insanescouter

Only one loop whole coming to mind at moment (12:30 midnight) ... A Troop can invite a Webelos Den to go camping with them, correct? Why couldn't they "invite" the Webelos to tag along with them to the Camporee... I will ask my dad about this, he has more experience in this kind of thing - maybe we can find you an answer ... Scott Robertson InsaneScouter.org

The way we do it where I am is to combine a Weboree and a Camporee, thus the activities are appropriate for the age groups. This seems to work verily well, and does help improve Troop / Pack relationships and bridging Webelos in to a Troop. Scott Robertson http://InsaneScouter.org

I know this question comes up a lot, but it has been a while since I pay attention to Scout websites. I was wondering if anyone had a cool Scout based website (any level, units, district, council, events, etc) that I could look at? Also I would like to let everyone know that http://InsaneScouter.org is back up and running thanks to several personal friends, as well as the help of ClassB.com and ScoutData.com. Please feel free to give me ideas on how to improve the site (features to add or make it look better). With the help of a friend I am not rebuilding the site from the ground up. As part of this rebuilding I would like to have a new design, but to be honest I am bad at design, so any help you can offer will be appreciated.

First, I want everyone to know in the next week or so InsaneScouter will be down because the server power pack needs to be replaced (its still working but don't know for how long). The down time should be very short, less then an hour depending what else needs to be done, like updating the operating server and if any other problems are discovered. Many of you may also notice we have a new home page, which I am still not happy with, please feel free to offer feedback. We are in the process of brining a development server online so that we can make all the needed updates and additions to the site, without interfering with the live site. That way they don't go live till perfected. The development server is ready to go online, minus a hard drive. We would also like to start raising funds to fully upgrade the motherboard, cpu and memory of both servers in the coming months. The power packs were bought with the revenue generated from the ads on the site. We could really use your help. If you would like to donate hardware contact us and we will try and make arrangements to cover shipping fees. If preferable, we can accept cash donations through paypal (sales@insanescouter.org), for other options please contact us. Please note, the servers belong to InsaneScouter but are ran from the data farm where I work. I manage all the servers and workstations for the small company. However, that company is having some economic problems and can't help more then it already has. On a positive note, the January newsletter is complete and ready to send, (yeah I know its February) and I will have the February newsletter ready in a week or two. We plan to send both newsletters at the same time, hopefully in the middle of February. I appreciate you taking the time to fully read and understand our situation and thank you for any support you may be able to offer.

Hi All, Sorry for sort of spamming the list ... I would like to take a quick moment to let you all know that I am actively working InsaneScouter, first time in roughly two years. I am working with a lawyer who will hopefully help me form InsaneScouter into some kind of non-profit charity or foundation as well as find operating funds. As time allows there will be design changes to the site mostly relating to content & layout. If you would like to know more of what is up please feel free to email me, as I do not want to waste anyones time rambling on... Also if you would like to help I could use help with the following specific tasks: - Newsletter refer below - Website - help update the layout and content - will involve html work - There are other ways you could help including business related tasks and LAMP Coding (Linux Apache MySQL PHP) I am working hard and praying equally hard that I will be able to bring back the InsaneScouter newsletter starting in Jan 2007 ... I have developed a list of themes and working on trying to find content for each theme ... mostly I am looking for the following: crafts, games, skits, songs, stories, recipes, scout / outdoor / youth related skills, leadership, ceremonies, etc ... I am also looking to add a new monthly column called for lack of better terms "Scouting In Action" which I am looking for a special positive true story about what a unit or an individual has done... You will notice I am no longer following Boy's Life themes this was for two reasons: 1) I wanted to go with one general theme rather then a different one for each level and 2) InsaneScouter is moving toward being more international based and since most countries are co-ed and don't have an advancement program like we do it just made more sense this way ... Jan - A new year - a new beginning Feb - Scout Cafe March - Land of make believe April - Dream Island May - Summer Time Fun June - A time to remember the past July - Splish Splash Taking a swim Aug - Fitness Extravanasiva Sept - Spooks, Tricks & Treats Oct - A time for thanks Nov - Winter Wonderland & A time for giving Dec - Poles Apart Please feel free to email me off list or to post a reply ... thanks a million no make that a trillion ... Scott Robertson scott@insanescouter.org InsaneScouter.org

Hi All, Actually I will make this two questions... 1) are you, your units, your scouts, etc planning to chat on scoutlink.net during JOTI? 2) If you are planning to chat, would you like to chat with a mischievous wacky scouter from Las Vegas, please let me know so I can watch out for you ... I should be on most of the weekend .... For those of you who don't know JOTI runs from October 20th midnight (your local time) to October 22 midnight (your local time) .... additional info at joti.org and soon be available at joti.scoutlink.net ... and yes BSA does recognize JOTI now ...

I wanted to let everyone know that things are finally moving forward with www.InsaneScouter.org again .... the first newsletter in over a year will come out in July. If you would like to see past issues or subscribe to recive future issues please go to http://insanescouter.com/t276/newsletter/. This newsletter is also where updates about the site will be announced every month. InsaneScouter would also like to hear about any great Scouting related newsletter and content out there. If you would like to tell us about one or even your please feel free to email webmaster@insanescouter.org. InsaneScouter www.insanescouter.org

Hi All, As many of you know I am the founder and webmaster of InsaneScouter.org but my time isn't quit what it use to be. Thus I have decided to form the InsaneScouter Web Team. My greatest need right now is for help specifically with LAMP (Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP) projects. However I could use help with proof reading, getting our 300 member newsletter going out monthly again, updating content (this is mostly html), raising funds, business help in forming InsaneScouter into a non-profit, etc. If interested please contact me for more information. I am looking forward to hearing from you. Please note I am cross posting this message, and encourage you to do the same. InsaneScouter webmaster@insanescouter.org "Helping youth one click at a time"

Hello All, Just wanted to take a quick moment to let everyone know that JOTI (Jamboree On The Internet) is coming up October 14-16 starting at midnight your local time. JOTI is a way for every Scout, Leader and Parent to chat with others Scouts from around the world. One of the funnest and safest places to participate in JOTI is Scoutlink. Scoutlink has been preparing for close to 8 months for this event including having plenty of ops to ensure the chat remains clean and appropriate. To learn how to connect check out http://scoutlink.net. If you have any questions feel free to send an email to joti@scoutlink.net. InsaneScouter

Hello All, Yeap more news about InsaneScouter ... either today or Sunday parts of InsaneScouter will be going offline for an unknown number of days ... this is part of the move from my cable modem to the data center with the company I work for and their 2 T1's .... I will make another post when I know when it will be back up ... thank you for your understanding ... Scott Robertson InsaneScouter

PayPal Username ... sales@insanescouter.org

Hello All, I know this is kind of long sorry... Please also note this has been cross posted on Scout-L and other newsgroups and bulletin boards. 1. I am being hired Chief of Technology for a local technology company. As part of the deal, I am allowed to run the InsaneScouter servers in their data center (after all I am setting it up and running it). However, I need some hardware for InsaneScouter to make this happen. Specifically I need two - three reasonable (1ghz or faster) desktop computers (which I will turn into Linux servers), three - four 80 gb plus hard drives, 16 port switch, and some other misc hardware. I really don't want to ask the list for this kind of help but I don't know where else to turn. I have been doing a fair amount of research and believe I can purchase what is needed for about $1,500 dollars. However if anyone on the list has any computer parts they are willing to donate, or know of any outstanding deals that would help a lot. Although, as a last resort, if you can not help in any other way, I will accept monetary donations http://insanescouter.org/t276/helpus/donate.html .... We also need to raise roughly $500 dollars to pay fees associated with becoming a legal non-profit. 2. Once we move to the company data center, and get the above equipment, the InsaneScouter FTP service (a way to download over 8gb of Scouting stuff) will be made totally FREE (http://ftp.insanescouter.org) 3. InsaneScouter is considering starting a computer recycling program, through which donated computer parts or systems will be made into working computers that we will sell cheaply (less then $150 each is my goal) to Scouters and various low income individuals. InsaneScouter will use any money raised from the sell of these computers to help improve InsaneScouter and to farther our aims. Additionally, we are considering to provide each volunteer who helps for a certain number of hours a free computer. 4. I am hoping by October, if not sooner the InsaneScouter newsletter will start being published again. If any one wants to help write it please let me know. 5. I have a group of people interested in starting the IS Web Team (InsaneScouter Web Team). I see this as a web team made up of volunteers from around the world, working to improve and enhance InsaneScouter, but also will work on other projects, and several open source projects. Web Team members will not be assigned or told what to do, they will access a special online to-do-list, from which they decided when and what they want to do. All completed code of the web team will be under the GPL and any profits will be used to help improve InsaneScouter and to farther our aims. Please feel free to contact me off list if you have any questions, concerns, comments, etc... Thank You! Scott Robertson InsaneScouter Owner

This topic hits me with 2 of my favorite topics... I have 2 degrees in computers but I have also have 4 years of Scoutcraft background at our local Scout camp including 2 years as the Area Director. I highly believe that much needs to be done to keep the "outdoors" and the associated skills taught in Scouting ... but I also fully believe that much can be done electronically to make Scouting more efficiant for the leaders but also to help teach the Scouts. I am jumping the gun mentioned both these idea as they are things I have been working on for years amd cant seem to find a way to make them work ...but will use them as examples now anyway ... 1. I would like to see a rope be invented that you can plug into say the USB port of your computer and with some kind of software that will not only teach you how to tie knots but can tell if you tied it corectly... maybe even eventually it could lead into lashing and whipping rope, etc 2. Those of us at InsaneScouter are trying to find a way to develop a cd series ... where each cd is devoted to a merit badge ... each cd will take advantage of multi-meida, animation, charts, text, etc to teach a specfic subject ... kind of like a merit badge phamlet that is digital ... the problems are equipment, actors, people who know how to plan, write, and record such a project ... but also the costant requirment changes too ... In both cases these are meant as tools to help Scouts not to replace campouts, physical instruction from a local expert, or the onsite hands on approach ...

You post alot of interesting question, many I doubt if there are solid answers for ... however one of my upcoming projects at InsaneScouter.org is forming the ISWebTeam, which will basically be an open source team to help implment such things that are possible and useful ... My personal view on this is Scouting does need to take more advantage of technology .. for example ScoutLink.net a place to chat with Scouters and Scouts from around the world and also a great place to go 3rd weekend in October for Jamboree on the Internet (JOTI).

Great question.... A few ideas I know of include: 1. Start a rope where each new Scout adds a small piece of rope to form a ever growing larger rope ... each Scouts rope is added with the Sq. Knot also known as the joing knot... 2. Give the Scoutmaster a hiking staff drill 2 holes in it to hang strings from ... each Scout adds a bead to the stick .... 3. Ive heard of units that make big wooden display things where each Scout has a name placq and hangs it under the apprioriate rank I hope this gives you some ideas.... InsaneScouter www.insanescouter.org

Hello All, It is with great sadness that I am telling you this, we at InsaneScouter have decided to temporarily discontinue the InsaneScouter Newsletter. However, we may send a simpler smaller newsletter with links to similar content. Nothing else at InsaneScouter is being shut down, however you may notice many changes coming. All of this is happening because 2004 was an extremely hard year on InsaneScouter forcing us to consolidate and make do with what we have. We have already started to recode the website to improve load times and make it easier to use. We are also working hard on a volunteer area so that, it will be easy to become a volunteer and even easier for you to decide how you want to help, and then do it. We are, additionally, in the process of becoming a 501©(3) non-profit incorporation. This will mean, for example, donations to us will be tax deductible. It also means we need your help with literally hundreds of projects including PHP development, restarting this newsletter, updating the InsaneScouter website, creation of new content, business and financial advice, cash donations, and much more. No matter what your background is, we can use your help! Please check out the how you can help pages, located on the right side of our home page http://www.insanescouter.org or by sending us an email to helpus@insanescouter.org letting us know you want to help! Although extremely late, the November and December 2004 newsletters have been completed and are available on our website, if you desire to look at them go to: Nov. http://insanescouter.org/t276/newsletter/1104.htm Dec. http://insanescouter.org/t276/newsletter/1204.htm Thank you for being a loyal reader of this newsletter and of InsaneScouter! InsaneScouter PS. Please pass this message on to anyone who may be interested.

My suggestion to you is assume anything you put online some one will get a hold of and use in a way you disapprove of. Thus a Pack Website should be viewbale to the world and have normal content like pictures, a calendar, a email to contact an adult, etc. No Unit web site should ever contain senstive data like Scouts full names, unit roster, phone numbers, etc. Hope this helps. InsaneScouter www.insanescouter.org webmaster@insanescouter.org

Eamonn, You bring up many good points. Some that others brought up in Newsgroups and ScoutL, among other places that I have posted this, and some no one has brought up. For example how can Patrol method be better supported by a summer camp staff? How can directors better prepare and select staff to better teach merit badges? And how can a camp put on a better program for all? Who knows where all of this is going, but I will do what I can to make camp a better place for all Scouts and Scouters. InsaneScouter www.insanescouter.org

(Note I am posting these questions several places) I just returned from summer camp with my Troop. We went to an out of Council Camp. However the local Council has asked me to assist them with their local camp for 2005 (marketing, program ideas, changes to be made, etc). It is from these two point of view that I am sending this email. The more specifics and details you provide the better your answers will help me. Even real examples will be useful. 1. What thing(s) stand out most in your mind about summer camp? The things that impressed you the most, or the least. 2. If you could change anything about the summer camp you went to. what would it be? 3. What would you like to see summer camps do that they currently are not doing? 4. In your experience are the merit badges to easy to earn at summer camp? For example Wilderness Survival in 30 mins, Leatherwork in leass then an hour (plus making project in camp), most of nature in less a hour, etc. 5. Would you like to see the mess hall, and food services done in a different way? 6. Does the camp use a website effectively, if so how, and what is its address (www.mycamp.com)? 7. How do you fund summer camp? The parents pay the fees? Fundraisiers? Does the Troop pay for the adults? 8. Did the staff appear to be on the lazy side, immature, unwilling to work with your Scouts, or were they great? 9. Can you provide me with details from a Camp / Program Director point of view? (examples Camp Budget, meal planning, donations, what happens months before cam starts, hiring staff, facility maintenance, etc) 10. Any other info that may help... I would really like BSA guidelines in regards to summer camps including accreditation requirements and details. Thank you for taking the time to answer as many of my questions as you can. This data will help me put together a proposal for my council. I will also be willing to share the answers to these questions. Happy and Wacky Scouting Scott Robertson Webmaster www.insanescouter.org www.webelos.org

The Webmaster for BSA has contacted me, and would like to share the results of this survey with him. I am still interested in having more surveys taken. If you do not want to post answers here feel free to email me at scott@insanescouter.org. Thanks InsaneScouter

Hello All, Just a note to let you know the May issue of the InsaneScouter newsletter is available for your reading pleasure at http://insanescouter.com/t276/newsletter/0504.htm InsaneScouter proudly announces its long awaited FTP service. After many problems it is now fully operational and online with nearly 8 gigabytes of resources for you to download. Some of the resources available included PowWow Books, Graphics, Clip Art, Digital Patch Collection, Multi-Media, Demo Scouting Software and the InsaneScouter Sample CD. For more information go to http://ftp.insanescouter.org. Wacky Scouting InsaneScouter

I have a few questions for the Council Webmasters out there.... District and Unit webmaster I am interested in your responses too... 1) Do you maintain your council website by yourself or as part of a web team? 2) If part of a web team, how is the team organize and how does it meet? 3) What have you found to be the favorite sections of your Council web site from the average users point of view? 4) Are there are any thing you wish you had at hand, to make things easier on you or to make a better council website site? 5) does your council have guidelines for Districts our Units, besides what National provides? Does it provide hosting to Districts? Please forgive me for the cross post between ScoutL, Scouter.com and the rec.scouting.usa newgroup. Thank you in advance for all your responses. Wacky Scouting InsaneScouter http://insanescouter.org

I am having problems becuase of my Noton Firewall ... to my knowledge this is the only site I am having this problem with. If anyone knows what I may have set to tight, etc I would appreciate any thoughts you have. Thanks. InsaneScouter http://insanescouter.org

With over 20 years of adventures that one is hard to answer... but i will try to keep the list short... memories in no special order... -- Philmont -- Making Eagle -- Making Arrow of Light -- Receiving that 1st hug as a thank you from a Scout -- To many campouts to list -- OA and especially making Brotherhood while on Campstaff -- The friends I have made I guess thats enough... just so many to choice from.... InsaneScouter http://insanescouter.com Webmaster

I thought I would let everyone know that the July version of the InsaneScouter newsletter is available online at http://insanescouter.com/t276/newsletter/0703.htm.'>http://insanescouter.com/t276/newsletter/0703.htm. Also I have finally got the subscribe, unsubscribe working again. You can subscribe and unsubscribe in two ways: 1. go to http://s2.insanescouter.org/php/misc/NewsletterManager.php and use the online form 2a. To subscribe to this newsletter send an email to majordomo@s2.insanescouter.org the body of the email being "subscribe isnewsletter" 2b. To un-subscribe to this newsletter send an email to majordomo@s2.insanescouter.org the body of the email being "unsubscribe isnewsletter" InsaneScouter http://insanescouter.com Webmaster webmaster@insanescouter.org PS. This has been posted in several newsgroups and the Scout-L list