anarchist

Kahuna, Peace and gentle tides.... But gosh, it is hard when one cranes ones neck to "see" a car wreck and then is upset by what one sees... but drop in any time...you are welcome....(avoid issues and politics though) Anarchist

Eamonn, Don't beat yourself up. If Kahuna feels it is not worth the time it is a personal choice...we all step on toes (some of us more than others)and in return get our own toes tread upon...that's life. In the gaseous realms of "Issues and Politics", (an area I generally avoid -unless I am feeling frisky), everyone should not only understand but expect some "pepper on their eggs". As a moderator of a political discussion it is important to ride this beast with a very light hand -and not be a censor. After all, we are all pretending to be adults here (whether we are or not)...there is a

hello fellow scouter from the Commonwealth.... what was the point of the post? General Info? Warning? Plague is alive and well...in the U.S. (HAs been for-nearly-ever). There are usually a few cases (10-50?) in the south west U.S. each year (either bubonic, septicemic, or pneumonic). Usually associated with bites from "infected" fleas. Also worry about Hanatavirus (sp?) also spread by rodents (usually vector is breathed dust containing dropping particles)... Campers get "it" from being in close contact with camping cabins, platforms and "hard shelters" frequented or home

Funscout, Guess we are a bit different...we use the sign up and payment($$) for our tour permit information and trek numbers. We collect permission slips (copies are on the troop web site) at the rally site (place we gather and leave from...boys/parents bring 'em then or do not go (trek leader aways has a few extra for the "usual susspects"). A 'word' about using year long permission slips...we stopped doing it 'bout nine years ago..why? -insurance carriers can change...parental control (divorce) can make it void ...(and my favorite!)...older scout showed up for a trip (and went) but

bbng Would love to see your picture...first comment-statistically speaking (without seeing the snake) -it's most likely some darker 'color phase' of a perfectly "harmless" (i.e. non poisonous)snake...(just more non poisonous snakes than poisonous)likely culprits have been already named but two of my favorite "mis-Identified" snakes are the Northern Brown water snake...(not always brown...has bpatterns and can be near black)particularly since it was near a pond, and the hog nose snake...in fact more poor brown water snakes have probably been killed as mis-identified "poisonous" snakes than

BelieveinScouts, first if you haven't already do so... try to get Webelos leader outdoor training...if you're lucky, it will be some of the best BSA training you will ever get...virutally all of it is 100% usable! Run through the webelos program helps...the activity pins can be almost always worked into outdoor (fun) activities...so do not rush to (either) go whole hog or toss them to the side...use them in outdoor settings to have fun and earn a pin...steady work will always be rewarded. PLAN, PLAN, and then Plan some more...you want them to be successful and have fun and that

Whoa kittle, whats wrong with just encouraging and watching?...Let them "teach temselves". First, have a short talk with the SM about the situation with his/her support - then shift it to the SPL (two older scouts?)....let them know that "business... or breakfast as usual" expands no boys horizon...have them start with easy meals...you can make suggestions or better still have them make a list (see below) of what they want...besides hot dogs (which is one of the three basic food groups along with Pizza and candy) Pick up a bunch of outdoor cookbooks for them to 'read" and start pract

Kittle, Is this a NSP or a 'blended' patrol? Where is his SPL????? They should be reviewing and approving newer scout's menus and encouraging the guides (?you have a guide?) to teach these guys... Failing that an ASM should be offering gentle suggestions like...NO Cereal, no hamburgers, No Hot dogs....! Sandwiches can be a good thing particularly to avoid burning day-light when there are program elements that need being done (translation: If the boys need to be learning or doing scout stuff on a schedule a long lunch {or breakfast for that matter} can blow the schedule) The we

Kittle, so many chickens so little time D.O. Fried Chicken D.O. Baked Chicken D.O. BBQ Chicken Whole chicken on a rope over a real fire with an aluminum foil cover. smoked chicken (usually requires a drive in camp and dads $30.00 wet smoker. Grilled chicken...need at least a bed of coals and an old grill or old fridge shelf...or a real grill. Chicken pieces with rice or noodles on and on and on...take your pick! ( and have lots of sanitizer and a bit of bleach or lysol for the work areas!)

Kittle, so many chickens so little time D.O. Fried Chicken D.O. Baked Chicken D.O. BBQ Chicken Whole chicken on a rope over a real fire with an aluminum foil cover. smoked chicken (usually requires a drive in camp and dads $30.00 wet smoker. Grilled chicken...need at least a bed of coals and an old grill or old fridge shelf...or a real grill. Chicken pieces with rice or noodles on and on and on...take your pick! ( and have lots of sanitizer and a bit of bleach or lysol for the work areas!)

Gosh, Darn and dang! wouldn't making a "fowl" mouth scout actually apologize in front of the troop be hazing? As with all un-pleasant behaviors...as scouters our "job" is to try to find a technique that works within our diverse groups..."one size" never fits all.... (but gosh, if it were possible... a "slap" upside the head would be really enlightening for some of these boys {and Adults}...from a politically incorrect point of view, of course...;>) Anarchist

Gifts...a scout is thrifty...not to mention the packs and troops (mostly) don't have extra cash on hand... We (speaking units here) limit gifts to LONG TERM troop/pack leaders. Cubmasters who are going on into Boy Scouting have been known to be really jazzed when presented with a BSA Red wool jac/shirt...(yeah, rediculously overpriced but for these kinda folks...) We encourage the DEN PARENTS to do something (mug, engraved "wall hanger", framed Rockwell print,gift cert. at local outdoors store, etc.)...for long term Den Leaders. Committee folks (long term) usually get a certificate

Ah, OGE...and there is the "rub"...hence the survey...'cause not all camps deliver! Anarchist

Beav, I've worked with this troop for over ten years (through four scoutmasters). I am a lowly committee member (cross trained for SM/ASM and committee member)and the QM mentor and equipment guy. Last two SMs said they'd quit if they lost me...nice to be loved...(but I am not the most "political guy in the world...would you believe it?) We all believe in boy led but understand that an occaisional whisper in the ear is a necessary intrusion...from time to time. After all how can they learn if we do not teach???? Planning for four or five events of our calendar(sort of 'instituti

As a reminder dear friends, when going on the water... 1. study the weather 2. check with local outfitters as to rivers "rise rates" (USGS has charts on the internet you can look at to 'see' how the river historically behaves after or during a storm). 3. Have a plan to get off the river and wait it out... 4. PFDs always and training... to 'leave' your boat, hold an up-river gunnel (if it is safe) and float down feet first. 5.Avoid strainers-always. 6.Train to do rescues. have throw lines, ropes, pulleys, 'biners, and a minimum of 150 ft of rescue rope. Saws, knives, Medic/a

Beavah, Troop swings between 58-65 scouts each year depending on the size of group aging out vs numbers of New Scouts. Varies between five and seven patrols. Planning is not that difficult, we have the SPL do a formal written membership "program survey" in July on the bus trip home from summer camp to find out what the boys are looking forward too in the comming year. The PLC meets and does a rough plan in August and the SPL has several meetings with the SM to firm up the plan and merge the plan with the school calendar and known district events. In Late August the plan is pres

SMT99, Assumptions: 1.Since it sounds like it is "sign off time"...his 'PoR tenure' is done.(?) 2. Scout was told expectations (or better given copy) for his PoR. 3. Scout was counseled several times as to his "short-comings" during his tenure...and warned. If so... the next sound you hear is a flush.....for this one...doesn't mean he can't try another PoR...just does not get credit this time... Talk with your CO/COR and give them a "blow by blow". If appropriate, send the scout a written review and outcome, even invite him to "stand" for a new POR (election or appoin

Short answer to lisabobs question on offering different stuff for the NSPs... You simply have to offer them different things if you have a well rounded program. After all, you have to keep them busy and engaged while the older boys white water canoe, rock climb, or go caving...(all of which have skill and or age requirements)...Just as important if you "tone" down the program so the young scouts can do everything the older boys do...before long the older boys are bored...then gone! So make sure that the PLC plans a varied and valuable program that allows for different interests and

campcrafter and others, long post (forgive me or just go to the next thread) Several thoughts here and I hope I don't hy-jack the thread... The 'not old enough', 'not mature enough', 'not ready for winter camping'...generally boils down to not prepared. Heck, even a new girl scout can survive a camp in the winter with the right preparation. First, assuming the troops involved JUST HAVE TO HAVE your Webelos in February (something I highly doubt...and bet with some work you could push that back next year to March early April), in the future much more work needs to be done at both e

Paintball, PAINTBALL? PAINT-BALL! good gosh...I know there is an ethical problem or an unethical decision somewhere in here....let me keep reading.....LOL power to the scouts! (and I HATE paintball!) Anarchist

Hi All, Most of this early/not ready seems to me to depend on the Webelos (and cub scout) experience/preparation that has gone on before crossover. We recruit from three packs...one pack camps three or four times annually and encourages boys to do webelos sumer camp. One pack camps once a year "or so" the third hardly ever camps...most of their Webelos have never camped before when they come to boys scouts... We visist these packs, have skill training weekends for their webelos dens and have a side by side troop/webelos dens campout in the fall of the Webelos final cub year (webelosI

briantshore, Talk with the remaining Pack leaders if they want you (and they're probably nutz if they don't) and it is what you want to do GO FOR IT! Example...My 19 year old (the Eagle) had a wonderful Den Leader...this guy lead "his" boys to AOL with most of the Den getting all activity pens...he is great with younger boys...he gave them extra weekends for extra work, and allowed them as much time as they needed to get tasks done...If they needed another weekend of his time to finish a project...he had their parents bring them to his workshop (garage) and the project got done! Whe

jmenand, a truth: BSA is not a democracy...even at the council level Its a franchise business... Fear...of speaking up???...perhaps is just recognition of the futility of speaking out and understanding that the franchise can be "pulled" if you are 'counter-productive". Basic rule of life;...if you play in someone elses house you play by the house rules...as a player you have no "standing" to ask for the rules to be changed...don't like the rules- don't play ...it's that easy...find another "game" If you want to change the "house rules" you have to be a member of the ho

WAY TO GO OJ! see, sometimes they do "get it". As others have said on many Eagle project postings...the project is not a troop project it is a leadership project...I am way more impressed (and I tend to be a worker bee at most of our Eagle projects) when the workers span the whole community rather than the troop and the scouts family... I recall a two weekend project a couple of years ago were we figured over 10 different "organizations" were repesented...The lads troop, soccer team, library vols, church group, Lion, Ruritans, etc...it really shows the Scouts understanding of 'gettin

moxieman, FYI - H.A. (High Adventure- older scouts doing cool stuff) YiS anarchist