Matthew43

In concerned_scout66 message about Brennan Hawkins being to young. That's NOT TRUE at all they have camp for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. Some Boy Scouts start out at the age 11 (especially ones who graduate from Cub Scout to Boy scouts). I don't know where you got that info about Brennan being to young!! Brennan's age is actually ideal for being a Boy Scout. Now yes I do agree the buddy system rules were violated. But that wasn't Brennan's fault at all, it was his buddy's!! As he run off on Brennan before Brennan could even get out of his climbing harness!! Plus in Brennan's c

Yes wind on a lake can be very dangerous. AS my Scoutmaster WILL NOT put any kid in our troop or any other troop on a lake that is windy!! No matter what there expereince is!! The difference between river canoeing and lake canoeing can be like night and day!! Plus yes I do belive PFD's should be MANDATORY EQUIPMENT!! Yes both leaders and boys should be REQUIRED to wear them NO MATTER THERE EXPERIENCE!! YES leaders should wear them because its sets a GOOD EXAMPLE for the boys. Thats one of the jobs of leaders, to set a GOOD EXAMPLE for the boys!! PFD's DO SAVE LIVES!! I

Well planning a trip is easy... Basically you need to find a river, I would pre-run it then you will know where the problem area's are, and can set up saftey teams using experienced canoers if so needed. THIS IS FOR GOING GROUP style like we do every year. We ALWAYS pre-run the river 1 WEEK ahead of time to find the mean areas!! Then setup saftey teams at each area were we think a problem might occur. Everything from little rapids to portages. Everthing is well thought and plaaned!! Also we try to put in our group 1 hour ahead of the rest so the most experienced will be in the

Hi my name is Matthew reed ASM Troop 21 Gouverneur, NY. Our Scoutmaster Paul Lamson has been hosting canoe trips now for over 7 years!! Its a lot of fun!! One thing I may add for saftey equipment is a cell phone and 2 way walkie talkie radios!! Ones that are FRS.GMRS type!! We have never had any problems on the river before but you just never know. We have held canoe trips now for 7 years plus!! I have attended everyone!! We have had over 200 scouts attend our canoe trips!! 2 years ago we were feeding over 300 poeple including scouts and there famlies!! We have people