scoutldr

I think one brand name is "Ball Cap Buddy"....check in the "Dollar Store".

Some other items that we found useful after the storm cleared: Prescription meds (at least a 2 week supply) Cash (ATM machines and credit cards won't work) Full gas tanks, propane tanks and gas for generator and chain saw Batteries, all types Extra portable oxygen tanks for Mother in Law LARGE pot for heating/boiling water Valuable papers/pictures/family heirlooms stored in waterproof containers or safe deposit box Car charger for cell phones Extra cameras/film to document pre and post conditions Hope you and your family were as lucky as we were, LeV...I hear Camp Chickahominy (Colonial Va Council) was destroyed and will NOT be reopened. The damage estimate for Camp Pipsico has been increased to around $400,000. I had a battery powered TV, but without cable, all I could get were 3 football games and an infomercial for Bun/Thigh Master. Grrrrr.

Could you give us a hint what state that's in?

Just tell me how many boxes of popcorn to put you down for! ;-)

Greetings from the Virginia/NC coast. We survived. I was extremely lucky with a few limbs and lots of leaves to clean up. Power was out for 4 days, but had running potable water in most areas. Others were not so lucky and lost everything, as you probably saw on the news. Our council camp was devastated, only having just recently recovered from Hurricane Floyd. I want to put out a word of appreciation for the hundreds of electrical power workers who started heading for VA/NC even before the hurricane hit. They have done a phenomenal job restoring power to almost 75% of the area in less than a week. The electric grid had to be rebuilt from scratch in many areas. The following is an excerpt from our council e-newsletter with a link to some photos: "Next the Service Center. The service center lost 13 trees and with the help of Dan N., a neighbor and scouter, we were successful in removing most of the trees. Actually it was Dan, his son and a friend of his son. They really used their knot tying skills this day. Hurricane preparations spared the service center of any other damage. We did lose power and regained it late Saturday night. Next Pipsico Scout Reservation. Pipsico is Officially Closed until work crews are able to clear a few areas to ensure that the camp is safe to camp in. The damage was extensive. There are photos on our website at: www.tidewaterbsa.com. We have over 1,300 trees down and counting. About half of our tent platforms were destroyed by falling trees. Many latrines had their roofs and structures damaged. Some 140 trees fell on the power lines. Access to the river is by climbing over at least 40 trees and crawling under several more---I know, I was crawling along with Ranger Dan. The waterfront has a number of trees down, but it was impossible to access certain parts of the beach to survey the damage. The cliffs had from 10 to 15 feet eroded from the base. There are a number of trees down along the beach. The staff housing area was destroyed. The total loss at camp is probably at the $250,000 range if not higher. " Thank God we had no fatalities or major injuries in the scouting family to report. Damage to the camp will take years to repair. The money is simply not there. But I think we all have a new appreciation for a "Category 2" storm, and are rethinking what's really important in life.

I guess I have to raise the question as to why the Advancement Chairman (not "Officer") is interacting with boys "checking books". Shouldn't that be the role of the Troop Scribe, PL or one of the ASPLs under the guidance of one of the ASM's? Please don't take this as criticism...just trying to get it clear in my own mind.

As I remember, (I am on the road and don't have references handy), the SM and CC both serve at the pleasure of the CO, who is responsible for recruiting and approving them. The rest of the troop committee is selected by the CC, with CO approval. ASMs are chosen by the SM, with approval of the CC and CO. But it's hot here in Palm Springs (107 F) and my brain may be fried.

What's not clear to me is does this COR get a vote on the Troop Committee? If so, she is only one vote. If not, does she have veto power over Troop Committee decisions? Sounds like she needs to be spending her time at District Committee meetings where she DOES get a legitimate voice (and vote!), and not be micromanaging troop affairs...that's power that has already been delegated to the Troop leadership when the COR signs and approves their registrations.

There's no limit to the number of Den Chiefs you can have. Why does he have to wait 6 months? Surely there's a Den in your Council looking for a DC!

OK, here's another twist. What about non-alcoholic malt beverages, such as O'Doulls? Had a parent once bring a cold 6-pack on a camping trip. He could not consume alcohol, due to medications, but Dr said O'D was fine. His argument was: 1. It is "non-alcoholic" 2. It is not "regulated" 3. He own kids are allowed to drink it and he even lets them order it in restaurants (and they serve it) 4. It is no different from my Diet Pepsi, he just prefers the taste. Therefore, I see nothing in the G2SS that would prohibit it. BTW, I think cooking sherry is fine. I am one of those who took a swig straight out of the bottle, and anyone who calls that a "beverage" must be "blotto".

Some people just like to "stir the pot"!

If you have been elected to OA and completed the ordeal, you wear the pocket ribbon arrow (aka, "pocket rocket"). The lodge flap is worn to identify the lodge where you are a current dues-paying member. If you are not a current member of a lodge, you do not wear a flap. I was elected as a youth, and proudly wore my flap through Explorers, Den Leader, Cubmaster, etc.

In Virginia, the waitress will ask if you want sweet or "UN". In NC, you have to special order Unsweet...the default is sweet. In some places, you don't get a choice. So, taste it before you pour in the sugar or pink stuff. Yes, the sugar is boiled into the tea, at about the rate of 1 cup sugar per quart. Brunswick County, VA...the birthplace of Brunswick stew. That should flush out the Nawcalinah and Goaja boys (each claims the same fame!) Born and raised Lutheran (ELCA), Pro Deo et Patria award recipient (From MY Pastor, harder to get than Eagle!)

I checked the internet, and it doesn't look like it. Keep in mind, you will be entering a "foreign country" and have to go through at the border crossing near Buffalo. Not a big deal, but make sure you have proof of citizenship...I don't think passports are required, but at least a birth certificate is. And dont' forget Customs... A quick call to the Canadian Embassy can answer most questions.

Smokers who think there is nothing wrong with exposing themselves, their children (and others) to carcinogens and throwing their lit butts on the ground, and then say "It's MY life, it's my RIGHT to smoke if I want to!" And Government regulators who are too hog-tied by Big Tobacco to do anything about it, while health care costs go through the ceiling. (By way of background, I lost my father at the young age of 69 to lung cancer, even though he had "quit" 20 years earlier, and am currently watching my mother in law die a slow, progressive death from emphysema and COPD...yes I'm LIVID!)

Mr. Sun Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister golden Sun, Please shine down on me! Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister golden Sun Hiding behind a tree. These little children are asking you, To please come out so they can play with you. Oh, Mister Sun, Sun, Mister golden Sun, Please shine down on me! Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, bright and silvery moon, Please shine down on me! Oh, Mister Moon, Moon, bright and silvery moon, Come from behind that tree. I like to ramble and I like to roam, But I like to find myself at home. When the moon, moon, bright and silvery moon, comes shining down on me. (repeat 1st verse)

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My thoughts are with those who don't get the day off... nurses, firefighters, police officers, those serving in the military at home and in harm's way. God keep you safe, SPC Kevin M., US Army MP, Mosul, Iraq.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

(S)ingles ©lub ?

NEWS FLASH: Gays and lesbians ARE serving in the military. I work with them every day. As long as they are professional and respectful, and do their jobs well, the question never comes up. If they were to engage in "PDA" (public display of affection), they would be hauled in and disciplined. But so would the heterosexuals. Most commanders just choose to look the other way. Yes, females are now on all of our ships, except submarines and the SEALS. The result of that was the pregnancy rate of unmarried sailors skyrocketed. Millions of dollars were spent to reconfigure ships to provide separate berthing areas. Ships are undermanned because pregnant sailors are immediately reassigned to a shore assignment. This means that someone else has to take her place at sea. This is patently unfair. In my opinion, there is no place for a single parent in the military. It is IMMORAL to bring a child into the world, knowing that you will be absent from their lives for half of their lives, 6 months at a time, or as an E-1, 2 or 3, you are financially unable to care for it without going on food stamps. It shows a lack of judgement and maturity, qualities that I don't want in someone I count on to save my life. Females who become pregnant out of wedlock and their male partners should be immediately given an Administrative Discharge. What disturbs me is the opinion of some that homosexuals are, de facto, immoral, however nothing is said about fornicators, adulterers, etc. Is someone from Irving going to Cancun, Myrtle Beach or Miami during spring break, taking names so they can be added to the "banned from Scouting" database? As I have said before in other posts, why does the BSA selectively enforce it's value system? Are some values more "morally straight" than others?

I've always preferred what I term "outcome oriented" leadership. For instance, I tell the SPL, "we have to be at the flagpole at 8 pm for the campfire." Then he knows that in the intervening time, they have to prepare dinner, wash dishes, put the gear away, etc. Normally what happens is they are busy lounging around and suddenly notice at 7pm that the adults are finishing eating and they haven't even started. They manage to get dinner cooked, but then have to do dishes at 9:30 pm after the campfire instead of the planned "capture the flag" game. Everyone suffers for the poor planning, and a lesson is learned.

We had the local Astronomy club come in to do Astronomy MB with our troop. We registered them as counsellors, and one of them requested a merit badge to add to their club scrapbook. A reasonable request, right? The council shop refused to sell me one because it wasn't on an advancement report. I was embarrassed to have to tell them "no" after all of the hours they had donated to scouting. Rules are rules, but gimme a break!

The local Roman Catholic church will not allow scouts the use of their building...not for meetings, not for adult-only training sessions. They don't want anything to do with BSA, no way, no how. That's the parish priest's decision, who apparently is empowered to make such decisions. The DE has tried for years to get units chartered there...they won't even meet with him. A parishioner whom I know explained that the church does, indeed, require criminal background checks for everyone who comes in contact with youth...sunday school teachers, CCD teachers, youth group advisors, etc. To avoid imposing that requirement on "outsiders", they simply won't allow them access.

The best gift that a SM can receive is to see his (or her) scouts grow into responsible, successful young men, exemplifying the Scout Oath and Law in their daily lives, and passing on what they learned to others. IF they happen to make Eagle along the way, so much the better.

Try again...the Green Cross is a registered trademark of the National Safety Council. The Safety MB is a white cross on a green background. Clear as mud, eh?