Scoutfish

WEll, I see both side of it. As a cancer survivor myself, I totally get and respect the idea. But at the same time, if you make a meeting of it, I see more time spent snickering and giggling on te scouts part ...to the point that they might not get the seriousness of it. Definantly type of an informative flyer about it. List links to websites that offere the nest data about it. Bring up awareness and be sure it is something they are aware of. But I wouldn't really have a meeting or in depth discussu=\ion on it. That part is for mom and dad to handle. My cancer was Melanoma. You cannot treat Melanoma with radiation or chemo. Survival rate is around 3%. Mine wasn't even on my skin but in my lymph nodes. Took 20 years to develop after getting sunburned really bad. So I mention a little bit of sun safety to our scouts, and I tell people the dangers. But after that,it's up to mom and dad to handle it. Bring it up and make them aware during a health and fitness related activity , acheivement or MB.

We put a slice or two ofcabbage leaf in ours . The moisture from the leaf keeps it moist by steam, and the leaves act as a barrier to prevent the meal fron charring. Of course, if you hate cabbage.....

Yeah, our council/district uses the 4:1 most of the time...special circunstanced not withstanding. But I was only stating a minimum. BSA does throw out the words: "should" , "suggested" , "recommended", but does not say it has to be. They do state that every boy has to have responcible adult supervision. Can be a designated friend or other family member , or guardian. Of course, we know that "responcible" just might disqualify some parents! I'm just sating the minimum, not the maximum or even the most sought after ideal. Mostly, I was just countering the statement that: Boy Scouts were not the only ones who can camp. The parent is not the only person who can be responcible, and Webelos can indeed camp on the den level and call themselves patrols, although they are still considered a den. But apparently my math is bad since I said 3:1 = 4 scouts to 1 adult! Meant to type 4:1

While I lie to see Webelos set up their own tents EVERY time they camp, and I like to see them fix/ help fix meals, as well as "hopefully" get to the point they do not want to sleep with a parent or anybody else for that matter...there are always special circumstances that require special details. For instance, the "acyive" scout may just have to sleep by himself. Or if he has to have a buddy, dad will have to do. Now, it's a tough situation that is not gonna have a perfect "by the book" solution. We are in the midst of trying to make the boys more independant and more self sustaining on themselves. We want them to understand that they have to live with the consequences og their actions. Scouting is all about respecting others. Yet, we are willing to make sure somebody get their feeling hurt and also not having to live with the consequences of their actions. Kinda like making your son play with the neighborhood bully so the bully doesn't feel lonely. Sorry, I am not saying kick the boy out or throw rocks at him, just that if he is a second year Webelos who is about to cross over very soon, then he better have one heck of an eye opener before he joins a troop. If he has run everybody off and nobody can stand his temperment or how he acts..then he really needs to get a dose or reality. Besides, you might insist on having somebody buddy with him, but two things are certain: away from scouts, everybody stil avoids him, and the boy who has the buddy duty now just lost alot of enthusiasm for scouting. Not sure about you guys, but where I am from, it's called life. You treat people like jerks..they avoid you. You get into people's faces too much, they avoid you. You lie to them, use them, etc..they avoid you. If you are too trung out, too hyper , or can't keep your cool...they avoid you. Eventually, you figure it out or you just keep being avoided. If it is a medical gland/thyroid type thing... ..well, it may not be his fault, but it's not the fault of the other scouts either!

Actually, Tigers, Wolves, and Bears cannot camp as dens, but Webelos CAN camp as a den. The ratio is 1:3 and 2D. That is 1 adult per 4 boys and minimum of 2 deep leadership.

Well, since the thread is partially hijacked already... A while back I wrote about bag omlettes. The various pros and cons were discussed in depth with many sources and links provided by many posters. In the end,it turns out the bags are as harmfull as breathing air- which has be proven to carry cancer causing toxins at times! Basically, the bags were found to be safe. One point I will makethough..we use FREEZER bags becaue they are more durable than the regular bags. Now back to the OP Foil tent cooking is awesome. The cubs can prepare the entire meal themselves with minimal supervison. Let an adult place the foil packs on the coals and retrieve them too. And if you write on the foil with a magic marker before placing in the coals....the writting will withstand the heat.

I think it's a GREAT idea! There is a big difference in circumstance. If a scout has oplenty of oppertunities , but ignores them, wastes them or acts like he doesn't care...well, then you did what you could. The scout made the choice not to care or use the chance. But when a scout has the choice taken away from him due to leaders not fulfilling their role (even with legit reasons) as the den instructor, or because of other reasons beyond the scouts control ( such as wather, cancellations,or "a myriad of other issues"....then by all means try to make up the chance to make use of the oppertunity that we "sold" them at roundup! My point of veiw is this: If the scout tried, and the reason he isn't getting there is because of issues within the pack, then the pack owes him a chance to make up/ catch up. And if trhe reasons are because of a DL..then legit or not, I'd get together with the CC and find another DL ( promote the ADL)to take over until the existing DL gets things settled. As for the humbugs...tell them the first time they screw up, that they are out ...based on their own approach!

I SOOOOOOOOOO like this idea! My only question: What kind of group did you donate to? Imean, I'm not super picky, but I'd prefer to donote to a group that gives to the needy over a group that sells them at a discout rate . I mean, a discount is great, but giving them to somebody who gets them free....well...it just feels better. Wel, that and I know several "very well off financially" women who hit the Salvation Army and other stores on new items day because they get stuff at a great deal. Defeats the whole point. Know what I mean?

John, Nah... If we combine, it would really be a PWD with hot dogs , a birthday cake and some recognition that it was a birthday thing. But as far as awards go...I was just saying that few DL's "might" hand out special ones at a "normal" B&G event. If we combine them, it would be to avoid having two big events back to back. Basically, it would be a B&G that consists of hotdogs, cake, chips and a PWD race. The only awards are race trophies and participation ribbons ( if the DL chooses to do so) We don't do rank badges at regular B&G ...so I'm not gonna start this time.

I'm not opposed to pushing B&G back. Truth be told, it gets scheduled around NASCAR ( Daytona 500) and other sports. But as far as advancement, we do not use B&G as a cutoff point or as a planned time table for rank or advancement. We have had DL's hold back a week or even 2 weeks to present rank at the B&G to make it seem more fancy, but we don't rush to meet it. The exception migh be the 2nd year Webelos trying to earn AOL. But in that same line of thinking, we usually have AOL ceremonies right before crossover which we hold in May. Again, not opposed to moving B&G back, but our B&G is more like a southern family reunion: FOOD, FOOD, FOOD! And when we are not eating, a den might do a presentation or something, and some DL's present "special" awards.

Okay, I have seen the red jac-shirts that the Bot Scouts and leaders wear. But what about Cub Scout leaders? Same jacket? Is in a scouting thing rather than a Boy Scout thing? Or is it a BOY SCOUT thing? I have seen the Blue Cub Scout vests...man, they are gauddy looking at best. Things i, I'm not really looking to shell out $90.00 for a coat that I wear on occasion...but by regular emerald green jacket just seems out of place. And my Cub Scout sweatshirt just isn't something I want to slip over my uniform for RT, scout events, pack meetings,trainings etc...

We have just found ourselves ina situation. Let me give a background: Our pack was scheduled to hold our PWD building workshop on Jan 15th. We'd have 3 scroll saws, 2 oscilatting sanders and an assortment of pattern templates if somebody couldn't come up with their own design. One week later on the 23rd was to be a test run/ workshop where the track would be set up as wellas the tools. The week after that, was the PWD on the 29th. Now, we just had to cancel our Jan 8th den meeting night due to the winter storms and icy roads, snow, etc... Many scouts were going to pick up their cars at that night, take them home and start. We sold cars at our Christmas dinner, and families were free to get them fromthe scout shop if they wanted, but many took advantage of not driving 30 miles to the scout shop. Now, here's the kicker. The day we were going to have our PWD ( at a local elem school) is now a 1/2 day makeup day for the snow days. Originally, we were going to set up the night before, then run the PWD during Sat morning - which is now a school day. So in order to not lose a weekof building ,or testing for those that have not gotten their cars yet, it was brought up very informally to me by the PWD committee that we do a conbo PWD and B&B. Cook hotdogs and have chips and B&G cake. B&G was scheduled for Feb 12th. And really, for B&G a few dens may do a presentation, but for the most part, we just get together and eat. Spend hours cooking, you eat. Some people complain about not getting any food, then we clean up for a few hours and go home. So anyways, the leaders and committee are going to discuss this- this Monday night. Anybody do this before? Any thoughts? Insights? Pro's or con's? I'll let you know what we decide and if we do, do it, how it trurns out.

In the situation you describe, I'd give the scout two choices: 1) Sleep by himself in his own tent. 2) Sleep with a parent in their own tent. Trial by peers is already hapening, but at that age...it does need to be kept in check as some youth can go too far. But forcing other scouts or dictating who bunks with who....especially this boy ...will create problems, If the other scouts fel they are being punished or shafted because they get stuck with this boy...then they have a reason to lie the program less.

"Because it strikes me as kind of unusual that boys would go running for cover and parents would step in if it is just a matter of a kid with high energy levels." Not unusual at all! Not saying it's normal. but it isn't unusual. My wife has a friend that goes way back since kindergarten. Well, that friend has a son the same age as mine. WEll, let me tell you..that boy is high strung. Matter of fact, look "high strung" up in a dictionary and you will see his picture! Whenever my wife and her freind do something and the boys are involved..that boy just loses it. He talks twice as loud, twice as fast and youi can't understand half of what he is saying. He doesn't just talk either. He is one of those people who has to touch you when talking to you. He is either poking, grabbing, pulling, leaning on, hugging, or plain smothering you if he is talking to you. No personal space, no breathing room. And he is at it non stop.Wide open from the time he wakes up til he falls asleep. Where the energy comes from is beyond me. It got to the point that my son couldn't stand him. Wasn't from hitting, biting, scratching or anything else like that. Just over wound. Too much, too long and too close. People get tired of him fast.

The bigger problem is greed. Now,I am not against anybody making money. I am not against anybody doing real well at making money. But I am amazed at companys that the CEO's are always giving themselves 6 figure " Good performance " bonuses and then having to figure out how to cut expenses because they cannot afford the "GP" bonuses on revenue alone. So what do they do? Cut back employee perks and benefits such as health care or insurance. Then they cut back the number of employees to save money. Problem is twofold: Less workers means less product being made and in a roundabout way, people who can no longer affoed to buy the product because they have no jobs. Look at the auto industry: All the CEO's and board members make more money in "GP" bonuses that I will make in a lifetime. That's not even including their saleries. But they weren't bringing in enough money to cover it, so they shut down factories and moved them overseas where labor is cheaper. Factory after factory shut down and moved overseas. More and more people lost their jobs. Funny thing was, those unemployed people used to buy the very cars they made when theu had a job making money. Now expand to other products. More factories shut down, more people without jobs. So the company is still losing money and cannot afford to give the executives those big fancy 6 figure "GP" bonuses. What to do? Close 3 more factories and then ask the government to bail you out. As soon as the government sends you a check...pay the the "good performance" bonuses to the CEO's who were waiting for them, then see what you can do with the rest. Funny thing is...there wasn't any "Good performance" at all in the whole system.

"The DC introduced the DC who announced plans for DC training." What? Sorry, wasn't paying attention because I was reading the DC ( detective Comics)comic book that I got at DC ( district Camp) while in DC( district of Columbia)

As a CM in a pack, I camp about 4 times a year with the pack, 2 or 3 on my own with my son. I bought a $35.00 Ozark Trail tent from Wal-Mart. As far as I can tell after some comparisons..Ozark Trail is a store brand manufactured by Coleman. It has the sealed tarp/plastic material type bottom that extends up around 6 inches on the sides to keep water out. I still put a tarp under the tent that stops about 2" short from the outside edges. This helps extra with water and helps sticks from making holes. The included rain fly barely covers the mesh top of the tent, soooo..... I bought a 12' X 12' blue plastic tarp for $4.00 and it leaves about a 1 foot air gap around the bottom while still totally covering the tent from a horizontal stand point. Basically,I have horizontal air flow without vertical rain intrusion. Tried the closed cell pads. Tried them doubled up. They work great if you are under 110 pounds. Bought a $40.00 dollar heavy duty twin size inflatable Coleman mattress with a felt liike top covering and a check valve type filler cap. Fill it up 80% and wait a few hours for it to either tighten if it's hot or sink down a bit if it's cold. Then adjust accordingly. By the way, you might want to bring a blanket to lay on top of the air matress even if you have a thick sleeping bag. Otherwise you will lose body heat through the air space. Bought a $20 dollar Coleman battery operated pump. Uses 4 D-cell batteries. I get about 1 years worth of use out of it before they die.Not bad for a $7 investment in batteries. As said above, if you start going camping monthly, bi monthly or so..then step up and buy a nicer tent. But if you do like some of us and only camp 6 times a year....$35.00 is a fair price. If the $35.00 dollar tent lasts you more than 3 years, you came out ahead. Totally agree with everybody else about tent size. At 6'2" , 255 lbs...and my son being 4'9" , 105 pounds ( at 9 years old) we fill up our "4 man" tent. Barely have room for a backpack or duffle bag. Figure a 2 man really means 1 man ratio when you buy the tent. Personally, I need a taller tent so it's easier to get dressed. Right now,I have top lay on my back and do the feet in the air to pull on my pants, and I have to hunch over to put on shirts. Biggest thing is this: the first tent you buy will be the wrong tent! When you buy your second tent...you will be just as trained as anybody else. But whatever tent you buy..if it suits you...then it's the right tent! (This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Look, I'm not taking either side, but.... "and other subjects." Kinda leaves that wide open for BSA to teach different styles of patty cake, dress making, car detailing, oragami, yoga, etreme ballet, video game mastery,etc... Well..It lets BSA teach anything it wants! "other subjects" is a very vague, broad and undefined subject.(This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Blanc, Unless I am missing something, it sounds like the only difference is the calendar you are using and that you write less now for events that you did anyways. Sounds like your family has found a golden activity. By that, You have an activity that you all enjoy, yet you can enjoy it as a family. Usually , te two don't always mix. My name is Scoutfish and I am an addict too.I go to scouting events at least once if nottwice a week. I have only forgotten to bring my son along only a few times! Just kidding!

We have used big wasgtubs and put about 6 inches of sand in the bottom and then built the fire on that. The sand insulates the ground underneath and the tub doesn't burn away. You can also build a fire box. Wooden table made of 2X4 and plywood. Make a 2' by 3 ' flat table with legs about a foot and a half to two foot tall. Used more 2X4's to build up the sides on top of the table. You can cover this with galvanized flashing otr just leave bare. Again, put sand in te bottom to protect the wod from the heat and to last way, way longer. We built one out of scrap wood you can pick up from any construction site. I think we maybe bought $3.00 worth of nails to hold it together.

I only said "woosies" because the original post asked about "woosies" . I mean,I wouldn't know since I am soooo way above using such derogatory phrases! O:) Training? What kind? Camp promotions? Yeah, that was a joke. Training consisted of a job description. Not much too it. I talked about what a super fabulous camp we have to leaders at the RT and told them that I would be calling them in Feb to see how many scouts and leaders are planning oin camping, when and for how long.

Not having ever had to use a CPAP myself, and seeing one used once at a pack campoutby an adult..there were no issues at all. But then again, we had some parents who brought 6 qt coolers full of anti histamines, sinus/allergypils, creams,lotionds vitamin E oil, compression face masks, and nasal strips and even more stuff. She talked about her hypo allergenic latex foam pad and 100 percent latex foam pillow with a heppa grade pillow cover. Snored like a freight train was aiming for camp. Now, ususally, you wouldn't notice that kinda thing, but when a mom walked from her tent to the restroom..she looked like one of those sand people from Star Wars! She started the routine about an hour before bedtime. Nothing wrong with it, just that it made the CPAP un-noticable. Truth be told, aside fromthe snoring, you had to admire the determination she had to still go camping!

On the flip side, what do you think are the good things that have come from change? Overall, there are several tings I like, but two stand out above the others. 1)The new focus put more emphasis on doing stuff at den meetings. Not that all stuff has to be at a meeting, or that it has to be inside a room, but I like that it's done at meetings. Why? Because , for some scouts, the den meeting is the best quality they have in scouting. By that, I mean a DL might go over and beyond the minumun amount to qualify, while mom or dad may barely meet, not quite meet, or inadvertantly fail to even cover an achievement. No, it's not perfect by any means, but enables a more even standard of learning. I'm not trying to support more work for a DL, but I support a more equal and even coverage of the acheivements for all scouts in a den....assuming they show up. 2) I like that during the Webelos years, mom and dad do not sign off like they did in lower ranks. Yeah, I know that the DL can allow it in certain situations: family travel or Family Member or the parents guide. The biggest reason I like the DL being the one to sign off is that too many parents will check off requirements willy nilly without caring if they were done or because they don't quite understand what the true requirement was. Am I the only one who has seen a scout hardly show up and have almost nothing done during the year, and then suddenly, 3 weeks before the end of the season, mom or dad brings in a book that is signed off on almost every single requirement and elective? And they turn in a list of 30 pins and beltloops that they swear Jr has done. What can you do besides tell mom and dad that pack policy is the pack only provides only "X" number of awards a month? They will still buy them for Jr! So, what general or specific thing do you think is good about Cub Scout advancement.

Acco, Two things: 1) "This question appears in this forum every year about this time (January-February)." Well yeah, it does. Why? Because every year a new set of scouts and parents are getting close to that time where their Webelos are going to cross over. Last years Webelos that crossed over are Boy Scouts now. Next years Webelos aren't close enough to be concerned or worried about it yet. Just saying,. each, it's a new set of people. 2) " One must be 11, or one may be 10 if a) completed 5th grade or b) earned AOL. Stated with more clarity: A Boy who has earned the Arrow of Light or completed the 5th grade must ALSO be at least 10 years old before he can join a Boy Scout Troop. One must be younger than 18." WEll see, if BSA stated it just like you said, it might be alot clearer to many people. But the BSA doesn't, It is twisted around a bit so that you might read it one way, then next time, read it diffrently. It sounds like Yoda talking: "Varied, may your milage, be!" (This message has been edited by scoutfish)

Forums are like people. Some are hyper happy , some are average, some are grumpy, some are smart asses. Each and every one can be great freinds...once you get to know them. I used to have a guy att work I just didn't like,. He was a smart ass. Every comment had a sharp edge to it. Later after he died, I found out he really liked me. Turns out he was smart -ass with me because he was relaxed and just trying to be funny . Thing is, I will laugh and joke with my friends and we cut each other down, but in a freindly way. The key is, we can hear the good natured jokingnes in our voices. What do you here here? NOTHING! You can't hear anything. So what do you go by? The words. Problem is that I use "THIS" word and you use "THAT" word to describe or talk about the exact same thing. Toe-may-toe or Tah-mah-toe. I myself have read something, gotten irked by it, only to find out it was just freindly humorous saecasm. And once it was pointed out to be sarcasm..I totally got it and saw it that way. Sometimes, how we read something is more of a statement about our own mindset than the one who posted it. No place for woosies? Maybe, maybe not. A place that you procede with caution and an open mind? YES! A place that should have a warning disclaimer at the front door? ABSOLUTELY!