red feather

Would like a little background on your troop before anything can be commented on. yis

Congrats and welcome to the campfire. One of my brothers did a couple of stints out at Philmont on staff and he still talks about his time out there. Enjoy and rememeber. welcome again yis

Curious as to the ages of 'the troop that you are honored to be associated with' of the SPL and PLs. Just curious. yis

super glue is useful also, both as a repair of small tears in the back pack and as a flesh wound sealer (only in an emergency) of course after the wound has been cleaned. yis

Extra pins that hold the backpack onto the frame have come in handy during the troops forays in the past. We usually wrap the duct tape around the frame of the backpack and then seal it with plastic. A short length of wire wrapped around the frame has come in handy also. We also wrap the para cord around the frame, found that using the frame for these things makes it easier to find and use and uses less space in the pack itstelf. Monofilament fishing line makes a great emergency repair thread. Some of the scouts use the metal shower hooks and attach them to the zipper pulls. Mak

Just an idea.... what do/would the scouts need/want for scouting? yis

bump

No words are adequate. Memories, tears and prayers. yis

the sulfur trick works very well. Have used it here in Missouri and in Canada. Going to summer camp, staying away from pop and other sweet stuff for a time (couple of weeks) you can sit with others and have all the bugs bite them and have a pleasant time. Have heard and kinda believe that garlic in your diet can help also to keep the bugs away. But there are times you just have to let the bugs have their way and 'enjoy' the great outdoors. yis

For a lot of good recipes check out the 'Ol Geezers Cook Book'. Should be able to find it on the internet. One favorite that our scouts like to try is eggs on a spit. Use either a small metal spit ( not a round one but one with edges, the edges keep the egg from spinning on the spit) or a wooden one the scouts have whittled. Start a hole with a small pointed knife, insert the spit into the hole and place the end of the egg without a hole on a solid surface and tap the end of the spit through. Place the spitted egg on two supports near the coals and turn as needed. Some of the eg

Interesting to me is the undercurrent of this thread. That is a lot of scouts (both GSA and BSA) either quit or stayed in because of an adult involved with the program. As an adult leader we do make a difference, we set an example of what scouting can do for or make of an individual. Interest in a scouts life and progress through scouting can make the difference. In the troop that I work with we have the 'fumes' (gas fumes and perfume) that we always have to contend with. But interest in the scout and the scouting adventure usually makes the difference. The result is "True re

Maybe have your son check with local retirement homes and see if they would like a visit by scouts to either read to them, listen to them, or just be young men in scout uniform for them to fawn over or whatever. That is been done in ' the troop that I have the honor to be associated with' with great success and have had several invites to come back and do it again. yis

While not a kid anymore enjoyment was found and is still found in reading Heilein, Adams, Asimov, Chandler,Laumer, Drake, Sturgeon, Clarke or just about any of the sci-fi authors. Tolkein, Kipling, Dumas, Twain, Burroughs, Forester and Costain for rounding out the reading experience. By Louie L'amour, the Sacket series of stories. By Don Coldsmith, the Elk-dog series of books. Gates of Fire by Steven Pressfield. A story about Thermopylae. The Snow Warrior by Don Dandrea. A story about the Mongols in the time of Genghis Khan. Many more of course but these hold a

In reference to the lack of scouting history and gear. I would have liked to see how the scout uniform has evolved over the years and how scout gear (tents, packs, etc.) has changed with the times and materials. Most definately visit the Museum if you are in the area. Parts are very interesting but more could be done. yis

Happily I had a chance to visit the National Scouting Museum in Irving, Tx. recently and am curious who has been there and what were their impressions. I was kinda underimpressed, I was hoping for more in the venue of scouting history, scout gear history, etc. Some of the areas were interesting but what kinda capped the whole thing off was how when you finished the tour you ended up in the scout shop. Struck me as a little PT Barnham. (you know...'This way to the Egress') yis

Very well done and congratulations. You combined 'Be prepared' and 'Do a good turn daily' into an inspired Eagle project. Once again very well done. yis

LV, let us know how it works out for you. One question tho, does the water proofing need redone every so often? I am with the poncho and rain suit pants. At 6'6" most rain suits are too short in the arms, torso length, pants are usually ok. The poncho by itself is also too short. The combination of military poncho and just about any sort of rain pants allows me to stay mostly dry and has enough circulation to prevent overheating. Waterproof boonie hat helps keep the rain off the face and helps stop those pesky poncho side leaks. yis

This may no more than a rant. Scouting does not make men out of boys, it provides a window into what is possible that what a young boy/man can become/do. It can provide a confidence that the scout can build on that will help him to become the man that he can become. Many other influences can direct the young scout into other directions, most of which we have no control over. Scouting provides 'extra stuff' that a scout can use, if not now immediatelely then later in life, that will allow them to be a better person ( or citizen if you wish). W, I do not have your reading know

Every day use is a Buck knife (2.5 in), Scouting use is the Buck knife and a army sheath knife and any other blades that fit the need. For canoeing is a Garber two edge blade in case of tip overs. yis

Howdy back to ya DS Give em you know what. yis

Doing a Good turm? Being Prepared? Sounds like the scout was being a scout and that is what scouting is all about. Hearty well done and what a life lesson learned. yis

Troop has enough tents for all the scouts and scouters. Private tents are not encouraged, but can be allowed if told about or shown to us prior to the campout. Mosst troop tents are the 2 man Eureka with the nylon zippers and some larger tents for special occasions. yis

Not real sure how it gets arranged, I suspect that several people are working together to get it arranged. Have had one adult that makes/ starts the process and he has done it for several yeasrs now and I do not know his secret. Sorry. yis

We do Philmont at least every three years, some scouts go with the council troop also. Every couple of years the troop puts together a trip to the Boundary Waters in Canada for a week of canoeing. This is for the older boys usually 14 and up due to the physical demands. When we go to Canada we also plan a trip for the younger scouts usually to Colorado for white water rafting or somewhere that provides high adventure for them. These trips rotate so that a high adventure trip happens every year. yis

Same policy as yours here. I fully agree with you. Too much chance for bad things. yis