Scouting Trail Tips
This page is one that is one that is focused on practical tips for usage in the real world. Requirements also do the same thing, but there are some important things to know that the scout book doesn't tell you.
Requirement tips
You can do requirements that aren't in your rank
When you are a lower rank, you may feel that you should only do requirements from your next rank. Truth is, you can do requirements for First Class or even Eagle while being at Tenderfoot. Although, disclaimer, the Eagle requirements you can do at a low rank are only merit badges. This applies to all ranks Star and above, and you can only do them once you are the rank prior to them. However, this should not stop you from doing requirements for Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class, as it is practically long term investment. Many of the later requirements from Second and First Class are actually done in your early years of scouting, so be sure to get on that.
Try to get at least one requirement signed off every meeting
Meetings are fun, and a great place to make new friends and goof off, but you should remember the purpose of meetings is to get stuff done as scouts. Getting at least one requirement every meeting is a slow, but great way to rank up. Just remember there are some requirements that will need prior preparation, or need to be done at things like campouts.
If you need help, do not be afraid to ask for it
Sometimes as a scout, you can't do something on your own, and may need help with it. This may be common knowledge, but please don't be afraid to ask for help. If you become too shy to ask for help, whatever it is you needed to do might take forever, and you'll be holding onto it for a long time. Just remember, if you're gonna ask the adults for something, try to do it during the meeting, and not after it, as they might have something going on afterwards.
Camping Tips
It's better to have too much than too little
This information is also common knowledge, but it comes into play in camping very heavily. If you have too little of something on a campout, you will either have to live without it, or make an unnecessary dash to the store to get it. This can put you in a bad situation, and it's best to come prepared. Having too much however, is only annoying, as it might take up space, but at least you can still do whatever you were going to do. The only exception to this rule is in backpacking, as having too much is equally as punishing as having too little, since carrying extra weight around for days will be extremely tiring.
Clean trash while you're still camping, not when you're just about to leave
This move is long term investment, since even though it will be boring when you're doing it, it will save you some time from the trash sweep. The trash sweep takes place right at the end of a camping trip, and is for cleaning up trash to leave the place clean or even cleaner for the next campers. This trash sweep however, can take a long time, as you will have to do multiple trash sweeps. However, a recent trash sweep change has been made so that you can make a difference. This change is that the amount of trash sweeps will be dependent if trash is found after you have swept an area you had finished sweeping. Even if you are thorough with your area, other people may miss one, and you will have to redo yours no matter how clean your area is, so you can help them by picking up trash beforehand, and bonus, you can leave faster too.
Make your dinners early
While out camping, sundown is something to put into consideration, since less visibility will hinder your ability to do things. One of those things that you do near sundown is making dinner. Since making dinner and cleaning up afterward usually takes a while, it is recommended that you should cook your dinners about two hours before sunset. Sunset is usually around 6pm - 7pm, so you should start on dinner around 4pm - 5pm. Even though this time sounds early, it will give you more visibility than doing it at 6 or 7.