Old_Guy

Blaah, haa, ha. Sure does, especially if you don't put the fly on! Otherwise it rains right through the mosquito netting.

Hello,

It's late in the season and you won't have many options. So here I go, Yosemite Valley is busy, I mean very busy. If you want any slim chance to get a Valley camp site. Consider volunteering for a service project in Yosemite Valley. Even these projects fill up hours after they post. So please don't be disappointed. You will be offered a group site for volunteers and be given camp days per volunteer time. Contact Heather Boothe at 209-379-1850 or -1855 or email at yose_volunteer@nps.gov . In winter/spring our office is generally staffed Monday-Friday 8am to 5pm.

Next: Camping outside the Valley at Crane Flat. It's a 30 Minute drive to Yosemite Valley. But no group camp to my knowledge and the cost will be high.

But: this late in the season I would bet on finding a site at Tuolumne Meadows group camp. Check the Yosemite web site, it is a 2 hour drive to Yosemite Valley which may not meet your needs. But Tuolumne Meadows offers a lot of options. Short and long day hikes for beginners in the meadows, advanced day hikes to the high country. Also, cooler days, easier to get away from the crowds, and easier to view wild life.

http://www.nps.gov/yose/planyourvisit/tmcamp.htm

Hello

For tarp tent camping or tent camping. I have been using a piece of tyvek cut just 12" over the floor or tub size of the tent. Its light weight, pretty durable, but not the cheapest. It does pack down super small, but shows the dirt. It can be washed in the clothes washer in light cycle. Matter a fact, I wash my new tarps to soften them and they lose their loud crinkle sound.

My sons troop has ISA account for the Scouts, while its difficult to know your balance at a moments notice. The account gives my son the chance to pay for targets and ammunition at Scout Camp this year. And of course, other Scout related expenses. Yes, the Scouts parent(s) has an account as well. There again, money is used for their Scout or a Scouting activity.

Thank for all the replies. There will be a leader with Safe Swim Defense certification, and after my question about swimming ability the heat is now down to a simmer.

Old_Guy

Hello Scouter’s,

I have a question. Our troop has a 50 miler coming up soon in the Emigrant Wilderness. And as one of the participating adult leaders I bought up a question, at our monthly ASM’s meeting. About Scouts participating in the 50 miler, should they complete a swim classification test before the trek? This trip has shallow water crossing and at every layover; we will be near some form of water (Lake or stream).

The reason I brought this up, was for the Scouts who would be trying there skills at fishing, some for the first time. Safety, Safety, but I have a concern that a Scout may head out on a log to free a snag, slip on a loose rock surface and go into the water or even fall in from standing on top of an eroded stream bank. Our group will using the buddy system and discuss safety with the Scout’s. I just figured having the knowledge of the Scouts swimming ability is just another level of safety.

Well, I must not have been very clear with that question. Because my reply from one of the senior ASM, was swimming was not permitted on any BSA backpacking trip!

So my question is. Does the BSA forbid swimming while on HAT backpacking trips?

So I gulped? OK. And I smiled and repeated my question and noted some of the hazards written in the second paragraph above, a second time.

Perhaps I am being to over cautious…

Old_Guy

Neal,

I have no experience at the Badlands but just watched a short clip at The Live Well Network/Motion. Wow! The park looks beautiful, but hot and very arid with not a tree in site.

Thanks everyone for the great replies. I understand sitting down and reading 92 pages can but anyone off the bite. And then coming back to the Counselor with the completed Merit Badge work sheet is a huge task. I have asked that we take the review and discussion of questions in sections. And supplement it with a little time practicing casting and looking at equipment shown in the pamphlet.

I can only wish/hope that the Scout will Be prepared for the first meeting. And maybe spot them one day, looking over the magazine rack for the latest In-Fisherman magazine.

Tight Lines,

Old Guy

I have a question about reading the Merit Badge pamphlet. Soon a few Scouts will be starting the Fishing Merit Badge. I will counsel the Merit Badge, my first time. I have requested the Scouts to read the pamphlet. But I have found interesting comments from the adult troop members. Comments like, The Scouts usually dont read the complete pamphlet. And... Usually, there are few books in the troop library for them to view, but they dont read the complete pamphlet.

I would like the Scouts to read the sections, so they can answer the requirements and also talk about the other information in the chapters.

This puzzles me, am I asking too much?

Well, good news. The SM delivered the cards, signed. My boy is all smiles. Our new Merit Badge Coordinator is looking for some blue cards, and I mentioned to him the local Scout shop might have them. I wished him luck.

Hello All,

And thanks for you input.

Tampa Turtle: Its a boys led troop, and he is enjoying the group. At last weeks meeting, he built a hatchet out of Duc tape. And saw a lot of other cool things built that night a hat, bow & arrow and other stuff. Lots of inventing and thinking, and meet and greet the crop of 21 new scouts. So he had a good time.

NJCubScouter: I am just concerned he took the wrong path. He had only looked at two troops before deciding on his current troop. The first one which he did not choose might have intimidated him. The meeting was set in a rock climbing gym, while the Scouts climbed, there was a parent meeting. They were only offering 10 openings for new Scouts.

At his current troop group, they take all comers. This year, there are 21 new Scouts. Taking the total to the mid 50s of active Scouts in the Troop

Scoutfish: I am going to give your advice a try. Thank you

Oak Tree: He is getting very frustrated with the cards and perhaps it is partly my fault. He goes to a weekend troop event for first-aid and other merit badges. And I ask him how it went, and what did you experience. He explains the details to me and I ask who the counselor was that instructed the group. Cant remember their name, ok. Do you have a merit badge work sheet? No. I will stop there.

SeattlePioneer: There are plenty of other troops around the area, maybe to many. But there are troops with his school friends at other locations.

When do you tell your son its time to find another Boy Scout troop?

I really dont want to send a complaint letter, up to Council. But the troop he belongs to just isnt cutting the mustard.

Yes, I attend the parent meetings, tried to volunteer, two months later, they tell me I have the job, after I speak with the Scoutmaster and the Quartermaster. Now mind you, I have been trying to talk to the Scoutmaster for the last three months. I dont like to or want to bother him during the weekly meeting. That time is Scout time.

But the grumble list is growing and is very long. One camping trip per year, plus Camp-O-Ree. But no pre Camp-O-Ree, they didnt get their reservation in on time. And no one is currently a registered Merit Badge Counselors. Well, one newbie .

And the cake topper is my boy has been trying to get a few blue cards to start some merit badges for the summer. For the last month, yes month. The Scoutmaster has had one excuse after another, about no cards with him or he will bring them over. My son is a trooper, but can only leave so many messages. And go over to his house so many times, to leave another reminder.

Any ideas would be great, or does he walk.

I think you have your answers from all the great posts. But, when someone says draping, I think casket. Here is a some great info: http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/forms/flagceremony.pdf Please delete if this breaks any rules.

Thanks

New to this forum. My son has been with his troop for year. I have been helping the troop, patrol or events when I can. But mainly just watching how his troop works. Noting where I may step in to help the troop in a more advanced position.

Our family spends time outdoors throughout the year. So dirt and camping arent a problem

Today is the day!

Thanks for all the responses. My concern was the ASM noting which one could or couldnt be counted, while the Advancement Officer gave the service a yes.

My son is a Tenderfoot, so the time spent will not help with his advancement, but taking another step towards building his character, community awareness and the needs of others. No other rewards or credits, but does help with his record keeping. If he doesnt write it down and request a signature of completion. Which he completely understands, most of the time.

He has friends with disabilities, donates money found from metal detecting to the local food bank and volunteers locally. His only reward is a personal lesson, feeling of good doing, and maybe a thank you.

The troop my son is a member of needs to pay attention to the menu of the patrol from day one. Some of the Scouts in his patrol are vegetarians. As well, the other patrols in the troop have vegetarians. I have discussed with my son, respecting other Scouts and members eating needs. And dont judge others, but look at it as a challenge and learning experience.

With pre Camp-o-ree just around the corner, he is stepping up to cook a meal. I purchased a vegetarian cookbook for backpacking, requested him to look it over. Hopefully picking out a few recipes/meals, which will appeal to the patrols menu list. Meat will be a side item to add with your vegetarian main meal.

Hello,

I have a question, about recording projects within the service log hours. My son who is a younger Scout has no problem with Scout spirit and giving his time towards the community. He has been, working in the food bank, prepping food at the local church for the less fortunate and volunteering at the local Childrens Hospital.

But are the following projects allowed to be considered as Service log hours?

Scouting for Food. Yes or No, and why?

Spring Cleaning day at the local Church, the site where his troop meetings are held. Yes or No, and why?

Another Scouts, Eagle project. Yes or No, and why?

Is there a guide line for allowable Service log hours.

Thanks for your time.

(This message has been edited by Old_Guy)