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...
As part of a happy and healthy Outdoor Service Guides group, you should plan for your guides to have a lot of fun. One easy way to make every meeting more fun, is to start with a game! This is a list of games that work well for groups of guides. There are Icebreakers for the start of the year,...
There are lots of good reasons to work on making maps, and several badges now require it for pathfinders. But how do you make it fun? Because scouting is a game we are playing, and we want our pathfinders to enjoy their meetings, as well as learn from them. One thing that it is important to remember, is that you...
If you are new to scouting, you may have never heard of a patrol box. What is it? A patrol box is generally, a box full of the things you need for cooking and cleaning at camp, plus some necessary items. While there are some very fancy boxes out there, a sturdy plastic tub will work for most groups. What...
Recently I wrote up how to complete the Red Paw for otters in a set of meetings. Below, I’ve done the same thing for the Blue Paw. This set includes needing to have 5 meetings, one of them focused on your service project, plus a camping trip. If you want to work on the blue paw and red paw both...
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. Hopefully you have seen the Pathfinder Handbook Prerelease of 3 chapters of our new handbook. If you have, you’ve seen that there are 101 new badges, plus pins, special awards and other...
How do you work on getting through an otter paw quickly and efficiently? Is there a way to plan a set of meetings to check those boxes faster? Below, I’ve outlined a plan to complete the Red Paw for otters in just 4 meetings, plus a camping trip. In general, I don’t recommend working to get through the otter paws...
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. Congratulations to the Pathfinders of the 64th Brandywine, in Pennsylvania! Seven of them have been awarded the New Archer Badge in the updated Pathfinder Handbook. They are the first OSG pathfinders to...
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