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Sir_Scoutalot

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Everything posted by Sir_Scoutalot

  1. My son worked on Scholarship merit badge during the current school year. He has completed the grade point requirement and has the note from the principal regarding his service and behavior. Last week I picked up a copy of the merit badge requirements from the local scout shop and noticed they did not match those listed in my copy of the 2005 requirements book. The requirements in the 2005 book seem to mirror those of the badge in years past. A double check of the requirements at meritbadge.com showed the requirements listed in the pamphlet(http://www.meritbadge.com/mb/1
  2. Having moved back to middle Tennessee last fall, this was not a hypothetical situation but reality for me and my son. Many years ago, I made the unfortunate mistake of dropping out of the program as a Star scout following a move. My parents took a very laissez faire approach to most activities I participated in. If I said I wasn't interested, I was pretty much allowed quit/drop out. I did not want to see this happen to my son, and decided he would be allowed to select the new troop based on his own criteria. We contacted the local council and got a list of all troops in
  3. Just back from our district spring camporee. The event was held at the site of the old Tennessee State Prison in west Nashville. The facility has been closed for about 20 years but is still standing, which kind of gave it an eerie ghost prison type feeling. Many of the standard activities were offered, but the boys were allowed to tour the grounds. Unfortunately, could not see much of the inside due to potential environmental hazards (ie asbestos, etc). It feels somewhat odd confessing I enjoyed scouting at "the big house". What are some unique settings you've scouted in?
  4. Can't a Webelos den leader whose boys go with a patrol name over a den number display a patrol emblem? I've often wondered why a patrol patch exemption is not made for Wood Badge participants. Why is there not a Wood Badge knot that can be worn permanently on the uniform? Seems kind of odd considering the importance that is placed on the course.
  5. Definitely worth a visit. I'd think two or three hours would give you adequate time to check it out. Don't forget to take your membership cards as registered members get a discount. The new museum does not (or did not, when I visited a couple of years back)have the ropes course like Murray did, so no need to budget time for that.
  6. Has anyone out there seen the Hiking Trails of America book that lists the 100's of trails? Wondering if it's worth five bucks. One of my big peeves is the amount of outdated web pages out there regarding trails like these. Can't tell you how many SASEs I've sent out for info that never came back. Would be great if one of the requirements for being a BSA Historical Trail was that you had to maintain an updated web presence.
  7. I've purchased a couple of nice bags from Campmor for well under $100. Just christened a new zero degree Slumberjack on this past weekend's campout. I find mummy bags to be too confining and prefer the rectangular bags. In terms of size, a good bag should last awhile. I'd suggest buying an adult size. Hope this helps ...
  8. I think handbooks are probably one of the most misplaced items in scouting, so I somewhat see the point of not bringing them on most trips. There's also a pretty decent chance of the handbook getting wet or otherwise damaged at some point. I would hope that your son is able to get the appropriate person to sign off or document at the next troop meeting. At my high school we were required to write our names (usually last) on the end of our textbooks with a black marker so that misplaced items could be returned more easily. Saves the finder having to leaf through the book trying to
  9. Several years ago my son and I participated in a summer pack program that focused on monthly big events rather than continuing with a weekly type program. Some of the featured activities included a push for Cub Day Camp or Webelos Resident Camps, swim parties, a trip to a nearby battleship, etc. Seemed to work well as you'll probably find some families and leaders needing a break from the weekly commitment. Also hard to keep all kids during the summer due to vacations and summer sports programs. Most dens seem to gear their advancement around the school year program. I w
  10. In terms of selling his personal stuff, sounds like he'd prefer to pass it on to his kids if they had interest. Better to be in the hands of someone with interest rather than in the dumpster. I was interested in the merit badge stash. Does anyone know how many merit badges were required for Eagle back then? Where there Eagle required merit badges?
  11. Chaplain - I get a pop-up box that I'm forbidden from the www.boyscoutstore.com site. Any idea what I need to do to check it out?
  12. In terms of the 50,000 Eagle Scout Awards, I'm going to play the optimist. I think folks are doing a better job of delivering the promise and program. A week or so ago I attended my third merit badge university in a six month period. Believe it or not, we missed a fourth. Activities like this, winter camps, etc that offer kids additional opportunities to advance weren't the norm back in my days as a scout in the 1970's. I feel that any scout that participates in a healthy troop program, summer camp, and merit badge universities should have little or no problem completin
  13. Article below ran in today's edition of The Tennessean. Frist moves to protect Boy Scouts' access By MIKE MADDEN Tennessean Washington Bureau WASHINGTON Congress may come to the Boy Scouts' aid. A bipartisan group of lawmakers, led by Tennessee Sen. Bill Frist, introduced legislation yesterday that would guarantee the Boy Scouts of America can use government facilities for gatherings and events, despite recent lawsuits challenging the Scouts over their policies that exclude openly gay leaders and members who won't swear to a belief in God. The U.S. Supreme Court
  14. I'd be interested to hear what folks have to say regarding the use of bamboo in pioneering projects. On the plus side, I like the fact that it grows straight, tall, and does not have a lot of branches that require trimming. Usually not difficult to find a free source in the areas I've lived in. On the minus side, I'm assuming it is not the strongest material.
  15. Interested to see what various camps around the country are charging for a week at summer camp. I'll start. Boxwell Reservation (Middle Tennessee Council) charges $140 for in-council scouts that commit before April 1 and $160 thereafter. $25 higher for out of council units. COPE runs about $20 or $25 additional and several of the materials intensive merit badges (craft types, rifle/shotgun, motorboating/skiing) also carry a nominal fee. They also offer high adventure weeks that range from $200 - $250. It is not my intent to complain about how expensive stuff is. Just i
  16. I am looking for the BSA requirements for establishing a Historic Trail.
  17. Anyone know where I might be able to find a copy of the BSA's Historic Trail Specifications online ? Thanks in advance ...
  18. Middle Tennessee Council (Nashville area) is offering the following in conjunction with their summer camp programs: beginning and advanced COPE programs, a fishing program, a caving program, and a program that involves a mix of high adventure activities. They also offer a high adventure week at their canoe base toward the end of the summer. Council website: http://www.mtcbsa.org/
  19. Why do I feel like I'm glad that was a two minute segment on Nightly News rather than a 20 minute segment on Dateline? Based on some previous posts on the board and the lack of a scouting professional on camera to refute the claims in the story, I can only assume it must be happening at some level. Does anyone out there know if the councils involved have issued any statements of explanation or are they pretty much busted? Oh well, still the world's greatest youth program.
  20. Thanks for the heads up. Will be interested to see if anyone from national or the councils involved tell their side. If there's anything to this, it will be a poor reflection on the trustworthiness of the organization.
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