eagle90

What do you offer these high schoolers? Do you have a HIGH ADVENTURE activity for them EVERY summer? That is what keeps them active and coming back. Make it exciting, make it Super, make it something the younger scouits look forward to doing as they become older. White Water Rafting, Backpacking, Sea Base, Canoeing, Houseboating, etc. etc. etc.

A big welcome to the club to your son, and congratulations!

Our troop normally charges between $16 and $20 per weekend campout for the boys, depending on where we are going. This is for 4 meals and a snack. Adults are not charged, except for weekends where we have to rent a cabin. Then they pay the same as scouts.

Bob - There is a fine line between sane and nuts!! In any case, you definitly keep it interesting around here! Glad your business it doing well!

At the 1997 Jamboree (I can't believe it is 8 years ago. Whee does the time go?) we received the patches in advance and received the Jambo neckerchief upon arrival at the Jamboree.

Mooseman - Just a followup to your post I can see times where an interpreter would be good. A good private outfitter will handle all paperwork and will also pack all food and equipment for the crew. And surprisingly, we DID have cell phone signals every day in the BWCA, and contacted home during the week. It was a Verizon (Can you hear me now??)

Lefeber Northwoods Camp, Laona, Wisconsin, from Milwaukee Area Council: Boys - $195.00 early fee - $ 170.00 late fee - $ 210.00 Leaders - SM free with 5 scouts ASM - $50.00 Others - $100.00

This just brought up a suggestion for those going to the Jamboree and touring DC. Warn your scouts about all the fake sunglass peddlers on the mall in DC! In 1997 our scouts were SURE they bought the Oakleys and Guccis for $10.00! Such a deal!

I have found, for the most part, the boys who stay in Scouting long enough to become "the older guys" naturally enjoy teaching and working with the younger scouts. Sure, it could be a "show-off" thing - See how much I know. But it doesn't come off that way. We just crossed over 16 Webelos in the last two weeks, just about doubling our size. I'll let you know how it's working! DALE

Our scouts are instructed to refer to all leaders as Mr. or Mrs. out of respect. Those of us with more difficult names to pronounce (that Czech background!) are Mr. M or Mr. K. Funny how that sticks too. I had some correspondence with a former scout recently who is now a PhD and Professor at a major university who still called me Mr. M. I told him, "Pete, you're 35 years old! You can call me Dale." His reply was "I could NEVER do that! It wouldn't feel right!"

Eamonn - Ouitstanding post! Great analysis. we have tried it both ways and prefer the mixed age patrol. For some the New Scout Patrol may work best. As you say, find the system that works best for your troop. Dale

We have been to WV twice recently and both times have used Rivers Whitewater Resort. They are very full service, having tent camping, cabin tents, and bunk houses. Both times we have had a three day trip, with two days on the easier upper rapids. and the last day on the monsters of the Gorge. What a rush! The guides were excellent, very professional, and safety conscious. We only brought high school agers, but I would not hesitate to include all scouts in the last days events. Rivers caters to Scout groups with special pricing and will provide equipment. The guides do all the cooking, cleaning,etc. One of the guides is a certified MB counselor, so the boys can earn the Whitewater MB while there. They can also arrange days trips for rock climbing, horseback riding, montain biking, etc. They will also do a professional video of your trip. www.riversresort.com EMail me if you have any specific questions! DALE

Well, we did manage to get one of the crews that were not taken in the lottery, so all is well in the world! Florida, here we come! DALE

So did anyone out there win the Sea Base Lottery today? I got my rejection EMail this afternoon. Just like my luck in Vegas! Dale

Sounds interesting! Coming from someone who likes an occasional trip to Las Vegas or our local Riverboats, maybe you could set up a little book making on the side and really rake it in! JUST KIDDING!!!

I agree, if you give them an exciting program, the uniform becomes second nature. A few years ago we were traveling from Texas back home to Illinois after a High Adventure trip with 6 high schoolers. All of us were in full uniform. Due to weather we had a long delay in the Houston Airport. Our boys were getting a little rambunctious until they were spotted by a group of Girl Scouts from Canada, also in full uniform. Needless to say, the delay was no longer a problem. In fact they were disappointed when our flight was called! They thanked me for having them wear their uniforms

Scouting is a uniformed organization. Nowhere in 40+ years have I ever seen the phrase non uniformed adult leader. The more adults we can get in uniform, the better. We don;t care if they are ASM, CC, MC, or whatever. If the adult is willing to buy a uiniform, get the patches sewn on and wear it while donating his or her time in any capacity, God bless him! Let's not get bogged down by useless rules and titles.

Our troop will be doing the Chisholm Trail Adventure thru the Lonestar Council in Fort Worth. Sounds like a good combination of water and land based activities!

Well said, Chippewa29. Sounds very similar to my story.

The thoughts and sympathies of Troop 90 in Illinois are with you and your family at this time. DAle

Our troop has a committee of 24 people (including SM and ASM's). At present time we have more committee people than Scouts, but that will be changing next month! Of the 24, 9 of them have no scouts in the troop. They are, for the most part, parents of former scouts who have aged out, but they still enjoy the program and the camaradarie. A few are veteran scouters who saw our troop in action and wanted to join us! They all perform a function (Dinner Chairman, Pancake Chairman, First Aid Meet Coach, etc.), attend summer camp and frequent weekend campouts, and are invaluable. The kids also seem to look up to these people and their veteran status. I would NEVER turn away a volunteer no matter how many we have. By the way, I myself have no scouts in the troop.(This message has been edited by eagle90)

7:00 AM has always been the wake-up hour on our campouts unless there is some special event or program that we need to be at earlier.

Twocubdad - Your post brought back memories of Jamboree 1997. The troop in the next campsite had a bagpiper who would play Reveille every morning on the bagpipes. Unfortunately he was an early riser, and it was about an hour before we were supposed to be up! That got old really fast. The last night he did play the National Anthem which was really beautiful and kind of haunting played on the pipes.

Our present bugler is young, trying, and improving! However, most of the buglers we have had and that I have heard sound a lot like Radar O'Reilly from M.A.S.H.!

Since when can't the Atomic Energy MB not be earned? What is your source of information? Our council and the Illinois Institute of Technology has set up a MB clinic next month for scouts to pass the Atomic Energy MB. Something doesn;t seem right.