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| − | == Geohashing and Cub Scouts == | + | == Leave No Trace == |
| − | As a Cubmaster I was trying to figure out if there was any reasonable way to include geohashing in the program. Cub Scouts in the US has a program formally known the Academics and Sports program, commonly called Belt Loops, that provide awards for tasks done outside of program events.
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| − | Belt Loops can be earned for academic achievements like chess or photography or sports achievements like kickball and badminton.
| + | Let's face it, I live in a tough area to geohash. Between the ocean, Mexico and the high population density in most of the local graticules it can be a real struggle to find accessible meet up locations. Today for instance would be a perfect day to go for the Santa Ana (33, -117) graticule. However the point falls within Chino Hills State Park. There is a trail that runs to within 100m of the point, this trail can definitely be accessed from within the park ($5 day use fee) but may also be able to be accessed from a fire road outside the park. Here's the rub, I follow the principles of Leave No Trace. That means when I am in the frontcountry, which Chino Hills SP certainly is, I will not leave the trail. The best I could do is get within viewing distance of the point. |
| | + | [[File:2012-05-08 33 -117 LeaveNoTrace.jpg | center | Distance from trail to hashpoint]] |
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| − | There are certain elements of geohashing that are not kid-friendly or fall withing the Guide to Safe Scouting. However it is possible to map the requirements for belt loops to activities required for geohashing. For example:
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | '''What harm would come from briefly leaving the trail to reach the hashpoint?''' |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Map compass.jpg]]
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| − | Map and Compass
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| − | # Show how to orient a map. Find three landmarks on the map
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| − | # Explain how a compass works.
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| − | # Draw a map of your neighborhood. Label the streets and plot the route you take to get to a place that you often visit.
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| − | # Create a map for a hashpoint expedition.
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| − | # Earn the No Batteries Achievement.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | These two resources provide in depth information, but is it sufficient to say that staying on the trail preserves our natural resources for future generations. |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Communicating.jpg]]
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| − | Communicating
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| − | # Tell a story or relate an incident to a group of people, such as your family, den, or members of your class.
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| − | # Write and send a letter to a friend or relative.
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| − | # Make a poster about something that interests you. Explain the poster to your den.
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| − | # Write an expedition report.
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| − | # Send a hashcard.
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| − | # Make a poster about geohashing and explain it to your den.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | [http://www.parks.ca.gov/pages/23071/files/stay%20on%20trail_insert_web.pdf California State Park's Stay on the Trail Brochure] |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Travel.jpg]]
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| − | Family Travel
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| − | # Make a list of things you would take on a three day trip with your family, then pack these items in a bag or suitcase.
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| − | # With an adult’s help, figure out the cost and miles to complete a trip to a place of interest using the family car or public transportation.
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| − | # Research at least five places to visit during a trip to a place of interest. Explain what you learned to your family.
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| − | # Plan a Public transport geohash achievement.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | [http://lnt.org Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics] |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Geography.jpg]]
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| − | Geography
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| − | # Draw a map of your neighborhood. Show natural and manmade features. Include a key or legend of map symbols.
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| − | # Learn about the physical geography of your community. Identify the major landforms within 100 miles. Discuss with an adult what you learned.
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| − | # Use a world globe or map to locate the continents, the oceans, the equator, and the northern and southern hemispheres. Learn how longitude and latitude lines are used to locate a site.
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| − | # Plan an expedition.
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| − | # Explain graticule.
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| − | # On a map, show the same hash point in two adjacent graticules.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | '''This is for frontcountry, what about backcountry?''' |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Manners.jpg]]
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| − | Good Manners
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| − | # Make a poster that lists five good manners that you want to practice. Share your poster with your den or family.
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| − | # Introduce two people correctly and politely. Be sure that one of them is an adult.
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| − | # Write a thank-you note to someone who has given you something or done something nice for you.
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| − | # Introduce two people at a meetup.
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| − | # Send a thank you note to a land owner.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | In general it is permissible to travel through the off trail. This is because there will be fewer people in the backcountry and therefore less possibility of permanent damage. Additionally there may not be existing trails in many areas. However when leaving the trail to travel to a backcountry hashpoint members of the expedition should be careful to take divergent paths so as to prevent one are of vegetation from being trampled. |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Bicycling.jpg]]
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| − | Bicycling
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| − | # Explain the rules of safe bicycling to your den leader or adult partner.
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| − | # Demonstrate how to wear the proper safety equipment for bicycling.
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| − | # Show how to ride a bike safely. Ride for at least half an hour with an adult partner, your family, or den.
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| − | # Earn the bicycle geohash achievement.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
| + | While much of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is backcountry, this backcountry rule may not apply there. In many areas of the desert the ground is so sensitive that footprints and tracks impact the area for decades. |
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Horseback.jpg]]
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| − | Horseback Riding
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| − | # Explain five safety precautions for when you are near a horse.
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| − | # With help from an experienced horse handler, demonstrate how to safely mount and ride a horse and then how to safely dismount the horse.
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| − | # Go on a supervised horseback ride for at least 20 minutes. Wear an approved helmet (such as one approved for horseback riding by the ASTM, or American Society for Testing and Materials).
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| − | # Earn the Beast of Burden geohash achievement.
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| − | |}
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| − | {| class="wikitable" border="1" cellpadding="5" cellspacing="0" style="border: 1px solid grey; border-collapse:collapse;"
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| − | |- bgcolor="lightgrey"
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| − | !colspan="2" | [[File:User scerruti Hiking.jpg]]
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| − | Hiking
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| − | # Explain the hiking safety rules to your den leader or adult partner. Practice these rules while on a hike.
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| − | # Demonstrate proper hiking attire and equipment.
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| − | # Hike at least 30 minutes with your adult partner, family, or den.
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| − | # Earn the Walk geohash achievement.
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| − | |}
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Leave No Trace
Let's face it, I live in a tough area to geohash. Between the ocean, Mexico and the high population density in most of the local graticules it can be a real struggle to find accessible meet up locations. Today for instance would be a perfect day to go for the Santa Ana (33, -117) graticule. However the point falls within Chino Hills State Park. There is a trail that runs to within 100m of the point, this trail can definitely be accessed from within the park ($5 day use fee) but may also be able to be accessed from a fire road outside the park. Here's the rub, I follow the principles of Leave No Trace. That means when I am in the frontcountry, which Chino Hills SP certainly is, I will not leave the trail. The best I could do is get within viewing distance of the point.
What harm would come from briefly leaving the trail to reach the hashpoint?
These two resources provide in depth information, but is it sufficient to say that staying on the trail preserves our natural resources for future generations.
California State Park's Stay on the Trail Brochure
Leave No Trace Center for Outdoor Ethics
This is for frontcountry, what about backcountry?
In general it is permissible to travel through the off trail. This is because there will be fewer people in the backcountry and therefore less possibility of permanent damage. Additionally there may not be existing trails in many areas. However when leaving the trail to travel to a backcountry hashpoint members of the expedition should be careful to take divergent paths so as to prevent one are of vegetation from being trampled.
While much of the Anza-Borrego Desert State Park is backcountry, this backcountry rule may not apply there. In many areas of the desert the ground is so sensitive that footprints and tracks impact the area for decades.
