Owl62

I see the stars have gone away again. Please bring them back.

Does anyone know how to make the little wooden name tags (about 3X3") that hang from the uniform shirt pocket buton by a little piece of leather? I am interested most in the type where a small image such as a Wood Badge critter is placed on the wood, the Scout/Scouters name included somewhere on the tag and then the whole thing is covered with a clear coating. Thanks.

I just picked up two neat little LED lights. INOVA X1: A little LED flashlight with one white LED with a magnified lens and operates on one AAA alkaline battery. INOVA X5: A small LED Flashlight with 5 LEF bulbs and operates on 2 123 lithium batteries. A little bigger than a Mag Solitaire light. Both are available in brushed stainless steel or black bodies. Waterproof and practically indestructable. Both come with a little belt pouch and a slot in the housing for a lanyard. ABout 5 inches long and 5/8" diameter. Not inexpensive but not terribly expensive either. The X1 is

Just to clear up a couple of matters from my original posting on this topic. I did not say or even imply that I do not support the need or concept of funding or Friends of Scouting. I was addressing FOS presentations at Courts of Honor. I fully understand, maybe more that others, that the program needs funding and that registration and chartering fees do not cover all the costs - not even close. I do not expect Scouting to exist or operate without funds. There are any number of situations where a FOS presentation might be appropriate - some that I have suported and participated in (just n

My personal opinion is Friends of Scouting presentations should never be given at Courts of Honor. Courts of Honor are primarily intended to recognize Scouts and Scouters for their achievements and contributions, and for friendship and fellowship. Courts of Honor are not conducted to facilitate FOS presentations. I consider doing a FOS presentation at a Court of Honor as disrectful to those attending the event. Many Scouters and parents also consider it disrespectful, tacky and some are insulted by it. Some of them won't say anything out loud though. There is a time an

Sounds like this is an ideal opportunity for Dad to teach daughter on how to safely, handle, use and care for a pocketknife. And you might want to teach her the same information just like they do in a good old Totin' Chip session.

When our troop goes to summer camp, the adults do usually discreetly check to see that the Scouts make it to whatever activities they have signed up for. We don't lead then there or follow them there. Rather we just drift in and out of the activity areas. We also observe the activity areas so that when it comes time to fill out the camp evaluation, we can have actual observed experience to add. The Senior Patrol Leader and Patrol Leaders usually are involved in activities as well and seldom have time to check on all the Scouts. Our belief is that as adult leaders in the troop w

What is Camp America?

Most of the Scout Camp campsite latrines I have seen are in only moderately good condition and most are in poor condition. Most do not have electricity, or hot water. Most have usually two toilets, a urinal, and a cold water shower. I was at a camp two years ago where similar campsite latrines where almost brand new - very good condition. Camp Pioneer near Mena, AK has new concrete building latrines with several flush toilets in private stalls, several individual showers (hot water!) in private stalls and seveal sinks with hot water. The sinks and toilets where all real toilets and

Many years ago at a Scout summer camp out east, one of our first year campers had a skunk visit his tent after lights out - and got sprayed. About an hour later, presumably the same skunk, came back for more and sprayed the kid again. Several years ago our Scoutmaster had a heart attack and I had to do much of the CPR on him. The heart attack was fatal. It was a long day, night, and a long ride home.

Our Council is having a first ever summer camp for Venture Scouts this July after all the Boy Scout summer camp sessions are complete. It is called VentureFest and will last 4 days rather than 5 or 6. We are looking forward to it.

I like the stars. They add a lot to the forums. Please keep them.

Calling all Owls: I am seeking Owl pins (hat pins, etc). I have seen some very nice ones, some in pewter. But all I have been able to find is a little ceramic Owl pin and a really nice one laser etched in a little flat wood oval. Does anyone know of other sources for Owl pins? Thanks.

KA6BSA, Hmm. Thanks for your post. I have seen Friendship Knots given and displayed from the uniform shirt pocket button in several different councils for over 20 years. They are very common in the south and midwest. I have never been to CA so I can't speak for the custom there. Just about every course and activity I have attended for years have involved them. I just got another at a local Scout leader training course, and I just gave out 4 of them to 4 new Boy Scouts in my unit. I like them because they are a very personal token of friendship - especially if the giver tied

I currently recommend LED lights to all new Scouts and Scouters. While they cost a bit more, the cost is more than made up for in batteries. The average LED runs about 20 times longer on a set of batteries than does a regular flashlight. I always carry a Photon Micro-Light III on a neck chain and an Eveready LED White/red light headlight now. For my tent I use an Eveready Folding LED light. Not only do these light work well but they take up little space, last a long time on between battery changes, and weigh very little.

Bob, I am feeling fine - how are you. A link was provided showing how to tie a single strand Friendship Knot - not a double strand. I am now looking for instructions to tie a double strand Friendship Knot. And I am still looking for any information on when/where the giving of Friendship Knots may have started. Thanks.

Here is a pretty good website on insect repellents: www.insect-repellent.net I remain unconvinced of the overall safety of DEET. I do use it sparingly on the outside of clothing items such as boots, socks, trouser legs, and caps, IF, the bugs are real bad. I use permethrin on the outside of tents, under the BSA summer camp tent wooden floor platforms, and on the ground around my tent, being careful to spray downwind away from myself and others. But then I leave the area immediately for at least 1 hour. That seems to keep the area bug free for a week or more. If I must us

Speaking of "uniform"... What about Friendship Knots? As long as I have been in Scouting, Friendship kKots have been given by various people for various things. Most wear them hanging from the right shirt pocket button. I find no reference to them in the uniform and insignia guide either. But nearly everyone I know in Scouting either currently wears one or has worn one. In our council, even the leather thong for the Wood Badge beads has a Friendship Knot tied in it. Does anyone know when/where the tradition of Friendship Knots started? Also, does anyone have instructions for

I would like to know what you all use for insect repellant? I am trying to use mostly the new "botanical" repellants, citronella, etc. DEET is a neurotoxin and I prefer not to use it. But many of the botanical repellants are not all that effective against ticks, chiggers, etc. I will sometimes spray my boots and lower trouser legs with DEET, and if the bugs are real bad in camp, I will sometimes use a product like Yard Guard with Permethrin in it prior to moving into camp. I also tend to burn citronella candles or oil in camp if the mosquitoes are bad. Seems to help some. The m

Some tents come with or you can buy custom ground cloths for many tents. I find them expensive. I am addressing only ground cloths for tents with sewn in floors. A ground cloth for a tent serves several purposes: they helps protect the tent floor from moisture, abrasion, and punctures. They can provide some protection from the cold ground. I use 6 mil clear plastic sheeting that I buy in rolls. It is relatively inexpensive, readily available, and serves all of the above purposes. I cut it to fit. I am very picky about my tents. I am very systematic about how I unpack, and set up

In addition to the regular Friendship knots, I recently saw some "double" Friendship knots. They had two strands in each run in the knot rather than one. Does anyone have instructs for these? Thanks

Other than Gortex Ponchos, which I have seen advertised, but which are very expensive, I think that a "waterproof" coated nylon poncho is good for rain gear. Poncho are versatile. They can be used not only for personal rain gear including wearing them over the person and any packs or other gear, but for other purposed as well. Ponchos can be used a a ground tarp, tarp for covering gear, firewoood, etc. And can be used as an emergency shelter such as a tent or rain/dining/sun fly. They can be effective wind breaks as well. The main problem with a poncho is that unless they are very lo

I'd like to hear about the amount of equipment your unit takes camping. Our unit tends to go pretty light, but not backpacking light. We do little backpacking. Most of use don't use a backpack but a duffle bag - they are easier to pack into vehicles - we drive to many of our campouts. Of course we have our personal gear (usually a duffle bag, sleeping bag and pad, and perhaps a camp stool or chair), our tents, perhaps a rain/dining fly, water jugs, and usually one chuckbox. Some also bring cots, hammocks, etc. Our Venture Crew is about the same except they have no chuck box 9

Welcome, In the BSA, there is an official policy against camouflage clothing. And BSA members are not permitted to wear imitation or actual military uniforms. Military uniforms in the USA are protected by law - only authorized members of the military are authorize to wear them.

As has been mentioned, the OA is a BSA organization - and rules can be changed. I can't explain why the issue of the OA did not seem to arise in the old Explorer program (or in the new for that matter) - except to say that most Explorer posts are career/vocational oriented - not outdoors or high adventure. Many Venturing Crews are high adventure crews. As I said in my first posting, I think that there should be a "rank" requirement - the Bronze Award and I even specified that I think it should be the Outdoor Bronze. If you look at the Outdoor Bronze Award requirements, they