The Zeppelin bend is an easy, secure way of joining two lines. Where it really shines, though, is how easy it is to untie even after it has been under a heavy load. Also called a Rosendahl Bend after Commander of the Lakehurst, N.J. Naval Air Station Charles Rosendahl who purportedly insisted it be used to moor airships under his command. The Zeppelin Bend Infographic is available as a PDF document formatted to print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper....
This slide is based on an idea found in “Whittlin’ Jim’s” column in the December 1950 issue of Boy’s Life. Check out my carrick bend infographic (part if the PDF package) This neckerchief slide can be made from just about any straight-grained wood, the piece I use in the video is probably the smallest workable size. Take care drilling the holes, too much pressure and you’ll split the wood.
: Chief Scout UK, Bear Grylls WOSM Secretary General Scott Teare Scouts in Kandersteg Our Scouts in Kandersteg Scouts in Kandersteg During my first visit to Kandersteg International Scout Center it was immediately apparent that Scouts the world over wear neckerchiefs, they wear them all the time, and they wear them with either the uniform or informal clothing. This immediately made sense, the Scout neckerchief is a symbol that identifies Scouts as members of a worldwide movement....
It is a movement, because it moves forward. As soon as it stops moving, it becomes an Organisation, and is no longer Scouting. – Baden-Powell Organizations serve the Scouting movement, but they are not Scouting itself. There’s a tense relationship between the creative, visionary force behind great ideas like Scouting and the formal organizational framework that facilitates their application. Movements have an emotional heart. Movements require leaders energized by an idea, a vision....
Do you know the campfire ballads about Sam and Dan? If you are fortunate you’ve sat in rapt attention around a campfire, chills running up your back, a smile on your face, listening to a skilled orator recite the campfire ballads of Sam McGee or Dan McGrew. Both of these venerable, spooky (yet humorous), campfire ballads were penned by “The Bard of the Yukon” author Robert William Service. Service reflected ; “Verse, not poetry, is what I was after … something the man in the street would take notice of and the sweet old lady would paste in her album; something the schoolboy would spout and the fellow in the pub would quote....
Mölkky (pronounced mulkey) is a Finnish game reminiscent of kyykkä, a centuries-old form of skittles. Mölkky is easy to learn, and can be played indoors or out. The pins and throwing stick for mölkky can be made from tree limbs or sticks approximately 2 1/2″ in diameter. Players throw a stick (also called “mölkky”) at pins marked with numbers from 1 to 12. The pins are placed in a tight 3–4 yards from the throwing line....
An old whittler’s puzzle the ball in a cage can be adapted to make an interesting neckerchief slide. Here’s pictures of one I carved many years ago: Here’s some whittling resources that will help you get started. The Ball in Cage Neckerchief Slideand over 40 moreinfographics and helpful PDF documents**Are included in theGET IT NOWBEFORE YOU CLICK THE DOWNLOAD BUTTON Join the growing number of Scouters who support producing and publishing resources like this....
Keeping Scouts safe is a key responsibility of any Scouter, and Safe scouting requires we understand and mange the risks involved in our activities. Scouter Walter Underwood has posted an excellent overview of recent changes to the Guide to Safe Scouting that include a Campout Safety Checklist (PDF), Event Safety Checklist (PDF), Incident Information Report (fillable PDF), and Near Miss Incident Information Report (fillable PDF). I think these new tools provide an excellent framework to maintain our awareness of our responsibilities and obligations to maintaining safe Scouting....
The cattle rustler’s and good-turn knots are decorative ways to tie off the ends of a Scout neckerchief. For a dressier look try tucking the ends before you roll the neckerchief as shown. Free PDF file formatted to print out on 81/2 X 11 paper The **Neckerchief Knots PDF file**and over 40 moreinfographics and helpful PDF documentsAre included in the The PDF file below is formatted for 8 1/2 x 11 paper....
Wilderness emergencies caused by sudden, unpredictable changes in conditions may be unavoidable BUT: Ignorance, inattentiveness, bravado, and lack of preparedness cause more wilderness emergencies than sudden changes in conditions. IGNORANCE of terrain, climate, skill level or physical health of groups and individuals. IGNORANCE of skills required to conduct the activity safely. IGNORANCE of risks inherent in the activity. KNOW where you are going, who is going, and what you need to stay safe....
This week’s Scout video picks come from Germany (via Switzerland), Luxembourg, and Indonesia. The skit is hilarious, the skills are astounding, and the song is truly touching. Cinderella Skit A hilarious take on the Cinderella story performed by a group of German Scouts at Kandersteg International Scout Center. Concours Woodcraft Pioneering Competition in Luxembourg Held in Marche-en-Famenne in Luxembourg this unique competition spans a weekend as teams compete to build their masterpiece....
Like Hannibal Smith “I love it when a plan comes together” and I think planning is an important skill, but the repetition of the same plan, over and over again, can wear a rut in the floor. Somewhere in the dim, dark past the Troop meeting plan was created; preopening 10 minutes, opening 5 minutes, instruction 20 minutes, patrol meeting 20 minutes, game 20 minutes, closing 5 minutes. There’s a lot Scouts can get out of meetings that follow a predictable plan, but there’s also room for breaking the mold now and again....
Don’t all of our Scouts have special needs? Each has an individual way of seeing things, individual talents and shortcomings, in one sense don’t all of us have some special need? The sport of Scouting is discovering how to best deliver the promises of Scouting to Scouts with different needs. It’s not so much about “special” needs, it’s about individual needs. When we throw quotes around “special” it’s understood we are referring to someone with a perceived deficit and requires ‘special’ assistance....
I was reminded (thank’s Jeff!) to remind you that Lyme disease season is upon us. The map above shows where Lyme is an issue when camping and hiking in the outdoors. Consult this CDC website for a comprehensive set of resources to better understand Lyme and how to prevent it. This PDF document offers succinct advice for campers and hikers. This FAQ is helpful for getting answers and clarification of common (mis)information....
Steve Fox’s list of roles and responsibilities in Scouting spans five decades. From his boyhood home in Maryland, to college in Indiana and Illinois, as a Peace Corps volunteer in Thailand, and during eight tours of duty with the Foreign Service in East and South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa Scouting has continued to be a big part of his life. Steve was generous enough to write this article and share some important thoughts and resources to help us all take our place in the world Scouting movement....
Is it possible to have a snowball battle without hitting anyone with a snowball? We tried this game out a short time ago; it was loads of fun and nobody was hit with a snowball. In this game the target is not other people, but a snow shovel, and the last snow shovel standing wins! Play this game in a big snow-covered field. Each patrol needs a snow shovel. There must be at least one referee (a whistle helps!...
This is probably my all-time favorite Scouting game! The heaving bar is a race to throw rope over the bar, secure it to a peg driven into the ground with a clove hitch, tie a log to the other end of the rope with a timber hitch and then lift the log off the ground by taking up the slack in the rope with a sheepshank. The heaving bar is an event in the biennial Paul Bunyan Field Day at our summer camp (Camp Horseshoe)....
Scouting is a game, not a science. – Baden-Powell Games suffer from a bad reputation. Why have Scouts play games? What about some serious learning? Aren’t games just fillers? Are they a waste of time? Fun has a bad reputation too; many adults think that learning is a rigorous, difficult, serious endeavor. After all we want our Scouts to take things seriously. Lighten up! Look at what happens when our Scouts play:...
“The international Scout movement is a world leader in youth education, and has particular relevance to the needs of youth in Africa and the emerging democracies around the globe. I am pleased with the progress of Scouting in South Africa, and in the steps which are now being taken to make the programme accessible to more young people. The importance of a high moral code, which is at the foundation of the Scout movement, cannot be stressed too highly....
Here’s a guest post featuring four great rediscovered games for Scouts from Enoch Heise. Enoch’s blog Scouting Rediscovered should be on your reading list. Enoch has loads of enthusiasm and practical information on getting to the heart of Scouting from the perspective of a young (18 years old) Eagle Scout. Listen to a discussion with Enoch on Podcast 136. Like you I am always looking for something new to add to the program but the best new ideas almost always turn out to be old ideas!...