Owl62

FOG: As far a how far a LED light beam can go. Depends on the light. There are some larger LEDs and some actually have a magnifier lens that helps through the beam farther. I still carry a 3 D cell mag light in my vehicle - but have converted all the lights I carry camping to LED and advise other Scouts and Scouters to do the same. I carry a Photon Microlight everwhere with me. They are great little lights.

I am just wondering how your units handled banned/discouraged items at camp? (Other than illegal items or items specifically banned by the BSA). Our unit basically does not care what a Scout brings to camp as long as it is not banned by the camp or BSA and as long as it does not interfere with camp or unit activities at camp. Most Scouts bring the absolute mininum anyway. We figure that as long as the items brought by Scouts are not illegal, banned, interfere with unit operations, or violate the Scout Oath or Law or BSA policy, it is their business what they bring on campouts - not ours.

I have seen and participated in Scout Ashes (we call it Scout Spirit Ashes) a few times. We are in the process of rebuilding a troop that almost folded. We had our first family campout a while back and had a Scout Spirit Ashes ceremony. It was planned so a few of us had ashes to put in the fire. We plan to do this at all future campfires. A great tradition.

Regarding the Interpreter Strip: We have found general requirements for qualifying for the Interpreter Strip. Question is does there have to be a "qualified counselor" to evaluate the qualification of the person trying to get the Interpreter Strip? Are there specifica BSA requirements or a form to document this? Thanks.

I think the real issue with Scout camp latrines is the design and care of them, and then there is is the cost. Even primitive latrines cost money to build and maintain. Most primitive Scout camp latrines that I have seen are poorly designed, build and maintained. Many of them have a concrete holding tank that needs to be pumped out regularly - most are not. Many of the concrete foundations and tanks were poorly built and are damaged by settling and the effects of weather. The above ground stuctures are mostly even worse. Many are not constructed of treated lumber and are badly rotted.

As a youth, I wanted to be a soldier; and that is what I did. Had a wonderful and reqarding career in the military. While in the service, prepared for a career in a management specialty. On retirement, that is what I went into and still am doing. And of course I wanted to remain in Scouting in some capacity. I have been an adult Scouter for over 30 years serving in many different positions. And I hope I never grow up - I am having too much fun in life.

I looked in the G2SS and the section on prescriptions says nothing that it applies to only unit campouts, activities, etc. It appears to be BSA policy regardless of where it takes place. But it does say very clearly that the taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual's parent or guardian. Also, prescription medication containers that I have seen are clearly labelled something to the effect: Federal law prohibits transfer of this drug to any person other than the patient for whom it is prescribed. I am sure th

We had Venture Scouts participate in part of the instruciton during my Wood Badge course too. In fact most of them were from my crew. It added greatly to the course. We all learned something. In fact I think that the program could benefit from using older Boy Scouts in a similar manner. Some in our course had never seen Venture Scouts before. And the Venture Scouts saw for themselves, their adult leaders being trained. Sometimes Scouters learn as much if not more from Scouts that from other Scouters....

What are your favorite/most effective insect repellent or other means of repelling insects? Preventing insect bites is important just from a disease prevention point of view. And insects can make a camping experience unpleasant. Personally I avoid using DEET unless I have to. Despite what is said, DEET is a neuro toxin. The containers are covered with all kinds of precautions yet many use it without question. Those precautions would not be there for no reason. I never use DEET on my skin. Only on clothing items (hat, boots, legs of shorts or pants, and once in a while on the sho

Our unit has a standard list of things to take to summer camp that is an expanded list from that in the Boy Scout Handbook. The first and last item is Scout Spirit. We encourage everyone to take their gear in a footlocker, plastic tote or some other similar container. Try to get one that locks - might sound needless - but... These containers seem to work better. We do spot check before we leave - mostly a verbal check - we run down the list and ask all if they have what it needed. Most do. We don't put many restictions on what can't be brought except of illegal items or those t

Handwashing. Another opportunity to manage a process. A Scout is CLEAN. It's right there in the Scout Law. So it should be taught, coached, encouraged, etc. And Scout leaders and Scouters should monitor it an ensure it happens. Handwashing is a recognized first line defense against the spread of disease whether at camp, traveling, home, school, or work. Just because we are at camp is not an excuse (under most circomstances) to be dirty. Under most situation, hand washing is simple and easy. Most camps have running water. We should encourage its use. All Scouts, Scouters,

In addition to privacy issues (during camp check-in, etc), I am concerned with storage and access of BSA health records. Most camps and Scouting activities keep our BSA health forms. We are not told why, or how or where they are stored or who has access to them or who is the legal custodian of those records, or what the disposition of those records will be. While it is true that HIPPA does not necessarily apply, there are other state and federal laws relating to medical records or confidentially that most certainly do. I think that under certain conditions, BSA camps, etc, could be

Has anyone ever heard of a BSA camp confiscating all medications upon check-in? And to be told that it was BSA policy? The G2SS clearly states that the taking of prescription medication is the responsibilith of the indidual or in the case of a minior Scout the parent or guardian. Scout leaders are neither required or encouraged to accept responsibility for Scout medications. Also, the transfer of presecription medications is a violation of law - all prescription medication containers I have ever seen even have that printed on the label.

I look at cell phones like other items. If they are not illegal, or detract from the Scouting environment, then my opinion is that we should let them be. Lots of units and camps say, no electonic devices, magazine, books, etc. How realistic is this? Not very I say. I think it is not necessarily the right thing to tell a Scout or Scouter what to NOT bring (excepting items that are illegal or detract from or violate the Scout Oath or Law or health and safety). We do caution Scouts and their parents that we and the BSA are not responsible for lost or damaged items - that takes care of t

Regarding Uniforms for those who can't afford them: I do believe that most Scouts (and even Scouters) could find ways to earn the money to purchase a uniform. Scout units could establish uniform banks to provide uniforms for those Scouts or any Scout for that matter. Unifoms are expensive. However, Scouts receiving uniforms in this manner, should be encouraged to give back to the uniform bank when possible. Youth of Scout ages grow constantly, and given the cost of uniforms, there can be a hardship. Buying a size larger helps but is not always the answer. I also believ

Bob, I looked at the area you mentioned and found nothing about the manufacture of BSA uniforms. I may have missed something but I did not see any of the information I originally inquired about. Thanks.

Does anyone know who the contract(s) are that manufacture BSA uniforms? I think the insignia are made by a variety of companies but I have heard that the actual uniforms are made by one company.

All good points here. Well put Bob. I have to admit that I have one BSA insignia that I wear on my uniform, that I cannot find anywhere in the Insignia guide that it is either authorized or not authorized. But it or some like it are still sold in nearly every Scout shop right along with other Scout insignia. But I wear it. And with pride. It is the only insignia that as an adult, I actually had to earn - and in front of many others. It took me one complete weekend to earn it. I wear it all the time and have never once had anyone tell me it was wrong. I have had some ask about it.

This whole issue is of interest to me. Personally, I think it is not right for us to judge anyone who says that they cannot afford a Scout uniform for themselves or their Scouts. And to me, it should not matter. The program as a whole is what matters. I also think that it is not a good idea to say that for the cost of this or that, a Scout uniform could be had. Scouts and their families should not have to give up anything else of any value to them because others of us think that that is a way to afford a uniform. We must remember that all of us have lives outside of Scouting.

It looks like the forum management created an equipment forum as a subforum of Camping and High Adventure. Thanks.

Even though carrying this large Flag is a technical violation of the US Flag Code, I think the intent is good and the manner of display is respectful. I have no problem carrying or displaying such a large Flag horizontally as long as it is done respectfully with intend to honor the Flag and what it stands for. On 11 September 2001, there was a Soldier in NYC who was shown wrapped in a Flag - technically inappropriate, but it brought tears to my eyes for another reason. Some of you will underand why. Personally, I was proud of that young Soldier. There are examples of of actio

Even though carrying this large Flag is a technical violation of the US Flag Code, I think the intent is good and the manner of display is respectful. I have no problem carrying or displaying such a large Flag horizontally as long as it is done respectfully with intend to honor the Flag and what it stands for. On 11 September 2001, there was a Soldier in NYC who was shown wrapped in a Flag - technically inappropriate, but it brought tears to my eyes for another reason. Some of you will underand why. Personally, I was proud of that young Soldier. There are examples of of actio

Even though carrying this large Flag is a technical violation of the US Flag Code, I think the intent is good and the manner of display is respectful. I have no problem carrying or displaying such a large Flag horizontally as long as it is done respectfully with intend to honor the Flag and what it stands for. On 11 September 2001, there was a Soldier in NYC who was shown wrapped in a Flag - technically inappropriate, but it brought tears to my eyes for another reason. Some of you will underand why. Personally, I was proud of that young Soldier. There are examples of of actio

Even though carrying this large Flag is a technical violation of the US Flag Code, I think the intent is good and the manner of display is respectful. I have no problem carrying or displaying such a large Flag horizontally as long as it is done respectfully with intend to honor the Flag and what it stands for. On 11 September 2001, there was a Soldier in NYC who was shown wrapped in a Flag - technically inappropriate, but it brought tears to my eyes for another reason. Some of you will underand why. Personally, I was proud of that young Soldier. There are examples of of actio

There appears to be quite a few message in the Camping and High Adventure Forum (and some of the other forums) dealing with equipment topics (tents, lights, packs, boots, stoves, etc.) I think it would be a good idea to have a separate forum area on Scouter.com Forum dedicated to equipment. That way all that equipment could be in one area making it easier to read, etc. What do the rest of you think?