Knot Head

I have only signed one badge for my son and it was for Pioneering which I taught to 12 boys over a weekend campout and a couple of meetings. I've managed to avoid signing anything else to avoid the appearnace of anything improper. My son complains he has to earn each badge twice. Once for me and once for the MB counselor. Our troop used to be real loosey goosey with badges, but over 3 years we have managed to change the culture where now we actually follow BSA policy for MBs. I hear stories about other troops earning badges super fast. That is just shortchanging the kids IMHO.(This

I am the activity chair and main all week leader at summer camp. I tell parents my goal are in the order... be safe have fun learn skills, get MBs for advancement seems to work for boys, parents, and me.

I guess I don't understand. We recently did a backpacking trip where the old guys went on their own and the young guys (1 and 2 year scouts) were followed by adults. On order to go with the old group you had to have attended Philmont or done prior backpacking with the troop to qualify. There was no voting and no "exception". The old guys picked their route and met us at the campsite. They did 10 in and 5 out and the young guys did 5 in and 5 out. We all went the same route out on Sunday but the old group left camp later and caught up. II can't understand why these two guys were eve

The camp we attend gives us a computer print out. We use the printout to fill out blue cards. >>1) How do the instructors know the scout has the Scoutmaster's approval to work on a badge? Under the "blue card" system a scout had to present a signed "blue card" to the councilor before starting the badge. How does an instructor know the Scout has gotten approval from their Scoutmaster to start the badge without a "blue card" (which, in a way, serves as the "permission slip" to work on the badge)? A1 -> An adult leader has to register each scout for MB classes online weeks b

The thread has good suggesstions. When I backpack I like: Breakfast Oatmeal & instant grits. Snacks - Power bars Lunch - Flat bread and peanut butter. Two of my favorite things. Dinner... (you can get cubed chicked in an air vaccum bag) my faviroes to choose from are Mountain House Beef Stroganoff (sp?) Jerky with dehdrated mashed potatoes. mack & cheese + frozen bag of mixed veggies (boiled) + cubed chicken cubed chicken + rice soup cubed chicken + frozen bag of mixed veggies soup That freezerbag cooking website is great but I have not tried

I'll try to answer... >>In light of these last few posts, let me expound upon my earlier questions a little bit. [1] Who send sends out these emails? [2] And to whom are they send? [3] If it is about money (ex, camp fees), is it sent by the Treasurer, Scribe, Committee Chair or Scoutmaster? [4] If it is a reminder about a campout, does it originate with the SPL, Scoutmaster, Camping Coordinator (Troop Committee) or PLs? [5] Does every scout have email? [6] Are the adults included also?

We use yahoo groups: 1. Weekly emails with multiple topics such as * Money for Camporee is due Monday; * The COH is in 4 weeks; * Sportsman's warehouse has a good deal on sleeping bags; * Annual dues are due; etc. 2. Yahoo groups has a nice calendar that we use 3. You can post pdf files on yahoo such as permission slips; The MB schedule for summer camp; troop roster; etc. We have a shutterfly password protected account where people load pictures from meetings, campouts, etc. We use calling post (5 cents a call I think) for big reminders like money for summer camp is due Monday

Congratulations on doing things the right way. Our troop has grown steadily and now has 50 on the roster. We did not set out to become a "mega troop" and are not sure what to do. The recruiting program that has evolved over the years is similar to yours with three weeblo/troop events to work on AOL etc. The boys plan the calendar and they want to camp each month so we camp each month and we get great turnout. I don't know if it is the calendar that attracts them or the recruiting events. Anyway keep up the good work! Good things will happen and you'll get good guys.

When we (my son & I) joined a troop all menu planning & cooking was done at the troop level. It took a couple of months of suggesting it at the committee meetings (and readings from BSA literature) but we eventually had a campout where each patrol cooked by patrol. The "old guys" (star & up) cooked together as an ad hoc patrol, so we had 4 patrols. three "real" one "ad hoc". Now it is a given that each patrol plans their own menu, cooks and camps together. Worst skit at the Saturday night campout campfire has to do some chore like take down the tents of the best skit patrol. O

Hi - that was my comment above in italics so I thought I would explain a little more. We started doing this as a response to the increase in the merit badge universities. The goal was to provide a more robust merit badge experience. We as a troop have a real problem with MB's earned at camporees or most recently "scoutbase 2008" held in Tunica Mississippi. At this event scouts earned two merit badges in one day. One Day! Many MB's had only 2.5 hour classes. In my opinion this is pathetic. How can you earn the fishing merit badge in 2.5 hours? Summer camps are not alot better. This

Howbout a Castaway Camporee? Think Mr. Hanks or Mr. Zemeckis would come We did a "Man versus Wild" campout. No tents but they did get to bring tarps to make a shelter with. They brought clothes for one day, sleeping bag, etc. They had to complete an orienteering course to earn their food for all three meals. We thought about cashing the food and making them locate it with maps but wound up not doing that. no mathces, but all cooking over open fires. they were allowed flint or magnesium bars. One patrol built a bow with shoelaces and started a frcition fire. Great pictures

When and where do the Scouts in the Troop you serve get to use these skills? Eamonn. We try to create situations where skills are needed. We lash together a troop gate every campout where we hang our troop banner and awards. This requires the scouts to know and use lashings. We hold a knot tying contest at each campout - including a blindfolded competition. Current troop record is 6 required knots in 54.56 seconds blindfolded. Also got many good ideas from Bob White in a thread. * Have a scout set up a short orienteering course each campout. Let scouts run it for prizes; * set

""Advancement Mill" = what we call a Troop that holds more merit badge days than ours." A troop that any "merit badge days" is an advancement mill. --------------- Guilty. We recently went on a campout and taught the fire safety merit badge. The troop has held wilderness survival, pioneering, canoeing, motorboating, orienteering, bird stufy and climbing campouts over the years where the boys camped and also earned a merit badge. The scouts pick a merit badge and we try to make the campout happen about 3 times a year. We do graduate a lot of eagles. I think it is becaus

When a boy is excited about scouts, is excited about advancing, attends most of the campouts & meetings, has scout spirit and can demonstrate skills I don't see a reason to hold them back. When a kid is a self starter I pat them on the back and encourage them to set goals and work hard for what they want. If I had a scout that wanted to earn all of his merit badges I'd be working at helping to track down good counselors, not holding him back. FWIW our troop has never had a 13 year old eagle. We have the 15-16 group that has been to summer camp 4 times and consistently show up an

Any input? JMHO. To me, far more important is the spirit of the ceremony. The honor and respect shown for the flag when it is retired and the flag's importance as a symbol for the United States of America. It's what is in your heart and mind that matter more than your strict adherence to a 60 second rule. Again... JMO. If a scout wants me to deny their scout spirt advancement then all they need do is act up at a flag retirement ceremony, or during the pledge or scout oath or law.

We use yahoo groups for the calendar and weekly informational mass emails. We email once each week with a list of important dates for upcoming events as well as other important news. Each calendar entry has a specific contact person and their phone # if more information is needed. People are warned NOT to hit reply toa Yahoo email because then everyone gets another email with their reply. People still mess up and hit reply but not often. The Yahoo groups "files" section has a flyer for each campout ith all the information. If they have a question they call the trip sponsor. For real

I like this one which is 3 meters x 4 meters for $40. http://www.mosquitohammock.com/rainfly3x4.html We are almost always near trees but you can rig it between 8 foot 2x2 poles that are staked out properly if you have no trees nearby.(This message has been edited by knot head)

We ride as patrols as much as possible.

We have an "action packer" which is basically a heavy duty rubbermaid type box for each patrol that contains a coleman stove along with pots skillets and utensils. Then each patrol also gets their own propane. And then we have troop gear in the trailer. Plus the stuff people bring in their trucks. The SM and some of us are trying to change the culture from 100% truck camping with a trailer + more gear that won't fit into a trailer to a mix including "haul your own gear" campouts so scouts can backpack our gear into backcountry and teach scouts to plan ahead and be self sufficient.

Our "star to eagle" guy is a former SM who is familiar with the paperwork and sits on Eagle boards for scouts of other troops. He is available to meet with our Life scouts and coaches them to develop a *written* timetable to finish up the MB's they need and develop a project. He basically helps them write out a plan that is realistic to accomplish certain objectives by specific dates. When they fall behind he counsels them on the importance of setting goals and then putting in the work to achieve them.

>>First, the Scouts' traditional uniform, with pressed pants and insignia, might be off-putting to immigrants from countries where dictatorships thrive.

>>>>> Also as FScouter points out failing to file a Tour Permit will not in itself void your liability protection, but not doing the things that are on the permit potentially could.

Thanks for the replies. I bought a new backpacker ultralight off ebay for a little less than 1/2 price and got a great nights sleep on a test in the backyard. Far superior to any pad plus tent I've ever used, so I guess I'm a hammock guy now. My back never hurt in a pad + tent, I just tossed and turned alot. I've read a lot about the different cold weather solutions and will get to begin try these out on a September trip to the Ozarks. My initial cold plan is to try the inexpensive route with a CCF pad and space blanket. I have pitched it as a bivy in the backyard with hiking poles and crawled

>> For example, he said, the group would no longer produce, print, bundle and mail Scout materials to its offices around the nation. Instead, the information would be available online.

The troop my son is in has a nice list of urban myths I'm trying to dismantle one by one thanks in part to tips from this board. Some of the myths are in direct conflict with BSA policy. Slowly but surely we are getting there. Seems like each time we go camping I get to slay another one.