resqman

We have about 5-6 active ASMS for a troop of ~50 scouts. We have another 5-6 who have uniforms and attend about 2-3 campouts a year. They occasionally drive or helpout a specific event but are not regularly attending or participating.

SM runs the ASMs as a patrol. Each boy patrol has an ASM assigned as an advisor. One ASM is designated as the backup or stand-in SM when the SM is not able to attend. One ASM is the quartermaster and helps to keep a consistent record of gear between boy quartermaster transitions. He also helps train the boy quartermasters in their function. We rotate the cooking/grubmaster duties amongst all attending ASM and eat as a patrol on campouts.

We used to require all ASMs serve on the committee for a 1 yr before becoming an ASM to learn how the troop operates. The current SM waives that requirement for those adults who would be better in the field with direct contact. We request all ASMs complete the 4 classes (YP, FastStart, SM Specific, IOLS) within the first year. At least 3 of the current ASMs are on the district training staff for IOLS. If a new ASM can't get to class for a while, we have the skills to transfer the knowledge until s/he can get to an offical class. The SM encourages females to become ASMs. He feels that scouts tend to be more civil and clean if there is a female on campouts. We have had several female ASMs attend Northern Tier and Philmont.

We are currently actively recruiting for more ASMs. The 5 most active all have sons around 15 yrs old and rank of Life. It is probable that the sons will earn Eagle within the year and find other hobbies. Certainly the Dads can stay on without boys in the troop but after 5 years as an ASM many are ready for a break.

We had a bad Boy recruiting year 2 seasons ago and got no new boys. As a result we also have a hole in the adult recruiting. We just discussed last week ways to increase ASM recruiting and participation. With Webelo crossover only 4 month away, we are hoping on some new families to draw from.

This boy is simiply crossdressing, he is not transgendered. Notice only males are crossdressers. Women can where "male" clothing but are not considered crossdressers.

If a biological female between 11-18 asked to join Boy Scouts, the answer would be No, regardless of what clothing and hair style you prefer. Gotta wait until 14 then you can join Venturing. Thems the rules.

Inflatable splints have a number of issues.

- Often they cover or encase the fingers and toes preventing checking capilary refill by squeezing the nail bed to blanch and waiting for color to return.

- They don't work well on open fractures because A) sharp bone can punture the air split, B) open fractures often have angulated orientation and do not fit inside a normal limb orientation.

- You have to carry a wide array of splits because they each splint only fits a single specific body part.

- Although each is relatively small deflated, they are relatively heavy when considered for backpaking.

- They are a single purpose item and cannot be modified in the field to fit changing circumstances or be used for other needs.

- They can be punctured prior, during application or while applied rendering them useless.

- They can be over inflated and create a tamponade effect hampering circulation.

- They have generally been discredited by the medical community as more problems than their are worth.

SAM splits are small in size and low in weight. They come in a variety of sizes and colors (safety orange, rescue blue & olive drab), are padded, moldable, reusable, and disposable.

It is generally taught that splints can be made from a variety of found or re-purposed gear. A thermorest pad wrapped around or folded and craddling a broken limb bone and secured with rope, duct tape, shoe laces, hoodie drawstring, bandanna, etc is similar to a single purpse inflatable and just as effective. Extra clothing from the vicitms pack can be piled around the broken limb and secured.

I made a flag stand for every den in the pack with my own money/materials. I bought a den flag and numerals from the scout store for my den. Ironed on the number. Gave each Den Leader their own flag stand painted orange, yellow, pale blue, and 4 colored one for the Webelos den. As the den leader I stored the flag, pole and stand at my house and took to every pack meeting. It was displayed at every den meeting. Placed the stand and flag at the end of the row of chairs where our patrol sat during Pack meetings. After a few pack meetings, the other dens got around to posting den flags during pack meetings.

We didn't do much besides post it at the end of they asile during pack meetings. The boys neither complained or were terribly excited. Just more work for me. I kept the flag and have it stored with my son's memorbilia.

I made the effort. Now sure what the benefit was.

Tuesday

The weather people were calling for the hurricane to strike our area the weekend of our planned campout. We postponed.

We had a campout about 2-3 years ago. Several parents started calling the SM's cellphone warning him of thunderstorms wanting to know if he was going to cancel mid-weekend and come home. Nope.

Since then, National started offering a Weather online training. The SM and several ASMs took the training. With smartphones, we often have up-to-the-minute weather forecasts at our disposal during outings. Rain, snow, storms are part of camping...as long as the scouts are prepared.

The scout store sells a neckerchief for Cub Scout Leaders

Cub Scout Leader Neckerchief NEW SIZE!

Item: 64070

As a Boy Scout leader you wear the troop neckerchief.

20-30 Minutes OPening, Flag, Announcements,

30 minutes Patrol time, Troop presentation

25 minutes game

5 SM minutes

7-8:30 on Tuesdays

Just another in a long list of uniform questions. All take the same format. I don't like the uniform for a variety of personal reasons. Is it OK for me to do what I want instead of following the rules. The answer is No. Uniform means One Form. Everyone the same, following the rules.

People who ask this question will do whatever makes them happy and the regulations be dammed.

The other big gripe is the cost. $100. If you join Cub Scouts, your son will attend for 5 years. 2 den meetings and 1 pack meeting a month for 5 years. 180 wearings. Are there any other clothes in your closet you wear 180 times before it is worn out or out of style? No. That is less than $.50 a wearing.

If you son continues onto Boy Scouts, 4 troop meetings and 1 campout a month. Say he only stays in the troop 5 years. 300 wearings. $100. Less than $.30 per wearing.

I am still wearing the uniform I bought 8 years ago. 4 years of Cubs and 4 years of Boy Scouts. 126 of Cub events, 240 Boy Scout meetings. Oh and add in 5 weeks of summer camp and a week of high adventure. 350+ wearings. Cheap and durable.

Stop your belly aching and wear the uniform correctly and proudly. Never let the scouts see you out of uniform. I wear my uniform from Friday afternnon thru Sunday afternoon on campouts. I bought 2 extra uniforn shirts just so I can wear a clean one every day on the campout.

If you have a body shape that does not fit well into the uniform, hire a tailor to make the uniform better fit your body.

According to Amazon...

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Beginning Boy Scouts is an introduction to the youth program of the Boy Scouts of America. It is an unofficial guide to Boy Scouting to help parents, new leaders, and even scouting youth to better understand scouting goals and participate in Boy Scouting. It quickly answers numerous common questions and provides instruction and advice for parents and leaders -- to help know "what is first?" and how to get started, preparing for outdoor activities and summer camp, uniforms, leadership and the Patrol Method, earning awards and badges, Eagle planning and Eagle paperwork, and how to participate. It introduces the terminology and defines the common scouting lingo.

The family used to load up in the station wagon, long before SUVs, and head out to buy milk at the dedicated Milk Store once a week. The milk store was a 12x20 building with drive up windows. Drive up and they handed your milk through the window. Cheaper than the grocery store. Then we would drive over to the Hess Gas station for a fill up. Full service included check your oil, wash your window and a coffee mug if you bought 8 or more gallons. 29 cents a gallon full service with coffee mug.

I learned to program computers on punch cards in high school. Went to work at a Digital Equipment Corporation, a hardward and software manufacturer, as a system administrator. Remember the hardward tech coming to perform an upgrade on the system. He opened the double doors on the back of the system, about the size of two refrigerators side by side. He pulled out a spool of wire, wrapped a bit around a peg, moved over and up half a dozen pegs, wrapped another peg, and continued like that for several wraps. Cut the wire off the spool and said Ok, all better now.

When we would visit at grandma's we had to be taught the Party Line Ediquette of not listening in on others peoples calls. If you wanted to make a phone call, you would pick up the reciever, listen for an existing conversation. If no one else on the line, then you could rotary dial. Otherwise you replaced the reciever and tried again later.

If the they are Boy Scouts, they should be patrol cooking, not individual cooking. In that environment, they need a lexan or silicon bowl & cup, plastic spoon, and a pocket knife. Anything else is just added weight and bulk.

Frisbees are great. Some people cover with a large ziplock and then throw away the ziplock after the meal. Too much trash. Wash the frisbee with all the other cook supplies.

If attend any of the high adventure bases you will find they recommend you eat everything in your bowl, lick as much as you can off the bowl, splash a little drink in the bowl, rub with your finger to get the last little bits off, and then drink the liquid. Your bowl should be almost completely clean and just needs a brief dip in the soapy water, rinse, and sanitation buckets.

That is what all of the adults in our troop do. All the scouts who have attended a national high adventure base (20%+ of troop memebership) are famiilar with the concept and have pared down their mess kits.

My wife submitted our garage to a television makeover reality show. They come in, force you to sort thorough all your stuff into 3 piles (keep, donate, throw away) and then spruce up your garage. They get a TV show and we get a refreshed garage. Anyway looks like we were selected. The producer wants to turn my garage into a Pinewood Derby factory with laminate flooring. I explained that is Cub Scouts and I haven't had anything to do with that for at least 5 years. I am a leatherwork and woodcarving MB counslor and could use a work table/bench to host MB classes. They want to frame and hang patches and other memoribilia up.

Was wondering if any of you had any Boy Scout related theme ideas that would help steer them away from pinewood derby and into a usable garage space. Parking cars, standard workshop, or craft center is too mundane. They need some unique and different theme to draw in viewers.

Here is a link to a scout friendly site regarding emergency preparations.

http://www.equipped.com/

They are only not practical if you don't use them.

The scouts should be using them. They have to pitch their tents. Two knots on every guy line. Every time they pitch the tent. They should be tying up laundry lines. Two more knots. Making campsite gadgets, knots and lashing.

They are cooking and eating 3-5 meals a weekend. They should be using cooking skills. Campfire on Saturday evening. Someone has to gather the firewood and build the fire.

I would argue that GPS is not a traditional skill, that map & compass is the traditional skill. GPS is just a toy to break or wear out the batteries. Summer camp always awards points for campsite improvment. Lashing a flagpole, weather rock, or gateway is a campsite improvement. It is fun and brings the scout together.

Who is teaching the T-2-1 skills to the younger/newer scouts? Should be the older scouts. Gotta know it to teach it. Review by instruction. Mr. Johnson may know all the skills but he should only be a backup for the older scouts AFTER they have consulted the handbook. The adults in our troop practice the skills so they can always help a struggling scout. If Mr. Johnson is the only resource in the troop, the troop has other problems.

The idea is that the troop should be incorporating these skills into normal campouts. They are practical.

I was den leader for 4 years and have been an ASM for 4 yrs.

When a den leader, my son often got/had to test the craft projects before the meetings. Some testing was way more fun because he got to do the cool stuff as much as he wanted. He also learned that there was a lot of planning and setup to meetings, something the other scouts had no idea about. They just assume that the leader shows up with everything ready to go and they have the fun. Great life lesson about planning.

While I have been ASM, he has to often wait around while post mtg wrapup mtgs take place in the parking lot. After 8 yrs he expects this and allows me a reasonable amount of time. Other evenings he explains he has his own tasks he needs to complete and off we go. Fortunately his best buddies are the other leaders sons who also have to wait.

Benefits for him include he always has a ride to every meeting, outing, event and does not have to remind his parents that he needs a lift to another scout event. He always has a parent handy to sign permission slips, even if overlooked until the last second. He knows where all the secret backup and bail out stuff is if ever needed. He does not need to convince his parents he needs a new/different piece of gear for this particular event. He already has the example that was used in the show & tell session for the rest of the troop. He has a better understanding of the behind the scenes stuff, the invisible stuff that makes troop events go well.

My father was an ASM while I was a scout. I saw him spend hours coping maps, highlighting routes, and planning the behind scenes part of campouts. The adults were allowed conviences that the lads were not during campouts. Some scouts complained of the double standard. The other scouts did not see the work that the adults put in before the events so they could relax during the events. It was nice to know that if things got really bad, I had a parent who would secretly help me out behind the scenes.

I can't remember a time when my son has come to me because he left his XXX at home, used up all the XXX, or needed an extra XXX. He has found a way to make do or suffer through it. Occasionally he will ask if there is some specific tool or equipment tucked away so he can accomplish a task easier. On occasion I have reminded him that there was an extra blanket in the vehicle if got too cold. One time I went to get the extra blanket and could not find it. He had beat me to it. Smart boy.

As to the orginal post of having to clean all the tents used by the Pack. That should have been done by the scouts that used the tents and not forced onto the leader & son. I agree with the son that it is unfair everyone else had all the fun and he got all the work. The other participants should have participated in the work as well.

We always ran a series of classes/stations and the dens moved through the various stations. 45min - 1hr per station. Had Parents run the various stations. Usually I would gather all the supplies, develop a basic outline for the parent/sibiling to run the station and then set up the stations. Then I would run back and lead my den through the stations. Too much work for 1 person. Make sure that camping committee is involved and assign each station to a den to setup and have one parent/family member run. Parents can swap out during the day so they are not stuck running the station and can share in the fun. Alternately ask Boy Scouts out for the day to help with stations. Cubs Looooove to see Boy Scouts in action.

First Aid: Activities include bandage tying and stretcher making.

2 poles and blanket folded per the handbook makes a stretcher. Couple triangle bandages and go over the common bandage tying.

Box Oven: A few boxes, some coat hangers, pair of pliers, and foil. We used staplers to secure the foil to the box. Parents may have to help cut the coat hangers with the pliers. Lots of instructions on the web.

Pizza Making: Tortilla, jar pizza sause, grated cheese, pepperoni, charcoal, foil, box ovens. Scouts double foil and fold in sides 1/2 inch to form a cooking sheet a bit larger than the tortilla. Scout places tortilla on foil "pan". One spoon of pizza sause and spread around with back of spoon. Sprinkle cheese on sause. Spread pepperoni, mushrooms, or other toppings you supply. Place "pan" and pizza in box ovens made earilier in the day. Adults place charcoal in bottom of box oven. Wait 5 minutes. Cheese melts and everyone enjoys snack/lunch. For dessert buy the premade Chocolate chip cookie batter in breakoff chunks. Drop a few on your "pans" and bake 12 minutes. Mmmm good. Corn bread muffins made latter in the day can be saved and served with dinner. Or the Martha White 6 pack of breakfast muffins cooks in 14 minutes the following morning.

Leather Neckchief slides: Scout store sells leathercraft stamps with wolf, bear, webelo, and cub scout logos about $5 each. 1/4 inch alphabet stamp kit about $35. Pre-cut leather neckerchief blanks about $1 a piece in bulk packs of 25. Dampen leather, stamp rank in center, and scouts stamp den number and pack number over and under logo. Scouts stamp name along the side next to lacying holes. Scout laces up slide. Craft project, useful uniform wear, momento for life. We have Life scouts who still wear them from 6-8 years ago.

PVC marshmellow guns: Cut Sched 40 1/2 inch PVC pipe into about 5 inch lengths. Buy bulk 25 packs of Elbows, T's, and End Caps. Provide each scout 2 elbows, 2 T's, 2 End caps, and 7 pieces of pipe. About $2-$3 in material per scout. Scout assembles the pieces in any configuration he likes. Mini-marshmellows are the ammo. Posterboard with target is hung on tree or held by sibling. Scouts shoot marshemellows at target. Amazingly addictiing for scouts and parents. Cut all the pipe ahead of time. I used a chopsaw with a stop block for consistency. You get about 3 guns per 10 ft length of pipe. We allowed each scout a small sandwhich bag of marshmellows per weekend. Add cost of marshmellows into overall cost. Local forest animals will clean up the mess overnight.

Leaf tracing: Collect different leaves. Place piece of paper over leave and rub with side of crayon. Identify different leaves/trees as part of discussion while doing rubbing. Take a quick walk around station after tracing to find trees that matche tracings to learn tree/bark/leaf association. Maybe discuss different uses of particular trees, ie. Hickory good for tool handles; Oak common for flooring and furniture; Pine common for structural house framing, sap for turpentine; Maple for syrup and custom furniture; Dogwood for mallet heads and oramental trees, etc.

One time we had each Den make a 15 min presentation to the rest of the Pack. Tigers made poster. Older scouts did demos or presentations. We picked a theme of outdoor safety. Tigers made a poster about insects/snakes. One den presented knife safety - whittlin chit. One den presented fire safety. Webelos baked cookies in box oven and served everyone in the Pack. (They had the charcoal going before hand. They start cooking earlier and had some cookies already done. They explained how to make a box oven, loaded the oven with charcoal and cooked cookies, and distributed hot cookies during the presentation. Very well recieved.

Rope and Knots: Teach and tie knots, whip and fuse rope

Firebuilding: Teach how much and what size wood to collect, how to lay fire, fire ring safety, how to put out fire, etc. We also taught matchless firestaring using battery & 0000 steel wool, BSA Hotspark, flint & steel, use of cattails, cedar bark as tinder; making "birds nests" by deconstructing sisal rope, cotton ball and vasoline fire starters, gauze and neosporin fire starters, etc. I taught these sessions since most parents were not knowledgable. Could invite Boy Scouts to help run or teach stations.

Neckerchief slides: Buy multipack of matchbox style cars at Dollar store. Cut 1 inch lengths of PVC. Super Glue pipe to back of cars. Ready for Pinewood derby.

Get candy molds from craft store. Pour plaster of paris in molds and set bent coat hanger wire in plaster for rings before sets. If you make up a bunch before the event, scouts can paint the slides. Also have some plaster of paris and wire on hand so they can actually mold a few.

Lots of craft ideas for neckerchief slides on the web.

"A big problem has been that our QM rooms have been out of sight and sound from the rest of the Troop. The QM can easily feel left out. We include him as a non-voting member of the PLC as he has information to give and get."

I am confused. What is the QM feeling left out about? The QM is a member of a patrol and particiaptes like any other troop member. Periodically he inventories the gear and requests a work day through the PLC for help in repair or organizing the gear/shed. He is the pivotal point at the beginning and ending of every campout. He is included in more activities than any other scout with the exception of the PL and SPL.

Out troop has 2 QM scouts because A) we have lots of gear and B) if one does not attend a campout/event, the other is available to run the show.

We had a similar experience at summer camp last week. Several troops brought in golf carts for the adults to cruise around in. The camp had several 6 seat golf carts and ran a mass transist taxi like system for any adult who wished to be carted around. Very annoying to be constantly dodging the speeding carts.

This was the first time out troop had been to this camp in about 5 years and were shocked at the changes. Hopefully this is not a continuing trend.

"Silly idea all the way around, merely creates a status symbol only obtainable by the wealthy. Most families do well to get a scout to one base."

Only took me 34 years to earn my Triple Crown. I was able to attend two of the National HA bases as a boy and the third as an adult. Troop had fund raising events and paid for the trips completely seperate from family expenses. Each was a challenge mentally and physically. They have provided me experiences and skill sets that I can use and share with the scouts in my troop. While you may think of it as a status symbol, I think of it as a valuable training experience that helps me to provide a better program for the troop I serve.

Our troop sends a crew to a High Adventure base each summer, rotating through the current 3 bases. By having attended all 3 bases, I can help parents to better understand the benefits. Our scouts hold fund raising events to pay for their trips. The costs only amount to $110 a month for year. Disable 3G phone service for Jr. and you have met half the cost. Maybe Jr. only attends every other year to give him more time to earn the money. Still could attend at 14 yr, 16 yr, and 18 yr as a youth.

Scouting is not and never has been free. I have spent 2-3 times as much a year for my son to play sports as it takes to attend a HA base.

Troop gear: Dutch ovens (6-8), tents (12-16), tarps 5, lanterns 6, stoves (backpack 4 and two burner 7), fuel (charcoal, propane & coleman), patrol boxes 7, water jugs 3, folding tables 2, rope, latrine cleaning supplies, dishwashing tubs 16, trash cans 2, axes 2, saws 2, ring bouys 2, throw ropes, canoes 3, paddles, pfds, MB library, COH and ECOH decorations, troop first aid kit, troop flag, US Flag, troop trailer 5x10, and scout shed 16'x20'.

Paid for by troop funds through annual fundraising events (popcorn, carwashes, tree/wreath sales, etc.)and annual dues ($75). There is no specific patrol gear. Patrol checks out equipment from Quartermaster (scout position) and checks back in after use. One ASM has taken on role to help guide the 2 new scout quartermasters after each election every 6 months. Worn gear is periodically replaced via troop funds. Specific damage by a scout would be scouts responsibility to repair or pay to replace.

Backpacks and sleeping bags are personal gear. Personal eating utensils and plates/bowls. Full uniform is expected at all events including but limited to troop meetings, COH, BOR, campouts, & summer camp. Troop T-shirts are sold and expected to be worn during "class B" events. First troop neckerchief is supplied, must purchase new one if lost. Uniform closet is available.

Food is paid for through camping fee collected from each scout for each campout. Fuel and food for drivers/ASMs is partially reimbursed via campout fees.

Summer camperships are available via request through troop treasurer. All adult training is paid in full by troop funds, including Woodbadge.

45-55 registered scouts. 75%-85% participaton at every event. 5-7 patrols.

Depends on what you plan to haul.

We built a false floor 1.25 inches tall to create a storage area for the metal tarp poles. We have a removal divided cubby to store the troop tents. We have a second floor shelf about 18-20 inches above the floor. We slide all the plastic patrol box tubs under the shelf. We can put the personal gear on top and still access the patrol boxes. We have a small shelf at the top front of the trailer to store the propane lanterns. Up out of the way and abuse to preserve the mantels. The mid level shelf and tent cubby are removal so we can load with summer camp trunks.

Last time I checked the rules state custom patches can be used as long as they are the same size, background color, and only use 2 thread colors.

Our SM runs an advertising agency. He occasionally will have his art people create a custom design for a patrol and then have patches made which are of the correct size but may have more than 2 thread colors. We go through the local scout store to get them made. The scout store has at least 5 of our troops patrol patches on display as alternate to the standard patch.

The uniforming guide allows for custom patches. It is easy to follow the rules and still have custom. No need to go rogue with odd shapes and sizes.

Tandy Leather has a number of Eagle stamps. Ebay also usually has a number of leather stamps.

Couple of years ago, parents start complaining that $35 a weekend was too much.

So we changed the permission slip to break out the costs. The form now shows Food $20, transportation $7, Campsite fee $3, Activity fee $5 or whatever the actual costs are.

Parents now understand the costs and there is virtually no complaining about costs. We also try to alternate so that we have a less expensive trip one month and a more expensive the next. Fund raising events are offered so scouts can earn the money for their trips. We also have camperships available for summer camp. High Adventure trips are expensive. $1500 per scout not counting additional gear. Those who can do, those who can't don't.