asm 411

Wow, it would be a great loss if they closed this High Adventure camp.

pargolf44067 you can see the form I was mentioned previously at - http://www.sharonscouts.org/workInProgress/scoutActivityChoicesForm.html If anyone sees anything they think should be added to make the form more useful feel free to let me know. Thanks.

The Scouts decide who they tent with. We have 4-man timberlines. Most times it is two Scouts per tent because that comfortable fits the gear inside. We actually discourage three in a tent because we had a few busted zippers a several years ago with three in the tent. Looking back most of us Scouters believe this had more to do with two Scouts who moved on to another troop than having three in the tent. If a patrol has an odd number of Scouts the most common solution is the odd Scout sleeps alone. The one exception to this is Klondike where the PLC requires at least two to a tent fo

I got back from Tinnerman Canoe Base about a week ago. It was a great trip. The crew had five Scouts (ages 13 to 17) and two Scouters (one 18 and me 45). The trip was really great. The guide was well trained and did his job very well. He kept us on course but did not control the trip. He pointed out options and let the Scouts make choices about what to do. The food was as good as it gets when it comes to lightweight. Most of it was of the add to boiling water variety but not all of it. We had bacon for breakfast, apples for lunch and even a cake one evening for dessert. There was enou

There are several benefits I noticed when I was a den leader about having weekly meetings as opposed to any other schedule (first and third, second and fourth, every other..). The biggest benefit is that there is no question if there is a meeting this week. A close second is that meeting every week also keeps the Scouts thinking about Scouting. Here is the hard part, you are changing the culture of the troop. In my opinion it is for the better but still it is a change. Change often meets with resistance and takes time. As with everything else the Scouts have to want to do it. My suggesti

I agree with raisinemright. I would like to add a few things having had many years with 2000 plus road miles. Helmet and Glasses are absolutes no one should mount a bike without them. Dog Tags - I wear them every time I ride. They have essential information on them like name, address, contact number and blood type. Clip-on blinking light. My wife got this for me as a gift. It clips on your jersey pocket and can be scene from far away. The cool thing is that if you are on doing something like fixing a flat on the side of the road cars coming up from behind you can still see

Being one who earned the Eagle Rank I always felt the statement "Once an Eagle always an Eagle" meant that the rank was an accomplishment that could not be taken away. The other end of that particular stick is that an Eagle has a responsibility to live up to the bar the Eagle has set for himself in fulfilling the requirements of the rank. (See Eagle Charge) Now I have been known to say that ignorance is bliss. Once a boy or man recites the Scout Oath and Law he now has the knowledge of what it is to be a good citizen and has a responsibility to himself and others to respect that knowledg

"I'm hoping to help our SM develop a written, clear, fair, logical policy about cell phone use. This seat-of-the-pants policy is not working. I think there is a compromise here that gets what he is trying to accomplish more effectively than is happening today. " So little time so many policies to write. I only have one hour a week you know. Family policies and Troop Policies and school policies and sports policies. Wow, so many rules to obey. tombitt perhaps you should teach your son that in different situations we have to adapt to different rules. That we work change rules we

I have a fist full of U of S CDs from our council. The information is a great resource. But I keep asking myself why they don't save the expense of producing the CDs and put the documents on the council website? It would provide access to those who can't make the event and then every Scouter would not have to keep a personal library. Another thing about having each year online is would make it great for reference. For instance even though every year we have a course called something like "New Scoutmaster Essentials" it is taught by a different SM. I have gone three times and it is

"You have to know when to push and when to pull." Wow, this is such a great line and I would like to add a bit to it - You have to know when to push And you have to know when to pull You have to know when to throw them a line And you have to know when to walk away so they can climb up alone You have to know when to catch them And you have to know when to let the them fall You have to know when to guide And you have to know when to let them show you the way You have know when to listen And you have to know when to speak You have to know when to w

The (Damn) Yankees is the name of that miserable baseball team from NY. I know because I used to live in CT and was told many times about it. Then I moved to NE OH and found out just what people farther away thought of them. Additionally not very complementary. Not being a big fan of the great American past time all I can do is go on what others tell me.

"But so many scouters (especially the ones with the red, white and blue square knots) know that there is nothing more for them to learn." Ouch... I never have been stereotyped as someone who knew there was nothing more for me to learn. Actually I would have to say that earning that red, white and blue square knot was something that opened my eyes to how little I did know. I am truly sorry that you have experienced this kind of behavior from my fellow Eagles. Please accept my apology for their behavior.

Our patrols are looking to buy two man backpacking tents. They are looking at the Eureka Spitfire 2 or Zeus. Anyone have experience with these tents? Do you have any other suggestions on two man backpacking tents. Thanks

"As a Scoutmaster, I really get worn down by having to explain the program to the adults time after time. ..." Though not being the SM I have taken care of most of this problem for our troop. I put together a packet for new Scouts and parents. I go through the packet with the Webelos and parents on the Webelos outing in the fall (Each in coming Webelos family sees the information twice). When a boy joins that was not a Webelos I go through the packet with them the day they turn in their application. It spells out things clearly about how our troop works. It started out pretty short a litt

Oh oh oh I know ... I bead for each course!

It strikes me as odd that the issue here is about the requirement itself. I think if I were in this position I may have explained to the Scouts that longer their patrols stays together the better it reflects on them. (Assuming no troop guide or other Scout to help them) I would explain that a paper flag is a good start but a patrol needs a flag that can withstand weather and camping. Ask them what materials they think would to achieve the purpose. Then help them distribute the list of materials among the members. One last point, encourage them to have it done before the next m

Neither. I think we Scouters are more teachers or guides. I think from your description you fit into that category.

As for wearing the official neckerchief you could check to see what the insignia guide or Webelos leader handbook says. As for me as long as they are the same material so they look like they belong together go for. I bet making their own will encourage them to wear them more. Following subthread - My favorite cub craft project was Hot Wheel cars Gorilla Glued to PVC pipe. My son made is about 4 years ago and wore it to an ECOH last week. He said is his favorite. It must be he has lost all the others. LOL I think the PVC pipe stays on better than the typical BSA slide. Additionall

I guess I am way out of the norm. I have my Eagle medal, two religious awards medals, my original OA sash, several West Point camporee neckerchiefs ... All my blue cards. My Scoutmaster told us over and over again to put them in a safe place they are really important. I was a good listener then. I have had them all for almost 30 years. I have lived in many locations, my parents got divorced when I graduated from High School and a lot of stuff went in a lot of directions but my Scout stuff box and Matchbox car collection seemed to stick with me. Unlike my Lionel trains.

Thanks for all the great information and the heads about bats and Laural Cavern is specific. For those who may be interested - "Commercial caves that cater to tourists, such as Laurel Caverns in Farmington, are not affected by the moratorium. 'People come (to commercial caves) and take tours wearing regular clothes, they're not seasoned cavers who are possibly wearing old clothes or have been in other caves,' said Lisa Hall, director of case studies at Laurel Caverns." full story http://www.pittsburghlive.com/x/pittsburghtrib/s_620213.html I will be sure the PLC in

I am looking for some guidance. Our troop is going caving at a place called Laurel Caverns. During the outing the Scouts will be split because there are levels for those 12 and older and levels for those younger than 12. My question is do we need two adults with each group? That is the approach we are taking but I am not sure if it is required to maintain two deep leadership. This is in a public place with guided tours.

A few words - 1) Being and Eagle Scout has nothing to do with if you will learn anything at Wood Badge or not. As I mentioned above I was in a patrols with almost all Eagles and everyone of us felts as though when the course was completed it that it was well worth the cost and effort. 2) "To learn read, to know write, to master teach." This was printed on the paper danglely thing on my tea bag the other morning. I believe that Wood Badge helps us to be better teachers. In Wood Badge I got to read and write and through that I learn how to be a better teacher among other things.

Congratulations and great job on all your hard work. My nephew who lives 500 miles away named me as mentor at his Eagle Court of Honor. He listed all the ways in which I had encouraged and inspired him since he was Tiger at the ECOH. Some things I knew, many I had never realized. Being named his Eagle mentor is one of the things in my life I am most proud of.(This message has been edited by asm 411)

I had anticipated BulldogBlitz's question but True Believer's retort I did not foresee. I am still snickering over it.

Great job! Make sure every Scouter involved from this point on knows the right way to deliver the program to the patrols in your troop so all your hard work does not go to waste.