scoutldr

Well done, Fuzzy. Let us not forget, as we get all wrapped up in uniform rules, G2SS, and unit/council politics...we are also in the business of creating memories that will last a lifetime. In some cases, they may be the only pleasant memories a boy has.

Once you're IN the OA, you can be elected to office up to the age of 21 as long as you're still a "youth Venturer"...right? Our Lodge chief is a college student.

Problem with the beret is that it looked dorky with the shoulder-length hair (and huge afros) of the 70's...and it looks like that hair style is back in vogue again. Everyone looked like French motorcycle gangs. Convince your troop to get "high and tight" haircuts, then they'll look sharp under a properly worn beret. I need at least a size 8 hat, so I can't wear BSA headgear of ANY style. "One size fits all" is a lie. I'd love to find a vintage campaign hat, but most that I've seen on eBay are in the 7 - 7 1/4 range.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

I don't know about other lodges, but I suspect they are similar...if OA were limited to Boy Scouts, most of our Lodge and Chapter Executive committees would change dramatically, as most of them now wear dark green shirts! The average age of an elected officer would probably drop from the 16-18 that it is now (my perception - no data to back it up) to 13-15. Overall, I think that would begin the demise of the OA.

I had poteen in my sporran once...took 10 days of antibiotics to clear it up!

Sleeping in a heated building is called a "sleepover", not "camping". At least in MY book. And fscouter is correct...Cub Scouts are only approved for "family camping". I define that as a group of families all camping at the same location. They just happen to all be members of the same Pack.

From Wikipedia (so it MUST be true!): Common-law marriage (or common law marriage), sometimes called informal marriage or marriage by habit and repute is, historically, a form of interpersonal status in which a man and a woman are legally married. The term is often mistakenly understood to indicate an interpersonal relationship that is not recognised in law. In fact, a common law marriage is just as legally binding as a statutory or ceremonial marriage - it's just formed differently. I can hear the BSA lawyers now..."don't these guys have better things to do than worry about this?"

This sounds like a mother-son issue that I would not want to be in the middle of. If she is a registered leader, I don't see how the crew can "vote" to make her stay home, while allowing others to go. A tactful, friendly conversation with another adult may help, but if she insists on going and is willing to pull her own weight, I don't see a way out.

I dread parents' night. We had a scout whose parents were very unreliable. Starting about 3 pm, he started watching for them. Other parents started arriving...dinner got underway...went to campfire...still no mom and dad. They just "forgot". He was devastated and cried himself to sleep. It was really pitiful. Last summer, they moved "family night" to Friday...needless to say, most of the scouts went home that night...after all, the MB work was done, and they missed their Playstations. If the parents wanted to take them home to avoid coming back 75 miles the next morning, who am I to object? One of the best decisions was to remove the pay phone from the trading post, where the boys lined up to call home collect every evening. Of course, they all have cell phones now, so it's a moot point.

Mail from home is great...if you're the recipient. It was heartbreaking last summer to watch one scout get 4-5 letters/cards/packages a day from various family members (including the dog!), while the others just looked on forlornly.

Check with your District Commissioner. Most districts present awards at the annual District Dinner. There is the District Award of Merit, among others (Cub Scouter of the Year, Scoutmaster of the Year, etc). Having been on the selection committee, I know that some are awarded to the only one nominated...take the time, fill out the paperwork, and present a convincing write-up. The only prerequisite is that the nominee be a registered Scouter and that someone takes the time to submit the nomination.

Antabuse (disulfiram). First of all, is he registered? Sounds like you're not sure. All adult applications go through the national background check (by SSN, I think). While not a hard requirement, all "direct contact" adults should be registered and get trained, especially YP. I agree that if he is making an honest attempt to clean himself up, who are we to shun him? WWRD? Trust, but verify.

SALT LAKE CITY, Utah (AP) -- A campground at Natural Bridges National Monument has been closed because of bubonic plague detected among field mice and chipmunks. Plague also has been found this spring in rodent populations at Mesa Verde National Park and Colorado National Monument. National Park Service officials said there never has been a reported human case of bubonic plague originating from the parks or national monuments. "We come down on the conservative side when it comes to closing campgrounds," said Joe Winkelmaier of the U.S. Public Health Service. "We just like to be sure when it comes to plague." Several weeks ago, park rangers noticed a large number of dead field mice at Natural Bridges, about 40 miles west of Blanding. Chief Ranger Ralph Jones showed that tests indicated they died from the plague. Rangers plan to insecticides to kill fleas in the campground area. Humans usually contract bubonic plague after being bitten by fleas that have bitten infected rodents. The campground could be reopened as soon as next week. Plague occurs throughout the West, but is concentrated in the Four Corners area of Utah, Colorado, New Mexico and Arizona. An average of 18 cases involving humans are reported each year in the United States, according to the federal Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About one in seven victims die. Copyright 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.

Whatever...a snake that rattles is all the information I need...to head the other way!

Geographic Range The Eastern Diamondback lives in the coastal lowlands, ranging from southeast North Carolina to eastern Louisiana, and throughout Florida, including the Florida Keys. (Conant and Collins 1998) I think Delaware is a little too far north...

Has the training continuum changed since I gave up the training chair two years ago? I don't remember anything called "common core". There was: Fast Start (now online) New Leader Essentials (everyone) Position Specific (DL, CM, MC, SM, etc) Troop Committee Challenge Youth Protection (usually given along with NLE, now online) Outdoor training (WOE, BALOO, IOLS)

You're just up the road from me (VA) and the only 3 poisonous snakes we have are the timber rattler, copperhead and water moccasin. If it "rattled", that pretty much narrows it down.

Been camping a lot...don't recall anyone ever being asked to produce a marriage license along with their tour permit.

Been around since 1963...don't recall a do it yourself MB. There were blank patrol medallions, however.

I think as SM, you have a right to see the letter from National granting the extension. Something doesn't add up. We are told that Eagle extensions are extremely rare, and must be accompanied by serious extenuating circumstances, such as serious illness, death, or mental or physical disability. This week we were told of a scout in our district whose mother died on the weekend that he was to complete his Eagle project. An extension has been requested, but they are not hopeful it will be granted.

Safety Gear Is a Must - and Watch for Snakes Release Date: May 12, 2006 Release Number: 1604-351 More Information on Mississippi Hurricane Katrina BILOXI, Miss. -- With the end of the school year approaching, hundreds of high school and college students are expected to help storm-damaged neighborhoods spring back to life. These volunteers are a great asset in the recovery efforts. U.S. Department of Homeland Security's Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) safety officials remind everyone working around battered structures on overgrown sites to work smart and stay healthy, especially as the weather warms up. "Inexperienced workers may not be aware of the serious trouble that threatens their feet, legs, arms, hands and heads on job sites, as well as potential hazards to their lungs and eyes when pulling walls apart," said Jesse Munoz, acting director of the transitional recovery office for Hurricane Katrina. "We want them to be properly equipped and to work safely at all times." Snake strikes have been reported throughout the past month by workers at demolition and debris collection sites in the six southern-most counties of Mississippi . A strike is a hit on leather or protective fabric. Safety officials suggest protective equipment from the ground up for people working around debris: Sturdy work boots with sole protection against nails and glass; Long pants to guard against cuts and varmints; Leather work gloves to ward off cuts and bites and to minimize damage from smashing incidents; N-95 face mask from a building supply store to protect lungs from fiberglass and other debilitating dust; Safety goggles to keep particles and flying objects out of eyes; Hard hat to guard against falling objects and sideways bumps from careless co-workers; Be sure your tetanus shot is current; Sunscreen; and Insect repellant Another absolute rule is to drink plenty of water. Work gear, the hot sun and exertion can combine to endanger the fittest of workers who does not drink enough water. FEMA manages federal response and recovery efforts following any national incident. FEMA also initiates mitigation activities, works with state and local emergency managers, and manages the National Flood Insurance Program. FEMA became part of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security on March 1, 2003. Last Modified: Friday, 12-May-2006 10:36:44

Good luck, brooktrout. Now that the decision's been made, can you enlighten us on what prompted the desire to go to a different council? Just another thought...there is really no reason why you have to wait for your current charter to expire. In fact, if you form the new unit now, everyone can transfer for $1 each as long as you still have a current registration somewhere. Your CO owns the unit charter and can keep it going as long as they want...that doesn't mean you have to stick with it until they pull the plug.

The link is to a skit...not Philmont.

"Training the trainers at the same training they are working as trainers for makes my head spin & makes no sense!" Sorry, I don't see a problem. If a person is an expert in a particular subject, e.g., "campfire planning" (maybe he's a young new Den Leader, but an ex-camp staffer and former OA Lodge Chief!), what's wrong with teaching that module? As long as the person sat through the whole course, he is just as "trained" as everyone else and entitled to a card....maybe more so, since he had to do more research and preparation for his module.

There's much to be said for taking a break. However, have you considered serving at the District level? Unit commissioner, Roundtable staff, District Committee, Day Camp staff, etc. I am a firm believer that unit leaders should focus on serving their units, however, once you decide to leave the unit, your experience is needed elsewhere!