1Vigil

I have a place for you all to think about. I understand that Guantanamo Bay is going to be empty in the future. Ah yes........ just think. Nice weather, the ocean, big landing strips, plenty of housing too. What a paradise this would be. The only people that you would have to talk about would be the cubans. I bet we could get it cheap too. I can see it now..............

I had heard that Double H was closing as well. Liked to have fell over. Our troop took two crews to Double H in 2008. The boys and adults love the concept. I called it Philmont EXTREME ! Because it was so much different than the main Philmont Ranch and NO TRAILS. You had to live up to the LEAVE NO TRACE as the properties were not ours. Even the land was so much different. I guess it was the different taste of high adventure that was so unique about it.

I will have to say one thing though. The staff that has served at the Double H ranch were great. Most of all in the first aid or rescue areas. They were the best and were very professional. KODOS STAFFERS.

Lets just hope that Double H can reappear again in the future.

Yes our Honor Guard unit with in our troop helped the family of a long time scouter last month. We wanted to help the family but not stand out. The family came first. The honor guard posted guard beside the casket or scouter. We changed the guards every 15 minutes. It is the same drill the highway patrol uses in a funeral. We also posted two guards at the back of the visitation room as he had all of his scouting award, life achievements and family photos. Around the scouting awards we posted a US flag, State flag and Troop flag. We also wanted to make sure nothing disappeared for the family.

At the funeral we had the honor guard post at all the door openings to greet people. All these ceremonies were white glove. After the bag pipes were done playing. The honor guard was called to attention and marched to the casket. We then posted on each side of the scouter that had pasted away. After the closing prayer. The honor guard was called to attention and a slow scout salute was given. This lasted about 10 seconds. We then followed behind the pastor and the pallbears followed behind us. The casket then followed next. We greeted the scouter as the pallbears at the hearst. The honor guard gave the scouter a right hand solute once more as he was placed in the hearst.

The honor guard then left while the motorcade was getting ready to leave. We arrived at the gravesite to greet the scouter. Giving him a scout solute once more. Once he was placed at the graveside. The guard was on one side of the casket. The last prayer was given and then the honor guard team was called to attention for the last time. Taps was the last thing we preformed.

Our boys on the team did a perfect job as they have done several ceremonies. They didn`t miss one step or turn. The scouter would have loved it.

If anybody else has done a funeral. I would love to here your experience as well. If anyone ever does a scouting funeral. Just make sure you check with all the boys parents first. Check with the family first as well. Practice, practice, practice. Always remember. The funeral is for the scouter and family in grief.

I am a production manager for a daily newspaper and publishing company. Been with the scouting movement for 33 years and don`t even have a boy. Just a daughter. But I will finally have a grandson joining in about 2 years.

Has anyone else here ever slept under a fly at night or under the stars at Double H? I have done this several times at Philmont. Love sleeping under the stars. We are leaving the last of June 2008. Love to hear more comments from other campers from Double H.

I just went to the website to see the Australian uniform. I don`t like it. It looks like they couldn`t make up there mind for a Class A or Class B. If a boy goes from cub scouts to boy scouts then he has to purchase a new uniform. The tabs the boys and adults have now make a lot more scents. Uniforms are a very expensive purchase for parents. To me if our boy were to go out in pubic they would think we were all Pizza Hut employees. Sorry......... just call me old fashion.

I think this is a great idea. In the opening ceremonies I saw several scouts (Girl & Boy Scouts). I like the band idea. If each council had two or three boys. That would make up a good size band. I know I have some boys that would love to try out for it.

You could do the same thing for the float too. Have so many boys from each council apply to work on the float. I remember going to Philmont in 1978 or 1980 and they had a special patch to help raise money for the Olympics. If a scout wanted to donate $2.00 then you got a special patch for it. You could sell these patches to help raise money within your council level.

I just wonder what the Rose Parade Committee rules apply. I am sure they have a lot of restrictions. Will have to go check it out. Maybe"kb6jra" can give us more info as he lives in Souther Cal. GREAT IDEA "troutmaster".

Thanks for sharing the skits. I love them. I never thought of looking on You Tube. It made a great Christmas gift for us !!!

Now I am going back to watch more. HA HA

I have never been so proud our our boys in the troop as much as I have the boys that are in our Honor Guard Unit. That is why we call it the "HONOR GUARD". I make a big deal when the boys post the colors and take the time to dress the colors before leaving the flags. For those who don`t know what I mean is. When they post the colors. They take the time and make sure the flag is hanging just right. The eagle on top of the staff is pointing to the audience. The tassels are just right too. It show a lot of respect.

Gold Winger you should be proud as I can tell you still have your uniform to look at. I am going to see how I can get some photos to show. Would love to see others posted here as well.

CNYScouter, those are great links to your manuel. I have only seen one sea scout unit since I have been in scouting 33 years. You just gave me a great idea to follow behind your manuel. I think I will make one for our troop honor guard. I am in the publishing business so I can print just about anything. I think having a manuel will make it concrete and if the new boys need to study it would come in handy.

GREAT HELP !!! THANKS

Joni4TA, your menu isn`t too far from what we take on the Appalachian Trail. I like to toss in a treat in between meals while we hike. Like Cracker Jacks, Slim Jim or even some gummy bears. At Philmont they prepare your meals to intake 3200 Calories a day. One of the meals I like when I take the boys to the AT isa Chief Boyardee Spaghetti mix in a box. All you need is a gallon coffee can. Boil your water. Place your sauce in the hot water while you cook your spaghetti. When your spaghetti is done. Drain your water and poor your sauce over your spaghetti. It will feed at least four people. I even like to take garlic bread too. Too keep from having to clean a lot of bowls............ I take Chinet paper bowls. You eat your meal and then burn the bowl in the campfire. Just make sure the boys don`t have food in there bowls. In most cases the food won`t burn and it will draw animals.

Mapper.......... I glad you came back to camp with the troop. I have a tipi too and have camped in single digit weather. We just kept a very small fire inside. You can almost sleep on top of your sleeping bag. I said almost. Ha Ha. We had a lot of snow out side that day and piled it up around the tipi as the wind was blowing rather strong.

Are you planning on going camping with the troop again soon or was this just a visit? Which ever it is. Its great to see you back with the boys again.

Great Website. Yeah........ the ex VETS are always looking for someone that can sound off taps at funerals. We had one boy several years ago that played taps for the military. I had our bugler last year play in our Adult apprecation baquet. We retired the color after we played taps for a retired scoutmaster that had been killed. It was very touching. They have now come out with the electronic bugles. You don`t even have to know how to play it to use one. But it is still not like the real thing. Thanks for passing on this website. I haven`t seen it yet.

OGE I see were this stove would be good on a river trip. Camping on a river bank. As far as using this on a camp out. As long as you use it in a fire ring. I use something just about like that to start my Bar BQ grill at home on. You can buy one at Wal-Mart for about $5.00. Its a charcoal starter. And it works great. I might buy one of these myself. I would use it only around my locale area. Philmont, Northern Tiers or the Appalachain Trail I would use it. To many issues to deal with. Now if I was camping just by myself or with a couple of friends. Were I wouldn`t be in a hurry. This would be a lot of fun to cook on. Here is one that I found online. http://www.surlatable.com/product/id/130782.do A little bit higher than $5.00. It is a heavier gauge metal too. THEY BURN VERY HOT !

Hey its great that you two replied to my thread. We too trained with several military branches. We started out with our local Nationa Guard unit. Then moved on to an honor unit in another town that did the silent drills which were NO.1 in the state of Missouri. They have also march in the parades whit an Honor Marine drill team. The boys really look up to these men with a lot of respect. Which its all about. They only have to tell them one time and its in memory. Myself........... I was never in the military. I also feels its my way as well to show my respect to our vets and soldiers and our country. Now more than ever.

I love the idea about dressing up the boys in the 1910 uniforms for the 100th anniversary coming up. I wonder wear I can get a pattern to make the uniforms. Any clues? As far as rifles. That is a real NO NO. We talk about in our team meeting about how many people in our community don`t know the proper way to display the flag. Our troop also sells contract to play flags out in our community on holidays. Man............... the town looks soooooo nice. It makes you proud and is a good PR for the troop as well.

Our next venture coming up is our Council Court of Honor for our Eagle Scouts held at the local Universtiy. Several of our new boys on the team will be doing the ceremory as our first team will be getting there eagle award. Plus the TV crew will be right in there face as they parade right in from of them. But this again is what it is all about.

It is so sad to see in the media about a child that has shot a fellow student or gone on a rampage. They think what is wrong the that child. I believe that kids can`t be kids anymore. That the days of "Mayberry" are gone forever. When the worst thing you did in school was get caught chewing gum.

I was just reading out of my 1932 scout hand book the other night to my wife about the ranks and requirements. She couldn`t believe what a boy scout had to do back then to advance. I remember when a boy took at least three years to make first class. And at that rank you really new your skills. Now a boy can make first class in one year.

Too me I see the program getting easier and easier. The standards are to make numbers instead of knowledge. The scout leaders are getting there hands tied just like the teachers at school as well. You can`t touch a child, you can`t talk to a child a certain way. You don`t dare let a child get hurt without the fear of getting sued.

Years ago you never saw a parent at a scout meeting unless they were to drop Johnny off or to pick him up. Know they watch your every move. That is if they aren`t at Karate class or ten other programs they have to be at. Then you tell yourself............. which program do you think they will get the most out of once they have finished?

I am going to cut this short as I can get very upset in this area. I believe in the old scouting program. I will keep on using it as long as I can get by with it. Change is fine but just how far and how much is the question. Nothing comes easy in live. I even see it at work as the new work force has the same attitude.

I would like to find another troop that has a "Honor Guard" within there troop like ours. Maybe exchange ideas. When I say honor guard it means just that. The boys that take it the extra mile to present our nations color the right way. We march and drill just like the military. We even do flag disposals too.

We have performed for the St. Louis Cardinals baseball game and the Canadian National Anthems. Did the first opening baseball game in Marion Illinois of the Marion Minors team. We have done camporees and all of the OA Lodge flag ceremonies. Even our Adults appreciation banquets. We even have a bugler that does all the calls. The boys are even talking about adding a couple of drums to the team.

Each time the boys preform it is different. They can handle any set up as they drill so many different ways. We get a lot of comments from the public and scouting events. Most of all from the vets. We try to show the boys at the troop meeting the right way to honor the flag or flags.

If you have a team in your troop or crew I would love to talk to you about it. Its a great program.

I saw the same burn out in our district camporees. The secret is BOYS + FUN =ATTENDANCE. It got were all the district wanted to do was the same old scout skills camporee year after year. So I put on a Survivor type camporee like Eagle Foot was talking about. Our district is called Sioux so it was called Siouxvivor. It was a huge success. We had the older boys run the program. All the challenges were just fun games to compete for tribal points. We even had a tribal council and tribal bandanas.

I loved the part were the troops signed into the camporee on friday night. Then we gave each patrol there tribal packets. They were to drop there patrol names and make a tribe name plus make a tribal flag from there packets. We also had an adult to watch over the different stations. The boys on the staff made all the calls, kept the scores and ran the tribal council on that Saturday night.

I believe if you are having problems then try this. See if it will work in your district. FUN is the reason the boys want to come. Get the boys excited and they will return for more. This will open the doors to more adventures within the district.

By the way Eagle Foot................ I would like to have your plans for the "Mission Impossible" program too. Sounds like a lot of fun. Would like to try it some time.

Thanks for the photos you posted too. I shoot a lot of photos when I go on high adventure trips. I carry a camera and a video camera as well. The parents just love them. I use a special backpacking harness with a mono pod stand that connects to the pack and camera while I hike. It makes it hands free. It also has a quick release. I am planning on shooting a lot at Double H so I can bring it back to our troops in our area to see as a promotion. People like me have a lot of questions about Double H.

Dan thanks for the extra tip. I had just purchase new tent before we went to Northern Tiers and would hate to have them chewed up. If you have any more tips I am all ears Thanks.

Our troop is has a couple of crews going to HH next year. Will be our first time. I have a question to those who have gone. How bad are the scorpions at night? I like camping under a fly or under the stars at night. Of course I am planning on taking our tents. I have been to Philmont several times. Looking forward to something new for the boys and myself. Love all the comments on Double H you guys are posting. Hope to hear more.

Welcome, I just joined the forum the other day too. Hope to see you around as well. Cheerys !

Thanks Guys........ I can tell it going to be a lot of fun. Maybe give a little bit of advise and learn some new. To me........... scouting is priceless! Now let me pure you guys some more coffee and though another log on the fire.

Should it be Class A or Class B or should it be a field uniform?

Should we call it Happy Holidays or Merry Christmas?

Should we say Bless America or GOD Bless America?

I don`t know about the rest of you........... but I am going to call it CLASS A and B. No matter how you spell scouts............... its always a scout. No matter how much white wash you put on it.

Hello everyone. Just came across this forum. Looking forward to meeting everybody and chatting. Been in scouting for 33 years. Don`t even have a son. Go figure! Looks like a great forum to enjoy.

Cheers and Merry Christmas