Scoutmaster Podcast 33 – Den Cheifs

Comments

1. BRMeadows says

   August 1, 2011 at 10:21 am

   I have a question about the tenderfoot requirement mentioned above, this would apply to the physical fitness merit badge maybe as well. T10b wants the scout to show improvement in the activities listed in 10a after 30 days. One of the activities listed is pull-ups. I don’t know many 11 year old that are able to do even one pull-ups, I don’t believe there are many eagle scouts in my area that can do one. The physical fitness mb requirements are more flexibly where pull-ups are grouped in the strength test, the requirement asks for improvements each of four tests:
   AEROBIC FITNESS
   FLEXIBILITY
   STRENGTH
   BODY COMPOSITION

   Could you pass a scout to tenderfoot without doing one pull-up after 30 days.
   This also would apply to the physical fitness mb, could you not show improvements in the strength group without being able perform one pull-up?

   • Clarke Green says

     August 1, 2011 at 10:34 am

     I don’t know many 11 year old that are able to do even one pull-ups, I don’t believe there are many eagle scouts in my area that can do one.

     Really? Every boy in my Troop can do at least one pull-up, it may not be perfect form and it may be a bit of a struggle and they may need a bit of help but they can do one.

     What’s behind this requirement? Certainly physical fitness but also a standard of performance individualized to each Scout (as are all requirements in Scouting). Has he tried? Has he done his best? He will certainly improve – if he doesn’t it’s likely not his failure as it is our failure to inspire and lead.

2. Larry Geiger says

   September 10, 2010 at 12:47 pm

   RE: Den Chief interview (paraphrasing from what I remember):
   Q: Has it been aggravating?
   A: No, it hasn’t affected my schedule.
   That’s hilarious. If you were headed where I thought that you were headed (that bunch of Cubbies could aggravate someone with the patience of Job) then he didn’t get it at all 🙂 Love his answer.
   “Just form patrols.” Elect patrol leaders and go.
   Excellent wisdom.
   Cell phones in camp:
   Gotta love that Camp Daniel Boone. So far up the valley there are no phones, no internet. Just cool summer nights and babbling brooks.
   Den Cheifs: (under the Podcast logo). Should be Den Chiefs?
   RE: Service hours. Just read the requirement! That sounds just like Ask Andy at NetCommish. That’s a good thing.

3. CA Scouter says

   September 7, 2010 at 3:43 pm

   Hello Clarke,
   Excellent answer as always. I actually train year round to stay in shape for scouting (keeps me in better shape also). I generally swim 2-3 times a week and alternate that with some rudimentary weight training and jogging and cycling. If you do a little training like this, the swim test is a piece of cake (except when you’re at a camp at 8,000 ft and doing the test in an alpine lake…).
   I wish I could find a way to encourage the boys and their leaders to train more for the challenges of Scouting. It is there in the T-foot requirements (10 a and b especially), but it isn’t very explicit and it seems to fade out until the boys start doing Backpacking.

4. Clarke Green says

   September 7, 2010 at 11:14 am

   Thanks for listening Joe! I am glad you find the podcasts helpful.
   Do Scouts take a swim test every year?
   Is everyone required to renew their medical form every year?
   Of course the answer is yes to both. Why is this? People’s health and abilities change over time.
   One of the elements of Safe Swim Defense is assessing ability. Ability can and does change from year to year.
   Here’s the exact verbiage from the Guide to Safe Scouting:http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss02.aspx
   “Ability Groups: All youth and adult participants are designated as swimmers, beginners, or nonswimmers based on swimming ability confirmed by standardized BSA swim classification tests. Each group is assigned a specific swimming area with depths consistent with those abilities. The classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.”
   Not to be too maudlin but there are about ten fatal drownings each day in the US. I know that swim tests are a pain for adults, I don’t particularly like them myself. A mishap in the pool or lake, however, is quite a bit more of a pain.

5. JoeP says

   September 7, 2010 at 10:20 am

   Clark,
   Speaking of the swim test, is it required
   for scout and leaders to take the test
   each year before summer camp? I had a few
   that passed it last year and questioned
   why they have to take it again. I have looked
   but I have not found anything that
   supports the question either way.
   Great podcast as always and keep up the
   hard work, it really helps!
   Joe