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Whether this belongs here or scouting round the world I thought I'd swing by and show off our troop review of the year on Youtube here. Seemed to go down well with the troop tonight! A very happy and peaceful Christmas to you all

I'm about an hour away from my last night as Scoutmaster, so not a bad time to reflect. The usual and most selfish reason, my oldest son. He always wanted to be a scout, from the first time he heard about cubs, he was all in. It's been awesome to share in some of his adventures and watch him grown. He's close to his Eagle, but even without that he's gained so much from his various experiences. I need to keep in shape for all those experiences, so physical fitness is a plus. Less selfish, but still gives me a glow. Working with young people. I've coached both son's teams, and he

The old guard protectors of the Eagle award and past history and traditions are holding onto their own glory. Obdurate objections to a changing world will not do anybody any good, and may give some psychologists and ulcer doctors more work. Move with the times and find ways to make current challenges fit your involvement, hopefully to the overall benefit of all. As noted, life is seldom always fair. Whatever comes from all this, it can be positive or negative, however one chooses to view it. How will this affect any of us as time goes by. Our own Scouting accomplishments will

We are to be ready for "any old thing." Are we ready for a GRE? Will Scouters need to use their hands?

10 years old, 5th grader Tenderfoot Scout saves a classmate choking by quickly using Heimlich maneuver. Check out the video. Well done. http://www.khou.com/news/boy-scout-saves-classmates-life-in-the-cafeteria/499874098 Scout Salute.

This is the conundrum I have always had with this forum. All the adults, whether they are young or old are all fighting and bickering about who's calling the shots. Well guess what, it's supposed to be the boys. The more I get into the hands of the boys, the less I have difficulties. I don't make it my problems and I don't ever get caught holding the bag. If the parents get involved and try to make it their problem, they quickly learn that's not a good spot to be in because I always side, right or wrong, with the boys and their decisions. It's always two against one against the adults.

So, I have some frustrations with old Scouters who complain about new parents. So, I have some frustrations with new parents who complain about old Scouters. Mostly, I have a lot of frustration with adults arguing over which of the adults is going to run (ruin) the program. The entire premise of the thread is based on what the adults are doing. Bottom line......be youth-led, adults are there to support, guide mentor the youth, not lead, run, manage the troop. Secondly, if everyone follows the Oath and Law in everything they do, then most problems will take care of themselves.

Not that I'd encourage such a thing now. But I could see my troop showing up at the disciplinary hearing with their knives in their pockets!

I kidnap them every so often..... hide them away in the woods for a while.

Dryer sheets have helped, I am told. Since the objective is not to have a garment that absorbs moisture, I cannot see how they would hurt. An article of down bag care at backpackinglight.com recommends dryer sheets. Wet feathers stink, but it goes away when they are dry - from the experience with my 58 milsurp bag.

I enjoy the international links. I'd love to visit some of the folks like skip someday. On a good day Scouting feels like a calling, on a bad day there are better things to do with my time but then I get sucked in my some scout that needs me and get all those positive vibes. My own sons have now aged out of the program after pretty good 'careers' I was pretty happy to be around to see a side of them I did not know existed. I now have to figure out the best place to put my energies in my (or a nearby) Troop. I also need to tend to the knitting at home with my 'Scout Widow' wife. If she wants to

When one has the background I do, people would like my input into the program. I was all set to leave scouting many times throughout the past 45+ years and only flat-out quit when I was in Scouts as a youth. When my boy quit I was tempted to join him. When the troop's adult led policies were running rampant, I was tempted to quit. When I was asked to step down as SM, I was tempted to stay out of it. I have no skin in the game other than people (the Council this last time) asking me to do something. Then I stay on. I prefer doing my outdoors selfishly with my wife. We do a lot tog

I think we need to remember a couple of things here: 1. The BSA, as far as I know, has not responded to Ms. Ireland's request. Therefore, any comments along the line about how National has devalued the Eagle, made it worthless, cheated previous recipients, etc. etc., are incorrect, because National has not done anything on this subject. Personally I think National is going to reject her request for all of the reasons that have been discussed in this forum. But whatever may happen, it hasn't happened yet and we shouldn't treat it as if it has. 2. Let's please remember that this

I started reading my parents scouter magazine in 1975, when I was a patrol leader looking for ways to give my scouts a more exciting program. It was full of cool ideas and advice from these who had " been there and done that" I loved it. Nowdays I give it a 15 second skim and toss it straight in the bin. The last issue led with such a blatant propaganda piece just gushing about how great the addition of girls would be, I tossed it without reading past page two. I wondered what changed so much me or the magazine? So I dug out some issues from the ' 80's and 90's. Nope, still f

I was going to say. I only wear one ring, and it does not rotate anywhere or at any time.

It's British. http://hmvf.co.uk/topic/18314-58-pattern-sleeping-bag/ suggest using a NikWax wash. REI has this advice for down. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-sleeping-bag.html