eagle90

What I would like to see at roundtables is a give and take among all leaders about what their units are doing. Where did you go camping last month? What was the campsite like? What is there to do there? What are you doing to increase advancement in your troop? What fund raisers are you doing? We are planning our first Ski trip. Where should we go? What are the pitfalls? We have a discipline problem. How would you guys solve it? Etc., etc., etc. This would be much more valuable to me as a leader than re-teaching me how to cook a meal or tie a knot.

Many great memories of that base on White Sand Lake in Boulder Junction, Wisconsin. I visited the Region 7 Canoe Base as a scout and numerous times as a leader. Yes it was Hudson Bay Bread. That bread is memorable. If you let it harden in the air you can also use it to drive nails! I'll never forget the wood burning sauna at the end of your trip! HEAVENLY!

I agree with milwscout580 about the Radio Shack Weather Radio. It certainly does work in the northwoods at Lefeber Northwoods Camp. I have also used it in the Boundary Waters and down at Sea Base two weeks ago. Dale

A good start! Some 20+ years ago one of our moms suggested setting up a few tables in their front yard for a fund raiser, and we made about $500. Since then it has grown to where we fill up a gymnaisum with rummage and normally make about $1,500 a year, and have, a few times, been over $2,000 for one day's work. It is fun and helps clean out those attics and garages. It's remarkable the junk we accumulate and even more remarkable that someone else will buy it! Dale

I have to agree with Scotteng. Our council changed to Campmasters for a year, and after many complaints, went back to Trails End.

Eagle Scout District Award of Merit Silver Beaver Adult Religious Award Scoutmaster Award Scouter's Key

What is the job description for the Parent Coordinator? Sounds like an unnecessary position to me. Is this a reaction to the helicopter parents we are seeing more and more of?

Well after another call to the Central Region, I finally got them to fax the permit to our council office and had to drive to pick it up. There were no changes, no questions. It just took 118 days to approve. Now if our flights are on time, all will be good!

As we all know by now, the BSA can do no wrong according to Bob, no matter what evidence there is to the contrary. I again talked to the Regional Office and was told they will get to the permits next week. They received the permit April 10th, and according to the woman I spoke to, all is in order. I offered to drive out there today and get it, but that was not possible I was told. How many people who aren't on this forum are having the same problem? Get your head out of the sand Bob. This is NOT a volunteer problem, and no amount of training will fix it.

From the Florida Sea Base Leaders Guide: "You must have the signed original tour permit when you arrive at Sea Base. Crews that fail to do so will not be able to begin their adventure." I don't know how strongly they follow that statement, but I don't want to be the one to find out.

Thanks for the phone number, Bob. I called today and got the same reply as our council - "We're very busy. We should get it to you by next week". It cant take more than 5 minutes to review and sign it. But not 3 1/2 months!! I don't understand, but I will be on the phone to them periodically till I get the permit in my hands.

I earned my Eagle in 1964 when Cooking was required (along with Safety, Nature, Soil & water Conservation, Public Health) I have always thought cooking should be required, as it is a lifetime skill one will always need. At some point in your life, be it college, post college, on your own, widowed, divorced, etc. a boy will have to fend for himself and cook a meal. And for the most part, the scouts enjoy cooking a camp meal. I just did 17 SM conferences for rank advancements while at camp, and for at least a dozen of them, their favorite part of camp was the day they were head cook.

I don't see what Patrol Method of cooking in your campsite has to do with the inefficiency of the council/camp/staff. We just returned from camp where we cooked 15 meals and our 32 scouts earned 94 merit badges, 17 progress awards, and various other awards and accomplishments including the Super Troop Award. I wouldnt blame the Patrol Method for the problems at your camp.

Anyone else having problems obtaining their National Tour Permit? I submitted our National permit for Sea Base on April 1, 2008. Our trip is August 3rd, and I have as yet not received the permit. Our council office said this morning. "Well the Central Region is really backed up. You should have it next week." I hope to God so, as we are leaving in 10 days! There is no phone or EMail addresses for the Regional office so I cannot check myself. Is anyone else having this problem, or could it be our council was late sending the permits to regional and is blaming the regional office playing CYA??

At our pre-camp meeting we pass out a form that lists the infractions that will cause immediate dismissal from camp: Leaving Camp property Alcohol - Drugs CIgarettes - Tobacco Theft - Vandalism Health / Emotional Problems Gross lack of cooperation Gross disrespect for leaders In 30+ years we have only had to use this once, when a scout simply refused to do any work whatsoever in his patrol. He was counseled by his PL and SPL, who finally referred the problem to an ASM. The scout in question called the ASM the MF word and a few more vulgarities. The camp director concurred with sending him home, and had him removed from our campsite until mom arrived. Mom had a 6 hour drive to come and get him. When one scout starts to bring the entire troop down, its time to take action. Dale (This message has been edited by eagle90)

Stosh - I hate top throw water (!) on your Whitewater canoeing example of a patrol activity, but don't forget the first point in Safety Afloat is "Qualified Adult Supervision", someone over 21 accompanying the group in a 1:10 ration.

Thanks for the information. Actually I would be recommending AGAINST an extension in the case I am referring to. Dale

Can I get some help on the topic of Medical Extensions for scouts approaching their 18th birthday? We may have a situation coming up in the near future for which I want to Be Prepared. 1. Is this done on a council, regional, or national level? 2. Is there a list of diseases/disabilities that are covered by the extension? 3. Does the unit leader have any input/approval/disapproval in the process? Any other pertinent information you can give me would be appreciated. Thanks in advane for your help Dale

JBlake, I think you need to find a camp that has NO dining hall. You will always be treated as an afterthought in a camp that has a dining hall and one or two troops who patrol cook. Since you are in Wisconsin, look at Lefeber Northwoods Camp in Laona, run by the Milwaukee County Council. Great program, excellent staff, and completely a patrol method camp. All meals except one are done parol method in your campsite. We leave in 19 days! Can't wait!! Dale

Michelle - Sorry to hear of your problems. I wish you well and thank you for the many contributions you have made to the forum. We need more dedicated people like you. Dale

I have been wondering all day since hearing and seeing the news stories about the wisdom of our camp, who insists on herding all of the scouts and leaders into buildings when warnings are present. These are NOT fortified buildings, but the typical camp buildings. As Bob and Gunny have said, I wonder if being outside of the buildings in a ditch somewhere is not the safest place. Anyone have any idea if the herding of personnel into buildings is a national policy, and if so, should it be re-evaluated?

We do not reimburse drivers for our weekend campouts, nor do we charge them a fee. We do reimburse drivers for trips to Summer Camp (350 miles one way) and High Adventure trips. We ask drivers to save their receipts and reimburse from those.

Well, since my $$$$ comment was removed, let me be more specific. I was interested in the executive board and a number of years ago, I inquired how to go about it. I was told flat out that I should be prepared to donate $10,000, or have contacts who would do the same. My 40+ years in scouting meant squat. Needless to say that was above my capabilities and I remain a very happy and contented unit scouter.

Years ago, when we were a small troop we had a problem with adult attendance at troop meetings. What we did was set up a schedule for the year, assigning each family in the troop a certain number of troop meetings to attend. It was up to them to either be there or arrange a substitute if they could not make it. It gave parents a chance to see what goes on at a troop meeting, lend a hand, and help keep order. Some of them became very involved after this. We still do this today, even though we now have 42 scouts. Keep plugging along. Things will change for you! We have a canoe campout this weekend with 30 scouts and 21 adults going! We sometimes kid, "Wasn't it nicer with 10 kids?" Nah. Maybe a little less hectic, but the more the merrier! Dale

We have a local shoe repair/leathergoods dealer who does repairs and replaces zippers on our Eureka tents. Check with stores who do boat covers and awnings. They will often times do tent repairs also.