I just had to share this with you guys.

As some of you know, I do volunteer work with a Saint John Ambulance youth division. Instead of merit badges, we have "proficiency subjects"; these are divided into 7 categories, and cadets who get 12 proficiencies (with at least one from each category) earn the Grand Prior's Award.

About six months ago, I realized there were very few "winter specific" proficiencies; since we are a Canadian organisation, I thought this was an oversight that needed to be rectified. So a friend of mine and I drew up and submitted a proposal for a new proficiency subject: "Snowshoeing and Cross-Country Skiing". I was warned that it could take up to two years to approve.

I just found out today that it was approved by National Headquarters less than a week ago. I don't think they even changed a word on my submission.

Check out www.cadetsonline.ca and click on the pair of snowshoes to see what I wrote. (Ignore the "link" to the pdf file, which doesn't seem to be active; just click on the snowshoes and then scroll down.)

Pay particular attention to the last bullet under "References and Materials" <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

Outstanding, well thought out. Pete

Well done :grin. Thats good work.

Pete, Ditchfield;

Thank you. I'm surprised at how excited I got, seeing it on the web page. I suppose this must be how an author feels when he sees his first book in print <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

We're planning to run a weekend snowshoeing outing for this proficiency at the end of February. Of course, after the -30 to -40 temperatures we've had the last two days, some of our volunteers may be having second thoughts ... <img src="images/graemlins/wink.gif" alt="" />

aardwolfe,

Kudos to the third power on the nice piece of work. Great job. Nice plug for ETS as well. Please keep us posted on how things progress.

Regards,
Comanche7

Hey thats confusing, my names Pete Ditchfield <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

Very nice. Congrats on using the system to improve the program. I'm glad you didn't let the negative "rumors" deter you.

I picked up on the "Hudson Bay Start" as we were discussing how to get more involvement in winter camping in the troop. One suggestion was to actually conduct winter camping training in December when we usually go to a near by camp with cabins. Having the cabins nearby as a fail safe would likely releive many scouts' (and scouters') fears of freezing out in the woods. Knowing there's nearby safelty and shelter would help remove anxiety. It also would serve as an emergency shelter if needed.

BTW, does your organization produce pamphlets or instruction sheets for its proficiency subjects (like our Merit Badge pamphlets)? Or is it up to the individual instructor to provide material gleened from your refrence list?

Our organisation doesn't have any specific instructions other than the list of recommendations published on the Cadetsonline website. It's up to the individual instructor to determine how to teach the requirements. I believe the instructions for teaching proficiencies state something to the effect that "Saint John Ambulance is not in the business of telling experts how to do their jobs" (I'm paraphrasing from memory, of course <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" /> )

I put in the requirement for the Hudson Bay Start for two reasons. First, and most obvious, is that no group leader wants to be 6 hours from civilisation at nightfall to discover that one of the little darlings has forgotten his/her sleeping bag in the van. <img src="images/graemlins/mad.gif" alt="" />

The other is that it forms a historical link with the past, and provides an opportunity to discuss not just history but safety-consciousness as well.

I'm glad you liked the idea. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />

>>Nice plug for ETS as well.

I've stolen - I mean, borrowed - enough ideas and training material from this site, it was the least I could do. Plus, I couldn't think of a better reference site for this stuff. <img src="images/graemlins/smile.gif" alt="" />