prof

Pack468, Welcome to the virtual fire! Prof.

Don, Welcome to the virtual campfire! Sounds like you have some good experience as a scout! I look forward to reading your opinions on the board! Prof.

Chloe9999, Welcome to the virtual campfire! We are glad to have you aboard! This is a great place to learn and to ask questions! Welcome aboard. Prof

GW, Great advice! One thing I like to do after I have taken a lot of photos at an event is to burn them on a CD. I then make a copy of the CD for everyone in the group who attended that event, so even if they didn't bring a camera, they still have photos. Prof.

Brian, Welcome to the virtual campfire! Lotsa experienced scouters here. Great place to get ideas. Hope to hear your ideas as well. Sounds like you have a good deal of scouting experience as well! Unrelated, how is the drought in that area? Have the recent rains filled up Lake Lanier? Prof.

391denmom, Welcome to the virtual campfire! This is a great place to get ideas, as there are many experienced scouters here! But please feel free to add to the discussion. We're very interested in your experience and point of view as well! Prof

sssdigger, Welcome to the virtual campfire. Lotsa good ideas and opinions here. Feel free to ask questions and add to the discussions! Prof.

Interesting. When I was a scout (early 80s) the OA chapter sponsored an activity for the cubs in the district. We were told in no uncertain terms that the council had to arrange the production of patches. The reason given: they wanted to ensure that the patches were American made! I guess that approach has changed. The last time I went to the scout shop, every patch I picked up had a "made in China" sticker on it.

Lt. Welcome back to scouting and welcome to the virtual campfire! And thank you for your service with youth! Steve

Greaves, Let me add my welcome! There are a lot of knowledgeable scouters here, so if you have a question, ask! We're interested in your point of view as a new scouter as well, so feel free to add to the discussion! Steve

CarlaB Welcome to the virtual campfire! And thank you for your service to youth! Prof.

Juggerwubba, Welcome to the virtual campfire! And thank you for your service to youth! Prof.

OKtrap, Welcome to the virtual campfire! Steve

Fastbow, Welcome to the virtual campfire! Steve

Dan, I'm with you. I think I'd be more concerned if I never saw a scout getting a little dirt on their hands or clothes. Scouting is a thing of the outdoors and adventure (and service). Getting dirty is a byproduct of those activities. The main thing is to clean up when it time to move on to other activities. My thoughts, Steve

I still have a piece of the gateway my troop used when I was a scout (late 70s early 80s). Brings back fond memories. As I recall, our gateway placed in competition one year. As others have suggested, we only used ours at camporees and at summer camp. Those seemed appropriate occasions, as it let people know who we were. Often, campsite looked alike. Using a gateway was similar to putting your name on the mailbox in front of your house. It lets people know whose home it is. We never took the gateway out on weekend camps where we were the only troop in camp. Steve

Troop11ASM, Thank you for your service with youth! Welcome to the virtual campfire! Steve

Atomic, This is great! Often, I have found younger scouts to be a bit shy about working on badges when not in a class, especially calling counselors and such. So I like the line about visiting counselors isn't scary. This is a really good demo! It may help young scouts by shoing them the process. Great job, Prof.

Steve, Thanks for sharing this article. I like the new logo. Steve

The scouters who kept their hats on probably weren't trying to be disrespectful. They probably weren't thinking/didn't know better. Were I the one conducting the meeting, I would have (gently) reminded all present that hats should be removed when entering a chapel. Were I in attendance, I would have asked the person conducting what was appropriate, hoping that they would then announce to all what was proper. My thoughts, Steve

Daviedds, I think it is doable. You will need to focus. I would check in often with the scoutmaster often, just to let him know where you are in the process and get advice! Good luck! We're cheering you on! Steve

And what is your favorite color? Blue.... no, green. AAAAAAAHHHHH

Scouter&mom, Thanks for letting us know about this show. I caught it last night. I thought it was very positive! Plus it was nice to see scenes from Camp Belzer, where I did a lot a scouting in my days! Steve

Lisa, When I was a cub (Early 70's) I recall a catapult contests for one of our district outings at Camp Belzer. There were two categories- one with all natural materials, the other with man made materials (Lots of garage door springs!) These were made before camp and the competition was done later in the day after the other station competition activities. It was held in a large field at camp. You might want to think about whether this can be done safely at your camp, or think of a safer version. Have fun with it! Steve

SctDad, When I was a scout, (late 70s-early 80s), we didn't do this either as a troop. I don't recall doing this at camporees either. However, we did have cracker barrels every evening at every Order of the Arrow function-Ordeals, Fellowships, Conclaves... They were much the same as Gold Winger describes. Crackers, cheese cubes, lunchmeat cut into quarters to fit the crackers, chips, soda/kool aid. It was always something quick and easy to prepare, and inexpensive as well. I would agree with GW, in that it was basically a setting for fellowship! Steve