le Voyageur

[Dang editor] Wanted to conclude the last paragraph with... "So look for the hidden talent in your district and council...you could be suprised by what you find is available." LV

Have to agree with all that has been said...best advice is to beg, borrow, make, and rent the gear you need starting with the resources held by your Council's summer camp. For guides, bribery, like free food, and covering out of pocket expensives can't hurt. Also, don't look a gift horse in the mouth (i.e., I've offered my services to the local council and district here to guide river treks, as well as long distance cycling treks for Venture Crews pro bono. Seems that no one is interested, so I provide this service to another council that is).

Mike emailed a request for my backpacking gear list, and I'm posting it here to share it with you folks to give you an ideal on how to cut weight...but a bit of a warning, please use this information with caution since it is on the ultra light side of the equation... Backpack, LW One Pound Pack, 3200cu, 16oz http://members.tripod.com/lwgear/lwg.html Sleeping Bag, Haglofs LIM Plus#5 rated at 40deg f., 14.5oz http://www.haglofs.se/ Hammock, Hennessy, 36 oz Space blanket, 1.5 oz Clothing Pants, Railriders Weather pants Long Sleeve Shirt, Railriders EcoMesh Shirt Anor

The current scandal affecting the Roman Catholic Church seems to keep growing and growing. If this article has merit, then it's indication shows a much deeper problem that will require major changes, not by the Pope or Bishops, but by the laity at large. If not, then no parent in their right mind would ever trust their child with a priest... http://www.newsmax.com/archives/articles/2002/4/4/192430.shtml [do hope this links work, as the edit function won't]

There may be a possible Mason connection that made it happen (B.P. was never a Mason, but the BSA advancement scheme seems to model that of the Mason's). However, the evidence for this is either still out there waiting to be found, or so meager that it has been overlooked and ignored..............

Personally, I could care less about where the Ten Commandements should, or should not be posted. But, what is most interesting about the Commandments was an oversight that altered the course of human history for the worse. Is it not odd that for a people who had broken free from the bonds of slavery, did not see the need, nor received a commandment against slavery? Tends to be one of those "what if" questions that opens a pandora's box since it infers a God of hindsights....kinda wonder how Aquanis would of handed this one?

Yes, the list is extensive, but I hope that it will give a few folks some ideals for creating training modules which could handle their local needs, and, or interest. As it stands that list in it's entire would take nearly two years to complete. However, if I was to develop a H.A. Trek leader course, the focus would be on leadership development and risk management first, then slowly building needed skills overtime. The immediate short term goal being to get the new trek leader out, and developing hands on experiences in the field as fast as possible. The book work and classroom stuff can only

These are the subjects that I think would produce a fairly knowledgeable trek leader that a parent would feel safe in having their scout with.... - WFR (mimimum) - layering systems - pack packing - LNT - campsite selection - sanitation/hygene - stove use and care - staying warm and dry - basic cooking/baking - nutrition - water borne diseases - fire building - bear/mountain lion habitat precautions - trail technique - land navigation - GPS - hazard evaluation - wilderness risk management - time control plans - river crossing - pullies and hauling sy

For the experience trek leader there is no such animal as a "safe program". Instead, it comes down to managing risks. Here are some points to ponder as you plan your next trek... Risks are divided into two broad categories.. Objective Risks - these are risks such as high water, fast water, cold water, rain, high altitude, blizzards, wildlife, terrain, snow, ice, etc.... Subjective Risks - or errs in planning and leadership. This is the stuff that really gets us into trouble, here a short list that is nearly endless.... - no training - outdated training - egos - fatigue

From my experience the number of folks who are keenly interested in such training are too few in numbers to support these programs (at our last Council's High Adventure training, there were only 3 sign ups). The three problem seems to be; first, finding Scouters who can take the time off for training which can be exstensive for certain activities. Second, finding folks who are expert in these fields who can teach it. Third, BSA is way behind the curve in High Adventure Trek Leader developement having few guide lines or standards. The Guide to Safe Scouting is lacking when it com

will your unit attend this year??? This is the one that I toil at.... http://www.bsa-brmc.org/ Still lots of room for High Knoll for you folks who like to do outpost backpacking....

A week at summer camp is a far far better bargan than a day in Orlando watching a dancing/prancing rodent. But, if cost is a problems, most councils have a campership program that can help. Give your local office a call and see what their requirements are.

Sounds like it's time to find another unit for you and your son since it appears that neither the Troop Committe nor the C.O. has stepped in to correct this SM's atitude problem [reminds me of a SM I met at camp school for Program Directors. The guy could never seperate the differance between scouting and the military...his staff must of been truly miserable through out the whole summer.]

The Scout Oath and Law are specific toward God, not religion. Maybe a sit down and a face to face with parents might be in order to find a workable middle ground. However, you do not have the right, or the authority as a Scoutmaster to usurp a parent's prerogative no matter their belief system even if it is in conflict with your own. Fiats, and personal edicts will eventually drive a wedge through your membership body, and destory all your good works leaving ill will. Again, compromise, and finding a middle ground meeting BSA standards should be your goal........

Your pack will be just fine, unless you're carrying either an anvil or an anchor in the top part of your pack...enjoy your trek, and have fun....

Could it be http://www.scoutingforums.org/

Don't know why this http won't link. But, if you"ll enter it in the Address section of your Tool Bar it will come up...

Featherswillfly has posted a problem that now affects the welfare, safety, and sanctity of his family... Here's something that may get your attention http://www.msnbc.com/news/726496.asp?pne=msn

Fogot about these folks... http://www.cyberangels.com keep us posted...

Take a look see at http://www.cyberlawenforcement.org

Bob White You've brought up an interesting point, in that most private companies (in this area) that hire guards to staff local area pools won't hire a person with a BSA Lifeguard certification. Why, I don't know, but maybe it's nothing more simpler than that these folks are not aware of the training standards for this certification. To bring a BSA LG up to ARC/YMCA standards would require maybe at best, only half a day of training (whereas, it would take a full week to train an ARC guard to BSA standards). As I mentioned in an above post, this certification could be expanded out int

My certification has always been ARC. However, in this area the training is taught by USCG rescue swimmers, so we get program enhancements out of the mainstream. But, I do think, and agree that the BSA program is pretty good. What should be done to make this even better is to break it down into three different levels. That is, a Basic, an Intermediate, and and Advanced certification process. This way, you won't overwhealm the 14 year old just learning lifeguarding, but also leave the door open for more advance training at a later date. Also, it would be nice for BSA to step up to the plate

LOL - do know about the "bronze god" atitude you aquatics guys have....do have fun at NCS....

Overall, the BSA Lifeguard program is not too bad overall. However, these observations are intended for summer camp CD's, PD's, as well as the Aquatics Director's for their consideration. Now, where this program comes up short are these... 1. It does not cover, nor teach scanning, zone controls, or bottom checks. Nor does it require the candidate to be able to reconize the swimmer in distress, or the early signs of a potenial drowning victim. 2. It assumes that a person who is qualified to guard a pool can also guard a waterfront. 3. It allows an individual to guard river tre

Young Blood Camp School at Hawk Mountain was a joy. The camp is a little hilly, but nothing major to contend with such as the cardiac hill at Ottari. The pool is near the dining hall, plus the waterfront is nearby which is a small lake created by a dam which can be easly seen from the dining hall also. No currents, but winds and maybe an occasional T storm are possible. Overall, the NCS staff instructors are very knowledgeable and experienced for their areas. Overall, your stay there is should be great fun, but don't expect much time to loaf as the aquatics module makes for a full day,