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Scoutcraft Games and Projects
See also: Scout Games
Baden-Powell says: "The training of Boy Scouts is mainly by means of games practices and competitions such as interest them . . ."
At the Troop meeting this training takes the form of Scoutcraft games and competitions in Scoutcraft projects, with the Patrols the teams throughout.
The distinction between a Scoutcraft game and a project is this: A Scoutcraft game may be considered playing at a skill for further practice, while a project is doing the real thing, or a reasonable facsimile, for the sake of determining the Patrols' ability.
If, for instance, the Scouts of each Patrol run up, one after the other, to tie eight clove hitches around a post in Knot Relay, they are playing a game. If the same Scouts use the same clove hitches for making a trestle for a bridge, they are carrying out a project. If the Scouts run up, relay style, to put bandages on a victim, they are playing a game. If they use the bandages to solve a first aid problem, they are working out a project. The project becomes a competition when all the Patrols take part at the same time, each patrol trying to do a quicker and better job than the others.
SCOUTCRAFT GAME IDEAS - (1) Announce in advance a Scoutcraft game, giving each Patrol a chance at a couple of Patrol meetings to train in the skill involved; such as Signaling Relay, using the whole Morse alphabet; Knot Relay using a couple of new knots; Bandaging Relay calling for use of the triangular bandage.
(2) Follow a Scoutcraft presentation with a game based upon the new knowledge required, maybe in the form of a Scout Quiz, or an "Information, Please" panel.
(3) Scoutcraft games may be arranged to lead the Patrol outdoors: A Treasure Hunt may start in the meeting room, then continue with outdoor clues. A nature talk may be followed by a Nature Scavenger Hunt. An indoor memory game like The Peddler may be followed by The Leaking Packsack outdoors.
(4) Scoutcraft games based on the same subject may be varied by choosing games calling for a variety of formations: Relay, circle, line games.
SCOUTCRAFT PROJECT IDEAS - (1) Immediately after a demonstration or dramatization by one Patrol, have each of the other Patrols try its hand at the same presentation, with the original Patrol the judge of their efforts. Give the Patrols a chance for practice in Patrol Corners.
(2) From time to time spring a surprise competition in some Scoutcraft project, not recently presented.
(3) Try "Challenge": A Patrol with a Scoutcraft specialty challenges the other Patrols to a contest in that subject. Rules are prepared by junior leaders and sufficient time is allowed for training.
See: Recreational Games
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