From: Alan R. Hamm (ahamm@alanhamm.com)
Date: Tue Jun 11 2002 - 06:26:45 CDT
All those are excellent points. Actually, one of the first questions I ask
a scout during a board of review for Tenderfoot, 2nd for 1st Class is "Point
to the north". The scout handbook does not teach you how to "find north"
while sitting in a church classroom, but scouting will and does. I don't
want scouts to memorize, I want them to exercise their minds.
Yes, I will take a compass and am taking a GPS (I am a boater and cannot
resist). But I am also going to take a crew that will be well prepared for
each day's "trek" by studying the map the evening before and knowing what is
ahead and the direction we are heading. If we are heading north into the
sun, we have a problem.
Regarding the lack of information from Philmont, I have come full circle.
While I still look for as much information as possible, I have gone from
needing to know each days hike a month ahead of time to hoping they don't
tell us until we walk into logistics. We have (had) trek 20. It was
"supposed" to be the most popular trek the last couple of years. The boys
were real excited about it. Now the challenge is to make trek 20 the "best
Philmont can offer". I think the adults are the ones overreacting to the
changes. The scouts can adapt to most anything.
Alan Hamm
Lead Advisor
702F NCAC
----- Original Message -----
From: "Dr. Bob Klein" <drbob@troop111.org>
To: "Multiple recipients of list philmont" <philmont@troop47.com>
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2002 6:37 AM
Subject: [Philmont]: Compass Skills
> FWIW, I try to encourage my Scouts to go as compass free as possible
> during our treks, instead using the "sun and watch" technique, or just
> the general direction of the sun, to orient the Crew map. At least 90
> percent of the time, that is perfectly adequate.
>
> Why do this? Well, as I tell my guys, if you're ever in a true survival
> situation, like your helicopter went down in the Northwest Territories
> while you were scoping out your latest gold strike (you lucky dog, you),
> what are the chances you will have a compass (or GPS) in your pocket?
> On a far more mundane/pragmatic level, you'll know which direction
> you're heading while driving a car, or playing accidental tourist in DC
> or elsewhere, or in a hundred similar scenarios. In short, a very good
> skill to have.
>
> Try this exercise one time: On a clear mid-morning or mid-afternoon
> during one of your shakedowns, ask everyone in your Crew to mentally
> determine south by "what they see". Then have everyone close their
> eyes, and point where they think south is. Then open their eyes.
> Generally you will have arms pointing all around the compass rose.
>
> Then teach them how to find south by general sun direction, or sun and
> watch if you prefer, or both. Then repeat the above exercise 4 or 5
> more times during the rest of the weekend. You'll be amazed at the
> improvement. Repeat the exercise at the next shakedown, and they'll
> incorporate it as a permanent lifetime skill. That's in ADDITION to
> normal map and compass skills, not instead of. Give it a shot! (you can
> always whip out your $150 Suunto to prove you're right). :)
>
> - Dr. Bob
>
>
>
>
>
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> As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
> Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
> loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
> cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
> -------------------------------------------------------
>
>
>
>
>
>
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-------------------------------------------------------
As you gather around this virtual campfire with fellow
Scouts and Scouters, do your best to be trustworthy,
loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,
cheerful, thrifty, brave, clean and reverent.
-------------------------------------------------------
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