LauraT7

You can come to our troop events anytime! We also just started trying to re-introduce "entertainment" at our campfires and evenings - the boys are REALLY enjoying doing skits and jokes, (they grumbled a bit at first, but we insisted - now they're into it!) and some are singing some (rather rowdy) songs, too. This last campout the boys planned the activities and truly worked in patrols for the first time - and for the evenings entertainment? They decided that each patrol had to do a skit or teach a song - and they insisted the "Adult patrol" come up with one, too! I brought

Are you saying that if the hike took them up 250 feet, then down 200 and up another 250 feet, would he count this as 500 feet gained? or 300? I'm confused. The Camping requirement says "Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 2000 vertical feet" I would interpret that as total feet from lowest point to highest. I would think the point was to learn to deal with higher elevations and the resulting physical changes & challenges - If you simply go up and down 4 or 5 times within a lower elevation, that isn't getting high enough to deal with physical elevation challenges.

ScoutMom - at least your ex tried some - mine never did. I know all Mom's are biased - but my Jon is a terrific kid. He's funny and entertaining, ADHD and gifted, which makes for "unique" challenges, but makes for a personality that attracts kids and adults to him. he's a nice person, & simply fun to be around. My ex & I divorced before Jon turned 2. Dad has not been to a school conference since 1st grade, or an event since about 4th grade. That year, Jon got to regionals with his derby car and Dad showed up and embarrassed Jon by picking a loud fight with the judges ove

Thanks Scoutmom - you're right, i WAS talking about my ex - (and while your ex and mine are probably not the same, they are probably soul-brothers!) And wasn't there someone above who commented on mis-interpreting someones position by using only part of someone's quote? I don't qualify ALL males who want to go off on their own as neaderthals, etc. Nor do I want to change OUR troop (which DOES encourage Mom participation) or someone else's troop that does not - Except in the case where there is no choice for the boy or his Mom. In the begining of this post, webelosmom said

First I want to say clearly that the following is simply MY perspective and MY point of view. I do understand that other moms and dads may feel differently - especially those in traditional 2 parent families. I am a single mom - I often work 50 -60 hours a week and only have my son every other weekend. His dad does not participate in any of Jon's scout, school, or church activities. If Jon participates in anything, it must be on my time with him. If scouts were "male only" I would only see him one weekend a month! and Jon would have NO parent involvement in scouts! Part of the rea

Ok - on a number of posts I have seen people knocking the use of air mattresses and battery pumps, too. Why is this such a big deal to everyone? Many people bring collapsable chairs - No one looks askance at that - why? Cell phones, GPS devices, and walkie-talkies (used appropriately) are common - heck, there's TONS of stuff most troops bring to camp that really aren't necessary, but add to the "home away from home" ambiance of camp. I have a very bad back - which gives me no trouble at all if I lift things properly, know my limits, and sleep with my back and neck properly support

Oh, boy! We have one of these, only it's a husband /wife team and their son is now Star and thinks he can run the troop singlehandedly. Admittedly - he's a good "tester" good at school, too - but doesn't retain what he knows. - he can 'study up' and tell you what he needs to know, but practically? on a campout? Well, last campout he pitched his tent in a gully, hidden by weeds, and got wet and bug eaten and nearly broke his ankle on a root going to the tent at night! Now this boy's Dad wants to be our SM! As for the requirements, well, it's actually "Since joining, participate

we have a small troop - 18 - 20 boys. Mostly 12 - 13, some 14. 2- 11's, 2- 16's. they have a wide range of ability and interests, some like long, strenuous activities, some like hiking and biking, but want shorter trips. some want to "go & see" museums, history stuff, spend a night on a sub, that kind of stuff. others think that's boring and want high adventure hiking, biking, climbng trips. How do you accomodate a variety of interests without watering it down too much for the high adventure group, or making it too much of a marathon for the low-key ones? We really don'

Ok - lots of Dads - no Moms? I'm still thrown sometimes by the male exclusivity of boy scouts. I don't think "scouting" in any form should be exclusive. I grew up in Girl Scouting, and while my mom was our troop leader, camp nature lady, on the district committees, etc. my Dad was always involved too. 'long about Jr high, he officially became a girl scout leader. he didn't do meetings - they were after school and he was at work. But he participated in everything else, including every campout. my folks were "cool parents" and my friends envied me. Even if they did hold me to a hig

Thank you all for your input - Our CO IS starting a venture crew - in it's infancy now - I don't think they've actually had any meetings, but they do have kids lined up. that's where our old SM is - he is the new Venture crew leader. the general attitude seems to be that the venture crew will detract from the troop - where I think it can only ADD to the troop - especially for those boys that crave this high adventure. There's nothing that says they can't belong to and participate in BOTH Scouts and Venture. They may conflict at times and the boys may have to make choices - but tha

I would also agree that attendance is NOT a sign of scout spirit - My son has LOTS of "scout spirit", but often misses and event because I am divorced and it falls on his Dad's weekend - Dad doesn't "do" scouts or anything inmportant to Jon. Jon has no control over it and neither do I. Until he is 18. WE have another boy in our troop who bad allergies, asthma, and has a heart condition. Most of the time you wouldn't notice it at all - others, well, his parents keep him home sometimes because his immune system is low and it doesn't take much to push him over the edge. He's been w

I have posted before about some of the adult ego problems in our troop. We have been looking for or without a scoutmaster since last Feb. our "acting" scoutmaster is trying, but he is a young man, former Eagle scout, single, no kids and too involved on other scout things (OA, district) and his work to really put in the necessary time. He usually can't make campouts, and we have a group of adults who want to direct, but no take the ultimate responsibility. He is not a strong enough personality to overcome them. One dad showed interest in being SM, he was politely directed to join

We were on a bike trip up in Wisconsin, near New Glarus, a pretty picturesque tourist area. the boys had gotton ice cream at a local shop across the parking lot and were milling around, talking to some local boys, one of whom talked to everyone in the ice cream parlor and was trying to impress our boys with his double thumb. A couple of our boys came bounding into the bus, quickly pulled on their sweatshirts over their uniforms, made a few adjustments to their clothing, grabbed a couple of baseball caps and put them on backwards and left in a hurry. I watched silently and when they left ask

Bringing this up to the top for further discussion - We are a smaller troop where our 18 boys are mostly 8th - 10th graders (various ages) It would seem that most troops are organizing their patrols by rank advancement, which roughly parallels age/grade. Our bulk of boys are in 8th grade - and range from scout to star. Some are highly motivated by advancement, others aren't into it as much. Most participate in activities ALOT - but have a wide variety of interests. The "more advanced" ones are highly competitive, high energy, love testing their abilities in activities

heres a plastic one - expensive, but I found it at SAm's club for $29. 91 !!!! http://shop.store.yahoo.com/welcomedepot/camporkitor.html theres a number to build - search under camp kitchens, patrol box (es), cooking, etc. heres a nice big one http://www.angen.net/~pack21/T21_Kitchen_Box.html fancy ones... http://www.blueskykitchen.com/ versatile one: http://www.u-bild.com/woodworking-plans/446.htm have fun!

I usually take my own tent - I'm 5' 11 and HATE trying to put my pants on laying down or bent double! i have a cheapie dome tent from Sam's Club - but I take good care of it, so it has lasted. Plus our troop has always had a rule about no packs in tents - I prefer to keep my stuff IN my tent!(with frame packs and small tents, I DO understand this - but I think that it contributes to the problem of getting the boys to bathe and change clothes regularly. 11 - 13 yr olds have a problem with "a Scout is Clean!" when clothes and privacy aren't handy!) Our troop also uses the Eureka Timberl

don't ask for "volunteers" or help - that's too general, and nobody will answer because no one wants to get in over their heads. After all, they think - what do i know about It? call up the parents and invite them specifically to an event or meeting. See them in town, at the grocery, in church, and get to know them. Know your boys, and know their families. Then... "Gee, Mrs T., Johnny tells me you run the neighborhood garage sale and are Mrs organization - do you think you could help me with the troop checkbook and fundraising money?" Hey, Mr B! your son told me ab

We are working on re-building our troop after some major problems posted on this forum earlier - thought you would like to know the outcome of a plan put in action - The boys had planned a weekend canoeing at a local conservation district park - and the SPL asked me to help with the activities planning. The boys are in a rut - they want to lead, but don't know HOW. they have internal fighting and no resolution for making decisions. They only come up , over and over, with the same events, the same meals, the same thing, year after year. They think planning is BORING and that things just h

I agree with Mike - "Not advancing doesn't mean automaticaly mean a diminished scouting experience." I don't understand this big push to get boys to first class within their first year of scouts - what the heck are they supposed to do the other 5 years? why do so many of the adults put this big pressure on them to advance, advance, advance? It's like we don't consider them "real scouts" unless they are first class? some boys are ready and interested themselves in acheivements and advancement - if so - Great! But when it's parents and leaders pushing them, the boys pic

Electronics are not allowed on our campouts and events, though on long rides, we have allowed the boys to bring music tapes and cd' players - which are left in the bus at all times. I haven't seen any game boys - they have been flatly refused in the past, and I think they'd be frowned on if they did show up. Our Troop is lucky enough to own their own bus - and though it is old, it is a great tool. one set of seats on each side is set up facing each other with a table and checkerboard painted on it in between - the boys play chess, cards, checkers, and have other board games to play, and

ps - we originally thought some Webelo's might come for this weekend, but it turns out they have another event to go to - so this WILL be all Boy Scouts.

Our troop is planning a canoeing / fishing weekend at a local park. Our boys all know the basics of canoeing - but many have not had alot of experience. this will be on a flat-water pond /lake ( no beach, no swimming) but there is a boat launch and a dock. What we are aiming for is for them to learn skills in a fun way - not just aimless paddling around the lake - where they don't learn much that is useful on a river trip - like manuvering and control. I remember a "water olympics" that my girl scout council used to do each year - things like: *a canoe tug of war (strength and co-o

An 11 yr old scout was killed this week and another seriously injured when a tree fell on his tent during a violent storm at camp. news article : http://www.dailyherald.com/community/archive_story.asp?intID=3747033&zone=aht All precautions were followed, and this was a freak accident - the tree was a live tree, not deadwood and no one could have predicted it falling - but i am sure the camp staff, troop leaders and members, and families are all having a tough time dealing with this. I do not know Ricky or his troop. But my heart goes out to them - it could just hav

We have a couple of homeschooled kids in our troop. they need the "drug program participation" requirement of 2nd class. all of our public school kids participate in the "DARE" program at school in 6th grade - but we have no resource for the homeschool kids - no YMCA or other type group that runs such a program in our area, either - Can I just give their parents my son's "DARE" book and have them work through it on their own? any other suggestions?

THANK YOU SAGER! some people tease me about my air mattress - but I don't think they'd want to see how grouchy I can get when I have a stiff back and little sleep! With it, i sleep like a baby - one of the reasons I love camping! I sleep better on my air matress after a day outside than I do in my own bed! As for the benadryl - my son and i both have allergies - and the over -the counter benadryl has been around for awhile - and used to calm kids (and my dog! who's afraid of stornms) for long time. We have non-drowsy prescription meds for both of us, and nasal spray if needed - And