eisely

Another criterion that goes beyond mere misbehavior and disruptiveness is when a boy engages in behavior that is downright dangerous for himself and others and doesn't respond to admonitions and training in safe behavior. Examples are throwing knives or misusing fire.

Many units have policies similar to that described by David Perkins. It does create another book keeping headache for the treasurer. The advantage of the system is that it encourages boys to participate in fund raisers. The big issue is, "What happens to money when the boy leaves the unit?" One troop I was affiliated with in Southern California had a simple policy that the money reverted to the troop holding the funds. I would not advise cashing boys out when they leave.

The better part of valor is to avoid blisters in the first place, as I am sure you would agree. The key is properly fitting boots, and proper combinations of liners and woolen socks. An older, messier, cheaper, but equally effective way to avoid blisters is to smear the soles of one's feet with vaseline before the hike. I would not recommend this for backpacking, but if you taking a day hike with Webelos or younger scouts who may not be properly equipped, it is worth a try. It really works, and it sure beats bloody feet. I heard about this from an ex marine.

To those of us who were bemused by the antics of the partisan Broward County canvassing board over Thanksgiving, comes more news from that part of the Sunshine State. Apparently the Broward County School Board has moved to exclude all boy scout and cub scout units from using any school facility in Broward County because of the scouts' stand on homosexuality. We have seen this happen in California on a smaller scale, but this action would affect many many units and hundreds, if not thousands, of boys. There is room for honest disagreement about the policies of the boy scouts, but this is pol

I don't know what council you are in or what camps you have attended. We used to live in Southern California and I have some experience with camps there. Our unit was in the Ventura County Council, but our boys routinely preferred the Emerald Bay Camp on Catalina Island. This is one of two camps on Catalina. I think the other is called Cherry Valley. Emerald Bay has a very strong aquatics program and offers oceanography merit badge. I personally never made it to Emerald Bay. Our council's own camp is called Camp Three Falls. I never went there for summer camp, but it seemed to be a

What an interesting exchange. I personally have never experienced or observed this kind of situation. Removing a senior volunteer from any volunteer organization, particularly one who is well entrenched, is more difficult than terminating someone's employment. The politics in volunteer organizations are often more intense than in most companies. I think the last response by leaderNC nails it. I would not tolerate drunkeness for a moment. On many outings at the end of the day it has been in my mind "Miller Time," but there rightly is no Miller available. Aside from the example questi

I don't know what troops were represented, but I do know they were booed by some attendees at the convention.

Some troops have a policy of allowing class A shirts only at ordinary troop meetings. Uniforms are expensive and are usuually outgrown before they are worn out. If money is no great object for the families in your unit, full uniform should be worn to all events except field events. For some mysterious reason, you will have better behavior out of your boys if they are in full uniform.

Thanx for the response. I knew about the Columbia previously and had learned of the John Day off the internet earlier this year. What I don't know is the identity of local outfitters and the kinds of services they provide (drop off, pick up, etc.). If you know of some outfitters on either river that would be very helpful. Canoe camping is new to our troop here in California. I used to do it as a boy scout back in the midwest. The interest is there, but I want to identify additional opportunities. What about the Williamette in Oregon? I would suspect that river might be more pol

Many years ago I heard a quote from Bad Powell, "Scouting is a game." I think this reflects a great insight into the mind and motivation of boys. I wonder if anybody can validate the accuracy of the this quote, or if it just another urban myth.

Correction: According to Bartlett's Quotations on line Old Grey Eagle had it right the first time. Our country! In her intercourse with foreign nations may she always be in the right; but our country, right or wrong. Stephen Decatur (1779-1820): Toast given at Norfolk, April, 1816.

We actually found a new use for the cheap tupperware plastic bowls we fed our boys from when they were in high chairs. These bowls can handle freezing temperatures without getting brittle and hot food without burning your fingers. They are impossible to break. They are light weight and perfect for backpacking. The boy scout individual mess kit really isn't very good for either eating or cooking. Avoid it.

The heat retention benefits of a black bottom can also be obtained by painting the bottoms of pots and skillets black. Rustoleum makes a spray paint product for patching up paint jobs on barbecues. This paint will not burn off, but it will rub off. It certainly is less messy than soot. It does appear to work in making the heating process more efficient. If you are on a multiple day trek, that might mean one less fuel canister.

The troop committee guidebook is a good place to start. You should also go to your district roundtables and go to scoutmaster fundamentals training if you have not already done so. Depending on how involved your sponsoring organization is, you will want to invite your chartered organization representative to your committee meetings. The committee chair has two principal jobs: rechartering and managaging the adults. Leave the boys to the scoutmaster. Delegate and know how to run a meeting.

I believe the complete toast was something more like, "To our country. When she is right, keep her right. When she is wrong, make her right. But our country right or wrong." I could be wrong about this. Anybody know anything different?

I am looking for information about rivers suitable for float trips in states West of the Rockies. The only river I have seriously canoed is the Colorado below Hoover Dam and the Russian River in California. Other Rivers that suggest themselves are the Sacramento, the Williamette in Oregon, and the John Day in Oregon. Anybody have experience with these places or others they would care to share?

Free maps don't exist. Here is a interesting alternative. I purchased some mapping software for our local area a year ago. From this I was able to create a variety of small scale color maps of different areas to teach from. These were on 8 1/2 by 11 ordinary paper. I had copies made at Kinko's and we had maps the boys could actually work with and interpret. I was able to make it competitive to see who could accurately identify the most different features. We are also about to take a trek at Pt. Reyes National Seashore. I was able to economically create maps for all hikers this way. Th