What do you do if the camping trip you booked a few months ago, will now be cold and rainy? OSG leaders were asked this question, and they had a whole lot of suggestions! Below, are tips from our leaders from all across the country! Bring 3 or 4 extra tarps. I find that they are better than most footprints...
If you have been around OSG for a while, you are probably aware that our new Pathfinder Handbook has been a long time coming! The committee to rewrite that handbook formed in 2019 and spent countless hours writing, rewriting, debating and designing a new handbook that went far beyond the previous handbook. If you have not yet gotten a copy,...
Are you looking for ideas of story books to read to your otters during meetings? This list, complied by Haley Skaer, has some great ones! She has even added a short note after each title to tell you a little more about that book. Many of these go with a certain holiday or time of year. It may be helpful...
Volunteer burn out is a real problem in every organization. People give and give and give, until they have nothing left to give. Avoiding this, means setting boundaries and delegating tasks. It means saying “no” sometimes, even if you don’t want to. Today, we are going to get into how to avoid burn out for yourself and your leaders in...
First class Ceremony Baden Powel said “When a [child] has become a First-class Scout — but not before then – [they have] got a grounding in the qualities, mental, moral, and physical, that go to make a good useful [adult].” The original First-Class Requirements Swim 50 yards, send and receive a message in Semaphore or Morse go on a fourteen-mile...
The role of Group Scoutmaster is not a small job. Often a GSM is wearing many many hats so that the members of their group can not only participate with Outdoor Service Guides, but so that they can have a quality program. In a small group, the list below may be done by just one or 2 people. Which can...
PLEASE NOTE: Since the publication of this post, the Pathfinder Handbook has been published. You can learn more about it here in the announcement on the OSG website. In Outdoor Service Guides, one of the biggest achievements a pathfinder can attain is earning First Class. Attaining First Class is comprised of two pieces. One is that pathfinders complete a set of...
Being a leader in Outdoor Service Guides is one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done. However, it isn’t always easy. Today, I’m offering tips from long time leaders about how to have a successful group and be an amazing leader. This is advice for you, no matter which age level you work with. Rule #1: Make it Fun...
The Tan Otter Paw is based on making crafts, but if you have never selected crafts for young children, especially children with fine motor delays, this one can be tricky. Here, I am going to share with you craft ideas you can use for this badge. I am also going to give you tricks and tips you can use if...
GSM Tips / Otters / Pathfinders / Timberwolves
by Laura Sowdon · Published February 14, 2023 · Last modified February 8, 2023
As scout leaders, we teach a lot of knots. Using better ropes, can make teaching them a lot easier! Different groups have different ropes that they prefer for this reason. When teaching knots, scouts often need to remember which end of the rope they are working with. One easy way to do this, is by adding a stripe of colored...
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