Eagle732

Raisinenright, I was there last weekend too. Yes, they thought they owned it and now they will have to buy it from the state. My understanding is that In colonial times when the state granted land it was not given for free but rather in exchange for something, usually for recruiting and transporting new immigrants in an effort to populate the state.

During our last Camporee competition the rules stated "no handbooks or cell phone apps allowed". Apparently the knot app is very popular among scouts.(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

Kinda like the policy my SPL came up with, it's OK to have one but I don't want to see it.

Interesting that the State's Commissioner of Land Patents is also the Maryland State Chief Archivist. The Commissioner approves the patent and the Archives gets $50,000. That's a nice little bonus that goes to a good cause. I've spent a lot of time at the Maryland State Archives doing genealogy research, it's a great place.

How does your troop schedule boards of review? Ours are the second meeting of the month. Do these occur at troop meetings or at separate designated times? During troop meetings. If not at troop meetings, how often are BORs offered to the scouts? Once a month but more can be added if needed like after summer camp. Who handles the scheduling? Advancement Chair schedules boys for BORs. After a SMC a boy contacts by email the AC to request a BOR. Who sits on the boards? Committee members How are BOR members recruited? Recruited from the parent pool, usually when their new scout son joins the troop.

Here's an interesting article on one camp's attempt to increase their land holdings by using Colonial law. http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/maryland/harford/bs-md-ha-scouts-land-20120131%2c0%2c1328034.story (You might have to cut and paste the link) (This message has been edited by Eagle732)(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

One incident: http://abclocal.go.com/wpvi/story?section=news/local&id=6260099

I just had a discussion this weekend around the campfire about cell phones on camping trips with my scouts. This was brought up because one scout was on his phone the entire camping trip to the point that his tent buddy was complaining of him using it late in the night. Our troop has a long standing policy that there are no electronics of any kind on camping trips. This policy is largely ignored and I haven't been too insistent on it being followed. My concerns are that almost all phones today have cameras and most have internet. Scouts camp together, live together and sleep together. Scouts with phones with cameras and internet capabilities are just a few clicks away from serious trouble. I gave a few general examples and the SPL led a discussion with the rest of the troop. The boys decided that the policy would be that cell phones would be allowed on camping trips as long as they stay out of site. I don't know if this is a workable solution but I'll give it a chance. Obviously we won't be doing camp games with cell phones.(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

We have a few troops around here that have 80 - over 100 boys. I don't think this is in the best interest of the boys or BSA. My troop has 20 Scouts and we have a tough time competing with these mega troops. I call the phenomena "gravitation pull" which is defined as large groups of boys being pulled into a mega troop because all their friends are there, irregardless of quality of program. Case in point, our district just held it's winter camp last weekend. My troop had 50% attendance with 10 scouts present, neighboring mega troop had less than 10% with only 6 boys. I bet there drop out rate is 4 times what ours is. Boy's not camping and dropping out is not a good thing but these mega troops get all the support from District (along with the big Cub packs) where the small troops are forgotten. BP said that 32 was a good number for a troop. Just my opinion which isn't worth much.

Papadaddy, you have asked the question I was trying to ask. Thank you.

Kudu, I misunderstood your point. I know how to deal with people who hate, I just don't understand it. I mean I might not like what some groups are doing but I don't go out and slander them with untruths. I don't attack them personally. I guess what I was asking is not how you deal with the people who hate you for what you do but how do you deal with being hated when you know in your heart that the things that you are being accused of because of your association don't reflect the way you are.

""In the Boy Scouts I learned to camp, which I hated and still hate. And I learned how to build a fire which I have never needed or desired to do. My Scoutmaster was a pleasant enough old coot, and the hate and disgust I took away from Scouting was accidental." "My goodness! All that hated directed at Scoutcraft! "Penn sounds like a "leadership skills" expert"" Kudu, did you watch more than a few seconds of this filth! Please tell me you don't find this amusing.

I know we're not suppose to discuss the three Gs here but I was searching youtube and came across a piece by Penn and Teller on BSA. I have to say I was appalled by their language and hate filled message. I know I don't want my son to be involved in their "troop". I've also come across some who when they find out I'm involved in Scouting will launch into a tirade about hate, bigotry, etc. Seems there are a hole bunch of people that really do hate us. Seems like the ones who demand tolerance have the least tolerance for those that don't agree with them. How do we deal with this?

I'd be more inclined to advise the Eagle candidate to disclose the food purchases, report them accurately, get the benefactors approval, then go to the EBOR and let them judge if the candidate will be approved. I'd advise the candidate if questioned to ask the board to show him where it says he's not suppose to fund feeding crews. Sometimes a polite, well thought out question can be a compelling argument. I'm thinking that an EBOR would not vote down a candidate over this point.

We use SOAR, it's not free but we're happy with it. http://www.mytroop.us/

Seems to me if someone owns a private business they should have the right to not serve or work for anyone they choose. Another example of this line of thinking is here, (not surprising coming from Texas): http://biggeekdad.com/2011/10/kellers-rivers

"What are the expectation of the scoutmaster "that he have trailer hitch". Gonna have to add that to the job description!

What ever happened to Trustworthy? It's all about money.

The same ones who want their son to have Eagle on their resume for Harvard!

GO, I believe the OP said his son is Type 1 and he is was accepted to go to Jambo.

Thanks Topshot! This is excellent.

Good point on hosts and guests. We'll discuss that before the trip.

Our DAC said at the seminar that all monies have to go through either the beneficiary or the troop, preferably the troop. I'm sure all this comes from council.

Thanks Buffalo, I'm not familiar with ALPS but that one meets the specs. I'd like to find packs with 4 or more inches of torso adjustment so the pack can grow with the boys.

Searching for packs that meet or come close to these specs: Cost less than $125 Weighs no more than 4 lbs Internal frame 3,000 cu in capacity Adjustable torso length about 14 - 17' Just looking at the packs at REI I found two Deuter internal frame packs that might meet the specs. Deuter Act Zero 50+15 Price $179 Weight 3-5lbs Capacity 3,050 cu in Torso 15-21" (Although the price is high REI has 20% off sales that will bring the price down closer to $150.) Deuter Fox 40 Junior Price $109 Weight 2-14 Capacity 2,450cu in Torso 11-18 (A little small in capacity but might be good for the smallest scouts) I'm sure there's more than these two. Looks like I'll be taking a trip to REI to check these out.