Eagle732

I agree with teaching ethics but we must also live by the rule book which needs to be written clearly so the average SM can understand it. My policy is if the Scout has begun work on the next rank before 1/1/10 as determined by a signed off a dated requirement for that rank then he works under the old rules for that rank only. The new rules apply to the next rank.

I've had no communications with mdsummer45 since August.

After 30 pages of posts where the members of this forum have offered opinions and help I think it is reasonable to expect that the members of this forum hear the entire story from both sides and learn the outcome. Hopefully that information will come from mdsummer45 soon.

I like SMT224's stance. I've had our troop's Advancement Chair kick back every advancement that comes to him after the change date irregardless of when the Scout started working on the rank. Is it the unit leader's decision on how and when to implement changes?

We use them, Scouts sell popcorn and the profit then goes into a "Scout Bucks" account. The treasurer keeps track of how much money each Scout has. The money is used generally to pay for camping trips and summer camp. As SM I get reimbursed for expenses through my son's Scout Buck account. It easier on the treasurer than writing me checks every time I spend money on troop supplies.

For some reason it wouldn't let me order 4 and indicated they were sold out, but will let me order 2. Go figure

Sold Out! Too bad, I'd have bought four of 'em!

mdsummer45

I did not get your PM.

Its been 9 months and still no answers?

Does anyone have experience with an Eagle appeal going to national that would know how long it would normally take?

From someone who's backpacked most of the Appalachian Trail:

Group Water Container: Don't need, everyone carries 2- 1 liter Gatoraid bottles for water and shares for meals. Lightweight and free. Try to camp near a water source, treat water with Aquamira.

Stove: Lots of options and everyone will have a different opinion. I like the MSR Wisperlight. I don't advise using a canister stove, you end up with a bunch of half empty canisters. Homemade alcohol stoves (my personal favorite) are too dangerous in my opinion for Scouts.

Cook Kit: One pot with foil lid big enough to boil enough water for a patrol to reconstitute their dehydrated meals. Leave the frying pan home, it's too heavy. Eat one pot meals, freezer bag meals (Google Freezerbag cooking for more info) or dehydrated meal. try cooking meat and bread on a stick like we did "back in the day". For personal eating gear a margarine tub and plastic spoon for each Scout, lightweight and free.

Lantern: Leave it home, each Scout should have a headlamp.

Saw: Leave it home unless you plan on doing trail maintenance. You shouldn't need wood any bigger than you can break by hand for a campfire.

Dinning Fly: Campmour sells lightweight silnylon ones or just buy a cheap blue tarp and string it up with some 1/8 cord.

Just my opinion, take it for what it's worth.

A good Unit Commissioner !

whiteblaze.net for information on hiking the Appalachian Trail.

Great site with tons of people on the forum. Anything you need to know just search the posts or ask.

Lots of Scouters on there too, but watch out for the few Scout haters.

Very informative articles on backpacking in general and AT specific information.

Check eBay, they always have a few for sale.

That's were we are now.

Great info on the sleep system, thanks to everyone who weighed in. I'm in the process of washing a several of these bags. It looks like if you remove the bivy bag from the system and pull out all of the straps on the compression stuff sack you could store the two bags with little compression. However I might buy a cloth laundry bag for storage for each system for storage. These bags will be loaned to Scouts who need a bag and don't have the means to purchase one (we have several in our troop). Also I'm considering not issuing the bivy to take home but keeping them to be loaned out if needed. Considering Gunny's comments on condensation, the Scouts may never need it since we have good tents.

Looking for information on the 4 part military sleep system sleeping bag. The system consists of two mummy bags, a gortex bivy sack and a compression bag for storage. Has anyone used this type of bag before? Are these suitable for Scouts? Any ideas on how to clean/wash them? Does anyone know the temperature ratings used separately and together?

The patch in question does not meet the requirements to be worn on the right pocket as a "Temporary Insignia"

uz,

"Why is he going on and on about this?" Well I'm glad you have persisted, I knew nothing about this, THANK YOU! Your post prompted an immediate call to our COR, a veteran and member of the local VFW and AL. He will be checking the records of those organizations searching for past troop members who have died in the service to our country. Our troop has been in existence since 1926 and I know we will have at least one star to add to our flag, a WWII Army Air Corps navigator who died in Italy.

Our troop buys the tents. My guys sleep by patrol, no mixing of patrol members in tents and the patrols are set up separately. Each patrol has 4 Eureka Timberline 4 man tents. We sleep two, maybe 3 per tent if there is a odd number in the patrol. Each tent part is marked (except the pegs) with a number corresponding to the patrol. The Fox patrol has the I.D. number 3, so their tents are marked #31, 32, 33, 34. Prior to each trip the patrol fills out the duty roster which includes a place to note which tent each Scout is sleeping in so Jimmy and Dan of the Fox patrol are using tent #33. The tent body, fly, storage bags, and all poles are marked, poles are engraved. Tents are set up in our meeting place upon returning from a trip and allowed to dry, then the Scouts pack them up during the next meeting.

There are troops who don't provide tents just for the reasons you describe and that's certainly one way to go. You could make purchasing a one man tent part of the required gear list for Scouts. This could be a negative for recruiting though because of the cost.

Are you out of line?

No. They way I handle the criticism is to remind the committee that they can elect a new SM each December according to our bylaws. In other words if you don't like the job I'm doing find someone else to do it! Seems like you're doing well especially with recruiting.

What is a boy led troop?

You'll get lots of opinions on this. It varies and depends on the currently elected leaders and their capabilities. Sounds like you are certainly boy led. My opinion; never do for a boy what he can do for himself. Let them lead as much as possible. There is a difference however between the "Boy Run Troop" and the boy run into the ground troop!

Is this flak normal? Yes! I wish I could let our troop be more boy led but I take too much heat from the COR if things get too out of hand. When the parents start complaining and threatening to take there sons elsewhere that's when you know you're getting close to being boy led.

NJ, I didn't want to get into specifics. I do have a problem with a Life Scout who is working on his Eagle project. I never had a problem with him until he got caught cheating on his project and not following the district policies. Since that time I have had several discussions with him without success. I am about to level some severe disciplinary action over his last stunt. I figure I'll do him a favor and deal with him before the committee has a chance. They want to dismiss him from the troop.

I wish out troop had a bugler. When I was a kid in Scouts my cousin Dave was the troop's bugler since he played the trumpet in the school band. From what I remember he was pretty good but every once in a while he would miss a note and take a ribbing from the guys. He played Reveille and Taps on every camping trip. I think it really adds a lot to the experience and I've noticed that during summer camp the boys will stop and listen when they hear a bugle playing taps from a distant camp.

Well I may have found the answer, instead of a Scout Bugler you can invest in the Ceremonial Bugler.

http://ceremonialbugle.com/

An electronic device designed to fit in a bugle and simulates real bugle calls. Just think, for a mere $170 you can own your very own Ceremonial Bugler. Now you might think that $170 is too much but think about it. You don't need to feed the Ceremonial Bugler (except maybe a few batteries), it never misses a note, and it never misses a camping trip! Until the real thing comes along I think I'll invest in the Ceremonial Bugler.

NJ, thanks for the opinion, I too think there is a difference but I just couldn't put my finger on what it was. So when the Scouts provides his character references does the SM check them? I thought that's why the letters were sent to the EBOR. Suppose the references chosen by the Scout all provide glowing recommendations (and why would he choose anyone who would say something bad about him?) but the SM, after years of camping and meetings, knows different. Can the SM not sign off on Scout Spirit if there are ongoing problems, even if the references say otherwise?

Tendefoot through Life requirement states: "Demonstrate Scout spirit by living the Scout Oath (Promise) and Scout Law in your everyday life." The the Eagle requirement states: "Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life." My question is what's the difference between these two requirements?

Our troop received a large donation many years ago with the stipulation that it go to Scouts to help with their college education. To this day Scouts who earn Eagle and are active in the troop at the time they start college receive a grant from this fund. It's a gift that keeps on giving since the amount paid out never exceeds the interest earned since the last gift.