LemSiddons

I can't tell you how many times my Scout training has been needed in my life. I've lived off a main road for 40 years - so I've been first on the scene for many an accident. I'm no EMT - but at least I have a clue where to start. I've seen many non-scouts 'freak out' in adverse situations - because they had no clue what to do. I'm soooo happy my boys now love Scouting - as I KNOW they will learn many valuable lessons. I, too, love this stuff!!!

"Maybe a more "realistic" training would be a good patrol/troop activity? Like departments conduct for PD/FD? Give them a chance to put the things they learn in comfortable, indoor settings into real world use." Absolutely! You learn a lot more that way - than by someone spoon-feeding the information. It's really fun to watch the boys figure things out for themselves. We had our Fall Camporee a couple weeks back - with several "skill" stations - most of which required teamwork and creativity with limited resources. At the first station, they were just a group of kids. By the last, they were a team.

I definitely agree on that being the best use of resources. I was bothered by the adult's comment inferring they would have been helpless without a cell phone....which leads back to the original topic of trusting the kids to have an activity without adult supervision. So why do we teach camping, cooking, and first aid?

I know the world has changed - but when I was a scout, we had very little adult involvement. We often took patrol hikes - either while on campouts - or back in the city. We spend countless hours teaching these kids how to camp, hike, cook, do first aid, handle emergencies, etc. ....then we lock them in a box. Heard a discussion recently - about how some boys were out hiking a trail at our local scout camp. One was injured (broken leg?). The adult that worked at the camp said, "Thank God one of them had a cell phone." Why??? Were they not Scouts? They were not exactly out in the middle of nowhere. Some of the group could have easily gone for help while the others stayed with the injured scout. They could have made a splint and a stretcher. Any Tenderfoot should have been able to handle that situation. Isn't part of the purpose to teach them how to survive without cell phones, computers, electricity and the like?

Also jumping back in headfirst. Scout from Bobcat thru Eagle...then ASM (also Explorer). Later ASM for nephew's troop...then WL for Cub Pack started by a friend. When my boys finally got to Cubs, I was just a helpful parent. NOw my older son moved up into Boy Scouts. I've signed on as SA...and have taken Advancement Chairman duties. Forutnately, my son is loving it (much more than Cubs). All my kids have been campers since birth. Married to a former Girl Scout. :-) My younger son is a 1st year Webelo. Adjusting to the culture shock - from the 70's to the 21st century...where PC transcends CS (Common Sense). Working on getting myself up to speed - so I don't get sued or arrested for making cross-eyes at the wrong scout. The thread on push-ups dragged me into this site. Tell me, what's the difference between push-ups and KP? Both are work - with positive results. As far as a form of punishment - it depends on the scout. For a weak scout - painful. For a hyper-active scout...piece of cake - but at least it burns some of the extra energy - and keeps him occupied for a few minutes. If society keeps going in the direction it's headed, we might as well throw Scouting in the crapper - as it will be outlawed. Saw one post about how we want our kids to "have it better than we did". I'm hoping my son's scouting experience will be at least half as good as mine. It was the focus of my teen life. So...that's a little about me. :-p LS