Gunny2862

I use a stuff sack but not a compression type when on the trail and then lay it out if it's not going to be more than a week before I go out again, or put it in a nice roomy cotton bag if it's going to sit around a while. But never put a bag in a compression bag and then leave it, you can and will over time compress the fill to the point it won't recover.

I didn't see it stated but is there a Troop solution to water purification? I see where one family is choosing to use two personal systems to purify their water but wonder if the rest of Scouts have other options than the pills and are choosing them against weight without ever having used them themselves. If they know what they are getting into, then I wouldn't feel any compulsion to let them use either of my personal systems. If they don't know, and the filter was mine, I'd probably let them use it - although everyone would have to take turns filling everyone's bottles, If the filt

I think this is one of those areas that is related to the latitude given to the MBC. Some are harder than others. My central issue here is that if you do it for one, make them pass an in-lake swim check, you need to do it for all of them. I don't think its adding to the requirements, however, just as a professional courtesy if you are working in a Camp or even a MBU Setting I might think you might want to run it past the Aquatics Director because he will certainly get an earful from someone...

A little bit of clarity, For US, we currently aren't using QM's in the Patrols(ASPL's are doing that as a part of their job - for now, we're kind of small with some Aging/Eagle-ing out v. New Scout dynamic with not very many in the middle) but have always had a Troop QM - The Troop QM (TQM) is not (and shouldn't be) responsible for cleaning or repairing but rather for inventory and ensuring the gear that is checked out clean gets returned clean - he doesn't have to accept wet, dirty, torn, abused gear but notes it's attempted return and why it was refused and who has it. When we've had Patrol

I can't figure out why the QM isn't a central figure in this play. If he isn't, I really think he should be at the center of the solution. After all, it may "belong"(be issued to) to the Patrols, but it's all "HIS"(responsibility), or should be... In the case of one patrol ahem, "borrowing" another Patrols gear hopefully the two PL's can work that out, if not it's time to bring in the QM, then the SPL, then the PLC, then having abjectly failed it's time for the adults to show up and guide a solution.

Now back on the original topic, I think there are practitioners of certain Christian denominations who may believe that they have valid objections to the OA as in their view it may be seen to contradict or be in conflict with certain doctrines of their denomination, and I, in no way, wish to denigrate their belief. I am certain that, given the human condition, there are other objections but let's just look at one for now. An actual open minded examination of the program materials should lead one to believe (IMHO) that there is no real problem here. There are no additional deities, th

I pretty much agree on the FUNCTIONING of the Lodge and ours does a good job because of some strong interference when necessary either backing up the LEC or just putting a moral hedge between the (want to be interfering)adults and the LEC. But as to curbing the problem/s, having an Adult at the Troop level who understands and is willing to have proper discussion as the questions occur with the Parents at the Troop level would go a long way towards ending the perception issues and being able to to explain the issues as any particular local faith based CO might see them.

@ JeffH My outgoing SM ensured that his ASMs were nominated and at least the presumptive successors(me) were in before he left. Scoutmasters don't have to be in the OA, nor does anyone else in the Adult side, but to avoid these misunderstandings it sure helps.(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)

We're getting off the original topic and on to "possible/perceived youth protection issues in the OA". I'm also seeing what I perceive as a lot of crosstalk(no pun intended). I think some long time volunteers(Scouters) are forgetting that other/new parents/New Scouters who may not have a background in Scouting, some of which become new leaders(the way I did)don't have all of the insight you(and now I) do. They have valid and legitimate concerns possibly not only about Scout Leaders but now about this portion of Scouting where there is "Secrecy" and "Mystery" about the program and whe

http://www.surefire.com/illumination/flashlights/m6lt.html OR, these (I think it was these) are on sale at the Bass Pro Outlet Center in Springfield MO for

I've been staying out of this but now, here goes. The swim check is, in the BSA form not so much a test of ability but a self-rescue check, higher levels of proven ability lead to more access. As such, anything that one might not have AT ALL TIMES should be prohibited. The goggle issue is just crazy. Sure some pools are over chemical-ed and goggles are nice, but for the test unless the chemicals are ridiculously out of variance(in which case maybe the test needs to be rescheduled)the test-ees need to swim without the aid of masks or goggles. People DO become dependent on masks a

It's dumb from our perspectives, but from Council's it their opportunity to make sure we aren't raiding a funding line they've developed for Council. Don't know why it should take two weeks though...

If I weighed what I weighed at 16, My seventeen year old son would outweigh me by close to 45 lbs(he's a Varsity Wrestler, Varsity Track and Varsity Cross-country runner). My Doctor would be after me to gain at least 25 lbs to get INTO the normal range. I couldn't move half the stuff I currently can. My Philmont backpack of two years ago would be closer to 1/2 than a 1/4 of my body weight, I don't know If I could have managed it.

Cito, I think we're in basic agreement. I'd like to lose the 20 but am having a hard time doing so, it's coming off but just at a much slower rate than I could do it in my 30's. And there's no question that there has to be some kind of limit and the BSA table is really as good as any. And when I got to Philmont in 2010 the Med lodge folks were interested in not only the number but how you were acclimated, and your general appearance as it relayed to health, I got the impression I could have slid by with a couple of extra pounds, but of course they'd never actually say that. It would be bad

At 5'10" and 240 (BMI red zone)now I'm definitely in the obese column on the BMI charts but my doctor and other medical pro's have said repeatedly that that is an insurance actuarial thing and shouldn't be used to determine "healthiness" longevity perhaps, but not healthiness. The only time in my life I have been at a healthy weight(green zone) according to those BMI charts was before boot camp( when I ran 10-15 miles a day, 6 days a week) but then they packed 35 lbs on me(which put me in a solid and ripped amber zone) - Now I've always carried radios and batteries, or tools, in addition to

Covers seem to make them last longer. I vaguely remember my brothers 1972-ish? manual, green cover Scout hiking along on the front - man now that thing went thru the wringer and held up. - I think the cover was somehow plasticized, if I'm remembering correctly.

If I'm not somewhere where it's prohibited, or in the water - I'll give you a dollar if you catch me without a knife and a pen within reach. (First person only and only once a day, good luck catching me ) It is kind of odd to me that our State Law spells out that a knife less than 4 inches long, isn't to be considered a Weapon, but they'll sure go ape if you have one less than 3 inches long on your person that is clearly used as a tooland forget to leave it in the car when you visit those Gov't offices. At least they unlike TSA have the courtesy to return it as you leave. That's okay, T

CMP?

I see a few possible scenarios here. a) There's an untrained Committee or at least untrained members sitting on a BoR. b) There's an un-addressed issue with the SM's program that hasn't been addressed by the Committee. c) Someone has an issue with the Scout. In any case the CC and the CC need to sit down and figure out with one or more of the above it may be and figure out what to do about it - If they have an issue figuring that out, maybe that's where they call in the COR if he's familiar with the BSA program, or maybe consult with the UC. But the SM and CC need to put their heads

In the second decade of our Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4's for the Scouts. Still going strong. Personally using a ALPS Extreme with the Outfitter Footprint for the third year(you have to ask for this footprint it's not on the list) I got the OF foot print so I could add weight when I was going to need the extra protection or have less weight when just a thin poly would be enough. Either way at 8.5 lbs it pretty much overkill but I use it as a four season tent with good results. I'd like to go to a smaller backpacker tent but think I may be moving towards trying some 3 season hammoc

I have no idea on WB but Ender's Game was awesome.

I prefer the idea of Troop 2 in your example, if the appropriate mentoring is being done between the SM and the PLC but it would hopefully look better. At any given time ours could in reality look like either, or make 2 look like a shining example of efficiency, or put 1 to shame with the SM not saying anything to anyone between 11 and 19 unless asked a question or part of the program, and the PLC making a real show of it. I've seen our CoH's do exactly that over last several years - when there's fault/blame it's been either mine with a lack of appropriate mentoring - or sometimes it fall

.004 sq inches, sorry.

Firearms maintenance, most gun owners do a decent job of basic cleaning I think, except for those who throw it in a desk and never pull it out, ick. Especially those who get out monthly practicing with them. But this particular trigger system is designed in such a way that really only COMPETENT gunsmiths should attempt any adjustment, and are not designed to be disassembled and cleaned by common users. Pull it out as a group, clean what surfaces you can and leave it alone. But if memory serves, the trigger/sear bearing area is something like .002 sq inches on the Remington trigger we a

nldscout, Some people even when provided with video evidence of their wrong action, cannot admit to it. "It's somebody else's fault." Some days folks make me think more than on other days... If it's okay to lean a loaded shotgun on the vehicle(it's not) - then why wouldn't it be okay to rest it on the fence while you cross it(it's not) - apples to apples...