RememberSchiff

The National Park Service published new rules for "extended day hiking" and rim-to-rim trips by non-commercial groups, stating the changes were necessary because of the impact of the increasingly popular activity. The rules include obtaining a $175 permit -- a large increase from the previous price of "free" -- and limits on the number of hikers from each group. "Larry Abbott, CEO for the Boy Scouts of America's Grand Canyon Council in Phoenix, which oversees most of the state's Boy Scout districts except the Tucson area, says he's especially concerned that only one permit per day, per group, will be issue by the park service. If the National Park Service counts the Boy Scouts as a single nonprofit agency, only one permit per day would be issued for the Scouts' Grand Canyon Council, which is made up of about 2,000 separate troops. The limits take away the ability for several of the separate groups to do extended day hikes on the same day, even if members of each group aren't hiking together, Abbott points out. When hiking the Grand Canyon, Scout groups usually include a dozen or fewer hikers, he says Abbott could provide no estimate on how many Scouts hike the Grand Canyon each year, whether on day hikes or camping trips. He also expresses concern about the new process for proving group members are covered by insurance, and about the $175 fee, which he called "pretty onerous." For troops in low-income areas, the fee could "crush" some planned trips, he says. Kirby-Lynn Shedlowski, spokeswoman for Grand Canyon National Park, had little sympathy for Abbott's criticism. Several Boy Scout troops could do day hikes under one Boy Scouts permit, she tells New Times, and the 30-person maximum rule would apply for the total number of people doing a rim-to-rim hike.." http://blogs.phoenixnewtimes.com/val...and_canyon.php

I wish it always worked that way but I have rarely found that new parents voluntarily come forward with this information. We have to be proactive and ask them directly, perhaps as they complete the joining application and again when they submit their scout's Health Form. As a unit, we need policies that reflect our abilities and comfort zone as leaders. In the process, we may recognize the need for required parent involvement, further training or additional help for this scout to participate, or we may realize that our unit cannot serve this scout (feel sad but not guilty) For prospective new scouts, I try to ask both parents, hopefully separately and in a friendly way, that I need a heads-up in working with your scout. Usually my questions flow this way, first I ask "Every kid is different. What are the most important things that I and the troop needs to know to successfully work with your son?" Listen. If the following information was not revealed, then I probe further. - behavior issues, anxieties - food allergies - friends in the troop, past issues with making friends, bullies - special needs - IEP (individual education plan), if so tell me more. - school problems Time consuming, not perfect, and it has to be done in a friendly way, i.e., no interrogation. My $0.02

Not saying that anything is wrong here but it just seems odd to me. I am doubtful that the intended outcome will happen, oh and the Girl Scouts are interested in the new school building too. I wonder if Irving was disappointed about the beneficiary or maybe other BSA National Foundation donations have gone to non-BSA groups? "...On June 16, Austin ISD’s board of trustees approved accepting an anonymous donation so that the district can begin planning for a 14,500-square-foot applied technology center to be constructed on the east side of the Anderson High School campus at 8403 Mesa Drive. An anonymous donor offered to give Austin ISD $59,000 for work on the center. The same donor plans to later make a second gift through the Boy Scouts for America National Foundation for construction and other costs...." ...then on Aug 26 "...Trustees late Monday night also approved an anonymous $2.9 million gift to go toward building a 14,500-square-foot Applied Technology Center on the campus of Anderson High School. The facility could daily serve between 400 and 500 students daily from Anderson and other high schools. The anonymous funders, who are giving the district the financial gift through the Boy Scouts of America National Foundation, stipulated that when the facility is not being used by the district during non-school hours, the Boy Scouts of America Capital Area Council would have priority access to the building..." http://impactnews.com/austin-metro/n...ch-center-at-/ http://www.statesman.com/news/news/l...n-opera/ng9TZ/

I have not been a Perry fan but IMO he has handled this nonsense well. I like the double-sided T-shirt which his supporters are now selling. No the backside is not Hillary/Benghazi but that may be coming soon.

Absurd. Camp usage fees up? Seems they should be down to 0 from the closing and selling of camps by Michigan Crossroads Council. A few weeks ago, they sold Camp Awagam for $1,025,000 (appraised value $1.5mil). http://www.clarkstonnews.com/Articles-News-i-2014-08-06-255792.113121-sub14474.113121-Orion-Twp-purchases-Camp-Agawam-for-1025-million.html My $0.02

Well you would not likely use a throwing knife for the utility tasks that scouting knives are used - cutting, whittling/shaving, a throwing knife is only thrown at a target like arrows and bullets which we consider weapons. We are not saying no, we are saying we adults will keep them secure until the activity safely starts. Not a javelin, but we had a scout bring a set of 3 atlatls. I took charge of them quick. Have not seen any swords yet.

Ashyton's disabilities include autism, cerebral palsy and difficulty eating and speaking Great story. Watch video http://www.floridatoday.com/story/news/local/2014/08/23/boy-scout-pursues-dream-despite-autism/14506161/ Scout salute

No response to my emails. Yesterday, I was near one of the camps that I was seeking a reservation so I dropped in to see the camp ranger. He wasn't there but he was thoughtful enough to leave a note on his office door with a phone number that I had called in vane. I noticed there was an outside group camping there. Rather unusual camp gear.

If you reached a summit with a USGS marker, then you earned it. Note there is space to engrave information as you choose and can fit - summit, elevation, or date, or With My Dad,... This ebay seller has that medallion and specific summit medallions. http://www.ebay.com/sch/sis.html?_nkw=BOY%20SCOUT%20SUMMITEER%20HIKING%20STAFF%20MEDALLION%20USGS%20I%20MADE%20IT%20SUMMIT%20BENCHMARK%20BSA&_itemId=390680863449

CP, I like it! So far, no response to my emails either. Yo Al dwn dey www

Here's my money saving idea - cancel all Council phone (landline, cellphone) contracts. Over the past 2 days, I have phoned 3 councils multiple times and spoken to no one. Their robo messages seem to indicate they prefer e-mail, so let them have email and save us money by removing all phones. If I don't get any response emails by tonight, I'll tweet Al Gore who will take their internet away.

IMO, keep the scouts in the loop during research particularly about SAFETY. We were concerned about two issues: 1. knife bounce-back. New throwers are often inclined to throw a knife like a fast ball. Lighter knife mass and target geometries and hardness come into play more so than with heavier hawks. Couldn't find any knowledgeable instructors. 2. Scouts wanted to freely bring their knives which raised safety concerns as adults wanted throwing knives under lock. Agreement on this was not reached so end of game. Our scouts viewed a throwing knife the same as a scout knife. Adults viewed a throwing knife as a weapon same as a rifle. Some of us adults remember throwing scout knives in a dumb game of chicken. So no knife throwing range yet and maybe never, but we had some good safety discussions. Some links from our research. Professional group http://www.akta-usa.com/docs/rules.htm target http://www.instructables.com/id/Portable-AKTA-style-target-for-knife-and-tomahawk-/

I dunno since he has started wearing glasses, he has a Clark Kent alter identity working for him. t Mug Shot - guy no glasses, blue tie. Presidential candidate - guy with glasses and red tie.

8/18/2104 Homeland Security OIG released their official report All press releases http://www.oig.dhs.gov/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=211&Itemid=201 Investigation of Alcan Boy Scout Encounter (allegations denied across the board, interesting how marijuana came up in the report.) http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2014/Inv_Alc_Boy_Sco_Enc.pdf Allegations of CBP Gun Incident with Boy Scouts Unsubstantiated http://www.oig.dhs.gov/assets/pr/2014/oigpr_081814.pdf

Albeit late, the PLC has decided their program year which the Troop Committee approved. Now to make the reservations. Regarding scout camps, some councils have an online system, some are still usng phone call and/or mail-in reservations. Worse some scout camps are holding off taking reservations on some fall weekends until districts and maybe OA post their camping plans, but that's another topic. So can you reserve a weekend campout online with your council?

Thanks for the information Merlyn. I found no information regarding recall elections in Travis County where she is DA.

Regarding Lehmberg, did voters petition for a recall election?

"The Eagle Scouts Cycling Across America are members of Troop 165, based in Spotsylvania County (VA). They relied on foot power, perseverance and mental fortitude to pedal their bikes almost 3,800 miles, through mountains of California, deserts of Nevada, coal country of Kentucky to the foothills of the Blue Ridge. But read the EXCELLENT story link below. There will be a quiz on fundraising, flat tires, participants, and great people they met, http://news.fredericksburg.com/newsd...-bike-journey/

Eastern Mountain Sports has annual Club Days with discounts of 20% or more on most items. "Club" as buyer is a registered member in an organized group: Boy Scouts, school outing club, AMC, Sierra Club... REI has Member (registered with REI) discount weekends with similar discounts.

That is a very good question. What have his scouts learned from this? He may have taught them to be sheep not citizens. If his scouts made a mistake then step up and admit it. If his scouts did see a gun drawn, step up and give a statement. A scout is Brave. If the IGO investigators were prepared, they should have brought along items that could have been mistaken for a handgun - clipboard, flashlight, etc .for scouts to examine. I wonder how many of his scouts will drop out this fall as a result. Good point about their names being placed on a warning or watch list.

We ALL review first aid (Readyman) periodically. Be Prepared. It does not need to be presented the same way or by the same person. You have the opportunity to give your Webs a taste of scouting by having those that completed Readyman attempt to teach those who have not. You might arrange a class with your local town EMTs Be sure to tell your scouts and their parents, that this is their THIRD and likely last opportunity to earn Readyman and the resulting consequences. We give scouts an abundance of guidance, activities, and opportunities. Most take advantage but some will not. Good luck.

Good points. For awhile, I thought Fox might be taking the heat for either the scouts or their parents. Back in the presence of the scouts' parents, it is not his decision whether the scouts come forward. I don't buy the national security issue with the videos either.

Update 8/13/2014 The probe by the Inspector General Office has ended. According to Des Moines Register article (link below) - Nobody  not other Scouts, not the adult chaperones, not Border Patrol agents and not video recordings of the time  saw a gun drawn and held on Scouts. - Only two 15 year old Scouts claimed they saw the handgun. And those Scouts, at the advice of Scout leader Jim Fox of Grimes, declined to speak - The interaction took about 50 minutes and was recorded by four different video camera angles. The Scouts, their chaperones and the Border Patrol agents were in frame for the entire video  except for a 13-second moment in which one Border Patrol agent was out of frame. SM Fox believes that is the moment the gun was drawn and pointed. He said he stands by his Scouts' statements. - Officials have declined to make the videos public citing national security. - The Inspector General Office has not issued a final report yet. My understanding, the IGO only investigated the gun drawing. http://www.desmoinesregister.com/sto...ends/14040877/