eagle90

Best one ever- We were canoeing on the Flambeau River in WIsconsin, Pull into a campsite and there is a BRAND NEW outhouse, couldn't have been a week old. You could still smell the lumber smell. One of the kids said "I didn't think they came that way!" We sure took our time using the faciities.

Our troop just returned today from our 17th year at Lefeber. It was a bitter sweet week, knowing it maybe our last. There were a good amount of tears shed by both scouts and leaders at our troop's closing campfire last night. Lefeber is the classic Boy Scout patrol method camp, in the middle of the north woods, which is becoming a dinosaur, especially in the midwest. An outstanding camp director, terrific staff, and while the facilities are not 100% ultra modern, certainly more than adequate for a week of Summer Camp. The two southern camps are Cub Scout camps within 30 minutes or so

Let's boot the marketing gurus at National in the rear end and get the new handbook out in December. What a perfect Christmas gift!

We once had a dad leave a bag of fish entrails from a November campout in the trailer, sealed up all winter. Talk about a smell when the trailer was opened in April! WHEW! Lots of Lysol.

Just got back today from a "mini" 5 day High ADventure trip on the Manistee River in Northern Michigan. Went thru the Pine River Paddlesports Center in Wellston, MI. A very beautiful river, canoed 52 miles in three days. This old body is a little stiff and sore today! Nice current on the river, a very meandering river with lots of turns and very few straightaways. Very nice Federal campsites along the way. Had gorgeous weather all three days on the river!

Our PLC meets on a separate night (2nd Monday of the month) at my house.The scouts picked a separate night from troop meetings, as before the meeting woud interfere with dinner time and after the meeting would be too late and conflict with homework time. Plus they didn't want to be limited in time. So far it has worked out well. It's also remarkable what a few 2 liters of soda and a bag of chips will do. If you feed them, they will come! We probably have 95% attendance.

Stosh - I did a 6 day trip on the Flambeau back in the late 70's when they still had the Region 7 Canoe Base in Boulder Junction, WI. It was a great trip, nice rapids.

Thanks for the information. We have decided on the Manistee River in north western Michigan, around Cadillac. A five day trip total. Will be paddling in three weeks! Dale

Bill spoke at our Council Annual Banquet about 25 years ago or so. He led songs, told stories, and had the crowd mesmerized for over an hour. I'm sure he could have gone for hours more, and we would have listened to every word. Like Skeptic noted, he signed tons of autographs, but NOT on the handbooks that he did not contribute to. Dale

Good to see you back Eamonn. We missed your expertise and experience. Dale

The scout who has the extreme allergy has the epi pens with him at all times. His mother has given permission for us to administer the pen if needed. In fact, she was the trainer. Am I going to stand around and watch my scout go into shock, worrying about liability, or am I going to stab him in the thigh with the epi pen? I'm gonna stab, possibly save a life, and worry about the consequences later. We have used it once on a bee sting allergy.

The drug maufacturers of the epi-pens have training models available so you can practice to get the feel and how they operate. All of our leaders and PLC members have been trained on how to use the pen, as 2 of our scouts have peanut allergies. Dale

I'm interested in how the rally last week went. Any indications from the board one way or the other? Thanks for your workin this area, Dale

I've seen District Executives, District Directors, Senior DE's. Now I see the term District Co-ordinator. What is that and how does it compare to the other terms as far as responsibility? Confused!

Link does not work,kfred987

If a troop wins a lottery spot, it has 30 days to come up with their deposit (1/2 fee).. If they don't, the spot becomes open on a first come first served basis.

Haven't heard a word,. one way or the other. Seems like a poor system,when the lottery was over on 2/15/15 and three weeks later still no news.

Very well thought out and well done response. Having spent 17 summers at LNC, I only hope it does not fall on deaf ears. Please keep this forum apprised of the progress and outcome. Dale

Has anyone heard anything positive or negative about the Florida Sea Base lottery for 2016? We have missed the last two years and are sitting here with everything crossed, rubbing a rabbit's foot! Dale

Only thing worse is having to bury a scout, which happened to us a number of years ago. There was a controversy whether it was an accident or suicide, but in any case, a lot of tears.

With 5 out of 8 scouts juniors,the troop will most likely fold in a year anyway. Find a troop with better numbers.

Don't confuse "Two Deep Leadership" with "No one on One contact". Two completely different things.

Our troop designates a portion of our Pancake Breakfast proceeds to a charitable cause each year. We have supported local hospitalized children, Little Sioux Scout camp after their tornado, the Boy Scouts of Haiti, Tornado relief in Washington, IL., the Colorado Wildfires,etc. Customers even ask us now where we are donating some of our profits. Dale

Three Harbors Council (WI) has announced they are closing their TWO long term summer camps, Lefeber Northwoods Camp and Robert S. Lyle after the 2015 season. They are keeping open 2 Cub Scouts camps located within 50 miles of the council office. The long term camps are 3-4 hours away. Lots of upset scouters, including our troop members who have spent the last 17 summers at Lefeber. Seems like we are bowing down to the Cub Scout program and forsaking the Boy Scout area.

Any Michiganders out there? Our troop is looking for a short (3 day paddle) canoe trip within a days drive of the Chicago area (One day drive each way and 3 days of paddling). Any recommendations on rivers or outfitters? We basically would like to rent canoes and let our scouts plan the rest. We have done BWCA so are experienced. Heard good things about the Au Sable. Any ideas would be appreciated. Thanks! Dale