Gonzo1

Highcountry, It''s not a waste of time if the boys do the planning and the shopping. If an adult were to shop for four diffeent lists, yes, that is too much. Once at camp, the easiest way to enforce patrol method and thereby patrol cooking is to separate the patrols by a minimum of 200 feet, 300 if you can. Have the SPL check over the menus to make sure there aren''t any fluff items like candy bars, pop tarts, PB & J and those nasty vienna sausages and the like. Though, I like pop tarts for backpacking, and not for any other scout camping. I''ve seen scouts (and mommy send)

Our troop PLC has wanted to go on the AT for a while. After highjacking the PLC plan, the SM adn CC got 14 boys to raise their hand to go backpacking on the AT. Only 4 went and 3 adults. Of the 7 of us, 6 got bee stings, and one had a tough time carrying his load (Packsaddle knows the youngster) but we all had a good time. My son got 2 stings and got a deep cut on his knee trying to avoid more bees. He can''t wait to go again. The Patrol Leaders Parents Council is planning to skip the winter camp-o-ree and go back to the AT. Bottom line - just take ''em.

When the Oscar de la Renta Parlour uniform came out, everyone ran and got them, mainly I think because it was new and different. The switch back pants probably need to be "tweeked" a bit, and I hear a newer version is coming out. When it hits the street, I''ll get switchbacks. Adults who say they wear "look alike" pants arent'' fooling anybody, "look alike" uniform pants don''t look at all like BSA uniform pants. It will be nice when a new shirt comes out, I really miss the 70''s era uniform - and - Man, I hate the Elvis collar. I like Brent''s comments and John-in-KC''s

Fred, That sounds like gobbledygook. Dan, what Fred posted is psychobabble. I believe children who grow up in opposite sex, two parent families do better than those kids who don''t. I wish I could cite study after study, but I suppose you would cite others that prove kids grow up just fine with lesbian parents or gay parents or single parents or whatever. I''m sure kids like Billy Blythe Clinton can grow up to become President someday, but his story is for perhaps another thread, another day. Our Lieutenant Governor in Georgia grew up with a single mom, he''s a good guy. I beli

Fred, Perhaps not. I suppose there are times when he irks a few people. I don''t see the big deal. I know I have irritated some folks. They have either chosen to ignore me or just don''t respond. I have chosen to not respond to one person, I''m not offended either way. The problem with these posts (which BTW, I love this forum) is that the typed word doesn''t express the tone, hand gestures, brow wrinling, etc. though we do EMPHASIZE some things, it''s not the same. I wouldn''t be offended if I were you.

I just received an email welcoming another scouter to the scouter dot com page with user name and password.

I disagree.

FGoodwin, By no means, no. I think Pack''s observations are his and only his (for the context here). There is a great amount of debate about the "feminization of America" and I think there''s some validity to it. I''m not bashing men, I think men need to get up off their duff and get moving. "Back in the day", I would never even have heard of a backpacker''s espresso make for use on a pocket rocket. But, I saw one in action this past weekend on the AT. I almost laughed outloud. I wish for some of the opposite things Pack does. I wish there were more male school princi

I think the same cold be said if the unplanned activity was a trip to the skate rink or bowling alley. Whineymommy''s boy didn''t get to go because, and only because he didn''t help with the flags. You don''t get dessert if you don''t eat your dinner.

Maybe you get get a couple more ASM''s and then delegate more.

Okay, okay, I know this WB for 21st century isn''t the same course that I took in ''94, but why can''t the course instructors do this? We had 8 patrols, a Coach Counselor for each patrol, all the usual positions for a course in ''94 and no outside people coming in to teach anything. Seems like a good class for the QM to teach.

Pack is a good guy, not a man hater. The way I see it, as a professor of biology, Packsaddle is an observer and is commenting on some observation. Let''s say that Packsaddle is more, umm, gee, shall we say "open minded" or "enlightened" than some of us? I know Pack, he''s a great guy. The real deal.

Joe, You did right, or as we say in the south, you done did good! Too bad mom has her nose out of joint. Maybe next time, junior will participate, maybe not. Each council is different about tour permits. Our council rule is that if the activity is in the district, no permit required. Way to go!

Now I''m getting virus alert messages from Symantec aanti virus software. Symantec says that the "clean failed"

It happened again! The PLC decided to go one place for a two night backpacking trip. The committee and SM decided they want to set up tents in the daylight, so the SM changed the destination and plan. Now, we're leaving Saturday morning and going to a different place. Sheesh!

Perhaps a special, framed certificate recognizing him as the 100th Eagle from the city council or governor or Chief Scout Executive. I like the idea of the plaque and inviting them back.

GaHillBilly, Thanks for the correction. I retired as a Captain in the Medical Service Corps officer and didn't have much to do with Rangers. We had a Ranger in one of my Reserve units, he had been to Merrill. Ask the summer camp coordinator in your council about the Ranger program. NE GA council has a week at the Ranger camp at Merrill, none of our scouts have done it. Gonzo1

I just remembered, one of our posters says that nothing prepares you for in life than backpacking.

John in KC, Camp Frank Merrill is home to the 75th Ranger Regiment near Dahlonega, GA. GaHillBilly, Welcome, I'd suggest the cycling, hiking, age appropriate strenuous activity like hikes and service projects at Elachee Nature Center in Gainesville, GA. or any of the other trails in the Chattahoochee National Forest. I wouldn't worry about the Ranger Camp, it's part of Camp Rainey Mountain's summer program, just get them out hiking now. The boys' interest may or may not be there, but the activity will benefit everyone.

Lisa, i would (as much as possible) scrap the "car camping". Sure, go to Camp-o-ree and summer camp, but aside from those two events, make the other outings "backpacking". In other words, get better at backpacking by actually backpacking. Go camping, even "car" camping, just use the car to get you there, then, have EVERYONE carry their gear. The cars can take coolers, dutch ovens, etc. But, when everyone has to carry their own gear for 1.5 to 2 miles on Friday night AND Snday morning, they'll get better at it and reduce what they carry. To stimulate more interest - try the shoe b

EagleDad, Thanks for noticing the INTENT of the thread. I didn't know Bob White or how controversial he was. I wanted to provoke thought about the list. G

Congratulations and best wishes. One answer might be: Because it's about life, not college applications. Please consider a Venturing Crew in college. BTW, which college and what major? Gonzo1

Thanks for the comments. Brent, I didn't get to know Bob White, so I couldn't know about taking his name out. It seems like a good list of things, Beavah's list is good too. Everyone has good comments. Thanks, Gonzo

As I'm originally from Chicago, it's the Chicago Style Hotdog, everything, fries and an Italian Beefsandwich to top it off. I'm going "home" for Labor Day, I'll be stokin' up, I can feel the aorta plug forming now. Mmmm! In Gainesville, GA it's fried chicken. It's actually illegal to eat fried chicken in Gainesville with a knife and fork. Mater (Tomato) sandwiches are a big hit too. (This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Venividi, Good Point! G