Frank17

As an attorney, I will tell you the only document that really makes any difference is the insurance certificate itself. That is what will be used to determine coverage, not the G2SS, risk management notebook, or other scouting document.

I checked our Troop's policy. It provides coverage for any "Covered Activity" -

The "Covered Activity" is any official scouting or leaning for life activity that occurs 1) at the regular meeting place, or 2) while traveling to an approved activity somewhere else, or 3) at a remote location with a "Covered Activity". (more doublespeak). The "official scouting activity" is the tricky part. Under the policy definitions section, it states that coverage is provided for events recognized by the local council. So, presumably, if council recognizes it as a sanctioned activity (either through tour permits or other means), then you have coverage. I do not know how patrol activities are viewed in your council, but permits are required in our council for ANY activity that occurs at other than the regular meeting place. Thus, we do tour permits for everything.

BTW, this was our Troop / council insurance policy. I imagine it differs from region to region.(This message has been edited by frank17)

It has to do with security. Much like amazon will let you browse around in someones account without logging in, they want to be really sure you are the registered user when it comes time to purchase (unless you turn on one-click ordering - bad idea). As a cookie can only identify a computer, not who is using it, the ID / password provides additional security for currency related transactions.

On scouter.com, your currency is your posts. The site allows you to browse in someones area but not to post (and possibly impersonate) as them, unless you can prove who you are logged in as. So also get rid of all those yellow stickie notes with IDs / passwords stuck to your monitor, and improve your security!

We have the same problem with our new 5th / 6th graders completing pull-ups. So we record fractional increments, to show the effort being made (1/4, 1/2 etc.). If they work at it and can show improvement, that is all that is required.

We use Stadri Emblems:

http://www.stadriemblems.com/scouting/

Congrats on getting into scouting. Glad you decided to join!

As far as ranks go, all the early ranks (tenderfoot, 2nd class, 1st class) require skills to be learned and demonstrated along with troop outings and a little service time. For new scouts, the general goal is to accomplish these skills within 1 year of joining a troop, which is very do-able particularly if you attend a week long scout summer camp.

The higher ranks (star, life, eagle), require service hours, merit badges, and positions of leadership along with a mandated time (4-6 months) of time with the Troop. This will block you from achieving the higher ranks since (as you know), you must be done by the time you turn 18.

Realistically, if you are really driven, you can potentially make star rank, but not life. Remember, you can work on multiple ranks requirements at the same time, but the ranks will be awarded in the order listed. (ie - You cannot earn 1st class until tenderfoot & 2nd class are completed).

My advice to you is worry less about rank and more about enjoying scouting and helping your Troop. As a 17 year old, you are probably much more focused than many of your fellow scouts, and able to learn and teach skills more quickly. The outings your Troop goes on will be a great experience for you, and will give you a chance to make lots of new friends. If there are any potential careers you are interested in, search out merit badge counselors for them and work on your merit badge. Get involved and stay involved.

If you are really serious about being in scouting, look into joining a venturing crew in your area. Venturing is coed, has its own advancement / rank system, and (most importantly for you) allows youth members until they are 21. This will allow you to be in scoutinmg for almost 4 years instead of less than 1 as a youth member.

Got three from our Troop doing Gilwell this Fall. Going to be a busy Spring working on tickets!

I used to be an Owl

and a good old Owl too,

But now I've finished Owling

I don't know what to do,

I'm growing old and feeble

And I can Owl no more,

So I'm going to work my ticket if I can.

Back to Gilwell, Happy Land!

I'm going to work my ticket if I can.

Hoot...Hoot...Hoot!

Frank

NE-IV-214

Here in Western PA, we do not really encounter LDS Troops very much. Most of the local troops are more segregated by socio-economic grounds (read different school districts) than they are by religion or sponsoring organization.

But, having lived out west, I can often see the divisions that form, IMHO, due to familiarity more than anything else. It is easier to hang out with and spend time in organizations with people familiar to you, and LDS are good at building a community that way. As a non-LDS person, I always felt welcomed but at the same time was not part of the full inner circle, since I did not attend the activities associated with the LDS church. I was OK with that, but not everyone is. Like scoutfish, I really did not care that they were different so long as we got along when it counted.

Nope, but it probably was somebody's grad school project, since it came from the University of Oklahoma.

Here is a map to settle the controversy, once and for all:

http://popvssoda.com:2998/countystats/total-county.html

BTW, Pittsburgh, PA is squarely in the 80-100% pop category!(This message has been edited by frank17)

In my experience, the burn ban covers the type of fire, not the fuel used. If open burns are prohibited, no open fires are allowed regardless of fuel source. That means no fire pits, campfire rings, or similar items. If a grill, BBQ smoker, fireplace is used, burning is OK, again regardless of the type of fuel used. The issue is the ease with which a fire could escape, not how it is burning.

In your case, a regulation charcoal grill should be fine, but a charcoal fire in a fire pit would not be.

In our Council, we also have:

Cope-o-ree (COPE themed weekend)

Klondike Derby (Winter sports games)

OH! I almost forgot my favorite one:

Campaganza, coming up this month (A more local, smaller version of the National Jamboree).(This message has been edited by frank17)

Wow, are all the patches of the day available on the restricted website?

I only visited Jambo for the day, but have seen the prices on ebay. If they reissue them later (as they all sold out at Jambo), that is really going to tank some of the ebay prices. I had to pay a premium on ebay for 2 Jambo walking staff shields, as the trading posts were sold out when I went.

The National website does have Jambo items back up, under the collector's corner, select Jamboree. Good thing too, as some of the ebay prices were outrageous! Very limited patch selection though (2 I saw) - mostly trinkets for sale.

http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/default.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&C2=CCORNER&C3=2010_JAMBOREE&C4=&LV=3

I use REI's lexan french press, which has an insulating sleeve, great for the winter here in PA.

For real lean trips, I just bring a pot and make camp coffee and let the grounds settle a little before I pour. Tastes great over a campfire, and I always use Cafe Bustelo. It is the best for camping.

Neither the unit, district, or council can add this as a requirement. Only National (by changing Eagle Project requirements formally for all Eagles - not yet done), or the benefitting organization can add this in.

That being said, ongoing maintenance is an issue, so you don't get lousy looking Eagle Projects associted with your Troop years later. What we do in our Troop:

1. Sometimes the project is for an organization that is willing to undertake the maintenance in the future. We generally request this, and often provide them any additional fundraising above that needed for the Eagle project cost. It also gives us a place to donate excess funds.

2. Often, the scout or their family will desire to maintain the project themselves, as their name is associated with it.

3. Finally, for projects that do not fit either of the above, our Troop schedules times and gives service hour credit to maintain Eagle projects that need maintenance. Usually, this is painting or weeding or something simple to keep the project nice.

As both a current scout parent and a SM, I can tell you the main difference I see in regular vs. helicopter parents is how they expect to see their son treated. Regular parents are willing to allow junior to follow through the program along with the rest of the troop, and do not expect special treatment for him. If there is a problem, they will notify the Troop and let the Troop leaders work it out with their son. Helicopter parents demand special treatment for their son, regardless of what the troop rules are or what happens to other scouts. They act like every rank & MB has a deadline, and their son must be the first one to finish. They do not care about the good of the Troop or BSA rules; only what they can get done for their son.

The CSP holders are nice for storage, not for display.

Lay your patches out in an attractive pattern on the floor and figure out what size frame they will all fit in. Use one of those 40% off coupons for the craft stores and get a nice poster frame to display them in. Most will have hard cardboard or fiberboard backs. Pick up some cheap colored fabric to make a background; stretch & hot glue / tape it in place on the backing. Then arrange the patches on the backing and sandwich them between the glass and the backing. If done properly, they will not move and can be hung with no problem. Or you can use double sided tape to help hold them in place, although that can devalue some patches (probably not a problem for most modern patches though, which are mass produced).

I have made several of these displays for myself, my son, and other scouters, and they hold up well and look attractive.

Interesting discussion.

I do want to separate points though: I see a great deal of difference between a scout who wants to attend Jambo or a high adventure camp (for $1000s), versus one who want to go along on the monthly $40 troop trip. For the former, our Troop expects the scout to either pay in full or fundraise in full, as we believe those camps are a bonus for the scouts, not a requirement of scouting. For the monthly trips (and our council summer camp), our Troop is always willing to help out scouts in need (up to the full amount) to allow them to go along with the Troop. We also offer a scholarship to ALL troop scouts to attend one BSA camp per year (council or high adventure or Jambo) to encourage attendance. Since we started that, our Summer camp attendance went from about 50% to 80%, which was the goal in the first place. We also have the advantage of living in a wealthy area with good fundraising opportunities.

jhankins said: "Wow. That's all I can say."

I would second that.

I'd call this a hijacked thread, but since Beavah started it, I guess he can drive it where he wants to.

Not the cheapest stuff, but for waterproofing tents, try out Scotchguard spray, with any seam sealer for the seams.

Both have worked well for me, and are easy to apply.

I too am a big fan of the dawn + bleach (10%) water cleaning solution.

We use dawn on many hazardous waste sites to break up oils and tars and emulsify them for removal. Bleach is great at killing all kinds of viruses, milds, and fungus - permanently.

It is a little hard on the hands for extended exposures (wear gloves). In my experience, it is gentle enough that any fabric / material that will not stand up to it is not worth saving. But, do watch out for bleaching cotton fabrics with it.

As for ebay Member karmund527 (with 4 POD sets for sale), I'd be careful buying from them:

1. Never sold before;

2. Only 1 feedback, for an item purchased in November 2009;

3. No activity on account for last 8 months; and

4. Suddenly selling multiple high priced and popular itrems.

Probably does not have 4 sets of PODs, probably does not have any of these patches as appears to be a hijacked account. The scam artists know what sells and is popular, and 2010 Jambo items are a target.

ebay motto: If it sounds to good to be true, do not bid!

Just got back from a day trip to Jambo yesterday. Had no problem getting in at 9:15 AM at the gate, parked by 9:30 AM, in main gate 5 minutes after. Lines at ALL the trading posts were huge all day long; some discounts already in effect. Really enjoyed the Conservation exhibits and the Scout displays. Had a good (if hot) time walking around). Very well done.

Glad I went for the day; also glad I did not go for the full week!

Just started to collect some of the early BSA merit badges from the start of scouting. They are called either squares or Type A or sometimes Type 1. They were produced from about 1911 to 1933. Having trouble finding pictures of them for comparison. I did find a list of the original 57 BSA MBs and their logos. Some questions, for those who may know more:

1. Leatherworking is listed as being a leather stamp, but all the ones I have seen have a moccasin. Anyone seen the other version, or is it just extremely rare?

2. Ornithology was discontinued in 1915 and was replaced by bird study. Did they use the same logo (a white bird) or was there a difference when the change was made? Ornithology lists as a hummingbird logo but I don't know what it looks like.

3. Anyone have any good online references (other than usscouts & wikipedia) for this stuff? with pictures?

Thanks.

Our old pack has one of the largest memberships in the area and has about 80 cubs now. Another pack that feeds our troop only has about 15 scouts total. Both seem to work fine, although I will admit the larger packs have a momentum of their own and it is hard to change their direction once they get used to doing certain activities. We were generally doing the same things and going on the same trips year after year, because the scouts liked them in the past.

My biggest concern about what you described is not the overall size of the pack, but the size of the individial dens. The 80 cub pack I mentioned has several dens at each level, and tries to stay with 6 to 10 cubs per den (webelos dens can be a little bigger). This makes the den meetings more manageable and less zoolike, and is able to get the scouts to focus better. If you are having trouble getting the attention of your cubs during the den meetings, you may want to try splitting the dens to a more manageable size. Or, if everything seems OK, leave it alone. Many times it depends more on the quality of the adult leaders and the personalities of the cubs than it does on any specific size or ratio.