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 co-worker just told me he took his family on a week long conastoga wagon trip along the trail a few years back. Might be a fun option for a scout trip that everyone can do.

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 Backpacking (week long) 4. Church clean up service project April 1. District Camporee 2. Court of honor May 1. Canoe training camping trip 2. Service Project June 1. OA Summer Fellowship 2. Summer high Adventure Canoe trip (week long) 3. Troop canoe trip July 1. Summer camp 2. High and low ropes course August 1. End of summer court of honor/cookout 2. Troop campout September 1. Troop campout biking October 1. Fall Camporee 2. OA Fall Fellowship November 1. Backpacking trip December 1. Troop campout/Service Project 2. Court of honor/Christmas party There are many more things we do that aren't listed and the actual breakdown changes from year to year.(This message has been edited by Mike Long)

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 personal resonsability and how shortcuts can and will effect everyone. Mike the 2nd Class scout was NOT very popular that weekend. By that time the water is hot and after a short reminder of proper dish washing procedure we wash every single item in every single chuck bow wether it needs it or not. Cross-contamination ya know. At the end of it all we go on with our program for the weekend minus the activity that we spent the time allocated for doing dishes. B)Much the same as above only we break out all the tents (yep, even the ones I know are stored correctly) and set them back up and inspect them. Do a little tent packing clinic and discussion about proper care and storage of gear. What would this be without a story? This story will be about how Scoutmaster Long packed away a tent when wet and discovered it a month later after we had canoed for a day along the lovely St. Mary's River and made camp for the night. The tent was rotted and didn't hold up too well (split seam to seam) in the torrential downpour we experienced that night. Mike the Tenderfoot wasn't too popular with his patrol after we spent the night sleeping in our ponchos. Once again we talk about how shortcuts can and will effect everyone. C)Ummmmm......They sit and talk with Scoutmaster Long while he too tries to wake up. Sorry to dissappoint on the last one. At this point some may ask why repack or reclean everything. I tell the scouts that I must have not taught them those skills very well. Because of that it makes me not sure I taught ANY of them very well and my instruction is now in question. So just to be sure we all know how to do it and I taught the skill correctly let's go through it together.

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 tents from Campmor and were very happy. (We bought Eureka tents and were satisfied with them) www.ems.com I have heard they offer discounts also but I have no experience with that. I have bought from them and have had a good experience. There is an existing thread that my be of help to you: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=880

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 troops organized by boys without adult help before the BSA was founded. How did they do it? They read the book. As far as scouting becoming a "religion" of sorts. I think I'm gonna get in trouble for this. Yes, I am guilty of that at times. We all work very hard to uphold the high ideals of scouting but sometimes we go too far and take upon ourselves the mantle of judge, jury and exocutioner. Three positions I believe mankind is unqualified to hold and are best left to the Allmighty. I do believe in God and I do practice my faith but I find the Oath and Law to be much more succinct. Everything my faith teaches me and everything I have read of other faiths is RIGHT THERE. Maybe I shouldn't but I think of the Oath and Law first when I make decisions and my faith second. I feel and think that I am secure in doing so as I can find no discrepancies between the two. If I suddenly found the Oath and Law verbatim in the Bible I would think it belonged there. Think about when we all became Scouters. Some of had experience as scouts and some didn't. I personally felt that I didn't need any training. I came up in a successful troop that my family was a major part of. I saw from both the youth and adult side what needed to be done (or so I thought) I even taught training courses as a youth to both scouts and scouters. What more did I need to know? Well I needed to know a lot more. I went for five years as an adult being untrained. When I took over as Scoutmaster I did a lot of research and found out that I was supposed to get trained. Well, wanting to be a good example I got trained. What kind of example is a Scoutmaster that won't satisfy the obligations of his position wether they be obvious or not? All right, no one take that personally cause it isn't. Rooster the Reader's Digest condensed answer is in order: Yes Yes A Boys Program but it compliments and strengthens religion and faith.

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 churn the treadway into mush but just try to hike through that without lugs. Frankly I wear my lug boots almost anywhere there might be rocky or steep terrain and I'm backpacking. I'll wear my approach shoes dayhiking or backpacking in easy terrain (Florida). The affects of treads are most noticeable off trail. In my opinion that is where your concerns should be. High mountain meadows are very pretty and inviting to the point of being irrestible to a bunch of boy scouts who want to throw a frisbee in a game of ultimate. Really, what boy wouldn't think that a game of catch on top of a mountain is cool? Search the web for Roan Mountain and you will know what I mean. The problem is that after the guys run all over in lug boots the meadow is all scarred up and trashed. Other folks want to see the meadow while it's pristine too. For that reason we carry camp shoes. I'm not sure I answered your question very well. The Smokies. The very best book about the trails in the park (all 900 miles of them) is called "Hiking Trails of the Smokies" published by the Great Smoky Mountains Historical Society. It is also known as the little brown book. Not only is it a great hikers guide but a good read, lots of history there. I would strongly encourage you to take the kids on at least an overnighter in the backcountry. My suggestion would be to go out the back of Smokemont campground on Bradly Fork Trail up to Campsite #49 on Cabin Flats Trail. It about 5.5 miles in on a nicely graded old road bed that follows the creek. There is a couple of nice fishing holes and swimming holes along the way and the campsite sits alongside the stream. Dayhiking. Don't get stuck on just doing the AT. It is only accessible from the road at three points in the park and EVERYONE else will be doing the same thing. There are lots of great trails in the park. Not sure how far you think the fellas can go but here goes some short ones. From Newfound Gap you could hike 5 miles out to Charlies Bunion on the AT and return. It's very exposed area and quite beautiful. There are very sheer drop offs so caution is a must on some streches. From Clingman's Dome take the AT to Siler's Bald shelter (maybe further) have lunch and return. The section between Double Spring shelter and Clingmans Dome is a stunning ridgewalk. If it's warm enough to swim go out to Cades Cove and hike out to Abrams Falls. The falls are pretty and there is a great swimming hole there, pack a lunch and let the boys play in the water for the day. Plus the ride around Cades Cove can't be beat for history and beauty. If you are going in Late June or early July. Hike to the top of Gregory Bald (near Cades Cove. The Bald is a natural flame azelea(sp?)garden. There are varieties of azaleas that ONLY grow there. Plus you get a view down into Cades Cove on one side and a peek of Lake Cheoh on the other. I'd take the Gregory Bald trail (4 miles) or the Gregory Ridge trail (6.5 miles) up. Both trails are ONLY accessible from Cades Cove.

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? 6. Is this some sort of test to see if I am willing to fight for my rights? If so, I am. 7. Are you aware that a Scoutmaster can not add requirements to the Eagle rank? (or any other for that matter) As for long hair my brother and I both had long hair when we recieved our eagles. It didn't look like it though cause it is so curly.

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 unit how do you handle it?

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.