Use it or Lose it

[OldGreyEagle]

I am looking for simple easy ways to intergrate scout skills on a campout. And when I say Scout Skills I mean those required in the Tenderfoot to First Class realm. Having a flag pole that needs to be lashed together and secured with guy lines is a thought, as is a Troop Gateway. Gateways may be dated, but they do reinforce knots and lashings. Having maps of the area and then having the patrols ue those maps to get to various locations is a way to assure proper map reading. Any others?

[eagle90]

Our patrols love it when we arrange a patrol competition at a campout. We set up stations for such things as fire building, knots, compass, nature, first aid, team building games, etc. We award points at each station and have a small prize (candy bar, etc.) for the patrol with the most points. It refreshes their knowledge of Scoutcraft and helps build patrol spirit.

[Bob White]

Here are just a few things tat come to mind for the Tenderfoot to First Class crowd.

 

In order to make the tents last longer and make them more comfotable we always made pack racks and kept our gear outside.

 

Sometime during the weekend stage a surprise First Aid scenario using moulage make-up.

 

Have a game with prizes, Place numbered stakes zround camp near trees and plants, let each scout create a list identifying them to win a prize. (we would give the prize to the first one to have all the IDs correct).

 

Have a knot bar. A horizontal bar with lengths of rope on it. Select any number of knots and give a recognitiion of some kind to whomever ties them the fastest. Let scouts compete as often as they want in the course of the weekend.

 

Have new scouts follow a map on a 5 mile hike along the waty have skill areas wher they are tested on skills they have been learning at the troop meetings.

 

Have the scouts creat a physical fitness course and run individual and patrol competions.

 

Have morning excercises

 

Go on a night-time nature hike and do animal identification.

 

Have a personal gear shakedown and work on packing for an outing.

 

Do patrol cooking

 

Camp by patrols

 

Have scouts pitch there own tent

 

Sleep out under the stars (weather permitting)

 

Have daily flag raisings and retirements.

 

Make fire starters

 

Do a service project for the campground

 

Have a ranger or botanist lead a nature hike.

 

Go bird watching

 

Do a cooking demo

 

Go geo-caching

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(This message has been edited by Bob White)

[frank10]

Best thing I have ever seen done to encorage using a map was the SM glued a map to cardboard and tied a compass to it.

He handed it to the PL's at the trail head as they went in. Since they couldn't fold it up and put it away they might as well look at it.

[Lisabob]

Our guys lashed together an "elevator" at summer camp a couple years ago and had a blast with it. The "GI Joe" game I mentioned in the "games with a purpose" thread is great for working on compass skills.

[Knot Head]

Good list Bob.

 

We ramped up the knot tieing a bit and see who can do the 6 required knots blindfolded the fastest. The scout will pick a partner and the partner hands then the ropes one by one to tie on the wood bar. 59.55 seconds is the current troop record. The patrols really get into this. Try it yourself.

 

One campout we seeded a tournament bracket and held a knot tournament. The guys that made the final four were so proud. It was a good time!

 

Scout Jeopardy is also fun.

 

We like to do a short compass course with 100 yards or so between spots. One time there was a question at each marker. 10 second penalty if you got the wrong answer. We should do that again.

 

"Obstacle course". Station 1 each team member has to tie a knot. Station two each answers a first aid question. Station 3 each orients a map or gives a bearing. etc etc etc. Fastest thru the course wins. Time penalty for no performance.

 

As a variation have 6 guys on the team and 6 stations. Whoever ties the knot at station one remains there. Five guys move on to station 2. The team has to quickly decide who should perform the skill at each station and thus get left behind. If a guy gets to station 6 and has no clue one has to backtrack & send a guy left behind up to the front, which of course is a kind of time penalty. If you need a bowline at station 6 and the only guys that can tie one is at station 2 your team is in trouble. Make teams with various ranks on each team so the new patrol does not always lose.

 

We always lash a flagpole. Easy to do. Need to get some other gadets going for the other types of lashes. Gate is a good idea. Elevator huh? Cool!(This message has been edited by knot head)

[Horizon]

Rumor has it that our QM is going to "forget" to bring all of the tents on an upcoming campout. We will open the trailer and only find tarps and rope to make shelters.

[eisely]

Take along a "start finder" and teach the boys about the use of the stars for navigation.

[eisely]

Also, depending upon circumstances and time, set up and utilize one of the methods for direction finding using the sun.

[Stosh]

10 plants and animals with a prize for the most unique.

 

Sleep out without tents even if it does rain.

 

Individual cook using messkit (mini Dutch oven) and award a prize for the best meal (Iron Chef BSA)

 

All the First Class+ scouts have to go back and be re-taught Tenderfoot requirements by the boys in the NSP. Award for the best teaching method/presentation.

 

Do all these as patrols instead of as troop or as individuals.

 

Stosh