Greeneagle5

How do your Troops/Crews select your HATs ? Do you survey the Troop or PLC on destinations/activities ? Give them a choice of 2? Choose for the PLC after getting their input ? Thanks, G5

I've outfitted a patrol with the military version (OD) of the HAWG and MULE from E-bay. The guys (including adults) love them on hikes, summercamp, klondike (mil. versions have insulated drink tubes). The wide-mouth caps allow ice cubes as well as easier cleaning. My son and I use them in Colorado alpine sking every year to carry lunch, extra gear, and lemon-ade. I've also used them as prizes during some Scout challenge competitions.......Scouts really compete to get one ! GE5

Sorry for the length-of-time error hops_scout.....chalk it up to a *senior moment*on my part. I do wish the museum had stayed in Murray !! G5

Hit the Galyans in St.louis today for some great savings on *name-brand* 50% off purchases (MSR, thermarest,JanSport, etc.) All tents appeared to be discounted 25-50%. Lots of quality clothing also. They also still honored my BSA card for an additional 10% . Spent 30 minutes in the check-out line, but it was worth it !! G5

Sylvar, Excellent Scout side-trip suggestion to LBL, unfortunately the BSA Museum left Kentucky for Texas about 10 years ago.

Was the lost Scout on the Utah Troop camp-out this year ever found ? Thought about him and his family over this Thanksgiving weekend. Thanks, G5 (This message has been edited by Greeneagle5)

Myles: You might check out the following site for some good advice, links, and paddling experiences on the Big Muddy ! http://www.bucktrack.com/Canoeing_Down_the_Mississippi.html G5

This could definitely be a great project. My son researched and built a beginner O-course recently in a near-by State Park for His EAGLE Project. The 1 mile course is set-up for competitions as well as individual adventures. The maps and O-kit are available to anyone at the Visitors Center. A Course info board, including safety warnings was part of the project and posted at the start sight. A JROTC class has already used it for training several times. One idea he used was to post letters on each control site, which after visiting all the controls will spell out a special message. G

Proud Eagle, I agree with your thoughts on Camp........forfeiting a deposit might be an option if the Troop wanted to explore new and exciting trails......the sad part of this whole equation is the SM doesn't allow the PLC ANY input or discussion before His actions are carried thru. The Scouts are told where and when they're going to camp....like it or ??? Btw- this is the same old SM that occasionally addresses new Scouts on stage at their 1st Courts of Honor w/ " You'll Make Eagle or I'll Kill You !" Not very appropriate for a 58 y.o. in a leadership role in Scouting to say

Thanks for the info Purcelce......I'm trying to interest a few older Scouts into the great sailing HA program RCM has offered in the past. Btw- We were neighbors in 81-84 when I had a lake cabin on Jonathon Creek- Kentucky Lake only 2 miles from RCM Campsites. That was 1981, not 1881, I'm assuming !!

I had heard earlier this fall that Roy C. Manchester on Kentucky Lake might be closed due to financial problems w/in it's Council. Can anyone set me str8 ? Hope it's open for Scouts this Summer.....some great older Scout HA opportunities. Thanks, G5

I agree with many posts........strong TC would solve and/or prevent many of these problems. Just found out today that 2 Star Scouts have been sitting, occasionally, on BoR also......several ASM's felt this would be good experience for them (???) The ASM's should know better.....Woodbadgers and hold district positions of responsibility.....keep wondering where they were during their training lectures. On Camp......SM signed us up in early November (not at Camp last summer)........A strong Committee, again, would help in this situation . Thanks for the good responses.......hopefully we'll c

Our SM insists on having Eagle Scouts and ASM's fill out Boards of Review for advancing young Scouts within our Troop. I've politely mentioned that this practice isn't quite kosher w/ BSA guidelines, but "His Majesty" says it's His executive priviledge ,especially when there are several Scouts to be reviewed in a short span of time. (He also has always selected the SAME in-Council Summer Camp,same dates, and campsite EVERY summer as His executive perogative without ever consulting with the PLC). Does this happen in many Troops ? What's the appropriate action needed here ? Frustrated

Please enlighten this novice on NCS and it's ciriculum......sounds interesting, especially if offered during the winter months ! Thanks ! G5

Talk about a "Mans' Best Friend" !! This companion was TRAINED to BE PREPARED !!! Wow ! Please read this link : http://story.news.yahoo.com/news?tmpl=story&u=/ap/20041029/ap_on_fe_st/canine_caller(This message has been edited by Greeneagle5)

Mallway, Another helpful suggestion would be contacting a local Troop's SM (your CubMaster can assist here !)about getting a Trained Den Chief assigned to your Webelos Den. These older Boy Scouts can be a tremendous tool in assisting you with your program. G5

My Council's Wood Badge training sessions are always during peak work times for me. Is there a web-site that lists multi- Council courses and dates ? Thanks, GE5

Hello Myles, I live near the Mississippi R.below St.Louis @ Cape Girardeau, Mo. and farm along the rivers @ Cairo, Illinois (@ the confluence of the Ohio and Mississippi). The dangers are many along this section of river for small boats ! Among them are : Extensive commercial barge traffic(tows in excess of 20 barges are common), extensive rock wing dikes extending out into the channel, whirlpool currents around these dikes, huge mosquitos, limited take-outs for re-supply or emergencies, flooding and large dangerous floating debris(logs) did I mention mosquitos after dark ? I have met s

Any suggestions on how to get a LNT(Leave No Trace) -Trainers certication course scheduled for our area (St. Louis Council) ? They seem to always be 500 miles away ! Thanks, ge5

BW, A forum on the Do's and Don'ts (and how-to's) of starting a Troop web-site and E-newsletters would be very helpful for lot's of us ASMs. Thanks, ge5

My experience on the molten lava trail (end of Chain of Craters Road) was quite exciting, but not lonely. Last Sunday evening(cooler and safer at night) there were perhaps 600 to 900 people making the pilgrimage out to the orange/red lava flow. With a practically full moon (and 600+ flashlights) it was awesome. We watched and enjoyed *creation* for 90 quiet minutes before returning to the trailhead. We stayed up-wind of the sulfuric acid gases created by molten lava and salt water. Definitely a life experience. G5

Don't overlook your local Boy Scout Troop(s) for a Dining Fly-loaner. A great way to try before buying. Most Troops will bend over backwards to help Webelos w/ camping. G5

Has any mainland Troop made the *voyage* to the Big Island of Hawai'i for a HAT at Volcanoes N.P. and all the other exciting opportunities ? The Park is set up w/ GREAT trails and several trail shelters. I just got back to the flatlands from a family trip to the Big Island and was floored by the tremendous experience of walking the craters, lava tubes, and twilight trail to watch molten lava flow into the Pacific to create *new* land(only state in the USA that is growing in physical size). I'd appreciate input/info on taking a small group of older Scouts back, next summer. Thanks,

Our heavily laden Troop Trailer is always needed on our outings and camp-outs. On longer trips (of over 3 hrs., 1 way), I've suggested to the CC that the volunteer pulling the trailer (usually the same 2 ASM's out of 10)be compensated w/ a small $ stipend to help cover the added responsibility, stress, and fuel consumption. Free trip meals would be another suggestion for the responsibility of trailer duty. What do other Troops do ? Thanks, Greeneagle5

Thanks for the input.......we'll drop that idea from the planning chart. Greeneagle5