eagle90

As Comedian Ron White says: "You can't fix stupid. There's not a pill you can take; there's not a class you can go to. Stupid is forever."

Definitely! Especially for the younger scouts at the end of summer camp, they can often earn T and 2 during the week. We will normally have one SM conference and one BOR for both, though they both will be a little longer than usual. Dale

I see from the latest Scouting magazine received today, that Bob Mazucca is retiring as CSE. Comments??

Next weekend is the 58th Annual U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena, Illinois.

Rafting the Grand Canyon......

It's good to see you back again GWD. Looking forward to your insightful comments. Dale

SR540 has it right. We are customers. Treat us like you want us to come back again and again. Be accommodating to our wishes, within reason. When we go to the Boundary Waters we use a private outfitter instead of the Sommers Base as we have found we get better food, better equipment, and a much better attitude from the staff. They want to do anything they can for us. That's the attitude we need at Summer Camp.

BIG AGNES! Best I've ever found. Folds down to about the size of a Pepsi Can, and is super comfortable. About $69.95, but worth every penny. Also comes in an insulated version. Dale

I would say Yes, Yes, and Yes.

On a separate note, our troop had a fund raiser this past weekend (A Rummage Sale, very successful!) two of our scout alumni came by with their new babies! I guess that proves you are getting old when your former scouts start coming around with their new sons (and future scouts?) Dale

Our scouts love patrol competitions. We just had one at our Indoor Camp last weekend Did First Aid, fire starting, semaphore, two man sawing, a knot tying team building exercise, and a "Pillsbury" cake bake off contest.

Big MUNSON is used for the Out Island Adventure and the Keys Adventure out of the Brinton Center. It is a very diverse island with Mangrove swamps, salt flats, beaches, and deep woods.

Charleston is about an hour by car from the Summit. That would be the closest major airport and the least amount ground transportation.

We supply an NESA membership, but not the life membership, just the 5 year one. Cost is $25.00. And sometimes they have specials during the year for $20.00.

Beavah is right on the money. Right now we have $19,000 in our treasury, but $8,000 is in scout accounts, and we are in the midst of collecting Summer Camp fees for 50 scouts and 12 adults, and High Adventure payments for 12 people. We have a troop of 62 scouts.

Amen! Well said, Resqman

Just set an age limit and stick to it! Don't let pushy parents with expanded views of their kid's physical ability influence you. It's your job as trip leader to insure safety, not to mention crew morale. One sniveling 12 year old who can't pull his weight will bring down the whole crew and be a safety factor as well. I wouldn't even give them an opportunity to test themselves on a track. The conditions in BWCA is much more intense.

That may be the Base's regulations, but troops can certainly make their own restrictions. We normally restrict High Adventure opportunities to High School aged scouts. 1. This gives them an incentive to stay in Scouting longer 2. It keeps the age range shorter, so you don't have 17 year olds having to spend a lot of time with 12 year olds(Not cool in their eyes!) 3. In 40+ years, I can think of only one or 2 twelve year olds that could handle most High Adventure activities. Let the younger scouts attend summer camp, put in their time, pay their dues, and then attend

There is no leeway. If you miss the date, too bad, so sad. I know during Florida Sea Base check in, the scouts must provide State ID's, and birthdays are checked.

For about a year or so we received the Eagle kits for no cost, as one of the local service clubs (VFW, Elks, etc.) supplied the kits. That ran out and now we must purchase them. In addition, our troop supplies an NESA membership, NESA neckerchief, we frame the certificates, and also give the moms a dozen roses. We also supply refreshments for the ceremony. Just had three scouts receive Eagle last week!

We do seven tent camping weekends during the year in addition to Summer Camp and High Adventure. We normally do two cabin camps during the winter months.

I believe it is whomever is acting as the Scoutmaster at the time the card is needed. I know as Jamboree SM, I signed all the cards used at the Merit Badge Midway by my troop. I would think at High Adventure or provisional summer camp that would also be the case.

If we denied the Eagle award to every scout who did not live up to the Scout Oath and Law 100% of the time, it would be a small fraternity. The only one I can think of lived 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem, and that was long before the BSA. I have handed out over 40 Eagles in my time as Scoutmaster (no, we are not a mill. This is over 30+ years) and none of them were perfect. In fact a few, I had to bite my tongue, give him his award, and move on.

Our pack crosses boys over to our troop at their Blue & Gold Dinner in February. As has been said, this allows the new boys time to assimilate into the troop, attend numerous spring camp outs before Summer Camp, and get to know the scouts in their patrol and troop.

I will be celebrating 53 years next month, and still going strong!