kenk

By the way, I have noticed the same thing at family campgrounds. Many sites seem to run smoldering fires all day. At the last campground the air was filled with smoke. I wondered what the EPA's stance on campground pollution was. Not that I'm being grumpy - mostly that it is unnecessary pollution and a waste of wood. I LOVE campfires - at night.

During our Cub Scout Pack's overnighter, which was also attended by one of our local Boy Scout Troops, I couldn't help but notice that the patrols essentially kept a fire going all day long. Most of the time it was smoking more than burning - to the point that the smoke became irritating while the Scouts gave presentations to the Cubs. My memory of Scouting was to light a fire at night, mostly for story-telling and fun - all our cooking was over charcoal. Except for winter camping, I don't recall lighting a fire during the day. What do your troops do?

Mike, I'm wondering what your thoughts are? Most Scout leaders will probably follow the BSA rules - any boy who has earned the Whittling Chip card may carry a knife, so long as allowed by other entities (school, parks, etc...). My own experience with our Bear den has a tremendous breadth of common sense and responsibility, though they are maturing quickly. Some boys could easily be trusted to carry a knife and use it responsibly, but other boys could be dangerous to themselves and others. That is why I'm leaving it up to the parents to make the decision. They know their boys be

I just finished up the year as a Den Leader for Bear Cub Scouts. Here are my thoughts. First, for most boys of Cub Scout or Webelos age knives should be controlled by parents and "checked out" to the boy for use. I would strongly suggest that parents closely monitor use of the knife when it is checked out. I would suggest that boys get plenty of practice whittling on several pieces of ivory soap with a good heavy butter knife just to get a feel for controlling a blade. They will almost certainly cut themselves when using real knives, but you might as well put that off as long as poss

A happy story with a sad ending . . . I was about 13 years old and on my way to the National Jamboree in Oregon with a bus full of fellow scouts. The bus broke down outside of a small town - Libby, Montana. The troop's leadership apparently contacted a church in the town who responded by taking the boys into their homes for the night. Three other boys and I spent the night with a delightfull family. They feed us eggs and fresh trout for breakfast. They took us on a tour of their town's plywood factory in the afternoon. The bus was ready to go on the second morning, and off we went to Ore

I just got a new dutch oven and am currently in the midst of seasoning it on my gas grill. After reading a bunch of related web sites, I still have two questions: #1 - I read that uneven heating can be dangerous to cast iron - maybe even leading to warping or cracking. Can I use my 12" deep Lodge D.O. like a pot on top of a gas stove without damaging it? #2 - I'ver read that some people use the D.O. lid upside down as a griddle. I like the idea of one D.O. serving so many needs, but I'm struggling to picture how to do that. It seems that it would tip easily. Maybe I need to create a

My rule has always been, when in an official BSA uniform (shirt at a minimum - many Cubs choose NOT to wear neckerchiefs - mostly because the darn slides keep coming off), you salute. When not in uniform - even if a pack/troop standard t-shirt - you place hand over heart. Both are appropriate signs of respect for the flag. Ken

My point exactly. Assuming the patrol box includes: >>a fixed-blade kitchen knife and a can opener, AND >>a scout's latrine kit includes a fingernail clipper (great for cutting fishing line too)... ... a Scout really doesn't need anything but a simple moderate-sized folding knife - though I can appreciate the benefit of a locking-blade knife.

S.E., That was my point. After writting my post, I checked scoutstuff.org and found the rollup "Chef's Tool Kit" that indeed includes two fixed blade knives. The "slicing knife" looks to have about a 7 or 8 inch blade. I think the key point here is that the Scouts are not carrying that large fixed blade knife around on their person, but it is available in the cook kit when needed. That meets Scoutings recommendation for boys not to carry large and/or fixed blade knives, but also makes a large knife, often completely appropriate for food preparation, available in the correct sett

This morning I talked with one of the leaders of the troop that my Webelos are most likely to join (based upon history), and indeed that troop does not allow Scouts to carry matches or lighters. He said they were strick about it. He specifically mentioned the boys' potential discovery that fire and aerosol insect repellents do wild things together. He said that they do provide the long-type of lighter for lighting stoves/fires, but those are in the patrol gear. From my searches on the internet, I think forbidding matches/lighters is more common out there than the replies on this foru

Question: do patrol cook kits tend to include kitchen-like fixed blade knives? When I was a Scout, we used a roll-up kitchen utensil kit that include, in addition to a spoon, fork, spatula, and peeler, a large wood handled kitchen (chef) knife and a smaller paring knife. Is that still the case? If yes, I'd be happy to say that "the proper tool for the job" is still alive & well in Scouting; If no, why not?? Ken

Understand that it has been a long time since I was in Boy Scouts (20+ years), but while surfing for on-line camp packing lists from the many fine troops that are out there, I kind of surprized to find that matches and lighters were one of the items that was forbidden - like firearms and sheath knives - and that matches/lighters will only be provided by adults as needed. I found a lot of troops referring to the ten essentials, but then they must assume a few of those are left home. My how times have changed. While I understand and have experienced myself the mischief that Scouts can

I have a Webelos den that will very soon start to have some overnight campouts. They all have their own tents, and between us parents we have most all of the equipment needed. I want to bring some kind of dining shelter. I have an inexpensive screen tent, but I don't think it will survive several weekends with nine boys. I'm thinking of getting some kind of dining fly, so I've been researching them. I'm willing to spend some of my money on it, since I can use it for my own family's camping too. In a related thread earlier this year, EagleInKY mentioned that patrols were moving

Sorry for the shift in this thread, but I just purchased a DO (Lodge - $35 from Amazon.com) and I've got to ask this: Do you tend to cook directly in the seasoned "pot"? or do you tend to insert a raised round cake pan and then cook inside that cake pan?? I've heard discussions at my roundtable that people would have to be nuts to cook directly on the cast iron. That it make for a tough cleanup. But it sounds like many (most?) others cook directly on the seasoned cast iron. Also, do many of you use cast iron fry pans (obviously only when car camping)? It seems a big cast iron f

This thread got me thinking about a particular knife I once saw, but I can't recall who made it. I think it was called a "camp knife". It was a longer blade fixed knife, but it had a rounded tip, much like that of a bread knife. I'm pretty sure the tip wasn't sharp. The idea was that as a general purpose food preparation knife, it would do better scooping out and spreading stuff such as peanut butter, mayonaise, butter, etc... Does anyone remember that knife or know if it, or similar, is still around?

My council leaders have made it very clear that fixed blade knives are to welcome at Scouting activiites and anyone who uses them are, well, misguided. For hiking and general outdoor use, a folding knife does just fine, and is easier to carry than a fixed blade knife. BUT when it comes to food preparation, I still much prefer a medium sized fixed blade knife with a clip point blade (rather than a spear point) and a non-porous handle. I hate trying to clean meat juices, peanut butter, or even veggie guts from the knooks and crannies of my folding knife!! The blade must be just

I'm certainly not trolling for hard-edged complaints about Boy Scout policy here, but a lot of people I talk to are obviously confused about the Boy Scouts of America's position on religion/faith/reverence. Can anyone point me to a web site that describes that postion in some detail? During training from my council, it was specified that BSA is not limited to Christians or those who beleive in God. They said that the desire is to have Scouts have faith in some higher being or power. I just want to have the story straight when discussing it with people. Thanks!

I e-mailed Mr. Bradle in Iraq and asked if there was anything my Pack could do to help Iraq Scouting - such as raising money or sending gear. He replied very quickly saying that they are working to raise some $4 million for rebuilding a 15 acre camp/scout HQ along the Tigris River. Of course, I'll contact my council to get the OK before raising any money, but what a great cause this would be. In Mr. Bradle's case - and lots of other fine men and women in Iraq and other areas - they are truely living up to the Scout Law. Helpful, Brave ...

I purchased mine from http://www.omahas.com . It was my first purchase from them and I wouldn't hestitate to do it again.

Since I actually bought three spools of different colors (red, black, and olive drab), I might try to color-code the lengths: 100', 50', and 25'. I originally bought the red thinking it might work well for tent cording - less likely to trip over red cord?? Thanks for all your inputs, Ken

Pad - watch campmor.com for some great deals on Therm-a-Rest pads with slight imperfections. I might also recommend you purchase a matching stuff bag and repair kit. If you want an small LED handheld light, campmor currently has a great deal on the tiny Princton Tec single LED lights for 1/4 of the regular cost. I've got to ask, is your rain suit Gortex or just coated nylon?

The plan is to bring along several lengths for miscellanious uses - clothes lines, storm lines on tents, tie downs in canoes/boats, lashings for pioneering type stuff, etc... I don't have any real specific use in mind. Just figuring having some lengths of rope in the camping gear would prove helpful. Just being prepared.

I just bought a 300' role of parachute cord and I'm trying to figure out what lengths are most useful/practical for miscellanious uses. I remember we had lengths of it back when I was a kid, but just can't recall how long they were. I've read some troop sites mention 50' lengths, but I fear that length would get tangled easily. I'm thinking maybe 25' or 30' lengths??

As a suspender wearer AND a Cub Scout leader, I wanted to point out that I wear BLUE suspenders that match the blue ribbons on the epilets (sp?). When (if?) I move on to Boy Scouts with my son, then my plan is to switch to the RED suspenders, again, to match the epliets, though I have wondered if wearing DARK GREEN suspenders would be less distracting from the uniform. The problem there is I have yet to find green suspenders. Blue, tan, maroon, black, and red seem to be the most commonly available colors. I did hear my council's training coordinator complain about the number of scout

Last night, at our New Cub Rally, our coucil exec told us that starting in the fall Tiger Cubs will be wearing blue uniforms rather than the orange t-shirts. Has anyone else heard that? Are there any descriptions on-line? Is there a new Tiger Cub Handbook? Is there anything else new for for Cub Scouts next year?