Kayaking Cub Scout Style

Today, I let loose a fire storm on Google+ with a simple question of:
Aquanaut activity badge question: if son does 1-3 doesn’t that also count for #7? Also does a kayak count as a rowboat? I say yes for the latter. He already got swimming beltloop again this summer and one other. So he he just needs to swim with a PFD and he is done besides explaining why.

The first question was answered because I did not read Feet vs yards within the Aquanaut requirements. Done.

Here is the full requirements of the Activity Pin:

• Jump into water over your head.  Come to the surface and swim 100 feet, at least half of this using a backstroke.
• Stay in the water after the swim and float on your back and your front, and demonstrate survival floating.
• Put on a personal floatation device (PFD) that is the right size for you.  Make sure it is properly fastened.  Wearing the PFD, jump into water over your head.  Show how the PFD keeps your head above water by swimming 25 feet.  Get out of the water, remove the PFD, and hang it where it will dry.
• And Do Three of These:
• Do a front surface dive and swim under water for four strokes before returning to the surface.
• Explain the four basic water rescue methods.  Demonstrate reaching and throwing rescues.
• With an adult on board, show that you know how to handle a rowboat.
• Pass the BSA “Swimmer” test:
  • Jump feet-first into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming.
  • Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl.
  • Then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke.
  • After completing the swim, rest by floating.
• While you are a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Sports belt loop for swimming.

So, my son Elliot over the course of the summer and just today has completed the following:
#1: Earned in pool earlier in summer.
#2 Same as above, but he is skinny so he worked at that a bit since he didn’t float like boys who EAT! (He’s very skinny for his age.)
#3 Not done yet. Need to find PFD
#4:Done: He does this all the time when diving.
#5: Not done.
#6: Did it in a Kayak this summer.  He has done this before in a Rowboat, but not as a Webelos. So, I cannot count what he did before he attained Webelos I   rank this June. (At family cabin on a Lake in Montana.)
#7: Not completed as a whole.  Which he needs to do.
#8 Earned the Beltloop for Swimming.

So, I posted this on Google+ and got a lot of Feedback.  Remember Feedback is a gift!

While I am not going to post every response, this one sums it up. “With an adult on board, show that you know how to handle a rowboat.” — it’s not a rowboat, it’s a kayak…not the same device. “  Ok, I got it.  But, I will go futher in what the Boy Scouts of America officially says.

First, Safety Afloat. Under section six: For Cub Scouts:Canoeing, kayaking, rowing, and rafting for Cub Scouts (including Webelos Scouts) are to be limited to council/district events on flat water ponds or controlled lake areas free of powerboats and sailboats. Prior to recreational canoeing and kayaking, Cub Scouts are to be instructed in basic handling skills and safety practices.

It is restated on a PDF for Age-Appropriate Guidelines for Scouting Activities.

So, while I get and understand that a Rowboat is not a Kayak, another Scouter pointed out: Think about why canoes (and kayaks) are discouraged for cubs: they are much more likely to capsize than a row boat because of their narrow beam. So a row boat is mentioned in the requirements because of the higher amount of safety it provides for the boy. There is also one significant difference between handling a row boat and a canoe or kayak: with the row boat you are going backwards and the others you are going forwards. So, in order to control where the rowboat goes you need to know how to pick a reference point.

These are all great points and I would have argued in the end that yes, a Kayak is not a Rowboat.  I see and get that.  In life, I work to follow the rules.  In Cub Scouts, and in the early ranks, I use the “Do my Best” philosophy.  Meaning, if a Cub Scouts really tries to do the activity and makes the attempt, then he gets it.  However, last year a Bear did not write a letter as required for a Communication section for Rank or Beltloop. (I wasn’t the Den Leader I cannot fully remember what it was for.)  However, he was not awarded credit since he did not do it.  Now, the Den Leader sent home the information so he could bring it back and present it to her or his mom.  Nope, did not do it.  So, he was told why he did not get the requirement.  Yes, he was upset.  But he learned.

Hence, my understanding of why people responded the way that they did.  So, Elliot will not get credit for that section of the Aquanaut Activity Badge.  It is still easily attainable to him and he will end up getting it.

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JOTA 2011

Image via Wikipedia

I am a Ham Radio Operator (K7RUB) and have used Ham Radio to help with a Tiger Go-See-It during my second year as Tiger Den Leader.

The boys needed fullfill the Communication part, but I just could not get them to a Radio or TV Station and even a Newspaper.  So, I had to bring it to them.  I used my hand-held radio to connect with another friend across town.  After about 15 minutes of explaining what Ham Radio is, we made contact and the boys got to talk over the radio.

So, ever since then I have been working to bring Ham Radio to the Pack.   I wrote about it March of 2010.  I also had a plan about helping the Pack or members of the Pack the International Activity Badge. However, now it is getting close again to JOTA/JOTI and I am again working several angles to make it happen for those in the Pack to take part of.  My hope is to find out before our calendar goes out for the year at Join Night.

What I will say about Ham Radio and Scouts, is it’s a great skill to have to compliment the “Be Prepared” philosophy.  There is a Merit Badge (ARRL site)for it (BSA site), and even the Signaling MB was brought back.  While a Scout might know First Aid, Emergency Preparedness and other skills, one major one is Communication during Emergencies.  To me, having this skill and then taking and passing the FCC Technician License.  It is a $10 test and the “Old Hams” love to see kids test through.  I studied for about 3-4 weeks before I took my first test.  I passed.  Yes, I bought the books, but I did the online exam quizzes a lot.  (This is one site, but I cannot find the one I used all the time….)  I originally got my Ham License because of James Kim.

I figure that if your in an area that your hiking/camping and can at lest program in all the repeater stations that you might be able to hit, your closer to help than if you did not have one.  The basic license of Technician allows this level of transmitting.  You do not need a license to own a radio and listen.  Just to transmit.  However, in any emergency that threatens life, you can by FCC Rules & Law use any radio to transmit for help.  You do not need to be licensed.  The FCC allows this because, it’s an emergency.

Once I move over to Boy Scouts, I will become a Radio Merit Badge Counselor.  If there is not a Radio MBC within your Troop or District, I would highly look into it.  It would be a good skill and tool to have.  The radios can be very inexpensive.  I would also check with your local Ham Radio Club to see what they can offer as well.

In Scouting, we end emails and posts with “Yours in Scouting”.  In Ham Radio we end it with 73.  It’s Morse Code for “Best Reguards”.

Yours in Scouting, 73

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Summertime Pack Award 2011

Saturday August 20th was our Pack’s final Summertime Pack Award event.  For the second year in a row we walked in the Multnomah Days Parade.  It’s a little area of Portland with hip shops and cool restaurants.  My favorite is “Fat City”.  It’s a great breakfast place.

 

Last yearas a Pack we went to the Parade and also saw another Pack.  This year, after meeting several of the Den Leaders we thought it be better for us to combine and walk together.  We are all Scouts anyway, right?  Well, we had a lot of fun.  We handed out flyers with both of our contact information on it as well as BEASCOUT.ORG and the date of our Join Night.  The boys threw candy to everyone.  Everyone waved and cheered us on.  A great time. It allowed me to meet the other Den Leaders of Pack 254.  Awesome group of people.  I even said that we should meet up during the year and have some sort of event.  Maybe like Cubscout Olympic or something?

So, coupled with our Bike Rodeo and the Disc Golf events, we are done.  Two boys went to all three events, 12 went to two events and 33 went to one.  So, we are done for the Summer and Fall is fast approaching.  I have no idea what the Pack will do for the 2012 Summertime Pack Events, except for the Parade.  It was a great Summer.  Now, to turn in the paperwork for that ribbon banner for the Pack Flag!

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Trading Post Candy

Image by buchman photo via Flickr

Over the three days of Scout Camp this year, I witnessed a few things that really made me think about the Scout Camp Program, the Scouts & Parents and myself.  First off, let me say that I am not in shape.  I however would outlast some of you if we were stuck in a snow cave for several days without food. That being said, I am working on myself.  I do have bad habits of drinking soda and not eating good.  Most of this comes from being on the road all the time for my real job.  Another part is my history of eating junk food.

However, when we were at Scout Camp this week, I got introduced to the Trading Post.  Yes, I have seen them before and Elliot has gone in and bought stuff.  However,  this year was much much more than years past.   I saw parents giving kids $20′s bills and they go running in.  Kids come out with fist fulls of Airheads, Candy Bars, Sodas, Slushies and other things.  Yes, some bought shirts, and walking sticks.  Some had Gator Aid and water.  But that wasn’t the norm.  I gave Elliot $5, but I also took much of the candy and reserved it throughout the camp.  I regulated it.  What I did not see was healthy food, besides water and Gator Aid.

The biggest upset to me was that Breakfast was  at 8am.  Trading Post opened at 7:30am.  I saw kids eating Candy, Slushies and offering candy bars to others.  Now, at breakfast they had Trix, Coco Puffs and Cinnamin Sugar Toast Crunch.  Guess what Elliot had?  Yup, all three cereals with Chocolate milk.  Now, as a boy with ADD/ADHA, that really was not a good thing.

With the latest promotional push from the Boy Scouts of America of being Fit, I think that having trading posts filled with candy really does a disservice to the kids who go to camp.   With all the rank requirements and even a Beltloop on Nutrition, it is wierd that a Camp would push all of this into the kids.  I think that the BSA Camp Program needs to earn both the Beltloop and Pin:

Belt Loop

Complete these three requirements:

1. Make a poster of foods that are good for you. Share the poster with your den.
2. Explain the difference between a fruit and a vegetable. Eat one of each.
3. Help prepare and eat a healthy meal of foods that are included in a food pyramid. (With your parent’s or adult partner’s permission, see http://www.mypyramid.gov.)

Academics Pin

Earn the Nutrition belt loop and complete five of the following requirements:

1. Make a poster that shows different foods that are high in each of the vitamins. Using your poster, explain to your den or family the difference between a vitamin and a mineral and the importance of each for a healthy diet.
2. Read the nutrition label from a packaged or canned food item. Learn about the importance of the nutrients listed. Explain what you learned to your den or family.
3. Make a list of diseases that can be caused by a diet that is poor in nutrition.
4. Talk with your school cafeteria manager about the role nutrition plays in the meals your school serves.
5. With an adult, plan a balanced menu of breakfasts, lunches, and dinners for your family for a week.
6. Make a list of healthy snack foods. Demonstrate how to prepare two healthy snacks.
7. With an adult, go grocery shopping. Report to your den or other family members what you learned about choosing good foods to eat.

Don’t get me wrong, I do not mind having candy in moderation, but to make it available before and after dining hall hours is not acceptable.
Granted the real candy police needs to be the parents.  Which, as I have said giving kids $$$ and letting them go is not correct.

The one good thing about this Camp is that the Cooks really did work with the Scouts that had food allergies.  A few boys in our Pack have them and there were no problems. The other thing that I liked is that normally on any Scout Weekend there is a starch with a starch with a starch.  Ugh.  This was different.  There was a spaghetti night, but that was it.

This experince at Scout Camp and along with recently watching the Food Inc Movie , really make me realize that if kids are going to grow-up healthy, WE need to make a bigger effort to get them good food and habits.

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Scout Camp 2011

This year Elliot and the now Webelos I went to Gilbert Ranch at Butte Creek in the Cascade Pacific Council.  We had been there before for our District’s first Annual Cub-o-ree.  Which was good since we knew that “The Hill” was there!  We packed lite, which was needed since out “homestead” was two more places UP the hill than last time.  Ugh.  I lost 5 pounds just hiking up and down it.

This was a two night three day resident camp, which the boys did last year at Cub World.  They were used to it.  Next year is Adventure Cove with four nights and five days.

Gilbert Ranch is just that. A working Ranch.  Besides the BB Guns , Archery, Wood Craft and a Games station, the boys had a Geology and Horseback riding station.
The Geology station gave the boys a chance to earn the Geology Beltloop.  Elliot did not attempt it since he wanted to pan for gold.  I will say that the Staff Member who put it on, was totally awesome.  While he kept the boys attention, he handed out great information.  I even learned a few things.

There was a Pioneering station, which the boys learned how to make butter with marbles, but we apparently ran out of time for the branding and blacksmithing part.  We did however get to see all the animals in the petting zoo area.  This was our first rotation after the whole camp tour.  The Camp Tour took a bit because the boys not paying attention as they needed to apparently.

The Horseride part was something that the boys were looking forwards to.  The next time the boys get to get on Horses within the Scout Program is in Boy Scouts.  There is a Horse Trek from Butte Creek up to Mt Hood’s Pioneer BSA Camp.  The trek is a 10 trek.  This was the first time for many of the boys including Elliot to ever get on a horse and ride.  Elliot has been on pony rides with the pony walking in a circle, so, that does not count.  All the Webelos I paid attention to the wrangler who handed out instructions on how to mount, dismount, and ride the horse.  There was no silliness or dumb questions.  As the boys mounted their Steed, they were off on a trail ride.  Elliot was in the second round to go and he picked a “hard” horse.  Meaning the horse would not just follow the leader.  He has to kick him to go and steer with the reins.  When Elliot got back, I asked how he liked it.  His reply was “I hope this is open during Free Time, I wanna go again!”  Well, that answered that.   What he doesn’t know is that Mom found a coupon for a four hour horse ride for four.  It’s going to be a family outing.

The boys had to do the usual Waiter for Breakfast, Dinner and Supper. Which they did pretty well.  The Camp had Chores for each Homestead to do as well after breakfast.  Ours was sweeping mainstreet. The staff put on several Campfires and a Old West Show, which was great.  Some of the staff had long speeches that were pure poetry.  Great thing is they usually were right in front of us, so I heard them all.  There was a Scout’s Own, which was kinda wierd.  They passed out a survey to see who wanted a bible or a chaplin visit.  Ok, I get that, but it wasn’t presented well.  I made Elliot stay since we generally do not go to church on a regular basis.  15 minutes into it, he had nature call, so we both got out of it.  He needed a buddy.

At the end of one day, there was a Flag Retirement.  Which, we attended.  It was optional, but I knew we had to go.  It was very nicely done.  I had to explain to Elliot and the boys what was happening before we went to the Campfire bowl.  The ceremony was good and the boys behaved themselves.

Overall it was a great camp for the boys.  Next up, I will talk about how the Parents and my general thoughts on wierd things that happen at camp….

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