resqman

Patrols decide menus in the patrol meeting week or two in advance of campout. Adult advisors sit in the back of each patrol meeting so will veto choices if necessary. Breakfasts tend towards pancakes, eggs, precooked bacon/sausage, bagels, oatmeal, fruit. Last month at YLT we introduced "Toad in a Hole" buttered bread with hole cut in middle laid on griddle with egg dropped into hole. Bread becomes toast and keeps the egg from running. When firm, flip and toast other side. Big hit. Was seem at every patrol breakfast at the next campout. Lunches tend to be no cook like sandwhic

In our troop, the PLC chooses a theme for the Sat evening meal for the montlhy campout. Asian, Mexican, Italian, Seafood etc. Each patrol is free to make any dish they desire that could possibly fit the theme. Troop budget says they are allowed $4 per person per meal. The patrols prepare, cook and serve the meal. They make a presentation serving for the judges, usually the SM and 2 or 3 ASMs. They can make the presentation as simple as asking the judges to come by and they will serve on to the judges mess kit or make a presentation plate and present ala Iron Chef. The judges sa

My son joined Cub Scouts as a Wolf. I ended up becoming the den leader after a couple of months when the first fella could not fit being den leader in between his time as little league coach and two full time jobs. 4 years as a Den Leader and I was very happy to retire when the den crossed over to Boy Scouts. I am now part way through my third year as an ASM. The tougher job by far is being a Den Leader. Developing a lesson plan, pulling together supplies, and teaching a topic every week. Keeping parents up to date with den and pack events. Tracking advancement, monthly leader

My son joined Cub Scouts as a Wolf. I ended up becoming the den leader after a couple of months when the first fella could not fit being den leader inbetween his time as little league coach and two full time jobs. 4 years as a Den Leader and I was very happy to retire when the den crossed over to Boy Scouts. Part way through my third year as an ASM. The tougher job by far is being a Den Leader. Developing a lesson plan, pulling together supplies, and teaching a topic every week. Keeping parents up to date with den and pack events. Tracking advancement, monthly leader meetings,

We were an "outdoor focused with a water activity minor but known for our high adventure program" troop because the last SM was a dive instructor and preferred water activities. The troop has a high adventure trip each summer which usually rotates through the three national high adventure bases (Philmont, Florida Sea Base, and Norther Tier). Now we have cut back to an outdoor troop with occasional water actvities and high adventure. The troop plans at least one water based outing (sea kayaking last spring and lake canoeing last fall) but we also usually have at least one climbing outing

I guess it all depends on the numbers. We had 45-55 registered scouts before crossover. 13 crossovers have signed the paperwork. We had 10 on the first campout two weeks later. Three older scouts volunteered to be troop guides and act as patrol leaders until after summer camp to show the NSP how to get things moving. Last campout we had approximately 40 scouts and eight adults. We needed 7 vehicles just to transport that many people. All the adults except one attending were registered ASMs and had been with the troop at least one year. The only "new parent" has 2 boys, one in the

Our troop hosts a Webelos Invitational campout in November at one of the nearby state parks. The patrols set up stations and teach basic skills: knots, first aid, totin chip, fire starting, etc. Vistors rotate through the stations which are completely run and managed by the scouts. The last station before lunch, the visiting Webelos make several box ovens. Then each visitor assembles his own pizza using a tortilla, pizza sause, grated cheese, and a selection of toppings. The pizzas go in the box ovens they just made. They get to eat their pizzas for lunch. While this is going on t

Usually polls are designed to answer a question. If you have no question, why do you need a poll? I can think of two areas that could be important to troop leadership. 1) A poll of existing registered scouts seeking reasons why they stay in scouts. Why kinds of activities keep them in the program and which activities would they like to see reduced or removed. 2) A poll of scout aged yutes and Parents of scout age yutes why they/their sons are not involved in scouting. What would make scouting attractive enough to join and participate on regular basis.

During the hike or as a time filler before and after? Knot tying could be accomplished during the hike. Teach a knot and give each hiker a length of rope to carry and practice during the hike. During breaks teach a new knot and have each scout tie the previous knot(s). By end of hike, they should be able to tie all the knots. Part of a hike to me is enjoying the hike itself. I would caution about adding too much instruction during the hike. Certainly instructional sessions before and after the hike make sense.

Cancelled plans for major purchases (SWMBO really needs a new car, but we'll wait) -Cancelled family "vacation" this year - forget Jambo When people don't spend, then we go into recession. Companies start laying off people because there are not enough sales. Out of work people don't buy things so more people get laid off. Downward spiral. If we all spend and buy, companies can afford to keep people on the payroll. They make money and buy more goods and services so companies have to hire more people to handle the increased business. By all means reduce your debt. That

The troop I belong to pays for WB. As part of the parent orientation program several years ago, I asked if the troop paid for WB. The presenters looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and asked why wouldn't the troop pay. Turns out both of them were WB trainers. The SM, CC, and 3 or 4 ASMs are WB trained. I guess it depends on the troop budget. Last fiscal year, the troop ran $39,000 through the account. About 10,000 was summer camp fees. Another 12,000 was monthly campout fees. Another $6-7000 for high adventure trip. $200 for a training course would hardly be a blip

Take this thought one step further. Once they join the troop, the boys need a method to track their activites. Sure the handbook has a spot to record the first 10 activities. How many of the boys know to use it? I create a folder for each new boy. The folder has thier name on the front cover along with the BSA logo. The first page lists the meeting place, troop number, patrol name, patrol members, and the adult advisors for their patrol. Next is a contact list of patrol members. Next is a spread sheet with fields for Date, Location, Activities, Service Hours, Nights Camping.

Hand sanitizer is mostly alcohol. A few squirts and a spark is all you need. At summer camp, a few scouts filled a soda can about half full of sanitizer. A spark or two and it shot flames about 6-8 feet in the air. A little too effective. Fortunately no one was hurt and very few scouts saw or heard the "experiement". We have been leary of sharing this information for fear that a scout may try More is Better.

As discussed in many areas on this forum, leaders make a variety of statements of "fact" and limit or restrict various activities for the boys in their care. Commonly heard restrictions like no sheath knifes, must be a certain rank to hold POR, etc. I have been told that I could not teach steel wool and batteries as a fire starting technique. No one could point to any scout literature so I continue to offer it as an alternative. The leaders gave an explanation why they did not want the fire starters used. You and your son may disagree with their reason, but that is the one given. I a

I attended an AOL last year to recieve new members into the troop. The Pack had the rising Webelos build their own shadow boxes to display their awards. Basically all you need is some 1x4 lumber. Cut miter corners to make a box. Set the blade of your saw one third the depth of the wood and cut a groove 1/4 inch back from the edge of the 1x4 to set the glass in. A piece of 1/4" luan plywood for the back and your good to go. The shadow boxes were deep enough that PWD cars just fit between the glass and the back. The boxes were about 30 inches long and about 12"-16" tall. There were t

The Florida Sea Base web page has a link so you can add your information. http://www.bsaseabase.org/staff/index.html Facebook has a link http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=65346970643 2010 is just around the corner and now is your chance to participate.

2010 Florida Sea Base is having a staff reunion. My sister worked on staff in 1980-81 and was contacted based on a facebook entry. I do not have any specifics other than there is a planning meeting in October to plan the "event" to be held in 2010. The event is not planned so there is NO information about where, when, what, how, cost, etc. That will all come from the planning meeting. If you were a staff member of Florida Sea Base anythime over the last 29 years, the reunion staff are looking for you. They are also looking for pictures of the base and activities to show the his

2/3 of the world is water but swimming should not be required? My father in law does not know how to swim. He is afraid to walk out on a pier because he might fall off. Boats in all their shapes, sizes, and uses are of no joy to him. I think swimming should be required skill in elementary school and every person on the planet should be taught swimming. The point of requirements is so boys LEARN new skills. Knots and ropes are my friend. I learned the basics while taking pioneering merit badge 30 years ago. Since then I have studied and use knots. This past weekends troop cam

I would say the biggest difference is Boy Led vs. Adult Led. Most other youth programs are a means to entertain the youth. Their primary goal is to distract the youth with events and activities. Adults plan and direct every aspect. What I see in the way my son's troop is run is the boys are forced to make decisions. They make decisions and then learn from the consequences. They learn how to plan outings, make schedules, and manage budgets. Yes, they learn some outdoor skills but really the outdoors is just a labratory environment away from hovering parents. Some of the even

The answers will probably be dependent on your local weather. In North Carolina typical winter temps are 35-50. We have one week in the teens or 20s. We get 1 inch of snow every third year. I had a red wood shirt jacket as a boy. I did not like the fact that it did not stop the wind. I deemed it completely ineffective. I now use a layereing system. Polypro or wool-polypro blend long underwear, synthetic T-shirt, poly cotton blend long sleeve shirt, fleece vest and/or jacket, wind breaker or rain jacket. Poly long johns are black, Wool-poly long johns are ash gray, T-sh

I built the patrol box using the plans from several posts up (troop 679). It is huge and heavy. The plans call for 3/4 plywood for all four sides. I changed the two flop down sides to 1/2 inch to cut the overall weight. You better have a trailer if you plan on building more than one. They take up most of a minivan. The legs becoming carrying handles is a great idea but even so it is a massive box that is exceeding heavy empty. I put laminate on the fold down sides and the top. This way food can be easily passed from side to side over the top and cleanup is easier. I m

The one example shows the Philmont brand and date on the side. Do you have similar options for Florida Sea Base and Northern Tier?

Dues and fundraisers are seperate in my troop. Dues are $75 a year. Fundraisers bring money into the troop. Money raised by the scouts is divided 1/3 to scout account, 1/3 to troop general fund, and 1/3 to council. Scout account can be used to pay/defray costs of camping trips and summer camp. The general fund pays for patches, badges, and troop gear. Scouting in not free. It is pay to play setup. Scouting is cheaper than my son's sport program but still costs money.

"Hope so, I know a man that would fail at trustworthy, loyal and reverent. In front of Scouts. " If I had to guess, the intent of this comment is that the persons WB should be stripped away due to actions unbecoming. This presumes that WB is an honor not a completion of a training course. Similar to removing ones college degree because they were not knowledgeable in their degree field.

I climbed Baldy in the daylight and Tooth of Time at night to watch the sunrise in '75. I agree that the tail over the seam is a tradition. It has been around since I treked 30+ years ago. Traditions are not necessarily written, they can be oral and passed from generation to generation without being written. The fact that the story is so widespread and has continued for such a long time, makes it a tradition.