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Gags

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Everything posted by Gags

  1. OGE, I first did the trail up the Sunfish Pond when I was a Webelo - since LNT was mostly unknown at the time, I was able to collect a few cool rock specimens for my Geoligist activity pin along the way. :-) I've probably done the trail about 3 times, and have also done the "switchback" trail, which I think is the official AT portion, in the interest of saving time. It's a great hike - that was the destination of my first backpacker. We ended up doing a lap around the whole pond b/c my SPL was delirious with a fever and didn't recognize where the campsite was. Ahhh, the good ol'
  2. I love this program. (I love any program that has maps in it, but that's beside the point). I use it every day for my job, and especially for the size of the program, I highly recommend everyone to give it a shot. As a caveat, it does not have great resolution for every part of the US. Most areas, once you're down to around 1000 ft altitude, you won't be able to pick out much detail. That being said, most Urban areas have less than 1 meter resolution - which you'd normally have to pay for from Terraserver.com or topozone. Once you have this loaded, check out sites like the Empire Sta
  3. While I'm sure we are all in agreement that fighting is incompatible with the Scout Law, I would also be hesitant to view a fight with ones brother in the same light as a fight between two non-related scouts. As Eamonn mentioned, it could just be an extension of their home environment. While this is still not an excuse, I think it needs to be considered before you implement the third strike and ask him to leave the troop. Lastly, you may even find out it was the other brother who started the fight, just to get his sibling in trouble. Just some thoughts to help un-clarify the issue
  4. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the quality of the satire. I was almost wishing it would have been written by "The Onion" staff. I have to admit, though, that the part about God working out at the YMCA is pretty funny. Goes well with the bit part that Jesus is playing on recent episodes of "Rescue Me" (not a show for the easily offended, btw). --Gags
  5. To be honest, I was a little disappointed in the quality of the satire. I was almost wishing it would have been written by "The Onion" staff. I have to admit, though, that the part about God working out at the YMCA is pretty funny. Goes well with the bit part that Jesus is playing on recent episodes of "Rescue Me" (not a show for the easily offended, btw). --Gags
  6. Here's another article - finally has a somewhat positive tone to it: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/27/AR2005072702251.html Actually, upon further review - the original story I read is no longer available. They must have updated it with the one at the above link. The original article was titled "Hundreds of Boy Scouts Fall Ill from Heat", the new (or just updated) article is titled "Presidential Visit to Scouts Jamboree is Postponed". Sorry for the confusion. I guess you'll just have to take my word for it that the newer article is a vast improvemen
  7. Is there any good press coming out of this Jamboree? From this mornings Washington Post: http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/07/28/AR2005072800329.html?nav=hcmodule IMO, I find the first few paragraphs very misleading. While I'm not quite ready to chalk it up to "liberal media bias" (or LMB in conservative lingo), it doesn't paint a pretty picture. Story summary - 300 scouts treated for dehydration / heat exhaustion. I was listening to the radio this morning (104.1, a local DC adult/top 40 station). One of the DJ's of course was saying "after 4 deat
  8. Hi Mark. I'll start with the obvious question - are you already an OA member? If you've been out of it for a while, and was once a member in another lodge, there's a transfer form you can fill out to have your membership transferred from your original lodge to the new lodge. Otherwise, the lodge would be getting a check from someone they don't recognize as a member. Also, Amangamek is so huge that they actually have individual Chapter meetings, as opposed to a Lodge meeting (although I'm sure they have those too, just not as frequent). Check with Council as to who the Adul
  9. I'm not quite sure how to say this, but is the title of this thread supposed to be play on words, or a just a typo? If a typo, is it possible for a moderator to correct this? Thanks, Gags
  10. Student, Depending on the length of the course, you may be able to get away with a USGS map. However, if a course will be taking them over hill and dale, I suggest an actual orienteering map, of which the most useful feature will be identification of underbrush and/or impassable thickets. A USGS map will not give you enough terrain detail to properly plot a course from point to point. (Pulling out large 5 inch paint brush labeled "Stereotyping") I'm going to assume that since you're "Western US", you're in the mountains. Us lowlanders here on the East Coast are used to topo m
  11. This story keeps getting worse: (Sorry for the length - posting the link would eventually just show a new lead story) MANCOS, Colo. A medical helicopter dispatched from Durango to help search for a missing rafter in Farmington Thursday later crashed en route to an unrelated emergency call near this southwestern Colorado town. All three aboard the helicopter the pilot, a nurse and a paramedic were killed, according to officials at Tri-State Care Flight, the Bullhead, Ariz.-based company that owns and operates the helicopters. The cause of the crash was unknown. Federal Aviation Ad
  12. I am well aware of how strong a current can be even in the absence of rapids, but are there any whitewater experts out there that could explain how a life jacket could get pulled off? (leVoyageur?) How loose / poor fitting does it have to be? I'm assuming these were NOT the orange "summer camp" style that just goes around your neck. Has anyone seen this happen before? Thanks, Gags
  13. I think you could have just made the subject "Troop Committee/Parents Yearly planning session", and it would have the same meaning/effect. Is there a seperate planning meeting w/ the SM and PLC? Perhaps one of the questions you could bring up is why are you losing a 15 yr old Eagle? Is he cutting ties altogether? Maybe the rest of the committee will realize what's lacking in the program (Advancement sounds like it's there - they may just need to work on the other 7). Always easier said than done when you're only one person - but perhaps the MB process would be a good place to
  14. The nearest scout property is Camp Snyder. It's undergoing conversion to a cub world camp, but I think they still allow camping there. Very small property, right off Rt 66, about 25 minutes from the Vienna Metro (1/2 hour metro ride to the Mall/monuments.) You can call the National Capital Area Council @ 301-530-9360. That being said - Greenbelt is still probably your best option. Or try Lake Fairfax Park in Reston, VA. A little closer in than Snyder. If you're considering hotels, there are several along Columbia Pike in Arlington that are an easy 10 minute bus ride to the Pentagon
  15. I'm thinking of proposing a scavenger hunt for this fall's camporee. I'm running into a mental road block of what they'd be able to find within a few hours of searching. My DRAFT list so far combines both objects and answers to questions: 1. Name of an Eagle Scout who's at the Camporee. 2. Name of an Eagle Scout who was President 3. Leaf Identification: FYI - we're in the Mid-Atlantic region a. 2 Different kinds of Oak Trees b. Maple c. Sweetgum d. Sassafrass (sp?) e. Tulip Poplar 4. Evidence of animal life 5. Compass 6. Bowline 7. Canteen 8.
  16. Thanks SWScouter. That's the info I was looking for - I'm going to assume 10x10 will shelter two scouts. It' now looking more and more like rain - I'm still debating whether to just use plastic sheeting or actual tarps from home depot. I'll take a look at the 4 mil - I've used 2 mil as a groundcloth myself. Now I just have to find the poles to my own tent, otherwise I'm going to be bringing a tarp of my own. (Always a rude surprise when you reach for your tent bag at the fall camporee and realize it's a little on the soft side).
  17. Tonka, In my experience, I never brought a gift or card to a COH. Oftentimes, as a troop, it was an effort to get the scouts to show up at all. I did present a gift to one of my best friends when he made eagle, but I was 18 or 19 at the time. Unless you're friends with the family, there should be no hurt feelings if you arrive with no present or card. If you're still concerned, then as jr56 said, a congratulatory card (with our w/o $) would always be in good taste as well. --Gags
  18. My troop has been blessed with gorgeous weather the previous 2 times I've taken them backpacking. They ended up just sleeping under the stars. This weekend, we'll be on the AT from Harpers Ferry headed south. There's a chance of rain Sat night. The boys really don't want to bring a tent, thinking they could just wrap themselves up in a groundcloth if it rains (teenage logic at work). I'd still like them to bring a tarp to set up, as the shelters are usually full. My question is, what size fits how many boys? i'm thinking an 8x8 would fit no more than 1, due to having to angle th
  19. Perhaps limiting posting ability to youth only? This would allow the forum to remain "open" for all to read, but keep adult comments out. On the other hand, if a Scout is motivated enough to not only find this site, but also be interested in discussing scouting topics in a msg board environment, then I'm inclined to assume that they're mature enough to participate in our (usually) adult discussions. The other question I would have is what topics would they be discussing here that is not offered elsewhere? Has anyone ever received feedback from a youth who wanted to post but was too
  20. So 2 scouts leave the campsite, with the SM's approval, obey his instructions to be back by 12:30, and suddenly they're not only getting a "reputation" with the Troop Comm., but the DC (or is it UC?) is putting the thoughts into peoples heads that barring them from Summer Camp is justified? Am I a little slow today or is there more to this story? What rule were they breaking? --Gags
  21. Annie, To answer your basic question - yes, that bag should be fine for all kinds of winter camping. Qualofil isn't the "greatest & latest" technology anymore, but it's still better than the rectangular $20 "sleep-over" bags. Since price is a concern (as it is for I think everybody), $50 sounds like a good price for a -5 deg bag. Now for the variables: If you son is still on the "small" side, be aware that a full size adult sleeping bag can leave unwanted space at the bottom of the bag that can fill with colder air. This can probably be solved by just stuffing tomorrow's clo
  22. Take Canoeing out of the first year. The non-swimming aquatics badges are enjoyed the most around the 3rd+ year of camp, in my exp. 11 & 12 yr olds don't have the strength to handle a canoe by themselves (and most will have trouble with a partner). Lifesaving at year 2 - only if he's on a swim team. Again, I'd put this off another year mostly b/c it's a demanding requirement. Rifle shooting - find out the kinds of sights they use. They actually use scopes @ our latest camp. I don't think anybody in the entire camp failed to qualify that week. It may be a good badge for a 2n
  23. FB: "is a Red Ryder Super Delux BB gun. " You'll shoot your eye out! [big black boot descending towards camera] Ho....Ho....Ho....
  24. There may be a Metrobus route that goes by the park entrance that can also take you to the Metro. But in the interest of saving time, driving to the Metro is your best bet, especially since parking is free on weekends. You don't say from which direction you're coming from. There are several campgrounds within a 10-15 minute drive from a Metro in Virginia as well. Pohick Bay Regional Park has a youth group campground with showers and all. (should be www.nvrpa.org/pohick) Used to be the NCAC's (National Capital Area Council) Camp Wilson. They sold Camp Wilson and Camp Roosevelt to
  25. I was with Troop 53 in Fords (Woodbridge Twp.) Yes, our claim to fame is that McGreevey used to be our mayor. But that's a topic for "Issues & Politics". I gotta' say - compared to camping in northern NJ, the Pine Barrens can't be beat for feeling like you're in the middle of nowhere. (should that be 2 words???). Gags
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