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A woman brought a very limp duck into a veterinary surgeon. As she laid her pet on the table, the vet pulled out his stethoscope and listened to the bird's chest. After a moment or two, the vet shook his head and sadly said, "I'm sorry, your duck, Cuddles, has passed away." The distressed woman wailed, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I am sure. Your duck is dead," replied the vet. "How can you be so sure?" she protested. "I mean you haven't done any testing on him or anything. He might just be in a coma or something."

We got 2 slots for our preferred date for Out Island Adventure. Two of us were trying this morning and their web site couldn't handle the traffic. We'd get so far, then Internal Server Error. After about 10-15 minutes, the other guy got through and registered. For anyone who comes across this post, here is how registration works. 1. it's like buying concert tickets. Keep clicking the link starting just before 9. You're competing against other troops at the same time. if you can, get multiple people trying, but be on the phone with each other. Everyone keep trying until 1 person

https://www.rei.com/product/168564/rei-co-op-flash-air-1-tent https://www.rei.com/product/168565/rei-co-op-flash-air-2-tent REI will likely have these on sale at some point. These look like a great deal and are really light, particularly if you use trekking poles. Definitely a BIG weight savings over a Philmont tent.

I hear you. My understanding is that you have to fill out a separate form, because it's a separate position and because it's approved by different people. The Chartered Org. Rep. approves Scoutmasters, but someone at the district / council level (usually District / Council Advancement Chair or District Executive) approves merit badge counselors. As for renewals, each council seems to do its own thing. Some councils will automatically renew MBCs as long as YPT is current (and the new disclosure and authorization form is on file). Some councils want an updated list of merit badges each

Don't even THINK about stealing my idea for ScoutHub. Primo Philmont treks are going for 3x face value. Sadly, Summit treks are pennies on the dollar.

Is there a secondary market like Stub Hub that I can profit from? I will sign up for ALL the adventures, then dole them out at higher fees...all the money will be MINE!!!

We're in the same boat. (I'll see myself out)

Signed on about 11:00 am (EST) and it was no errors or waiting. Guess the tide (Seabase joke there) of inquiries had passed. We signed up for 2 Out Island crews in late May, that has worked for us over the last 12 - 14 years. New for this year was the deposit right now, past years I recall we have 30 days or so to send in money. They did take CC, so not an issue Got a prompt e-mail confirmation, now to sign up Scouts for the adventure

Troop MBCs make me question the value of the merit badge program. I'm okay with the troop having some MBCs and such. But when a troop has an inventory of MBCs for key badges, ... imho ... it really hurts the value of the MBC program. The MBC program is about getting the scout out of his comfort zone and learning something new ... AND working with someone new. When the scout mostly works with troop MBCs, the MBC program really changes from an individual scout focus into a troop run program. IMHO, it fully subverts the program.

They got rid of the lottery last year

Only if he asks you point blank. A scout is honest.

There's also a strong sense of community in many troops. We have many merit badge counselors that work with just Scouts in our troop. These adults have been long standing members of the troop community and want to help. They're not volunteering for Scouting in general, they are volunteering to help strengthen options for boys and girls they know. Becoming volunteers for Scouting in general isn't what they signed up for.

They also have the option to discontinue being MBCs. MBCs who choose the troop only option often do so because, though willing help out the scouts in their local unit, they have no desire to become unpaid employees of the council.

Change enough of the "format" and what's the point?

Transfer your Good Turn coin from your left pocket to your right pocket.

For cubs, my preference for particularly grimy hands is: Some clean wet sand in a tub of warmish water. Cake some on and grind it around in your hands for 10-20 seconds; Then swish them back in the water to knock of most of the sand; Then a quick dip in a second bucket of rinse water to get any residue off; Then hand sanitizer. This is good if they are about to eat burgers and corn on the cob after playing in the dirt all day. The really nice thing about it is that it's much easier to get 6-10 year olds to play with mud for 20 seconds than it is to get t

Hmmm. Of course cleanliness is a virtue and one of the a points of the Law, but ya'll sound as if you've never been on a Boy Scout camp out. Barry

I do not know about National, but it was the attitude my DFS had. I had a new, struggling unit that my church started. I didn't have an active commissioner corps to help them, so I did it myself. My DFS found out, and told me to stop.Would not hear of the reasons why I was helping: no commissioner, my church's pack, my men's club asked me to help, etc. Ditto with me going to OA meetings and events. Told me " You don't have time to play Indian." Here's the irony of that situation, me attending the Ordeal, doing cheerful service in the rain, and working with the ceremony team thoroughly impresse

I would call Nancy at Seabase ahead of time and get her help for registering for it. I think that is a very popular trek so you are reducing your chances but your reasoning makes sense. Last year our Ship did a 74 mile canoe trek on the Buffalo river in Arkansas. It was a great roll your own adventure. let me know if you are interested in details on that.

I was disappointed when I looked in to Scoutbook and checked to see if I showed up as MBC for certain badges. I do....but somehow, Scoutbook says I'm "willing to work with any scout in my district". That's no really correct. On the MBC registration form, I actually checked the box saying I would work with ANY scout. To me, "any" means "any". As in, scouts in other districts, scouts in other councils, scouts who are male, scouts who are female, scouts who are christian, scouts who are buddhist, scouts who are gay, scouts who have disabilities, even scouts who are downri

So, you're saying that every scouter who chooses the troop-only option is a dirtbag?