Gonzo1

I don't buy the global warming BS. It's politcal scare tactics. For all of the gajillion years man has inhabited Earth, we have only been keeping weather records for about 150 years. At first, our thermometers weren't very accurate, now we use computers, so there is a difference in measuring instruments. It's great to be good stewards of what we have, we'd be foolish to not "give a hoot, don't pollute". On the other hand, there is no way on God's earth man can have any influence (short of nuclear holocaust) on the sun, the source of our heat. High temperatures today, cool tomor

Lot's of good suggstions, I agree with most, not with others. Return cooking, swimming, lifesaving and add backpacking to the required list. I'd like to see orienteering added also. Bring back Skill Awards .... They were fun and everyone got a change for immediate recognition, and the scout learned basic skills quickly. SM, ASM and COR training / re-training as suggested. Add CC as well. All SPL's and PL's should go to JLT as well. Change the uniform, keep or modify switchbacks and do something with the shirt. Let's get a shirt that will stay tucked in, is functional,

Lisa, I didn't call Merlyn any names, I don't think I was out of line. I did a little research, I found out that Merlyn goes to many forums and argues about atheism. I had made a few other posts in this thread too. Good day.

kahits, Step back, take a deep breath and relax, he'll be OK.

Merlyn, Your one note song is over. BSA and the United States Army gets to hold the jamboree at Ft. A.P. Hill. I did some research and found you are as committed to non-religion as the religious. It seems the vast majority of your posts are as old as Rocky and Bullwinkle and on one topic only. It's just a matter of time before you or someone like you becomes Bishop of Atheism. Good Bye

Scoutldr, Hmm, displaced sacroiliac joint, one of the most common reasons why people visit chiropractors. Be patient, each adjustment moves a bone (as in a joint) only about 1 millimeter. So, it will take several adjustments to correct the problem, continue with the ice and electrical muscle stimulation (tingly thing) and you'll be as good as new, or real close anyway. Local, I grew up in chicago, so I know winters. But, there's nothing like living in Georgia, it's real nice here as I'm sure it's real nice there. John-in-KC Those older green uniforms were great! They looked

GNXguy, I think there are costs associated with scouting. like the VCR repairs, time spent away from wives, other family members, time at work spent on scouting, the small expenses that add up over time. In the end, though, it pays. When the scout earns his badges, finds a new career opportunity through a MB session, learning self reliance, etc. It does indeed have both costs and rewards.

Local, Everything costs less here in the south. $52 just for the adjustment, more for therapies, rehab, etc. I'm sure it's nice in NH, but the winters are harsh too, right? I can play golf year 'round, almost. G

Merlyn, If I send you a few crumbs of a cookie, that might more accurately represent a prorata share of the $5000, wouldn't it?

Merlyn, send me a PM with your address and I'll mail you some cookies.

I agree with local400, you can cook almost anything. You can even take a small cooler, with a cargo tie down strap, cinch the cooler lid closed tightly and now it won't spill out ice if/when you capsize. Rather than using pre-prepared sandwiches, use pita bread, it's healthy, it's already flat, slice it in half, open it up and put in PB&J or ham and cheese or whatever. Go down the rice and pasta aisle at your Piggly-wiggly and get some dehydrated stuff and buy ones where you just add water, not water and milk. Get some produce and eat well!!

CNY, The example you cite is the epitome of Troop Method. The PL didn't decide anything for his patrol. In a troop of 80 scouts, say 8 to a patrol, that's 10 patrols, it would every other campout before each patrol did something. Each patrol should plan and do it's own menu, cooking, etc. 2 side notes: 1 A troop at 80 scouts could easily multiply into 2 or even 3 troops and still remain healthy. 2 Just wait until Kudu gets a hold of this thread, watch out! (This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Scout handbook - $12 Scout shirt - $30 Switch back pants - $40 Chiropractic Adjustment for low back pain - $52 Meals on a campout - $12 Repairs to 3 VCR's - $200 Cost of Scouting - PRICELESS!

ASM915, Princess can become a Venturer is she wants to, I think she'd like it. Lisa, Oaktree, et al, I checked with the SM before comitting to go. The other ASM on the last trip came along, but his son did not. If there had been other adults on the trip, I would have sent the son, and visited the camp-o-ree and scout-o-rama.

Local, For the real story on the economy, visit the folks who maintin the correct information, not Katie Coric, the other network talking head, David Letterman and Jay Leno. The Conference board has the data. Visit http://www.conference-board.org/economics/bci/pressRelease_output.cfm?cid=1 No offense friend, G The real reason may be that Green Bar bill has passed away and some manuals are now written by comittee, some kids don't have an interest in vocations, vocational schools seem to be disappearing too, maybe kids play too much gameboy.

Local, So often I try to preach the way, then I bring Little Miss Princess, BUT, she's quiet, out of the way, a helper too. If she would just get up to speed on setting up the rain fly and master the taut line, but it just isn't gonna happen right now. As a general rule, in our troop, if siblings have to tag along or lose the parent, we'd have the sibling come along, but the parent watches the kid, not scouts.

After all of this, I admit I have brought the 6 year old little sister on a camp-o-ree. Only two adults going, the wife was out of town and if I didn't bring "Princess", no one would have gone. She stayed out of the way, and probably has more nights camping than half the troop anyway. I checked with the scouts and the other adult first, no one minded. The scouts kinda liked having her around.

I agree with Lisa. another way to minimize this problem is to reduce the number of these trip to maybe one (or two maximum) per year.

I agree with Scoutldr that the two should not be mixed. There isn't enough time for the ordeal anyway. Tap out ceremony could be done though.

Hunt, The tallness example is perfect! It provides a set of membership guidelines and if the applicant doesn't qualify, the applicant can't join, period, exclamation mark! BSA is completely non-sectarian. BSA doesn't really care what church or other place of worship you attend or that it's members attend a place of worship at all. Members must however believe in God in order to become members, and presumably remain as members. I get it, I know BSA doesn't charter units to schools and that the chartered partner "owns" the unit, again, I get it. Scoutldr, Anyone is welcome in

M t E, Welcome to the forum For you webelos scouts, get a compass that is liquid filled, the needle moves slowly and smoothly. A compass with 2 degree increments is great, less than 2 degrees is somewhat difficult to get a good bearing. For younger guys, something cheap will probably be OK, then have them fo north, east, southwest, etc.

Merlyn, I have purposefully sat this one out until now. You simply do not understand what the deal is. Let's review: BSA is a private group, BSA can decide who joins, who doesn't. Schools can have clubs like Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Gay, BI Straight Homo alliance groups, chess club, glee club, band, baseball teams, Spanish club, German club, etc. It now seems the only club schools can't have is BSA units. If a school has a chess club, I don't think I would be welcome if I don't play chess. What about the geek who like Yu-gi-oh? why can't he join the chess club,

OGE, I like the jokes in boy's Life. My favorite is this one: A Book Never Written: Race to the latrine By Willie Maykit Illustrated by Betty Woant

CNY, Your "judges" can judge "Best of Show" for Tigers, other cubs including Webelos and siblings (if entered). Depending on the size of the pack, show competition could be for each rank too. You could have a judge determine which is winner and one could serve as starter. Ask the pack if one of their people will manage a scoreboard to see who wins overall in speed.

Lisa, The dual hat thing is a little uncomfortable for me too. I'll be asking for a switch soon in the UC role, that way the unit will get someone different, but have a "second UC" "undercover" . I agree on your other comments as well. I was the UC before coming on as ASM as my son crossed over in Feb. Dan, The SM is weak, well meaning, but weak. The CC is the same to some extent. Betty doesn't hijack all the meetings, just a couple. The CC adds things on the calendar too (a hijack of sorts) at the last minute like "Lakeshore Clean-up" next weekend. C'mon, it's 10 day