Entering this conversation late, but wanted to let Pete know that a girl in one of my troops attended the survival workshop you led. She brought back to us a good review and the kit she'd assembled, to show everyone. Thanks, Pete!

Four of her fellows have formed a team for the "Teens in the Timber" competition. Wish us luck! We have a lot of ground to cover in the next two months. It's a new troop, with several girls entering scouting for the first time ever. (Some had never lit a match.) And I need to get trained up on several items, along with the girls.

They formed the new troop largely to get to do outdoor activities -- love survival stuff -- so, yeah, if anyone is wondering, we often consult a Girl Scout handbook from 1947! (And obviously, newer sources too, including some BSA stuff, but almost nothing from GSUSA's bookstore, alas, 'cause they are much into chatting about self-esteem and empowerment, which I kinda thought we would cover by having girls ACTUALLY DO STUFF they want to do, and feel proud of doing it.)

We are working on the Outdoor Living Skills progressive patch from the San Gorgonio Council in California, because -- hey, what happened? -- all the outdoors stuff got sucked out of the Girl Scout books when I was busy going to college, starting a career and family.

Paramedic Pete, even if you think it's no big deal, I'd love a copy of your Powerpoint, too.