le Voyageur

What I was trying to say in my earlier post, is that I was referring to only those high adventure canoe bases that operate in extreme, and isolated wilderness areas. Of all the council camps, there has been only two...Tinnerman, and Maine High Adventure. With Tinnerman gone, well that leaves only MHA. It hurts to see a camp get sold, but that hurt goes far beyond that with the loss of a high adventure base like Tinnerman. It's one less jewel in scouting's treasure chest of adventures for the older Scout. I've got my fingers cross that we don't loose MHA, and all those adventures in Maine's N

my bad...thanks for the correction

Currently, that now leaves only one Council owned high adventure base, Maine High Adventure. Though this year we had a great turn out with over 40 crews signing up, what is most apparent is how few units from Maine will sign up. It's a puzzle why the Maine councils won't make the effort to better support this program which is in their backyard. Also, I'm concerned about the impact Summit will make on my own home Council (BRMC). We're two hours out from the Gorge, and our New River Adventure program has been running rafting crews in the Gorge for close to two decades. Am sure the powers that

The end of an era. The powers that be at the Greater Cleveland Council has close Tinnerman, citing declining membership, and increasing maintenance costs.

I've several absolute concrete rules that concern water treatment ...first filtering, followed by purification with a rest period to allow the chemicals the time to do their job. The other is filtering, followed by boiling. Also, I won't draw water directly from a river, or lake. Instead, I'll look for a small feeder creek that I feel isn't contaminated by cattle. There isn't a filter on the market that can remove growth hormones, antibiotics, and a host of other ills that ranchers feed their livestock. Lastly, I'm the only one that fills his water bottles.

I don't have much respect for West who was more of a bean counter lawyer and glad hand, not the outdoor type. Seton, who had worked with Powell directly knew well Powell's vision, of which West didn't. Had Seton been able to advance that vision, scouting could of stayed true to that course. But,it is what it is... the bottom line is everything

It was more Beard, and West that turned scouting into a business. Seton had major issues with West over the direction of the program, and left the movement....none the less, you'll never see a square knot for Seton as money talks

This is a peace keeping mission, not a military invasion, thus The War Powers Resolution of 1973 - 50 U.S.C. 1541-1548 allows President Obama to act for the now without Congress's approval. Suggest also that the OP study the vesting clause of the Consitution, and the Unitary Executive theory...and avoid the fringe right memes, and dog whistles of the Tea Party...

I recall an era in Scouting when women had very limited roles in Scouting. After opening the door for women to hold key positions, the ladies have proven their selves more than capable. Often times they provide better leadership than their male counterparts. And yes, the level of sexism during those time was rampant, and a number of the old guards packed up, and left the program because they couldn't adapt. Is it past time for National to end their homophobia? I say yes, and for those who would leave the program because of this change...good riddance, and adios...

I suggest putting said knife in a shadow box, and hang it on a wall. Then buy one that works....

Attend Round Tables, and network with other Scouters. No need to keep reinventing the wheel. Go through and do the advancement requirements for each of the lower ranks Attend training sessions to improve outdoor skills... Set the example...be ready to walk the talk...

We didn't consider it survival....it was the way it was down during those times...my first trek across the Canyon was with a BSA Yucca pack, and wearing KEDS. Used a lot of military surplus gear which we often modified to fit our needs...great fun, wouldn't change a thing...

Shop at Goodwill for items....for myself, my mess kit changes with the activity I'm doing, as well as the time of year. There is no such animal as a universal mess kit, my own thinking, a mess kit should reflect it's owner. For the most part, my general kit consist of a small fry pan, a wooden bowl, a cup, a small kettle (all Goodwill - cost, about 2 bucks), and a lexan spoon. Overall, I can build numerous kits just by mixing, and matching...here's one I've created for reenactments... http://i546.photobucket.com/albums/hh427/Chowanoke/DSCI0133-2.jpg If I'm traveling light...mayb

I work at the Council level as a river guide, a climbing director as well as a white water canoeing instructor, and a black powder instructor. I'm there to assist Unit leaders with their outdoor programs, and/or train new Scoutmasters to enhance their outdoor skills...(This message has been edited by le Voyageur)

WAG Bags, light weight, easy to carry, one will last a week...and, you can pack em out... http://www.nrsweb.com/shop/product.asp?pfid=2737 Suggest also a high fiber diet, plus hydration....

There are those times I will hit the backcountry for three or four days with only a four point blanket with a tump line for my pack, a sill tarp, sheath knife, flint and steel kit, canteen, cup, plus several bags of tea, jerky and pemmican....

Dead Man Walking - scouts explore the dark side of the criminal justice field studying democide. Will work along side a real executioner (Scouts with liberal leanings in Texas may prefer working on the Higher Karma merit badge instead).

Base Jumping - to be offered at Summit. With access to the New River Gorge, this exciting new merit badge will provide Scouts the adventure of jumping off the New River bridge as a capstone event. Basement Horticulture - herb gardening for profit, and the chance to meet interesting people from the Criminal Justice field. Civil Disobedience - provides Scouts with opportunies to exercise their Constitutional rights at the grassroot level. As well as to meet interesting people from the Criminal Justice Field. Bounty Hunter - older Scouts will get the chance to work within the exci

It depends...I've been through two woodbadge courses. One in Okinawa, and the other, State Side. Each had a different twist, and unlike the current Wood Badge, with much more emphasis on outdoor skills working as a patrol in a troop. For my self, I wouldn't do the 21st Century Woodbadge course, nor would I recommend it for seasoned unit leaders. The better course as I see it for these folks, is NOLS Wilderness Educator course which cover elements lacking in Wood Badge, and is conducted in a backcountry setting...

Just a few.... A 15 passenger van safety training program to be conducted at the Council level. Units operating vans must show proof of training for trip tickets to be approved. Paint ball guns not to exceed a pressure level of 60 psi Slope angles for mountain boarding not to exceed a 3 percent grade. Cub Scouts, and Webelos use of jump rocks, and rope swings forbidden...

Idiocy beyound the pale....Never been a fan of jingoism, nationalism, militarism, and all the other stupid ism's that keep the human race divided, and murderous...

Had the same problem during LDS week at a west coast summer camp....we sent them a bill for 10 000 dollars worth of damage... However,my solution would be to inform all units ahead of time that latrines would be locked down, and that they will have to pack out all waste, including urine....

Well Seattle, in your neck of the woods you have pine....which means pine resin which is a great fire starter....a good field guide will show what a pine looks like, pick one up before you take scouts out into the woods....

One of lessons driven home at NOLS was knowing what skills/techniques one has that are ineffective, and replace them for what works best for you. Thus, should I spend time making a fuzz stick, or should a lot less time be spent turning cedar bark into a birdsnest, a technique that requires no knife, or tools, other than one's hands? For my self, I'd rather make bird nests, because if I have to go primative (flint and steel, or fire plough) because of wet matches, or a lighter that won't work, a fuzz stick won't be able to hold the embers, or hot dust...

Birch and/or Cedar, pine cones or pitch - a fuzz stick is a waste of time