local1400

E, your header of "Not Enough Participants" has me a-wondering, is the pool of WB candidates thinned out? I am not a WBer, and don't ever plan on it, so I was thinking, because I don't know, would someone who has passed a WB course take it again? To me it seems that anyone who has taken a course is someone who has been/will be around the Scouting program awhile, while not many new Scouters are joining/staying/signing up.? (Sorry for the commas- each is a pause to think. I should have gone to sleep 3 hours ago, but no, I have to catch up).

When I worked at camp I had a bunkmate who was a real pain about staying up too late after 9 p.m. He had his own car, an old VW Rabbit, in the parking lot which due to his job at camp, he only saw on Sun and Sat. One week, a bunch of us lifted the car and slid cinder blocks under the axles-it didn't look too high, and he wasn't going anywhere. Another week we lifted it up and spun it so he had to wait for the vehicles to either side to move first. Those cars were easy to unlock with a coat hanger and sometimes the battery or headlights were removed and placed on the floor behind the drivers seat under a trash bag. Do you forgive me Pat? You laughed each time!

OGE, at my camp one Scouter every year without fail would ask the crowd if anyone wanted to know last nights baseball scores. Of course, everyone did. So he would give the scores " 4 to 2, 7 to 1, 5 to 0," and so on. He used real scores but did not mention teams. This was done after each breakfast, and by wednesday morn the groans went up. But I always got a kick out of it, especially as I got older.

Mox, I ate hundreds of meals in that old lodge over an 8 year span. The KAC built a new 400 seat dining hall finished in Fall 2006. I don't know what they will do with the old 1929 hall, but I am sure it will remain forever. There are some better photos of it under the JOTA/K1BSA section of the website. Go on up, you are only 90 minutes or so. local.

You know I gotta say that as a Scout we never never had parents come to meetings unless it was a COH. With my current troop some parents do stay because some have 20 to 30 minute drives one way and it is not feasible to come drop/return retrieve for a 90 minute meeting, which is fully understandable at $3 a gallon. However, any parent is welcome to come to meetings BUT the troop is the boys and the boys are the sole reason for it's existence. In other words, firmly but politely, watch with the eyes and not the mouth.

IF the BSA were to change the uniforms, why would these be restocked in a couple of weeks? There are still some sizes left. As for Ness, well I have both long and short sleeve shirts for the changing of the seasons. I think baden is on the right trail. My workplace is dead during the usual inventory season, then the floodgates open. If I ever find a 70's green, shortsleeve uniform in my size, I am going to grow some mutton-chops and get a beret.

Gunny, to answer your question, I do wear a "Class A" uniform at all Scout functions. Hat, Shirt (long or shortsleeve--depending on weather), Switchbacks, socks, and ALWAYS a neckerchief, although I do have 3 bolo ties I traded for in the 80's from USCG Cape Cod Air Station Troop 45. Try e-bay for experienced uni's on the cheap. You can also find new "irregular" goods for half of new cost. I have noticed a difference in uniforming with the advent of the Switchbacks.

Ah, no gambling for me John my buddy. I'll stick to my famous baked beans with onions, peppers, and sausage with biscuits on the side.(Guaranteed to warm up every tent).

Oh sure, goat cheese mousse is a dutch oven favorite of the Scouts. But the real challenge is the parmesan encrusted artichoke hearts in the reflector oven!

Welcome Boris. Buy a copy of "The Troop Leadership Handbook". Or the "Scoutmasters Handbook", both available at your local council service center or at Scoutstuff.

Well now Local will be off the board for the summer, Working six nights a week- that's a bummer, No Scout meetings for me, Until the Fall camporee, But my boss can gas up his Hummer!

Daylight only driving means you'll have to start trips on Saturday mornings and end on Sunday, cheating the boys out of fun and advancement requirements. You will also tie up the entire weekend of any driving volunteers who do not camp, if you have them. OGE, I grew up in Maine and all our Nov to Feb outings started after dark ( around 4 p.m.). We usually didn't go too far, but what a good challenge for your troop to set up after dark!

Welcome pmarius, sorry it has to be under this circumstance. I hope you can update and fill us in more. Does this lady know that the BSA is a set program with rules and regulations? Does she know Scouting is not your way, her way, but the Patrol Way? If she doesn't know Lord B-P, she needs to go to his church and read his good book.

Yeah, what wingnut said.

I had a SM who stepped down and went back to ASM. He was very popular and his remaining with the troop was great ( He was a college professor who was promoted to Dept. Head and could not do everything at the same time anymore). Remaining with the unit during transition will help almost imperceptibly to keep that harmony going.

Well Lisa, that is certainly a fine tent with the right kind of fly. I am perplexed. I guess I would contact the manufacturer and tell them your story. Don't mention the Boy Scouts when you do as they will immediately assume rough use. Tell them how much you love the tent and how dissapointed you are with such a high end product. You may end up with a new fly, new tent, a repair solution, or squat.

Lisa, how can you be so right so early on a Sunday morn? I think the council should send a letter to the boys with info on Troops in their immediate area. While that may take some effort, it could save time because some folks don't know where they live. But I don't necessarily think a call to a former Webelos ( or former 2C Scout either) from the SPL or a PL is a bad idea. Find a Scout in your unit who is really comfortable with making the pitch. GWD, this could really boost your units numbers and help it survive!

Yes, as others have said, a full rain fly that covers the entire tent is the key. The Eureka Timberline is a perfect example of this. I bought myself a Eureka Windriver 2 dome tent in 1989 (and still use too!) and the directions said before sleeping in it, set up the tent and spray with a garden hose to shrink the fabric, eliminating or reducing stitch holes. I had never heard of this before and my newer Tetragon 1210 didn't include that instruction, but has a full fly and works great.

Don't forget the American Legion Gonzo. They sponsor many troops and one would need to have served in the Armed Forces to join.

Darren, welcome to the forums! I say if the troop can afford it AND it will better the unit, why not? Now I'm guessing by your first post you're 33-37 years old, returning home from college, ... man what the heck major took that long to finish AND how will you pay that off?

If a boy has a problem or question he needs to go to his PL. If these brothers are PL's, tell them to see the SPL.

Our motto here in the mountains is "Take your Trash, Leave your Cash"

In my 80's HB you needed to earn Citizenship and one elective SA for TF, Hiking, First Aid plus 1 elect. for 2C, and Camping, Cooking, plus 1 elect. for 1C ranks. Electives were Communications, Community Living, Conservation, Environment, Family Living (no MB then), Physical Fitness, and Swimming. I liked the Skill Awards as they were actually about as much work to earn as Merit Badges. And yes, they were good for instant recognition between ranks, especially for the new Scouts who are learning the basics still. QueenJ, your son needs to prepare a personal first aid kit as part of todays 2nd Class requirements. I earned 8 Skill Awards in all and still have them. Any way to get the scratches out without taking off the paint?

SR540, I promise you I was only handing out some Bible tracts when you saw my Troop bus at that house of ill repute!(smiley face here--still can't make one)

Well Mox, being an ex-Mainer I can certainly sympathize with the rain situation. But as you know, very little rain falls in February there so you could move the spring camporee date up a little.