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....
We tend to focus only on directive leadership roles when we are thinking about engaging our Scouts in leadership, but every Scout can (and ought to) be a leader. Here’s some thoughts you can use to encourage all of your Scouts to engage in leadership. **Leadership is much more than standing in front of the group giving directions.**There are four ways every Scout is a leader – First you lead yourself, second you follow cooperatively, third you help your fellow Scouts, and fourth you shape the directions and plans for your patrol and troop....
Now the new year has come Scouts registered after January 1, 2016 must use the new rank requirements. What about Scouts registered before December 31, 2015? The answer is a little complicated, but not too hard to understand; Here’s the logic chart as a PDF file, and the BSA document I used to make it. Here’s the BSA’s PDF list of the new requirements to print out and add to your handbook....
The eight knot contest can be an individual or patrol contest, it’s one of my favorite inter-patrol competitions. To hold the eight knot contest you’ll need four ropes of equal diameter, three six foot long, one twelve feet long. A two foot long log about six inches in diameter, and two trees 12-16 feet apart. The contest begins with all the ropes and the log laid out, untied , on the ground, and ends when the knots are all tied and the log is suspended off the ground....
This is one plan for a court of honor we’ve used in my troop for many years based on a few simple rules of thumb; Brief, formal, yet meaningful – Depending on the number of awards and presentations this court of honor should take no more than 45 minutes from beginning to end. Most of our ceremonies last between 30-45 minutes. This seems to be just about the right length of time....
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....
If you think the advice in this infographic is nutty, heretical, or (to be charitable) merely inadvisable; so did I until I tried it. I first read about this in Cliff Jacobson’s book Camping’s Top Secrets. Jacobson is an author, wilderness guide, Distinguished Eagle Scout, and a regular contributor to Scouting Magazine. When I interviewed Cliff on Scoutmaster Podcast 54 he mentioned that many people react negatively to this particular advice, they insist he’s wrong....
Here’s a handy one-page reference that shows six First Class Knots – the square knot, taut-line hitch, two half hitches, timber hitch, clove hitch and bowline. Here’s more knot infographics Six First Class Knotsand 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. The PDF file of Six First Class Knots is formatted for 8 1/2 x 11 paper....
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....
You can download a PDF version of both the right and left handed versions of this infographic below RIGHT HANDED LEFT HANDED The “Turk’s head” knot (named for its resemblance to a turban) is a familiar traditional neckerchief slide or woggle.(Special thanks to Brian Stockton for the left handed version of this infographic) Elaborate Turk’s head knots can be made with additional passes and leads (see Ashley’s Book of Knots for a thorough education in this versatile, decorative knot)....
The decorative royal carrick bend can be fashioned into a great neckerchief slide. Begin by laying out the royal carrick bend flat and then tighten the strands around a cylinder (paper tube, etc.) This is a challenging project, but it’s worth the trouble. Here’s my Carrick Bend Infographic Here’s a royal carrick bend neckerchief slide I made from 425 Paracord (3mm) and coated with Mod Podge to hold everything together and harden the neckerchief slide....
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....
The ten essentials are things every responsible camper should carry. In addition to what you’ll use regularly carry some spares in your First Aid and Contingency Kit. Contingencies are more common than actual emergencies. I recommend a first-aid kit supplemented with a few other items on the ‘ten essentials’ list: a spare flashlight, spare whistle, trail food, matches, and fire starters. To see my specific recommendations for ten essentials check out this page in my Gear Guide....
There are so many options available selecting the right outdoor footwear for camping, hiking and backpacking can be confusing! The basic information in this infographic will help you choose and, more importantly, get a proper fit. To see my specific recommendations for outdoor footwear check out this page in my Gear Guide. Don’t miss these other helpful Gear Infographics! The Outdoor Footwear Infographic is available as a PDF document formatted to print on 8 1/2 x 11 paper....
This infographic measurement instructions and basic information on choosing the right backpack. See my specific recommendations for backpacks here The most important thing about a choosing the right backpack is getting a proper fit. To carry correctly and comfortably a pack must fit both torso length and hip size. Torso length is measured along the spine between the base of the neck and the top of the hips and hip size is measured around the top of the hips, (don’t confuse this with waist size)....
Proper outdoor clothing is comfortable but, more importantly, it keeps you safe. It’s surprising parents sometimes don’t seem to give much thought to what Scouts wear to a camping trip. If your troop is like mine they will be rained on and experience unseasonably cold temperatures on just about every camp out! Without the right clothing, Scouts will be cold, wet, have a bad experience, and be reluctant to go camping again....
While the twelve points of the Scout law at summer camp isn’t different than the Scout law anywhere else the week we spend together in the company of other Scouts is a great opportunity to discover how the Scout law applies to everything we do. Available as a PDF document. (see the download link below) Get dozens of Scouting resources like this one (infographics and other helpful documents in PDF format) Get the PDF package and support the creation of these resources for $5....
This infographic explains three things Scout parents can do to help Scouts with their gear (and save a Scoutmaster’s sanity). Put your Scout’s Name and Troop number on everything. If they are attending an event with dozens or hundreds of other Scouts and misplace a piece of clothing or gear there’s a much better chance it will find its way back to them if it is clearly marked with their full name and Troop number....
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!...
Here’s a Cooking Merit Badge infographic that you may find helpful: Download a printable PDF of the Cooking Merit Badge Infographic The Facts: As of January 1, 2014 Cooking Merit badge is required for Eagle. A new set of requirements have been published and new book will be available in January. During 2014 Scouts working on Cooking Merit badge may choose to use the new requirements or the old requirements. After January 1 2015 anyone Scouts Starting Cooking merit badge must use the new requirements The official Scouting Magazine Blog has announced the new Cooking Merit Badge requirements....