Knight

I think each Scouter needs to set a good example. There are, unfortunately, lots of fols with their hearts in the right places and who do lots and lots of things ot deliver wonderful program - but they also set a poor example in this particulat area. Physical actvity and exercise are the keys. Diet is important also. My personal annoyance is roundtables that feature snacks.

We just got back from Camp Dark Hammock - it is a very interesting camp here in Gulf Stream Council. The camp is set in a forest (hammock) of Sabal Palms, Live Oaks and Slash Pines. Not much in the way of facilities, but there happen to be several horses that stop by to visit every night and morning. Here is a link to a picture of the camp: http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn32/BayOfThePirates/campdarkhammock.jpg

Cobbler is a nice starter to introduce people to he Dutch oven - but the real fun is expanding the range of foods to cook your breakfast, lunch and dinner in the Dutch oven. My son bought a Dutch oven cookbok from the Scout Shop and we've been having a great time with it. The scouts love it. Dutch ovens do NOT need to be the camp sugar snack oven.

I frankly care little for patches on my own uniform - I do care about what I see on the boys in my Troop. I am most proud of the ones who have earned and wear the tiny little gold star patch beneath their patrol emblem - the Baden-Powell Patrol Award (AKA National Honor Patrol Award). Not everyone in the Troop has earned it and we rarely see them on boys from other troops. I view it a mark of a boy who is applying the patrol method. Keep it up boys, you are running your own patrols and troop.

The boys are planning out the next six months. I'm staying away. I'd love to jump in an get some of the things to just move along, but they are doing it themselves - so I stay away and just listen a bit from across the house.

We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. That to secure these rights, Governments are instituted among Men, deriving their just powers from the consent of the governed... ...We, therefore, the Representatives of the united States of America, in General Congress, Assembled, appealing to the Supreme Judge of the world for the rectitude of our intentions, do, in the Name, and by the Authority of the good People of these Colo

I'd like some advice on what to do with an old item I received. My father, God rest his soul, passed a few years ago. My mother sent me a small book she found. It was printed in 1937 and is entitled "The Old Scoutmaster's Poems" by Edward G. Matlack, one of the very earliest recipients of the Silver Beaver award. The book belonged to my Dad when he was a Boy Scout and was apparently given to him by Mr. Matlack. It has some poems and stories that are very good even to today. But... It also has several poems that, 70 something years later, are clearly offensive, including u

The answer is that WB is absolutely, positively not about the beads. Having said that, I like the rustic look of the beads - but if I lost them today, never to be replaced, no big deal. It's what I have learned and try to do that is important.

This is a hypothetical - it has not come up for me, but I'm just wondering... What if a boy had done plenty of camping but no summer camp (5 nights in a row). However, if he participates and camps in a NYLT course that extends for at least 5 nights in a row, would that qualify as a long term camp for him?

All I can say is that I love the new belt - excellent quality and it looks great.

Back in my college days, duct tape reinforced / extended the life of my Mustang's radiator hoses. It also helped hold the air intake in place.

It has been pretty common around here to have two, sometimes three, troops at a crosover because the Webelos are going to different troops. If they all bring their troop and patrol flags, it makes for quite a bit of show for the younger Cubs to see. ...and that reminded me of this gem I saw on the BSA site: Flaming or Magic Neckerchiefs "It has come to our attention that some Web sites, older publications, and instructions exist for a Webelos crossover or Boy Scout advancement ceremony that involves igniting a neckerchief dipped in a chemical fuel including acetone or alc

Our troop will never be the biggest, certainly not best looking, but we keep on trying to let our boys run their troop. Our boys won a "best booth" award in their district at a recent Scout Show. Nobody in our troop expected to win anything. Other troops and packs had plenty of big booths with lots of well-built, showy exhibits and games. Very good for the Packs - great parental involvement. But the troops - in theory - are boy-run. What did our boys do? Well, they looked at the booth suggestions many weeks ago and decided they would do a "Boy Scout cooking demonstration."

I'm looking for ideas for Boy Scouts to do for Memorial Day. All suggestions are welcome. Thanks.

I had a chuckle from our boys last night. They have a spoof group they call the Duct Tape Patrol. For the last regular campout, the SPL and ASPl announced there will be a "Tape Out" ceremony to invite new members into the Duct Tape Patrol. The boys had just seen an OA Tap Out over the weekend, so their humor was very well received last night.

(sigh) Us Antelopes wait patiently for the other critters to finish...

I see plenty of back and white velcro in stores. I want khaki so my sons can sew velcro strips on the shirts and patches for rank and position. Then they won't have to keep re-sewing (wiht my help - of course...) inside the pockets. Suggestions?

I just picked up a pair of the Boy Scout garters with the green tassels for $1.00 at the South Florida Council's Scoumasters Camporee this weekend. They are old but in decent condition.

Note - There are Duty to God requirements in Bear as well, not just Wolf and Webelos. As long as there is some spark there (ie, not complete rejection of the Almighty under any name or form), he can continue. But, this is also crucial parent decision. They can sign his requirements as Akelas - and the religious requirements are squarely their responsibility. If they totally reject God, then yes, it is time to part company. If they complete the exercises (and sign their son's book), then he stays. Nobody but the parents could sign the boys "Duty to God" requirements in the Packs we've been

This is exactly what I was commenting on in another thread about the belts. Several parents locally were under the impression that the crummy black belts are a permanent part of the pants. Like CD Ranger says, the two stiches in the back need to be cut. I wish BSA would just skip the crummy black belts all together. The new green belt is very nice.

I know of an ASM who has the delaRenta shirt (long sleeves, rolled up like BP says), green shoulder loops, green 'trained' patch and old-school red and white council shoulder patch above the red and white troop numerals. Looks good.

As far as adult patrols - my Wood Badge patrol members are like family to me. If we had adults want to form a patrol - OK, good team-bulding, so long as it supports the goal of promoting our boy-run troop.

I am glad our Troop is not huge. 40+ boys on a once-a-month camping experience plus loads of adults does not seem like a front country - much less back country - rugged experience for my boys. I don't know how the boys are supposed to have the physical separation (Kudu!) into separate patrols and away from adults with that many campers. Each campout would seem more akin to a mini camporee. But I readily admit the key here is - I'm not used to working with a large troop. I would have lots more to learn in such a troop.

Maybe I don't understand, but it does not make any sense to me to have a Webelos "cross over" if he is not crossing over to Boy Scouts. If this is the end of the line for some of the boys, you could have a "farewell" to those not crossing over and remind them that they will always be welcome to re-join the climb up the Eagle trail with the Boy Scouts. Maybe give them one green (red) shoulder loop and say there other one is always waiting for them in the Troop (BTW, epaulets are the button-down shoulder thingies on the shirt, the colored loop is not an epaulet). P.S. - I'm not in fav

I'm taking your advice, Kudu and buying old copies of the third edition. Thanks.