DugNevius

Backpacker, I'm behind your comments 100%. Every scout needs to have the opportunity to be an Eagle Scout, with the guidance and program to get there. But not every scout is an eagle scout. Like you, Backpacker, I have seen a trend of "wishy washy" eagle projects. In our troop we have made it a habit to push for a much higher amount of man-hours completed then the troops around us, and have been told by council that our Eagle BOR are more difficult then those other troops. But it all matters on what the goal of the troop is. Some troops focus on fun and games and scout skills

going out to Philmont, trek #32, i hope.

we used propane back in the early 90s and then switched to white gas. Correct me if i am wrong, but isnt white gas better economicly?

Thats our goal.

eagledad- Yes there are other ways to build leadership and teamwork outside of patrol cooking. They all can be done while patrol cooking as well. Nothing is lost by cooking in patrols instead of eating at a mess hall and more is gained. The more experience our boys get the better in the long run.

also, you may also look to companies such as Home Depot, Lowes or contractors to donate paint and supplies. In any case, there shouldnt be any problem with having the orginization supplying things like paint, nails and such.

Good points, but i think the cons go beyond that. By eliminating patrol cooking in summer camp you are essentially cutting the leadership eperience of the elected leaders by at least and maybe more then half. Even if the rest of the year, every month the patrols cook by themselves, having three times a day for one or two weeks strait is around 40 meals which doubles the experience. Through patrol cooking the patrol leader and the scouts that he leads have much more responsibility on their shoulders, from wood collecting and cutting, fire building, food pickup and preperation, the act

Dont worry John. Its mainly because of the reaction some other scoutmasters have had on other boards because of our program. i find it amazing as well as amusing how threatened some feel by us, and how quicky they can turn a discussion and debate into mudslinging and attacks. Not everyone sees eye to eye, no troop is right for everyone, but i enjoy interesting conversation and deliberation in effort to understand, learn and teach as well as just have fun. So about us. We have been around since 1937, in suburb NJ and have produced 79 eagle scouts. There are 4 other local troops in ou

im ready for the fireworks... Our troop does not push the 1st class by the first year. In fact, or scouts dont get 1st class in the first year. At least 2 years. Also, we never have an eagle at 14. Its not done because it cant be done and shouldnt be done. As far as sports go, in the 17 years ive been involved in scouting, from crossing over as a weablo till now, every singe eagle scout we have had has been on at least one, and in some cases 3 vasity high school sports- wrestling, hockey, soccor, swimming and lacross were some. Haha, ok, bring it on! Im ready.

Its good to see so many troops trying the patrol method. I say this because from what i have observed many many troops are opting for both mess hall summer camps and a group cooking- and camping- method. Our troop for many years would go to a camp in northern New York that was basiclly all patrol cooking. In the 90's there was a shift towards a mess hall and by the 1994 our troop was the only troop cooking by patrol and therefore wasnt getting the proper attention when it came to the supply of food. The camp was sold in 1995. We had to find someple else. Doing so, locating a cam

This summer my troop will be heading out to Philmont (our fith visit) and have had a very structured training program to prepare. Its about the same as our other philmont or extended backpacking treks. I was wondering if any other troops had training programs for philmont and what theirs entailed. Well... Heres what we did and are doing. Getting accepted to go to Philmont for the summer of 2005 back in january of 2004: Req'd hike in March of the PA-Nj ATof 8 miles and 5 miles in 2 days Crew leaders elected in April Req'd hike in May of 4 miles friday afternoon, 8

Hello to all. My name is Dug and I am an Eagle scout and assistant scoutmaster of my troop in NJ. My troop is vastly different then most i have encountered, and from the responses ive recieved on other scouting message boards, very controversal and even threatening, but i see this as a chance to discuss, debate and learn.