eagle90

One of our Assistant Scoutmasters takes on the responsibilities of coordinating the training in our troop.

After our yearly Rummage Sale we give one family a special traveling trophy for bringing the weirdest, oddest, strangest item to the sale. It started years ago when someone donated a toilet, and we actuially sold it. So we awarded the family a golden potty chair. Since then, every family has had to embelish the award with something during the year they have it. So the potty chair is now a working lamp with TP, air freshener, a mini plunger, a book, flowers, etc. It's a lot of fun!

We have done the Chisholm Trail Adventure on Lake Bridgeport, north of Dallas, run by the Longhorn Council. Excellent program combining water activities and Texas style activities. Your home is a pontoon boat! Also the Laguna Station Adventure on South Padre Island (Rio Grande Council)is a good program, similar to Sea Base. Dale

I would insist the parent accompany the troop on the campouts until you can assess the situatio and see how bad ir is. It is not fair to put the burden of chaperoning this scout on other boys.

I am constantly amazed by leaders who put such stumbling blocks in front of their scouts. What could possibly be their motivation. Since I became Scoutmaster, our troop has had 26 Eagles. Did I like ALL of them? Heck no! Did I feel ALL of them were perfect Eagle candidates without any flaws? Heck no! I could tell you stories about the vast majority of them! But each and every one of them passed all the requirements as set forth by the BSA and, as such, were deserving of the award. Again as I stated in another topic, anyone who knowlingly hinders a scout in any way should be removed from the program. Dale

Whoever knowingly does this should be removed from the organization.

We plan our calendar in August for the entire year, September thru August. The PLC gives their input and the actual dates are set by the Troop Committee. The dates are fairly well set in stone, with a few exceptions. We do make additions or corrections during the year as needed.

We have a situation brewing in our troop I would like some input on. We have an adult who is extremely concerned about weather emergencies after the Iowa situation last year. While we are all concerned, and our direct contact adults have taken the BSA online course, this adult believes we should have a lightning detector as troop equipment and have escape drills on every weekend campout and run classes for our scouts on severe weather. I do carry a weather radio with on all campouts. While we are all in favor of being prepared, is this overkill? I can see these procedures almost freaking out some younger scouts. How do we calm down the reactionaries while not seeming insensitive or uncaring? By the way, this adult never camps with us. If he does drive, he stays in a local motel. Any ideas, suggestions? Thanks in advance, as usual.

I just purchased one of the new scout shirts and all the appropriate patches for it. Total cost - $67.00. OUCH!

We allow our Webelos II to participate in our November Pancake Breakfast on a voluntary basis. One half of the ticket price goes to the individual scout for Summer/Weekend camping fees when they cross over and join us. Some choose to do so, some do not. It's their choice. If they do it helps the troop and it helps themselves too.

Take the money, say "Thank you very much", and use it to benefit your boys. Don't get all legal. This is not a fundraiser that needs to be approved. It is a concerned citizen or group making a donation.

You may recall last spring I was ranting and raving about waiting over 12 weeks for a National Tour Permit, and finally received it after a lot of phone calls and nervousness. Well, to be fair with the Central Region, I put in this year's National permit waaay ahead of time, and got it back in less than four weeks! A job well done! Dale

The comments were not just "stupid", but obscene, infammatory, and predjudiced. Not in any way following the Scout Oath and Law.

AS a SM of our Council's Jamboree troop in 1997, there was a behavior contract supplied by National that had to be signed by all scouts and parents prior to the trip. Unfortunately, I don't have a copy any longer.

We have the following on all of our permission slip: "At the discretion of the adult leaders in charge, if there is any serious discipline problem with a scout during this activity, the parent of the scout involved will be called and instructed to pick up his or her son immediately." Have only had to use this once in all the years I've been involved. Dale

Illinois just authorized Eagle Scout License Plates this year which I proudly display on my vehicle.

I know exactly what you mean. Random thoughts just pop into your head at the strangest times. I have resorted to keeping a pad of paper and pen on my nightstand so when I think of something in the middle of the night I write a note so I don't forget. I don't know if that is dedication or just old age creeping in?

I agree with Eagle92. The election procedures have watereds down the Order. Years ago even a large size troop would get 2 or 3 candidates per year. Last year, our troop got 6 membes, and could have had ten! Backl in the day you had to be a 3-4-5th year scout to even be considered for membership. Now a 2nd year is most likely eligible.

Our troop has been doing Pancake Breakfasts for 32 years, and we have very detailed records. We figure that about 50% of those who buy tickets will show up for the breakfast. For example, this year our scoiuts sold 1,700 tickets and we served 775 breakfasts. That is about the normal percentage we have found thru the years. Dale

I agree, Ed hit it on the head. I think this is a carry over from the ongoing sentiment - Everyone gets a trophy; there are no winners and losers; we don't keep score; Not a good lesson in reality.

I highly recommend North Country Canoe Outfitters. I will be making my 7th trip with them this summer. The owner is a former Scout, Camp Counselor, and veteran Scouter. The equipment and food are top notch, and the service he provides is impeccable. He also provides nice packages for scout groups. Their website is www.boundarywaters.com Dale

Wood Badge will be around for years to come. The opportunity to spend time in the woods with your son will soon come to and end as he grows up. In my mind its a no-brainer. Enjoy the time with your son! Dale

Just for your information, I received the custom made anniversary numerals in four weeks. All is well!

We swear by the Eureka Timberline Outfitters. They may be a little more pricey, but we have some tents that are closing in on 20 years old, with just a few minor repair jobs along the way.

Nine separate Courts of Honor would be insane. Not to mention all the work and planning, by about the 4th one, the troop members and families would be saying, "Oh God, not another one!" I would do the nine at once and have it as big a shindig as I could. Lots of publicity, photos, etc. Invite as many dignitaries as you can. A perfect forum for showing off Scouting in a positive light.