frank10

Charity, Not sure... tell you what, ya send me one and I'll try it out in my den for you. (grin) Could you let the boys do some of the work like cutting out the pieces?

Forget the FAQ's, what about he NAQ's (Never Asked Questions) such as... Is there any way I can help? Do you need another driver? Can I bring something for the refreshment table?

I ride a 94 Honda Goldwing over 100,000 miles in 8 years. (the Nut part is easy if you know me)

Ok, you all have done it at one time or an other. You've stood in front of a scout (or group of scouts) and just couldn't help your self. The fish story just came out. Harmless fun but it's time to confess.... I'll go first. Troop was at static airshow / camporee. When the planes arrived they made a pass over the camp area before heading for the airport. Some how I found myself pointing to a Bi-plane and telling the boys that some of the planes at the airport had been damaged in the storm the night before and the replacement wings were being flown in lashed to the top of other planes since they were too big to bring in on a truck. Ok, who's next? I Know I'm not the only one.

Would I be out of line if I pointed out that our scout troup sells a great flint and steel that makes a great Scoutmaster gift? ( http://www.onmyhonor.com/events0001/flint/ )

The Eureka Timber Line... But only the Outfitter version. Cost more but it keeps the rain out of the tent and keeps the kids in the troop. http://www.campmor.com/webapp/commerce/command/ProductDisplay?prmenbr=226&prrfnbr=6466474

Photos, we need photos! Please share.

Monday. Many folks are getting squeezed by their jobs. Bosses expect your to drop plans with out notice to fix their problems. Too many would get stuck working on a Friday.

Need to ask.... what were the three questions?

My thoughts and prayers are with his family, friends and fellow scouts. May they be able to use their faith to find the strength they will need to deal with the loss. The words of my own scout master come to mind from many years ago ( I know, it's only one of many versions )... May the master of all scouts, watch over, guide and protect us until we meet again.

Dave: if you create it I can provide you with a place to put it on our web server. (www.onmyhonor.com) All: Lerned a great method to use with presentations that use projecters... Use a white board in place of a screen. Put the slide up and than mark it up all you want... circle, underline, fill in the blanks what ever. Then just wipe the board clean when your done wiht the slide. Or have some fun by inserting a second slide that matches the filled in answers with a bit of humor.

I won't go so far as to say the mock guns were wrong but I wouldn't use them for my unit. One item that can add a lot of class to your unit is white gloves for the color guard. ------------ As for uniforms, I worry about the crew that works with our local police. Some thing about putting a police uniform on a 17 year old... Some day one of them is going to get hurt when he ends up in the wrong place at the wrong time.

NY city, Scouts took a trip to see the Intrepid the same time that the tall ships were in port for Op Sail 2000. When we got there we found out that the police were not allowing one to cross the street. We would have to walk 3 blocks down our side, cross over and walk 3 blocks back to the Intrepid. Should have seen it when the cops stoped trafic and pulled us out of the crowd of thousands to let us cross so we could make our reservations. (trip photos at http://www.onmyhonor.com/events9900/intrepid/ ) BTW: we are going back this Saturday

SagerScout, If you put it to a vote of the PLC and they shoot it down, then what? Not recharter? No badges this year? Not saying your wrong, just asking what next...

One boy was having problem every camp out. The boy would somehow blow it - rock throwing, spitting, refusing to do his share - something every trip. SM had asked the boy for two events with out a major problem before he would sign off on Scout Spirit for 1st class. Scout managed to make it through one, then was out of town for the next, then the next was canceled due to a winter storm. Father let me know life at home was not going to get better until this was over (mother was pushing hard), SM let me know he had no choice but to live by his word two events. With the Scout, SM and father sitting there at the table, I picked up the phone and called the SM of another troop and asked if this young man had gone on an event with them. Father and boy had a look of shock, I wasn't supposed to know he was looking at another troop. He thought it was over for him. I asked the other scoutmaster if he had shown scout spirit. Hung up the phone informed our SM the scout had done as asked. SM signed off and BOR passed him. Scout still isn't sure why we weren't mad about him looking at an other troop. Fact is it's more important to have a successful boy than a successful troop.

Saw it on Fox News this morning, they showed the boxes in use at the airport and credited the scout for making them. Too bad they didn't interview him.

BW, I agree that camping is not the end-all, but you can pack a hike, two camp fires, four meals (and two snacks), a service prodject, star gazing, bird waching, a few scoutmasters minutes and a "Scout's Own" service all into one campout and still have time for a good game of capture the flag.

Step one, divide the willing adults into two groups... Works well with kids and works well with adults. From the first group draw your team, from the second form your committee. You need both to run a pack and best to put folks where they best fit.

The Eureka Timberline Outfitter isw the only tent for our troop... http://www.eurekacamping.com/timout.asp (we buy the 4 man and use it for 2 adults, or 3 scouts)

Maybe the thinking was that the swimming requirements cover fitness for 2nd and 1st class?

I am looking for ideas for fun on Rainy days at camp. My goal is to come up with a few activities that are good enough that the scouts will ask for them on dry days and be told no, that's for rain days only. You can take as a given that there is plenty of tarped over areas or other shelter available but that the scouts will be in close quarters. I'd like to limit the size of the equipment to one box or tote. But feel free to include any food items that we could pick up at a local market. So what can you come up with? Games? Skits? Special food items? Crafts? Maybe even that includes getting wet? Any others?

Appropriate Headgear for a Cubmaster? I think it is a blue and yellow bike helmet. The football helmet is optional for larger packs.

Take a deep breath and then relax. You may have lost it, but you didn't do all that bad. A few points: Two adults at camp is just not enough. They had you out numbered. There's no way you can keep up with the program, hold down the camp site, deal with one or more special needs scouts and still have time to work with the boys. I like to have at least four so each team can step away from the action every now and then. Your Unit leaders have no right looking down on you. As you point out, the boys SHOULD have know better. The hazing may have happened at camp, but the problem has roots that go much deeper... If there is any blame, it must be shared by all the leaders. The fact that you are a female is only improtant when selecting which rest room door to use. Don't let them use that against you and don't do it to yourself. If woman are to be a part of the program they need to be treated as full leaders not the "B" team. And finally, since it looks like the troop forgot to say it THANK YOU for taking the troop to camp. I'm sure you had other things you could have been doing. Giving up a week to take the boys when no one else was willing to gives you hero status in my book.

Eamonn: Dang, some how that lost something in the typing... My point was I'd hate to lose a leader that has much to offer as you do. Did not mean to put down your value but rather to point out how much I'd miss it. And I am not recomending that you be dismissed, only stating that any leader in our unit would expect to be based on standing rules. My unit holds to a high standard, but the adults know it in advance. Thank you for the welcome! All: If there was no other safe option I would excuse a leader for transporting a boy as far as needed to remove him from danger but only as far as the nearest phone in a public location to contact the boys parents so they could determin what is best for their son and so they could explain to the scout why this exception is acceptable. Leaving it to the scouts judgement leaves the scout exposed when an abusive adult offers the same free ride.

Wow, only my second post here and I'm about to make my self unpopular... Eamonn, You sound like a great leader and I sure am glad your not with my troop. I'd be very disapointed to have to say goodbye to you. I know you did it for all the right reasons and you know the risk you put yourself at and were willing to take the risk. For that, a pat on the back! Now for the kick in the pants. You have done more harm than you think. The only defense the Scouts have to protect them self is the knowledge that there are no exceptions to the rules. A boy can not be expected know which exceptions are valid and which are scams. Every boy in my unit has been told that any exceptions are to be reported to the Scoutmaster and the committee chairman.