Early Spring Edition

Spring is here! Even if the weather's still chilly where you live, setting off on a Scout hike is a terrific way to launch into the season.

Almost any trail you choose will be an exciting gateway to the best of Scouting. Perhaps it leads to one of your favorite places, or to a destination you've never seen before. Whether it's a hundred yards in length or a hundred miles, every route can be a path to adventure.

The Tale of a Trail
There's more to the art of building a trail than meets the eye - or the foot.

A crew developing a new pathway begins by surveying a route that will be scenic for travelers and cause minimum impact on the land. A reasonable grade will protect the trail from erosion and make it more pleasant to use.

Developing a trail starts with vision ...

...and concludes with a pathway that is gentle on the land.

With the location determined, the crew can build the tread. That often means using hand tools to move soil, rocks, and other obstacles. In rocky terrain, stones can be fitted together to form steps, retaining walls, and drainage structures.

Carrying a trail across a stream might require building a bridge. A footbridge has logs called stringers spanning the distance, and boards called decking forming the walking surface.

Bridge construction requires plenty of planning and teamwork. Here, a crew nails down decking on a bridge to be used by hikers.

                                                                                            Boy Scouts of America photo

Can you see yourself in this picture? The BSA has plenty of opportunities for you to roll up your sleeves and have a great time doing something good for the environment.

If you're a Scout or Venturer ages 16-20, Philmont Scout Ranch offers the R.O.C.S. program - the Roving Outdoor Conservation School. The 21-day backcountry trek explores the mountain ecosystems of northern New Mexico. Learn from experts about fire ecology, fisheries and wildlife management, and much more, and help with trail construction and maintenance projects. You'll pick up plenty of new skills and knowledge to share with your troop or crew when you return home.

(To learn more about R.O.C.S., contact Philmont Scout Ranch or your local council.)

Two books showing how to make your trail efforts count are Lightly on the Land and the BSA's Conservation Handbook. Both are terrific resources for environmental efforts and worthwhile rank advancement projects. You can find the books at www.scoutstuff.org.

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The Buzz on Bees
Spring is the season when bees get busy, too. As they collect pollen, bees help fertilize flowers and blossoms. That leads to strong plant populations and healthy ecosystems. Without bees, the balance of nature would be badly disrupted.

                                         Kurt Merrill photo

Caring for bees is an enjoyable hobby for many Scouts across the country. They pull protective veils over their heads and calm bees with a few puffs of smoke before opening hives to examine the colonies inside or to harvest surplus honey. Experienced bee keepers are seldom stung, although it can happen.

Beefarming was one of the first merit badges Boy Scouts could earn. The name soon changed to Beekeeping, and for the next 80 years, Scouts managing hives learned about the vital roles bees play in the environment.
 

In recent decades, too few Scouts were earning the award to keep it in circulation, and the Beekeeping merit badge was discontinued in 1995. The Insect Life merit badge now encourages Scouts to learn about bees and their relatives.

Of course, you don't need to be earn a badge to discover the world of bees and perhaps become a beekeeper yourself. It's a terrific hobby and a good way to help insure the health of the environment.

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Knots of Achievement Quiz
Have you noticed the square knot patches above the left pockets of some BSA shirts? Embroidered knots stand for special awards that Scouts and Scouters have received.
Perhaps you wear one or two of them on your uniform.

The custom of wearing knots began in the 1930s. Medals that Scouts received to recognize their achievements weren't meant to be worn while hiking and camping. A bar sewn above the pocket represented a medal. The color of the bar signified the award.

Today there are more than 30 embroidered knots approved for wear on BSA uniforms. Here are six that represent the range of activities behind the knots. Can you identify them? (The answers are below.)

Knots of Achievement Quiz Answers

1. Eagle Scout Award (Scouting's highest rank.)

2. Religious Award (Worn by youth who have earned the religious awards of their faiths.)

3. Honor Medal Award (Given by the BSA national council for those showing courage in attempting to save a life with personal risk to themselves.)

4. Webelos Arrow of Light Award (Worn by adults who earned the Arrow of Light when they were Cub Scouts.)

5. William T. Hornaday Award (For youth and adults making significant contributions to conservation and ecology in their communities and beyond.)

6. Silver Beaver (Adult leaders receive this award for notable service within their councils.)

There's no embroidered knot just for knowing how to tie knots, though the skills of Scouting are at the heart of all of these awards. Add service to others, and you can see the strong threads of BSA values woven through each knot of achievement and through the people who wear them.

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(This edition of the Be Prepared Newsletter was developed and written by Robert Birkby, author of the Centennial edition of the Boy Scout Handbook. All photos by Robert Birkby except where otherwise noted. Drawings are from Lightly on the Land.)