eagle90

I agree with Lisa - don't burn them out on Scouting before they get to Boy Scouts. Give them something to look forward to. A couple campouts a year for Webelos is sufficient. The when they get into BS they can camp all they want. You also don't want to overburden the Webelos parents with too many activities. They will burn out quicker than the boys, not to mention the monetary costs.

Let's not go nuts with the Buddy System. When the whole troop is present playing a game, a scout does not have to be tied to the hip of a buddy. I'm sure he does not have a buddy when he hits the latrine, walks from his tent to the dining area, or plays an organized game of softball or soccer.

Thanks for all the help. We did the Spider Web, and the kids really enjoyed it. We also had competitions in knot tying, lashing, firebuilding, first aid, a scavenger hunt, and a dessert cook off. The weather cooperated and it was a great weekend! Dale

AS usual, thanks for your help and expertise! Dale

Another good thing to cook first in the re-seasoned oven is popcorn. The oil really flies around and coats the oven really good.

Does anyone have the plans for the spider web team building game? It's the game where you have to pass all of the patrol members thru squares made up like a spider web without touching any of the ropes. Don't remember how big the squares should be. We want to use it this weekend at an indoor camp as part of a patrol competition day. Hope someone can help. Thanks! Dale

Oh I remember that smell! Once was enough. After the first time whenever I season Dutch Ovens I do it on the gas barbecue grill outside. Dale

Does anyone have a good source for Coleman Instaclip mantles for their lanterns? The way we go thru them, I want to buy a case at a good price. Prices on the Internet run anywhere from $2.89 to $7.00 for a 2-pack! I'm looking for a case lot price. Thanks for the help! Dale

Hmmm....Leaving Honolulu in February to go to Oklahoma City?? Should we question this man's judgment? LOL.

Well said, Beavah!

I was at the Scout Shop this morning and the new patches are available now. I'm not sure how I feel about them, but they really don't look too bad in person.

It was the closing show at the 1997 Jamboree. 60,000+ people in the arena, with candles lit, rededicating ourselves to the Scout Oath while God Bless America played in the background. Impossible to keep a dry eye. Dale

If the scout took the photos himself, I would certainly pass him on this requirement. But not if he just copied internet photos.

We want to have a Dutch Oven Cooking contest at our cabin camping trip next month where the Troop supplies the same items to each patrol and they have an hour or so to cook something. Has anyone done this type of event before? What were your rules, and what items did you provide for the patrol? Any help would be appreciated. Thanks! Dale

Although it's been said many times, many ways MERRY CHRISTMAS TO YOU! Dale

AT the 1997 National Jamboree in our subcamp we had the "pleasure" of being woken up every morning by Reveille played on on the BAGPIPES by our neighboring troop. That got old pretty quick. Although the last morning he the piper did play the National Anthem, and that was stirring.

We do this a couple times a year, in fact, havce one coming up next week. Usually the scouts wear their suits under their street clothes on the way there. When we are done, the adults usually change first and then the scouts. The scouts also have a remarkable way of changing out of their bathing suits and into clothes under their towel. If I would try that I would fall flat on my face. Oh to be young again!

In our troop, while we encourage advancement, we do not push it, and pretty much leave it up to each Scout's own pace. However, in my SM conferences I do recommend to the younger scouts that they finish as much as they can BEFORE reaching high school. When they get to high school, they have more homework, sports, extracurricular clubs, and of course, the cars and girls come into play. The more they can do before all that happens, the better the odds are that they will reach Eagle.

AS a SM, I normally sit down with the Webelos 2 leaders a few months before crossover and get their evaluation on the boys who will be crossing over. Who gets along with who, which ones are "mortal enemies", who should and should not be in the same patrol, who has family issues that need to be dealt with, any medical issues we need to know about, etc. It can ward off potential problems in advance. BE PREPARED!

$200 Campouts (10 @ $20) $ 40 Dues & Registration $100 Day outings $275 Summer Camp _____ $615 $500 - $1500 for High Adventure trips for those eligible

Kenk - I'd take a whole troop of scouts like your son! Congratulations to you both!

That button on the right pocket is useless for hanging patches. They don't stay on. After every meeting I am picking up patches that have fallen off the new uniform pockets.

On the Boy Scout level, I would like to see just that - a round table discussion: Where did your troop go camping last month? What's the facility like? What's there to do? Etc. Where are you going for Summer Camp and/or High Adventure? What is your troop doing for fundraising? Service projects? Day activities? Any ideas to encourage advancement? Any new menu ideas you tried? No formal program, just an exchange of ideas, suggestions, and comments. At too many of the round tables I attended, I felt like I was back in elementary school being taught basic skills that my 11 year old scouts should be learning.

For Summer Camp and High Adventure activities (Our summer camp is 350 miles away, one way) we charge the scouts a transportation fee, normally $25.00. In years when the gas prices soared above what we had anticipated, we added an additional $20 surcharge and received absolutely no complaints. We do not reimburse drivers for weekend campouts.

Welcome to the club! Congratulations on a job well done!