ASM162

The tour permit was short a boy and a leader that would be on the tour. Once out of pocket expenses were submitted to the insurance company, it was brought to the District committee's attention that oops -- the unit's insurance was null because the boy in the accident was the boy left off the permit. While they couldn't actually tell that, the form wasn't filled out correctly, and the CO ended up paying for the medical expenses. This just seems like dirty pool to me. How did the District Committee determine that the injured party was actually the one left off of the Tour Permit?

Our Troop has a continuous fundraiser, in that we buy gift cards from the local grocery store at 5% less than face value. In other words, the troop pays $95.00 for a $100.00 gift card. The CC takes gift card orders from the parents in the Troop, plus a few friends of the Troop, once a month. The cost to those who purchase the card(s) is, of course, the face value of the card(s). The CC then places the order for the gift cards with the grocery store. The CC then distributes the cards when they are delivered. It works out very well, since we all go to the grocery store, and we have to spe

I respectfully submit the foloowing for your consideration. The Patriot - Set during the American Revolution. Stars Mel Gibson and Heath Ledger. Glory - Set during the Civil War. Subject is the first all black regiment to engage in battle during the Civil War. Stars Matthew Broderick and I believe Denzel Washington. If time wasn't a constraint, I'd recommend Gettysburg.

I can't figure out after watching him, why service hours are so hard to find for some of the others. He does share his experiences with the others but they aren't taking the hint. Gunny- I think you answered your own question here. Some youth only tend to think of themselves, and not others. I constantly remind the boys that there are opportunities for service all around them. they just need to take the initiative to volunteer. Some just won't take that step, for whatever reason. To stay on topic, I would accept the service hours of the youth in question, so long as he is no

AnneinMpls, Thank you! Those are the lyrics to the song. This past weekend was the first time I had heard this song, and I thoght that it was very appropriate to the setting, and life in general. moxieman, Thank you very much for the info. I'll keep that in mind. All of us who attended the camporee are trying to jog our memories as to what the lyrics to the rhyme was about the pretty prairie flower. For me, at least, its tough to try and remember a rhyme, after only hearing it once. I did send an e-mail to the camporee chairman, in hopes that he will know what I'm talking abou

Hi all, We just had the Troop spend a weekend camping with several Canadian Scouting units. A very enjoyable weekend. A lot of frienship and fellowship, based on the foundation of scouting. Anyway, there were two songs sung by the Canadian scouts at this camporee. One was a very moving song that I believe was titled "At the loose" (I'm not sure that it is the correct title). The other song was actually borderline hazing. If a scout or scouter lost an item, and the item was found sometime during camp, the person who lost the item had to "assume the position" (which was placing their in

The kids have to realize that the bugs mean them no harm. this has to start at an early age, preferrably when the scouts go to day camp as tigers and wolves. It helps if the parents don't freak out as well. We had a boy at Summer camp. Sleeping in wall tents, he found that the daddy long leg spiders liked to share the same quarters. Totally freaked out. He damn near bathed in insect repellent. Still no good. His disillusionment with all things insect like came to a head, and long story short, he ended up quitting the Troop, and convinced his WEBELOS scout brother to not bother joining Boy Sc

I think this is great. I intend to watch this with my son. One question: Is the "Outdoor Channel" the same as "Versus"? I ask because I used to get the Outdoor Channel, but at some point it became Versus. I don't know if the cable company changed it or if the Outdoor Channel just changed it's name.

On my very first campout with the Troop, I was sent to go and find a left handed smoke shifter. The older guys in the Troop told me that they thought that the Troop at the next campsite might have one, and to ask if we could borrow it. This, of course, played out with me making the rounds to various campsites asking if they had a left handed smoke shifter. At the last stop that I made, the SM of the Troop handed me this stove pipe type contraption that had an elbow on it, that if you held it just the right way, the smoke from any campfire would "shift to the left, and away from your face." W

Thanks for the follow-up. Now this is a great story, and shows good karma! One good turn creates another.

Found this this AM. Really lifted my spirits! http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/24389984/?GT1=43001

Thanks for the info. The Council that I'm in is not super large - 2 counties, 3 districts. I was thinking that a DD was kind of a "make work" position for someone who wanted to move up the professional ranks,but the SE didn't quite know where to put him/her; but I do see it now as a position for a senior DE to move into, as his professional career progresses. Thanks again - the info is greatly appreciated.

As stated in the title of this post, I am wondering what are the duties of a District Director. As far as I know, the DD is not part of the Key 3. (I could be wrong.). It seems to me to be a position for someone who is perhaps too valuable to let go, but not "seasoned" enough for a Scout Executive position. YMMV

GW, This is a great post! In the same vein, I'd like to add that BSA National does a poor job of advertising Scouting. I'd like to know why BSA doesn't have commercials on TV/Radio ala Project S.O.A.R., BoyPower/ManPower. I think that BSA can have success in attracting youth with the current Good Turn for America and the Emergency Preparedness Award. I also don't understand why there are not any new movies that depict boys in a scouting environment. Why is there no remake of "Follow Me Boys"? You need to hit these kids where they live. When a boy has the latest "Guitar Hero" video game

Pargolf44067, Our Troop ran into this situation about 2 weeks ago. Our SM cancelled the outing, due to adverse driving conditions. Our destination was about 2 hours away. He did wait until the morning of the outing,to make the cancellation, as we were planning to leave in the late afternoon. Things to consider: 1). Are you sure that each vehicle is capable of winter travel? (i.e snow tires, good tread vs. bald, etc.) 2). How do the other adults feel about driving in the said winter storm conditions? 3.) If you do decide to travel, and the designated route ends up being shutdo

Do your Scout Parents really know....everything that is required for their sons to have a program? For the most part, I would say No. When a new scout wants to join our Troop, the SM and CC will sit down with the parents and explain how the Troop functions. A request will then go out as to have them come on board as a committee member or ASM. This mostly falls on deaf ears. The response typically is "Let me see how things go, and I'll get back to you." The impression that I get is one of, "Hey, the Troop is being run OK, I'll just sit back and let you guys and gals do your thing." Is yo

Since we have just past this great day this year; one in which we are told to expect six more weeks of winter, I will gladly suggest "Groundhog Day"! As for the boys choosing the movie and getting approval from the MB counselor, I believe that it is wise to have a list of movies to provide suggestions to the lad. It seems like the boys want to "Loosely" relate an action movie that they just saw, or was just released, to the requirement of the MB.

I think an interesting trip would be a backpacking adventure in Alaska! It would be fun to hike into a valley, with a stream full of salmon, and catch and cook your meals! It would also keep you on your toes, so as to be aware of your surroundings, and prepare yourself for sudden changes in weather, as well as any wildlife encounters. (READ BEARS!). After the adventure in the wild is complete, the trip can begin to wind down with a boat excursion in one of Alaska's many harbors. Here you will be able to see and appreciate the aquatic life. It takes my breath away just thinking about seeing

I want to thank you all for the comments and suggestions. I plan to have a pre summer camp PLC scheduled before the Troop goes to camp. It is here that the PLC can discuss the pros and cons considering participation in any or all of the activities/projects that are involved with the Troop Award of Excellence. It will be interesting to see how the current SM reacts when the PLC makes their decision. I hope that he can just take a step back and take pride in the fact that the scouts made a decision and are going to abide by that decision, regardless of the outcome. I mean, it certainly is n

I am becoming the SM of our Troop when we recharter in February. The current SM is stepping down to ASM, because he wants to concetrate on supporting the Venturing Crew that he started about a year ago. (He is the Crew advisor). Before I begin, I would like to state that I have a lot of respect for this man. He took on the position of SM when no one was willing to step up, and the troop has been quite successful with him at the helm. Since I have been with the Troop, the SM has always 'pushed' the boys to earn the Troop Award of Excellence (TAE) during the week we spend at summer camp. Part

How about "Armageddon"? Two teams (patrols)with the common goal of saving the world from devastation. Shows team building, teamwork, problem solving and making tough decisions. I do not know what it is rated, but it is a good movie! Another good movie is "Miracle on Ice". The story of the 1980 US Olympic Hockey Team. Again, team building and team work to achieve the goal of winning the Gold medal. Of course, there is one movie out there that in it's own off-the-wall way shows team work and problem solving.... "KISS and the Attack of the Phantom of the Park"

915, Yes, they were homing pigeons. It was amazing to us that the birds could find their way home; usually beating us back home during training flights! The tough part was coaxing the birds to get back into the coop. The faster they made their way into the 'trap', the quicker we could clock their time. Those birds that didn't make the cut usually ended up on the dinner plate My grandfather had birds that would fly from Cincinati, OH; South Bend, IN; and as far away as St. Louis, Mo. to their home coop in SW Pennsylvania. We always helped him on 'lookout' when the birds were due back. I

ASM915 Marinated Squab was a delicacy in our humble household. With 10 people under one roof, (and only one bathroom ), it helped the family budget to have the squab for meals on occasion. My grandfather was an excellent cook, and I learned alot from him that pertained to scouting, and outdoor cooking. Amazing how one merit badge opens the door to learn, and become familiar with other scouting /life skills.

Eamonn, Thanks for the link to the NE Venturing website. Looks like a lot of good info, especially for a Crew such as ours, that is new and still becoming familiar with the Venturing Program.

Without knowing the details of your budget, and the logistics of the cabin, etc. I would offer that in addition to the open fire, where you can cook on the coals; you may want to consider purchasing a couple of bags of charcoal, and set up additional 'cooking stations' for the foil pack meals. Of course, you will want to follow Leave No Trace, and utilize either established fire rings or bring along metal trash can lids and place the charcoal in the lids.