kahits

My troop is in New Mexico, and the boys are wanting to consider an out of council camp, for next summer. Because we are blessed with cooler (high mountain) summer weather at our local camp, I think the weather is a consideration for them. I have heard some good things about camps in Colorado, but would appreciate some insight for the camps that are in Colorado. I realize this is too wide open of a question, but we would be going for the ususal summer program, primarily to work on MB's and have fun. Thanks,

Very interesting discussion... We have a situation with our single patrol troop of mostly 13 to 15 year old boys. We have 2 packs that will potentially bring many crossover scouts to our troop, but not for a while. There is one Webelos II's in each of these packs, and I am trying to devise a method to reach out to them to invite them to do things with the troop. Being a single WebelosII in a pack can't be that fun for them, and I am sure they would appreciate the opportunity. Part of our challenge is that we have some HS freshmen who joined the troop in the spring and are still new to the

Thanks, Jambo... You have responded a few times to this thread, and I apologize for not responding to your good, experienced advice, before. The suggestions you offered previous to this last post of yours were good, but not what my committee would support, nor our church, which is now just providing us a space without any type of sponsorship responsibility. I wish that were different, but it is the reality that I have come to understand when I accepted the responsibility to help keep the troop going. I guess that is the reason I didn't respond before. This last post is much more co

Thanks for that simple advice. We have a core group of 5-6 scouts, of which 2 are new and in need of training. They are both HS Freshmen, so they are old enough to step up, but are a tad confused on how much fun should really happen and when to get serious. We, also, have a large, potential, group of boys coming our way from 2 different packs, but that won't happen if we can't get the older boys to leave the standup at home and push themselves to get serious. NYLT can't come fast enough, next summer, but they have some ranks to earn in the meantime. The higher ranking, more experienced boys (m

I think this is a great topic of discussion. Being relatively new to my son's troop, I realized they had run out of the custom, triangle neckerchiefs they had been using, and the last handful of scouts to join the troop were not issued any. As a part of my taking over the SM position, I proposed the committee look into going back to a square neckerchief, after getting the okay from my DE. Having found Chief Neckerchiefs via the internet, I asked them what the largest, square neckerchief they could make. After months of discussion, we went with a 33" (51" diagonal) square neckerchief, with

Thanks, CP... I see this as a more long term committment, but have my son and daughter's troop and crew to work with as well. I'm stepping down as Crew advisor this month, but the troop is going to be key in making any kind of contribution to the chapter. I'm very encouraged by these opportunities, and of course keeping it all in proper perspective with the boys making it happen. I'll definitely be posting questions from time to time, in this part of the forum. Thanks, again.

Thank you for that great response, CP. I have been talking with my DE, who is Comanche, about all of this and what you just said supports what he has been telling me from the very beginning. He really needs to just make a seperate outfit that he can use for ceremonies and dancing. Of course my wife, who is Omaha, doesn't want him wearing any of his outfit for OA, so maybe this is what needs to happen. Our chapter is Cheyenne, so there are many similarities that would lend him to using just about anything he choses to. I have been asked to attend OA NCLS later this month in Bloomington,

Having finally figured out what exactly it was that was whispered in my ear at the Spring conclave, I'm becoming more familiar with OA. My son and I did complete our Ordeal's in May, and he has some questions (or I should say we both have questions)? Since he already has dance regalia (we are Sioux, and he dances Northern traditional) that he uses on a regular basis, it may not be appropriate to assume this would be a viable part of any dancing he did thru his chapter. He is interested in creating his own ceremonial outfit/regalia, but has a question there as well. I know there is a prohib

Thanks, Emb... my comment on his knotzies is that it seemed ironic that he would say something has to be taken off, when he has the uniform with no room for the world scouting emblem. I have a picture of Roy Williams with just two awards on his uniform, which I found inspiring from my observation. It's up to each individual, but his comment just struck me as ringing hollow. That is all I meant by that comment.

I just got back from taking the troop to our local council camp, last week. Since my son and myself went thru ordeal a month earlier, we brought our sashes. They did plan to have a crackerbarrel for OA members on Wednesday night. Earlier in the week I was trying to encourage our camp SPL (he is a HS Junior/Life scout, but no longer camps with the troop, but does attend meetings when he can) to get his brotherhood. By Tuesday, he was ready to do it, and managed to get the required signatures, including mine. Wednesday came and at the campfire that night he stepped up for Induction, along w

I have 2 years left on my National Camp School certificate. I was told by a scouter that when that certificate expires, I will have to remove that patch from my uniform. One of our ASM's still wears his from when he was a youth, and ran a Scout camp with the NCS training. It's ironic, because the guy who told me this has about 15 knots on his uniform, some of which go back probably 15-20 years in his scouter career. He looks silly with all that on his uniform, but he obviously likes having it when he choses to wear that particular uniform. I thought I would ask here.

I see there is already a discussion on shortening these pants, but my problem is the opposite. I am more a 36" inseam (I'm a 2XL waist in these pants), and fit the regular, green cotton uniform pants, because they came unfinished and were long enough for me with a minimal finished seam. Obvioiusly, finding material to match these will be the challenge, so I thought I would ask here.

Well, in our council, actually, there are no events made for the crews to come together for. Crews can volunteer, as individuals, to work at the council camp, but other then that, the crews are pretty much on their own. Since many in the crew were already going to be at camporee, due to their connection to a troop (myself included) or OA, I suggested they, all,consider going. There have been crews at Klondike in the past, although not very competitive ones. This was more a chance for them to get more camping in and spend some time together. What I found striking was hearing the shreeks of

In the meantime, I will encourage them to adopt the COD program, in lieu of no means to recognize and challenge the youth and adults for future commitment and service to the crew and scouting. The only members of the crew who had a problem with it when I originally mentioned it were male members who were OA members. They have long become inactive in the crew, and it is primarily my daughter and quite a few girls who continue to drive this crew. The prediction of it becoming an all girl crew may come to pass, but for now I think they deserve something of their own and none of the other crews

Thank you, OGE... that last line is the part that is the reason I asked. My daughter, the current Crew president, will probably never be eligible for membership into OA, and it's for that reason I asked the question. She has been a loyal supporter of scouting, having worked day camp for her brother for 3 of the 5 years he was in CS, and even though she is now in a BSA program, she still finds things she can't be a part of, even though her female advisor took a brief district committee position long enough (less then a year) so she could be nominated for OA, and now is no longer active, but s

Yes or no, and does it matter and why? I saw one Venturing uniform at Conclave this past weekend, and that is what made me wonder. Thanks,

Thanks, after I posted this question, I ended up getting the scoup from an OA scouter friend. The bivy sac will work, and SG has some decent, inexpensive ones. They will come in handy for those leaky canvas tents at summer camp, as well. Thanks for the advice and concern, but it was more a gear question then any concern for his well being. He is looking forward to this.

I appreciate that statment, Emb021... just as all weekend campouts should be 2 nights, and this one of all of them should be as well. I talked with a friend who went thru with her son, last year, about it and she said that it was annoying that many of the new members left after dinner on Saturday. You should be so tired, you don't even want to get behind the wheel until after that 2nd night of sleep. Sunday morning should be a time to reflect having gone thru this process, and perhaps having a little ownership of the place after that 2nd nights, but under canvas this time. I am going thru

I just found out the new OA candidates can go to this months OA meeting, tonight, so that should answer these questions. I agree this needs to be an adventure for the candidates, and know it will be memorable. Thanks for the comments... GernBlansten, I remember making a tube tent like that when I went hitchhiking in the UK. I ended up only needing it the first night when I took the train from London to Cambridge (forget hitchhiking out of London). It was a very special night for me, back then, and this will be no different for him. Thanks.

My son was tapped out for OA 2 weekends ago, and I have heard people talking about sleeping in bivy sacs. What is the most economical way to do this, without perhaps purchasing something you might not use again, unless it's for when you make vigil? I remember using a tube tent when I was hitchhiking around Europe. The camp is close to 8,000 feet in elevation, and we do seem to be getting more weather then we usually do for this time of the year. I guess I should ask what is allowed? Conclave is in 3 Saturday's.

Very well put, again, ajmako. It's not about the particular skill, but how it can be accomplished doing something larger, and more fun, that get's it all done. I was told of a place that is perfect for the 5 mile hike, that involves some old ruins that are no longer shown on the USGS maps (the scouter who told me about it has an older map that does show them). The hike in and out completes the requirement, but for the boys it's all about finding the ruin, and visually examing it, without disturbing the site. I will challenge them to come up with activities they want to do, that meets some

ajmako, That last paragraph of your response pretty much describes what was happening in this troop, since I have been a member with my son for some 15 months now. We officially dismantled what was left of the patrols at the last meeting, and the boys came up with the new troop patrol name (chupacabras) and will hold patrol elections tonight. I appreciate all of the responses to this difficult but necessary change to the current troop structure. I want to get this in the hands of the boys as soon as I possibly can. We have 2 new, but older scouts (1 joined in January and the other

Having gone thru the 5 years with my son starting as Tiger den leader and stayed with it, I took a break the first year of Webelos to be CM, and did both the last year. The unit commissioner I had for the Bear year suggested that the only award that should mean anything is the one someone else nominates you for. I know that's old school, but I never filled out any form for CS awards, before or after that. Then when I went with my son to the troop, I ended up receiving the DAM. I figured that was for all the good things I was still going to do, because I didn't think I deserved it, not with

I have been struggling with this since crossing over with my son, and 2 other boys, 15 months ago. I am now SM, with a limited group of boys. The troop makeup is as follows: 10 Scouts: 1 close to Eagle and age out 1 16-year old Eagle SPL (who has become inactive since completing his Eagle rank) 1* 16-year old, ASPL, close to Eagle 1* 16-year old, close to Eagle 2* 14 year old active scouts (1st class & scout rank, his friend who just joined) 2* 11-12 year old (Tenderfoot & 1st class) 2* new crossover scouts. We basically have 7-8 scouts who can be expected

1 SM (me) 3 ASMs 5 Committee Members - one Treasurer, one Chair, one Advancement Coordinator, a Secretary, and one additional member who is transitioning out of the troop. 10 Scouts: 1 16-year old Eagle (who has become inactive since completing his Eagle rank) 1 close to Eagle and age out 1 16-year old SPL, close to Eagle 1 16-year old, close to Eagle 4 12-14 years old very active Scouts 2 new crossovers This is a good reality check with all these larger troops, with more adult leaders. Both of the ASM's are part time, with only one going on campouts, but not very