The Zeppelin bend is an easy, secure way of joining two lines. Where it really shines, though, is how easy it is to untie even after it has been under a heavy load. Also called a Rosendahl Bend after Commander of the Lakehurst, N.J. Naval Air Station Charles Rosendahl who purportedly insisted it be used to moor airships […]
Program Methods
Carrick Bend Neckerchief Slide Video
This slide is based on an idea found in “Whittlin’ Jim’s” column in the December 1950 issue of Boy’s Life. Check out my carrick bend infographic (part if the PDF package) This neckerchief slide can be made from just about any straight-grained wood, the piece I use in the video is probably the smallest workable size. Take care […]
Eight Knot Contest
The eight knot contest can be an individual or patrol contest, it’s one of my favorite inter-patrol competitions. To hold the eight knot contest you’ll need four ropes of equal diameter, three six foot long, one twelve feet long. A two foot long log about six inches in diameter, and two trees 12-16 feet apart. The […]
Amazing Pioneering Projects
I have seen elaborate gateways, bridges and towers lashed together at Scout events but have yet to see anything remotely like the giant pioneering projects lashed together by these Israeli Scouts. (see more in my post Pioneering Unleashed) Characters from video games, movies, cartoons, and folklore are all featured. The slideshow includes some models of the […]
Recruiting Scouts at a “Scout-O-Rama”
From The Valley Breeze, Providence, Rhode Island Eighty families and more than 300 visitors total turned out for the first Scout-O-Rama at Notte Park and Camp Meehan on Sunday. Scout leaders said 17 people signed up to be a Scout during the event, making this a “huge success” and their largest recruitment effort ever. Fifty-six […]
Night Hike
When’s the last time you went on a night hike? Nighttime is a great opportunity to learn about wildlife, to conquer fear of the dark, and to understand how our eyes work. Night hikes build important outdoor skills and hone your powers of observation. I have created an outline to use in preparing for a night hike, here’s an excerpt […]
Wear Your Scout Neckerchief!
During my first visit to Kandersteg International Scout Center it was immediately apparent that Scouts the world over wear neckerchiefs, they wear them all the time, and they wear them with either the uniform or informal clothing. This immediately made sense, the Scout neckerchief is a symbol that identifies Scouts as members of a worldwide movement. I learned there were […]
Scouting is not an Organization.
It is a movement, because it moves forward. As soon as it stops moving, it becomes an Organisation, and is no longer Scouting. – Baden-Powell Organizations serve the Scouting movement, but they are not Scouting itself. There’s a tense relationship between the creative, visionary force behind great ideas like Scouting and the formal organizational framework […]
What is Wilderness First Aid Training?
What is Wilderness First Aid? Wilderness First Aid expands on basic first aid training with advanced emergency management and assessment techniques. During a Wilderness First Aid course Scouters and youth members over age 14 learn how to assess, treat, and manage emergencies so they can safely take their adventures into areas beyond the reach of rapid emergency response. When is Wilderness […]
Campfire Ballads
Do you know the campfire ballads about Sam and Dan? If you are fortunate you’ve sat in rapt attention around a campfire, chills running up your back, a smile on your face, listening to a skilled orator recite the campfire ballads of Sam McGee or Dan McGrew. Both of these venerable, spooky (yet humorous), campfire ballads were penned by “The Bard of the Yukon” […]
Mölkky Game
Mölkky (pronounced mulkey) is a Finnish game reminiscent of kyykkä, a centuries-old form of skittles. Mölkky is easy to learn, and can be played indoors or out. The pins and throwing stick for mölkky can be made from tree limbs or sticks approximately 2 1/2″ in diameter. Players throw a stick (also called “mölkky”) at pins marked with numbers from 1 […]
Ball in Cage Neckerchief Slide
An old whittler’s puzzle the ball in a cage can be adapted to make an interesting neckerchief slide. Here’s pictures of one I carved many years ago: Here’s some whittling resources that will help you get started. The Ball in Cage Neckerchief Slide and over 40 more infographics and helpful PDF documents Are included in the […]
New Tools in Guide to Safe Scouting
Keeping Scouts safe is a key responsibility of any Scouter, and Safe scouting requires we understand and mange the risks involved in our activities. Scouter Walter Underwood has posted an excellent overview of recent changes to the Guide to Safe Scouting that include a Campout Safety Checklist (PDF), Event Safety Checklist (PDF), Incident Information Report (fillable PDF), and Near Miss […]
Scout Video Picks – Ninjas and Birch Bark Canoes
My Scout video picks for this week include a great game from Spain and birch bark canoes. Ninja Slap – Jugeo Scout This sophisticated game of tag shown in this video of Spanish Scouts was very popular with my Scouts for a year or two.The game begins in a tight circle, shoulder-to-shoulder, with hands in the middle. […]
Scout Neckerchief Knots and Folds
The cattle rustler’s and good-turn knots are decorative ways to tie off the ends of a Scout neckerchief. For a dressier look try tucking the ends before you roll the neckerchief as shown. Free PDF file formatted to print out on 81/2 X 11 paper The Neckerchief Knots PDF file and over 40 more infographics and helpful PDF documents Are included […]
Scouts Survive Boundary Waters Canoe Mishap
On Thursday June 12th a group of Scouts on a trip in the Boundary Waters Canoe Wilderness with the Northern Tier High Adventure Program were rescued by helicopter after their canoes capsized in a storm. Everyone survived, there were no major injuries. I study incidents like this carefully because our troop has been doing canoe treks in […]
What Causes Wilderness Emergencies?
Wilderness emergencies caused by sudden, unpredictable changes in conditions may be unavoidable BUT: Ignorance, inattentiveness, bravado, and lack of preparedness cause more wilderness emergencies than sudden changes in conditions. IGNORANCE of terrain, climate, skill level or physical health of groups and individuals. IGNORANCE of skills required to conduct the activity safely. IGNORANCE of risks inherent in […]
Scout Video Picks – Skit, Skills, Song
This week’s Scout video picks come from Germany (via Switzerland), Luxembourg, and Indonesia. The skit is hilarious, the skills are astounding, and the song is truly touching. Cinderella Skit A hilarious take on the Cinderella story performed by a group of German Scouts at Kandersteg International Scout Center. Concours Woodcraft Pioneering Competition in Luxembourg Held in Marche-en-Famenne in Luxembourg […]
Baking, Bowlines and Bhangra! – Scouting Video Picks
YouTube is a global phenomenon; 1 billion unique users visit YouTube each month, 100 hours of video are uploaded every minute, 80% of YouTube traffic comes from outside the US. Here’s this week’s Scouting video picks I hope Scouters find interesting, informative and useful. Danish Dampers for Gourmet Campers! Campfire cooking idea from Scout’s UK series of Rapid […]
Stuck in the Troop Meeting Rut?
Like Hannibal Smith “I love it when a plan comes together” and I think planning is an important skill, but the repetition of the same plan, over and over again, can wear a rut in the floor. Somewhere in the dim, dark past the Troop meeting plan was created; preopening 10 minutes, opening 5 minutes, instruction 20 minutes, […]
Does Every Scout Have “Special” Needs?
Don’t all of our Scouts have special needs? Each has an individual way of seeing things, individual talents and shortcomings, in one sense don’t all of us have some special need? The sport of Scouting is discovering how to best deliver the promises of Scouting to Scouts with different needs. It’s not so much about “special” needs, it’s about individual needs. When we throw quotes around “special” […]
Kon Tiki 2014 Videos
South African Scouter Peter La Roux (listen to an interview here) posted videos of this year’s Kon Tiki event on his Ropes and Poles Blog. If you aren’t familiar with Kon-Tiki the whole idea is that Scouts groups build rafts, float them on a lake and participate in a number of contests and competitions (including […]
Lyme Disease Season
I was reminded (thank’s Jeff!) to remind you that Lyme disease season is upon us. The map above shows where Lyme is an issue when camping and hiking in the outdoors. Consult this CDC website for a comprehensive set of resources to better understand Lyme and how to prevent it. This PDF document offers succinct […]
Native American History and Skills
Ernest Thompson-Seton founded his vision of Scouting on the lore of Native American life. I’ve devoted a great deal of time over the years to studying the Native American Peoples who once occupied Southeastern Pennsylvania where I live (specifically the Lenape and Susquehannock). I think it is important our Scouts have the opportunity to connect with […]
