kenk

Questions to those whose troop is camping backpacking style (not intending to hijack this thread): How do you handle dish/pot washing? Do you use three pots and use chlorine to sterilize? Do you sterilize with boiling water - as they do at Philmont?

I wonder how many troops are providing lists of bearings & distances and have the Scouts just walk the course? The requirement calls for use of a map & compass. How does a map come in to play using a list of bearings & distances? If folks googled "orienteering" they'd find out that it is a popular sport that involves handing the participant a map on which a series of "control points" have been marked. The participant must find the control points IN ORDER (1, 2, 3, ...) using the map and a compass. Map reading skills tend to be more important than the use of the compass since

It is a silly item on an annual medical form. Its better suited to a permission slip. Actually, it might be nice for a permission slip to allow the parent to specify who should NOT drive their children.

I don't use flashlights anymore. My advice is to spend the money on a decent LED headlamp that will last many years. I prefer those that use the AAA batteries that mount inside the main head of the headlamp. Excellent models include Princeton Tech EOS (~$35) and Petzel Tikka XP ($55). My own preferece is the EOS. They pack small. The EOS has a perfect mix between flood and beam. You can hang them, hold them in your hand, and ... get this! ... if you put it on your head it automatically points in the direction you're looking. Cool technology, eh? Perfect for setting up tents or cookin

I haven't posted in quite a while, but have some definite recommendations. I'm 52 and 6'5" tall. Tent camping has gone from something I loved to something I have to deal with the enjoy the day. My suggestion is to look at a simply designed 5-person or 6-person tent that has a 6' tall center. Though I have to lean my head a bit, it is very easy to stand to put on pants and get dressed. These are typically with a floor dimension something like a 8'x10' (5-person) or 10'x10' (6-person). The simplest design is one that has just two poles that from opposite corners and my preference is on

The claw on a hammer works very well, and can be used for other stuff too.

Skeptic, Clearly you are referring to my posts, and I'll take that as a personal attack on my own ability to interpret and act on advancement requirements and national policies. I've spent too many years devoting too much time to Scouts and Scouting - as Den Leader, Cubmaster, Assistant Scoutmaster, and Advancement Coordinator - to put up with that kind of crap. I thought that this forum was a place to ask questions and discuss opinions. If those on this forum feel that my comments and questions are silly, immature, or an indication of some lack of ability to make a decision, then t

"My policy is if the Scout has begun work on the next rank before 1/1/10 as determined by a signed off a dated requirement for that rank then he works under the old rules for that rank only. The new rules apply to the next rank. " Eagle732, That is the assumption I'm working under too. That is what I'm telling our troop we need to do.(This message has been edited by kenk)

I agree that he should have a uniform for each troop. Might I suggest rigging up some kind of Velcro system for his troop numerals? - like they use in the Army. Why is he an active member of two troops?

I also just sent this to the same council advancement person: there is also a debate about the new Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Scoutmaster conference requirements that Scouts discuss four examples of how they lived up to the points of the Scout Law. Here are the requirements as written in the new Boy Scout Handbook: TF 13: "Discuss four specific examples of how you have lived the points of the Scout Law in your daily life." SC 11: "Discuss four specific examples (different from those used for Tenderfoot requirement 13) of how you lived the points of the Scout

I just send this request for clarification from the national office to my council advancement person: While I'm sure you are aware that a series of changes in advancement requirements are effective as of January 1, 2010, you may or may not be aware that there is a fair amount of confusion and debate regarding how they are to be implemented. The details of the implementation are given on at the bottom of page 443 in the new Boy Scout Handbook: "The rank requirements in this book are official as of January 1, 2010." - simple enough "If a Scout has started work toward a rank b

Is it comfortable for your son? If not, he won't wear it. The other thing to remember is that your son will grow all too quick in the next few years. Buy good gear, but watch the price. Compare the cost at local stores with prices for store-brand gear from sellers like Campmor, Cabelas, Lands End, ... (consider shipping costs too).

Thanks OS! I just found this site: http://www.e-scoutcraft.com/activities/philmont_way.pdf It answered many of my questions too. Ken

Last night I was looking at Troop 679's photos of a their 2008 Philmont trek. http://www.overthehills.com/Travel/Philmont-Scout-Ranch-Cimarron (I'm not associated with that troop, nor do I know them) First, though I'm an avid photographer, I am sooo impressed by Bruce's (one of the adult leaders) ongoing attention to take enough photos to tell the story of their trip and for adding caption to every pic. I felt like I was there. When I'm out with the troop (ASM) I often find I get caught up in the moment and forget to take pictures, but wish I had taken them. Second, while

Last September my wonderful son and his best friend had their ECOHs. We asked them what THEY wanted to do. They weren't sure since they too were the first Eagles in their young troop (started in '03), so the Scoutmaster - who is an Eagle - briefed them on what he'd seen and heard about. They decided that they wanted their ECOHs together. They also decided they wanted them tacked on to the regular COH - their choice. We did the regular COH first, had dinner, and then did the ECOHs. The troop is small, so we didn't have much money to spend. We held it in the church gym, the troop