artjrk

I would recognize them along with any parents for their support of the scouts at B&G. But that is about it. The program is for the boys and they should be the focus.

During the year, having a "siblings" race at Pinewood is good too. But that is about it.

Did anyone else notice this from the link posted by the OP?

"Our Centennial Supplex Uniform Short is designed to offer a Land to Water option that is functional and convenient. Stuck at the Aquatics Center before needing to report to the Mess Hall in full Class A? This new short is the answer! Throw it to the test at Summer Camp and let us know what you think. This short is made from 100% Supplex Nylon that is light weight and quick drying, yet a durable, athletic fabric. It is also an anti-microbial product that offers great sun protection with a UPF rating of 50 . This is a complete moisture management product."

Did a BSA official page actually make reference to "Class A" uniforming?

Hmmmm....

Speaking as a member of NCAC and growing up only 30 minutes from Goshen, I'm both sorry and glad to hear this.

Sorry, because I would like to see the National site being close to home.

Glad, because I love how Goshen is now and I didn't think the location could handle the large numbers without damaging the locale.

My Father nearly drowned as a kid. To this day he has an aversion to swimming. I believe the Swimming merit badge was all that kept him from getting his Eagle. But he has not let that fear stop him from teaching us to love the water. Growing up we were one of the few homes in town to have a pool. My brothers and I grew up knowing how to swim with out being formally taught it just became second nature. My Dad is an excellent canoer (?) figuring that if he was really good he wouldn't ever actually end up in the water. Yes he can swim, just his anxiety makes him not want to. Does he regret that he didn't get his Eagle because of all this? Maybe, but as I have mentioned before he has gone on as an adult to lead us three boys thru scouts, while at one time being CM/ASM/SM(different troop)/Explorer post leader.

Today, Scouts can Option out of the Swimming MB with Hiking or Biking (which my kids are doing) but the importance of basic swimming ability is there. Otherwise the Scout would also miss out on all the boating, canoeing, rafting activities.

Speaking as one who spent a year in scouts and never got passed the the Scout Master conference for "Scout" I understand the boys anxieties. One way to help the boy is make the BOR environment less "formal" Sit in a circle with him and not put him in front a row of adults. Try just talking to him first before asking him to recite the oath and law. Also remember, he does not "Need" to recite either for the board (retesting?) I know our Troop also asks the boys to recite both but completion is not required. Sometimes it is just used to get the conversation started. Also remember that the body language of the board can also add to his stress.

Just some thoughts.

In the last few years, our Camporees have gone from Webelos camping out with Boys Scouts to just coming out for the day only to not coming at all. Now they have Webeloree, where the Webelos camp out and the Boy Scouts come out for the day to run different activity stations. They have also made this count toward the overnight requirement for AoL. Sadly I don't think this is a good trend.

I have heard the talk that National does not allow the Webelos to come to the Camporees and that it has to do with liability issues. But I don't know anything official though.

I believe most of these questions are ones the boys should be asking of the SPL. At the same time the parents can be asking some of these to the SM in a separate area. If both boy and parent receive the directly it allows them to get a better feel of the TroopMy advice is to get the boys to visit a Troop during a regular meeting and not an "Open House". It allows the boys to see how a Troop truly functions and realize that it is not the same as Cub Scouts.

I just went to check my council web site store (National Capital). There are 35 various OA flaps available currently. It seems around here you can get an OA flap or CSP with just about any local historical monument or building or event (Inauguration). I did no see different borders for the various positions in OA though. I guess collecting is big around here. I have one uniform with the standard patches and one with patches with wildlife (Goshen's Eagle and National Zoo's Giant Panda). Admittedly I have the white "pocket rocket" temporary patches, I thought it was simple but kind of cool. But I have never encountered anyone who had any issue with them. Being worn as a temporary patch I didn't see there being any problem. I do get get a lot of kids and adults wanting one though.

As a rule of thumb I try to follow the insignia guide. This conversation has at least made me think about this. CalicoPenn has brought up some very interesting points.

I have dealt with this issue as well. I was a Den Leader and now Scoutmaster with my two older boys. My youngest is currently in a different Pack from the one I used to be involved with (we moved). Here is how I deal with the uniform. For Pack Events, I do wear my uniform. I believe it helps set a good example for all the kids, by showing respect to the program, even though I am not a leader in the Pack (plus its good advertising for potential crossovers). For Den activities I do NOT wear the uniform out of respect for the Den Leaders. I want the boys to look look to them as the leaders and not get confused by my uniform.

I was a young teenager during the days of Charlie's Angels and remember dancing in the bars at college to Thriller. My wife and I used to stay up to watch Johnny. I never owned any Michael Jackson albums of owned "The Poster" Interestingly enough my Grandfather did. Hmmm.....

We run into the same situation where the older scouts seem to be idle while the younger scouts are busy. As was mentioned that sometimes this happens because they are quicker at planning for upcoming events. Theoretically, they could be find some other task to keep themselves busy. As the SM, when I see a group sitting idle, I sit down with them and just join the conversation. these informal, multiperson conferences are a great way to see what the older guys are thinking and feeling about the troop. I have been able to increase older scout participation on campouts by personally encouraging them to come. (Announcements and signup sheets aren't enough) Sometimes I ask them to go help a group of younger scouts. They usually are very eager to help but just need that little nudge in the right direction.

I know ultimately that the PLC needs to work harder on planning meetings so that there is more consideration to both the older and younger scouts and that multiple activities need to be considered. We are working on that.

First of all, our Troop does BORs basically on demand during our regular weekly meeting time with the understanding that we have enough adults available on any given night.

But this struck me as odd:

"My son did request this back in mid-may to remind the SM that the 3 month anniversary was coming up. My son's first Palm BOR was on December, Day X+7. It was the night of the troop BOR. His 2nd one was on March, X+7 and the troop did hold a special BOR for him (happened to be on the same night as a troop meeting so it wasn't difficult). June, Day X was the troop BOR but he isn't eligible for a week later until June, Day X+7 which does not fall on their troop meeting night. If this is going to be an ongoing occurance (he has enough badges to earn Palms through his 18th birthday which is not until 2012) and they know he is going to need a BOR exactly 3 months apart, wouldn't it make sense to just schedule the quarterly BOR for everybody on this night anyway? I have sat for many BORs (both regular and Eagles) even when they are on "off" nights."

It sounds as if the poster is suggesting that the Troop reschedule everything around this boy's time schedule. He has enough MB to get Palms every three months until 2012 so all must schedule to his needs? Yes, a regular monthly schedule would help out but to expect such immediate attention seems too much to ask. As a leader we try and work out calendars for Scouts as they work their way up to Eagle (within resaon) but what is the difference between getting 10, 11 or 12 palms?

We have gone with using a sheet (3'x4') of 1/2" plywood painted to protect from the weather and make for easy cleanup. This is supported by two plastic folding saw horses ($30 at Sears). This set up can hold all the weight and is quite sturdy. We cut a hand hold in the board for carrying. The saw horses, when open even provide a shelf below for storage.

I have an old bath tub that is starting to develop rust spots and holes near the overflow drain. (That way when we moved in) Anyway the clear duct tape applied in layered strips working upward is working great until I can get around to fixing it properly or replacing it.

Background: My oldest son and I went through Ordeal and brotherhood together. My wife and second son went through Ordeal together last year. My eldest is on ceremonies team and is now Vice Chief of Admin.

I don't get the concern OA members have when a parent wishes to watch his son go through ordeal. How does their attendance take away from the experience the Scout has just had. In my observations it only adds to the Scouts sense of accomplishment in knowing that his parents are there to share in the moment. Similar to graduating.

Myself I found mystery of the unknown helped magnify the experience. But having a parent there to watch the ceremony does nothing to dampen that. If you ask a parent to not spoil the surprise to future candidates, I am sure they won't. And quite honestly it's not the ceremony that was as enlightening as the 24 hours of the ordeal itself that precedes it.

How did all this come about? What set her off? The fact that the Pack has paid her off means that money will never be seen again. As far as the parents, I don't see any reimbursement there either. My question is was it 15/month per child or just 15/month split between the parents? I wish I had had a budget of 15/month as a Den leader. That almost seems justifiable depending on the number in the den. Also much of the supplies could have been consumed. You di say she was a good Den Leader, so materials and fees could have used up the funds.

My guess is this is a case of lessons learned. Have receipts turned in in a timely fashion before they pile up. Keep a closer eye on Den funds.

During IOLS we were encouraged to "steal' the other patrol's flag. As it turned out i had an old college roommate in the other patrol. He knew I would be the one to take it and had me watched the whole time. Of course we were able to use this to our advantage. As I stayed to one side of their group with all eyes on me, a fellow patrol member was able to walk right in and get their flag. I Cub Scout pack was camped out next to our group so they were happy to hold the flag for us. We returned it at dinner time in front of all the instructors so that all knew we had topped them in this "patrol competition"

I have not encouraged my scouts to do anything to another Troop, but these posting have given me the idea of just switching troop flags at the next camporee and see how long it takes them to notice.

I guess sometimes we just never grow up.

When we did this with our guys, we were a bit liberal in our interpretation. As you said, possible improvement in form and technique can count. We had a few kids who were very tall for their age but had little to nil upper body strength. Not a single push up and pull up, but we looked at how they attempted them. If they genuinely gave it their best then that was what we looked for. You can tell if they are trying or just going through the motions. The important thing here is, they are learning how to better themselves physically. As they age they will continue to use this information.

The traditional Campfire program has been missing for a while in our troop. One reason is that more and more camping areas restrict the use of open fires, thus the boys don't want to gather around in the evenings. (I know there are other ways to have a "fire" just my observation)

Anyway, recently I have been bringing one of those above ground fire pits with screen (thus no open fire) The boys have been getting together more. Programs have been semiformal. Each Patrol performing a skit, adult patrol as well, followed by campfire games. The SPL one night brought his guitar and sang a song with a funny twist. I see this as a start to get campfires back into the routine. Last camp out we had our own OA Call Out since Ordeal comes before the next Camporee. It was the first camp out for our new scouts so the OA rep answered their questions about the OA. It was a great way to introduce them to the OA and what they can look forward to. Our Chaplain's Aide held the religious service during a campfire, since he had to leave early on Sunday Morning. As I said these have not been formal campfire programs but I like seeing the boys use this time in a positive way. We will see where this will lead.

Dump the dry mix on top. Hence why it so easy.

Basically: fruit - cake mix - butter - cook

Now that I have been SM for most of a year, I have an addition to the old adage, "one hour, per week, per scout."

I remember as a youth, my dad would use what ever berries we could find on the way in or near the camp site, possibly some sugar, and bisquick (mixed according to directions) spooned on top.

Thanks for this thread, made me remember this.

For the traditional dump cake I enjoy adding Black Rasberries to either apple or peach pie filling. (I love the crunchy little seeds)

(cautiously wades in...)

If I recall for Star/Life/Eagle, the time commitment for being active is the same as the time commitment for a POR.

As SM I understand I am responsible for signing off both items in the book.

With the debate over being active, I look at the POR. There are more definite guidelines of the responsibilities each scout must do. I don't look at them as a check list though. Whta I have done is developed a "blue card" for POR I have the responsibilities listed as the are from the leadership training guide. I also have a list of suggested goals and tasks for the scout in that position. During his term he can have his direct superior check off Items he has done, ie bugler signed off by ASPL. At the end of his term of office I can sit down with the scout and look at his "record" I ask him, Do you think you have done all you can to fulfill your duties? If we agree then we can sign off and move on. If not we can discuss a plan complete, be it an extension of the term or some other project.

In the end if a scout has fulfilled his role in a POR he has also fulfilled his role as being active in the Troop. All this in mutual agreement between the scout and myself.

"Kyoto Box is a cheap, solar-powered cardboard cooker for use in rural Africa, estimated to prevent two tonnes of carbon dioxide emissions per family per year.

The $5 cooker uses the greenhouse effect to boil and bake. It consists of two cardboard boxes, one inside the other, with an acrylic cover that lets the suns power in and stops it escaping and doubles as a hob top. A layer of straw or newspaper between the boxes provides insulation, while black paint on the interior and the foil on the exterior concentrate the heat still further."

I was just reading about this myself and was going to post on it. I was thinking that this would be a great item to include in our gear. Baking always seems to be the hardest part of camp cooking. Yes, I have use Dutch ovens regularly and box ovens, but the idea of not needing to light up charcoal seems too good. My only thoughts are how long does this thing need to gt up to temp?

Now i just need to get a piece of the acrylic.

As previously stated the CM has no "jurisdiction" here.

He could have a private conversation with the two boys discussing how scouts should support each other at all times, and not just at scout activities. He could also use the situation as a nameless example for all scouts of improper scout behavior.