local1400

It seems that the boys don't show up with necessary materials for a Scout meeting (no pens, paper, Scout handbook,etc...) Be Prepared is just two words. Constant reminders given, but to no avail. Are we alone? How can this be resolved without tattooed hands?

This is as tough as my work situation. My days off are Wed and Thurs. That leaves me unable to do weekend trips, unless I take 3 days off (not good for the wallet) and will leave my employer upset enough to take me to a disciplinary hearing, resulting in a suspension of at least 7 days! Your first priority has to be to your family (which includes YOU). I am blessed to be an ASM with 6 other ASMs, but most work weekends like me. Still waiting for that Powerball ticket!

When I was a young member of the Viking patrol, my PL, John made a pot of his "campfire stew" for Saturday night supper at EACH outing. It consisted of browned hamburger, water, and canned vegetable soup. It was terrible. It could be made in one pot however. Often though, we made tin foil dinners with stew beef, potatoes, carrots, and onions all drenched in butter. I made pigs-in-a-blanket once with crescent rolls and some red-snappy hot dogs in a reflector oven. Has anyone seen reflector ovens anymore? I looked at BSA supply, but none. Another favorite, for cold nights, was cook up hot italia

Excellent gwd!

Pint- you should have spoken to the toilet-tongued Scouts immediately after using those words and not when you got to a clearing. That gives anyone who may have heard the impression that that behavior is condoned by the troop. You may have to ask the Scouts involved to sit out the next outing or meeting for each offense. They may need Scouts, and I am not a fan of barring kids from it, but this can't continue or it will only get worse.

Ed, thanks for the link. I was looking through the movie list and was trying to locate some info- seems like maybe 20 years ago or just under, there was going to be a movie about or involving a Scout troop that was numbered 999 and even had special, but fake, council strips for the movie that had been approved by National. Oh, how I wanted one of those CSP's! Does anyone recall this?

After reading through many of these posts, I can only assume that there are lots of keyboards screaming for mercy out there! Personally I don't know or care how much our SE earns. Our council is growing, we have wonderful properties, and lots of people-pros and vols, who want to make it succeed for the good of the youth we SERVE. I am happy to write out that FOS check. Some kid out there needs the BSA because without it what do they have? Drug and alcohol abuse is rampant, even in my remote patch of the sphere. So I gladly give that 50 cents a day for a good cause.

SSScout- my favorite is called Slumgullion.

Gonzo, a member of the Hair Club for Men Patrol wouldn't eat your cooking because 'he's the cook'? What kind of example does that guy set for the other patrols? Every patrol needs to follow a duty roster with rotating chores, even the Bi-focal Patrol. (On a side note, is this guy a yankee? We DON'T eat jambalaya. Baked beans or chowder only.)

Go to ScoutStuff and order the Shower Caddy, item no. D01263. Then fill the caddy with all appropriate items needed, and welcome her as U.C. with this "gift". After all, cleanliness is next to Godliness, and A Scout is Clean. A Scout keeps his body and mind fit and clean. He goes around with those who believe in living by these same ideals. He helps keep his home and community clean.(This message has been edited by local1400)

Michelle, will pray. I checked the BDN website and found the story of the jumper, but none of a missing man. Suicide is hard (and rampant in ME), but when it's a Scout-well I just never think of someone living the Oath and Law would find suicide appealing. It's a high bridge-haven't seen the new one yet.

adc294- I hope the other boys in the unit wouldn't consider your son's purchase of a new uniform as "show-boating." Rather, it could inspire them to update as well. There is nothing wrong with used uniforms. I was 18 when I got my first new uniform, paid for myself. There are many ways a young man can earn money these days. It's how they save that money and spend it wisely that teaches them a life lesson. If I had every dollar I blew on bad decisions and foolish choices I could outfit 10 troops head to toe!

Beavah, It's unforTUNAte that this thread has gone awry. If you HADDOCK to do over again...

TOMY (troop of my youth) often did cleanup work following various events in town. A local service club held an auction each summer of donated household stuff, i.e. junk, at their property. That organization was also CO for the other troop in town. The other troop had no interest in spending two days a year picking up garbage so we would always get the call and go. We earned $$ for the troop and free lunch at a local pizza shop!

Gonzo- How can you hate the King? Now dig out those blue suede shoes cause I'm all shook up!

Where can I get an application for SE?

Since this is up here I will answer bookmoms question, albeit a year late. Yes, there is a McDonalds, Wendy's, Dunkin' Donuts, as well as convenience stores at the Epsom traffic circle 15-20 miles South of T.L. Storer S.R. But since TLSRS is in the middle of NH and belongs to the Boston Minuteman Council, it will be quite a drive unless Mom or Pop attend camp. And the price of gas is shooting up again.

I suppose National could sell uniforms in a kit to be assembled by the wearer and add this component to the Textiles MB.

I suspect in a shower house one may get more moons than Jupiter. As far as a Captains Mast, I do not want to know what that is! My wife told me about a colleague who was driving around one night a few weeks ago behind a car with five teen-aged girls in it. All of a sudden the girl in the center rear (yah, you know whats coming!) gets up, drops trou, and goes full pull with all exposed. The wifes colleagues profession? State Trooper with dash board cam working.

Yah, Beavah, you got it right there, no? Separating the boys by age just doesn't build a troop dynamic! You may as well separate them by height, color, religious preference, hair styles, or better yet, financial class! The older kids just don't interact with the younger kids when split into patrols by age groups! Then who is teachin' who? If there is a patrol of older boys down to say 3 active members why on earth wouldn't you add some new boys to the patrol? If not, that patrol will fade away eventually. There are times when the troop acts as a whole and not as 4 or 5 separate units. It is wo

CM Randy, I guess you missed me smirking there. How about Zero? It is a number, but I've never seen a Troop 0.

gwd- I hope all goes well as I know how disappointed you sound in some of your recent posts! Check out a post by resqman in the "Note to Boy Scouts: Your Meetings Are Boring To Cubs" thread. He described two units he visited recently and what the troops did WITH the Webelos. He even P.M.'d me and let me know more about it. As for what Lisabob says, yes, comfy chair, blanket, lots of cocoa, tea, and coffee. Cookies too (well I would want cookies!). As the boys are out leading, teaching, interacting( No demos, demos are like school. Active participation!) you sit with Mom and Pop and tell them a

I always believed it made more sense to integrate new Scouts into already established patrols rather than create new ones. 11 year-olds leading 11-year olds? Doesn't seem to work very often. And you know, maybe an existing patrol has lost a member or two and new blood can beef them up. Your 14 y/o PL can be the effective Leader he was elected to be. I thought I learned in JLT during Ronald Reagans first term as Prez that patrols should have no more then Eight boys in them. I do however have a 12y/o PL who is more mature and responsible than some 15y/o's.Just his upbringing and dedication to Sc

I am going to beat that musical genius, O.G.E., and say ONE. According to Three Dog Night, " ONE IS THE LONELIEST NUMBER THAT YOU'LL EVER KNOW".

Even though I earn a good living, I am "cheap". I find the price of a Scout uniform on par with the price of other clothes that will go out of style soon. But style doesn't concern me. Never been into keeping up appearances. I recently bought on ebay 2 uniforms (irregular with the tags still on) from a woman in North Carolina for $40.00 and can't find a flaw in them. You know her if you've been there- starting price is 99 cents and has all sizes. I bought some switchbacks from National Supply and like them just fine. Will also buy a pair of regular pants and shorts at my local shop before June