local1400

After serving as SPL for two years my ASPL was voted in as SPL( by the boys-for the boys). Our troop had a new scoutmaster that fall, our 4th in 5 years and the first one who was the father of a scout. After 2 months the SM asked the troop for a recall and his son was elected. "T", who was voted out dropped out eventually. Looking back I think that just working with "T" may have been better than dumping him. We had an ASM who had previously taken the Green Bar members on a troop JLT trip that I know I benefitted from, and maybe should have been a yearly trip right after the fall elections. It was a weekend trip where the adults did all the instructing and even the cooking and cleaning too so the Jr. leaders could work on what planning and so forth needed to be done. Dont give up on him. Help him.

I grew up in the 80's wearing an old, no collar, olive green uniform. A neckerchief was standard equipment! I personally like the neckers-changeable and still has some color!

As a scout growing up in the eighties and coming from a family of six kids all we could afford to buy me was an old 70's olive green shirt from the second hand rack of a local scout shop. Of course khaki was the official color by then. I even had community/state strips even though csp's were the norm. No one ever said the color was retired! Today I wear the green backed ASM patches on my new uniform. I miss the color of the rank badges too. Lets not forget what scouting is for-the kids! Kids pick up on politics of scouting and all they really want is to have a good time and learn something new.

If you havent decided on a camp yet come East to the Katahdin Area Councils Camp Roosevelt in E.Eddington, Maine. Its about 5 hours N.E of Boston. The camp opened in 1921, has lean-tos at some sites, tents on platforms with bunks at most and has a new, 400 seat dining hall completed in Fall '06. A traditional camp which is now also offering new scouts and cope courses. There is never a shortage of staff like you hear about in the western U.S. Check their website but do it soon-the camp books up fast!