Mike Long

The Oregon Trail is part of the National Trail system and is managed mostly by the National PArk Service. Sections of the trail are still on private property but most of the time access will be granted if you just ask the landowners. Information on trail routes and history is available from the National Park Service Long Distance Trails Office in Salt Lake City (801) 539- 4093. Lots of good contact info on the NPS site. http://www.nps.gov/oreg/oreg.htm As far as a patch the only one I know of is the Historic Trails award that National offers. Sounds like fun. Oh yeah, a

Amen to that KoreaScouter. Regardless whatever whomever's policy is, I will NEVER manage anyones medications except my own or my families. That is stated up front when a Scout joins our troop. Dispenseing meds is not a service we provide or that any of my assistants are comfortable with.

Cool, thanks.

http://www.meritbadge.com Has a list of the merit badges that were changed this year. The only problem (as far as a discussion of the changes) is that it only shows the new requirements. I would like to find someplace that shows the requirements in a redlined document that shows the new requirements with the old marked out. I'll have to do a little looking before I reply to the original question.

Korea you raise an excellent point. The drill is usually only necessary once a year if at all. After it happened twice the Patrol Leaders became extremely attentive and it's been a long time since I have done it. I'll have to reconsider my approach next time it happens. I never throw anything, especially not gear, ever.

Don't let having only 5 members stop you. If anything it gives greater flexibility in changing your plans to get the most of your guys out and create a more personal program. Ours in a nutshell: January- 1. Backpacking (usually Cumberland Island Nat. Seashore) 2. OA Winter fellowship February- 1. Backpacking Osceola Nat. Forest during the Civil war festival. Backpack 20 miles and watch a Civil War battle. 2. Scout Sunday at our sponsor church March My busy month 1. New Scout Campout, work on Scout Skills 2. OA Spring Fellowship 3. Spring Break High adventure Backpacki

You fail to understand my earlier statement. I have tried to respond at least five times now and each time I decided not to hit Submit. Let me leave it at this. My earlier statement was in direct response as to how we treat each other as Scouters on this board as of late. I repeat. I am simply disgusted.

Hmmm....waited too long to edit. NJ brings up a good point and I agree with him on Function vs Agency and I would require the Scout to know the difference before I signed the card. Not a big problem, but it is an important distiction to make and understand.

I am a counsellor for this badge. You have both questions correct. You just need to explain how they function and/or affect your community Good job.

I do enjoy scarcasm and good natured ribbing but right now I am simply disgusted.

Yes OGE I have seen it many, many times. Yep that's right, Mike was into Punk music as a kid and was actually in a Punk rock band AND was a very active Eagle Scout at the same time. Here come the hairstyle comments.

Hmmm.... I made that sound like I did it all. The SPL knows the drill and handles it, I just get to tell a story.

Ok, here goes. A) As soon as it is discovered each patrol puts a big pot of water on the stove for wash water and then we inspect ALL chuckboxes (yes, the adult box too) together as a Troop. We candidly point out what is wrong and most importantly what is right with each chuckbox. We then discuss the importance of hygiene and EXACTLY how it relates to health and sickness. They then get to hear the story of how Scoutmaster Long as a young scout managed to get his whole patrol very ill (you can all imagine the illness, it was bad) during a long weekend backpacking trip. Underscoring persona

I buy almost exclusively online. These are just a few of the highly reputable outdoor equipment companies online. I have shopped with all of them and was so satisified that I will continue to do so in the future. www.rei.com I have heard they offer discounts but I have no experience with that. I have personally bought from them several times and have always been happy. www.campmor.com These guys will give scout groups a 10% discount on purchases with a troop check. You can get the contact information from the website and inquire as to the particulars. Our troop bought our last t

C'mon y'all, we are ALL on the same team here. No need to get bent. Bob is just trying to help and doesn't mean to belittle or attack anyone. Rooster does raise a good point. The "needs training" responses seem to be our catch all knee jerk response to many issues. The kicker is that almost every time it is the correct response. (at least in my view) Yes Rooster I do believe that a Scouter can put on a great scouting program without ever being trained and still be using scout methods. It's quite simple, read the scout handbook and put it into practice. Frankly there were a lot of scout t

John I'm afraid that they are news to me. I do know that the Florida Historic Trails Association (not associated with the Florida Trail Association) has a 100 miler medal. Beyond that I have no information to offer you. I be looking though. Tread and trails. Trails are made for walking (well, a lot of them anyway). Most trails are so compressed from foot traffic that I don't see much impact from hikers as long as they stay on the trail and don't drag their feet. Granted in some areas the AT is a foot deep. Some areas are softer and are more prone to wear and tear and yes a lug boot will

Hi Paul, I thought I'd have a new thread up by now but everythings been crazy. 70 hour work weeks plus scouts don't help either (well, scouts DOES help) I've got a OA fellowship this weekend and next weekend I'm taking the older boys on a 50 miler (1 week) around Cades Cove in the Smokies. Happy happy! So very soon after that you WILL see something. I do take requests if there is something that's bugging you.

Grekonsz (if you are still even bothering to wade through this) I'd sit down with your scoutmaster and ask him a couple of simple questions. 1. If I don't cut my hair will you refuse to sign my Eagle application? 2. Do you think that I am a good scout? 3. Have I completed all of the BSA requirements successfully to earn my eagle? 4. If the answer to the two previous questions are yes then please explain why my hairstyle invalidates a lifetime of hard work. 5. If the answer is no then please explain why you chose to wait until the last minute to discuss my failings with me?

DD says about LBP- So what youre saying is that while on a scouting trip and he encountered evil he would be cheerful when he thwarted the perpetrator? Well yes, I think so. Wouldn't cheerful service apply? By everyone descriptions I think I have more free time than anyone on the board. (at least until the baby comes) I guess I'd better post more often. Stay tuned to the camping forum, more backpacking info soon.

Whoops! It's a topic toss-up! Trail day is first.

There are plenty of other issues that merit equal weight. Here's one. We aren't supposed to discuss sex or sexuality with the boys. While obeying the rules and remaining in the spirit of scouting by not trying to bend the rules, what can we do as scouters to support parents in encouraging the boys to abstain from sexual activity until the appropriate time? Can we even do that or am I attempting to bend/break the rules by merely posing the question? If the worst happens, what can we do as scouters to help? If the worst happens and the matter is made public knowledge to your

It depends entirely on what you are cooking and how many people you are cooking for. If all you need to do is boil water for one or two people it does the job quite well. You want to make eggs and sausage for the patrol then don't use the pepsi can stove. For me at least this design worked lighyears better than sterno. Thus far I've used mine in conditions ranging from 10 degrees and windy to 85 and calm without any problems cooking anything I tried.

None.

I think this thread will give you some food for thought. http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=719 Isobutane canister stoves are probably the safest, lightest, easiest to use stoves for scouts. Our guys generally use canisters or Pepsi can stoves.(This message has been edited by Mike Long)

Walmart carries it too. Denatured alchohol can be carried safely in old soda bottle type containers too. No need to carry the heavy metal can you bought it in. If you use soda bottles BE VERY CAREFUL there is always the chance that someone would reach for that all too familiar feeling bottle in the middle of the night for a drink. My suggestion would be to use a container that DOESN'T feel like a refreshment in the dark. Not only that, denatured alchohol is clear.