I hiked all week while he was at camp. Very cool trip, we took in Yellowstone the next week. We also took interest in the whole Lewis and Clark expedition while out there and made our way to their route across Idaho. I’ll post photos once I figure out how to use wordpress better. See: http://www.grandtetoncouncil.org

The scout camp is on the very back side of the Grand Teton, which is the center-most mountain on this site’s header. When seen from the scout camp, the back of the Grand Teton looks like the Matterhorn in Zermatt (photos in LD Hiking section). The scout camp was also at the base of this large waterfall, it really was beautiful.

Leave No Trace is not simply a program for visiting the backcountry, it is an attitude and a way of life.

I plan to expand this area considerably, I have lots of material to share on this topic.

Here’s one that is pretty good - an extensive powerpoint done on the entire program:

Leave No Trace Powerpoint (large size (35MB) but a very comprehensive, useful download. Credit: Blaine Boxwell, Connecticut Yankee Council)

Here’s BSA’s comprehensive training doc: LNT BSA Training Doc (pdf)

Here’s LNT’s Trifold handout: LNT Trifold Doc

Her’s another good powerpoint (b&w unfortunately, but good intro material):Intro LNT powerpoint)

Here’s a link to listings of LNT Master Educator’s Courses:

http://www.tcfroar.org/boyscoutofamerica2009mastereducatorcourses.html

Here is a cub handout along with a card I created (for reqt 5):

cubscout-lnt.doc

(from LNT.org)

I’ve tried to introduce this to many scouts including my own son, but never got much traction at all. I even had the Environmental VP of my company on board to be an advisor. 

I am mentioning this to keep the spirit alive. Good luck taking this on.

http://www.scouting.org/awards/hornaday/

This council seems to have something going on this:                                     

http://www.hornadaybsa.org/  

If you are not a boy scout (maybe a girl scout or member of a high school outing club?) and you want to improve your outdoor skills over the summer, this may suit you: http://www.registeredmaineguide.com/juniorprogramsInfo.html

Put on by the Maine Youth Camping Association and the Maine Inland Fisheries & Wildlife Department, this looks like it provides the same type of outdoor training I’ve seen at summer camps.

 The AMC’s Mountain Leadership School held every August is another option for older youth and adults.

http://www.outdoors.org/education/leadership/mls/mls-overview.cfm

Outward Bound, the National Outdoor Leadership School, and countless outdoor trip companies are other obvious choices.

Start at: http://www.powderhorn-bsa.org/

Quick synopsis: Some people call it high adventure training, but it really is an introduction to the Venture Program. In two weekends, you go through an abbreviated Venture “Ranger” award course so you will be able to help venture crew members get the most out of that program. I’ll post more on venturing later.

The patrol method is the only way to run a troop. It is difficult if a troop does not have this ingrained in their collective psyche and SOP already. Older scouts often drop the ball, then younger scouts never learn. Maybe this sheet will help when the scoutmaster talks to the new patrol leaders and discusses expectations. I’ve also attached the standard meeting plan template:

patrol-leader.ppt

trpmplan.pdf

Don’t make the mistake I made during my early days as an adult leader in scouting. Often I felt adults were getting too involved in running the troop and I spoke out. I have come to realize that adults have to be involved in most aspects of running the troop because times have changed so much. Kids are involved in so many things these days that if you leave it up to them (meeting planning, trip planning, training young scouts, etc.), the troop will implode. Scouting for most kids is simply not a priority. Scouts still need to take on responsibilities, you just have to be smart about how you set expectations and support their activities. What your priority should be is to get most of the parents on the troop committee so you can collectively figure out how to deliver a quality program to your scouts. Really put thought into your activities so the scouts get something out of them. Don’t settle for just car camping in the local woods and don’t run with every idea that comes up, weekends are too valuable. Seek out fun activities that will be memorable and helpful towards preparing your son for life’s challenges. I used to say any campout is a good campout and any hike is a good hike – but that’s just not the case anymore.