eagle90

The reservation lottery is for 2006. They do have a few odds and ends left open in 2005. We signed up yesterday! GOOD LUCK!

I don't think there is any Scouting gene. I've been involved for 45+ years as a Cub, Boy Scout, Explorer, and Scouter. Dad was SM for 2 years. But my brother, from the same gene pool wanted nothing to do with Scouting on any level at all. Neither did my nephew, although I did take him on a few of our High Adventure trips.

At our program planning PLC meeting I offer the PLC what the alternatives are. Where we have been before, the BSA bases, new ideas I have heard of, and ask for suggestions. I give them needed information such as duration of the trip, weeks available, cost, age restrictions, what activities there are, transportation, and if any of us have been there before, our opinions. We then let them hash it out and come up with a consensus. It's then taken to the Troop Committee for final approval. This seems to work well, as we have had a popular High Adventure trip each year for the last 25+ years.

Thanks Nancy! We are all signed up and looking forward to it. Isn't that what's great about this Scouting thing? We can do things we have never done before and probably may never do again, and be KIDS again, at least for a little while!

Laguna Station on South Padre Island offers a good, diverse High Adventure program at a reasonable price. Everything from surfing, fishing, kayaking, sailing, snorkeling, and more! DALE

It was so unseasonably warm yesterday we actually got to play 18 holes of golf in December!! Don't ask Spiney Norman who won, as he will get a big head! A great 2005 to all of my Scouting friends! DALE

Well said Lynda J.!

Emery Moorehead, Tight End on the 1985 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears is an Eagle Scout.

Are these people insane? There is just as much physical contact in flag football as there is in touch. Have they never heard of blocking? Again, a situation of someone taking things WAAAY to far.... What is the White Stag leadership thing?(This message has been edited by eagle90)

Being musically challenged: We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas We wish you a Merry Christmas And a Happy New Year! A blessed holiday season to all my Scouting friends! DALE

Our CO is an elementary school council. We have invited the president and principal to each COH, Eagle COH, etc., and never once in over 20 years has one made an appearance. We have invited the same people to our annual dinner (with an RSVP request), and very rarely do we even get the courtesy of a reply. In past years the Troop has made a fairly substantial donation to the chartering organization (200-300 a yar). We never even rteceived a thank you from them. So we stopped making said donation. We have tried, but to no avail.

Our CO is an elementary school council Rating - 2 They do give us an excellent place to meet. End of involvement.

We are fortunate enough to meet in a gym, so we have a game time at the end of every troop meeting, and also usually have some time on a weekend campout for a sports activity, depending on the season. Many times the leaders join in to even up teams, to pitch, or just interact with the kids. The kids love it and so do the adults. Semper is right though - a lot of aches and pains the morning after! Let's not get hung up on the political correctness and youth protection to the point where we lose the FUN. There is absolutely nothing wrong with a game of volleyball, football, softball, soccer, basketball, etc. with scouts and adults. We're not talking naked Greco-Roman wrestling, are we??

Thanks scoutgirl and Mark for the positive responsses. I also received privates from 3 other folks who attended the CTA and had nothing but raves. I also received an explanation of the weather consequences from your Scout Executive. Consequently we have sent our reservations in and will be heading southwest in June. Thanks again for the good words! DALE

Without a doubt it is SM. I enjoy being with the boys and seeing them grow and mature over the years we have them. They are always a surprise, keeps you on your feet, and keeps you young! One of the most rewarding positions was SM of a Jamboree troop in 1997. Not only the Jambo atmosphere, but seeing a group of 36 relative strangers come together as a unit was outstanding

Well, seeing how I've been doing this Scouting stuff for 45 years, if I didn't give it a 10, I must be NUTS! Of course some days it's a 20 and other days it's a 0! DALE

Our troop "attempted" to canoe the Buffalo a few years ago. We went thru BSA Camp Orr of the Westark Council. Unfortunately, the day before our trip they had 12" of rain, and this pristine meandering creek was a Class VI river, washing away the camp's entire waterfront area. The Federal Govt. closed the entire river, and we were forced to make other arrangements for the week. We ended up going up to Branson, MO and rented a houseboat on Table Rock Lake instead. The area is beautiful and we do want to try again soon. Westark Council was very accomodating and seem to be very organized.

Cliff Golden, well said. I will be presenting an Eagle in January to a young man who is a varsity athlete, plays in the band, is very active in his church, and has a girlfriend and a car! And still finds time to become an Eagle!

We have no regular troop meeting tonight because of the Thanksgiving holiday, so I'm going thru Scouting withdrawal..... I just want to wish all of our Forum friends a very Happy Thanksgiving. I am thankful we have this forum where we can come together in the Scouting spirit and exchange ideas, opinions, suggestions, and offer assistance. A great holiday to you and your families! DALE

When our council's summer camp program was declining, and the cost going up, three of our committee members toured 4 other camps in the same general area during the camping season. We evaluated the camp's program, facilities, staff, location, menus, etc. The evaluation was presented to the PLC for their input, and then to our full committee. The Committee then made the decision to change camps. This was 6 years ago, and we are still attending the new camp and are extremely happy with the move we made. We did our homework, took input from all parties and made the right decision. We have had outstanding attendance by both scouts and adults ever since.

We have not attended the "major" professional sports teams in the Chicago area, as the discounts are not enough to make a difference. However, I encourage you to check out the minor league baseball teams near you. They normally have great scout packages, free parking, good reasonably priced food, and surprisingly entertaining baseball. They usually have events going on between innings, and on weekends, fireworks shows. Also check some of your colleges. We attend a major NCAA basketball game every year, and the tickets are free of charge!

The weather in the BWCA is a crapshoot. August has always been good for us, as Greg Nelson said, but this year we arrived in Ely on August 9th and it was 44 degrees and raining. (I swear it was gonna snow!) And of course we were all in shorts! It did get better as the week went on, and the high temps were probably in the mid 60's. Not much swimming, and some really quick baths! However, whenever you go, it will be a great experience. It is God's country up there!

Great thoughts OGE! That will be in upcoming troop newsletter, if you don't mind!

Our troop charges $10 for registration, Boy's Life is optional, and $25.00 for dues. Events are charged as they come up (Campouts usually around $16). We have 2 major fundraisers, a Pancake Breakfast (which is tomorrow, by the way. Anyone wanna buy a ticket?) The scouts get $2.00 credit for each ticket they sell for Camping fees. The troop operates off of our second fund raiser, a rummage sale in spring. We also sell popcorn on a voluntary basis, with 100% of the proceeds going into individual accounts for High Adventure activities when the boys are eligible.

Our troop has canoed the BWCA many times, just this past summer included. We have gone thru Sommers and for the last 4 or 5 trips have used a private outfitter. We found the equipment, food, and service superior to the BSA, and the price just a little higher, but worth it. I'll probably be branded a traitor for that statement, but so be it. I agree with Troop 185, August is the perfect time weather wise and bug-wise. This past August the bugs were at an all time low, as I barely used any repellent at all. We go thru North Country Canoe Outfitters, owned by a Scouter, who has secellent price breaks for scout units. Whenever you do decide to go, you will enjoy it. It is truly God's country up there!