Tenderfoot Physical Fitness Requirement

[evmori]

When I was a kid & playing organized baseball, if we got hurt, our coach would tell us "rub dirt in it & you'll be OK"! Always seemed to work!

[TCC7]

Remember Ed that you yourself don't have to check the scout off for this requirement. One of the older scouts or leaders could do it. Also it seems that the 1/4 mile run/walk is your main concern. It's only a quarter mile. One time around a track. The scout is also supposed to practice regularly for a month. Who supervises there? You also can refer to their medical form and determine if their doctor OKs them for this type of activity. We always use the Class III.

[Suzyplus2]

Ed,
Check with your latest copy of the physical fitness merit badge pamphlet. If I remember correctly, if offers better illustrations on the "proper form" that we should be teaching the boys.

Sue

[Mick Scouter]

"deja vu" to the things of old; however, we must adapt and change. Sometimes it can be difficult.

[evmori]

This is a simple requirement. The Scout performs the exercises. Someone records them. The Scout practices for 30 days. The Scout then tells the SM he is ready to show his improvement in the required exercises. Requirement complete. There are no requirement for anyone to monitor the Scout as he practices. There are no requirements for EMT, nurses or even a medical assistant! This is a simple requirement! Show improvement for the required exercises!

If there is this much conflict about this simple requirement, I'd hate to see what people think is necessary to teach Totin' Chip & Fire 'm Chit. A lumberjack & fireman are probably necessary!

[wagionvigil]

ALways do it the scouts first meeting. Then in 30 days repeat it they will be well on their way to "tender of foot"

[commish3]

The Scout performs the exercises. Someone records them. The Scout practices for 30 days. The Scout then tells the SM he is ready to show his improvement in the required exercises.

Actually that is not what the BSA Handbook says at all.

It says that the SCOUT records his first measurements and that 30 days later HE records them again.

(pages 57 and 58 of the BSHB.)

[Mick Scouter]

It is great to discuss things so that you do what the requirement says and not what you remember or think it says. Good reminder.

[momma_bee]

When I had my Girl Scout training, they told us that most GS injuries occured at rollar/ice skating event. Now, we weren't forbidden to plan the events, but we were discouraged.

I personally feel that the most dangerous thing about a Scout meeting is a pole. You know, the ones holding up most church basements, pavillion shelters and basketball hoops. Why? Because they want to spin around them, shinny up them and then forget they are in the middle of the room and run into them. This is true of boys or girls.

GS says if you don't have an ambulance that can respond within so many minutes (10?) then you have to have a first aid trained person on site.

I don't see anywhere that BS puts that type of limit on a meeting place, but it sounds like a safe, easy-to-meet requirement.

However, I will say this in defense of having a lawyer on site at all times with an EMT and psychologist available as well.... There is a family in our troop that has threatened to sue me. I don't trust them. I don't EVER allow myself to be responsible for any of their children, in or out of scouts, without an UNRELATED adult present. I just don't trust the family, and the family made it clear they didn't trust my judgement.

If there is someone available to be a TRAINED, designated 1st aider - go for it. If not, don't worry about it. BSA will defend you if you are safe. If there are no requirements as to height, width etc, you don't need to worry about NOT meeting them.

[wagionvigil]

Whay are they in YOUR Troop? Tell them they may join another troop at any time if they feel you lack good judgement. ANd you will make all the arrangements for them. Tell them you operate under the G2SS and they should read it. It is in many case vague at best. Anytime the word "should" is used it is open to the leaders choice of what they want to do.

[cballman]

well momma IMHO after a parent has threatend to sue me or the troop then I would be like you and not have anything to do with the child. then I would also have them explain to the committie chairman why they felt that they needed to sue. if I had done something wrong then I would either apologize to the kid and parent in front of the troop. if I was not at fault the I would makes sure that my feelings are known to the entire committie knows what has happened. If the lack of good judgment is the reason I will ask where are the parents? do they just drop the kid off and come back later or are they registered leaders? is the kid a trouble maker or is his parents? if the parents have a problem with the leadership of the troop then why arent they leaders so the troop could be made better? then my last question is do the parents have a problem with just you or do they have a problem with everybody? good luck

[riverwalk]

Or in this case, "momma", haha. Regarding momma's post, the BSA DOES influence every meeting and activity site. But only IF Scouters/Scouts properly address concerns. You should evaluate your Meeting place as recommended (for safety). And in my local case anyway, we're now evaluating Cub overnighter sites by use of a form, so they'll be assessed much in the same way as the official Council Camps here are.

The pole was a good observation. If a Unit must work around these, then face it head on (yikes, that might hurt). And I didn't know the GS rule about only having First Aiders when a Response is "so many" minutes away. That's problematic for many reasons. I can speak volumes about my own Industry (Emergency Services). You can count on nothing, living next to the firehouse....as they could be miles away when needed, or they could be needed by many at the same time. We've all seen powerful examples recently, where some people took care of their needs until help arrives. And we saw people that thought someone else would address all their problems, hmmm. If I ever get into the GS activities also, we'll have to get this addressed. I've already posted the story of my Webelos Weekend adventure....the Activity coordinator didn't even want a First Aid staffer. the DE told him he didn't have a choice! They brought me in, against their wishes. They had no provisions for me (food, shelter, medical supplies), when I came into their staff late. My Troop was involved as attendees, and they fed me. I comandeered the HQ at the Camp, for my Base of Ops. I brought my own equipment. I only treated about forty people. One was the critically injured kid I wrote about (femur in two places). The outcome was good, and he survived. The boy was pulled from Scouts, and the family Sued. This was one example where the local Council (DE rep), and a volunteer with one focus (me) made a difference. The Scouter not wanting First Aid on Staff, and the dangerous "free time" attitude, could have been disastrous. Thank goodness the Scout wasn't alone when he was injured, and the report was made in time.

[momma_bee]

This is WAY off the original topic but long story short - Little Cubby M uses wall instead of urinal. Another Cubby sees this and tells his Dad, Dad tells Mom, Mom tells me.

I ask Cubby's father to move to a corner of a large room we are all in, he says no. I ask him to lower his head so I can lower my voice (he is tall) and he says no. So, I just ask him to talk to his son and explain why. Cubby M denies all wrongdoing. M's Dad yells this out across a room.

After everyone except my family leaves, I go into the men's room to clean the wall. My son askes why I was there, I said I was cleaning a mess. He said 'oh, where Cubby M p**d on the wall?' He then tells the same story I had already heard.

That night I get a phone call accusing my son of making up stories. Accusing me of gossipping about the family and Cubby M. I learned how little M does no wrong except when my son, who obiviously needs professional help, was present. I also was told that if I didn't seek the recommended help for my lying, troublemaking son, I was showing that I needed help as well.

This was followed up with the name of the lawyer who would be calling me if I mentioned this to anyone. If I talked about their son to anyone. If my son told another lie about their son. You get the idea.

Which resulted in the CM calling our Scout Executive, who said (I paraphrase) 'the family is nuts and we've got her back'


Now, with that story being told - I discussed this thread with a GS leader who said 'of course there is a right way to do sit ups, it is more safe and easier on the back/neck'

Now that I know this, the next time we do the test, I will be able to educate the boys moreso than I could have a week ago.

And I am wondering about the wooden walking sticks they sell in the BSA catalog.

[wagionvigil]

To wack the Kid the went on the wall or his parents?

[evmori]

To wack the Kid the went on the wall or his parents?

All of 'em!

Let 'em sue! What are they going to get?

[wagionvigil]

I just had to say it

[Lynda J]

Yea. Whip the daddy. Then tell him that he can come to every meeting and go in and hold littly M's wee wee so he doesn't miss and go on the wall.

[cballman]

lynda that last satement was uncalled for. but very very right. wagion are they really calles WALKING sticks I thought they were beating sticks

[evmori]

Whompers! They are called whompers! Used for whomping!

[Rick Tyler]

No EMT, why?

Show me in any BSA document where it would be clearly defined that an EMT is NOT required.

I believe what we have here is our Very First Troll. I am so happy.