skills as they get older.

the problem with venturers is that they have so many other commitments like school exams and homework... it's hard to get them going.

liam... it must be quite the thing to have an outdoor program up in nunavut!

 

[Liam Ryan]

They have a thing up here called junior rangers, its like cadets.
Rangers are the northern millitia, they help in search and rescue and train with the millitary when they come up here. Their arctic survival skills are unsurpassed, them being mostly made up of hunters with all the traditional skills.
I would love to get out and learn a few things from them, but I would be able to teach very little of the skills necessary to survive up here.

 

[matthew krissak]

I started with beavers, then went on to cubs, from there to scouts and moved on to ventures. then i moved away for school, so im not in the program anymore. i spent 14 years in scouts, and loved it. ive build lots of camp sites and trails, for scouts Canada. We did lots of camping, in cabins or tents. even competed against other troops and we always did very well. when i finish school and settle down, i will defiantly want to be a scout leader, and keep this program running for a long time.

 

[Lindey]

I started cubs after a trip to the local fair. Scouts Canada had a booth set up. My my was really for it since she was in Guide's and she talked my dad into it since my younger brother and I were both interested. It's funny because he was so apprehensive about it at first and it took some persuasion on my moms part, a few years later he was a Cub leader, Scout Leader and District Commisioner.
Maybe it's different where some of you guys are. But I find that around here there's a bit of a stigma attached to scouting that tends to deter today's youth as "It's not cool".
On a side note, Liam Ryan, that Junior Ranger group you speak of sounds pretty interesting. I like they way it seems to teach practical skills in addition to being useful to the community.

Take care all.
-Lindey

 

[mymindisamob]

I was a cub/boy scout, but eventually was asked to leave. I was a very agressive young man, and loved to show the shortcomings of any authoritive figure. I excelled, but failed to do well in team like tasks and environments. Much later in life, I had 2 boys go through the ranks and do very well. Later I became a Charter Rep and taught family survival skills through extended BSA camp trips. I found myself courting disaster, and doing no one any service, bucking the standardized fashion in which people were being educated through BSA. All in all, if you can find a troop with a real support for the kinds of activities you want kids to enjoy and learn from, Hang on dear.

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys...

I'm just getting back into scouting..Took a break for a few years,,and now my little ones are of Beaver age,,so it's time again..

I may also be a Venture Advisor..They Ventures want me as their Advisor..
That's Scary!!!

I'm not your average Scout leader, and my picture will not be found in any Leaders manuals or such...
I'm a little different type of Leader..

I like to teach my scouts cool stuff,, and get htem doing things that aren't found in any manuals..

The last camp I did with my scouts I asked them what they wanted to do...

They wanted to sleep in home made shelters and tube tents.. Done.
They wanted me to shoot a Squirrel and cook it for them. Done
They wanted to make traps. Done
They wanted to learn how to make fire different ways. Done...

I've had them eat meal worms, ants,fish flies ect...

When they come home from a camp their parents just shake their heads...

Heres a couple of pics of that last camp.

We'll see how this year turns out..Already have some plans for them,,and a few camps where I'll be teaching them firemaking...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

 

[Fiddleback]

I had a great time in the Scouts as a boy. Me and 4 buddies joined cubs together, and three of us achieved Eagle on the same day years later. (Troop 61 in Rayne Louisianna) I got to camp a lot. Our camp had a little private lake full of crappie, bass, and catfish. We got to eat boiled crawfish yearly. We went on trips to camps in the area. We wen to scout-a-rama, and were participants.

Scouting tought me a lot. I'm grateful.

 

[idroptapul]

I was in US boy scouts for about 7 years, though I never advanced passed 2nd class. That wasn't the point in troop 221-Cincinnati. The reason I kept coming back was for our scoutmaster. We had this 67 year-old guy named "Mac", not a parent or anything, who had been in scouting since he was 11. He was a WW2 vet and every piece of equipment he owned was about as old as our parents. On campouts he would sit next to the fire all day and tell whoever was listening when he bought the dutch oven and how much he paid for it in the 50's. Had a great old carbon steel slipjoint folder too. Everything about the guy had a patina on it.

We were most fond of him for his little off-color ditties from Lord knows where. His favorites:

"She has freckles on her but, she is pretty. She was only the coachman's daughter, but all the horse manure. Use birmashave!"

"Mary Mary, quite contrary, how does your garden grow? With purple bells and conkle shells, and one damn petunia."

This was a revelation to an 11 year old kid.

 

[mymindisamob]

Hey Guys...

I'm just getting back into scouting..Took a break for a few years,,and now my little ones are of Beaver age,,so it's time again..

I may also be a Venture Advisor..They Ventures want me as their Advisor..
That's Scary!!!

I'm not your average Scout leader, and my picture will not be found in any Leaders manuals or such...
I'm a little different type of Leader..

I like to teach my scouts cool stuff,, and get htem doing things that aren't found in any manuals..

The last camp I did with my scouts I asked them what they wanted to do...

They wanted to sleep in home made shelters and tube tents.. Done.
They wanted me to shoot a Squirrel and cook it for them. Done
They wanted to make traps. Done
They wanted to learn how to make fire different ways. Done...

I've had them eat meal worms, ants,fish flies ect...

When they come home from a camp their parents just shake their heads...

Heres a couple of pics of that last camp.

We'll see how this year turns out..Already have some plans for them,,and a few camps where I'll be teaching them firemaking...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

Awesome! Lucky kids!:thumbup:

 

[DOC-CANADA]

Hey Guys...

I'm just getting back into scouting..Took a break for a few years,,and now my little ones are of Beaver age,,so it's time again..

I may also be a Venture Advisor..They Ventures want me as their Advisor..
That's Scary!!!

I'm not your average Scout leader, and my picture will not be found in any Leaders manuals or such...
I'm a little different type of Leader..

I like to teach my scouts cool stuff,, and get htem doing things that aren't found in any manuals..

The last camp I did with my scouts I asked them what they wanted to do...

They wanted to sleep in home made shelters and tube tents.. Done.
They wanted me to shoot a Squirrel and cook it for them. Done
They wanted to make traps. Done
They wanted to learn how to make fire different ways. Done...

I've had them eat meal worms, ants,fish flies ect...

When they come home from a camp their parents just shake their heads...


We'll see how this year turns out..Already have some plans for them,,and a few camps where I'll be teaching them firemaking...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

Excellent, Normark. :thumbup:

Can I join your scout troop?

Doc

 

[Return of the J.D.]

Hmm--my eldest is just now old enough to start Cub Scouts. He (and I) cannot wait!

I'm a second-generation Eagle Scout; Grandpa was a scoutmaster, taught all kinds of good woodcraft; famously insisted on all axes and hatchets being sharp enough to shave. Dad went all the way through from Cubs to Air Explorers, even did some Civil Defense hours scanning the Ohio skies for waves of Soviet bombers (of which he apparently saw none). Tells stories of how the swimming merit badge used to contain a requirement of being able to swim underwater for some significant distance to assist in evading enemy troops. Got an appointment to Annapolis (US Naval Academy), largely on the strength of his Scouting experience. His brother, my uncle, was also a Scout, albeit only to Life rank; used his skills later in the military, journalism, and now in hunting journalism. My brother and I naturally entered Cub Scouts at the earliest age, progressing through to Eagle. One defining moment in my early youth was when I put my wilderness survival merit badge skills to use creating a wickieup which ended up being put to the test in a rainstorm; sitting in the shelter, I was elated to note that it kept out almost all of the rain--then realizing that if I'd been in an apartment and had a couple of drops get through, I'd be calling the manager. Realized that one really can live with a lot less stuff and a lot more adversity than some people think. Enjoyed "high adventure" camps such as (now-defunct) Whiting Scout Ranch, especially programs that allowed one to ignore the trails and just choose the best route from point A to point B. Did Philmont, too. Later in life, have used Scouting skills more often than I can count. Rescued a fellow student in a dining hall at Yale one night, using the Heimlich maneuver. Later, worked as an EMT, and Scout camp medical director.

Sort of got out of practice during college / grad school. Then, 2 tornadoes came through town in the last week of law school, shutting off power for 3 days, and dropping trees over power lines, roads, railroads. Reminded me of the advantages of being prepared.

Now, with 4 kids, I'm getting back into the whole outdoor / wilderness-survival thing in earnest, teaching them everything I have time to teach. And they eat it up--there's almost nothing they like better than time out in the back yard with Daddy, setting up lean-tos, starting fires with metal matches, cooking. The hiking is just beginning to happen, too.

Oh, yes--I'm looking forward to more of this!

 

[pit man]

Hey Guys...

I'm just getting back into scouting..Took a break for a few years,,and now my little ones are of Beaver age,,so it's time again..

I may also be a Venture Advisor..They Ventures want me as their Advisor..
That's Scary!!!

I'm not your average Scout leader, and my picture will not be found in any Leaders manuals or such...
I'm a little different type of Leader..

I like to teach my scouts cool stuff,, and get htem doing things that aren't found in any manuals..

The last camp I did with my scouts I asked them what they wanted to do...

They wanted to sleep in home made shelters and tube tents.. Done.
They wanted me to shoot a Squirrel and cook it for them. Done
They wanted to make traps. Done
They wanted to learn how to make fire different ways. Done...

I've had them eat meal worms, ants,fish flies ect...

When they come home from a camp their parents just shake their heads...

Heres a couple of pics of that last camp.

We'll see how this year turns out..Already have some plans for them,,and a few camps where I'll be teaching them firemaking...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

That's the Scouts I wanted to join and just what it should be like !!!:thumbup:
All we did was run around playing stupid games,only good thing I can remember doing was a night hike once !

 

[cheung_victor]

Hmm this isn't really about cubs but is another great youth program for kids 12 and up. Activities include range, wilderness survival, power and glider flying, and more + the whole program is free!

 

[2dogs]

I'm the Scoutmaster of Troop 674 here in Santa Cruz. We have been charted over 80 years by our local Elks Lodge. I'm told we are the oldest charted troop west of the Mississippi River. I'm not sure, yet.

We live in the most politically correct place you can imagine. Most people here hate scouting. They see it as the Hitler Youth reincarnated because we salute the flag, learn US history and don't support the gay life style. But mainly beecause we profess a believe in a higher authority than man. We have a belief in God. It is tough to hold scout events locally, people complain whenever scouts step on public land. None the less our troop is growing.

Our troop trys to do at least one outing a month. The boys love the outdoors by nature. We instruct and we nuture what is already there. I have found that the most important part of a campout is the last few minutes of the night when the fire burns low, the boys are tired and their minds are open. It is here when we try to instill the values of the outdoors. Self suficientcy, responseablity, honor, love of life, duty to your God, duty to others. It seems to me that the boys are a little bit different the next day. Scouting is a game with a purpose. The purpose is to help boys grow into the leaders of tomorrow. They will always love the outdoors and the quiet places, they will always want to serve others and to help those in need, and they will want to help build boys into men. All with nothing in return but the feelings they will take with them.

 

[Heroics]

Hola folks, first post but been lurking for a few days. The lot of ya already "forced" me to buy two moras.

But I just wanted to chime in on this one. 2dogs, Normark and any other really good scout leaders on here, you guys are great. I grew up in cubs and had an amazing cub-scout leader. Made ton of friends and learned lots of skills. I was really dedicated. Then after cubs I ended up in a scout troop with an absolute awful leader. Really wrecked the whole experence. Didn't even make it through 2 years of scouts after growing up in cubs.

I had the exact opposite experence most would expect. My years in cub scouts taught me teamwork, and outdoor skills. For me Scouts was all silly games, and getting yelled at by my troop leader.

Thanks for the great community you folks have going here.

 

[Normark]

Hey Guys...

Thanks much ..

We've got alot of good leaders in our group, so I've got no complaints about their leadership.. Alot of them just don't have any outdoor skills to pass along..

I have ties with all four groups Beavers, Cubs,Scouts and Ventures,,so what I'm planning on doing is being the Roving parent helper, so I can bounce from group to group as needed..

We had alot of in fighting in our group the last time around which was really a drag.. I don't like to get involved in all that BS,,but it did eventually tear the group apart, and left somewhat of a bad taste in my mouth...

I'm also not into crafts and that sort of stuff... Beavers Ok..When they get to cubs though the crafts should start winding down..Scouts shouldn't have any crafts, unless they are outdoor related...

As far as Scouting being the Hitler Youth,, Yaa I've got those feelings before as well...

People have to remember though that Scouting started out as a Paramilitary outfit and it should remain that way...

We recently had some uniform changes in Scouts here in Canada to make them look a little more PC..

The way I see it is,,all this PC crap is slowly Whittling away at what once was, and if it continues there will be very little of what the organization started out to be...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

 

[Fiddleback]

The way I see it is,,all this PC crap is slowly Whittling away at what once was, and if it continues there will be very little of what the organization started out to be...

ttyle

Eric
O/ST

I'd say thats true of much of Western culture. The PC movement is bad for us all.:thumbup:

 

[BlueyM]

2Dogs, (#16) that was great post.
I have never seen the ethos of scouting put in better words.