View Poll Results: If a Hammock Camping Merit Badge Group-buy is offered, I would order:

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  1. #1
    Senior Member
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    Lightbulb BSA Hammock Merit Badge - Draft #1 Available for review

    Update 4/20: Draft #1

    I am the Scoutmaster of Troop 752 in Canton, Ga. Our Troop is about 91% Tree Hangers and we want to continue to encourage new members and other Scouts towards the advantages of hammock camping.

    Someone in the troop came up with an idea to offer an [Unofficial] Hammock Camping Merit Badge, and I thought it was such a great idea I wanted to ask for the Forums help in creating it.

    So, If you were coming up with requirements for the BSA [Unofficial] Hammock Camping Merit Badge to teach scouts how to hammock Camp, what would they be?

    Example:
    1. Show the parts of an equipped camping hammock
    2. Show how to properly hang a hammock
    a. Show how to protect the tree from damage
    b. Demonstrate 2 techniques to fasten your hammock to a tree

    So, what do you got? Anyone care to help a Scoutmaster create the first (Unofficial) BSA Hammock Camping Merit Badge?

    Thanks
    Last edited by WLMiller54; 04-20-2011 at 11:22. Reason: Draft #1 Available
    - William -

    How can a young man keep his way pure? By living according to your word. - Psalms 119:9

  2. #2
    Senior Member packeagle's Avatar
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    2c show proper hammock sight selection, makeing sure to hang clear of widow makers and dead support trees.
    3 Show first aid for hammock related injuries. (BSA merit badges always has a first aid requirement!)
    Last edited by packeagle; 04-18-2011 at 20:54. Reason: thought of another one

  3. #3
    swampfox's Avatar
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    There is an assortment of knots used by hammockers that aren't part of the Scout requirements.
    Trucker's Hitch, Garda Hitch, Marlin Spike Hitch, Prusik, Siberian Hitch, and Lark's Head just to name a few.

    I think they would really enjoy learning to make a Whoopie Sling.

    List precautions needed to stay warm , even if it's not that cold.
    He is your friend, your companion, your defender... he is your dog. You are his life, his leader, and master. He will be yours, faithful and true, to the last beat of his heart. You owe it to him to be worthy of that devotion.

  4. #4
    Senior Member GrizzlyAdams's Avatar
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    3. Describe the characteristics of a good site with respect to safety and protection from the elements.

    4. Show how to pitch a rectangular tarp in order to get protection from wind and rain on three sides.

    5. Discuss the importance of under-insulation and describe different methods hammockers use to achieve it.

    6. Use a hammock to camp overnight for at least 5 nights.

    7. Demonstrate how to have hot breakfast in your hammock by heating water with an alcohol stove without causing your silnylon tarp to turn into a burning death trap.
    Grizz
    (alias ProfessorHammock on youtube)

  5. #5
    Senior Member Barry's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by GrizzlyAdams View Post
    7. Demonstrate how to have hot breakfast in your hammock by heating water with an alcohol stove without causing your silnylon tarp to turn into a burning death trap.
    As a scoutmaster myself, I chuckled reading this. My scouts idea of cooking over a fire (or just having a fire) requires flames at least 2' high, and usually with a long 'stir' stick that they can wave in the air once it's ablaze

    Even their achy stoves are cooler if the jets are oversized so the flames can come way out around their pots.
    -b

    "There's no point in being grown up if you can't be childish sometimes." - Dr Who

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  6. #6
    Senior Member perdidochas's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by Barry View Post
    As a scoutmaster myself, I chuckled reading this. My scouts idea of cooking over a fire (or just having a fire) requires flames at least 2' high, and usually with a long 'stir' stick that they can wave in the air once it's ablaze

    Even their achy stoves are cooler if the jets are oversized so the flames can come way out around their pots.
    Fire Good!

  7. #7
    Senior Member WV's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by packeagle View Post
    2c show proper hammock site selection, making sure to hang clear of widow makers and dead support trees.
    3 Show first aid for hammock related injuries. (BSA merit badges always has a first aid requirement!)
    Site selection should note prevailing wind direction, location of game trails, distance from ridgelines and streams, too.

    By the way, what are some typical hammock related injuries? I got a bad bump once when my suspension slipped, but that's all I recall. A pre-hang safety check of suspension, tarp, and bugnet would be a good idea.

    Inspect site for LNT when breaking camp.

  8. #8
    Senior Member Joey's Avatar
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    Excellent idea. I'd add for your consideration:

    - pitching a tarp in fair and fowl weather
    - demonstrating a flat lay in a hammock
    - site selection (no deal limbs, etc...)

    * telling the parts of a hammock should be done in the Billy Bob/Slingblade voice *

  9. #9
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    Identify what is a "whoopie sling", marlin spike hitch, and what is "wooo buddy"

    History of hammocks

    Just some thoughts

  10. #10
    Senior Member ^shane^'s Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by dacubsman View Post
    ...and what is "wooo buddy"


    As already offered, include knots, first aid, site selection. Could also talk about structural ridge lines and sag.

    DIY hammocks are CHEAP. What about a requirement that the Scout has to build his own hammock?

    Just be sure it's fun and easy to get (since it's not official... yet...). Love the idea.
    "One of the best things you can do in this world is take a nap in the woods." ~ Jayber Crow by Wendell Berry

    "While it may be a lot of work, the view is best from the summit." ~ an anonymous staff member of Philmont Scout Ranch

    Enjoy the day
    Shane

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