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="" />