Uses for pioneering projects

Pioneering projects are great fun to build, and there is a good sense of accomplishment that can be achieved, but I'm always looking for a pioneering project to be a bit more useful in the long term. When I was a Troop Scouter, if a Scout proposed a project, I always looked for another angle beyond just building something 'because we can' . A lot of effort goes into a pioneering project, so that effort should be used as effectively as possible.

Here are a few suggestions about how pioneering projects can be more than just a one day stunt:

They can be used to raise Awareness, either about Scouting, or another cause. Examples on this blog include Ruan's Pioneered Rhino, the Airshow Biplane and The Isengard Tower

They can be the basis for a Game. One of our Springbok Scouts built a tower that was used as a lookout post, and a platform to launch paper planes for an interpatrol competition. Catapults and trebuchets are good fun, especially with an adequate supply of rotting tomatoes. An obstacle course is another obvious game-based project. Rafts and treehouses are another type of pioneered structure that lend themselves to adventures.

Pioneering projects can be Permanent additions to a campsite or a public area, like a permanent bridge, an observation tower, permanent gateway or even an in-store Scouting display.

Finally, pioneering projects can of course be part of your Campsite - whether they are small camp gadgets, gateways, JOTA radio masts or even the three storey platform your tents are built on.

drawn on iPad Mini using Paper app and Just-Mobile AluPen

Pioneering poles around the world

Scouting has spread around the world (at last count, every country in the world except for 6 had active Scouts), and pioneering has spread with it, from forests to jungles to polar regions to open grasslands.

This map summarises the timber Scouts use for pioneering around the world. A post on the Ropes and Poles Facebook page, a thread in 1st Facebook Scout Group, and some Google searching were the sources for this map. If you have any information to add from your country, lease leave a comment on this post and I'll update the map.

Why pioneering?

Pioneering has always been part of Baden-Powell's vision of Scout training, from the first edition of Scouting for Boys (Chapter IV- Camp life- deals with huts, bridges, towers and lashings). BP would have been exposed to pioneering as a military discipline in the army- pioneers were engineers who moved in front of the main column of the army and pioneered a route- building bridges and roads where needed. I think pioneering attracted BP for the following reasons:

• It is an adventurous, outdoor activity, supporting Scouting's ideal of learning in the outdoors
• it requires teamwork, so is suited to the Patrol system
• it is practical and concrete - at the end of the work, there is a visible, physical THING that has been made.

 Having said all of these things, I think it's possible to be a Scout, to really learn the important things we are trying to teach, without building bridges or trebuchets or any of the other hundreds of things I've blogged about. Of course, pioneering is something I'm passionate about, otherwise I wouldn't be writing this blog, but I'd like to hear from all of you:

What do YOU think pioneering has to offer to Scouts?
Where does pioneering not serve us well? What would you (or do you) do instead of pioneering?

(please remember your Scout law in your comments and discussions)

JOTI/JOTA this weekend

This weekend, Scouts and Guides from around the world will be gathering around the world for the annual Jamboree on the Air and Jamboree on the Internet. Around 570,000 Scouts and Guides took part last year, in 121 different countries. JOTA/JOTI is an opportunity to talk to other Scouts and Guides all over the world, using radios and internet chat.

Anyone with an Internet connection can participate in the Jamboree on the Internet. Details on how to get involved in internet chat, blogging and other activities is here.

To take part in JOTA, you will need some help from a licensed radio amateur ('ham'). Details about JOTA- including the frequencies used- are here. Most groups build pioneered towers for radio masts, and Loy's 13m tower was featured here last year.

For those taking part, enjoy the weekend, and feel free to share any news in the comments to this post (especially if you build a nice tower, of course).

Best project for beginner's pioneering?

I received an e-mail this week asking for advice on the best simple project for people who have never done any pioneering before. I suggested an A-frame, because it is a simple, stable structure that is quick to build and can be used for many fun activities.

But I'm interested to hear what other people think. What have YOU used for a first project?