ASM7

Sounds like Mother never wore an apron. If she had, her son would eat what I like to call (and to eat) home cooking. I kind of feel sorry for the scout because he doesn't know what real food is. Not knowing anything else about the scout he probably has other troubles too. I think a lot of these new conditions plagueing our youth like ADD stems from all the fast food and additives they consume.

This problem could be equated to uniforming. The uniform evens the playing field, somewhat eliminating the problems of peer pressure. I say he complies or considers alternatives. The Scoutmaster needs to refer this to a unified Troop Committee so they can meet with the Mom. Scoutmasters have too many other things to handle. I hope the problem works out so you can all break bread together.

Dear Old Grey and Dan

Our biggest hometown product is cotton. Most of the cotton T's that you wear probably came from Gaston County, so the statement "cotton kills" is very bold. It holds moisture against the skin and can be very dangerous in cold environs. I'm not associated with AKWATEK but our troop does a lot of extreme camping. Extreme meaning both ends of the temperature spectrum. After witnessing cold weather injuries to too many experienced scouts and scouters, we try to educate our scouts in survival in these conditions. However, temps don't have to be extreme to experience hypothermia. The Army did extensive research and testing of this material along with all the other fabrics that have wicking properties. The heads above choice was the one that we chose also. It's marketed by many names and you may have some of your own. Sorry if this imformation sounds like an ad, but is intended to give information to others from our experience. We also use polypro. If you want more info just personally email me. address in my profile.

Thanks for the welcome

OGE

As a troop, we try to impress upon the scouts the importance of wearing the class A uniform for meetings and ceremonies. However, we also impress upon them to wear the proper clothing for certain activities. The Scoutmaster Handbook states, "There may be activities within some scouting functions that are not suitable for uniform wear, such as doing camp kitchen work or cleaning out a creek bed." I think it is more important to teach them safety. That is why we don't purchase cotton T's for class B's anymore (cotton kills) and have elected to go with AKWATEK, produced by Comfort Technologies Inc. in Gastonia, NC. It is a polyester fabric that has the molecular structure changed and makes the fabric wick body moisture away. Keeps cool in the summer and warm in the winter, doesn't shrink or fade and it's much softer. It can be woven in any format (ie. jersey, picque). The Army has adopted this material for workout T's. Check it out! The Class A just doesn't meet some requirements for all outdoor activities. Don't get me wrong. I support wearing the class A at the right time.

You may want to check out this web site members.aol.com/randywoo/bsahis/#HT. Randy has a lot of information and can probably help. His e-mail address is on the site. Music on the site is the Boy Scouts of America March by Souza.

I purchased a new hat band for my campaign hat a while back. I noticed that is was a little flimsy and cheap looking. A fellow scouter showed me his new band and it was much thicker and better made. We bought them about the same time but I feel slighted. Both were bought at the same Council store at the same price. NDC claims that they switched vendors for some unknown reason. Mine doesn't say Made In USA but I'd bet it's not. Does anyone know where I can get the better hat band?

It's great that the scouts enjoyed the First Aid theme. We are also having a Fall Camporee. I have always thought that a camporee was to involve the scouts in all the scouting skills, where they compete on the patrol level. Fisrt aid is just one of them. The theme could be anything you think would enhance the experience.

I agree that the donation is a bad idea for the troop but would probably be OK for S.A.D.D. This was in no way planned as an Eagle service project. I don't know how we got off on that. We do do lots of service projects. This was just an added service to the traveling public, and you're right, service projects don't have to be a major undertaking. We try to develop service oriented minds. Give more than take.

Thanks for the great input to my question. KL Wisconsin, I like your idea of donations supporting another worthy cause. Mike, thanks for thinking this through and your ideas are very helpful. JMcQuillan, if you run into that troop on the cape again, stop in and see how they do things.

Now, the other matter was a troop committe chairman dictating what the troop can and can't do. I thought it was his job to support what our scouts feel is a worthy project or trip, with our guidance , of course. My unit and District Commissioners feel the same way.

I seem to have a difference of opinion with our committee chair as to the legitimacy of a service project. I wanted to do a free coffee break for travelers on the upcoming Memorial Day weekend at a intersection of the nearest interstate highway. The service would allow travelers to take a break from driving and make the roads a safer place. We would also promote scouting with a mock camp site. There would be no charge, but we would have a donation bucket if anyone wanted to contribute to the troop. Two deep leadership, like always, would be in place along with the buddy system. Does anyone know of a troop that has offered this service? Please respond.