le Voyageur

Bob, You're probadly more than right that someone at the the Council goofed with no intent for fraud. But, when you're told you're short nearly a grand for your Charter that get's one attention fairly quick. Trying to find the wee folks who are interested in Scouting in this county is like pulling hensteeth (the majority of kids here believe they will be picked up by the NBA, or NFL as soon as they get their high school dipoloma...) However, we're not happy with either the District, or the Council. And tired of the 150 mile roundtrips to the Council, and the 70 mile roundtrips to the District to work out their mistakes, so it's time for our unit to move to a new home....as usual, I'm ranting, and frustrated....I'll get back on my meds...

A little history....the district I'm required to be in, is the Red Headed stepchild of the Council; and within the District, our county is the Red Headed Step child three times removed. Needless to say, we really don't get much support from either, and any new DE assigned to grow the District flames out in a few short months. So, with no support we're down to one unit in this county, a Venture crew that I advise that has 5 girls, and 1 of the other gender. At least I believe we're down to only one unit, because when it came time to recharter, the Council hit us with a bill that neared nearly a thousand dollars to cover nearly a hundred new sign ups that didn't exist in our Unit.... The COR got it corrected. But, I've a feeling someone didn't make thier numbers goal.....and, we're now planning to move the Unit into another nearby Council....happy campers we be not...

Well, if you were in my neck of the woods I would cut you a truck load of spars. Got so much down timber from Hurricane Isabelle it'll never be cleared...take a look around, and see if there are any logging operations in your area, some Bull of the Woods/land owners will allow you to salvage trash trees.....

I think this post is a rant...so bear with me A while back I thought it would be a great ideal to pick up a CDL with a P and S endorsement, as some camps will use buses to transport campers to distance program areas....I saw it as a way to be a little more helpful. Much to me dismay, the county that I hang me hat is so straved for drivers that I got shanghied into a postion as a sub, and now driving more than the regulars... Here's what life is like on a school bus in a county with nearly zip in the way of Scouting...the biggies are - First, a School Bus is a combat zone. The bully's and thugs rule the back, and rome the aisle looking for prey. - With 50 plus souls on board, everyone has a beef with everyone else on the bus. I call it the Squabbles, and everyone one on board has an unwritten social ranking of just how much grief they will get...It's worse on the afternoon runs as everyone is Sugared Up, and pinging off the walls froms the day's supply of junkfood. - Racism... - Open sex... - Parents who really don't care. Even when viewing the viedo's it's not their child causing the problem. So, after this school year ends so ends my career as a cheese driver. Gonna get me a safer job hauling explosives.... rant off...

We chose are own numbers for our living history venture crews...1607 for the Jamestown date, and 1586 for the time of the Lost Colony....

For a better deal....LV's designer birch bark snow goggles, circa 1730....price 2 beavers, and 1 otter... hey, OGE, dose this make me a spammer...LOL

Well, if you do, let me know so that I can drag you kicking and screaming to my favorite deli (across the street from William and Mary) for a very cold root beer to toast that retirement, hey...

Just a heads up for those interested in living history, 19-20 March the Jamestown Settlement (near Williamsburg) will be hosting an MTA event (Military Through the Ages)...maybe I'll see a few of you there...hey

Those that I have experience with are Rivers, USA Raft, and Wildwater, as well as New River Adventures...all run a very safe program with well trained guides. About the Gauley, and a heads up...it's a continous two hour carwreck....so, for first time rafters I would say stay with the New and enjoy yourself.....

Maine High Adventure Area....used to be a National camp. Great canoeing, but not for those who are poorly prepared for this level of high adventure.

Quote: Thanks for the heads up. Will be interested to see if anyone from national or the councils involved tell their side. If there's anything to this, it will be a poor reflection on the trustworthiness of the organization... Sir Scoutalot The councils mentioned are not the only one's inflating the numbers, and cooking the books...I've a sense that this is fairly widespread due to available HUD dollars for inner city programs...

For high adventure activities where you're in remote settings some distant away from camp, or medical help;I've come to the conculsion that most first aid kits are ok for the run of the mill stuff....but beyound that, they're fairly useless. ....Thus, I'm in agreement with NOLS when it comes to risk management..believe me, it's a good feeling going through a whole summer without dipping into the first aid box, and no entries in the first aid log....

Overall, not a bad ideal. But I would like to toss out another ideal, also. That is, a religious award program for native Americans scouts and scouters who follow their traditional tribal faiths....

Nope, Hudson Bay bread is not Bannock...here's a site with a few recipes... http://www.holry.org/baybread.html I like to tweak mine with lots of pecans...makes for one yummy meal.

You're right, finding good tea in this country is like the search for the Holy Grail. Thankfully, there is now the internet.... As for High Tea....well, for me that's an anytime break on the river just to enjoy a good hot brew, a slab of Hudson Bay bread, and some serious sloth....simple and pure heaven

Speaking about ferries...the weather is getting nice enough to get out on the water, and get a few hours of practice in doing ferries and poling....might even dump the boat a few times for the heck of it....

Also, review the GTSS, follow the advice given by the other posters thus far, and you should be in good shape. Would like to recommend the following book....River Rescue, by Les Bechdel and Slim Ray, this will give your crew a chance to bone up on hazards such as strainers, horizon lines, etc., plus river rating systems...also, as a heads up, few lifeguards, including BSA lifeguards are trained and exerienced in river dynamics and swift water rescues. Just make sure they don't get in over their heads (no pun intended)....common sense in the name of the game.... have fun, and enjoy

On Edit.... http://www.northernforestcanoetrail.org

btps.... www.northernforestcanoetrail.org This canoe trail is still a works in progress...but, I would suggest that should you give them a call and see how your unit can help. Maybe your 50 miler could be a big help on sections that need work for a future guide book. Besides being a great good turn, it'll more than cover the 10 service hours needed to complete the award....

If you're berthing in a tent (hopefully it'll have an electrical hook up) consider taking a small fan....

For camps a little more to the north....KSR outside of Bangor, has an outstanding waterfront. And for the older scouts who want a challenge, and a real adventure of wilderness travel in canoes, there's the Maine High Adventure Base at Grand Lake Matagamon.

Yes...heat will be a problem. Camblebacks are okay, but better would be a small to med. size cooler for cold water, drinks, and ice to go in the Camleback. Would also suggest polarized sunglasses, chalk, head gear that protects the ears, and the back of the neck, plus a high SPF sunscreen....over than that, just follow the gear list that should be coming your way shortly... For time off...a good roadmap of the area. Bush Gardens, Water Country USA, and Williamsburg are just a short drive away, and might be something you'd be interested in. If you should go to Williamsburg, know that there a pretty good deli acros from the College of William and Mary...

Backpacking, canoeing, or a mix of both????

You'll always need ventilation, regardless of the fuel being used. For a one room cabin, either a sheepherder stove (woodburner), or a kerosine heater burning K-1 kerosine....I prefer the sheepherder burning oak or cherry, but never, ever charcol

After going through the catalog, it was apparent that BSA National feels that it's membership body has plenty of money to spend, and no budget to worry over...for me, I'm boycotting for lower prices to make scouting more affordable. Anyone else???