Hillis

I understand that Philmont is not just a weekend trip, and that is why I wanted input on boots. I finally settled on a nice pair of boots I found at Sports Authority on sale at half off. That's definently the way to do it--just keep looking around until you find a pair on sale that fit. Also today, with my new boots, I went out into the woods and hiked with a fully loaded pack 5 or so miles up and down a few hundred feet of elevation (up, then around, then down, then around, then up, then down, and I was done). I worked on breaking in my boots and conditioning, and there will be more of that t

My lodge (from Texas) originally was $800 because we were taking a train up there, but then we realized the train was too expensive so we are now paying $650 for transportation, really cool patches, regrestration, a shirt, etc.

I am retired from the Youth leadership positions (SPL, ASPL, etc) of my troop and I have passed the torch off to others. What are so good ways for me to stick around the troop and do something productive. I'm a very active member of my Lodge's OA group, but I still want to be able to help at a troop level. Do JASMs have an age requirement? What other roles could I play in the troop besides JASM. For the last year I was a Troop Guide, a position in my troop normally given to retired leadership. I'd like to move on to something else. Any suggestions? --Hillis

Big News Everyone! I just received an email from Tom Heck's TeachMeTeamwork Site, and apparently, his incredible website for teamwork and teamwork excersizes has opened up and is now FREE to register as a member. You used to have to pay a fee for access, but I'm happy to see that he has now made membership free so that groups like the boyscouts have a good place to go. I highly recommend checking out the site at www.teachmeteamwork.com, as mentioned earlier in the thread. Tom Heck diserves a big thanks from the scouting community on this one! Hillis

Thanks for all the great replies. A few more questions: Do you think waterproofed boots are worth it at Philmont? What are some good specific brands/names of new $50-$120 boots? What retailers are best? And where can I find good liners/ What liner brands are best? I understand that boots and socks are very person-specific, but if anyone can give names for high-quality products that work, regardless of style, please post them. Thanks for all the great responses on this issue. --Hillis

The reasons I have steered clear of boots thus far is threefold: 1. They seem to be too heavy and bulky, plus if you want regular shoes also, theres extra wieght to carry 2. They are expensive (though thrift stores are a good solution) 3. They are time consuming to put on, take off, and adjust Also, this might just be experience with a bad pair, but I think they are uncomfertable and blistering.

I'm going to Philmont this summer. Do you really need hiking boots? I've done many weekend backpacking trips and never used boots because they seem unecessary. But Philmont is such a long trip, I was wondering what everyone thought.

Several members of my Lodge and friends from all walks of Boy Scouts have convinced me to take up patch collecting. There was a silent auction at the last OA Banquet, so I bought several patches. You gotta start somewhere. I have a Black Warrior Council Patch, a Hiawatha Council Patch, a Rio Grande Council Patch, a Cherokee Area Council Tennesse Georgia Patch, and three NOAC 1998 patches (one is a Staff patch). I have no idea where to go from here. How do I find out what each patch is worth? How do I find good deals for trades? do people ever trade CSPs for Lodge Flaps? I have CSPs, but I woul

After receiving an email about this topic, I would like to note that Amateur Radio is not the little walkie talkies that anyone can buy. Amatuer radio is a hobby that requires a licensce. Many Boy Scouts and people from around the US and world participate in Amateur (aka Ham) Radio. Is this common (or even heard-of) at Philmont or other high adventure treks?

Is anyone aware of people operating Amateur (Ham) Radio on high adventure trips, especially Philmont? It seems like a great place to operate with people from around the US. Is this at all a common practice? Also, is UHF/VHF or HF operated more? Thanks, Jonathan Hillis KE5GQL

SueM...which COPE excirsises specifically do you think would work with younger (11 and 12 year-old) kids? Somethings done in COPE are a little too risky or advanced for these kids.

At 13 years-old last year, I became an Eagle Scout. At the time I had a mohawk. Getting a mohawk is something I do every year (from age 3 until present). It started out, when I was young, as an exploration. Now, as I've gotten older, it's turned into more of a way for me to show people that they shouldnt judge a book by the cover. I sport my mohawk yearly from January to May and often get questions, concerns, and quite a suprising number of mean glares from passer-bys. I feel that kids should be judged on the decesions they make and the things they do--not how they dress, or what music they li

This post applies directly to me because: I am an Eagle awaiting his board I am Scott KIlts, in the Scottish community, are often added to formal wear. My uncle wears his kilt with a tuxedo top to all formal events, and this is widely accepted. If the kid wants to wear a kilt with a Boy Scout Uniform top, by all means let him! Let's be atleast a little bit culturally tolerant. The "Official" Boy Scout uniform is not necessary for a COH. I think that this can be a great learning experience for all present at the COH. I commend this scout for representing his heritage.

Thanks! Any other teamwork and leadership training websites or sources out there?

I agree! I'm a junior leader of our troop and I help run the training with my scoutmaster. We've started calling it the "Leave it to Beaver" video.

I am a youth leader in our troop, and we've had some odd names. I encourage the usage of whatever name the kids want, as long as it is rated PG. If the name is something the kids like, they are much more motivated to have good yells, work as a team, and have a better patrol. Our troop has seen the Rabid Dust Bunnies, the Worms, the Millionaires Against Hunger, the Flying Hamburgers, and the Chris Blanc patrol (Chris used to be in our troop and is now a 6 foot muscular 18 year old who is our OA Lodge Chief, District NYLT leader, etc.)

acco40, I agree, the SPL and ASPL are not really a patrol, but how do you believe they should go about cooking and eating. Do they eat with the adults? Do they cook for themselves? Do they eat other patrols' leftovers?

Thanks for all the help! I'm sorry, but I have more question. What is the Eagle Award Ribbon and where is it worn?

I'm an Eagle Scout that has just recieved his first palm. How do I wear it? I understand the combinations of plams you wear depending on what palms you have, but I dont know WHERE to wear the palm. Several online sources have told me that the Eagle Palms are supposed to be worn right smack dab in the middle of the Eagle patch. This seems crazy to me. Is this really how palms are worn??

Hello, I am an Eagle Scout in Austin, Texas, and I have retired from the ASPL/SPL positions, and I am now trying to shape the future of the troop by being our troop's first really intense and dedicated troop guide. I would like suggestions on how to get the new eleven year-olds that are just joining our troop involved in a specialized teamwork and leadership type experience. I invision taking the group out for the weekend (with several adults) to my ranch, where I want to put them through exercises that will strengthen their patrol bonds. Any suggestions on good exercises or ideas f

Does the patch you want come from NASA Houston or the other one?

I'm from Tonkawa 99, Capitol Area Council (Austin area). I believe thats SR-2.