Home.15 October 2006
Scouting for Food
Reminder Signs
This is one of the ancillary jobs for Scouting for Food, and qualifies participating Scouts as having participated in this event. It is open ONLY to those Scouts who are completely unable to make either bag distribution or bag collection day because of sports or other irreconcilable conflicts. This job generally takes between 2 - 3 hours. We need three separate sign installing Crews, so a minimum of three adults and six Scouts are needed.
Purpose: To remind folks in our Scouting for Food Designated Area that we’re coming around that coming Saturday to collect the food bags. Our prior experience has shown this to be critical to a successful food drive. Since it’s a week between bag delivery and bag pickup, most people would forget if we didn’t remind them. So we try to outline the area in such a way that everyone coming home on Thursday and Friday night will pass at least one of our reminder signs. Troop 111 installs about 75 signs around our area.
Basic Method: Starting in 2006, we have a single signing method – that is, by sliding a plastic “bag sign” for Scouting for Food over a 26 inch campaign sign “U-Wire”. Note that the signs are identical on both sides.
Some Expansion Comments: (A) There are two basic types of sign locations - First, at the beginning of a “neighborhood” road, like N. 19th St. or Woodstock St.; and Second, along main roads (“arterials”) like Glebe, Quincy, Kirkwood, etc. Our “Signs-1” and “Signs-2” maps are all “neighborhood” streets, while our “Signs-3” are all arterials. The Signs-1 and Signs-2 sets can be handled by any Scout, but the Signs-3 should be handled only by Senior Scouts and adults (because they are more dangerous). (B) Signs should be placed on in such a way that oncoming traffic can read them from 20 - 40 feet away; in other words, they should face INCOMING traffic, slightly angled to the street, and not be stapled parallel to the street. (C) If possible, signs on “neighborhood” streets should be near the start of a street; i.e., where people have just made the turn and are still going slowly and paying attention. Corners that are opposite Stop Signs are excellent spots to place signs - people have to stop and look before proceeding. (D) It is VERY IMPORTANT to avoid placing signs in any locale where they are likely to be blocked by parked cars (if they are, they’re totally useless). Always LOOK at the area before you place the sign. If a spot further in is unlikely to be parked in, use it even though it’s not at the beginning of the street. Good places are just after a fire hydrant (no one will park there!) or after a section of several driveways where no one can park on the street. If a road has parking only on one side (like Stafford St.), then install the signs on the opposite side where no one can park.
“How-To”: All sign installers should wear bright clothes. Drivers should use flashers at virtually all times. Gloves should be worn.
Wires: U-Wires will need to be sunk in about 6 inches. In some cases, this can be done by hand, just by pushing them in. In other cases, you will need a hammer and gently pound it in. In a few cases, the wire needs to be installed in between bricks (at the joints) in a brick array, or in a slit between concrete slabs; in such cases, the wire will only go in about two inches - but that is usually enough. However, it can take some patience to find a perfect spot where the wire can be pounded in.
People needed for each sign-posting Crew:
One Adult Driver
Two Scouts
Materials needed for each sign-posting Crew:
A station wagon, van, or pickup with a cleared area for signs and wires
Map binder of area
Note that the “Signs-3” binder includes specific instructions on where to place the signs.
Signs and Wires (available at Scout Hall)
Signs-1 Needs a minimum of 20 Signs and Wires
Signs-2 Needs a minimum of 23 Signs and Wires
Signs-3 Needs a minimum of 33 Signs and Wires
A small light-duty hammer or sledgehammer
A pair of light gloves for each Scout
If working at night (not recommended!): 1- 2 flashlights; Scouts should also wear bright colored clothing commensurate with the weather! And should always be careful!
Thanks for your help!
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