resqman

How about using the shirt to make an Award Frame.

https://scoutnet.scouting.org/BSASupply/default.aspx?ctgy=PRODUCTS&C2=GIFTS&C3=FRAMES&C4=&LV=3

Basically the one sold in the scout store is a shadow box frame with a backing made of shirt material with a scout shirt pocket attached in the center for $86.

Purchase a shadow box frame at the craft store for about $35. Remove the back of the shirt from the rest of the shirt. Remove a pocket from the front of the shirt. Sew pocket on to the center of the cloth you harvested from the back of the shirt. Purchase a can of spray adhesive for $5. Remove the back of the shadow box frame. Spray adhesive on frame back. Lay the shirt back with attached pocket on the frame back centering the pocket. Trim the edges of the cloth to the frame back. Use a hot glue gun to attach patches, rank, awards, etc to the back. Assemble the frame and display in your son's room.

I did this with my old Explorer uniform from the 70's. Our Explorer Post uniform was a medium blue military style shirt. I still had my old uniform and patches. I got a shadowbox frame and used the back of the shirt and pocket to make a custom award display. I purchased the Boy Scout Award Frame from my local scout store and displayed my old badges in a manner similar to the example in the link above. Both frames hang in my home and I can enjoy and relive my days as a scout. My son periodically asks me about what some of the old style badges mean.

My son just became a Webelos I and I will be taking his old blue cub scout uniform and making a shadowbox display for him.

" I know we heard about the police force scattering before, during and after the storm...but I wonder just how well these officers were able to handle the evacuation of their families if they were mandated to serve the city...tough call...but also noted was the apparent fortitude of the fire fighters...none have left or quit...what was the difference...or did we hear the whole story?"

There are some basic differences between fire and police. Fire departments usually are quartered in a building which houses the trucks and equipment. Usually there are bedrooms, lockers, showers, bathrooms, and a kitchen since they are staffed round the clock. Often these buildings have generators. Fire fighters could store food and water at their station ahead of the storm. They have a place to return to after working that is relatively safe.

Police on the other hand use a patrol car as their office. Certainly there are police stations but they are designed as office space or cells for offenders. Not really any place to store extra supplies. Police tend to rely on their vehicles which have limited storage space.

In both cases, their families still need to be tended to. Both families are used to the worker being gone for periods of days due to the nature of shift work. This encourages the family to develop some of their own surival skills. My BIL is a ranking officer in a metro police force. In speaking with him over the years, he is primarily concerned with protecting himself while dealing with "bad guys". To him preparation is having more police around than bad guys.

Fire fighters jobs are more helping oriented vs. enforceing rules oriented. Most of the fire fighters I know and work with tend to be self reliant and gear junkies. Fire fighters tend to be problem solvers with limited tools and equipment. There job is to figure out how to accomplish the unbelievable with limited equipment in the worst conditions. Very similar to a military attitude.

I know that my upbringing as a scout taught me to Be Prepared. When I joined the Fire Dept, I learned they live the motto. As a rescue squad member, I learned many ways to accomplish tasks using only manual labor and limited tools. My garage is filled with supplies to allow my family to not only survive but thrive in emergencies. But if my house were flooded, I would be handicapped. Given the warning, I would have moved my supplies to higher ground. Evacuating is a scary thought. I hope I never had to make that decision.

I have some experience in this area. I have been a member of a rescue team that responds not only locally but state wide. Our team responded to flooding caused by hurricane Floyd several years ago. We responded to mud slides and flooding as a result of a hurricane last year. In both instances, we drove several hours to arrive at the flooded area and were prepared to be self sufficent for several days.

Additionally we have participated in several county and state drills for public safety including train wrecks, airplane crashes, and general mass casualty incidents.

I will be first to say that there will be plenty of blame to go around on this one. Every level of government from small town up to federal will be blamed for some inadequacy. Inadequate planning, inadequate funding, inadequate response, inadequate manpower, etc.

There are many things that are going wrong. Many victims did not evacuate when warned. This could be for many reasons including lack of financial resources to belief it will not be as bad as forecast. Those that did not evacuate did not have adequate supplies stored before hand or their supplies were destroyed as part of the storm. Victims who believe that it is the govt's responsibility to care for them and not their own responsibility to care for themselves.

In any event, now that the storm has passed, it will be a tremendous effort to get things working again. An issue that no one seems to want to talk about is who is going to pay for the rescue and recovery.

My rescue team has been on standby since Thursday to be deployed out of state. We have the equipment and training to deal with water operations. We have experience in working in flood situations. We do not have the funds to pay for the fuel to drive several trucks 2-3 states away, fuel for 4 boats running 12 hours a day for several days, and fuel to drive trucks and boats home. Add in the cost of food and water. Don't forget to add in the cost of replacing lost, damaged, or consumed equipment and supplies.

We spent over $10,000 on actual expenses during hurricane response last year. We are an all volunteer organization so that does NOT include any kind of salary.

Solutions cost money. Taxes. Taxpayers do not picket and rally in front of govt buildings asking for better radio communications for interdepartmental traffic. They expect that department heads will play nice and give up money for replacment hoses for the fire department so the police can have replacment armoured vests so next year the police can give up money for new tires for the squad cars so the fire department can buy more defibulators.

I don't remember any Tsunamni victims complaing that they had not taken a shower in a week. They were clearing debris from their own streets so services could get to them. Certainly there are many victims who are doing the best they can to survive in very difficult conditions with no hope of it getting better for months.

I have been a volunteer public safety member for over a decade. Every call I have been on has always have a problem with communication between the services. This is nothing new. It costs money to add additional channels to a radio so fire can talk to police to talk to EMS. For the most part they have seperate command chains and they recieve orders through their own chains. Fire does not presume to tell the police how to operate or vice versa. This is further complicated by the fact that not all departments use the same bands. Some operate at 400 while others at 800. Most radios can only operate on one band. Multiple band radios are available but at a higher cost.

I would also like to put in a word for those Fire, Police, Rescue, and EMS workers in New Orleans. Their homes and familes were not immune to the hurricane. They have familes who are scrambling for water, food, and shelter. If your kids had not eaten in several days and were dehydrated, would your first priority be to report to work?

I believe there are things that could be done now that would provide immediate relief in the region. I know that many citizens and public safety workers alike would like to respond and offer assistance. I hope that those charged with making decisions, make then soon so that the extent of suffering is diminished.

Hopefully you have reviewed the Flordia Sea Base website? http://www.bsaseabase.org/

Many of your questions are answered there including pictures, a packing list, and suggestions.

2) advice re clothes - would the lightweight "wicking" synthetic t-shirts and shorts be more comfortable than the usual cotton shorts and tees?

Cotton stays wet. That can be nice when it is hot but it can be deadly if trying to keep warm in a rain storm. For a week at sea, cotton will be O.K. One of the higher priced wicking could make the trip more enjoyable.

3) advice re sleeping bag, sheet, and/or fleece blanket during July - what's most appropriate? Is sleeping on the floor, or in some kind of bunk?

Sleeping varies. One time we all slept on deck on top of sleeping bags because the weather was wonderful. It was also beastly hot below deck. Additionally we had more kids than than bunks. Some slept on the benches in the galley. Some slept on the floor. One time there had been some repairs made to the boat and the smell of the repair materials made us not want to be below decks. We all took sleeping bags just because that is what we were used to. Adults packed a sheet or two. They would use the sleeping bag as a mattress pad and cover themselves with a sheet.

4) how much sunscreen is needed? Was there any kind that seemed to work well or not work?

Lots! Reportedly 30 is complete block so anything higher is just marketing. One of the games played was to "draw" using sunblock and make shapes or words on other people. The sunblock left unburned areas to contrast with the burned areas. Get the kind that is "waterproof". While you do spend lots of time on the boat, much time is also spent in the water swimming, snorkeling, diving, splashing, etc.

Be sure and pack at least one long sleeved shirt that is lightweight but opaque. When you get burned early in the trip, you can wear a long sleeve shirt to cover from the sun but still allow a breeze in. One pair of lightweight pants, (maybe a pair of pajamas or similar style) would also be useful for the same reason.

There are clothing sold to be worn as sunblock protection and swim in. Reportedly cotton will create small pinholes between the threads when wet which allows the sun through. Standard cotton t-shirt is effective and cheap. Fancy high tech shirts do work but are not required.

Remind the boys to apply sunblock to the back of their legs, particulary the knees. The sun is all around and people are often not prepared to have the backs of the legs burned. Burned backs of knees hurt every time you walk or sit. When snorkling, many boys burned their backs and legs. Even those that wore shirts got burns on the small of their backs when their swim trunks slid down a tad and the shirt slid up a bit. The same is true for the tops of the feet. People were not prepared for the intense sun and reflection of the water.

5) type of hat - ballcap, bucket, aussie? Is it windy enough that one with a string is needed?

Yes, you need a hat. The best hat is one you will wear. While a brim in the front is useful for eye strain, the back of the neck and ears need protection. The hat should have a wide brin all the way around, a cord to keep it secure, and withstand repeatedly getting wet.

A ballcap is better than no cap but a bucket hat or Boonie hat are the best. A boonie hat is similar to a bucket hat but with a flater crown and wider brim.

http://www.bsaseabase.org/store/f/DX-09.jpg

You notice that they have a wide brim, vents in the crown to allow heat to escape or water drain, and a neck cord to keep on the head during winds or while moving under sail or motor.

Send sunglasses. See if you can find a neck cord that is made of foam or dive suit material (neoprene) that will cause the glasses to float. It is suprising how many things fall over the side. Once it hits the water, it is gone. Be prepared for everything to be lost over the side and not return.

While many of things I mentioned sound negative in review, it is a wonderful trip filled with fun and memories to last a life time. Suggest that your son and the others error on the side of safety and wear clothing and hats to protect from the sun. It is more difficult to crew a ship when you hurt. It is difficult to have fun if you are burned. Even so, it is a blast.

It seems the cost of the uniform always comes up. While $100 seems like a lot of money to pay for a uniform, I say uniforms for any organization are simliar in price.

My son is involved in soccer. He plays on at least two teams but has played on three teams concurrently. Each team requires a different uniform. 2 Shirts, Shorts, and socks. Of course he has needs two shirts, one light and one dark. At least two pairs of socks for tournament weekends. A complete set of uniforms for one team is between $90 and $120. I did not include cleats or shin guards because I consider them equipment like a backpack or sleeping bag. But they are both required to play. Shin guards are only about $20 but cleats run from $50 to $200.

Parents of sports teams don't constantly whine about the cost of uniforms. They find the money so that their son can play the sport. It is a requirement to play. Without the uniform, they are not allowed on the field.

A scout uniform shows that you are a member of a team. It also shows your accomplishments and roles you play on that team. While I agree that cut of the pants is not to my liking, it is the designated uniform. I wear my uniform, including the pants and socks at every scout event. I make sure it is clean and pressed before I leave the house. My boys were not wearing their neckerchiefs so I started wearing one. I began carving neckerchief slides and wearing a different one each time. Lead by example and quit whining about cost.

Maybe you will be poaching the older boys but if the Boy Scout program is not keeping them interested, they be leaving BSA all together.

I am not familiar with all of the Venturing programs but when I was in 30 years ago, we started an Explorer Post.

At the time we designed our own uniform and decided upon a topic/theme. We choose first aid and high adventure.

We limited membership to only 20 males in our charter. We encouraged all members to continue and earn their Eagle. Since we had choosen first aid, we began taking first aid classes from the Red Cross. Each class was more difficult and a patch was available. While it was not the same as earning rank within Boy Scouts, it was more similar to merit badges. We arranged for various medically oriented organizations to make presentations and learning sessions to broaden our skills.

So we had a program of skills to learn and master. There was a progression of skills. There were badges to wear on the uniforms. We also acted as the primary first aid stations for all council and district events. Otherwise we lead more adventurous trips.

Many of the members had been to Philmont so we went to Sea Base. It became an annual summer trip. We went white water rafting, canoeing, soaring (engineless plane flying), snow skiing. Several spring breaks we camped at Civil War battle fields and hiked all the trails to earn Veteran hiker awards. We would set up a base camp and hike the various trails each day.

So we combined the outdoors of Boy Scouting with a theme of First Aid to provide learning and goals.

As I understand Venturing, you could do a similar thing where you have uniforms of your own design, a program of your choosing and still involve them in outdoors activities.

By poaching the older boys from troops, it also opened up leadership positions within those troops so the younger could advance. Most of our members would have probably dropped out of scouting had it not been for the Post.

Oh by the way, at one point, all members were Eagle scouts. There were lots of ideas and lots of things got accomplished. Fond memories.

We prepare a page flyer and ask the surrounding elementary school principals in we can have them distributed in the "Friday Folders" that go home with each student. All the school has to do is place 25-30 in each teachers box to distribute to the kids. The flyer gets seen by the parents when they review the weekly work of their child.

We hold a roundup at our meeting place. We have examples of projects the Pack has done like PWD cars, crafts, photo ablums, etc.

Usually we open the meeting with a flag ceremony. We explain that those in uniform salute while those in civilian would hold their hands over their hearts. The CM introduces the leaders in attendance. We asks a few questions of the prospective boys what they have heard or know about scouting. He explains a bit that there are different levels. We then break out the kids and take them outside to play with each other and a few of the scouts. The parents stay behind to watch the video. We also explain the program and hold a Q&A. We help them fill out the paperwork and then bring the kids back in.

We found that by seperating the kids and adults, the adults can focus on the material. Two deep leadership is stressed along with background checks by BSA and our charter org before we send the kids out to play. The kids get to see the crafts and projects, talk with existing scouts, and have fun. The parents get to find about the program without being interupted.

We also but a msg in the churh bulletion about roundups and post a sign board out front of the church.

"Pocketknives out in the wilderness lend to a degree of danger, even if the BSA safety measures are taken. If 2 or 3 guys, the crew leader, his assistant and an Adult advisor carry knives, the chance of injury resulting in evacuation and ruining a fun trip are greatly reduced. 2-3 knives are more then enough for whatever the crew may encounter, thus, the Crew is being prepared and the weight is both lightened and evenly distributed."

If I remember correctly, you have to be at least 14 to go to Philmont. Hopefully troop leaders would discourage novice scouts from going. While a knife can be dangerous, I think current US culture is running towards a nanny state of affairs too quickly. Knifes are tools and when handled properly are effective. BSA discourages use of belt or sheath knifes. While knifes can cause injury, I am not sure how limiting thier availability is going to teach people how to use them properly and safely.

I believe the Boys Scouts are universally known for carrying a pocketknife. In my opinion, a Knife is a personal item and should always be carried. Cooking pots and food are group items. Tents are shared items. When I was at Philmont, we split up the food, cooking pots, tarp, etc. so each member had approximately the same amount of group gear to carry. We started with 30lb packs before group gear. At most we added 10 lbs to each pack with group gear.

There are other ways to lighten the load besides leaving equipment behind. Many products are on the market for the Ultralight backpacker. Usually there is a tradeoff between cost and weight. Each of us has to make our own decision about what we need to carry.

Flashlights are one I struggle with. I prefer not to use flashlights if at all possible. When others are using flashlights, it disrupts my night vision and I am forced to use a flashlight.

At Philmont, we wanted to watch the sun rise from the Tooth of Time. All the available campsites had already been taken and we were not allowed to sleep at the top. We choose instead to sleep that afternoon and hike through the night to reach the summit at day break. We had a clear sky and full moon. Flashlights were only needed occasionally. Had the sky been overcast or a sliver moon, we would have needed them continously.

I carry a LED headlamp that uses one AAA battery. Small in size and weight with long battery life. The red LED helps to maintain my night vision, while the white LEDS provide the light I need for more detailed work.

We ended the year with 38 active boys on the recharter list. We held a Spring roundup and had 10-12 sign up between that night and the last two pack meetings. We plan on holding a Fall roundup. Before the roundup we were targeting 17 new members. We are well on the way.

We mostly need Wolfs and Tigers. We have a strong Bear den, two strong Webelos I dens, and two strong Webelos II dens with at least 6 boys in each den.

BW, You advocate personal responsibility for each individual but indicate you check each members gear before each event. Then you indicate that if a member forgot gear, you would provide them with adequate equipment. There seems to be a break down.

If you checked their gear, wouldn't you realize they did not pack the correct items. You claim you do not pack extra gear for others but then you provide them with proper gear if they don't have it. You claim it is their responsibility but you are checking their gear. It sounds like you propose one theory but live another. Can you clarify your statements?

Having worked as a public safety volunteer for the last decade or two, I am abundantly aware that you cannot have enough equipment to rescue everyone from everything all at the same time. Often it is a challenge to rescue one person from one thing with a squad of people and equipment. There are state and national minimun standards for what equipment a rescue squad should carry to be able to perform certain types of rescues. What we choose to carry beyond that is up to the individual squads.

I tend to overpack to be able to resolve problems that are beyond my own. This is combination of the Be Prepared Motto, years of rescue work, and being involved in Business Continiuty Planning as a job. I have seen firsthand how poorly prepared most people are for any kind of situation other than sitting in front of the TV.

The issue I struggle with is when is it too much? As a leader of boys and young men, parents are trusting me to ensure I return the boys safe and unharmed. I would rather give a boy a trash bag to use as a poncho than have to treat hypothermia. Also working with Cubs and Webelos, I want to ensure that they have a superior time so they will continue to want to participate. I let them struggle but also hopefully teach them ways to indentify solutions and implement resolutions before things degrade too far.

It has been said that the more you know, the less equipment you need to carry. I agree and have studied extensively to become a better outdoorsman. While I can build a sleeping platform from fallen timber and tree boughs, I prefer to sleep on my air mattress.

When my Webelos den moved up to the Troop, we were made a new patrol. We were issued an Eagle scout as a Patrol leader. The Eagle led us for the first 6 month or so to get us up and running. After that the new patrol was on its own. Later when I earned Eagle, we had enough Eagles to form a Leadership Corps. We acted as ASPL. Once we had 6-10 Eagles at age 14-15, we formed an Explorer Post to keep the older boys involved in BSA but not active with the troop.

This was all 30 yrs ago.

I learned using a BSA compass while in scouts 30 yrs ago. When I joined a SAR team, all the officers had Rangers. I kept using my $5 clear base compass and was able to complete evenly on all the compass requirements in the classroom and field. I have run many compass courses set up for SAR training. The only time I had a problem was when an ex-military fella set up the course using his GI lenstatic compass.

I live in area where true north and magnetic north are only 2 degrees off. I use magnetic north and align my maps accordingly. Never had a problem. It I lived in an area where there was a greater difference, the adjustable feature of the Ranger might be worth the additonal $40-$60.

Electronics and Computers are the same in they are made of similar materials but different in their function. Many people spend the better part of their life in front of a computer. They come to rely on it to track and organize their life. Laptops are a way to allow you to take that oranization with you.

I see video and audio devices as entertainment. A way to distract your mind. The reason I enjoy scouting is being out in the woods discovering distractions.

Taking a laptop is like taking a paper notepad and pencil. It is a tool to allow me to be better prepared. MP3, DVD, Ipod, etc are not tools but toys. A cell phone has evolved from a phone into a camera and gaming machine. I say leave the cell phone in the car to be used if you have an emergency when traveling home. Your family should be able to exist without you for 48 hours. If not, that is why there is an emergency number at the camp.

Yes, let me bring my laptop so I can document what I have learned. Restrict me from bring toys to distract me.

Our Pack uses the BSA flags. Blue flags with yellow cubscout logo and ironed on numbers. The Webeloes use a similar flag with their logo. This only started when I joined the Pack. I made flag stands for each patrol and painted them Tiger Orange, Wolf Yellow, Bear Blue, and Navy Blue. I handed them out to each den leader at a leader meeting. Flags have started to show up at the Pack meetings. We see the flags at the end of a row of chairs and the den sits together. I am hoping that each den will pass their flag stand on to the rising dens so they will have the correct color. Alternately each den could decorate their flag stand and maintain it throughout their career.

I bring the den flag to dDn meetings and Pack meetings to help build Den spirit. I mentioned to my boy about the idea of choosing a patrol animal and making a flag. He liked the idea and choose a Phoenix. We have not approached our den about the idea yet. As rising Webelos I, I plan to make it a Den project in the fall.

Be Prepared means different things to different people. Some feel fine with only the clothes on their back and empty pockets while others feel naked when they only have a truck load of equipment and had to leave the trailer behind.

As a parent, I feel I need to be prepared to care for myself and handle at least one emergency for my spouse and kids. If we have multiple emergencies, then my supplies may not be able to cover all contingencies. What I take with me when I leave the house varies depending on expected time away, distance to be traveled, and planned participation in events.

I have tried to encourage my family to take a more active role in self preservation and pre-planing. Simple things like always throwing a jacket in the vehicle when leaving. If there is no need for it, it stays in the vehicle. But if we need it and don't have it, then our day could be challenging.

In another topic someone mentioned that everyone in a group going for an extended backpacking trip would have an item so there was no need for him to bring along one. While there are group supplies and personal supplies, I was suprised at what I felt was a personal item would be left behind.

Where does Be Prepared end and Overkill of supplies begin?

Do you have a Never Leave Home Without It list?

Wow! I am surprised at Dan. Living the Be Prepared motto with comments like "but I bet every scout will have one, so I do not need one."

Looking at most any list of 10 most essential items for a surival kit you find will Fire and Knife. While you will be carrying matches, you decided against a knife. I find it hard to imagine life without a knife. I carry a pen knife with me daily and load up with a couple of spare knifes when going camping.

I realize times have changed but when I went to Philmont in '75 all of us carried 50' x 1/8" of braided nylon rope. It seems we were pulling it out at every camp site. One length would not have been adequate.

You will be on the trail 10 days so are you only going to bring 10 matches to save weight? We made a fire each morning to have at least something warm in our belly. We made a fire each evening to cook the evening meal. Lunch was usually cold food. Fires are no more but even so you will still have to light the stove. It seems to me that a single disposable lighter would be a definite item I would carry, particularly as an adult responsible for a group of boys in the wilderness.

The one thing I wish I had brought more of but is never mentioned is trade items. There were several times that we wanted to leave a gift for the camp staff as a token of appreication. There were times we wanted to trade items of rememberance with those we met along the trail. I would say pack a few extra troop or council patches as barter and gift items.

I think the question has split into two questions:

Is D&D appropriate for Scouts to play?

Should scouts be playing any games during downtime/freetime?

When we go camping I always throw in a deck of cards in case the weather turns ugly and the scheduled activity is canceled. (Canoeing in a metal canoe in an electrial storm, etc.)

Last campout those scouts who had arrived and setup thier campsites, needed something to occupy their time. We brought along a chess/checkers/backgammon set. The boys set up the game and took turns playing the winner. We were waiting for others to arrive, which no one did do to expected weather, before we began campfire activities. The board games kept the scouts entertained while exercising their minds.

I remember many nights as a camp staff member hosting card games in my cabin. Our responsibilities for the day were complete and but had time before lights out. We would play cards for hours every night.

Scouts is not just about outdoors, it should be fun. There are many requirements for all the ranks that include fun and game playing. A board game or card game teaches lots of skills besides just how to win that particular game. Socialization, being a graceful winner/loser, strategy, etc.

So Yes to the second question, scouts should be playing games during scout outings.

Jeez! The answer to every question asked in all the forums is for the person to attend training. If all adults, leaders and parents, attended all the BSA training then all of BSA problems would be resolved according to Scouter Forums.

Here is a fella who wants to know what he should bring to training to Be Prepared. He is trying to live the BSA motto. And what does he get? Grief for having the wrong job description patch shown on his sleeve.

Instead of complaining that he is attending training under the wrong job title, you should be applauding his effort to search out training and make time to attend. The more any scouter knows by taking training, the better he can deliever the program. He can become a champion for training and help others see there is a benefit. He can share the ideas and techniques found in the training. He can lead by example that training is good and all should attend many and often.

If he learns one skill during the training that he can pass along to his son or other boys in the pack, does it matter what position patch is on his sleeve? Please at least stick with the party line and say he needs additional training in the form of Unit Commisioner training instead of questioning his motives for attending outdoor skills training.

Stepping down off soapbox...

I have yet to attend BALOO but will in the fall. Our pack has a few rules we use during campouts.

Once something is in the fire, it stays in the fire. Kids love to poke sticks into the fire. Then they pull them out and wave them around. That's a no-no. Once the stick or anything goes in the fire, it stays in the fire. Maybe harsh but it solves arguements.

The second similar one is nothing goes in the fire but sticks or wood. Yes, we could burn paper, cardboard, wrappers, etc. but then we have to have a list of what is good and what is bad. Easier at this age just to say nothing but sticks or wood. Again it solves a lot of arguements before they happen.

Plan lots of activities for the boys. Our Pack agenda is typically Friday nite camp setup, campfire, flag retirement ceremony, smores and lights out by 10 pm. Saturdays agenda usually includes at least one skills class but often two, one field games session, fishing time, community service session, night hike and/or astronomy session, campfire with tall tales, flag raising and lowering, and meals. We also cook cobler or cake in a Dutch oven for Sat nite campfire snack. Typically Sat lunch is 11:30/12 to 2 which is the only designated "Free Time". Sunday morning is meal, flag lowering, devotional, and break camp.

What does she not like about scouting? Find out why she wants to quit. Are the meetings boring? Are her friends at school picking on her? The uniforms too dorky? It is really Moms hobby and she is just along for the ride?

I think sometimes it is more difficult for the leader's kids. The kid ends up going to every event because the leader does. They go to the event but don't get special time with the parent, they get shoved to the side because the parent/leader is busy leading. So instead of getting more time with the parent, they get less.

Find out why she wants to quit. Then you can begin to change the program to fit her needs.

We award ranks at each Pack meeting montly. The B&G is mostly about AOL and Webelos II. We hold our PWD on Sat morning and the B&G Sat nite. We award all the PWD trophies and awards later in the B&G to hold the interest of the younger scouts so they will stay through the AOL ceremony.

We also award some badges at Den meetings. Rank and Pack wide activities (community service, summer reader, etc) are awarded at Pack meetings but individual badges such as arrow points, whitlin' chip, belt loops, etc are awarded at Den meetings.

Our Pack believes often and repeated celebration of awards encorages the scouts to work. We had two boys join and complete their Bobcat at the first Den meeting. The next week at the Pack meeting they were awarded the Bobcat badge. They feel a part of the den and the Pack. They joined last month.

Our B&G is Feb. It seems silly to make them wait 8 months for a badge they have earned. They are rising Web I so could conceivably earn they Webelos badge also by Feb. So they would be awarded two ranks at the same time following the idea that rank is only awarded at B&G.

The book says award the rank when earned. We follow that pattern.

Our pack does not have such a thing.

Each den buys supplies with mostly den dues. The Pack had a campout and bought rope for a knot class. I built a rope machine per the Pioneering Merit badge phamplet out of scrap lumber. We have all said it all should go in a box and made available to all dens so they can complete the various rope/knot requirements.

Similar thing happened around leather craft. One den leader bought a number of leather stamps. He suggested it be donated to the Pack to allow other dens to use the supplies. They were encouraging me to pitch in my leather making supplies. I have balked because some of the supplies my Dad saved from my troop when I was a scout 25+ years ago. The additional supplies I purchased out of pocket, not den or pack money. I forsee a need for these supplies when we get to Boy Scouts.

It makes sense for capital expense items to be purchased by the Pack and lent out to dens to complete requirements. It also makes sense for some items to passed down. I built flag stands for all the dens. They are painted orange, yellow, Carolina blue, and navy for the various cub ranks. The idea was each year, dens would trade the flag stands to get the proper color. The den flags would have a number on them and the exiting Webelos would turn in their flag and pole to the incoming tiger den. This fall will be the first year to trade.

A craft supplies box might be a good start for new den leaders. Of course they will get consumed. Maybe a portion of the den dues is allocated to periodic restocking and eventually the exiting Webelos passes on thier stocked box to the incoming tigers.

I have found very little need for craft supplies but rather materials that like wood and nails for building projects, food for cooking requirements, paper and pencils for recording. I did make some plaster casts of animal tracks but allowed the boys to take them home as souvieners. I would happily donate the remainder to the Pack for other uses.

Bert Adams Scout Reservation - Camper 72-75 Atlanta, Ga

Bert Adams Scout Reservation - Staffer 76-77 Atlanta Ga

Florida Sea Base Camper 78-79 Marthon Key, Fla

Philmont Scout Reservation Camper - 75 Cimmaron, NM

Camp Durant - Day Camp, Staffer 02-03 Sanford, NC

Camp Durant - Day Camp this coming June with my Webelo!

It has been a few years since I went on the Bahamas adventure. I went twice in the late 70's.

We had scouts who were advid fisherman. We had scouts who could have cared less. The adult leaders were split on their interest level.

The first day the crew (scouts and leaders) meet with the captain. He offers ideas of things that he can do and the crew suggests things they would like to do. Between them they work out the agenda.

We went swimming in a blue hole. A deep water swimming hole in the middle of un-inhabited island. We went swinging on the jib sail. A swing seat is attached to the bottom two edges of the triangular sail and the wind blows you up. You can hang on or jump off into the water.

We went snorkling at John Pennekamp Park. Make sure they ask for this. Listed as one of the 10 best places to dive or snorkel in the world!

We went fishing. We had people dropping hooks off one side of the boat while we had people snorkling on the other scaring fish towards the hooks.

We had scouts who did not want to fish, did not want to eat fish, and did not want to hear the word fish. Those times when we ate fresh seafood, they made PBJ's. But I can tell you there is nothing quite as good as fresh red snapper. Fresh as in 1 hr from hook to table.

We also made conch hushpuppies. You remove the conch meat from the shells, grind it up and mix into the hushpuppies. Tasty.

The adventure is not just about fishing. It is mostly about crewing a boat. Pulling shifts to maintain a course, raising and lowering sails, kitchen duty, maintaining the boat, having fun with your buddies in a new and different place.

One time we had stormy weather and had to deal with heavy seas. One time we had very little wind and had to motor around. Each time was very different depending on the boat, captain, and crew. My dad went seven times. He fishes once a year when he went on the trip. He otherwise could go years without fishing. If you have a sqeamish scout, there are plenty of other things that need to be done while the cleaning and cooking is going on.

I have never been a hat person. I have lots of hair and am almost always too hot. A hat agrevates the heat.

The only hat I remember wearing with any kind of pride was the red beret scout hat in the 70's. Our troop adopted the red scout beret as the offical troop hat. Some wore it like a board across their head. Others pulled down to their ears. I liked the way my flopped to one side like the military wear their berets. I think it made a jaunty presentation for a uniform hat.

Not terribly useful for those of us living in the south. A lined wool hat that did not provide any shade. Served only to trap the heat on your head.

From time to time I wish to have a hat. I look around and so many people have something upon their heads. Many as a fashion statement, many to cover their thinning hair. I find hats for the most part unconfortable and more trouble than their worth.

Someday I may find a hat that makes me want to wear it. Until then, I will just remember the red beret that made me feel special.