Our latest ScoutCircle presentation featured Derek Hansen, Scoutmaster and hammock camping guru. If you are curious about hammocks and how Scouts can use them take the time to watch the presentation. Derek is a great speaker and shares all of the basics in this presentation; here’s the resources mentioned: Hammock Forums Derek’s website The Ultimate […]
Outdoor Program
Bottle Sling Knot Infographic
The bottle sling knot has been around for centuries. This ancient method of forming a sling for the neck of a jug or bottle this knot was described in detail by the Greek physician Heraklas in his first century book on surgical knots and slings. The bottle sling can be used to create a handle […]
Found on Pinterest – Seasonings in a Straw
This tip comes from Field & Stream Magazine via Pinterest: Use straws to store salt, pepper, and spices for camping trips. Heat one end of a clear plastic straw with a lighter, then crimp it with your fingers or a multitool. Fill the straw with the desired seasoning, and repeat the process on the other […]
More Camp Kitchen Permutations
Here’s my latest overview of the endless permutations of the humble patrol box, chuck box, or camp kitchen. We use the Rubbermaid Action Packer to house our modest patrol cook kits. I know some of you don’t care for car camping or big patrol boxes. I find the different solutions folks come up with for setting […]
Cliff Jacobson – Plain Speaking on Camping
Here’s a series of five videos featuring camping guru Cliff Jacobson talking about the nuts and bolts of canoe camping courtesy of the folks at Morral River FIlms A respected outdoors writer and wilderness guide Cliff is the most published canoeing/camping writer of this century.Cliff is the author of Expedition Canoeing, Camping’s Top Secrets and a frequent […]
Tell Me about Your High Adventure Trip
It’s time for show and tell! What high adventure trip did your Scouts participate in this summer? ( I am sure the Jamboree was great, but I am looking for reports on wilderness treks) Where did you go? How was the trip? Have any pictures? Answer in the comments below (you can include links to […]
Tools for Studying Rocks and Minerals
One of my goals for summer camp was sharpening my skills at identifying and understanding rocks and minerals. I started by reading ‘Rocks and Minerals’, one of a series of handbooks published by the Smithsonian Institution. Author Chris Pellant explains the basics and offers a guide for identifying rocks and minerals with excellent photographs and […]
Fern Finder
I’m pretty confident with identifying trees and wildflowers, even with a lot of the understory plants we encounter but I draw a blank when it comes to ferns (the best I can do is ‘that’s a fern!’). To increase my fern identifying skills I purchased the Fern Finder before we left for summer camp this year. The […]
What is a Scout Vacation?
A Scout vacation doesn’t fit most people’s definition of a ‘vacation’. We were out walking uptown at our hometown art stroll last night talking to our friends (most of them present or past Scouts and Scouters). We chatted about the usual things; how the kids are doing, vacations, the weather. One couple was headed off […]
Lightweight and Ultralight Backpacking Explained
It’s a little difficult to get ultralight backpacking explained in a simple, straightforward way. Thankfully there is no International Convention of Backpacking Standards and Terminology. We are left to our own devices to individually define “Lightweight” and “Ultralight” backpacking and argue endlessly over our definitions with other zealous backpackers (that’s half the fun of it all, […]
Summer Camp Solar Homing Beacon
Here’s a clever idea from Camp Wanderer that combines a canning jar and the top section of a solar re-charged garden light to create a lighted container for things like matches at camp. While I am at summer camp I’ll have a jar sitting on my picnic table with a spare headlamp or small flashlight inside […]
Bannock
‘Bannock” is a name for quick flat bread that originated in Scotland and was adopted by most Native Americans, voyagers, mountain men and pioneers. With a minimum of fuss and bit of practice anyone can bake a bannock loaf in a frying pan or wrapped around a stick. Bannock is simple, cheap and always welcomed […]
Ten More Tips for Camping in the Rain
If you are headed out into the wild and run into a real gully washing, frog-strangling rainstorm here’s ten more tips for camping in the rain that should help you get through the storm in style (the first ten tips are here.) 1. Poncho on a stick Umbrellas are under-rated camping accessories. When conditions are […]
How to Make a Fire in the Rain
Any good outdoorsman knows how to make a fire in the rain. Once you’ve mastered the skill of building fires when the weather is dry you’ll want to hone your skills for starting a fire when the weather goes bad. The infographic explains a few strategies for getting a fire going when you have nothing but […]
Scout Camp – For Better or For Worse
Scout camp has a number of benefits that we sometimes miss! For Better or For Worse Comic Strip, July 06, 2013 on GoComics.com.
What Are Scouting Skills, Why Are They (Still) Important and How do We Get Them Right?
What are Scouting Skills? Can you throw some things in a pack, step off the road into the woods and live comfortably for a few days without getting lost? Can you build a fire, lash a tripod together, set up a shelter, cook your food, stay warm and dry and leave no trace of your […]
Outdoor Ethics and the BSA
I’ve spent some time reviewing the new Outdoor Ethics materials published by the BSA. Outdoor ethics have always been a part of Scouting. While the basic ethical imperatives have remained constant, our application and interpretation of them has changed and evolved over time. One constant is the outdoor code: As an American, I will do […]
A Scouter’s Summer Camp Schedule
Here’s a Scouter’s summer camp schedule: Time Scouts Scouters [6:45] AM Awakened by the SPL and PL’s. Flag is raised and all Scouts go to polar bear swim as a group. I used to get up and go to Polar Bear swim years ago (like 15 or so) but I think it’s important for the […]
Taking Scouts Caving
Taking Scouts caving is a popular, adventurous and exciting activity, but it’s not something to approach casually. The National Speleological Society, A volunteer organization dedicated to the study, exploration, and conservation of caves has made it clear that untrained, unprepared cave explorers endanger themselves and cause irreversible damage to fragile cave environments. Access to wild […]
The Wanigan – Storage for Canoeing and Camping
Wanigan is borrowed from Ojibwa word for “storage pit” as a name for a storage box like the ones shown here. In some regions a houseboat, temporary hut on a log raft, a small house, bunkhouse, or shed mounted on skids may all be called a wanigan. Rob built the wanigans shown above and decorated them with woodburned illustrations from […]
Summer Camp Advice For Scouters
Summer camp advice for Scouters from a former camp director. When I was a camp director the Scouts were never really a significant challenge. My biggest challenges often came from the ‘adult’ leaders who accompany the Scouts to camp. Don’t over-do it and make yourself into a time bomb. When hot tired, hungry, and thirsty get cool, rested, fed, and hydrated. […]
The Perfect Campsite (Canoists and Kayakers Only!)
The folks at Paddling Light have published this decision tree for canoeists and kayakers faced with the eternal question; “is this the perfect campsite or should we look for another one?”. If you have no idea what this is all about you haven’t been in a canoe trying to decide if it’s time to find a […]
Best Internal Frame Pack for Scouts
My favorite external frame backpack for Scouts is the Outdoor Products Dragonfly. Almost all of the packs available today are internal frame backpacks. Finding an internal frame pack for Scouts that has the right combination of features for a reasonable price is a challenge. The best internal frame packs I have found for Scouts are the Scout […]
ScoutCircle – Kandersteg International Scout Center
Here’s Arlen Ward and I discussing Kandersteg International Scout Center on the most recent ScoutCircle. I’ll be returning there next Summer and I encourage you to look into the possibility of taking your Scouts. If you are interested in arranging a trip I’d be happy to help. Kandersteg is a picture postcard town in the Bernese Oberland […]
