Beef Bone For Making Tools

[WinterBear]

Math is not my strong suit, so I struggled with my degree. All in all, from the BS to the MS, I took 1 semester of trig, 2 of chemistry, 2 of organic chemistry, 2 of physics, 2 of calculus, 2 of statistics, plus some of the biology coursework was heavily math-based, so I also had things like theoretical ecology and fractal theory (many biological systems can be modeled with stochastic equations and fractal iterations).

As for the "real job" most of what I do only peripherally touches on the degree. Which is why I work with Boy Scouts and Venturers (co-ed Boy Scouts age 14-21). I call it my "second job"--I have no kids, so I borrow them. They're the ones that get me out and about, out camping, teaching what I know, and just fooling around in the great outdoors. One bonus is that I get to give dirty tired kids and their laundry back to their parents.

One reason I joined this forum is so I can get ideas and tips so I can be a better merit badge counselor and learn some new things with leather. I am a counselor in whole or in part for the "nature" merit badges: Nature, Mammals, Insects, Birds, Amphibians and Reptiles, Fish and Wildlife Management, Plant Science, Environmental Science, and so on. Also, photography, radio, leatherwork (with a fellow adult leader), and portions of eight or nine other rank advancement requirements or merit badges.

[BIGGUNDOCTOR]

Sounds a bit like me. No kids, and I was a Scoutmaster for 11 years after I got my Eagle. 23 years total with Troop 252.

I also taught leather working, wood carving, and basketry merit badges at summer camp.

I think if I get involved with Scouts again it will be as a merit badge counselor. Been pretty busy though since I moved to the desert.

[WinterBear]

They say "It's just 1 hour a week!" And those of us who have done it say--"yeah, sure, so which hour of the week do I get to keep for myself?"

In all seriousness, I have yet to see a strong, long lasting Troop to ever turn down a volunteer, especially someone with a Scout background. You could always be an alumnus who pops in whenever time allows. If you can only come once a quarter or twice a year to teach a special merit badge class, most Troops won't say no either!

[TexasLady]

7/5/11

I always love to hear the stories of people who share their knowledge with others to help people. I'm at school right now and can't chat more. - TexasLady

[ButterflyDancer]

I'd just like to add my thanks to everyone who contributed to this thread.

Last week, I found a discarded deer pelt, dragged by coyotes.

My new buckskin book instructed that a scraper could be made from a deer leg bone, and, now, today, the darn legbone got dragged out from somewhere. One bone is chewed open with marrow exposed, deep inside. The second bone is not broken open. I guess I should hacksaw it open to remove the marrow before I form a sharp edge?

This thread is exquisitely helpful and inspiring.