resqman

"So here's my question -- for those of you that have gone that route, shunning patrol boxes and troop trailers and the like, what sorts of things have you purchased as a troop, and what sorts of things have you decided are personal purchases? Examples: stoves, cookware, tents, tarps... " To some degree,what is your troop providing now? If your troop has colman stoves, then backpacking stoves makes sense. If your troop has cookware now, then backapacking cookware makes sense. If your troop has tents now, then backpacking tents makes sense. If your troop has stationary tarps now, ba

Overall, the uniform has gone to tan and green. Half the world thought the uniform was too flashy and showy and should be toned down. The other half want more color and patches. The term often used was third world dictator general look. So yes, not only the rank badges but also POR, Trained, troop numbers, epulets, etc. have gone to tan and green. More subdued look overall. I have my Tenderfoot badge from pre-1972 and it is a piece of dark green cloth with a yellow fleurdelis. No border sewn around the patch. The uniform was the same dark green color at the time. You actually

Why only 90 minutes for 40 cars? How many heats can you run in a minute? We planned an entire Saturday. We had dens staggered to arrive about every 30-45 minutes. That way they arrived early enough to cheer the other members and get hyped to run their cars. Most stayed for the duration of the race once they arrived. Usually ran from 8am to about 2-3pm. The pack sold hot dogs, donuts, and drinks during the day as a fundraiser. I think you will be really rushing to race 40 cars in 90 minutes.

I have seen cases where the scout earned Life by 14. Holds a POR and then only attends couple times a year. Basically to get a MB signed off. Couple years go by and he is 17. Parents pressure him to finish before he ages out. Puts together a project and attends a few troop meetings asking for labor. A busy Saturday and the project is completed. He does the paperwork and is ready for EBOR. He got his POR years ago and has maintained his membership. He meets the rule of Active because he was registered but did not Participate. Case of the Fumes, perfume and gasoline. Girls and

Our troop policy is that parents cannot sign off any requirements for their sons. We are a larger troop, 45-55 scouts with at least 10 ASMs. Finding adult who can sign off is relatively easy. We have at least 2 couselors for each required MB so jr. never has to rely on parents to sign. I can see in a small troop of 14 boys with an SM and 1 or 2 ASMs, it could be more difficult to find an adult to sign off requirements. Of course the SM's son will always be the exception. There is the SM conference. Gotta have Dads signature. Every blue card has the unit leaders signature. Da

It seems that many more scouts are earning the rank of Eagle than I remember in my day. I was thinking it over wonder what the rest of you think about this idea. Used to be that everyone played recreational sports. You paid you minor fee, and played your 10 games and 10 practices. Everyone knew it was not pro-ball. Lots of kids were also scouts. Just another event in your life. Now every kid picks an area and focuses all their energy on that one membership. Nobody "just" plays rec ball, they only play competitive ball. The rec leagues are almost empty by middle school becaus

Was visiting a Pack crossover a few miles down the road last week and saw him. Only way I knew he was ours is because the SM said he was ours. Have seen him at various training and council events but never seem him at a troop function in 4 years.

Was visiting a Pack crossover a few miles down the road last week and saw him. Only way I knew he was ours is because the SM said he was ours. Have seen him at various training and council events but never seem him at a troop function in 4 years.

Son just completed his EBOR tonight. Add one more to the list of Eagle Scouts. 3rd generation scout, 2nd generation Eagle. Brother completed Life 2 weeks ago. 4 MBs, project and POR and will have another Eagle in the family.

We choose a pack because my son wanted to hang out with a buddy. It was a great pack. Drawback was it was a bit of a drive to attend. When it came time to cross over, we did not even consider the troop at the same CO. I said if we are going to weekly meetings, I am not willing to drive that far. Did not matter how good the troop might be, I was not spending the next 7 years driving across town. My son looked at 3 troops much closer to our home. A family friend was the SM of one troop. One troop actually had a high representation from our old pack. 3rd troop had their own building.

I think Allen's list is a good goal for troop leadership. Certainly obtainable. I would say that easily half our ASMs meet all the list. The rest meet 75% of the list. I am not sure why an SM would not want his ASMs to meet this list. Follow the Scout Oath and Law at all times - That should be a given for all scouts and scouters Complete the following training: Youth Protection, Hazardous Weather, Safe Swim Defense, Safety Afloat Boy Scout Leader Fast Start, New Leader Essentials, Leader Specific Training, Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills - That is the minimum to

We usually by the 36 qt powdered drink mix from Sams, BJs, Costco. We fill the 5 gallon drink cooler about 1/2 - 3/4 of water and then add about half can of drink mix. Stir and add more water. The mix is a little weak but less sugar in the scouts is not all bad. The scouts have learned to just pour a scoop of the mix into their canteens and add water. They tend to make the mix extra strong.

When my son bridged, he got a handmade arrow with painted bands, wooden plaque and awe inspiring ceremony - pagent where the Tiger cubs were handed arrows by "the Chief" to be awarded to the AOL recipents. Flash paper was tied to the arrows and burned to prove they were worthy. Webelos who did not earn the AOL did not get an arrow. The arrow is buried in the back of his closet and he could realy care less. It may have more meaning to him when he his kids join scouts in 20 years but right now, not much. Earned my AOL in '71. Don't remember any ceremony or bridging. Got a patch to

Start with a basic first aid course, usually about 6-8 hours. If you are the CM, everyone will be looking to you (your position) whenever anything needs to happen. You might consider scheduling a Saturday class and encouraging all the Den Leaders to attend the class together. That way you are free to manage the scene and Pack while other uniformed leaders are performing actual first aid. The Pack could help pay for all or some of the class costs. Most parents would see that as a useful way to spend pack Money. The Pack I was a member of paid for all leader training and encourag

4 years ago, I wore civilian clothes. My idea was I wanted the Troop leadership to explain everything as if I was a parent, not a scouter. I did not want them to skip information presuming I already knew something about scouting. I had Den Leader burnout and was considering taking some time off before volunteering with the troop. My thought was if I wore a uniform, they would presume I was a high probability candidate and would sell me harder. The troop leader making the presentation to adults that first night did not know me or my history. I got what I wanted from that presentation.

"I think a lot of people are forgetting what first aid is. It's FIRST AID. It's not an EMT, it's not a trained medical professional. It's not comprehensive, it's basic. It's a stopgap until a doctor or EMT can get the situation under control. And no, it's not perfect. But are you going to require an EMT to go on every scout outing? If a person has a severe medical problem the responsibility is with the individual to explain to the leader what the risks, signs, and symptoms are. Or are you going to just tell a leader you have suchandsuch, and let the leader read up on it and make his own

I took WFA through WFA.NET. The instructor kept the class on topic and on schedule. To the extent that the students commented amoung ourselves that we were reluctant to ask questions. The class cost was more than the ARC class offered by council but I needed the class within a certain time frame to be able to attend a high adventure trip. As a previous EMT, much of the material was review for me. The human body hasn't changed much in the last 20 years. :^) Several of the big take away concepts include: - Hurry cases may die and there is nothing you can do. - Requesting

Years ago I went rappelling with a Paramedic. I was part way through my EMT training at the time. It was not a scout outing and the only Guide to Safe Outing was what we felt like doing. It was a 1.5 hr drive to the mountains. Last 1/2 hour was into the back country. This was before cellphones. He carried a pocket air mask, examination gloves, and couple of 4x4 guaze pads. That was his entire first aid kit. If it was a medical emergency, either the paitent would have his prescription meds or not. We could not carry a portable pharmacy of every potential med. If the patient had

"No...my $15 (if that is what it is...I'm certain it's more than than here) earns me professional training of the adult leaders. Not some book, or web video. And if that isn't enough... make it $150! A small price to pay for eliminating fatalities due to stupidity. And that is what this was... 10 levels of stupidity." BSA is a volunteer program. The adults who lead troops are somebodys Dad who agreed to help. They agreed to spend $100 for uniform and spend about 2 days in a classroom learning the basics of how the program is designed and about 2 days on an overnight campout to be

Scouting is based on the premise of taking lads away from momma's side and into the outdoors. Webelos just crossing over will be challenged by an overnight camping trip 50 feet from the parking lot. 3rd year scouts may think a 10 day backpacking trip at Philmont as barely challenging enough. Parents trust adult leadership to provide adequate training and resources to their sons to not be seriously injured or killed during a scout outing. Scouts in a troop have a wide variance of skill depth and expierence. When and who decides when a scout is not adequately prepared for an outing?

Every couple of years, a scout is seriously injured, lost or dies while on a scout outing. The media swoops in and says the adults lacked adequate training to provide adequate supervision or care. Currently the only first aid training required for adult leaders is CPR. In reality the most likely canidate to need CPR are the adult leaders and the lads are the ones who really need the CPR training! Should a basic first aid component be added to SM/ASM training? Is Wilderness First Aid training too much training to require for uniformed adults leading weekend camping trips?

Not arguing the optium size of 48 but I a little curious how you get 9 patrols of 9 boys with only 48 scouts? 9 patrols of 9 scouts is 81 plus one patrol of 8 is 90 scouts. Recommend you check your math again.

With 60 scouts, 8 scouts per patrol, that is at least 6 or 7 patrols. That means at least 6 or 7 Patrol leader positions elected by the patrol members. Plus the roles of SPL, Quartermaster, Scribe, Historian, Chaplains Aid, LNT, Den Chief, Librarian, and unlimited number of troop instructors. That is a minimum of 16 Positions of Responsibility or about of the troop could hold a POR. The ASMs son has a 1 in 4 chance of having a POR. If he is actively seeking those roles, it is likely he is able to convince the SPL he is a good candidate. Many scouts do not want a POR until they reach 1st

One thing not answered in the original post, WHO is doing the assigning? If adults are assigning ANY roles then you have a much bigger problem. The original post hints that the ASM may be infearing with POR selection. If the SPL and PLs are selecting the same scout repeatedly, that is a different issue.

Writing the name using mustard from a squirt bottle is another method. It turns a darker color but is visible even after the foil pack is turned over and the mustard rests in the coals. Have not has as good luck with markers. Foil pack menu Thick ham slice or cubed ham Pineapple, rings or chunks Splash of pineapple juice [For steam] Alternate OJ or water Sliced or cubed sweet potatoes Sprinkle of cimmamon or nutmeg Pinch of salt to balance all the sweetness