insanescouter

Actually I missed the point to Hills - sorry ... of course I will just blame the hour since I posted that at 1:30 am... lol ... Banquet attendance ideas... - have a slide show of lodge and maybe chapter level events - have some fun activities such as - demo of drum team - dance team showing what they do - Native American crafts - have the food have a native American theme - make it youth ran where the lodge chief and one he picks MC's it - have the lodge youth plan it out - invite the families of the Arrowmen - Have some kind of awards ceremony even if just thank you certificates we all have binder full of Anyways hope this new list is more helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

I have not been active in the OA for a while, but I am a brotherhood. (me holds hand out for slapping for not being active) Here is what I would say would help... - Hold regular meetings - Make it fun - Allow the elected youth Chief, etc do their job - Help staff special events like camp-o-ree's and scout shows - Do things to show off like create a dance or drum team and compete against other lodges and Indian nations - Get all together to put together a great camp promotion program - Get everyone to toss in their favorite places to camp and explorer and create a book to give away / sell Scratches chin... thats all I have for now ... I have never done anything at Lodge level, only Chapter so take what is useful toss rest into cyber space garbage dump Hope my wacky 2 cents was useful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

Here is how I take the email... 1) the from address is scoutingfriends@netbsa.org ... netbsa is the internal email all paid BSA professionals use (as far as i know) 2) at the bottom of the email it says "Links in this e-mail direct the user to URLs at Kintera,com, a technology partner of National Council, BSA. No personal information is provided to any entity outside the BSA. E-mail address used was provided at registration or re-registration." 3) on the Kintera Inc website first thing i see is "Kintera Sphere software as a service technology platform and social CRM (Constituent Relationship Management) system enables organizations to quickly and easily reach more people, raise more money and run more efficiently." All of this leads me to believe that is with approval of BSA or sent by BSA. Kintera does more then just fundriasing, they also do email marketing, donor relationships, website creation - just to name a few. To me it sounds like BSA uses a program or service from Kintera to send out their mass (sort of spammish) emails ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

Yes we keep Scout data in a computer program, along with attendance, and advancement data. This does take a small team to keep maintained, but works well for us. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

A few things I have heard, but do not know if any of these items work... 1) it is possible to wear them with out the legs (ie. as shorts) and you may be tempted to wash just the part worn... the problem is then the two parts (legs and shorts) will fade at different rates and will have slightly different color 2) they may hold up better if washed on a gentle cycle and inside out 3) sew up / patch any problems at the first sign or it will get worse quickly Anyways hope my ideas are of any kind of help ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

I would wonder if they were part of the Boy Scout Band ... for more info about the band look at these links... http://www.westtexasscoutinghistory.net/other_bands.html http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/FindingAids/dynaweb/calher/jvac/figures/j15HG-96A.jpg http://sunsite.berkeley.edu/FindingAids/dynaweb/calher/jvac/figures/j15HG-97A.jpg http://www.old-picture.com/united-states-history-1900s---1930s/pictures/Scout-Band.jpg http://springfield.news-leader.com/columnists/billings/1117-BoyScoutBa-217876.html

As far as advancement reports go... I have found both what Troopmaster (which we use) and the online system a pain to use for the adv reports... we still do them by hand as well... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

For Scout level I suggest you check out http://scoutdata.com. It looks like a nice package. I know the guy who is creating it and he is working hard to add in Cub Scout tracking now, along with other cool features to come. I recommend you listen to his interview on "The Leaders Campfire" podcast at http://www.leaderscampfire.com/archives/53 If you have any questions feel free to ask. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

Welcome to the e-campfire ... throw a log on the fire and pull up your camp chair .... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one click at a time....

Oh great now I want a dutch oven lunch ... it is a lot of fun to cook dutch and allows for many creative ideas to come out ... when ever I can I cook dutch, even at home ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

The last time I checked Guide to safe Scouting Sheath knives are allowed at Boy Scout level... however I do not know 1 Troop that admits this to the Scouts ...the rule we have in our Troop is it has to be under 4 inches and fold ... there are exceptions for say mountain man costumes and that kind of thing on a case by case basis ... Anyways just my wacky 2 cents ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time

Interesting... we just split all the funds raised 50 / 50 ... not after a certain amount is reached ... nor do we charge dues all funds come either from fund raisers or the families... Anyways just my wacky 2 cents ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

As a NYLT staff member my 3rd year this coming summer ... I recommend you send as may young leaders and you are allowed to. You should strive to get as many of them through NYLT as you do to get adults through Wood Badge ... I understand the cost can be an issue and many camperships for summer camp will also pay for NYLT... One year the Troop I am with sent 6 scouts another year only 4 ... I say send as many of the PLC members as you can ... Anyways just my wacky 2 cents ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

welcome to the e-campfire... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

This is overkill but I have seen it done in the past and kind of wonder what all your thoughts are too ... this applies to Webelos only ... I have seen and when I was a Webelos den leader on a campout with a Troop have the Webelos go through the Totin' Chip course .. this is more then they need as their card is for knife only and the way we teach Totin' Chip in out troop its for any sharp objects (regardless if a knife, rock, stick, glass, etc)... One decent thing I have heard about for teaching younger cubs to use is knife is by carving a bar of soap... Anyway just my 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

Passes on my sympathies to all and wish there was more I could do ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

Wow, sounds like a great idea and a challenging but rewarding project ... If there are any ways that InsaneScouter or myself may be of help, please feel free to contact me ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time ...

I highly recommend all Webelos dens to attend adventures with area Troops. I usually suggest you work mainly with one, but once in a while do something with another troop so that the Scouts can have choice to pick from ... not every troop is best for every scout or scout family ... Also when I was a Webelos den leader I generally took my den on an adventure with the Troop I also worked with once a every 3 - 4 months ... this could be a campout or a day trip... When the time came over 80% of the den went into one Troop and I happen to know a few of them are almost Eagle now ... Sorry hope it doesn't sound like I am overly bragging ... Hope my wacky 2 cents is helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time ...

This is the training that those running day camp, summer camp, etc have to attend to be camp master or program director ... at least the last time I heard thats who attends ... the course is ran by Regional not the Councils... Hope my wacky 2 cents is helpful... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time ...

Youth 1982 - 1993 Adult 1993 - Present Total 25 years Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time ...

I agree as a general rule that propane is better for Scout and most Scouting adventures ... My point is know the strong and week points of the equipment and/or fuel and use what best meets your needs and situation as well as knowledge/skill level... Sorry for stealing the thread for this debate ... me offers a scout handshake to GernBlansten Back on topic the stoves I have taken apart and tried to refurbished I have found usually just need a good cleaning and new gaskets and then they work fine ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

your 50 year old stove is not in proper working condition so of course no duh it is dangerous that is true with a car an ax a tv anything ... if you use good equipment in proper working condition ... the fuel will be only one small element of its safety ... the way it is used (meaning used the way it is designed) would be a more important issue ... it is like a thread a while back about which is safer an ax or a hand ax ... the correct answer is neither and both ... it is in the training and usage of it not the tool itself ... all things being equal .. this does not mean a small webelos should be using a full size ax that was not the question .. the question is which tool is safer (tool not user) ... I am not debating that propane is better or worse the white gas or which is easier to use ... there is no question propane is easier to use and is a cleaner fuel ... the point is that doesn't matter if you know how to use and properly use white gas then they are both equally safe for the normal outdoors adventurous ... there are advantages and disadvantages of both as well and you should know what these are if you do anything more then tent camp. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

I used to be a Bobwhite, and a Good Old Critter too, But now I've finished BobwhiteING and I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feeble, and I can Bobwhite no more! So I'm going to work my ticket if I can! Back to Gilwell, Happy Land, I'm going to work my ticket if I can! Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

Welcome aboard the Scouting express ... hope you are ready for a a lot of helpful chatter Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...

In the past I have seen kits of parts to fix / referbuish old stoves sold in large camp gear stores. I do not know if these still exist. I know from personal experience that white gas stoves have their place and can save your neck. On a backpacking trip as a Scout ... our butane gas cans froze, one of our leaders had to warm (boil) them on his white gas stove before we could use them. About a month later the Troop bough as I recall 6 Peak I backpacking stoves (white gas) and we used them for years. For the adventurous things we did they proved to work better for us. And yes, even then there were strict BSA policy on their usage and adults being only one allowed to fill them. Propane freezes at a much warmer temp then white gas. It is also heavier for the same number of hours of fuel. This does not mean propane is not a good fuel. I use both. It is a matter of what you are doing, the climate you are in and what your needs are. Like anything a stove is as safe as your knowledge in how to use... Remember what the California Conservation Corps teaches "Safety First - safety always!". Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org Helping leaders one resource at a time...