Owl62

Sounds like it might be a Baker tent????

You can find information on Campfire Ashes or Scout Spirit ashes on the internet.

As for non-Scout related activity shirts. We tell our Scouts that if they do not have a Scout related T-shirt, they should wear plain shirts. However, shirts with US Flags, other national patriotic images, state or national parks, etc, won't result in a negative response. We do discourage commercial logos, anything violating the Scout Oath or Law, illegal activities, sports teams, etc. The only problem we ever had was one Scout who insisted on wearing a black t-shirt with a large green marijuana leaf on the front. He agreed to take it off but wanted to go home over it. We are re

I have backpacked for a short distance a few times with a small propane lantern. Eamonn: Eveready makes several florescent lanterns. Some look very similar to their white gas lanterns. But the one I use the most has 2 6" florescent bulbs and runs on 4 D cells. It is box shaped about 3X6X8 inches and has a green housing. The lamp part is hinged so you can adjust the angle of the light. A very good tent light. About $12. Eveready also makes a very small twin LED tube light about the size of a pack of cigarettes and runs on 4 AAA batteries. The lamp part also is hinges to adjust the an

The Insignia Guide addresses "Scouting Identification" on page 6. Says it is mandatory that all badges worn on BSA uniforms include one of the follow (and "one" is in bold print). Corporate Name (Boy Scouts of America) Corporate initials (BSA) BSA fleur-de-lis (universal with Eagle or plain one-color) Venturing, BSA; Venturing Then there is a requirement that all badges be approved bu the national office. But nothing is said about uniform parts such as shirts.....

The activiy uniform is supposed to consist of a Troop or Camp (Interpreted as a Scout related T-Shirt) and either the official pants or shorts. But what constitutes an "official" activity shirt? I have seen a great number of them - some sold in Scout shops, others made available at Scout camps, training courses, etc. And some units have their own made? Some are T-shirts (both long and short sleeved), polo style shirts, and sweatshirts. Can anyone make or have made a Scout related activity shirt? Are there any requirements about standards for such shirts? I can't find anything a

Seeing has how it almost always rains on outings (and I am sure you all will agree - for examnple, when I attended Scoutmastership fundamentals, it started raining the minute we arrived at camp, and stopped the minute we departed.... - at Wood Badge, it only rained when we were outside - seemed to stop when we were in the classroom) - Rain Gear is an important topic and essential item of equipment. For most outings, I carry both a poncho and a rainsuit. My rain parka doubles as a lightweight hooded jacket. It is waterproof coated nylon. Pants are the same but about the only time I use the

Getting back on the original topic of inexpensive lanterns. $5 is not a bad price for a single mantle lantern. I would have bought it assuming that it looked like it was safe, was gonna work, and hold up through repeated use. One of the large discount chain stores (Name deleted but you probably have one nearby), usually sells single mantle propane lanterns for about $15. They usually have two brands, Coleman and Century. There is usually a couple of dollars difference between them. I own both and they both work about the same. Our unit is gradually converting to these single ma

For me, the campfire is one of the most important and enjoyable activities on any campout, in or out of Scouting. I just like sitting around a campfire - don't most? In addition to the skits, etc at Scout campfires, our unit almost always retires a U.S. Flag at the end of our campfire - even at unit campout campfires. The Scouts like participating in this and take it very seriously. We find that is a thing that really draws them together. And just recently, we started a tradition of doing a Scout Spirit Ashes (Campfire Ashes) ceremony soon after the campfire is lit. We simply t

Look at the Insignia Guide. What I found was: BSA Emblem on the left pocket Order of the Arrow Jacket Patch centered on the back (If an OA Member) Philmont Bull on the left side above the pocket Canoe Base Loon on the left side about the pocket Sea base conch shell on the back (I presume centered it doesn't say) Philmont Scout Ranch emblem centered on the right pocket Philmont Training Center emblem centered on the right pocket High Adventure Base emblem centered on the right pocket Large Philmont emblem centered on the back NESA emblem ce

I think siblings/other children (non-registered) are ok on some campouts under some conditions. Our unit allows siblings and non-registered children under certain conditions. First is on our annual Family Campout. Most of the families of our Scouts love to camp and they love to go see what their Scouts do on campouts. We also allow youth who are of Scout age who want to camp with our Scouts to see what it is like - a recruiting effort. Same with Webelos Scouts. A third circumstance is where a leader brings a non-registered child and the child remains with the parent at all times

I was not sure whether to post this here or in the Camping forum but chose this forum. Flag retirement ceremonies are fairly common in the BSA. I have participated in a number of them. To me, it is a duty and most in Scouting like to participate in these retirement. I was wondering what opinions exist out there on how to actually retire a U.S. Flag. The U.S. Flag code simply says that when a flag is no longer fit for display, it should be destroyed in a dignified manner, preferably by burning. The units I have been with, do a simple, dignified ceremony, sometimes reciting t

It appears that some of you here have not had very good experiences with hammocks. I've never had a hammock come loose from the tree(s). But I have never tried to sleep in a hammock when the temperatures dropped below 50F nor when the bugs were bad (I retreated to a screened tent!) But a hammock is really nice on a warm day to relax in or to sleep in on a nice night (with no bugs). Please don't give up on them, you just have to be prepared.

Our Boy Scout troop meets everyweek on Monday evening. We do usually skip MON meetings that are federal holdidays though. From just after summer camp until school starts, we allow the wear of the activity uniform rather than the full official field uniform. And admitedly some of those meetings are more fun and games than full meetings - this is by design and at the request of the Scouts. We may play softball, have a little cookout, watch a movie, or play board games. Some program functions do take place though. However after school begins in the fall - we go back to our regular program

Great idea. And again, who do we contact at the BSA to recommend these suggestions? Thanks.

Does anyone know who or what office we can contact at the BSA to inquire/recommend convertible pants/shorts?

As for cost of a BSA layeing system for jackets: There either one of two or both approaches: 1. Make available relatively low cost jacket components: Such as a zippered and hooded sweat jacket, a zippered fleece jacket and a nylon wind/rain breaker with a hood that stows in the collar of the collar. Like I mentioned in my original message, these components could be had for $50 or less - IF they do the right deal. 2. Go with a more expensive component system with a fleece type liner with a weather proof hooded wind/rain parka. These can be very expensive - at least according to

BP: Did you get my private message to you about the campaign hats? Thanks. Owl62

I think it is time for the BSA to really think about jackets. The BSA has light jackets, the red wool shirt-jac, and some other jackets. Rather than totally separate jackets, I think that a component system consisting of a light jacket, and perhaps the wool shirt-jac, and then a wind/rain resistance nylon jacket with a hood that can be rolled inside the collar would be great. This supports the concept of layering and the components could be purchased separately according to need. While I have both a light BSA jacket and a red wool shirt-jac, I seldom wear them. Instead

A quick poll: Who here would be interested in the BSA coming out with Scout pants that could be converted to shorts by removing the pant legs that would be attached with Zippers or possible velco? I know this has been discuss before. Personally, give the high cost of the low quality Scout uniform pants, and the fact that many in Scouting wear both pants and shorts, I think that convertible pants/shorts would be a great idea. Perhaps the military rejected such a design, but the BSA isn't the miliary. Our uniforms are used for different purposes under different conditions

I'd be interested. Please let us know if they are available. Thanks.

I picked one up at the local Scout shop. Had to ask for it. They had it in a drawer behind the counter. Same of other insignia such as Wood Badge Beads, Woggle, and Neckerchief, service stars for more than 10 years, etc. Most of the larger Scout shops should have these items or can order them for you.

Just wondering how many of you have used hammocks camping in Scouts? Personally, I really enjoy a hammock. I mostly use them for relaxing but have slept overnight in a hammock a few times when the weather was mild and the bugs were goine. I don't care for the tent type hammocks. I prefer the large cotton rope hammocks with 4 foot long spreader bars. A tarp secured to a line over the hammock is a great shelter in good weather. I've never slept in a hammock in the winter. I just bought a hammock made by Slumberjack. It is black nylon mesh about 3X7 feet with spreader rods t

One thing we are very strict with is hand sanitation. We always make sure that we have some type of handwashing device in camp. (One of those solar shower bags works very well!) And we always bring a pump bottle of antibacterial hand soap. We also usually have a large pump bottle of hand sanitizer around and enourage everyone to carry small container of the same or hand wipes. Anyone preparing food is required to wash their hands before, during and after and of course we have everyone wash their hands before eating and after using the latrine. And we tell them to shower or wash

Just wondering how tents are handled in your units. What kind of unit? Does the unit have tents for members? If so, what kind of tents? Does the unit permit members to use their personal tents? Are privately owned tents encouraged? As for our units: Boy Scout Troop: Owns the older Eureka Timberline in the 2 and 4 person sizes. Most adults and older Scouts own and bring and use their own tents. We actually encourage older Scouts 14 and up to get their own tents. Most do. Some of us just put up a tarp and a ground cloth - some of the Scouts just lay their