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{{Mergefrom|Firecraft|Talk:Scoutcraft|date=February 2007}}
'''Scoutcraft'''
[[Image:Uk-Scouts-Explorer-ScoutingSkills.gif|thumb|[[Explorer Scout]] award for '''Scoutcraft''']]
'''Scoutcraft''' is a term used to cover a variety of knowledge and skills required by people seeking to venture into wild country and sustain themselves independently. The term has been adopted by [[Scouting]] organisations to reflect skills and knowledge which are felt to be a core part of the various programmes, alongside community and spirituality.


==Origins of Scoutcraft==
The intent of this Wiki is to post best practices for scoutcraft and advancment.


Scoutcraft grew out of the skills necessary to survive in the expanding frontiers of the New World in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries. Frontiersman, such as [[Daniel Boone]], needed these skills to travel through the uncharted wildernesses and difficult terrains.
----
__TOC__
== Good Turns ==
<sup><u>Settummanque, the blackeagle ((LTC) Mike L. Walton)</u></sup><br>


As the nineteenth century moved on, Scoutcraft began to be adopted by parts of some military forces, as the way in which wars and battles were fought changed. [[Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell|Robert Baden-Powell]], the founder of the Scouting movement, first began forming his idea for a programme of training young men in Scoutcraft whilst serving in the military. He wrote a number of books on the subject, and even started to train and make use of adolescent boys, most famously during the [[Siege of Mafeking]], during the [[Second Boer War]].
By the time the Cub Scout becomes a Boy Scout, the idea is already there:  Do something for someone, get a badge.  And when it doesn't happen, as in the case of some Troops whose adults and youth understand what the Good Turn REALLY is, the parents go ballistic because "MY SON ain't pickin' up anyone else's trash for NOTHING. You've gonna hand him a merit badge, or a pin, or ''service hours'', or something..."


==Scoutcraft in Scouting==
Scouts, Scouters and PARENTS need to understand what the Good Turn is.  Here is what the '''Good Turn''' is:


After the Second Boer War, Baden-Powell enjoyed a celebrity status for his command at Mafeking. He set about writing a new book, ''[[Scouting for Boys]]'', which was published in 1908. This was removed from his earlier, more military orientated works, but kept the idea of Scoutcraft as a core part of the Scouting programme. Some critics accused Baden-Powell of trying to create a pseudo-military organisation, but he was quick to distance himself and Scouting from his earlier military experiences, and instead pointed out the importance of self-reliance, duty and thoughtfulness which his new programme promoted.
'''"Some positive form of action performed by the Scout, either alone or as part of a group, which directly benefits another human being, an animal, or a place of community service or reverence. This action is performed WITHOUT THE EXPECATION OF ANY FORM OF RECOUPMENT, PAYMENT, HONORIAUM, OR FEE and simply because the action is perfomed as a Scout, by a Scout living the Scouting ideals. This action shall be performed DAILY."'''


In order to test that a new member had earned the title of Scout, Baden-Powell devised a number of tests for them to complete, including knot-tying, animal tracking, first aid, navigation, and fire-lighting. Other tests listed by Baden-Powell include having sixpence in a bank, and knowing about the Union Flag and its significance - these latter tests are generally not included in Scoutcraft in more recent times.<ref name="bp_sfb">{{cite book | first = Robert | last = Baden-Powell | authorlink = Robert Baden-Powell, 1st Baron Baden-Powell | title = [[Scouting for Boys]] | publisher = Oxford University Press | year = 2005 | pages = 33 & 34 }}</ref>
There are four parts to this:


Scoutcraft is still a core part of many organisations' programmes. [[The Scout Association]] of the [[United Kingdom]] lists the following benefits of Scoutcraft:<ref name="tsa_scoutcraft">{{cite web | title = Scoutcraft and Adventure | work = ScoutBase UK | publisher = The Scout Association | date = 2005 | url = http://www.scoutbase.org.uk/6to25/scout/programme/zones/sctcraft.htm | format = html | accessdate = 2007-02-06}}</ref>
# The action is POSITIVE in nature.  Beating up on some kid because he's a bully is NOT a positive action.  An entire patrol, however, confronting the bully and telling him or her to "back off" someone IS positive in nature. Taking out the trash as a daily chore is NOT a positive action but taking out the trash, cleaning the trash cans, and perhaps even taking the recyclables down to the recycle center IS a positive action.<br>
* encourages self reliance, resourcefulness and confidence in their own ability
# The action DIRECTLY BENEFITS SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE.  Whether it is something to benefit the school, a church, a community action center, a pet shelter, or someone who lives on your street....it has to help THEM, not youThe action is something that they could do, sure.  But you chose to do it for them, either by yourself or with others who are as like-minded as you.
* develops skills to be used in the outdoors
# The action is PERFORMED WITHOUT PAY.  Whether the pay comes in "camperships for your Scouts" or "money in your Scout account" or a direct "Here's a quarter, call someone who cares..." Scouts DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FOR GOOD TURNS.  They don't accept patches, either.  Nor do they accept a free gift card at the local resturant.  When Scouts accept those items, they have been PAID for their services.  As someone told me on the trail today, "when you start taking money for doing what is supposed to come from the heart, it becomes a job."
* provides training for what to do in emergency situations
# Finally, the action SHOULD BE PERFORMED DAILY, as in "Do a Good Turn DAILY".  It is not something to be done to "count toward next week's count" of the number of service hours (although the BSA is asking us to compile that information so that they can statistically tell the public "you know if you paid for all of the Good Turns that Scouts and Scouters have done, you would have to spend.... X number of dollars."


==List of Scoutcraft skills==
== Scout Spirit ==
<sup><u>Lloyd Dalton</u></sup><br>


An example list of Scoutcraft skills, taken from 1964's ''[[Boy Scout Handbook]]'' (sixth edition) includes:
Q:How do you incorporate Scouting's ideals in your troop's program?


* [[Cooking on a campfire|Camp Cooking]]
A: We've had good success with a "scout spirit award", which I give out at the end of each day at camp (and occasionally on the morning of the next day).  It's just a little knot, like this:
* Camp Health
* Camp Preparation
* Cleanup
* [[List of wild foods|Edible Wild Plants]]
* [[Orienteering|Finding Directions]]
* [[Making fire|Fire Building]]
* [[First aid]]
* [[Hiking]]
* Knowing [[Tree]]s and [[Shrub]]s
* [[Lashing knot|Lashings]]
* [[Map]] Reading
* Map Sketching
* Preparing [[Wood fuel|Firewood]]
* Selecting [a] [[Campsite]]
* [[Semaphore|Signaling]]
* [[Swimming]]
* [[Tent]] Pitching
* Use of [a] [[Compass]]
* Using [an] [[Axe]] in Camp
* [[Wildlife]]


== See also ==
http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/string/friendship_knot.html
{{portal|Scouting|Scout logo2.svg}}
or this:
http://www.scoutxing.com/knots/true_lovers_knot/true_lovers_knot.htm


== References ==
given to a scout that I noticed doing something scout-ish.  I always present the award like this:
<div class="references-small"><references/></div>


[[Category:Scoutcraft|*]]
"The scout spirit award is a small thing, and not very fancy or valuable.  That's because I can't see most of the scoutlike things you guys do.  This just recognizes something I did happen to see.  Today's scout spirit award goes to a scout who I noticed doing [X].  That's a good example of [Y].  Congratulations!"
[[Category:Scouting]]
 
Where X is some action, and Y is some point of the point of the oath, law, or other scouting guideline.
 
== Awards ==
=== Congressional Award ===
<sup><u>Calvin H. Gray</u></sup><br>
The Congressional Award is a national program available to young people ages 14-23.  At age 13 1/2, young people may begin working toward an award by establishing goals and registering with the National Office.
Participants may earn several levels of recognition including Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.
 
This is an excellent opportunity for young people in Scouting and Venturing to use their activities to earn a rather unique series of awards.  Additional information on the program may be viewed at:
http://www.congressionalaward.org
 
To earn an award, young people must establish goals and carry out activities related to volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and an expedition or exploration outside their normal environment.  Each award level is cumulative, i.e., time spent on one award is carried forward to the next level.
 
Many Scouting activities may be used to earn an award.  High adventure trips could be used to complete the expedition requirement.  Earning merit badges could be used to help satisfy personal development and/or physical fitness.  Time spent in a major position of leadership in a troop or crew could count toward the volunteer public service, as could time spent during troop and crew service projects.
 
I've observed that most young people involved in Scouting or Venturing for several years will usually complete at least the requirements for a Bronze Medal.  However, few young people actually receive the recognition as they don't register in the program and establish the goals needed to pursue an award.
 
''Copied from http://scouting.wikia.com/wiki/ScoutCraft''

Revision as of 17:39, 20 March 2007

Scoutcraft

The intent of this Wiki is to post best practices for scoutcraft and advancment.


Good Turns

Settummanque, the blackeagle ((LTC) Mike L. Walton)

By the time the Cub Scout becomes a Boy Scout, the idea is already there: Do something for someone, get a badge. And when it doesn't happen, as in the case of some Troops whose adults and youth understand what the Good Turn REALLY is, the parents go ballistic because "MY SON ain't pickin' up anyone else's trash for NOTHING. You've gonna hand him a merit badge, or a pin, or service hours, or something..."

Scouts, Scouters and PARENTS need to understand what the Good Turn is. Here is what the Good Turn is:

"Some positive form of action performed by the Scout, either alone or as part of a group, which directly benefits another human being, an animal, or a place of community service or reverence. This action is performed WITHOUT THE EXPECATION OF ANY FORM OF RECOUPMENT, PAYMENT, HONORIAUM, OR FEE and simply because the action is perfomed as a Scout, by a Scout living the Scouting ideals. This action shall be performed DAILY."

There are four parts to this:

  1. The action is POSITIVE in nature. Beating up on some kid because he's a bully is NOT a positive action. An entire patrol, however, confronting the bully and telling him or her to "back off" someone IS positive in nature. Taking out the trash as a daily chore is NOT a positive action but taking out the trash, cleaning the trash cans, and perhaps even taking the recyclables down to the recycle center IS a positive action.
  2. The action DIRECTLY BENEFITS SOMEONE OR SOMETHING ELSE. Whether it is something to benefit the school, a church, a community action center, a pet shelter, or someone who lives on your street....it has to help THEM, not you. The action is something that they could do, sure. But you chose to do it for them, either by yourself or with others who are as like-minded as you.
  3. The action is PERFORMED WITHOUT PAY. Whether the pay comes in "camperships for your Scouts" or "money in your Scout account" or a direct "Here's a quarter, call someone who cares..." Scouts DO NOT ACCEPT MONEY FOR GOOD TURNS. They don't accept patches, either. Nor do they accept a free gift card at the local resturant. When Scouts accept those items, they have been PAID for their services. As someone told me on the trail today, "when you start taking money for doing what is supposed to come from the heart, it becomes a job."
  4. Finally, the action SHOULD BE PERFORMED DAILY, as in "Do a Good Turn DAILY". It is not something to be done to "count toward next week's count" of the number of service hours (although the BSA is asking us to compile that information so that they can statistically tell the public "you know if you paid for all of the Good Turns that Scouts and Scouters have done, you would have to spend.... X number of dollars."

Scout Spirit

Lloyd Dalton

Q:How do you incorporate Scouting's ideals in your troop's program?

A: We've had good success with a "scout spirit award", which I give out at the end of each day at camp (and occasionally on the morning of the next day). It's just a little knot, like this:

http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/string/friendship_knot.html or this: http://www.scoutxing.com/knots/true_lovers_knot/true_lovers_knot.htm

given to a scout that I noticed doing something scout-ish. I always present the award like this:

"The scout spirit award is a small thing, and not very fancy or valuable. That's because I can't see most of the scoutlike things you guys do. This just recognizes something I did happen to see. Today's scout spirit award goes to a scout who I noticed doing [X]. That's a good example of [Y]. Congratulations!"

Where X is some action, and Y is some point of the point of the oath, law, or other scouting guideline.

Awards

Congressional Award

Calvin H. Gray
The Congressional Award is a national program available to young people ages 14-23. At age 13 1/2, young people may begin working toward an award by establishing goals and registering with the National Office. Participants may earn several levels of recognition including Bronze, Silver and Gold certificates as well as Bronze, Silver and Gold Medals.

This is an excellent opportunity for young people in Scouting and Venturing to use their activities to earn a rather unique series of awards. Additional information on the program may be viewed at: http://www.congressionalaward.org

To earn an award, young people must establish goals and carry out activities related to volunteer public service, personal development, physical fitness and an expedition or exploration outside their normal environment. Each award level is cumulative, i.e., time spent on one award is carried forward to the next level.

Many Scouting activities may be used to earn an award. High adventure trips could be used to complete the expedition requirement. Earning merit badges could be used to help satisfy personal development and/or physical fitness. Time spent in a major position of leadership in a troop or crew could count toward the volunteer public service, as could time spent during troop and crew service projects.

I've observed that most young people involved in Scouting or Venturing for several years will usually complete at least the requirements for a Bronze Medal. However, few young people actually receive the recognition as they don't register in the program and establish the goals needed to pursue an award.

Copied from http://scouting.wikia.com/wiki/ScoutCraft