anarchist

Welcome to he campfire, drag over a log and poor a cup of coffee...and bucket up for a fun ride! (PS pays to leave any thin skins at home and bring along two extra pairs of good humor!)

Fear is a terrible thing...my mother was terrified of water and as a small child so was I...my mothers fear had 'transfered'. I did love to fish however...it was a passion. Fishing with an uncle and cousin one hot summer day, my cousin put down his pole and slid over the side into the water...Uncle Bob told me several times I could join little Bobby but I just kept fishing...next trip same thing...then my uncle asked the big one...could I swim? After some squirmming, I admitted that Mom didn't like water and I didn't either... Well old Bob was not much of a modern kinda guy and he set down his rod, finished his last sip of Gunther and unceremonially tossed my butt into the river...Not enlightened, not PC and not acceptable in todays genteel world. But I came up sputtering and he instucted me from the side of the boat until I was dog paddling after him. He then pulled me in got Bobby and rowed to the shore and gave me my first swimming lesson...I actually got pretty good over the years but I NEVER really liked to swim... But swimming is so important to scouting we owe it to our children to help them overcome fears and learn to swim...both my boys were enrolled in swimming classes while they were in diapers and they got regular advanced swimming classes every year. It is amazing how much more we can do by being comfortable around the water.. As a Boy Scout (Star by this time), I got to witness the terrifing effect of someones fear of the water...at a summer pool party one of my mother's brothers pushed her off the side of the pool (as a joke). My mother screamed and went straight down in nine feet of water...went to the bottom like a rock and just laid there...arms and legs motionless... In to the water I went and dragged her out...she was spitting mad when we got her out of the water...but in the water her body had simply shut down; she could not move...I knew she was afraid but I had never seen such a total shut down before, it was unbelievable. Many pools offer water fear classes some have private lessons led by Red Cross trainers...help these folks as much as possible overcome this fear...it opens so much of life...so much of scouting... Ps. married a lady who swims with her face totally out of the water...very funny looking method...kick a little water in her face and she looses her timing and sinks...she hates bridges also...strange world, huh.

Laurie, why not look around a bit talk to the Pack, the District even the Council...dolars to donuts, if the old Pack truly doesn't need you there is another pack out there that will trade two cranky cubs and a first round draft pick for a dedicated Cubber... Both of my boys have been out of Cubs for 5 and 7 years now and a few nights ago, I was up there on stage as we crossed another group of Webelos to the Troop...I had the distinct pleasure of wearing two hats because the Troops SM had a last minute work 'issue' and was not going to make the pack meeting...I got to do my Assistant Cub Master stuff and then finish up by welcoming the new BOY SCOUTS into MY troop...don't cha love it! If you love Cub Scouting - Don't Stop! FIND A WAY TO STAY ACTIVE. It keeps you young!

I would try this if you have time; try to 'rope' another 'leader into the BALOO class and take WLOT. For my dollar, WLOT was the single most relavent training activity I have seen in BSA. ('course being the next best scout to Bill Cody I really didn't need it). What I saw was totally practical instruction, given in the real world setting with out a lot of mind numbing lectures...Many of the folks in the classes were not 'outdoorspersons' but they came away feeling good about what they did and what they saw and best of all not feeling that the weekend could have been better spent collecting belly button lint for fire starters... I spent most of the weekend acting as a drafted instuctor but even I learned a few better ways...the folks teaching were motivated and fun to be around! The material was just what most Webelos leaders needed to get started in the woods. Only thing more fun was being invited back to staff the next class.

As equipment guy and QM mentor for the troop, we are starting to look at replacing a few old dining flys. Currenty, we have been using 12X12 poly tarps/flys for patrol kitchens and river trips. Last year I picked up a 12x12 light weight nylon fly from Sportsmans Guide, to occupy shelf space next to my personal stock three heavy weight nylon 7x8 and 10x10 flys...man is it sweet! Used it on a couple of canoe trips and car camps...its great! 'Course I don't know how it will 'hold up' to long, hard use...Yet. Any other suggestions, reviews, experience? I know many units are now using the quick-up style folding-frame canopies...but thats not our style...we want to dry it, roll or stuff it, and store it away! thanks in advance for the info.... anarchist

What to do!?, what to do!? some say tell BSA...How? The survey on the web site???Try it...I did! Like the poll for a new husband my wife took...five choices for change but you can only pick one??? Heck, My wife wanted to select all five changes...no luck there! HOW BOUT WE ALL EMAIL BSA SUPPLY THESE PAGES!!!!! send a few thousand pages to a friend! what a brilliant stroke! (and what a waste of time)...but gripe'n is what we do when we ain't fight'n...beats ladies home journal (though the recipes are nice) Join me in a cup of joe? Hunt.

cajuncody, (and BW) Actually, yes BW it is a strategy for success (just ask George Bush and Carl Rove). Kristi can either watch the program spiral down or she can energize it again...and all I have counciled her to do is get into compliance with your beloved "BOOK" quickly. The fact that she might have to bend (or even break) the chain of command to get it done seems a small thing in light of the situation and the goal. What the old sergeant once told the troop.. "sometimes 'tis better to ask for forgiveness,... afterwards, than ask for permission"...does ring true here. So what is wrong with lining up a committee and getting in front of the CO? 'cause technically its not in her position discription? Come on now! So what if its not her job? If not hers...who's? if not now ?... When? (sorry I couldn't help myself). (back at cha BW...though the 'ana' does hurt my macho image)

Merlyn me laddie, Ed's right... there you go again...don't you just love it! The government discriminates every day, as do you and I. Practically speaking every decision, from getting out of bread to what church we join -or don't, is a true example of discrimination. Discriminating folks don't place their hand in hot coals...some times discrimination is good! Regardless of your mindset a school 'sponsoring' a unit is no more discriminating than sponsoring an arborist club for tree huggers, a spanish club, or an atheist club (would anyone come and play?)...boys are not forced to join scouting, meetings are after school so where is the 'establishment' of religion? (and we are off topic here, schools is a few clicks away) The schools were just offering a venue for a program they saw as beneficial to young men...it was the sore sports who forced the issue 'cause they did like the rules...so be it (truly not a great loss in my book). The legalistic, nit- picking, road kill dining, legal beagles did their work twisting the 'establishment definition' and the govenment bought in...'nuff said... But again YOU post here, only to hurt and incite...'cause sadly, you find validation and vindication in causing hurt and harm...(Were you scared by a cranky cub scout when you were a wee lad?) ...I wonder if you just took up undertaking, would you be able to feed your need for bone-picking without wasting energy on the folks who built and maintain a wonderful program? ...keep it up laddie, its good for your soul and its great fun for us! Heck son, your posting can even bring lots of us together... who are on completely different sides on most topics! I LOVE IT! and as to the username I chose...I am glad it causes you to think...but don't strain too much...I don't like rules, I really don't like arbitrary rules and I hate stupid rules! I would like to think we should be able to get along with just a handful of "laws" but I understand that there will always be folks like you who want to change, or get around the rules for personal gain or gratification...which begets even more rules...to satisfy the nit-pickers... But you know, if I want to play in someone elses game...I play by the 'house' rules...might whine a bit but I play by the rules or get out of the game...I don't try to bring down the house! tag your it! (This message has been edited by anarchist)

Why 2Eagle of course a gentleman from the home state of Mr. Jefferson and Mr. Washington..and Madison, Monroe, Mason...would never have heard of Hockey... its a rather uncouth uber-Yankee endeavor...I understand that in reality it started with two guys sliding around and fighting over an Ice fishing hole in some gawd forsaken canadian provence...gets its name from the fact that when pulled apart the two 'sportsmen' continued the fight by spitt'n at one another... anarchist (sippin in the yankee side of the Commonwealth)

Prarie_Scouter, Just what were the principles scouting once had that it doesn't now??? I don't go way back...just to the late fifties and sixties... and except for a lot of 'CYA' legal crap about what we can no longer do...and how many dinguses it takes not to do it....I don't see a lot of differences in core principles...what has been lost? and oh yes, whose 'history' are you reading? The BSA is vastly more inclusive than ever before in its history...its just some 'folks' who want 'in' and can't play by the the same rules (and who have deep enough pockets and twisted enough minds to try to hurt a good organization) don't like being on the outside, and don't have the guts to build their own good program... (wonder if anyone would come out and play with them?) To understand Merlyn's point of view, get out your dictionary...look up vindictive, hurtful, jealous, malevolent, petty and obsessive...heck it may even have his picture! He posts to hurt and divide, he debates by personal attack and I'll bet he is really fun at parties! ( but count the silverware!) still chuckling,

They done started on OREO's already! t'aint nothin' sacred? next thel be after my shine!

cajuncody, Don't get your bussel in a bind and don't listen to what some folks tell you you don't have authority to do (though they are right) to 'steal' a crappy advertizing line...JUST DO IT! Get your adult applications filled out for each position CC on down...RUN DON'T WALK TO THE COR and or IH (instutional head) or CO and get them to approve and sign the applications...over night to the COUNCIL office with checks(keep copies) and get signed receipt and then tell old CM to give you the missing equipment or you'll call the cops and then to get the heck out of dodge ...the pack has moved on! Then you are legal and BW can go back into retirement... for tonight anyway (love ya BW!) IF old CM wants a job let district find one for him!

OOHH! OOHH! ME NEXT! -Lodge is now sell already seasoned D.O.s sweet! -MUST HAVE LEGS AND A FLAT (not domed) LID! -BSA D.O. tool is the best thing the scout shops sell! -get set of welders gloves (or Lodge DO gloves- more $$$) -small shovel or long tongs for manipulating coals -USE THE HIGHEST QUALITY CHARCOAL YOU CAN GET! It is soooo much better to work with. -three nice tent stakes driven in the ground next to fire area make a great lid stand. -Nylon scrubbies, REI 'UTE' wooden backpacking spatula and hot water are great for cleaning. -natural bristle wisk broom helps clean ash off top for serving -and watch the yard sales...look for a couple of good old heavy biscuit pans or cake/pie pans for baking- makes clean up REAL easy. - start your sourdough culture...now... takes a couple of batches of bread to get 'real' good. and tangy. - fix a mountain man breakfast this weekend for breakfast and a cobbler for dessert! BTW- don't have a fire ring at home?...Discounters sell CHEAP round "spring promotion" charcoal grills this time of year...$6-8. get an old cinder block or two as a base (throw the legs away) set the grill on the blocks, put in 20 -25 briquets light up, move hot coals to the sides place the proper number in the middle area, set your newly seasoned D.O. over the 'middle' coals, put the food 'on', then the lid and the appropriate # of coals on top...have a sip or two... and... anticipate! Adult camp motto- "eat well, make the others drool!" get my PM?(This message has been edited by anarchist)

Hunt, you can't 'win' when folks don't want to listen...they think every suggestion/gripe(?) is an attack... I have both BSA pants (wife loves yard sales) only wear cotten regularly...would rather wear my O.D. BDUs any day...real usable pockets...leg room and "look mom, no plumbers butt". Timely observation- had a pioneering practice session two weeks ago...uniforms were not required but most leaders SMs/ASMs wore them anyway...most of these guys are military trim, but each time they 'squatted' or kneeled or raised a leg they all seemingly, had to adjust the leg of their pant...the ol' pinch and pull up on the front of the thigh...those of us in BDUs just scrunched on down and when we needed to stuff ten feet of 5/16 inch hemp into a pocket we could...no sweat...cause we had real outdoors-friendly work pants. Boils down to what we want the uniform for: just to look good in pictures? or to use outdoors playing in the woods...what we have now is a dress pant "in drag" (fake extra pocket). So the Uniform? I wear it when it is called for. When not it stays where it really belongs... in a closet. so the new question is: What should the pant be used for Pictures or activities? And again BW, the poor fit of a poorly tailored garment does not necessarily mean someone is not 'fit'...or that they are over weight...so you are you are wrong again and insultingly so. The cost of an Item includes sales taxes and shipping and transport... list price is not true delivered price... and to finish ... The pants and the uniform are not the program, remember according to THE BOOK, the uniform is NOT REQUIRED... the pants still suck! gosh I like this scouting STUFF!

BSA has lots of sports...er... I guess thats what they call them...most have limited boy on boy contact (less injury that they can be blamed for) Flag has 'less contact' and supposedly less chance of injury (which can then be blamed on the adults for letting it 'get' out of hand)....see the method? personally I vote for broad axes without shields!

Kittle- Get your training and.... learn to make camp coffee and bread...and try not to 'protect' too much...Unless he is in the troop from "Heck", he will do better with quiet, low keyed home-side encouragement...find work and pleasure just being outside...with the adults... unless you are a "program person". and now, (maybe) before you completely blow a gasket... I am in charge of Camp Coffee and make the best darn Sourdough Dutch Oven bread around...(among other things)! It keeps Me (you?)busy and 1.) out of the boys business and 2.) out of the program...unlessed asked... and it also makes me darn popular (and I need all the help there I can get)...if its not and adult asking for more coffee or another hunk of bread its a scout trying to "mooch" (which doesn't work) or how you "do it"...(which does)!

It appears that Merlyn boyo has a new advocate... Praire_Scouter's post indicates to me,that P_S has a desire to see BSA roll over on its principles rather than have some back bone...and conviction...P_S, just cause you folks win one in court does not mean you are right(...just left) couldn't resist....that one. It just kills you folks to know that some parts of our society just do not buy your 'go along to get along' means of social change. Instead of just building your own program you want to hy-jack BSAs, failing that; the new game is distroying BSA by administering the 'thousand cuts'! Lucky for us there are bunches of good folk and even more parents who believe enough to stand up to the misguided, the lost and the hacks at ACLU...But keep up the good work!

gosh its good to see some of us still have a sense of humor... I tried to be the first to do the 'blue pill joke' but I couldn't get the post to 'take"...but it is still good! just remember after using the blue pill packing the patch away might be... er... problematic...

GopherJudy, The requirement 2005 book i believe just hit the rack so it sohould be good for a couple of years...DO NOT BUY THE MB books unless you really like giving someone your hard earned money...at least until you check your troop for a LIBRARY and know what merit badge your boy is ready to tackle. Many troops have a rolling library (one that is carried home by the librarian each week. Luckier units have a library shelf at their meeting place. Check first, then when your Scout says MOM, I ASKED Mr._____ for a blue card for "nuclear nose thwanging" and now I need the book...get on line to 'meritbadge.com'. Not only to get a good listing of what your boy needs to do- but also to get the dates of the most recent publications...In the area around my 'neck of the woods' several RETAIL outlets sell basic scouting supplies. Many have many of the MB books...BUT when a requirement change comes down the 'chute', in several instances they have not put out the new books until the old ones are sold out! So make sure you know which publication date you want...don't rely on a sales clerk!

As the saying goes..."I went to a fight last night and a Hockey game broke out"...too much contact not enough sport for BSA...

It was posted recently as an answer to why someone didn't 'fight' on an issue...the answer:(I paraphrase here) "I didn't feel like dying on that hill today" or as those of us less eloquent would say you 'pick your fights'...If it is important enough you will 'act' and we make these decisions almost every hour of every day... And then you have to decide if wrong is truly wrong? Is there harm? Danger? And the one I really like is it any of your darn bussiness? I am not perfect so sometimes I know my decisions may not be right...but even "right" is oft times a matter of perpective and even background or up-bringing. Heck, My friends in a LDS unit have "problems" with lots of things my troop does...but they feel it is none of their business to "instruct" me otherwise... how was this for a wishy washy answer? do I get the prize?

AARRGGHHH! AAARRGGHHH! pop tarts??? good heavens and they say guys are bad! What's wrong with real eggs and real pancakes and real sausage?... over a back pack stove or an LNT fire???? sounds like you guys are being a leeetle laaazzzzy!?! Life should be a hoot not a snore! Challenge and grow... not coast and dose... AIM HIGH AND IMPRESS YOURSELF!

hi ho toe stomping time! Don't have much of a problem with Mom or Dad signing off personally, but we just prefer the boy look else where...Our troop has a list of District M-B Councilors. When a boy says "I want to do 'nuclear nose twanging"... we provide him with a list of who is available outside the troop first. I seems to us that part of the program is interacting with non- familiar adults ('non-familiar'-rather than strange?) Having good ol' Dad or even the neat Assistant scout master incharge of local nose twanging seems to be just short circuiting the process. As a troop we do not do Merit Badge classes in our meetings we have bigger fish to fry getting ready for activities and doing scout stuff.

Why Pancakes? Why premade? Why not real food?

Amen! the book says "ask and ye shall receive"