Herms

As LisaBob just eluded to the BSA National Supply is selling their Switchback convertible pants in a special 2 for 1 sale for the next month. One can order the pants by going to http://scoutstuff.org click on "Uniforms and Insignia" and then click on "Switchback Sale" and then on the picture of the Switchback pants. If you order 1 pair, and at the end of the order process you enter the promo code of "s36822" they will change your order to 2 pair for the same price.

A great high top, light weight boot that "breaths" well are Original Swats. A lot of us got them before we went to Iraq (the "Eleven Pounders" were just to uncomfortable) and they were awesome on not only the sand, but the broken rock areas as well. Highly recommend them. Price - about $65

For Philmont, I will follow the crowd and recommend a good high top boot. Baldy and the Tooth, a must.

A lesson for ALL us Scouts!!

Give your son a high five for me!

Wow, twenty-five years in Scouts and have never heard of that. Always something new to learn. Thanks!!

I would have to disagree with the premise that Webelos cannot participate LIKE a troop at a camporee, however should they compete AGAINST at troop, no.

Instead of just working with them at a Den meeting, what better time to test their knowledge and/or put their new learned skills to use than at a camporee!

My nephew, as a Webelo could out tie or lash any Boy Scout I have ever ran in to. At a winter campout he was Webelo Den was the ONLY group to get a fire started. My oldest boys Webelo Den could also start fires faster than many Patrols.

And they HAVE started to learn SOME of the Boy Scout skills you see at camporees? Compare the following advancement requirements:

Tenderfoot

"1. Present yourself to your leader, properly dressed, before going on an overnight camping trip. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"1. Present yourself to your Webelos den leader, properly dressed, as you would be for an overnight campout. Show the camping gear you will use. Show the right way to pack and carry it."

Tenderfoot

"2. Spend at least one night on a patrol or troop campout. Sleep in a tent you have helped pitch."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"4. With your parent or guardian, camp overnight with a Boy Scout troop. Sleep in a tent that you have helped pitch."

Tenderfoot

"3. On the campout, assist in preparing and cooking one of your patrol's meals. Tell why it is important for each patrol member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"8. With your accompanying adult on a campout or outdoor activity, assist in preparing, cooking, and cleanup for one of your den's meals. Tell why it is important for each den member to share in meal preparation and cleanup, and explain the importance of eating together."

Tenderfoot

"4. a. Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the ends of a rope.

b. Demonstrate you know how to tie the following knots and tell what their uses are: two half hitches and the taut-line

hitch."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"10. Demonstrate how to whip and fuse the ends of a rope.

11. Demonstrate setting up a tent or dining fly using two half hitches and a taut-line hitch. Show ho to tie a square knot and explain how it is used."

Tenderfoot

"5. Explain the rules of safe hiking, both on the highway and cross-country, during the day and at night. Explain what to do if you are lost."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"9. Discuss with your Webelos den leader the things that you need to take on a hike. Go on one 3-mile hike with your Webelos den or a Boy Scout troop."

Second Class

"2. d. Use the tools listed in requirement 2c to prepare tinder, kindling, and fuel for a cooking fire."

***Outdoorsman Activity Badge

"7. Discuss with your Webelos den leader the rules of outdoor fire safety. Using these rules, show how to build a safe fire and put it out."

Tenderfoot

12. a. Demonstrate how to care for someone who is choking.

b. Show first aid for the following:

- Simple cuts and scrapes

- Blisters on the hand and foot

- Minor (thermal/heat) burns or scalds (superficial, or first degree)

- Bites and stings of insects and ticks

- Venomous snakebite

- Nosebleed

- Frostbite and sunburn.

Second Class

"6. a. Show what to do for "hurry" cases of stopped breathing, serious bleeding, and ingested poisoning.

b. Prepare a personal first aid kit to take with you on a hike.

c. Demonstrate first aid for the following:

- Object in the eye

- Bite of a suspected rabid animal

- Puncture wounds from a splinter, nail, and fishhook

- Serious burns (partial thickness, or second degree)

- Heat exhaustion

- Shock

- Heatstroke, dehydration, hypothermia, and hyperventilation

***Readyman Activity Badge

4. Demonstrate the Heimlich maneuver and tell when it is used.

5. Show what to do for these "hurry cases":

- Serious bleeding

- Stopped breathing

- Internal poisoning

- Heart attack

6. Show how to treat shock.

7. Show first aid for the following:

- Cuts and scratches

- Burns and scalds

- Choking

- Blisters on the hand and foot

- Tick bites

- Bites and stings of insects other than ticks

- Poisonous snakebite

- Nosebleed

- Frostbite

- Sunburn

And the parallels go on

Going to Disney World!

It is a national epidemic!

TheScout hit the nail right on the head.

The games are like everything else - they can be fine moderation. I think we are overlooking a greater problem - and the video game "addiction" as you call it is just a symptom of that. It seems to me that our society is loosing what I guess I would call discipline. In these times it seems like parents spoil their children more than ever, kids get whatever they want, and nobody ever tells them no.

Pretty wise for a 21 year old! Obvious Scouting background:0

Parents have to be parents. Limit your children on how much they are allowed to play. Discipline is not an inherited trait. It must be learned. Parents need to establish what is acceptable, in this case how much time video game playing is allowed, so that kids can use this as a guideline to set there own self-discipline. (This message has been edited by Herms)

The problem is some people will take on to much thus over-extending themselves and not doing a good job of either,

BUT,

most of the time there is a shortage of parents willing to step forward thus forcing some of us to do more than one job.

There will be at least one homesick scout at Summer Camp each year:)

Are there any Scout poets out there?

"Gangs leave heartaches,

that are very tough to heal.

Scouting leaves memories,

that no one can steal."

Welcome 66!

You are a great example of how Scouting leaves its mark on us, and memories to last a lifetime.

How about the,

"Spirit of an Eagle" award?

"Living the Scout Oath" award?

"Spirit of the Scout Law" award?

or

"True Spirit of a Scout" award?

A lot of camps here in the Rockies (Camp Cris Dobbins and Camp Frank Rand come to mind) offer adventure programs (usually aimed at older boys - 14 and up). Instead of working on merit badges, they go on a horseback trek, mountain bike runs, backpacking, rock climbing/rapelling etc.

If you are wanting to do something like this for younger boys, save your summer camp money and hit the mountains yourself or put on your own week long camp with a different activity each day. The boys will really enjoy that also.

Taking 7 Webelos to the District Camporee this weekend. Already have the TP, leadership blah, blah lined up. Our District even has them sign up ahead of time!

Wadahoot,

Do you see some re-occuring themes here?!

- Shakedowns!! - Get 30-50 lbs on his back and get some miles on him before coming out here to New Mexico. Get him to do some higher elevations if possible.

- Boots!! - Good boots are a must, and need to be broken in. Additionally, NO COTTON socks or pants/shorts. Temps get up in the 90's and 100's and sweat will make them uncomfortable or even cause blisters.

- Clean!! - If the scouters are clean and follow the rules about food (gotta love "swilling"!!) they will avoid problems with animals.

He will have a great time, see some of the most amazing country in the world and have an expierence of a lifetime.

3rd generation - 1980

Rock the boat. Don't rock the boat baby! Rock the boat. Don't tip the boat over!

PFD, PFD, PFD, PFD, PFDs!!!!!!!!!!!

Seriously,

- Don't attempt a long float trip until you have done several shorts

- Know the expierence level of each participant (stronger in the stern)

- Pack clothes in air tight bags

- Anchor food stuffs

- Know the river/lake you will be on

- Inform people of where and when you are expecting to be

- Watch for sweepers on small rivers and underwater hazards

- Have a patch kit for fiberglass canoes

- Kneel don't sit on the benches (a pad or towel to kneel on while help)

and

PFD, PFD, PFD, PFD, PFDs!!!!!!!!!!!

As most everyone else has said, we stay out of the way. During none activity times we will work with boys on advancement or whittle. At summer camp we have a leader assigned to the different program areas for the day to 1) question why certain boys don't show up and 2) help out the councilors. We usually have a couple leaders hang in camp to help boys with MB's (ooohh those Baskets!!!) or encourage them to CLEAN their tent.

We usually have our own meals as we have found that it is a good way to teach the boys to prepare GOOD meals. After they have just had one of their fast noodle or hotdog dinners and they smell our Green Chili Stew they put a little more effort in to there meals on the next campout.

New Doctor of Commissioner Science

http://www.retentioninscouting.org/commissioners_page

New Pack Trainer Award

http://www.scouting.org/cubscouts/resources/CSLeaderRecAwards.aspx

We have done a tri-pack "Chariot Race" for years. Boys build chariots out of cardboard boxes and pull them with ropes. Great fun and the boys get to compete against some else for a change. They love it!

Why is this such a news story? Because of the hypocrisy of the guy. It is news and interesting to read "Many in the financial industry had long complained that the man known as "Mr. Clean" and the "Sheriff of Wall Street" was abusive and insulting, that he went after them with holier-than-thou zeal, and that he was just trying to make headlines and advance his political career."

While I agree with you John that this is not "horrors" type of news, it is non-the-less news worthy and actually gives a little comic relief for a time.

As a parent, as long as the minimum boy/adult ratio is met, I would DEMAND my boys right to replace an adult on a trek. As a leader I would I would talk to the other adults (they usually have the toughest times on the Philmont trails!!) about stepping aside for the boys.

I'll have to tag on with what Eamonn said, that when you just "give" boys the rank advancement, or for that matter any badge is is just a piece of cloth with colorful thread. There is no sense of accomplishment that accompanies the receipt. Additionally, when we do this in Cub Scouts, and in particular with Webelos, we are setting the boy up for failure in Boy Scouts where they have to demonstrate their knowledge to someone other than their parents. Sounds like this Cubmaster is understandably simpathetic due to his expierences with his Down's son, and will be around for some time. Talk to the other parents and pack leaders about the importance of the boys feeling like they've actually EARNED the award. Otherwise, it is just a piece of cloth with colorful thread.

This is a very bad idea. First, one of the ideas behind the different religious awards is for the PARENTS to spend time with their sons teaching them about their religion. Are all of the boys of the same faith? Second the Den meetings are for the boys to get together to work on the SCOUTING PROGRAM! The religious awards are not part of the Scouting program, but are simply recognized by BSA. To answer your question YES step up.

...Until you cut you a slice, not pour you a cup. Other considerations: how long it took you to get the boys to sleep the night before, or how sore you are from the previous days hike!