LPC_Thumper

Hi... west coast camps Camp Chawanakee - Sequoia Area Council this is one of the grand-daddy camps of California. Have fun Camp Cherry Valley & Camp Emerald Bay - Both on sunny Catilina Island. Far enough off the mainland you can't see the coast, you are adventure bound. The Argus - Can you say Tall Ship? Can you say 2 staff memebers, rest of crew is your troop/crew? Can you spot the whales? Can you set sail up and down the California Coast? Get the picture? Camp Oljato - High Sierra Camp, opposite side of lake from civilization. This place rocks too! Rancho Alegra

Well said...

I volunteer as a member of the District Adancement Committee (for those unsure that's the "Official" title of the person that chairs Eagle Boards. I've lost track of how many boys have sat in front of me, and talked to me about their projects. So what do I do? I ask them where their money came from, and then I ask if it could have come from someplace else. Not because I think they got it from the wrong place, but just to get thinking. If "The Bank of Ameri-dad" funded it, it has no effect on my decision. If mom and dad feed the crowds, it has no decision. If the scout figured out how to p

So it was one of those long nights. You know the kind, brand new SPL, troop meeting was out of control, SPL wanted to talk after the PLC, and meeting, and tried to resign. "It just wasn't like this last week! See I knew I couldn't do this, I'm such a loser!" The SM and I (the CC) told the boy to get in my car. We called his folks so they wouldn't worry, and went to our local Dairy Queen. Little ice cream, a few laughs, a couple of stories, and then when it was time to pay the bill, no bill. I asked the kid behind the counter. He smiled, and held out his left hand to shake mine. He looked

Yes sir, what you are thinking about is EXACTLY what you DON'T want to use in the water. You also need to understand that soap will change the pH of water it has come in contact with. This is a type of pollution that will cause the damage described above. You really shouldn't be using soap in waterways EVER. It's not just because we are trying to be "hug a tree" types.

There are more service projects besides the one for Eagle. What you are suggesting would work great for any of those three, or for multiple boys for those three. Remember just because it won't work for Eagle, doesn't mean it wouldn't work for Star, or Life. If you catch my drift...

In my troop, we buy two copies of the G2SS annually. One goes in the SM book, the other goes in the SPL book (you have notebooks for these important leaders right?) The PLC knows that the only way to get blown out of the water is not meet the requirements in G2SS. We may tell them that we need some more time to pull off an event (like taking them to Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base which we have done from CALIFORNIA), but we won't shoot down their plans UNLESS the G2SS does. If they make plans that are in conflict with G2SS, the SM merely points out to them why National doesn't want them to d

A quote that I think really applies to me and my "boys": A hundred years from now it will not matter what kind of a car I drove, how big my house was, where I went on vacation, or how much money was in my bank account. The world maybe a better place because I had an influence in the life of a boy. Now with that said, one of my boys was part of the team that discovered Taxall (I'm sure that's not spelled correctly). It was found originally by mistake as his children were not careful with some petri dishes he had taken with them as they camped in Glacier National Park. It was later lea

Since I was asked about either National supoprting the idea of patches on the red jacket, or just enduring it... let me say this, In 1965 I started my Scouting career as a cub scout. I stayed in program until 1975 when cars, girls, jobs, girls, college, (did I mention girls?) on it the way. It seemed then like a much better way to spend the weekend, was with the above list rather than 11 year old boys. Anyway back then, EVERYONE work red jackets with patches, including the models in the Scout Catelog. SO I'd say it was the proper use of the jacket then. Now sometime between 1975 (whe

OGE, That's a great idea... See I was able to gain my composure again. My wife took our son's tee-shirts, cut the silkscreens out of them into squares, and quilted them into a blanket, but not the patches and things. That really would be nice! Thanks for sharing that GREAT idea!

Hi, Is this too arogant? I don't think so. You need to remember (in the words of my son) you get to pick the Scout Unit, he get's to pick the rest home. Now remember Dad pay back can be a problem... Now honestly, what do you look for in a pack? In my mind, are the leaders trained? What activities have they done historically? I'm very cautious about the units that try and wine and dine you (which is nice, but really?). When we were shopping what we looked for was a pack that paid a lot more attention to our son rather than us. I have been a Council/District volunteer for many yea

Let's see here... Fire + Scouts + Food = FUN Why not a Dutch Oven dinner? Talk to most Boy Scout Troops and find out if they will show you how! Lasagna, or fried chicken & potatoes, or a stew, or ... If you can make it in an oven at home guess what? OK so you don't want to do that... Why not bring a small foldable grill? You are now open to hamburgers, BBQ whatever (chicken, roast, steaks, shish-ka-bobs) Let the guys cook, they can if you'll let them. Just watch them to ensure they cook it long enough. In my experiences with Boy Scouts, pancakes for breakfast are hard to mes

You want what I know as best, or what National says? Yes folks thats right, Thumper has an area where National needs to WAKE UP!!! We need to be able to decorate the red felt jackets like we did when I was a boy! Ok I'm done venting now... National suplies a red vest to put patches and things on (but not rank badges), or you can get a "brag rag". These could be a cloth where patches and their associated rockers could be displayed. Most are about 3 square feet of a felt material, but the best was always the red jacket... sorry trying to control myself. I'd be interested to see what ot

I think it matters to a GREAT extent the rold these official members of units take in their unofficial role. Let me explain what I mean. If you asked me what I do in Scouts, but first answer is always, "I'm our troop's Eagle Advancement Person". You'd think someone like me would know better, "there ain't no position like that in the manual". Nobody even blinks when I say it. What I really am is my primary registration is as a Troop Committee Chairman, I also am our District's Training Chair, and a member of the District Advancement Committee (I conduct Eagle Boards of Review). So when I h

I have a question about Pepper's post (which except for my question I think was well written). I didn't think that boys could sign off advancement sine the late 80's. Did I miss something here, and have been doing things wrong for 20 years? I thought boys could (and frankly SHOULD) teach skills, but as far as actually demonstrating the skill, that is only done by a Scoutmaster, or an Assisstant Scoutmaster. I'm not trying to be arugmentative, I'm trying to learn. Could someone quote chapter and verse for me, simply because I'm pulling this from my readings of the Scoutmaster Handbook

You really won't need the extra food. When my crew went to Philmont, we only ate what they provided, we starved. At Sommers (another of the bases for Northern Tier) they fed us like you wouldn't believe. We could barely finish the food. It was good, and there was LOTS. (The other adult in the crew was a collegiate Water Polo Player, even he couldn't make sure there were no left overs) Have a GREAT time!

In my troop the PLC and the SM plan all of them. The SPL is MC. He turns time over to each of the ASMs for presentations a certain rank. (Mr ASM-A recognizes all Tenderfoot Scouts, Mr ASM-B recognizes all 2nd Class Scouts) We pass out the recognition card, and mother's pin at CoH (badge was previously awarded) SM recognizes all new Eagels, Eagle Palms, and Merit Badges (all we do for that is say, "John Scout has received the following merit badges, hang-gliding, underwater demolition. James Scout has received the following...) I'm amazed how fast that actually goes. As CC I then thank tho

Wow Eamonn that's too bad. I too am upset when kids are kids. But look at the good side. These guys have stepped up and tried to correct a mistake. I also think that kids need to learn that their actions have results. So many don't get that concept. This can also make it no fun. Hang in there, these lads will pull through. I'd be surprised if the SE tells them to hit the road. They may not be going to Jambo, they might not be heading on any big trips for a while, but they should have the right to make things OK with all involved (through restitution of property, and revocation of some of

I have this position in my District. What I do is that when I get a packet, I call the SM, and we set up a date ASAP (usually 2 weeks out). There are times when I hold one per month. There are times when it is more often. It all depends on the demand for them. As for the original question, Advancement Policies and Procedures Committee Guide p. 17 Eagle Scout Boards of Review. The Boy Scouts of America has placed the Eagle Scout board of review in the hands of either the troop . . . committee or the district or council committee responsible for advancement. The council will decide and

On paper, in theroy, your Unit Commissioner should represent the District/Council for you. (I started this post that way, because you asked the question) If this person is stopping around, or if you have an easy way to contact this person just tell them you don't want to rock the boat, but you saw on a website that people were talking about how much fun scouts have going on patrol campouts. And you were just noticing that your leaders don't do this, and you were wondering why not... I find if you just play "dumb" with a lot of this, you can get all sorts of things. Now if you are rea

I have been an adult in two different troops. The first one I was the founding Scoutmaster. I served until my minister (COR) asked me to step aside. No hard feelings, he just had someone else in mind. No big deal, honest. The second, I offered to act as the Outings & Activity Chair, and got roped into being the Equipment Coordinator as well. I was then asked to work as the Older Scout ASM. I was then asked to work as the Committee Chair (when my son graduated program). There was never a term limit in either of these units. Now on the District/Council positions I have held, i

In my experiences with Scouting, seeing any skill no matter how outstandingly performed is not the same as doing that skill no matter how poorly attempted. I would expose your Cubs to a well done flag ceremony or two, and then help them do what they have seen. Only after they have done the ceremony themselves would I sign off the requirement.

Not to be rude... I'm of the opinion that trying to skirt the issue of not being a patrol but rather a group of friends is avoiding the point. I realize I'm thumping manuals to say "Hold on, if it walks like a duck, smells like a duck, looks like a duck, and quacks like a duck, it's a duck." I think it would be much better to get these young men talking to their unit commissioner, or their Scoutmaster, and getting some real advice as to why they can't do this, even if it means the patrol has to go sleep in someones backyard while they get their answers.

A long time ago (back when the San Jose Sharks were a brand new NHL team) we had a new patrol forming in the troop. We had always taken the stand that if it was in the Catelog Scouts could use it. One young man saw that the Shark Patrol Emblem looked an awful lot like the the Shark's logo. They decided it would be cool. They then found a San Jose banner, took the hockey stick off of it, and had the best patrol flag I've ever seen. Was this classic copyright enfringment (sp?)? You bet it was. Do I think the offended would come after the BSA? I'm not so sure. Anyway other than that one epis

I AM THAT KID, except I'm the Committee Chair for your troop. When we went to Northern Tier, I fell into a ditch the night we arrived in Minniapolis, and twisted and ankle. The next day, I skinned a knee on our way to Emmerson Camp, the following day bruised knuckles at base camp. Then the ultimate, on our very first portage, we got across Moose Lake (this is the lake base camp is on, for those of you that haven't been there), I was thinking cool we're finally here, I survived the trip, etc. The scout in the front of the canoe didn't know what to do, hesitated, and then pulled the b