oldisnewagain1

How long on the forum?

Some days, too long ...other days, still a youngster

SSScout...good read!

24 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

 There are all kinds of situations that could force sharing the load of a crew member.

What state are you located?

That makes good sense! Thanks Barry!

I just cancelled my order for the crown x60.

My state, well usually, confusion and denial but I'm located in Mass

54 minutes ago, SSScout said:

The senior Scouts from my Troop  used army surplus plywood packframes,...

Yeah, when I was a young strapping lad, I could diamond hitch just about anything to a WWII (maybe Korean War) pack frame our Troop had and carry way too much

But those days are gone and I'm expecting Vitamin I (despite conditioning before going) will be my best friend on this trek

36 minutes ago, qwazse said:

Perspective: you are fretting over

• a 2.97 pound reduction in pack-weight
• a $120 cost, which means:
• $20.20 per pound reduction in pack weight, but
• you don't even know if you could strap that extra 3 pounds of whatever you want to the bottom of the new pack.

IMHO, the penalty for over-packing is huge. Airflow is nice, but not a show stopper.

I only switched packs when the wicking liner (Goretex, I think) crumbled. (Note to self: I need to scavenge that old pack. I could use the cotter pins and lock rings for my kayak.)

And I'm fretting over the Alps seams once again letting loose

I'm obsessing with the choice of a pack for a 2020 Philmont trek

On one hand I have my tried and true Alps Cascade 5200 (85 Liters) pack on the other hand I got a good price on a Granite Gear Crown X60 (60 liters).

The Pros and Cons as I see them right now are

Alps Pros

I already own it

There is plenty of room for my stuff, crew gear, and Philmont gear

It fits well and is comfortable

Cons

It is heavy (5 pounds 8 oz)

The pack has been repaired a few times (the sewed seams leave a lot to be desired)

With the extra space in the pack, I could over pack

Not as much airflow as I would like on my back

Granite Gear Pros

Lightweight (2 pounds 8.2 oz)

Good features including back ventilation

Price $120 (budget is always a concern)

Cons

35 pound max carry

It doesn't look like I could strap any thing to the bottom

Having never tried it before, I'm not sure how comfortable it will be

Now based on my current base weight is 17.11 but I still have some things to get and weigh. With water, an estimate of Philfood (for three days), and a tent my estimated weight is 37.5 and this is before crew and Philmont gear. I'm thinking the Granite Gear might not be the right choice.

Thoughts?

Radio and key I plan to use

No, I'm hoping to make some contacts around the states or perhaps the world using a light weight radio,  small morse key, and an end feed antenna  (all together weighing less than a pound). Oh course this would be stop for the night.  Perhaps generate some interest in signaling Merit Badge and Amateur Radio.

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/QRP_operation

https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Summits_on_the_Air

With the advent of low power transceivers available on the market, has anyone used one of these units on the trail at Philmont. If you have what band (CW I assume) , antenna, and could you make any contacts?

On 10/8/2018 at 11:36 AM, qwazse said:

@Podscouter, welcome to the forums.

You are describing the Laurel Highland's Council...

Funny, sounds a lot like several other councils (mine included)

But there is nothing that says you have to attend the in council camp when there are great camps in other councils.  (Events too)

When we are asked this question, in our district, we get a Tom Sawyer response. For example,

Scoutmaster: I think the district should have a STEM event.

District Chair or DE: OK, so you’re hosting the next camproee!

Cubmaster: We really need some help in recruitment.

District Chair: Great, we will make you district membership chair.

So my advise is to listen to what they have to say, take the good ideas and make a plan, get the help you need and execute. Please don't throw it back on their shoulders of the one who suggested it unless they are volunteering to take it on.

I wonder if round tables have outlived their purpose with the advent of instant information on the Internet

I think its called the Scoutmaster's Benediction

"May the great Scoutmaster of all true Scouts be with us till we meet again."

It works well for us because it's non-denominational and is said by our troop Chaplain aide or the Scoutmaster when the Chaplain aide isn't there.

Pardon me while I vent

It's bad enough when Scouts are using their cell phones during a meeting  but when the SE and DE are doing it during an Eagle COH that's just rude!

An exit interview in Scouting?!!!

Every day Scouting sounds more and more like a Dilbert strip.

With apologies to Will Rogers...

BSA has the best knot money can buy.

That being said, I would not accept one given in my honor and if it came to be in my procession it would not be worn.

You have the possibility of "poking a hornet's nest" with your troop.

I would suggest an anonymous donation in the name of a candidate paid directly to the wood badge course. 

If I had my choice, I would go back to the community strips

In our case, plates and napkins are donated by a local supermarket. (We do pizza.)

We have water donated by a local water bottler.

"oh brave new world that has such people in it" John the Savage

A food competition featuring local restaurants who donate their food for the chance to win a trophies (and bragging rights)  - Think of a common food that each might have.  some examples

Chili

Hot wings

pizza

donuts

Find a place to hold it, and date.

Limit it to only one food item and determine a small size for the public to sample.

Publicize with flyers and any kind of free advertising you can get from radio stations, newspapers, etc

Have a way for public to vote for their favorate

Public pays at the door for admission

Of course there is more to planing this kind of event but we find it to be low cost high return

A yearly meeting (or two) to plan the year

Once a month on a separate night from troop meetings.

Before or after a troop meeting if necessary

So with dwindling membership, the thought is to make Scouting more expensive? 

Seems legit

"A Scout is helpful."

 

Free labor?   Well, just what is a "service project (either Unit, District or Eagle)"  if not that ?   Scoutson's was the renovation of the Rabbit Barn siding/trim/eaves at the County Fair Grounds.  They provided the materials, we provided the "labor".  It would not have been done, save for Scoutson's desire and organizing of his Four H, school and Scout friends and their construction experienced dads and moms.   

If I'm hired to build a Walmart, can I get the Scouts to provide the materials and labor if I call it a "service project"?