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Eliza

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Everything posted by Eliza

  1. That's great! I am so glad hour son is enjoying it.
  2. A number of years ago, SM asked me to get a list from Council so he could see if Council advancement records matched pack records. I was handed a list that included all registered adults and their ages. Also, isn't there a blank spot for age on some trip forms? For comparison, in Girl Scouts, adults are asked their birth dates, but the computer will not kick out the registration if you input 1/1/1900. Girls Scout adults who are applying as leaders get a code, which they then use when contacting a commercial background checking agency; all the GS Council gets re age is something like: '21-
  3. There was an article in the most recent edition of Chess Life (the publication of the United States Chess Federation, or USCF), about a parent in Virginia who organized a chess weekend for Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. She did not do the actual teaching, but got experienced adults and scouts to help. I can't link to the actual article, because access is for USCF members only, but perhaps USCF would send you a copy if you asked nicely. It should have some good ideas. I believe (but not sure) that Cub awards and mb were earned, but I don't remember the logistics of how that was done. And here
  4. Do You Ask to see every parents Medical records prior to Letting your scout ride with them. I highly doubt every who Snores admits to a Sleeping Disorder...Every One who snores has sleep apnea which cause Drowsiness. My CPAP keeps me breathing allowing me to get full rest...I do Teach Merit Badges by the Way... Nature, Pets, and Reptile and Amphibian Study for Now may do more later. It is just an Idea... just like building a BBQ Rig with a Chuck Box or A Trailer with a Small Cabin and the BBQ Rig with Chuck Box just like Building a Nature Center at our Camp just like trying to get
  5. KDD My mistake about the CPAP. I read that something was plugged in.... Obviously, I am not as familiar as I should be. Sorry to OP!
  6. As a parent, I would be extremely hesitant about putting my son on bus that was not owned and run by a professional bus company. I would make up some excuse, like being in the area, no trouble to drop son off, etc. Or skip the trip entirely. Have you got a sense of whether people in your troop would actually want to use your bus? Also, I noticed you mentioned a CPAP. If this were an indication of medical issues that might impact driving, I would run, not walk, away. I am sorry if this sounds harsh. It sounds as though you have a lot of energy and commitment. Are there merit badges th
  7. Your search brings back memories. I remember trying to find a new pack for my son. (We were in one that did very little.) I spoke with one of the District Executives -- BSA Councils are divided into smaller geographic Districts, and the District Executive should be familiar with the troops in his district. I asked about packs fairly near me that were active -- the DE told me what packs went to the fishing derby, Klondikes, summer camps, etc. He was also surprisingly frank in telling me what packs did nothing. I doubt that I would have got any of this info in an email! One thing I wou
  8. Definitely, the lunch menu looked the worst -- deli bites, squeezable foods. I had to google to find out what this stuff was. I'm glad for your Scout that the dinners were good. At least one satisfying meal a day! Peaches are a big crop in VW, I think -- it would have been nice to see BSA using some local foods.
  9. At least you had enough to eat! It was hard to tell from the menu how much food there was. I read something about the canadian Jamboree, where it seems that Scouts were actually weak from lack of food, at least to hear some tell it. I was hoping that kids (and adults) who walked 10 miles a day got enough to eat. As for the processed/packaged food -- I never saw so much on one menu in my life. The Los Angeles school system serves 650,000 meals/day and uses fresh, locally sourced produce; of course, they have permanent kitchens, so there is a big difference there..
  10. Thank you! I realized that the girls were a new addition, but I had not known that it was the first Jambo for Venturers. And the pictures of the aquatic facilities looked wonderful. So, the Day of Service is new also -- knowing it comes from the World Jamboree puts it in a better light. I was surprised, too, not to see more in the news about the Jamboree; most mainstream articles I saw focussed on weight limits. Sad. Thanks again!
  11. I have heard the phrase, "a Jamboree like no other." For those of us who have followed this Jamboree, but don't know much (well, anything) about previous ones, would anyone care to comment? What does make this one different?
  12. The Jamboree menu sounds a bit skimpy, at least from looking at the online version. I'm curious about what it was like IRL -- was the food decent? https://summit.scouting.org/en/Jamboree2013/Documents/Jamboree_Menus_2013.pdf
  13. I like this 'Sportsman's Blanket.' An Eagle Scout who gave a winter camping presentation to our troop suggested it. It's compact and lightweight, with one reflective side that can be faced up in cold weather and down in warmer weather. It is only 5' x 7', but it works well with the right sized tent. http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/CAMOmnifindQueryCmd?storeId=226&catalogId=40000000226&langId=-1&searchCategory=&ip_state=&ip_constrain=&ip_navtype=search&pageSize=24&currentPage=&ip_sortBy=&searchKeywords=sportsmans+blanket Color: Blue This
  14. Basketry -- from one of the BSA kits Beading -- marginally useful, but ties in with Native American study Weaving -- this can be really calming and sort of addictive Soap or candles from a kit Fleece throw with one of the giant 4-5" Webelos patches sewn on (look on internet for no-sew throw) Handsewn books/booklets -- many you tube videos on this and love those survival bracelets!
  15. Those are great ideas -- I'll try them at home.
  16. I get that standing up to get dressed is SO much better than wiggling in a cramped space. One of our tents is a Eureka Sunrise -- they used to make a 10' model -- now I see the only Sunrise that would allow you to stand up is the 11' one. The Sunrises are great tents, IMO -- sturdy and very easy to put up. I should think that, at 6'2", you'd be able to get the rain fly over the top of the 11' model without help. We also got a smaller tent -- it got to be hard to find a large, clear, rootless space in the woods where we camp. But I love that big tent! Good luck, whatever you choose!
  17. AK It sounds as though your program pulled together lots of different resources to help/inspire the boys. Thanks for posting the update -- and congratulations!
  18. Coming to this discussion a bit late -- but I have one thing to add to the excellent advice you have already got. A big help (shortcut) in determining what species you have (not talking about grasses so much as woody plants, etc) is a CHECKLIST. Many nature centers, preserves, and so on publish short (a few pages) lists of their plants. So, you can see, for example, what hickories or oaks are in your immediate area. It is much easier than looking through a regional identification guide or even a state flora. I do agree with pp that you do not need to id every little thing, other than species 1
  19. Good luck! I think you have some great ideas.,,, I think a biggie for first-time campers is knowing what equipment is needed. Bring in and show tents, sleeping bags, etc. Give people an idea of costs, where to spend and where to save, what to look for and what to avoid. I have heard so many parents say that they want to go camping, but don't have a tent. At first it can be overwhelming, but if you can break through the barrier of confusion, you may get some more campers. By all means, give patches out at the pack meeting following the campout -- the nicest patches you can get. W
  20. Here's a great book by someone who hiked the trail (or most of it) recently: A Walk in the Woods: Rediscovering America on the Appalachian Trail [Mass Market Paperback] Bill Bryson (Author) Good luck!
  21. Oh, I am so sorry to her about the whole situation. My heart goes out to all involved. One thought -- if the boy did find another pack now and that pack did summer camp as a group, he might be able to go to camp at the same time as his new den. Also, if a different pack meets every week or two weeks, there would still be a number of meetings before the summer. Or the boy could just spend some time visiting other packs, looking for a good match for next year. The idea of finding what pack(s) his new troop draws from sounds like a plan too. ETA Staying with the troop for now -- m
  22. >>I hate to say it, but reading here and some IRL experiences I've had recently make me think that BSA needs to add some mandatory disability awareness training to the list.
  23. TL I wish I had enough experience to give you some scouting-specific ideas. All I can do is say that I read your post over several times and I feel so terrible for the boy. It must be beyond frustrating -- if it were just one dimwitted leader, that would be difficult. But to have all the boys in his den excluding the boy and calling him names, and to have them in the same school -- that is so wrong ethically and morally. Sure the boy could go on earning extra awards, but I see that is not the whole point of his scouting -- he needs the social interaction. One thing I was wondering about
  24. I wanted to add one more thing -- you probably wouldn't want to be way stricter or way more lenient than is your pack's custom (presuming you basically agree with your pack, of course). In our pack, there is one person, now with our troop, who knows a lot and is respected by everyone. When I have a judgement question about advancement/requirements, I go to this person for advice, and I've always felt it was a smart move. IMO, that is a good way to avoid people thinking that you are either too easy or too hard -- anyone who asks will find that you are doing it all 'our pack' way.
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