eagle90

We do the Take Order sales only, on a voluntary basis. We end the sale in early October so as not to interfere with our big fund raiser, a Pancake breakfast held in November. Our scouts retain 100% of the profits from their popcorn sales, to be used for High Adventure activities when they are eligible.

I can sympathize with you! I'm going through the same thing, but doubled, with a High Adventure trip AND summer camp. With medical forms and 4 separate liability forms it is a pain. And so are the parents: "Do I REALLY have to fill these out?" "Will last year's form do?" "My doctor's appointment is the day before we leave" "Does the doctor actually have to sign it?" GRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!

I have always understood that the perfect attendance award was for a scout who attends every troop meeting for a year. But unless I missed it in the Guide to Advancement, I see no requirements. Can a troop make their own requirements? For example, a scout who attends every campout and extra activity during a year? What do you think? Dale

We charge $55 dollars per year, with Boy's Life being optional. Weekend camps average $20.00 each. We have two main fundraisers, a pancake breakfast and Rummage Sale. Half of the Pancake Breakfast profit goes back to the scouts for Summer Camp. Popcorn is optional, with the profits being saved up for High Adventure activities.

How can this happen? We had our election last week, and I, as Scoutmaster, had to sign the election form and certify the election. Then the form had to be signed by an additional adult OA member AND a scout OA member to make the form valid.

We tend to avoid the three day weekends. Both the scouts and leaders need some family time away from Scouting once in a while. Also, man yof the campgrounds are overcrowded on these weekends.

We do Scouting for Food, have had 17 eagles in the last three years, with service projects, and we have also "adopted" a section of forest preserve that we clean about three times a year. You have to balance the service with the fun.

Returned from a great weekend at the Grant Pilgrimage. Over 4,000 scouts and leaders. Sunny skies at 65 degrees for the parade. Very nice pioneer displays and civil war reenactments. Of course in the Pilgrimage tradition it rained during breakfast on Sunday!

Please enlighten me - Where in any Youth Protection Information does it say a Scouter cannot talk on the phone to a scout. Aren't we getting a little too paranoid?

Yep. We have been to 6 Pilgrimages and have had rain on 5 of them, including the worst lightning storm I have ever camped in! This weekend is supposed to be clear but unseasonably cool.

U.S.Grant lived in Galena from 1855-1861, working at his father in law's store, and then the City of Galena purchased a house and gave it to the Grants in appreciation of his efforts in the Civil War. He lived there from 1865 until his election to the presidency in 1868. This is the 59th Annual Pilgrimage.

Are any of our midwest Scouters planning on attending the U.S. Grant Pilgrimage in Galena, IL next weekend? If so, let's meet! They are expecting 2000-3000 scouts and leaders. Always a well organized weekend. Now we just need some good weather for a change!

In our council if a unit leader is called out and this leaves the unit short on help, a staff member of commissioner will step in temporarily during the ordeal process. Also our council offers Ordeal ceremonies during thew fall and spring fellowships for those electees unable to do it at camp. Dale

Not sure of the price, but they also make a "practice" model that is very useful in teaching the proper use of the epi-pen. We trained all of our Junior Leaders, Patrol Leaders, and ASM's the right way to use the epi-pen. Dale

Just don't put too many permanent storage shelves and boxes in the trailer. You will lose all of your versatility.

Our district recently did a whole camporee based on units constructing a trebuchet (Similar to a catapult) and shooting tennis balls for distance, accuracy, etc.

Has anyone heard results from the 2015 Florida Sea Base Lottery yet? Notifications either way were supposed to be out by March 1st. I haven't heard anything yet, and we are hoping for two crews. Dale

Our dues/registration is $55 with Boy's Life being optional. Campout fees vary depending on the venue and what activities are planned. Normally they are $20 for the weekend, but if we are renting a cabin, renting canoes, etc. It will go up to about $30 - $35.

I swear by Vasque Boots. My first pair lasted almost 30 years of monthly camping, as well as a lot of snow shoveling/blowing. The second pair is on about year 10 and still look like new.

When our associated Cub Pack was being re-started after years of inactivity, our troop gave them $250 as seed money to get them started. It was the best investment we ever made! Theya re thriving with 75-80 cubs, and we normally get 10-12 crossovers per year.

Reminds me of a place we used to pass driving to our former Summer Camp in Northern Wisconsin - Bill's Cafe and Taxidermy. Hmmm......

I hope the filet Mignon dinner and open bar is worth it! Our council runs a few life to eagle conferences a year, free of charge.

The last three Eagle applications we have sent in have been returned in 3-4 weeks. The longest we have waited recently is about 6 weeks, but part of that was our council person who handles them was on vacation and it sat in our local office for a few weeks before being sent to National. Dale

Make it a true Roundtable. Have Scouters talk about what their unit did the past month - where did they camp? How was the location? What did you do there? Cost? Any interesting troop meeting activities? What's coming up? A sharing of ideas. Just don't put me in a classroom and treat me like a 12 year old. My time is more valuable than that.

We have done numerous rafting trips on the New River in West Virginia. The Outfitter had certified BSA merit badge counselors on staff as River Guides and they worked in all the requirements for the Whitewater Merit Badge during our stay. River Expeditions (formerly Rivers Whitewater) do a great job with special scout packages and pricing. Dale