insanescouter

I suggest you listen to this podcast http://www.ptcmedia.net/2007/10/14/the-leaders-campfire-34/ Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Welcome to the forums - pull up an e-log and enjoy the e-campfire... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

I don't know if its legal what I normally did when I was a den leader ... was let the Troop we worked with put on the course (with supervision of course) ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Happy New Years To All!!! Holds up mug of apple cider in toast to all who guide Scouts around the world. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Here are some things I have seen done in the past... 1) traditional crackers and cheese with meat slices 2) pizza 3) potluck 3a) I have also seen cracker barrels almost be come complete dinner meals this way too 4) trail mix 5) popcorn 6) at NYLT we did bug juice and cookies one night 7) chips pretty much any hand snack food will work great ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Here is Nevada, same thing on if with the garbage on garbage night at the curb its fair game ... I have had cops drive by see what I was up to smile, wave, and keep on driving... I think my best hauls were a perfectly good treadmill, a reasonably good couch, mess load of good folding chairs, and a table top (had the legs needed the top) .... dumpster / trash diving is great way to stock a house when on a fixed budget... as a kid I once picked up a large addition to my HO Train stuff ... around $125-$150 dollars worth of train gear (cars, locomotive, track, buildings, board, etc) for like $15 - of course at that time that was like 2 or 3 weeks allowance ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Thanks for sharing, I actually did not know anything about Boxing day... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Its amazing what one can find if you just open your eyes. I managed to drastically improve a place I was living with just stuff I found trash diving ... Good thing Scouting taught us to be Thrifty and to recycle ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

that is a great story - thanks for sharing - even if its a tad long ... "I am just a Boy Scout" Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

I say you should put adventures with your son first .. and yes I am a district trainier ... there is always another chance to go to philmont ... my dad gets the invitations every year and has only gone once - also normally all you have to do is drop a hint to your DE and they will ensure you get the invitation ... hoping my wacky 2 cents is helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

Welcome to the digital campfire - pull up a log and have a chat ... oh and please ignore the so so entertainment they are young but doing their best ... 33 years - wow you have me beat by a few years I am up to 25 years now ... I am single with no kids - yup go figure ... hoping my wacky 2 cents is helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

Good point ... the OA lodge here has published a "where to camp" booklet which they sale at the Scout store ... also do a google search for places in your area ... another good way to find hidden treasures is to contact the blm, forest service, blm, etc offices in your area often they will tell u about good places ... hoping my wacky 2 cents is helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

My suggestion is contact those running the event and see if there is a way you may be able to help them ... Just my wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

Sounds like an awesome trip and lots of fun ... any chance you will be able to share a few unidentifiable pictures? Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

attempts to send her a virtual high 5 Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

Hello Mapper - welcome to the e-campfire.... Interesting I started cubs as a Tiger Cub in Bakersfield. Sadly that was many many years ago and I really do not remember places we went. If you would like I could as my dad - he has a good memory for that kind of thing. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

The Troop I was in as a youth also sold trees. I really enjoyed and often worked way beyond my scheduled hours. I was wondering with the recent news about people stealing trees Scouts are trying to sell, if any of you have come up with effective security? Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Jez... how low can people get ... at least in some cases it also brings out a lot of support and generosity from those it may not have otherwise... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

We use several sets of soft guidelines ... 1) ranks such as First Class for PL and most troop positions but ASPL. SPL is Star ... however this can be (and has been) waved on a case by cases bases 2) how active the Scout is 3) the mental, emotional, and even in some cases physical abilities of the scout ... oh and we cant forget the example they set such as wearing uniform, scout spirit, etc 4) the Scouts personality plays a big role too ... not all Scouts are great leaders some will make the worlds best librarian but the worst SPL As I said these are just things taken into account and are taking on a Scout by Scout and the position they are going for .. Anyway hope my wacky 2 cents of was of help... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Shakes head ... what scum bag ... at least it still proves the American community cares enough to pitch in when the shadows take advantage of the goodness ... Does anyone know how to get in contact with someone from this Troop? Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time....

Congratulations !!! The Troop I made Eagle in (a Troop on a Air Force Base) was 75 years old then ... I hope you have the great historical records we did such as photo albums, documentation, ribbons, special unit awards, etc. Salutes Troop 3915 Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

I thinks that is just a bit to true ... scary true .... suggests that all send it on to their chosen political and commercial contacts ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Here are my idea ... - Blind tent pitching - 1 match fire using only items supplied - Fire with only flint and steel and items supplied (we live in a dry desert so what they can find is limited) - first aid challenge where they find some one made up to look like they fell down a ditch .. they have to properly evaluate the scene, treat the victim, and transport victim to a certain location - cat eye compass course ... hold this at night they have to follow a set of coordinates (or find the next point when they get to each spot) ... its called cat eye because you hang up a reflector that looks like 2 red cat eyes looking at you when hit with a flashlight ... - throw in a dutch over cooking challenge - have some kind of team challenge such as monster ... "A witch has cast a spell upon your group, to break the spell you have to move your group from here to that line over there. However the whole group most be connected and only half the hands and half the feet of the group may touch the ground." (the easiest answer is well barrow with either thumbs or elbows locked together) for more team games look at http://www.insanescouter.org/t276/files/g-team.html - hold some kind of treasure hunt, maybe using GPS's to find the "treasure" - have them make sundials I am sure I can dream up lots more items, if you would like ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

IMHO this what a bor is .... It is a way to gage the standing of the troop and how well the youth leaders are doing in teach the skills and requirements. We have had it happen before where we find 6 or more scouts come to a BOR and none of the can correctly answer a specific skill question or tie say a knot - and we notice all 6 scouts had that requirement signed of by the same person ... do we fail the scout - no - do we ensure they are retaught - yes ... do we go back to the person who signed it off for 6 scouts who don-t know and ask why they don't know - yes ... However lets say a Scout comes to the BOR and we ask a handful of questions like what did you cook or how useful camp gadget did you make or can you tie me a tautline and we find they do not know many of the requirements not just a fail we will fail them - well there is a chance... however we look past that we look at their attitude, what they do to live Scouting ideals in their daily life, with older scouts what their future goals are, how they are doing in school, etc as part of that decision ... We have even had parents come up to the SM and say "you know my son has been fighting with his brother, and not doing his chores.... I was wondering if you could let the board know" ... and yes the board is notified and it is factor into passing or not ... or even in some cases by the SM to if the scout spirit is signed off... in our Troop the Scout Spirit is signed off at the SM conference .... just the way we do it ... Anyways hope my wacky ramblings were useful to someone ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

I have a bit of a personal problem with dues, mostly because of bad past experiences and internal wars over why should I have to pay dues if they don't... and keeping tracked of it all and enforcing rules like if you don't pay dues you cant go on the camp out .. etc ... depends on the unit to how all this works. also depends where you are from, your city, your location ... some areas are lower income then others - this also effects how well dues works ... in theory I like dues but at Scout level in practice to many bad experience keep me away from it ... however at cub level I am all for it ... CalicoPenn - your break down on what dues and fund raisers are used for is interesting and a new way of looking at it. I am glad it is working for you As I often say on here - it all comes down to what works for your unit... what works for one may not work for another ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...