local1400

Welcome Mom! I would echo GWD's comments about starting a unit that is more to the desires of your girls. You may create something big and needed in your area. Good luck and let us know how things go for all of you.

Wracking my brain to think of a rhyme, I didn't think it would take all this time, but I'll sit here all night thinking, until my eyes tire of blinking, to bring you a limerick that is fine.

I came from a small troop (15 to 20 Scouts) and am now ASM of a 40 boy troop. I think I like the smaller size a little better. At least trying to organize was easier. Trying to teach a MB to 28 boys proved trying at best-disruptions abound in large numbers! You will grow gwd, and may end up pulling your hair out! You are doing it right. Your boys may provide the testimony needed as I recall some of the activities you have mentioned in your posts. I am always skeptical when I read a slew of 13 year olds earning Eagle all at once and in step with each other all the way. Not saying push through f

I would absolutely oppose going co-ed. I remember being 14-17 and having a one track mind. Imagine condoms being in your Scout handbook list of personal gear. How about a case in the chuck box? You can teach responsibility all you want. Sometimes things happen that are beyond your control. Now when I was 16 I would have liked camping with other teenaged girls. But as an adult, no way does that sound good. Any other fathers think it is okay? (BTW- I am not a parent). Now as to the topic: I would love to see the khaki backed patches dissappear in favor of the colored ones. The uniforms are fine-

"But the organization says the success of the cookie program is not strong sales, but rather the business lessons that the girls learn throughout the process." Hey, I love the cookies. Especially Tag-a-longs. But I gotta say, never has there been a knock at my door from a Girl Scout. I have always purchased them from someones parent at work. Or I see them set up shop outside Wal-mart. And also, how come there USED to be more cookies in a box? Trefoils had 44, Thin mints 42, and Tags had 18, now have 15. I know it's good to support the program, but me want cookie!

This thread could run on for years, you may laugh or shed some tears, now you know how it's done, jump in-have some fun, keep it clean friends and shout out three cheers!

"And at what age do they begin to outgrow this?" When we can't remember what it is we call them.

A poster called Old Grey Eagle, used a song-and thats illegal, but Local's here to say, I threw my best into the fray, and I thought they sounded quite regal.

I'm sitting here eating my dinner, and if I skipped it I would be thinner, but of these posts I'll read on, of limericks-not of song, and wait for Beavah to pick out a winner.(This message has been edited by local1400)

I'll play. A ship had a leader named Eamon, who everyone agreed was no demon. He said to his crew, "I am pleased with all of you", and spent his day a' beamin'.

"I wonder what Club Med brochures taste like?" Chicken.

Yeah Gonzo, the skill awards could be earned in a short amount of time and you felt some sort of advancement between rank, huh? And First Aid MB for FC! I just bought the latest BS Handbook edition last week (Mrs. 1400 sprang for the coil-bound!) and have been comparing requirements. Showing the kiddies my old stuff- they really liked the colored patrol patches.

If I had been that Scout, I would have had my hide tanned by my father, whether I was dead or alive, as I am sure most of us adults here would have. Wheres the respect these days? I was taught that on a camping trip Mr. So and So was in CHARGE and his word was followed. I never had any problems. There was no ADD/ADHD when kids got disciplined at home when I was a kid. Most folks are too soft now. I'm glad the Scout is safe. He needs to review his skills. One more thing that bothers me. Thousands of kids go missing each year. Some are found in a few hours, others never. How come a missing kid i

A troop that follows rules, guidelines, has strictly enforced uniform inspections (in accordance with the uniform regulations)? Shame! C-Bolt, this is the troop for me! I always did, and still do, take Scouting very serious. And it is fun. Wasn't Baden-Powell preparing boys to become men? Life's not all fun and games. You are constantly learning, working, and having fun. I always respected the men who gave of their time freely. If you don't respect my time, then you are wasting it.

The Boy Scout Fieldbook at $19.95 is a great investment for anyone. If you want to spend less, try the Wilderness Survival MB pamphlet at $3.50. Both are excellent sources of information for survival.

Great topic John! I have some older Scout handbooks in my collection for reference, and I am always amazed at how the requirements have changed over the years. As an 80's Scout, naturally that is my era of preference. I still have my skill awards! I too think Cooking MB should be required. I liked the fact you had choices between say, Emergency Preparedness OR Lifesaving. I earned them both. They were not easy. Seems like when I compare Handbooks, some things are easier and some things are harder between now and then. I don't know how to skin a hide. Don't want too. I just cleaned my first fis

I'm with Gonzo on the overdiagnosed and overmedicated situation. I'm 36, and don't remember the term ADD growing up. Some things don't hold everyones interest. I learned 22 years ago at JLT that the average person has an attention span of 20 minutes, so your troop program should change after 20 minutes. It's the same with school or anything else.

Chip29, did you ever do the math on those Scout pants? Wow! A new uniform shirt costs 77 cents per week and pants cost 86 cents per week. Thats a combined $1.63 a week for a Scout uniform. For the same amount of money you can: Buy a medium cup of coffee, a Sunday newspaper, enough gas to start your car and drive to the mailbox, two candy bars, one healthy bar, etc... and so on. When parents complain that Junior will need new uniforms next year and well, you now, it's gonna cost too much, I say put two dollars a week in a jar for a year. $104.00 will outfit him nicely. Socks too!

Does it mention anything about a certain Scouting forum addiction? A couple of years ago, Mrs. 1400 bought me a Gameboy Advanced to pass the time at work.(Work involves sometimes spending hours sitting idle, or worse, up to 20 hours in a hotel.) I have to admit, I like my SuperMario Bros., but I don't let it consume me. But I'm all for electronic device-free Scouting events. Outdoor skills should hold their attention. It's just a weekend, right?

Lion Cubs for kiddygarden? Start em young, burn em out young.

What ever happened to the Leadership Corps? That was similar to what many of you describe here. I was a member and had the old red patch. (By then it was round, not trapezoidally.)

About 35 boys, 5 patrols. One SM, 6 ASM, troop committee is unknown. We are the only troop for a few towns in either direction. This is a big troop by my experience. Troop of my youth had +/- 15 Scouts, 1 SM, 2 or 4 ASM, and was oldest troop in council (continuous charter since 1912, and still is!). Edited part: Us ASM's do whatever is needed. No particular assignmesnts yet.(This message has been edited by local1400)

I view the four years I worked at my councils camp as the best times of my life. Yes, I could have made better money doing something else, but you don't do it for the money. The experience is great! Having your name on the Staff Totem is a source of pride when you read it years later, and see all your friends names too! Ahh, the memories.

gwd and jblake, thanks for the ideas. John-in-KC, when I was a Scout, our troop held inspections each week. That inspection included neckerchiefs, writing instrument, paper, Handbook, and get this, two dimes to make a phone call! We usually taped the dimes inside our handbooks. Winning patrol was treated to a pizza party at a restaurant. Have some 13 and 14 year old TF who just wont finish requirements. I remind them each week, but I don't like to sound like a broken record. But I don't want to see a kid not advance just because he doesn't think of Scouting except 90 minutes a week!

E- you gave your all. But maybe the lad just doesn't enjoy what you do. I love my Dad, but I am my own person with my own interests. You didn't do anything wrong-sounds like you gave your son lots to do and see from your various posts of trips and tales. I have to admit, I have envied some of the things you have experienced. Treasure them.