Tips for Stress free life  >  Expert Zone   > Leadership

       Leadership Tips by experts


Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience


Recently I attended Cub Scout Leader Outdoor Experience training. This was a 24 hour course starting Friday evening. If you are a leader whose Council officers this kind of training, I would highly recommend it.

We were split up into 4 dens of 8-10 people and did everything as dens. We setup our 10'X10' canvas wall tents, made a den flag, cooked and ate together, and attended breakout sessions together. We cooked breakfast in dutch ovens and made foil packs for lunch.

Some breakout sessions were directly related to Webelos badges: readyman (first aid), naturalist (bugs, snakes, birds nests, etc.), forester (trees and leaves), outdoorsman (camping gear), and geologist (rocks and fossils), There were also breakout sessions on setting up camp (tents, sleeping bags, weather), wood tools (knives, bow saws, and hatchets), camp cooking, fire starting.

In the larger goup we were given information on topics such as games for cub scouts, doing religious services at camp-outs, how to conduct an effective campfire ceremony, and specific information on this summer's Webelos camps.

We also had an evening campfire ceremony. The staff did a great job with this. It was very entertaining with jokes, skits, songs, and a short inspirational talk at the end. The inspirational talk was based on NOTES FOR KEYNOTE ADDRESS FOR JSCOPE 2000 By General Charles C. Krulak, which was about the Roman military roots of the word "integrity".

Finally, one of the last things we did was go on a hike that also doubled as a tour of the facilities. They also had us do a sort of scavenger hunt where we we supposed to take note of something small, something large, something beautiful, something mysterious, something magical, something from the past, something that represents the future, etc. When we got back there was a little inspirational talk where one of the trainers talked about how an apple can be viewed as being all of these things and sliced the apple in half showing the star. He talked about how boys see nature through the eyes of their scout leaders and how the boys are our future.

On the whole, the training was quite good. The only problem we had was with the way the cooking was done. The staff had brought in a big portable fire pit into which they dumped charcoal. There was no way to control air flow, and the fire got so hot that it was difficult to get close enough to stir the pot without getting burnt. In fact, I did burn the hair off part of one arm and ruined a jacket while trying to stir bacon in the bottom of our den's dutch oven. (This had nothing to do with any inherent danger with using dutch ovens.) Later when we cooked with foil packs we had the same problem. The fire got so hot that some of the aluminum foil was melting and the food inside most of the foil packs was not cooked evenly. Any part touching the foil was burnt while other parts were a bit under done.

Actually, I didn't mind so much. I learned some valuable lessons from this. I think part of the problem was that they just used too much charcoal. If you can't control air flow, you can still control the amount of fuel. (After the experience at breakfast, I think I would have done something different at lunch.) Also, I decided that in some ways pressurized fuel can be safer than cooking over wood or charcoal. With a propane stove, you can easily adjust the size of the flame.

There were some other things that I thought were kind of funny. For example, while on a hike, one of the trainers was telling us that when we are on a trail, if we come to a puddle we should walk through it instead of walking around it (which would then be creating a new trail). This was due to the "leave no trace" philosophy. However, shortly after that we were herded off the trail to be shown various trees and plants, and in the process people were trampling wild flowers. Also, they encouraged us to take rocks, fossils, and arrowheads that we found to start our own collections. I always thought that was against the leave no trace philosophy.

Another thing that I thought was funny was the way they taught us to start fires. In the old days, scouts would learn to start fires without even using a match. These trainers emphasized much easier methods. Some of the fire starters they showed us included: dryer lint, cardboard coated with candle wax, store bought fire starters, and store bought fake logs chopped up into smaller pieces and wrapped in newspaper. Another attendee mentioned making firestarts by mixing sawdust and candle wax in a dixie cup. All these are interesting ideas, but they seem like cheating to me.

Anyway, this experience really was fun and very informative. Some of the sessions (especially first aid) seemed far too short, but they were throwing a lot of information at us. Also, it was fun just getting together with the other leaders and meeting new people.

The author, Greg Bonney, is the owner of Bonney Information and E-Commerce and founder of Scoutcamping.com (http://www.scoutcamping.com).

Copyright © 2005 Bonney Information and E-Commerce.


MORE RESOURCES:

See the complete list of Articles on Leadership here

Have a look at Best Selling Books on Leadership

 

Google

See also : Other articles on

Depression, Grief Loss, Happiness, Humor, Inspirational, Motivation,
Positive Attitude
, Meditation, Spirituality Goal Setting, Leadership Public Speaking Time ManagementWealth Building, Ethics, Stress Management
Yoga, Alternative Health, Build Muscle, Exercise,   Aerobics Cardio, Fitness Equipment Pregnancy  Dating, Elder Care, RelationshipAcneBeauty, Hair Loss
Cooking Tips, Recipes,Top Tips for everything Crafts Hobbies, Creativity, Fishing Photography, Pets,


Latest info on : Leadership

 


2008 Wellness Symposium Draws National Health Leadership to ...
MarketWatch - 8 hours ago
Keynote Presentation by 17th Surgeon General of the United States Richard H. Carmona, MD, MPH, FACS November 13th & 14th, 2008 -- Minute Maid Park/Union ...


The Ito Partnership Strengthens Leadership Team With Creative and ...
MarketWatch - 9 hours ago
NEW YORK, Sept 04, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ -- Creative brand development agency The Ito Partnership ( www.ito-partners.com) announced today the ...


Sharp Reaffirms High-Definition Flat-Panel Leadership with Cutting ...
MarketWatch - 17 hours ago
... Sharp is solidifying its consumer electronics leadership with a product line-up that reflects the combination of advanced technology and contemporary ...


It's time to pass the torch to new leadership
Chicago Daily Herald, IL - 20 minutes ago
It was a time in this country when we as citizens were inspired by bold ideas, innovation, and a new style of leadership. President Clinton also fully ...


Telegraph.co.uk

Cindy McCain Focuses on Giving, Leadership
Christian Broadcasting Network, VA - 1 hour ago
CBNNews.com - On the night her husband accepted the GOP presidential nomination, Cindy McCain spoke of America's duty to lend a helping hand. ...
Video: Raw Video: McCain Joins Palin on Stage AssociatedPress
FUTURE CHANGES INCLUDE SARAH PALIN, USA VP NOMINEE American Chronicle
The FundamentaList The American Prospect
U.S. News & World Report - Telegraph.co.uk
all 1,573 news articles


ABC News

UPDATE 1-Aso rivals seek candidates in Japan leadership race
Forbes, NY - Sep 3, 2008
Yuriko Koike, who served briefly as Japan's first woman defence minister last year, is considering her candidacy for the LDP leadership vote on Sept. ...
Japanese leadership race hots up BBC News
In Japan, a Leadership Vacuum New York Times
Aso draws support in Japanese leadership race U.S. Daily
Forbes - Forbes
all 1,637 news articles


China Daily

McCain presents case for leadership
The Hill, DC - 1 hour ago
By Andy Barr ST. PAUL -- John McCain accepted the Republican presidential nomination Thursday with a humble and magnanimous speech that culminated a roller ...
Obama shows courage, change, leadership Statesman Journal
McCain Accepts Nomination, Says He'll Fight to Restore Party ... KRDO
Giuliani rips into 'weak' Obama The Australian
The Associated Press - Coast News
all 1,159 news articles


Boston Globe

Martinez Touts McCain's Leadership Under Fire
Brandon News and Tribune, FL - 1 hour ago
"The challenges and dangers we face in this uncertain world call for strong leadership, and a clear understanding of the threats we face and how to meet and ...
GOP Convention Analysis Blacks and Republicans Divided; Only 36 ... Afro American
GOP displays some diversity at its convention Dallas Morning News
GOP delegates ready for convention gun Topeka Capital Journal
Workers World - Black Agenda Report
all 399 news articles


Youth Leadership Coweta offers opportunities for diverse group
Newnan Times-Herald, GA - 9 hours ago
By Brenda Pedraza-Vidamour Youth Leadership Coweta has a lot of things going on this year including wrapping up its current membership drive, developing a ...


Boston Globe

GOP Leadership Might Have New Look After Elections
National Journal, DC - 8 hours ago
Barack Obama of Illinois win the White House, Alexander said, "then the leadership really turns to the congressional leadership." The new GOP House members ...
Convention Moments Chart a Complicated Relationship With the Bushes New York Times
GOP looks to Virginia's Cantor, other 'fresh faces' for renewal The Virginian-Pilot
Seeking the old John McCain San Francisco Chronicle
The Swamp - Tribune's Washington Bureau
all 303 news articles

Leadership - Google News

 

Why not be an expert yourself  ?

 If you can write on any of the above topic, you are welcome to submit your
 articles in our database :

 Submit your article here   Our Article Area

You are here Home > Tips for Stress free Life > Expert Zone > Leadership Tips


| Leadership Tips Home | Leadership Tips - Complete list 

| Main Home | | Meditation Corner

                |Health Tips  | Workplace Tips  | Soul Tips  |Expert Zone  |

Recommend us  |

 Books, DVDs and accessories on meditation & yoga  |

[About us] [Contact] [Privacy Policy]

Copyright 2006, Meditation is Easy.com, All rights reserved