Interview With Blake Cortright - The First Encampment
I recently had the pleasure to interview 16 year old Eagle Scout Blake Cortright, who created the documentary film “The First Encampment”. As explained on the films website http://www.thefirstencampment.com/backgroundstory.htm In 1908, Sir Robert Baden Powell started Boy Scouts in England. Only a few years later, with the backing of Chicago publisherWilliam Boyce, the Boy Scouts of America was formed. The YMCA played an integral part in its early development. In August 1910, the YMCA... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-2912 Volt Camping
How many times have you been on a campout and joked about wishing you had a microwave, a coffee pot, a heater, a fan or even a refrigerator? Did you know you can get all these devices to work in camp?All you need is 12 volt power such as the power port in your car or a portable 12 volt power supply. (I am not affiliated with any of these sites in anyway, no... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-27Review of The First Encampment
The First Encampment is a thirty-minute documentary, on the Boy Scout of America's first camp and Scouting history. The encampment was held in 1910 and was the first gathering of Scouts in America; which was held at a YMCA camp in the Adirondacks. Majority of the work on the film was done by 16 year old Eagle Scout Blake Cortright.The film is well organized, and makes good use of historical photographs, news clippings, etc. Voice... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-24Ten Essentials
The point of the Ten Essentials list (developed by the Mountaineers Club, with origins in the climbing course taught by the Club since the 1930s) has always been to help answer two basic questions: First, can you respond positively to an accident or emergency? Second, can you safely spend a night or more out?Most people including myself agree that the actually list has more then ten items on it. What I did is create my... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-22An Excuses Is....
Have you ever stopped to think about all those times you have said “I am to tired to do...”, “Only if … would happen...”, “I am to hot and cant focus...”, “The kids are driving me crazy I will do that later” these are all examples of excuses and how often do later actually come.Did you know an excuse is just something you tell yourself so that you feel better about something you did not... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-20How Toastmasters International helps me as a Scout Leader
I have found my 25 years plus experience in Toastmasters International has helped me in many ways.First, if the adults are losing their minds they have successfully lost their sense of humor and are messing up the program for the boys. There are parts of Scouting we have to take very seriously, outside of that if the boys are learning as they advance and having fun go with it. I have only had to tell... [More]
By: Steve O'Connor On: 2010-07-1725 Uses For Duct Tape
These are ideas, mostly found around the web. If you have ideas to add to this list, please leave them as comments below.1.Bandaid 2.Repair Clothes, Shoes, Pack, Tent, Sleeping Bag, Other Gear 3.Fuzz / Lint removal 4.Shaving 5.Whip the ends of a fraying rope 6.Temporarily secure on badges 7.Repair inflatable mattress / toys 8.Lawn chair webbing 9.Toilet Paper 10.Mend a book 11.Emergency clothes or belt 12.Fix hole in garbage bag 13.Closing chip and other... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-15Scout Website
There are many ways to run a website, and depending what your purposes are which one is the best. What will follow are just some ideas, tips, suggestions, etc...The website itself could be a bunch of html pages you maintain with say dreamweaver of komposer and just upload to a webserver. You could also use existing software such as wordpress and drupal to power your site. You could code a site yourself. Lastly you could... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-13Campfire Fun
Campfire can be quit fun and challenging at the same time. For starters many parts of the country have bans of fires during the summer months, such as the area I am in. This has forced us to get creative for example maybe instead of a fire we will hang around a gas lantern or battery light source.If you are planning a formal campfire don't forget about the cycle of the program. You want to... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-0825 Uses For A Black Trash Bag
These are ideas, mostly found around the web. If you have ideas to add to this list, please leave them as comments below. Poncho Trash Bag tarp Shelter (tube tent, lkean to, or even like a tarp folded over a rope to make upside down “v”) Stuff Sack Keep sleeping bag dry (stuff sleeping bag inside of trash bag) Make a clean or protective suite Table Cloth (cut flat and lay on table) Washing Machine (put some cloth in bag, with some water and... [More]
By: Scott Robertson On: 2010-07-06