Merit Badge of the Week: Canoeing

When I was a Boy Scout in central Alaska, I worked hard on the Canoeing merit badge.  There weren't a lot of places to use a canoe aside from our Scout camp--at least for me.

Only problem:  I couldn't swim!  But they still let another Scout and me spend hours paddling away what I remember as a very large lake.  I was out of Scouting by the time I'd learned to swim, so only a partial for me--but a great memory!

[Anyone know if the troop on Eielson Air Force Base, AK still exists?]

Of course, now our Order of the Arrow tap-outs begin with a nice night-time ride in canoes across the lake...always an impressive sight.

As you might expect, this is a very desired merit badge, averaging 40,000+ for the last few years.  You must pass the BSA Swim Test as part of the process--so non-swimmers...have plenty of time to learn between now and summer camp!

[Notice that the first four requirements for Canoeing come straight out of the Second Class and First Class requirments.]

Resources

1. Basics
• Review the Introduction to Merit Badges from Scouting.org.
• Get the current official requirements.
• Get the worksheet from Usscouts.org.
• Read the merit badge manual.
2. Second Class first aid video:  click on Second Class and then 6C.
3. First Class first aid video:  click on First Class and then 8D.
4. First Class BSA swim test video:  click on First Class and then 9B.
5. First Class BSA Safety Afloat video:  click on First Class and then 9A.
6. BSA online training for Safety Afloat.
7. BSA online training for Hazardous Weather.
8. Video series to demonstrate different types of strokes for canoeing.
9. Paddler Magazine online for canoe and kayak information and adventure
10. American Canoe Association including finding a club near you.  Their SmartStart Paddling Orientation course plan looks like it would be very handy for teaching canoeing basics in a meeting.

Related Merit Badges:  Lifesaving, Motorboating, Rowing, Small-Boat Sailing, Swimming, Water Sports, Whitewater

Comments or resources to share?  Please leave a note in the Comments section or tweet away.

Weekend Patrol Box #7

Wow, the fall colors are out in great form this weekend.

I just returned from a trip, and need to get the Patrol Box out before the weekend fades into the sunset. We have a Patrol Leaders Council at my house tonight, so there is a lot to get packed in quickly.

Next month's theme for the Boy Scouts is "High Adventure"; for the Cub Scouts, it is "Seeds of Kindness". Our troop will have their semi-annual elections, followed by a Court of Honor. Both the pack and the troop have Scouting for Food projects, too.

OK, let's get to the patrol box.

For Cub Scouts: Seeds of Kindness Program Helps from the BSA.

Boy Scouts have "High Adventure" in mind, pages 66-75. Note--this is a step in the right direction for the BSA, to put the Troop Program Features online. Now they just need to split the 3 volumes up!

BSA: Scouting Safely--lots of links from here regarding all aspects of safety, including the Guide to Safe Scouting, Age-Appropriate Guidelines, Safe Swim Defense, and a lot more.

One more thing this week from BSA: the American Red Cross and BSA Training Agreement--are you taking advantage of it?

Christmas and other holiday seasons are right around the corner--Scoutstuff.org has the new catalog out.

Safely cross a river without a bridge--Backpacker.com.

Or cross a river with Ropes and Poles' pontoon ferry.

The Scoutmaster Minute has some advice on Jamboree interviews. Good things to think about in general, too.

Incarcerated Scouts? Idea for a new unit in your council?

Building a camp flag pole from the Chairman's Chat blog.

Merit Badge of the Week: Animal Science

Almost the end: Popcorn tip #8

Webelos Crossover: KISMIF.org wants to know when your Webelos move on. Vote to see when most units do it.

So, what are you doing this weekend to help move Scouting along? Leave a comment!

Weekend Patrol Box #6

Hey, six weeks have come and gone now. Hope the Patrol Box is giving you plenty to read and learn from.

Feel free to link to it or send out to your Scouts, too.

Shenrapawa's Mighty Troop 423 is headed out on our Lewis and Clark Fall Camporee this weekend. Tomahawk throwing, canoe races, letterboxing, and spectacular camping weather--what more could you ask for?

How about a good Patrol Box?

Let's help Ropes and Poles celebrate: 3 years of bringing us great Scouting on the web. The pictures on this entry alone will make you green with envy.

Scoutsigns has brought me another benefit: other great websites that I hadn't already known about. Boyandgirlscouts.com has a steady stream of news and updates for you about Scouting.

This one will remind you why we supervise our Scouts when doing fundraising! Dumbfounding video--worth the couple of minutes.

Speaking of fundraising: how is your popcorn season going? New tip!

The Backpacker.com video this week is on treating bloody wounds in the wild. They have a great first aid device, and I can just see all the Scouts running up to Mom for a little help.

Backpacker.com also has great articles: anyone ever have to help a Scout with fears in the woods? Or have them yourself?

This Columbus Day weekend is first annual "Make Tracks Family Trail Weekend" from the National Wildlife Federation. Encourage your Scouts to get out!

KISMIF.org has a great idea for letting Scouts know where to be: den signs. Could be used by Boy Scouts, too, with patrol flags or emblems.

Scoutmaster Musings addresses Demonstrate Scout Spirit in your everyday life. How do YOU handle this? Comment below!

Childcare at about.com has a great list of 10 fun activities for teaching fire safety. This would be easy to work in to a den meeting, or have a Boy Scout teach to a den.

I know everyone's attention is on the economy right now--been quite week. Might be a good time to get your Scouts intersted in American Labor or American Business merit badges. You might want to turn the American Business badge upside down though, this week. ;-)

Well, I've got a van to load up for the weekend. Hope this Patrol Box gave you a lot to think about and share with your Scouts.