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So - The United States Flag Code, Title 4, Section 8k states-“The flag, when it is in such condition that it is no longer a fitting emblem of display, should be destroyed in a dignified way, preferably by burning.” Pretty much that is about the only instruction. There are many ways to do this is a dignified manner, and that interpretation (dignified manner) would be up to the unit and those performing the retirement

Naproxen is your friend. Naproxen is prescribed for the treatment of mild to moderate pain and inflammation. Take at night, you will wake up with somewhat less inflammation and tension from the plantar fasciitis and other aches and pains. Don't fear the better living through chemistry option

I think most countries retire the flag through incineration (eg. Mexico, Argentina, UK). The hard part about finding flag protocol for other countries is that it's usually in another language. Argentina has a pretty robust flag code. Google translate butchers the text but you can get the idea: https://translate.google.com.ar/translate?hl=en&sl=es&u=http://www.gob.gba.gov.ar/legislacion/legislacion/l-14438.html&prev=search. Trivia: they applaud the flag instead of saluting it when it passes. If I remember correctly, the US flag folding pattern is by custom, not by law.

Can you believe a youth leader with a some youth help, built a castle for his group? During WW1, Harry Delos Andrews was stationed as an hospital administrator in Chateau de la Roche in southern France. The posting left a lasting impression. "In the 1920s, one of Andrews’ projects was his Boy Scout-esque troop, which he named the Knights of the Golden Trail (KOGT). The group often camped along the shore of the Little Miami River, which bisects Loveland. The two plots where the group stayed were donated by families of the scouts, who obtained the land through a subscription promotion

My Troop retires around 200 flags a year. The above is correct. The only thing that we absolutely do not do is refer to the flag retirement as a flag burning. We different people bring us a flag to be retired and tell us that they have a flag to be burned we tell them that we see a US Flag burning as a protest against our great country therefore we do not burn flags but retire the Flag by fire.

That sounds completely amazing. I just love hearing about people who think outside the box and let their dreams guide their actions. There is a somewhat similar story around these parts of a guy who owns a bakery in the town of Bellville, Texas. He visited castles in Europe and decided that he needed to build himself one too. The result is Newman's Castle which is open for tours to those who patronize his bakery... http://newmanscastle.com/

There's nothing like burning through the calories in a morning to solve picky eaters. But the nice thing about Philmont is exchanges. There are locations to drop off what you don't like and pick up something some other crew doesn't like. Plus, it's likely to make trades mid trail. Evidently my venturers despised green beans, but they kept crossing paths with a contingent from Tennessee who couldn't live without them. Those exchanges solved a lot of problems. P.S. - I've never been to this HA base myself, I merely conditioned with my crew for everyone's mutual benefit. My venturers and lea

14 year old is an awkward age. We took two crews one year, one was made of 14 year olds, the other was made of 15 to 18 year olds. The 18 years olds were new ASMs (and they had a blast). Anyway, the 14 year olds stuck to themselves. They didn't like wearing the uniform during travel (required), while the older scouts didn't think twice about it. They just never seemed comfortable. As I said, awkward. But they were fine on the trail. That is where they bonded. I will suggest that you go again with this group in a couple of years. Treks with 16 and 17 year olds is so much fun. They are mor

Honestly, most of the youth from a physical perspective will likely do well. Boots are another issue that need to be addressed of course. Leaders, that's another story. You can do a good pack shakedown in a driveway. Everyone full packs, you run down the list, make sure it's there. If you have folks from past years, have them come and discuss what may or may not be needed (I've never taken rain pants). Biggest thing to get done is crew cohesion, and working together as a team. The Philmont trek is much different than weekend trips or summer camp due to length and smaller numbers (at

Tall buildings? Stadiums? We have one on Pitt's campus that is very popular for stair racing ... even though we have no shortage of hills. Our South Side neighborhood holds a step treck. It's on a bus route. My brother in Ohio found the one property with a decent ravine and made friends with the farmer. He does multiple reps up and down. Then helps chop wood or gleans peaches. (Note to self: make room in the freezer next month.) Creative preparation is part of the scouting experience.

If you or your unit are going to take scouts into the backcountry, seriously consider taking this course: https://www.nols.edu/en/about/risk-services/training-courses/wilderness-risk-management-with-nols-and-rei/. This is the perfect compliment to a wilderness first aid course because it teaches how to avoid unnecessary risks beforehand as well as what to do after you've stabilized your patient. I'm a council IOLS Instructor, ASM, and a grad of WB, Powder Horn, and Kodiak. I'm also an Eagle Scout and former NOLS Senior Course Leader who taught this material for 13 years. This course is w

That sounds like a challenge. 😋 We have another gear check on Saturday. The parents have been slow following my suggestions. Then we'll do a full gear hike of a couple of miles and practice with the stoves and setting up our dining fly. Last night at our regular meeting, we showed several of the Philmont videos to the entire troop. I'd sent them out to the crew, but I suspect few watched them. We have a trail that runs through our neighborhood. No fires or camping are allowed along it, but it has a stream. No significant hills. We'll be OK if not ideal.

My initial inclination is to encourage Free Range Kids to organize around the original fortnight edition of Scouting for Boys. As in the days before Troops were common, a Lone Patrol would seek out, as needed, adults in the community with expertise in the outdoor skills they wish to master. Perhaps a church, school club, hiking group, outdoor store clinic, local chapter of Let Grow, former BSA volunteers, etc. (I'd be interested in additional suggestions). Adult Led / Youth Led then becomes: Youth Led adults whose services can be terminated as needed. Some day I'd lik

Don't knock neighborhood hikes! Especially if they include preparing a meal in a local park. It really is # of hikes over length of hikes. When the blisters came in my crew, it was at mile 1. I'm not saying limit town hikes to just a mile. But most of the challenge is getting everyone past that first mile. When a contingent can do that, then the stream crossing skills and other things can proceed with all present. I suspect that your crew will be the least of your ranger's worries.

I agree. Actually I'm a little surprised National even mentioned Mixed age and Same age. There were no such definitions until they started their New Scout, Regular Scout and Venture Scout experiment. I believe they are reverting back because the new scout (same age patrol) experiment failed. And here we are asking what is the guiding reason for having patrols? Sadly, we appear to be starting over. Only it's worse, now the majority of adults having to lead troops of patrols don't even have a scouting experience to base the program goals for their scouts. Maybe it's time to start answering

This is actually an interesting theory I have thought about too, but in a different way. I think one of the big reasons we are seeing the rise of "Mega Councils" (ie. Chicago, Michigan, St. Louis, Indy) is to create a larger corporate structure of Professionals to offset the lack of Volunteers in the BSA now. In a lot of places, DE's are just trying to keep afloat sinking Districts.

Rough idea ... stop troop camping. Maybe troop summer camp and a troop district camporee. Beyond that, patrols should function as patrols. Choose their activities and schedule. Find their own camps. If you really want patrols to function as patrols, minimize the troop focus. I say this as a rough idea because every troop calendar I've seen has a monthly troop focus with some sporadic higher adventure activity. I never see an annual calendar for the patrols. Maybe asking the patrols to have one or two months each year where they focus on creating the coolest patrol campout

I'd count them if I were the kid's MBC.