BEACON: 1-23-2010

1. Road to Ranger, 2010. Helping Venturers Advance.

2. Historical Merit Badges.

 

 

 

1. ROAD TO RANGER.

 

THE ROAD TO RANGER, 2010
Helping Venturers Advance

Wilderness Survival Course
Core Requirements for the Ranger Award

MARCH 19TH – 21st
ANNAWON COUNCIL
CAMP NORSE KINGSTON, MA

Attention all Venturers! Road to Ranger is back again this year, scheduled for March 19th, 20th and 21st. This year's theme is wilderness survival. You will get a chance to practice skills you already know, and to learn some new ones. No, we will not be in cabins, so bring your tents, other shelter supplies will be provided to you as needed. You will need only basic personal supplies, which will be on a list sent to you after you register.

This weekend is similar to a Scouting University, but for Venturing Crews and lone Venturing Scouts interested in working towards their Bronze and Ranger awards. This weekend will be a mix of training and instruction in, but not limited to Wilderness Survival and Leave No Trace Camping.

It is a very comprehensive course that begins with understanding survival psychology. Then the fun really begins! We will cover all areas of basic wilderness survival including fire making techniques; constructing shelters from natural materials; finding and purifying water; utilizing tools and equipment; knots, ropes,; identifying edible and medicinal plants; organizing and using survival kits; signaling; how not to get lost; and much, much more. Every skill learned will be practiced in the field. We want you to leave this course feeling totally confident and comfortable in the wilderness.

We will meet at Camp Norse on Friday night and then as a group we will be dropped off in a remote area away from the camp. Their along with your instructors you will learn and practice the "Sacred order of survival", Shelter, Fire, Water and food. This weekend will be primitive camping where you will be building your own shelter collecting and eating wild edibles. On Sunday morning we will break up our outpost camp and restore the area using leave no Trace principles and find and hike our way back to Camp Norse.

There will be new things to learn, and one of the things you will learning and practicing, is Leave No Trace, under the tutelage of a Leave No Trace Master Educator. Course size is limited to (30), and the cost is $20.00

Once we hit (30) registration is closed. If you are interested, I would recommend registering early.

Once registered you will be sent more information and a guide on what to bring. To register please email Robert Smith @ rjsmith01@verizon.net or feel free to call with any questions @ (508)813-6571

PROGRAM COORDINATORS
Robert Smith and Dan West

Posted by
Robert "RJ" Smith, Massachusetts

 

2. HISTORICAL MERIT BADGES.

 

Historical Merit Badges

The following 4 Historical Merit Badges can be earned only during calendar year 2010, in honor of the 100th anniversary of the Boy Scouts of America.

The basics of the 2010 Historical Merit Badge program include:

  • The merit badges will closely resemble the original designs of the merit badges with the exception of the borders. The borders will be embroidered with a shiny gold thread that will be immediately identifiable as a 2010 Historical Merit Badge.
  • The original merit badge requirements will be used wherever possible. Exceptions will be made when current safety or social standards dictate. Adaptations can also be made for special needs Scouts.
  • The merit badges will count for towards a boy’s rank advancement.
  • Work on the badges is not to commence prior to January 1, 2010 and is to be finished no later than December 31, 2010.
  • The Supply Division will not create or reprint pamphlets for the merit badges. Any and all material will be posted to a special section of the 100th Anniversary web site that can be accessed by the interested boys and their merit badge counselors.