Camping helps prepare for disasters.

This is a great article by Be Prepared (they sell food storage) on why camping helps you prepare for disasters.  I agree!!!

Overview of the article:

• You'll get used to sleeping in less than ideal circumstances.
• You'll learn to eat meals that are easy to cook--or don't require cooking at all.
• You'll get used to using the "facilities" in less than ideal circumstances.
• What you deem "necessities" will likely change.
• You'll have a chance to practice important skills and become more resourceful.
• You'll learn which kinds of clothing, shoes and outerwear are the best fit for the outdoors and your needs.
• You'll be more at ease in nature.
• Your kids (if you have any) won't be quite as freaked out that they aren't sleeping in their own beds.
• You can get used to finding and treating water before you drink it.
• You'll be really efficient at getting your camp set up.

Mom's Campout

I had a crazy idea this morning while walking in preparation for Philmont.  We under utilize the women of the Church especially when it comes to Scouting.  Most women in the Church that I have talked to don't really want anything to do with Scouts and tell me it is a "guy thing".  I definitely don't agree!  Mom's drive our boys to Eagle and help confirm what I say as a Scout leader.  Women of the Church are definitely more powerful then they think they are!

One of the thing that drives me nuts is the fact that we don't "allow" women to come on campouts.  For some reason the LDS Church believes that if women come on campouts, some how inappropriate things will happen.  If women and men/young men and young women can go on Trek, they can go camping together.  Now granted they need to separate at night but there should not be such a taboo on an unwritten rule.

So to overcome this unwritten rule, I thought about encouraging my boys to invite their Mom's on a campout and then allowing the boys to do everything for them.  Set up their tent, cook for them, etc.  This might be an opportunity to show their mothers what they have learned.  It might also encourage a different feeling in camp that normally isn't there.

Ideas?  Anyone done this before?

Wilderness Survival Campout

...........poor turn out.  Disappointment.  Some of the distractions?  Illness, XBox, after school detention, birthday parties (that I was told by their parents that they didn't need to be at), etc.  People's ability to choose what is right and what "they think is right" sometimes makes mad.  I take time away from my family to be there (also the ability to make money by not going to work #2).  Parents have no clue how much dedication this Scout calling takes.  NONE.  If they did, they would respect my time.

I digress.  I need a nap.

Quote - Grizzly Dan

The earth is my playground, the water is my bathtub, and the leaves are my toilet paper.  - Grizzly Dan

Logs/Appalachian Trail

I thought this was very cool.  If you want to read some logs from an overnight dwelling log book from along the Appalachian Trail, here they are.  Pretty cool!!!  Interesting to see different people perspective.

Backgrounds:  I have been reading a book called A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail.  The book is hilarious and also very informative though it tends to be a rant by a tree huger in a few spots.  Still a great book!  And I am not reader.  Because of this book I have been dreaming lately of hiking the AT.

Hiking List

Brian's Backpacking Blog has a great hiking back packing list to help see how much your backpack ways.

The Outdoors - A way to clear your brain

There is something magical about the outdoors.  I live in Texas and minus July through September, this is a wonderful place to live and find the outdoors.  I live near the big city but there are plenty of secluded places in the local area to get away.

The Varsity Leader Specific Training syllabus quotes the Varsity Scout Guidebook regarding the outdoors:

REI writter TD Wood has a great article on the importance of spending time unplugged.  I even followed his advice on my birthday and went on a 8.49 mile hike on my birthday to get away from it all.  The exercise was just an added bonus!!

Best Campout EVER!!!!

My boys would probably get stranded just for the helicopter ride!!!  Hats off to the boys (even though most were wearing tennis shoes to hike in~I hope those were their "extra" shoes) and to the calm headed Scout leaders!

LDS BSA Relations Meeting

During this last week I sat in on a LDS BSA Relations meeting.  6 stakes were present.  As I sat in the room I felt a bit out of place partly due to the fact that I was the only one in uniform.  I was asked to speak for 5 minutes on the Varsity classes at the University of Scouting.  I then stayed (because I carpooled) to listen to the rest of the meeting.  It was an interesting dynamic watching Stakes interact with each other.

Jubilee was mentioned a couple times with issues mentioined due to money and how Stakes got a bill for their portion and then we sent another bill for additional costs.  The Stakes are planning an Aaronic Priesthood Encampment for 2013 under the title of a Scout event.  To me it looks more like a Church event covered by Scouting insurance.  But I don't know all the details nor have I been involved in the planning process. 

Bringing a dog on a campout

I should have known better.  Our Troop went camping and the Team was supposed to go with them.  The Team never showed up.  But a young Scout and his Dad showed up to go together.  The boy has a learning disability and the Dad helps keep him on task.  I didn't notice the dog in their truck until we had already left and were on the road.  I just shook my head.  80 minutes later we were at the Camp.  The caretaker of the camp looked at me, looked out the door and asked "Is that a service animal?"  I told him it was not.  I think because there were not a lot of campers at the camp he told us "Well for this weekend, that is a service animal."

I wish I had had the gut to tell this father to take the dog home. 

The Dad kept the dog tied up most of the time but in the morning he let the dog roam.  At one point while our boys were working on the Firen' Chip the dog took off.  I watched as a pack of Cub Scouts came walking down the road.  My insides shook.  The Dad tried calling the dog back.  The dog wouldn't listen.  He kept going at this pack of Cubs.  I was freaking out.  I heard the Cub Master yell for the dog to be called back.  He picked up his staff and was ready to swing on the dog to protect his kids.  He would have been in his right to hurt "our" dog.  Luckily the dog made a big loop around the group and the Dad was able to capture him.  He tied him for the rest of the campout in his truck.

The good news is that the dog hasn't been back on any campouts.  And if he tries to return, he will be asked to return to his dog house. 

Winter Camping

This is a great post by Scoutmaster Minute about winter camping and the special skills set that is needed to take care of yourself while camping in snow.

Campsite Reservations

8 weeks ago I asked my Varsity Captain to get with the Outdoor Chair of our Scout Committee about reserving a campsite that is in our county but in another Council.  For 8 weeks I reminded him at least three times a week about the need to reserve the site.  6 days before the campout, I asked him if he had reserved it.  He told me he had not.  I actually knew he had not and reserved it without him knowing.  He then told me he was not going to be able to go due to a competition for something.  I was trying to calm myself down at that point so I wasn't listening to why.  I have horrible active listening skills at times when things are getting to me.  I think that he checked out further when he figured out he wasn't going and didn't care what happened.  We had a quick meeting on Wednesday to discuss what we were going to do without a camp site.  He basically told the group that we could just use a member's beach front property to camp on.  I then caught him in a lie that I let go.  It wasn't worth calling him out on the rug.

I don't plan on telling this boy EVER that I reserved the camp site without his help.  The reason?  His leadership skills are important.  He needs to know that he let the Team and the Troop down.  He knows he let me down.  He knows he let the Assistant Varsity Coach down too.  He also needs to know that he has to follow through.  If he thinks I "saved" him, he will think I will do it in the future.  I have let boys absolutely fail in the past as a learning point but I can't let it effect the actual outdoor program of the Scouting program.  The Varsity Captain has responsibility and that responsibility is real!  REAL!!!


I got a voicemail on Thursday before the Campout from the Outdoor Chair of the Scout Committee (who is also the Varsity Captain's Seminary Teacher) about not being able to reserve our desired campsite.  Here is my reply:

Brother X:

I was working last night and returned late to your message.  I understand that you tried to reserve H&H after The Varsity Captain asked for your help and were unable to.  Long story very short, we have been asking the VC for about 8 weeks to reserve H&H with your help to make sure that we got a campsite.  Unfortunately he did not seek your help in the time we requested.  Due to that, I reserved the campsite last Saturday due to the clear lack of follow through by the VC.  We had been following up with him 3 times a week for about 8 weeks.  We are attempting to be boy lead units but when a boy's lack of follow through effects camping for the other boys, sometimes we as leaders have to step in.  We appreciate your help and will ask the VC to get your help in reserving a campsite in the future. 

I did not want to tell the VC that I reserved the campsite because I do not want him to think I will "rescue" him when he puts things off to the last minute and I do not want him to think his leadership isn't important.  It is and we are still trying to impress him on the importance of not only his Priesthood keys as Teacher's Quorum President but also as the Varsity Captain.  I also do not plan on telling him that I reserved it 6 days ago.

This morning I received a confirmation from H&H that we are scheduled at Spirit Hills at H&H.  The map of the campsite is attached.  We are right next to the cemetery. 

Is there something I could have done for him to help him do his job?  All I asked him to do was to ask the Outdoor Chair to reserve the campsite.  His actual work was so small.  He has had a leadership class on planning a campout.  Apparently reminding him wasn't enough.

Pumkin Wars Campout

It really wasn't a campout because only 4 boys showed up and none of them were Varsity Scouts.  Again, we may be at the forming stage of team development.

The boys discovered that the 5 pound spaghetti squash didn't go as far as the apples.  Looks like they had fun though the numbers were low.

Why your son went hungry.......

I think I am about to have this conversation with a Mom.  I hope not.  I am sure some are not going to like my approach.

Dear Sister Molly Mormon:

So you want to know why your son went hungry on a campout?  I will tell you exactly why.

6 weeks ago he planned a campout.  He picked the spot, he picked the food, he picked the activity.  He made all the assignments.  He met with the Scout Committee.  He waited until 4 days before the campout to call and make sure our campsite was open.  It wasn't.  I reminded him for 5 weeks to call.  The Assistant Coach reminded him for 5 weeks.  When our spot fell through, we suggested another spot and asked him to call to check it out.  He didn't do it so the AC did it for him to make sure he didn't get the opportunity to cancel the campout for others.  We reminded him of his food assignment that he gave himself for 2 weeks.  We reminded him to delegate.  He didn't do it.

So what happens at home when you don't cook for him?  Does he go hungry?  Does he starve?  Nope.  He knows well enough how to open the fridge and find something to eat.  Here in the wilderness, we don't have a fridge so your son has to be a bit more forward thinking, plan his meal (which he did) and then he has to go out and get it.  You realize he was only gone for 16 hours?  I don't think anyone could starve to death in 16 hours.  Isn't 16 hours of hunger one of the best lessons of accountability a boy could learn?

Do I hold some accountability in all of this?  YES!  I do.  I have not trained your son well enough to be a good leader.  My accountability though only goes to the point where I have tried to help him fulfill his assignment and he chose to not fill it.  Your son still hasn't attended his Position Training.  Other things have seemed more important.  Will you make time in his schedule to take this training?

I love your son.  I have loved coming to his football games.  I have loved helping him work out answers to his problems.  I love your son!  I just can't do it all for him.

Brother Fishgutts

Trainers EDGE

Recently in Sunday School we were discussing using hidden talents.  It came up that the Lord doesn't like it when we are hard on ourselves and assume that we can't do the things he has placed in front of us.  We also discussed "cockiness" and how assume teaching our way is the only way.  This reminded me of two things:

1. It is hard being one of your son's Scout leaders.  I find myself just having to walk away at times because my son isn't doing things exactly like I want them to be done or the way I would do them.  I need to continue to realize that "my way" is not "his way" but our different ways are OK!  Note to self:  If the Taco Soup tastes good, why do you care how it is done?
2. I took a Trainers EDGE class at the last University of Scouting and though that this was going to be a cake class.  I teach so much at Church and Scouts, I was just doing it for the certificate.  When I presented, I got crushed by my patrol.  I was surprised by how poorly I had done.  Granted I am sure I am over-exaggerating a bit but in the end it was a great lesson to me that no matter how much I teach, my lesson needs to not be distracted by the way I teach it.

Campout

Our Troop, Team and Crew usually camp 9 times a year.  One of those is either High Adventure or Scout Camp.  

After 3 months of no camping due to 70+ days of 100+ degrees, we TRIED to go camping last night.  We started small.  We live on a lake in Texas (I guess living on the lake should really say I live within 750 yards of the lake).  A member has a lake home and so we set up camp on his beach.  The charcol was started for dinner.  The tents were set up.  And then...............?

The heavens opened like I haven't seen in years.  In a matter of 3 minutes, the temperatures dropped 10 degrees.  The winds went from literally nothing to 30 mph.  And it poured buckets.  Our tents that we had staked into the sand, we being removed from the beach by the wind.  Lightening started and moved closer to us.  We ordered the boys off the beach to the cars and the adults braved the lightening to put all of our stuff under cover.  After an hour, we had had enough.  It wasn't letting up.  We were all soaked.  Even the guys with expensive rain gear were wetter than a seal in the sea.  My pocho was a joke.  (I use a poncho because when it rains here in Texas, it is usually pretty humid and I like the ability to have freedom of air to cool myself.)  What sealed the message from God that we were not wanted on the beach was when lightening stuck across the lake (about 2 miles away) and fire truck after fire truck headed that way.  Enough already!  We were done.

We came home last night.  From the time we left to the time we were home was less than 2 hours.  Wimpy.  First campout we have every canceled when we actually got there.  Second canceled campout in two years ~ it was canceled due to lightening.  I do bad weather.  I just don't do lightening.

So this morning we are off to pick up our stuff and to shoot sling shots.  I hope all the boys slept well and dry.  I did.  It is humid this morning though.  Supposed to be 90 degrees today.  I hate humidity. 

The adult side of camp........

Here is an awesome article on how to run a boy lead program.  I would love to run a program like this or should I say I wish I had boys that took on their true responsibility.

Sharing a Campsite

This is a great article.  I hope my Team is never the "bad" group.

Broke My Heart

Last weekend we had a poorly attended campout.  We had as many leaders (4) as we did boys.  We were trying to get them ready for their wilderness survival campout.  We showed them how to build shelters and then they told us they were not going to build them because they were not in "survival mode" because they were safe and sound.

I asked one of the boys about noon on Saturday what he was going to do when he got home.  He told me he was going to hide in his room.  I asked him why.  He said that his parents had told him he either had to go on the campout with us or find a friends house to spend the night out because his parents wanted time alone.

Hearing this broke my heart.

No matches.......

This weekend we went camping at the beautiful Camp James Ray on the Texas Oklahoma border.  We had one Varsity Scout, 4 Scouts and one 11 year old Scout and his Dad.  The boys did everything.  We didn't do a thing for them.  They led themselves, they set the program and we followed their lead.  We gave advice when they asked.  It was a great use of the Patrol Method. 

Saturday's lesson was on fire building.  I had purchased some magneseum matches a few months back and whipped those out for the boys to try.  My Assistant Coach helped me show the boys how to use them.  In 18 minutes my AC and I had started two fires but we were unable to get our twigs started for a fire.  The boys mocked us.

So their turn came around and at 20 minutes they had not been able to start a fire.  So I told them they could use one match.  Both teams stared at me.  I asked "Don't you have any matches?"  Not a single boy had brought a match.  I couldn't believe it.  A couple boys told me that their parents don't allow them to have matches.  I couldn't believe it.  What is a Scout without a way to start fire? 

The wind was working against them and they allowed the wind to blow out their matches.  5 minutes later we gave them one more.  In the end we gave them 5 matches and both were able to start a fire and burn a string that we had placed above their fire pits.  They were discouraged at times but in the end gathered their wits about them and were able to start the fire.