Scoutfish

What's an iron? LOL! Yeah, you can iron, just use low, low heat and be fast about it. That's what I have done without damage to supplex/ nylon.

I totally and completely disagree! Packs SHOULDN'T need by laws. Everybody SHOULD work just like BSA says they should. All parents SHOULD understand and follow the program. People SHOULDN'T rob banks, commit murder or break any law........but they do. And not everybody totally and completely agrees with what BSA says. Not even BSA agrees completely with what BSA says! Anybody who says by laws are unnecessary are fooling themselves. Just look in here: Advancement, adding to requirements, YP, Uniforms...need I go on? So why the By-Laws? To make sure .. in those circumstances...when a Dl decides he has final say on policy or advancement. When a parent DEMANDS something e done because a 9 year old demon totally attcked her precious angel ande demands the pack expell a kid. When a parent does something against BSA guidlines or policies.... and the CM< AC< or DL writes a post in here asking what to do because BSA only "sugests" that a parent loves to stay in line all the time. In the real world, you need by laws to handle that "every now and then " exception parent/adult/ leader/ committee member who is not only on the same page as the program, but might happen to be in another library completely! Is it something to look forward to..having to reference a by law to settle a disagreement? Nope! Sure isn't! But my pack has done that 3 times in the past year because SOMETIMES...that is the ONLY way to get through to somebody. You gave them an answer that ISN'T an opinion or "suggestion". tdmunday: Good luck! Personally, my pack has very, very few rules or by-laws. It just happens that sometimes, an event happens that makes it necessary to create a by-law to avoid a very unpleasant ( to say it lightly) experience again in the future!

Stosh, I wasn't replying to you specifically when I made my post, just to everybody in general. You do have some inside/ access to extra info we didn't. Some of the members responding to this post convicted this scout without having that info. That was the point of my post. I understand the question in your original post and ......of course, like usual, the thread somehow started turning into another discussion. Anyways, the proof may be there now , but this scout was judged by quite a few before that info came to light. And so far, at least in a legal way, it would still be considered hearsay as I wouyld bet my paycheck most of the other posters did not even bother to look at the facebook stuff before using it to confirm what they previously decided!

"...why did he have to sneak around behind the scenes and seek out information that he thought might be wrong." Okay, while not supporting or bashing this particular scout - I have to ask: Who said he was sneaking around behind the scenes? Did he actually come out and say this? Did he specifically tell any of you? When and to who did he confess? Look, This kid may be gay as gay can be...but I have yet to see ANYWHERE that this kid himself said so. The biggest and most damning proof is what a newpaper writer wrote? A person who's job it is to make any dull story more sensational in order to get ratings which means more fanfare and recognition for the writer ..which means more money! The kid was voted fairy of the ball. WOW! Let's burn him! He attended a gay dance to show support for a friens and was voted (By others mind you) as the ball fairy. Maybe it was an honor bestowed to him because he didn't hide from supporting a friend who was gay . Maybe because he didn't just follow the population who might be scared to let the public see they have a less that "desireable " friend. Because he treated his friend like a friend instead of the latest fashion. Again, I'm not judging this boy either way, but seems to me that this very individual ( WHO NEVER SPECIFICALLY SAID HE WAS GAY) ( as of yet) pretty much does show the values of an Eagle and a scout. He didn't just do what was popular, but stood behind his freind. He was loyal to his friend. He stood up for a friend. He wasn't swayed by popular opinion just because it was the popular thing to do. Meanwhile, guess who isn't living the scout way: US! We are tearing this boy a new one based on what? We THINK he might be gay? We decided that he MUST have been sneaking around and planning things behind our backs? Since he did not admit being gay to US , then he lied to us ...instead of us actually considering that it might also mean he might not be gay. I have never admitted to being gay..so following some logic in here...I must be lieing about my gayness right? Or....just maybe...possibly....it could be that..... I AM NOT GAY! So we have the young adult/ teenager wgho supported his friend regardless of what anybody else thought. Then we have a bunch of experienced adult leaders who are judging based on no evidence....just a story that a reporter wrote that implies that a kid "could possibly/ maybe/ might be".....gay? Living the scout ideals indeed!

Ooops! Meant to respond alot sooner: A few days after my original post, I re-heated the DO to 400 for an hour and then cut the stove off and waited 3 hours before taking it out of the oven. Looked great, didn't smell either. Went camping on the 21st of April. Used the DO to make a dump cake. Turned out great! Or at least I was told it was great as I took a plate of peach dump cake to the SM and when I got back less than 1 minute later...the DO was COMPLETELY empty!

Cool, most of the places I have sen them are suites/stores such as Cabela's, Overtons, Bass Pro Shop, and Lodge's website. Average price at those sites was around $145.00 That's why BSA's price of $99 looked like a steal to me. I hate squating down for a DO cause I have issues with my back. I can climb, jump, swim, carry whatever and be okay, Seems like every time I ever hurt my back was right when I got up from squating or leaning over something.

Fscouter, That's the joke: The money BSA makes off selling the SAME book( except the new cover) every leader already has - again - because of a different cover...will be used to pay for the lawsuit!

Scoutbut: Two RANDOM observatons I had when I jusy happened to come across those two items in the Webelos book. I have no plans, intentions or reason to institure a attendance policy. My point was.. I was in the john and flipping through the book when I ran across these two items. Jeffrey: Axctually, BSA came up with a definition of what would be considered "active". Wether or not it's considered clear or vague is still an arguement, but BSA decides that. Having a pack or troop decide falls under "adding to requirements" and changing BSA policy.

i was umm.....busy a while ago and reading my copy of the Cub Scout Webelos Handbook ( #334520 and happened to catch something. A while back, the discussion of what defined active got pretty intense. Granted, to the best of my memory, THAT particular discussion was centered on BOY scouts and not CUB scouts. Well in the case of CUB scouts - particularly Webelos scouts....I found a very specific definition of active, and it was listed as part of the requirements to earning the Webelos badge. On page 49- requirement #2: "Be an active member of your webelos den for three months.( Active means having good attendance, paying your den dues , and working on den projects.) " Now, I suppose what constitutes good attendance" is still a matter of opinion, but it does specifically say that some attendance is required. In the book that the scout uses and that mom and dad have access to unlike some rules and regulations manuals. The WEbelos book is right there for them to see. WEBELOS OVERNIGHT CAMPOUTS Webelos do not have to have their parents to go camping. On page 18 of the same book, parents can find a substitute adult to be responcible for their child "In all cases, each Webelo scout is responcible to a specific adult. Boy Scouts of America health and safety and Youth Protection guidlines apply. If you or another adult family memebr can't attend, find a responcible adult to go with your son. " Okay, I know that this is not qouting from G2SS or policy, but it is in the Cub Scout Webelos Handbook where the scout, the DL and mom and dad can read it plain as day. Matter of fact, that section of the book is directed specifically towards the scouts parents. Again..I wasn't searching this info out...just having something to read when I came across it.

So it's unanimous: Give it to the boy with the most beltloops! OKay - I'll give it to the Pack, with the condition that the Webelos only use it OR that Webelos get first dibs on using them. Works for me.

Here are two sites of National Parks coloring pages. They are national parks, but can fit very well into the scouting program. http://www.usa-printables.com/Places/Parks-Monuments/index.htm http://www.nps.gov/archive/yell/kidstuff/coloronline/index.htm Great stuff for when you talk about Leave No trace, Learn about animals, conservation or just as an activity in general.

I agreeing with Basement here: It's the same situation ecept this boy isn't tagging along with an older brother. But now, I have to ask( If anybody has an offical answer): Which takes priority - age or grade? You can fail a grade or be advanced a grade. Your age is your age regardless. Arent most activities and ranks based on age appropriateness? So maybe you are extra book smart and advanced a grade, or maybe you had a little trouble and were held back.. But your age is still your age.

First time I used the chimney, I really was skeptical at first, I admit...as many times as I have used it...I am still impressed at how well it works! And would you believe..after checking various sites and places, that scoutstuff actually has the cheapest price for a DO table. At least as far as the onse I checked out.

You'd think, at the very least by name - Boy Scouts of America - and by all passages - both written and implied - about patriotism...that BSA would mandate that all uniforms,. acessories to the uniforms and all written materials ...be manufactured or created in the US. Granted, seeing as scouting is a worldwide thing.. I would expect British scout's uniforms to be made in the UK. Indonesian scout's uniforms made there, Jamacain scout's uniforms be made in Jamaca, etc... I mean, all the talk of patriotism, respect for the flag, citizenship and loyalty just goes out the window ( with BSA leading by example) if any "Official" scout gear is made elsewhere!

Anybody have a charcoal chimney? I take ours camping to use for cooking hot dogs . I go to a dollar store and can buy two 9"X13" aluminum foil pans for about a buck fifty. I set those pans on 4 red bricks and dump the coals in when they are ready. Takes about a 1 liter bottle of water to completely put out.

I have an inkling of an idea that I want to try. I have two tents that have been in storage for about 19 and 16 years . They are both in immaculate shape. They wren't stored in a shed or garage , but inside in a hutch I had in my bedroom at my mom's house. I just drug them out a few hours ago and set them up( mostly). One tent is your basic pup tent: "Supposed" to be a two man tent. Basis A-frame design with zippered door on one end and a 9" X 9" triangle vent on the other end. Uses two (3-piece) honest to goodness aluminum poles on each end as verticle supports and uses string anchored by a stake to hold poles up straight which in turn holds the tent up. The sides are the normal tent material with the sealed and coated floor that rises up at least 6" off the ground. The other tent is a 6 sided dome tent. Has 3 seperate segmented graphite flex poles that feed through the sewn in sleeves to support tent. Same coated and sealed floor , same material and has detachable rain fly( if you really can call it that). Both tents have been used 3 times or less ( A-frame used twice, dome 3 times). So anyways, I have a newer (much bigger) 5 man tent to fit me and my son. Well, honestly, I just forgot about the other two tents when I bought the new one last year. Let me point out that these two tents are in immaculate shape: no tears, no rips, no fading, no discoloring and work well for the type and amount of camping my pack does. You wouldn't go camping in snow or high adventure, but basic cub camping is perfect! So here is my idea: I want to give the tents away to two different scouts. I just don't know how I should do it. WE run a Sept. to June program in my pack with 3 different summer fun days during summer break. Maybe I could take the names of all the boys who attend all 3 fun days and have a drawing for the tents? Maybe give them to 2 scouts who have perfect attendance for the year or show themselves to be most scoutlike during the year? Maybe who completes the most beltloops or activity badges? Maybe find two cubs who might not be able to afford tents? Of course, the A-Frame is not a family size tent. It would be a stretch for me and my son to sleep a weekend in it - although possible. The dome would be comfortable for at least 2, maybe 3 dependning on your size. Anyways, I want to give these two perfectly good tents in great shape away instead of them spending their lives in storage or throwing out two perfectly fine- just like new tents in the trash. So.....what would you suggest? ALL IDEAS will be appreciated!

Yeah Brent, That was a great post.

My Webelos den made 8. Not "My Webelos". Big difference. I take it as - He meant his den as compared to another Webelos den in the pack he belongs too. Really, it means more based on the originators meaning than what you or I take it to mean. When I say my boys...everybody in my pack ( including the parents ) understands that it means the boys who I work with as compared to all those(other dens) who I don't work with. One more thing.... I so like the DO table. Think I might buy one wheh I have the extra money to spend on it. At least for me, it would mean I wouldn't have to bend over so much!

Well, hualing the dirt isn't that big a deal to me. Of course, I own a 3/4 ton pickup. About half the parents in our pack drive pickups regularly. In the BALOO class, they actually suggested scattering the ash dust around after it was completely out and cool. Scatter it thin enough, it still falls under leave no trace as compared to older traditional scout practices. Makes sense too, at least in the type of soil and foilage around here ( pine forets, white acidic sand) the dirt could also be scattered or carried back home. If you camp alot, I'm sure that dirt might be in a pile at home easily accesable. AS far as BALOO...well, half of it was just common sense : Don't let the scouts run around with sharpened sticks - don't let scouts play with gasoline around the fire pit while juggling shotgun shells - etc... But there were a few great ideas such as Smores burritos! Take a fajita wrapp, spinkle 8 or 7 mini marshmellows and about the same number of chocolate chips in the fajita, roll it up and wrap in foil, then sit in coal for 2 minutes. Remove and let cool for 1 minute. Why? Because one scout at the instructors pack grabbed a marshmellow from his stick, burnt his hand..and while screaming, flung the super hot gooey mess onto the face of a scout behind him. No, that doesn;r happen too often, but now it doesn't happen at all. My point? You can still learn a afew neat things at BALOO...even though 75 % or so would actually be common sense. Too bad common sense isn't always so common!

No wait! I am GLAD that the book I bought is still good. I am glad that I won't have to buy another book. I just think the actual description contradicts itself by saying : "Part of the new Cub Scout Delivery Model..." "There are no content changes from previous version." But they changed the cover. So if you happen to go to the scout shop, and see a new cover, AND heard how the program is being changed...you would buy the book, because the description that says there are no changes is ON-LINE, not on the book or on a shelf beside the book. So it would be AFTER you get home from buying the book that you would discover: "HEY! I didn't need to buy this book afterall!"

Yeah, there are som times when it ok. We meet the 2nd and 4th Monday of each month for pack meetings. (The 1st Monday is leaders/committee meetings and the 3rd is pack meetings). In months we have a 5th Monday, each den can decide wether or not to meet. So that means that every now and then, our Bear den might have a Tiger Cub, a Wolf or a webelos scout hanging out. Sometimes we use them as a "Leader's helper" and they get to help pass out activity material. Sometimes they participate in our outdoor activities such as tug-o-war or whatever we are doing. At our last den meeting before summer break, we had a Wolf hang out and eat hot dogs and smores with us. But that's different than having that older or younger kid at EVERY meeting as a participant. The kid might not be disrupting and might not care about the age difference. There's no doubt the dad doesn't care, but in the long run..the kid is getting screwed because BSA won't recognize any advancement or rank work due to age discepancies.

Okay, my suggestion is dependant on wether you have a truck or not. In BALOO, we learned how to make a LNT fire pit. Buy a cheap tarp. Maybe a 5 X 8 or so. Bring along about 3 or 4 5 gallon bukets of dirt or sand with you too. Put the tarp down and then spread the dirt on the tarp at least 3 or 4 inches deep. That is your base for your fire. Afterwards when the fie goes out, you can scatter the ashes into the wing or carry them back home with you. Granted, we used charcoal for duutch ovens, not a big raging log fire. With a big fire, the heat might still transfer through the dirt/sand and to the ground/ grass underneath.

I bought the Webelos Leader's guidebook a few moths ago. Not even two days later, I regreted my decision as I figured it was a waste of money since BSA is coming out with the new program this fall and I'd just have to buy the new book. So I went to scoutstuff and took a look at it. ( http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=BOOKS_LIT&C3=LDRS_TRAINING&C4=&LV=3&item=33853&prodid=33853^8^01RTL& ) I kid you not, this is the true and real description of the book: "Part of the new Cub Scout Delivery Model, this book has been updated with a new cover. There are no content changes from previous version. This new-cover begins transitioning in May, 2010, and will continue through September as current inventory is sold. This guide is for Webelos leaders to use in planning meetings and assisting Webelos in earning their activity badges and Webelos rank and Arrow of light. " But to be specific: " this book has been updated with a new cover. There are no content changes from previous version." WOW! If only I had waited for that new book! "Part of the new Cub Scout Delivery Model" - "There are no content changes from previous version." Soooooo! All that hoopla for just a new cover? What other great new ideas does BSA have waiting for us?

Here's my deal in all of this: I am not saying who should or shouldn't charter a scout group, wether cub or boy. I'm not saying anybody shouldn't charter a girl scout group either. I am not saying wether anybody should follow any particular set of beliefs. Iam not challenging anybody's particular way of thinking. All I am and was saying is that any parent has the right to pull their child from a program run by a church if they ( meaning the parent) do not agree with it. That parent also has the right to pull their child froma civic group run program and an extra cirricular after school activity activity too. For instance, I used to be a member of a particular church that felt if a woman dressed provocatively and happened to get raped, it was viewed as the womans fault. As if men are completely free of being responcible for any chices they make. That same church wanted to buy the 1/2 acre adjoining the church property. At that point, the preacher told all the men to meet after the service to discuss it. The church refused to even talk to two women members of the church who happened to own 2 different real etste office that have been around for more than 20 years each..one being the biggest office for around 30 moiles in any direction. This is on the east coast of NC so you can image the # of offices around. You guessed it ; I am no longer a member of that church by my choosing. You want to join that church? Go ahead with my blessing ( not that it matters). I have great friends that still go their. I'm on a very friendly basis with the preacher still. But I cannot be a member of that church due to what I consider a bogus view towards women. THat's my personal belief and it's just as valid as any belief of any church!

Nah, not a fist fight, just an arguement. Argueing is a good thing sometimes. Your not an instigator either. It's all good!