Gonzo1

Rather than planning something for your pack only, volunteer to help staff the event. Plan many of the suggested items, but, try to incorporate them for the whole event and not just your pack. For my part, it doesn't rain the the Boy Scouts, it rains ON the Boy Scouts. Don't play with lightning, have a back up plan.

Eagle92, Thanks for additional clarity. In my youth, scouts wore web belts with the skill awards, but, once a scout went to Philmont, he had the option to wear a leather belt.

You paid $37? I'll give you $40

Perfect example of why this isn't a very well designed uniform.

Brotherhoodwww: Let's see, Stevejb is writing about them in his blog and taught them as SM Desertrat77 said that he recalled the instant recognition CHLees3rd observed that they marked milestones on a scout's way to his rank and that relative to hiking SA that a heavy dose of the skill was involved, not just a check in the box. He also commented the his old SM and SPL used other boy leaders to teach skills to other newer scouts. In another post, he commented on the long term memory and recall of the skill. Eagle92 focused on skill mastery before going on to another ski

Skill awards were awesome! They provided for instant recognition AND boy leadership. Our patrol leaders taught the skills and signed them off. SM or SPl presented the belt loop at that meeting or the next meeting.

I disagree with SctDad about keeping non-perishable food on hand, If the scout didn't wake up, he's out of luck. The message here is "why get up, I can sleeep and still eat, I don't even have to cook or clean... SWEET!" If he can get up for school, he can get up on a campout. Loud noises or banging pots and pans is OK, but I don't like dropping tents, especially nowadays, some are really expensive.

Welcome back!

Gern, There are lots of things that happen that are not "in" the constitution. Remember this about privatizing social security, GWB only wanted to allow you, if you wanted to participate, to privatize 2%. And that's if you wanted to participate.

Roasted Chicken I like to take 2 whole chickens, place them in the oven, season with garlic and pepper (McCormick's Montreal Chicken is great) and then add your favorite veggies, potatoes, carrots, broccoli, asparagus, onion, whatever, if the lid doesn't quite fit, that's OK, it will settle, place on a bed of 15-20 coals, 12 on top, after 40 minutes, start a new pile of coals, 20 minutes later, add fresh coals on top and under oven. after 2 hours total, use a meat thermometer to measure for 165 deg F.

Wow, a post by Merlyn in a non-atheism related thread, and even more rare, I actually agree with him . . . . this time! I heard Obama on the radio today say that he plans to send man to an asteroid, an asteroid? Any manned flight to Mars is a death sentence. There would be no way to get anyone back from the surface of mars.

When families pick out their own tents, I have found that they tend to go to the cheapest place and get a $20 tent that leaks like cheese cloth. I think troop owned tents make sense. Everyone in the troop kows how to set them up, take them down, to care for them and so on.

Rent? you gotta be kidding!

Is it just me or has Yann disappeared?

NJ C S, I'm glad you have ruled that YOU decided it's unconstitutional! I thought it was the SCOTUS, at least since 1803 in it's landmark ruling in Marbury vs Madison. It's settled, NJCubScouter has spoken! I hope the remaining 12-15 schools that charter units will stop, then and apparently only then will this matter be put to rest.

I wish someone would teach GPS to me. I guess I'll find a club

Again Merlyn, it's not so much the school running the private club, but rather, providing a place for the club to meet. I don't think the principal is cubmaster or that the receptionist is the treasurer. Schools have provided a place for the scout units, GBLT clubs (which I'm personally opposed to, but in fairness - they meet), Fellowship of Christian Athletes and so on. If your group want to meet

In our case, I suggested to the mom that he wait until he was a little older and a little stronger before he go backpacking again. Mom became upset and insisted he go on all trips. I was astounded! He couldn't carry his pack. This scout was too weak. All I'm saying.

It wasn't an issue with the doctor, but, the troop wanted to backpack, so we did. One boy was too skinny and weak, he literally dropped his pack on the trail because he couldn't carry it. One of the older boys was a football lineman and carried two packs. We rigged the boys pack and a stick, but it was still "too heavy". It was a short trip, but he was just too weak. A scout should be able to carry his own pack or not go. Just my opinion.

Merlyn, I'll concede, atheists have rights. But, only the same rights as the rest of us, not extra rights. Atheists do not have a right to join a private club, that is a privledge.

But, it seems OK if the scout unit is chartered to "Friends of ___"

NLDScout, I understand, but at somepoint, common sense should prevail. Having scouts take the stand will drive a huge wedge between the parents of those scouts and NancyB

Yes

This is not a good situation.

You clearly shouldn't have been ignored. Bullying and hazing has no place in BSA Have you considered finding the "wealthier" boys/families and starting a troop with them? Maybe others will vote with their feet.