Eagle69

I think it is way past time for BSA to provide most of it's forms online in a format where they can be filled out and saved via computer. I have enterable PDF versions of the Tour Permit and Eagle Application, thanks to a member of this forum, but they can't be saved once I fill them out. It makes no sense to provide a form that you can print out and fill out by hand when it would be so much easier and legible to fill it out online and then save it and print it. Surely there is a way to do this. Filling out the paperwork would be so much easier.

There is no requirement for a boy to RECITE the Oath, Law, etc., the requirement says "Understand and agree to live by the Oath, Law, Motto Slogan and the Outdoor Code". He does have to repeat the Pledge of Allegiance. The bottom line though is that signing the application does not automatically give him the Scout rank. As far as SM and ASM not being part of the Eagle Board, I have heard that and have seen the ASM on a board when the troop couldn't get enough adults otherwise. Should you fight it and make waves or just sit back and accept it? That is a decision that only you can ma

I'm not surprised. I ran into rules like this back in the 80's when backpacking in a couple of National Parks. What's tough it when you don't know about these rules on the front end and if you comply with them you will have groups without sufficent adult supervision so then what do you do.

Go with the Cross and Flame. Since the scouter to be honored is a member of the United Methodist Church you can't go wrong with that award. The church probably has no clue about either award, however they will be the one to fill out and turn in the paperwork.

Foil packs are always good as are one pot dinners that can be cooked on the stove. As mentioned, dutch oven cooking, but it is a little more involved and might be intimidating to a first timer.

From CNN, 1 scout killed and 3 others injured by lighting while camping in UTAH.

I suspect that it is universal. It was 37 years ago that I served on staff and just a couple of weeks ago I was at a gathering with a couple of other former staffers and we had no problem filling the time telling war stories from our days on staff. The camp we served is no longer in existence as a BSA property, but it is still around privately owned. A few years ago a group started having reunions of those that camped and/or were on staff and they are well attended. It is an experience that puts you in a large, but select group.

I think propane is cheaper to use than White Gas. We have been using 2 20lb tanks of propane for over a year and they aren't empty yet. On a normal campout we would probably go through a gallon or more of white gas. I think propane is about $13 from Wal-Mart when you swap an empty tank for a full one. One of my tanks even has a nonconforming valve on it so that tells you how long it's been filled. In my experience using the table top stoves, they are much less problem prone than a white gas stove. I don't miss having to pump a stove to pressurerize it one bit.

I agree with everything posted so far. I used white gas stoves/lanterns for years and went through all the problems and crankiness with them. Several years ago we switched to propane and I absolutely love it. For static camping it is the only way to go. It's easier to use, safer, and cheaper. We use the 20lb tanks and have bought the hoses, adapters, and tees to be able to use them even on a device that has a bottle fitting. For backpacking I would say use the white gas stoves. On the topic of refilling the cannisters, I've done it. Cableas sells a device that screws on the 20lb ta

I agree that if numbers change, don't worry about it, but if the destination, person in charge, date, etc. change, redo the permit. On the same subject when is National going to put the Tour Permit form on the web in a format that can be filled out online? I have a version that another poster on here, that had the full Adobe software, created and sent me, but I know at some point they are going to change something and my version won't be any good anymore. Printing it and then filling it out by hand is so 1990ish.

I have been SM for 26 years and I'm single, but like the person this thread is about I was an Eagle. I was actually recruited from another troop by someone from my church. I have the privelege of working in Scouting with many adults over the years that had no kids, were single or had daughters. Just because they aren't married or don't have a son in the troop doesn't mean that they are unfit to help in the program or that they are wanting to join so they can prey on young boys.

The current Scout Uniform was designed by Oscar sometime back in the 80's.

One small change I made a few years ago was to stop buying the Advancement Book every year. It used to be good for 2+ years then they started putting it out every year and I refused to get into the game. I rely on the Internet and even tell my scouts to use it to look up current requirements. National doesn't change things that often to require a new book every year. Money doesn't grow on trees around my scout families.

I totally agree. I perused my catalog this weekend and nearly choked when I looked and saw that an Adult Long Sleeve Shirt and long pants would cost $100. I can go to about any department store and buy good clothes that will last for a whole lot less and fit better as well. It's no wonder that we are having trouble getting kids in uniform these days! A parent shells out a small fortune for a uniform and then as the kid grows keeps spending more every year. There is way too much stuff in the catalog now and it just lends to the confusiton about Class A, Class B, etc. uniforms.

I have never been to Philmont, but ran a High Adventure Backpacking troop for a number of years and for 6 years we took a 7-10 day backpacking trip every summer. Based on this I would say it is highly adviseable to get them out so they get used to using their gear, get in shape and get used to working together. The trip will be much more enjoyable for all if you do this. As far as making them a separate patrol so they can get this experience: if your troop doesn't do this type of activity on a regular basis then it wouldn't hurt to go this route.

CO for 43 years, Methodist Church - 2 COR was my CC for about 8 years - 9

I ran a High Adventure Backpacking program for 10 years and for 6 of those years we went somewhere every summer, but never to Philmont. Rocky Mountian National park is loaded with trails and you can base from the campground on the West side of the park, I have done the Pecos Wilderness, but that was 20+ years ago, went to North Carolina once, Virginia, and Michigan. You have plenty of time to plan and find an alternative route. Of course going it alone means more research and planning on your part, but it can be done.

As stated above you need to take your cue from the District Reviewer. Remember it is not an interogation! As a former Eagle Review chairman I can offer these tips. Read over all the provided paper work; this should include the Eagle Application and the Eagle Project write up at a minimum. On the application look at the offices held, the date of the ranks/merit badges, and the different merit badges the candidate chose for his non required ones. This can often give you clues to good questions. Read over the project write up and you can usually find some things to inquire about regarding th

If you truly mean a "summer" as in late June, July or August float then you need to rethink your plans. At that time of the year the upper Buffalo is almost nonexistent and the middle can get very low to the point where you have to drag canoes. The lower end will have water in it, but it won't be moving fast and I'm not sure of the availability of outfitters for that part of the river. There are several excellent books out on the Buffalo and a new one that has gotten good reviews has just recently been released. I live in Arkansas and have floated the upper and middle parts of the

We are up to $50 a Scout and the adults don't pay anything. I figure if an adult is giving his time, gas, etc. that we can cover their fees by what we charge the boys. From that money we pay registration, boys life, etc. We don't sell popcorn or chocolate. I and 2 or 3 more of my adults personally contribute to FOS so we aren't totally ignoreing the council. They get more out of us that way than they ever would if we sold something.

Be very very careful about being there when you know that alcohol is present. If something were to happen and BSA found out about the alcohol they might just refuse to cover you and a lawyer for the injured party would go after everybody if he found out. Alcohol on Scout Events is a major no no!

I have two stories, one funny and one that shows the danger of combustible fuels and scouts. The funny one: I was at an OA Brotherhood Induction ceremony and the boy who was Kitchkinet bent over his altar for something and the candles on the altar set his bonnet on fire. He didn't know it, but everybody else sitting around did and keep pointing to his head and pantomineing for him to beat it out. He just continued to look at us like we were nuts until finally somebody jumped him and started beating him about the head to put the fire out. He fought them until they got his bonnet off a

My troop has used the 2-Man Eureka Timberline for the boys and the 4-Man Eureka Timberline for the adults and has now gone to the Eureka Tetragon 7 for the boys. I don't discourage personal tents, especially among adults as we don't have enough good tents for adults, but for the boys prefer them to use a troop tent. The reason is that at an official function we will look uniform and we know what the condition and quality of the tent is. I am a big fan of Eureka tents having used them for about 25 years.

According to IRS publication 8686 the amount you can write off for chairitable mileage is 14 cents. I personally think that is too low with gas going for $2.00 in some area and the price of cars being what they are, but until somebody changes the rules 14 cents is it.

What are the rarest names and is there a certain order that names are assigned in? When I went through it we had Beavers, Foxes, Eagles, Bob-Whites and judging by the response to some one of the posts below, those are fairly common patrols. "I used to be Beaver". WWB-SC134