News

[riverwalk]

Consider this, and I'm not trying to get specific about current events. But recent news of people in dangerous conditions (winter conditions and wilderness), makes me think of giving them ideas for survival camping. For example, a station could place "campers" in a scenario (give them their conditions), and these things are what you had with you. Now how could you use them?

[WVBeaver05]

I was wondering if anyone else had considered using the recent events in their Scouting program. I requested that our SPL give me 10 minutes before the closing at our meeting this week and I led a discussion of recent events. I considered it to be a thought provoking exercise rather than a "...they should have..." one. All of our Scouts participated and I think we all learned something.

We also have a Winter Camporee coming up next month. The area that we will be going to normally has snow at that time. I haven't seen the Camporee plans, but there is normally some aspect of Winter Camping/survival included.

YiS

[riverwalk]

I had intended this to be a reply to the Roundtable question. But I got messed up somewhere. It's been a hard couple of days here, then we got the word that one of our former Scouts died in an accident.

But I do like using these real stories to encourage real people to Be Prepared. Otherwise some people think, yeah that was just an exercise, and I don't really need to know that.

[RMM]

Ditto here, next January, as the troop meeting breaks into patrols, the SPL is having two patrols working on these case studies and the third will make a list of everytning they need to bring for the upcoming ski outing and we will see if they remember to "stock" the cars.

[riverwalk]

It's always interesting too, to educate people on improvising for tools. I first learned this as a Scout, and have given back to others ever since. Just to give you examples of what thoughts I refer to, consider the need for splint. At home, most won't have an official splint, but they may have newspapers and magazines. Likewise, what tools or other items could be used in a pinch?

I also try this after a Kim's game perhaps, where you used the items for a fun icebreaker or gathering time event. Then make a lesson out of the items once they get to look at what was there, haha.

[WeeWillie]

Remember the Scout in 2005 who left the climing tower at Summer Camp, got lost, and evaded searchers because of stranger danger. I use an article on that story for Tenderfoot Req 5 Explain the rules for safe hiking...

When teaching SM/ASM Outdoor training I hand out a sheet of Scouting deaths. Included are canoeing with a leg in a cast, climbing with an arm in a cast, leaving a Scout behind on a hike....

Regarding snow caves. Last year a troop in Utah (?) dug a giant snow cave. It collapsed with over 20 (or 30) Scouts and Leaders. Fortunately, two adults were sleeping elsewhere and noticed.

[riverwalk]

Oh snow caves is a good one. The current story out there, includes a snow cave. So that can be used to prepare others.

Also, this has been taught in Scouting, but deserves repeating to any newer members. STOP, an acronym for stop, think, observe, and plan. Like the rescue story prior to the current News story, a person was on the move. We must train them to stop moving, unless they see safety or help nearby.

[Lynda J]

Our Fall Camporee in Oct. was a search and rescue. It went over searching for people injured in a plane crash. They had to find the victims, treat on site and then make a plan to get them to the medical personal on site. It went very well and the boys learned a lot.

[summertop]

Great topic! This message board has a forum for Summer camps...Maybe the powers that be can add one for Winter Camps.