Supplemental Training for Boy Scouts of America

Training Summary: Provide leadership and practical approaches for troops wishing to bolster their camping into a year-round program. Time required: 60 minutes

Learning Objectives Develops a plan to build winter leadership skills among leaders and older Scouts in the unit. Develop a plan to build the practical skills required for safe and fun winter camping. Learn and communicate the differences between cold and warm weather clothing. Commit to memory the Winter food pyramid for proper nutrition and hydration.

The first ever Troop 13 Winter Outing is coming and Mr. or Mrs. Tenderfoot Parent really needs to talk to Mr. Scoutmaster. Is Tommys gear adequate? Is the new down bag okay to use?.. Tommy wants to go, but, you know, its this statement about winter survival that really has me concerned and I really need to talk to Mr. Scoutmaster.

What was going on in this skit? List your responses about the concerns the parent has about winter camping. Discuss these concerns as a group.

Winter Leadership Skills Safe outing – winter is unforgiving. Longer time is needed to perform all chores. Assess the leaders and Scouts capabilities and set limit for weather extremes Communicate these limits to your parents & Scouts Leader must be prepared to cancel or terminate an event.

Winter Leadership Skills Leader Preparation Physical fitness preparation in the cold is a must. Study winter camping techniques, cold weather physiology and proper nutrition. Okpik: Cold Weather Camping book is a good resource Try camping at in the backyard, in the garage, at a local nearby park and test your gear Two-deep leadership may never be more important than on a winter campout. Buddies check for frostnip. Plan exciting day and night program activities. Have Scouts bake an apple under snowy conditions. Night hikes, snowshoe hikes, sled races. Leaders need to encourage good program.

3 qt Food = fuel Water Breakfast should give enough fat to satisfy the appetite. 20% Protein Lunch is abundant in high carbohydrate energy. Dinner includes the highest amount of protein. Nutritious high caloric snacks at any time of day 40% Fats&Oils Check out website mypyramid.gov 40% Carbohydrates The Winter Pyramid

Practical Skills Age appropriate winter camping Cabin campouts offer the full range for Scouts of all ages. Younger Scouts become familiar with the fundamentals of winter camping as they watch the older Scouts stay outdoors and thrive in the winter. Always have a back-up plan for wilderness winter camping. A warming tent having a wood stove is a great contingency plan. Have Scouts practice at home Buddies can get together and cook and sleep in the garage, the backyard and become accustomed to the cold. Report the campout result to the Scoutmaster.

Practical Skills Communication Parents will have questions, spoken and unspoken, about their childs safety and leader qualifications. Show the parents how the troop is going to prepare for the outing. Explain the limits and cancellation of the trip if necessary. Expect the Scouts to have prepared ahead of time by practicing the winter procedures [mud, lost glove in snow, cold weather buddy, tent set-up, winter clothing requirements…] Practice with the Scouts the words,Mr. Leader, Im cold. I need help. Its Okay to say these words.

Warm vs. cold weather clothing Summer clothesWinter clothes Let heat escapeKeep heat close to body Keep coolStay warm & dry Let moisture escapeAllow moisture to escape (active) Loosely woven fabricRetain 60% moisture on skin Cotton - absorbs moistureneed to layer & ventilate and promotes evaporation wool and fleece work well Cotton still cools you in the winter. Leave it at home for the winter campout. Choose wool, fleece, synthetics. Thickness = warmth = dead air spaces

Conclusion Encourage the Scouts to develop a sequential plan to build the winter skills Introduce winter camping in a safe manner Build confidence in small steps Keep parents informed about the need for added training prior to a winter campout