Gags

Canoeing down the Wading River is a great weekend trip, and has filled up a good portion of my Scouting memories. Especially jumping off Godfrey Bridge (when the ranger wasn't watching). The river requires enough maneuvering to help teach younger scouts the importance of working together to steer and paddle. The current is deceptively strong for such a narrow river. If your lucky, and the rainfall has been high, the canoeing places may also open up the "northern section" of the river. Still requires the requisite turns around (and under) tree branches, but it's a great addition to an othe

Bob mentioned the two working ends in his post above. Please look here: http://www.scouting.org/nav/enter.jsp?s=ba It should link to the BSA National site, under the headings "Use of Organization Identity and Program Symbols: Trademark & Signature Artwork". It provides high-quality images for publishing, printing, etc. Take a look at the 2nd Class badge (http://media.scouting.org/identity/CD/PC/BoyScouts/SecondClass4.pcx). Just to the side of the rope hanging down, you see a bump or protrusion on the right. I believe this is the missing "working end" of the rope.

Maybe this is too simple a solution in my mind, but.... You said there were 18 months missing from the Honor Roll. Dave would have been in that time period. Why not just tell him the truth? "Dave, I was helping hang up some new names on our Honor Roll, and noticed that we were missing not only your name, but several other names from that same time period. Do you know of anyone else who earned Eagle with you?" Pretty simple question. You're not prying into personal business or "snooping to national" behind his back (which I think may have been the conclusion of a few post

I think we need to re-read the post again. The "problem" isn't whether they fight but the fact that the younger one depends on the older one too much. There's so many variables on this situation that would affect any suggestion we can offer: Does the younger brother (YB)have friends outside the home? Not everybody goes to school w/ their next door neighbors, if he happens to have any his age in the area. Does the older brother (OB) enjoy the role his YB puts him in? Is the mother (Mom):-) even aware of these roles? It's a fine line between pushing the boy towards

I've heard using web straps instead of rope minimizes/eliminates the damage. Any experience with this? As much as I love my hiking poles, I don't think they'd do very well as hammock poles! I'm looking into a Hennesy myself for the near future. Thanks, Gags

OGE - You should have a good trip this time - there's always been more sightings of the ol' JD during times of military conflicts. One of many troop traditions has been a "family" canoe trip down the Wading River, also in the Pine Barrens. Another tradition was a side trip to Atlantic City later that evening, but that's a story for another thread. :-) Good luck keeping the sand out of your tents! --Gags

In the meantime, check out the convertible pants from Galyans. They make a good looking dark/forest green that's 100% nylon. And important for the Scouts (and myself), the shorts actually come down to the top of the knees. Web belt included - I believe the belt loops would easily accomodate the scout belt. Price was $25. If you're a "member" (free discount card) I believe you get 10% off of all Galyans brand purchases. OGE - great idea on the "lengthening" pants legs! --Gags

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Looks like a great site. Shouldn't this post be under "Camping & High Adventure", though? --Gags(This message has been edited by Gags)

Dozer, Although your idea is far more useful, in a pince you can also sell them on Ebay. THey go for about a quarter or so a ball. I think dog shelters use them alot to as cheap toys. You may want to make a "spare" set of the alphabet just in case one rolls off into the woods. --Gags

LOL!!! Oh you silly Aussies.... Remember Oz, the snow is "frozen" water. Liquid "waste" that's "heated" water (to a temp of 98.6) does a good job melting snow. If you happen to be stuck with a long name, just drink plenty of fluids before hand. :-) And yes, the Scouts here use the term "Klondike" for their Winter camporees in reference to the Klondike region of Canada - most likely b/c of the gold rush. Just don't ask the Scouts where the term comes from, they'll probably say something like "b/c it's as cold as a Klondike Bar!" (ice cream treat coated in chocolate here in the St

Adding my 2 cents... I never attempted Rifle MB in the 80's b/c of both the cost and the difficulty. I didn't want to spend more than one session on a badge, nor pay the .05 per bullet, or whatever they were telling us it cost. For Archery, I was lucky enough to know that the partial didn't expire (and lucky enough to be able to find that partially filled in blue card year after year). Still took me 3 or 4 years to earn it. 2 years ago, on my first trip to Goshen SR, (National Capital Area Council's camp outside Lexington, VA), I had 2 of my 13 year old scouts tell me they qua

One Hour - I just picked up their Glacier on special. Their "large" is only 4300 cu. in. I'm worried that it won't be large enough for a weekend or longer trip. As SM, I find myself bring a bit more of everything (extra water, extra flashlight). As my current pack is a Camp Trails McKinley (I think - it's 15 yrs old), this will be my first internal frame pack. What pack did you use before this one? I find it hard comparing cu. inches between internal and external frames since the externals appear easier to attach the pads and tent to the bottom part of the frame. I think the M

Does anybody have any background information on this ban? I know they're dangerous even with the best of supervision and training. Can anyone point me in the direction of some facts regarding injuries/deaths due to ATV's? I've had a scout ask me about ATV's several times, and while he respects the answer of "b/c the G2SS says so", having a little more data to back up this reasoning would be a great help. Cheers, --Gags

Why is the BSA allowed to operate at an 8:1 ratio, while other charters must operate at 6:1? If 6 is the standard set due to safety (amongst I'm sure other factors), why increase it to 8 for the BSA? Not trying to beat a dead horse, but Marinelaw's posting do have me curious. Regards, --Gags

Two Words: Hiking Poles. This message has been posted per request of Gags' knees. See you on the trail, --Gags

> Proud Eagle, I'm quite sure he was saying the only 50% may attend, period. If there were more than 50% elected, we would have to determine who would go by vote count. While I think we have the largest lodge in the country, the Chapter area covers mostly urban neighborhoods and is poorly represented. I'm pretty certain that the location usually used does not limit the ordeal size, b/c I doubt they initiate more than 30 members per year. They may have 2 ordeals, but nothing was mentioned about "waiting till next fall". I think you've provided the exact answer I was lo

Thank you all for the replies, but does anybody have access to the Unit Elections Guide that could point to a page #? If not, I'll have to go the "long" way and track down the password to download it from the website. New Question: As somebody mentioned, can a lodge rule supercede a National OA rule as to how many can attend ordeal? Thanks again, --Gags

Dear List, I know this is going to be a repeat of a topic discussed several times, but the few answers I found do not quote any chapter and verse. I have a very small troop - 4 active boys (out of 5 on the charter). They are all eligible for OA, and I'm planning on having the election this coming Thursday. My CC, who's the OA Vice-Chief Advisor (think I have that title right) is not aware of the recent election changes. Neither is our Chapter Advisor (great guy, but I think he's still using the procedures from 1963). My understanding is - to be elected, you need to be selecte

< Just make certain everything is steaked out very well and it will hold up for most weather. > Is this one of those new "Atkins" tarps? I've heard about those...

This may be a simplistic observation, and I don't have a card in front of me, but how would anyone know which version of the requirements were completed? IIRC, there's no blank on the blue cards for "enter printing date of MB book used here:". Just a thought, --Gags

Heard about it a few months ago. Just saw the new "coil bound" version in the catalog. Has anyone looked through it? It's a revision, correct? Was anyone on the list involved in the revision - what the discussions focused on as to what to drop and what to add. And of course - what do we think? I hope they did a better job on the Fieldbook then on the last Handbook (showing my bias here a little). Haven't looked at the new Fieldbook myself yet. Cheers, --Gags

ManyIrons, I believe you also summed it up pretty succinctly. I would offer that the majority of us (70%+ maybe?)that prefer to go by our first names do not have boys in the troop. This also ties in with AndrewCanoe's observation, that the first name only crowd is usually 35 and under. 12+ years from now, when, God willing, I have a son who will join, I probably will switch over to the Mr. G "title". Well, that would probably happen before he's in Scouts, but you get the point. If fate allows it, and I'm still with the same troop at that time, well, maybe I'll just have to ma

So I just spent a 1/2 hour typing up a manifesto of a reply, click on a link in an email to check out a picture of the columbia memorial plaque on the Mars Spirit lander, and when I click "back", my post is gone. a;sldkjfasldfjljaf. Sorry, that's what happens I bang my head against the keyboard. Here's the link that was the culprit, btw: Anyway, to summarize the post I'm not going to try and retype: Like Chippewa, I'm younger than all the parents in my troop. When I became SM 2 years ago at the "young" age of 28, I was then single (now married) and child-free (still am, as far

OGE, That's an excellent suggestion regarding using only the words that I use. I'm going to try that during the meeting tonite. EDad, I'm not offended, and the only thing that hurts is the frustration of repeatedly telling them to watch their language, that it doesn't belong in Scouts, etc. etc. [[Would these scouts behave like this in front of their mother?]] One of them did on the backpacker. He had gotten out of his sleeping bag (beautiful night, so no tents) to go visit a tree, and I guess was still a little dazed, but suddenly began [complaining]about not being able t