The must-have Scouting Apps
What makes Scouting fun?
Not so long ago, we used printed maps to find our way and depended on charts to identify stars and constellations. And, did you also carry all those birds, trees and survival guides in your backpack? Must have been quite a load for a kid, eh?
Guess what? Today, it is possible to have a compass, map, GPS device, flashlight, radio, high definition camera plus camping recipes and reference books – all in your pocket! With this little wonder called “smartphone”, we can have almost everything we need for a camping or hiking trip. I say “almost” because according to Baden-Powell, “We are not a club or a Sunday school class, but a school of the woods”. The woods! So ultimately, we still need to equip ourselves with the basic knowledge and skills that will help us to survive in the wild.
So how do smartphones fit into the picture?
The world is changing, people are evolving and the advancement of technology is inevitable. In “Aids to Scoutmastership”,
a book written by Baden-Powell in 1920, he observed that many Scoutmasters found technology a distraction to Scouting.
He, however, saw it as tool that would benefit Scouts if used properly. So, technology should be viewed as just that – tools, and the very principles of Scouting, the Scout Promise and Law, should always remain as our guide.
To equip Scouts with smart devices, I believe, is parallel with the Scout motto – Be Prepared - getting ready for the future while acquiring Scouting best practices from the past and present.
Scouting-related apps you might want to try
After doing a bit of online research, I came up with a list of Scouting apps worth downloading, and maybe even worth paying for. But remember, these apps are just intended to be auxillaries or backup. Do not solely rely on them for whatever scouting activity you do. After all, a Scout uses all his resources, not just one.
Scouting Radio
Description: “An award-winning media outlet for sharing knowledge and information with Scouts in every country.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: Free
Knots3D
Description: “Tie, untie and rotate more than 100 knots with just your finger! Knots 3D will give you a whole new perspective on knots! Grab a rope and have fun!”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: $ .99 – $1.99
First Aid by the American Red Cross
Description: “The perfect app that can have you prepared for whatever life brings. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice. It’s never been easier to know first aid.”
“One of 8 New Apps You Don’t Want to Miss” – Mashable.com
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: Free
SAS Survival Guide Lite
Description: “For over 20 years, the SAS Survival Guide has been the definitive guide to surviving any situation, anywhere in the world. Based on the million-copy bestseller, this fantastic free app provides you with a bare bones guide to wilderness survival. Jam-packed with basic survival tools, you'll be equipped for any expedition to the outdoors with this entry-level guide in your arsenal.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: Free
Geocaching
Description: “Supercharge your geocaching adventures with the official, full-featured Geocaching App. There are millions of geocaches waiting to be found, scattered throughout more than 185 countries around the world—there are probably even some near you right now.”
Available: iOS, android, windows
Cost: $9.99
AccuWeather
Description: “Stay connected to the latest weather conditions before going camping. This free, customizable app features the new AccuWeather MinuteCast™, the leading minute-by-minute weather forecast, hyper-localized to your exact street address.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com, windows
Cost: Free
Project Noah
Description: “Project Noah is the best way to share your wildlife encounters and help document our planet's biodiversity.”
"Project Noah harnesses the power of citizen scientists everywhere to discover the world’s organisms" - National Geographic
"A modern invention that may hold the key to saving species in the future" - BBC
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: Free
Star Walk
Description: “Star Walk is the most beautiful stargazing app you’ve ever seen on a mobile device. It will become your go-to interactive star chart of the night sky, following your every movement in real time and allowing you to explore over 200,000 celestial bodies with extensive information about stars, planets, satellites, and constellations that you find.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com, windows
Cost: $2.99
Audobon Birds Pro
Description: “The award-winning bird guide where you can identify 821 species with in-depth descriptions including information on appearance, habitat, behaviour, and more.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: $3.99 - $4.99
Walk with Map My Walk
Description: “Other than a fitness app, Map My Walk is the perfect free app to track and calculate the distance of your hike.”
Available: iOS, android
Cost: Free
Codegent
Description: “Getting lost in translation while travelling to a different country will now be a thing of the past. You can learn Japanese, Chinese, Thai, Spanish, French, Korean, Arabic and many more just from your pocket.”
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com, windows
Cost: (Lite Versions) Free (Pro) $3.99 - $4.99 each
Whitenoise
Description: “No need to worry about your snoring tent mate. Whitenoise is recommended by Dr. Oz as a miracle for better sleep!” (Works with earphones)
Available: iOS, android, amazon.com
Cost: $1.99
The perfect bonus:
SCOUTS App
Description: “Discover the latest News, Publications, Pictures and Videos from World Scouting directly on your smartphone.”
Available: iOS, android, windows
Cost: Free
I know that there are many Scouts around the world who may not have access to this kind of technology, so consider this a heads-up. There are many new tools out there that can help us to improve our Scouting activities. It’s just a matter of how we apply them.
What do you think? Have you used any of these apps? If you have, would you recommend it or give it a “dislike”? Let me know which is your favourite. If it’s missing from the list, let me know.
Written by Eul Bryan De Gracia