PART IV

HIKING

"Hiking, going farther afield, exploring new places, is a glorious adventure. It strengthens you and hardens you so that you won't mind wind and rain, heat or cold. You take them all as they come, feeling that sense of fitness that enables you to face an old trouble with a smile, knowing that you will conquer in the end." Baden-Powell.

Although this part refers specifically to hiking, you should realize that the intent of the activity can be much broader. Since one of the fundamentals of Scouting is to help boys become self-dependent, it is evident that man's natural mode of progress, walking, should be one of its basic activities. Scouts must be encouraged to travel and to explore under their own propulsion - hiking (or even bicycling or travelling by small boat). The distance travelled is unimportant compared to what is done on the hike.

Boys are self-dependent when hiking - they are not tied to a parent or other adult for the use of a car or some other mode of transportation. They can set their own pace and within reason, can go when, where and how they please. It is not the distance covered on the hike that is important so much as the things that they do and see on the way.

Patrols should have at least as many outdoor Patrol meetings, hikes and other activities as they do meetings in the Den. The Patrol Den, like the Troop Headquarters, has its necessary place but Scouting is primarily learning by doing outdoors.

For details of training boys in hiking see Chapter 6 of The Troop Scouters Handbook. Through the training and guidance the Patrol Leaders receive on occasional hikes with the Arrow Patrol, they will learn skills and gain confidence and an enthusiasm for this form of activity, which they will pass on to their Patrols.

beam and hauling each boy up in his own loop. Stage an accident - one boy's finger caught between rope and beam - get Patrol to take necessary action; Patrol First Aider sums up. Go out and look at the stars. Find the Pole Star and try to tell the time by the star clock.

2. Work on the Den - make new Patrol Progress Chart repair knot board paint bulletin board clean out Patrol box

while working, play phonograph records of songs and try to find some suitable for campfire.

Patrol-in-Council to discuss:

more furnishings for the den and some new books for the library

what to do next week

Mother's Day Good Turn at home.

3. Instruction by Dad on how to make Pack Board, explaining type of wood, tools required and how to use the plans. Each boy to prepare wood for the first stage at home and bring to the next meeting for checking and advice on the second stage. Spread a blanket on the floor and do some Indian wrestling. Some instructions on map reading by the Patrol Hikemaster related to the route the Patrol will take on the next Troop hike. Patrol-in-Council to decide other details of the hike.

4. Patrol-in-Council to discuss:

Patrol's poor performance at last Troop meetings

work out plan of advancement for each boy and set targets.

Patrol Leader gives a yarn on courtesy as he feels this is another reason why Patrol is not working well.

Patrol Second thinks Patrol is in poor physical shape and suggests some setting-up exercises to be done regularly. While each boy takes his personal measurements - height, chest expansion, bicep, length of span, etc., Second draws up record chart. Members practise exercises and record

performance; measurements and records to be checked every two weeks at Patrol meetings.

Play Jenkin's Kim's game; each boy produces a small object in each hand which he shows. After a minute the Patrol Leader calls `away', hands are clenched and put out of sight. Patrol Leader then calls upon the boy to say what David has in his right hand. If he can give the right answer he asks someone else the next question -- and so on. Perhaps the thought for tonight's prayer could be to ask God to help the Patrol to be more thoughtful of others.

OUTDOOR

1. Meet at the bridge over the creek.

Float a piece of wood under the bridge, time it and calculate the flow of water. Take samples of water and let settle in the Den for a week then analyze the contents. Go down the creek a little way to the rocky area and have a `boat race'. Collect signs of spring and prepare report for Troop meeting. Do at least one simple Good Turn.

2. Visit museum and study local Indians in preparation for Troop's display on "Life Here Three Hundred Years Ago". Each boy to sketch an Indian implement or other equipment and make a model of it at home. Patrol-in-Council in Sam's Snack Bar:

finalize preparations for display plan next meeting

decide to join Community Square Dance Club and take girl friends.

3. To Mr. Walter's cottage for afternoon of water skiing. This will include artificial respiration, mooring a boat and throwing a lifeline as well as the skills and precautions of handling the boat and water skiing.

4. Stalking. The help of a Dad who will be a secret agent will be needed. He passes a chosen spot within agreed short period of time. Patrol's job is to shadow him without being spotted and to discover his ultimate destination. The Patrol is to prepare an accurate description of the man, what he is wearing and what he does. Patrol and

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HIKE LOGS

Keeping records of hikes in proper form is a necessary part of training and essential for the First Class Hike, but this doesn't make it necessary for reports to be written on every hike. Begin training gradually by asking for a report on part of the hike or for one particular aspect of it such as an old church, an orchard or so on. Remember this type of report is mainly concerned with facts and should be brief and to the point. Introduced in small doses boys can come to enjoy making reports. Some hikes should be reported on in the manner required for the First Class Hike. See that fellows have a convenient-sized notebook with a hard cover. Incidentally, an excellent place to carry the notebook is inside the shirt. Here it is readily available but never in the way. On some hikes ask for one report from the Patrol and let each member write a section.

PACKING

Through the First Class Hike, Scouts are introduced to lightweight camping. This is the ultimate in hiking and selfdependence.

As your Patrol Leaders develop their hiking ability they will become more ambitious. In preparation for lightweight camping, they will start carrying heavier packs and they will need training in how to pack a rucsac or pack frame, how to carry the pack on their back and how to adjust their walking action when carrying a load.

It is very important to keep the weight down to a minimum, as one pound feels like five pounds after carrying it for three miles. Take the lightest and least amount of everything to meet requirements - ounces soon add up to pounds. There is no reason why a pack complete with tent and food for two days should weigh more than thirty pounds.

The hikes which the Arrow Patrol make must be designed to develop the skills that the Troop most needs and which will tie in with future Troop activities. Patrol Leaders will then conduct similar hikes, based on these activities, for their Patrols.

Patrol Leaders should be trained always to report plans and details of Patrol hikes to you before they leave.

HIKING ALONG

Before leaving for a hike check: 1. Everyone feeling fit.

2. Everyone adequately dressed, especially with regard to footwear.

3. Everyone in possession of essential equipment. 4. Destination and route to be taken known to all.

5. Emergency action to be taken in case of accident known to all.

6. Rendezvous points and times agreed upon in case of separation.

7. Watches synchronized.

A group of six or eight boys crashing through a wood in a body will see very little of the natural life which inhabits it. It also can be very frustrating to be straggled in a long line - the quick ones at the front impatient with those behind and those at the rear constantly feeling they must catch up. While there are naturally times when a Patrol will want to be in a group singing and whistling and being noisily happy, it is usually better for them to hike in pairs - each member being with a companion of similar pace and, if possible, an inexperienced person with someone more experienced. In this way, pairs can set their own pace but they should not get so far away from the pair ahead as to be out of contact with them.

Keep alert. On the road observe traffic regulations and safety rules. Keep a constant eye on weather signs. Forecasts

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FEEDING AND COOKING

Hikes are an excellent medium for introducing training in food value and cooking. Thirst can be troublesome on a hike so discover the foods which are good thirst quenchers and keep away from those which produce thirst.

Foil cooking is excellent; the food can be prepared and wrapped before leaving for the hike and thus save time on the journey; it is simple and light to carry.

There are many dehydrated foods available which save a great deal on weight and are, therefore, very useful for lightweight camping. Experiment with these to discover the brands best liked. Be sure to supplement with fresh food whenever possible.

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