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I've got a suspicion that once my oldest son converts to a hammock, that there will be an exodus to them, at least in the warmer months. By that time, the troop may reconsider the tent guideline. I've only been with the Troop for a year, so I'm not quite ready to change things.
I don't know if it would go as a separate merit badge or if it would need to be part of the camping merit badge. I would like to see it as a separate badge as well.
If it has to become part of the camping badge, perhaps we can let the boy choose the design of the badge. The standard badge or a hammock badge. (Our logo of course. )
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one requirement could be explain: and put into practice how hammock camping works with the practice of Leave No Trace...hammock camping is becoming very popular with scouts in my area, my son and 4 others in our troop have them as do a few other troops in our district
Last I heard, Philmont was not allowing hammocks. We are going to Camp Raven Knob in NC for Summer Camp,and they allow it. Even mention it in the Leader's Guide!
If you want, contact the guys at www.patchtown.com since they make up all the "non-BSA" patrol and Trained patches and variations.
They would probably make up the merit badges for you.
DKPerdue
+1 I am with you 200% on everything you have said in this thread.
OP: I can't think of anything else to add, that hasn't already been posted. All of the basics have been said
1. First Aid, always need that one
2. A chance to acutally "do" something= Make their own hammocks, or atleast campout in one, on several occasions.
3. A few from the camping and backpacking merit badges.
4. Pitching a tarp, straight and diamond. Benefits of pitching either way.
5. Insulation.
6. LNT
If you do design and have "merit badges" made, I would sure like to have one. I would gladly pay for it and shipping.
I am an ASM Troop 173 and am currently the only one hanging, infact, the only one in the district, that I know of. We just had out spring camporee, in a field, and I was the only one with a hammock. The weather was calling for rain, and I was told by another leader from another troop, that I was going to be wet. I told him "I'm going to be high and dry!!"
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agreed on the following:
"Whooo buddy"...
have scouts use a variety of tarp hangs for overnighters? pitched tight, a front porch, baker hut. i like the idea of having to do it in the warm still sunshine and in the dark when it's raining and windy...
LNT definitely. how to do it properly (i'd leave out putting down tenters LNT principles. it may create a rift similar to that b/t skiers and snowboarders)
MYOG something (whatever your troops leaders are comfy making)
Fire safety stuff (not pitching tarp too close)
Warmth techniques (UQs, Peapods, pads, natural insulation)
what about an "Oh Crap" portion. Where something (imaginary) happens and the scouts have to improvise... (a tarp guyline breaks, there are only 2 trees around and 2 scouts, someone's suspension line snaps in the middle of the night, going to the ground, you can't drive stakes into the ground b/c it's frozen solid)
The response to this is great. Thank you for your help.
I will try and summarize everything into a MB-ish format and post it back up sometime tomorrow for feedback.
If I do go forward and order patches in a MB style would anyone be interested in them? It would be pretty cool to see another Hammock Camping badge being worn out there by another troop.
- William -
How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. - Psalms 119:9
I wonder how big of an order it would take to make these worth it to manufacture. This company has dozens of spoof badges that probably don't sell in large quantity.
Boy Scout Store's Spoof Merit Badges
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