Jump to content

bilgerat

Members
  • Content Count

    33
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Everything posted by bilgerat

  1. Greetings! Hope you can offer some insight.. Is there any "official" BSA policy on the minimum rank required to hold a Scout Leadership position in the Troop (example - SPL must be at least Life, Troop Guide must be at least Star, etc.)? Reason I ask... every election this comes up and the canned answer is "I think it's this..." or "I remember that..." I'm kind of "thinking" that there's no official BSA requirement on this... just Troop legend and folklore... (oh - and I do understand why it might be "preferred" to have certain ranks serving in selected positions...adv
  2. Is this a good camp? Not much detailed (and current) info on the Council website. On a scale of 0 - 10 (0 = don't bother; 10 = next best thing to Sea Base), how is their Sailing adventure? Do they offer water skiing still? How are the facilities? Is their First Year Scout program good? Would your Troop choose this camp, or do something like Skymont? Our Troop is fairly landlocked in west Tennessee (albeit canoeing). Thanks!
  3. Anyone know of a Summer Camp with an outstanding sailing/watersport theme within, say 4-5 hours of Memphis, TN? Our Troop regularly goes to our local Council - which has a good program; however, next year we are looking to visit another camp to provide variety for our Scouts. I'd love to suggest to them a Camp with a strong sailing/water sports focus. We're looking for something in between another canoe trip and Sea Base! Any ideas? Thanks!
  4. I'm checking out TroopTrack. Impressed so far. Looks like a higher-end version of Scouttrack.com. Will check out "SOAR" too Thanks for the steers!
  5. We need a good online email and calendar service to use for our Troop. Troopmaster has both functionalities, but they are klunky, buggy, and had to use. Scouttrack.com has a great calendar feature and their email is pretty good, but they have no ability to create distribution lists or add "ad hoc" email addresses to an email - which are critical for our Troop. Google products are OK, but we've run into security blocks on some corporate email accounts. Also would like the ability to tie in cell phones for SMS texts. Anyone got any ideas? Thanks!
  6. Thanks for the great detail in the replies. We boil our water over a Turkey Fry burner and usually have used the Frying pot; however, this method of heating the water directly in the washtubs (I don't know the official #, but they are about 18 inches across - three in our wash station (one for soapy water, one for bleach, and a cold water rinse tub).
  7. Question: It was recently suggested that we boil our cleaning water directly in the galvanized tubs we use at our cleaning station. We tried it and it worked great. However, a concern has been raised about possible health issues resulting from heating galvanized materials (zinc issue). Does anyone have any solid info on this? Can you point me to a reliable source on the subject? Thanks!
  8. Question: We'd like to identify Troop Gear. We are considering spray painting a 6-inch yellow number on the door of our Alps tents. Any experience on this? Will it damage the tent? Thanks...
  9. Already - thanks for the great replies! Buffalo Skipper - that's the direction I've been looking towards. Historically, our ASM Equipment and Supply Coordinators have pretty much done all the inventory themselves, bought the needed supplies and restocked themselves, and grabbed some Scout Puppets to help load the trailer with "TLAR" (That Looks About Right) Patrol Equipment, etc. I suspect doesn't fully embrace the Scout-led principle. I am looking towards stepping into more of an "Adviser" role. What you indicated is exactly the kind of insight I'm looking for. I don't wa
  10. Question: How does your Troop intregrate the Quartermaster (Scout) into the Equipment and Supply puzzle... Thanks!
  11. Need ideas on Boy Scout Trailer organization that you'd like to pass along. What have you found that works, doesn't work, or that you might do differently?
  12. Wow! Didn't know one little question would generate so much traffic! No official guidance, and from what I've seen with some BSA regulations, not sure we want any. Otherwise, the Scouts will be using biodegradable round-tip scissors and gluing Popsicle sticks together during their once-a-year campout (in the church gym). Thanks to all!
  13. SPL1Warwick, Wow... tough situation. Lot's of good advice from others on the thread. You've got a "control" issue in play in your Troop, and that is a hard nut to crack... I find most people (Scouts and Adults) don't have a clue what "Boy-led" is. Some folks genuinely believe they are fostering "Boy-Led" by giving orders and dictates to the Scouts - when in fact, they simply have "Scout Puppets". Other folks think they are fostering "Boy-led" by letting the Scout do "whatever" and letting nature run its course. I don't think that is what Lord Baden Powell intended either.
  14. Question: What are specific characteristics that you feel makes an outstanding Patrol "stand out" in the crowd? When I ask this question, I get a lot of "I'll know it when I see it", but I'd like to hear from our experienced members - what are specific qualities you would say make an "Outstanding Patrol" what it is? Of course, I have the National Honor Patrol Award list, but I'm looking for something a little more concrete, and I know you folks have seen the best and the worst... Thanks! (This message has been edited by bilgerat)
  15. We have several 2nd year Scouts who have completed requirements in Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class Ranks using the "old" handbook. One of them just completed his Tenderfoot Rank. Does he use the new Handbook to finish the Second and First Class Ranks, or does he use the "old" handbook to finish those (since he already started them under it) and use the "new" handbook for Star. Please provide official reference info if possible. Thanks!
  16. OK... I give... I've searched and can't locate an answer to this (though I'm sure it's there somewhere...) Any age restriction for Boy Scouts on .22 rifle shooting? How about Shotgun? I see the G2SS info. Just want to make sure I'm not missing some clause or footnote somewhere. If you have specific info (other than the G2SS), please let me know the specific document source. Thanks!
  17. Scoutfish, Lots of great comments in this chain! My son just crossed over last year, so we now have a full year in Boy Scouting, as well as the 5 in Cubs. I look back at our Webelos years and ask myself... "What would I do differently"... I think I'd have done a lot more "Saturday" day activities and fewer "Tuesday Night" meetings. Our Webelos really enjoyed the team building and leadership challenges (e.g., give them a spool of string, a piece of aluminum foil, and a hair brush and ask them to figure a way to cross the "canyon" without touching the ground - kind of exercis
  18. Thanks again to all. These forums certainly are helpful! Like most things, it sounds like moderation is the key. Don't "convoy", as Beavah says. Great idea to pass out maps, swap cell phone numbers, and go over the route before departure. Nothing wrong with "caravaning" in the way Beavah described. Thanks also for pointing out the safety issues on both sides. I usually find that understanding the core issues is more helpful than having a blanket policy, but no insight. Blessings to all!
  19. Your insight, please... Since joining the Troop I've heard on many occasions that BSA policy prohibits "caravaning" vehicles to/from campouts, etc. If such a policy exists, could someone please steer me to it (document, please)? As a matter of practice, a number of drivers "wink" at each other, say they are just "following at a distance", and caravan anyway. Is this "policy" Troop folklore or is there really something to it? Thanks!
  20. Follow-up... We did our first campout with temps down into upper teens/low 20's. Did the following: - 2 pads: 1 Thermarest closed cell + 1 Thermarest foam/air pad - Summer Sleeping bag (fleece-lined) inside Slumberjack 0F mummy bag - Wool Army blanket on top - Duofold Varitherm Wool/poly base layer (top/bottom) - Fleece mid-weight cycling jacket - Smartwool Medium cushion socks - Pearl Izumi Cycling Baraclava - Eureka ALPENLITE 2XT tent Stayed very comfortable throughout the night. I tried the hot water bottle. It did work, but I abandoned it on night 2 j
  21. Wow! I had no idea the original post would stir such a vigorous discussion! I sense that there are underlying currents that go deeper than BSA on this issue... Thanks to each of you. I especially thank Narraticong for his post! Best wishes to all.
  22. OK. Thanks to all! Great feedback. I also checked www.scouting.org's Volunteer FAQ's. Here's what it says: "Can women be Boy Scout leaders? Yes. Every leadership position is open to women. In fact, more than one-third of Scout volunteers are women." Guess that about sums things up...
  23. Insight and advice, please... To date, our troop has had all-male leadership. With our visiting Webelos, the Den Leader said his wife would like to become involved with the Troop as a leader when their son moves up into Boy Scouting. One of our Troop leaders has apparently told her that women aren't allowed in the Troop. Is there some BSA policy that prohibits female participation as an adult leader (I think I've seen females serving in various Boy Scout roles). If so, could someone please steer me to that policy (document name or number)? For the record, I think there
  24. One last question or two on this... Do you all have brand-name recommendations for the poly/wool underwear and the 2nd closed-cell pad (already have a Thermarest pad)? Thanks!
  25. Other than the GTSS large open blade statements, is there a BSA policy restricting pocket knives to specific standards? Reason I ask... I'm a fairly new Adult Leader in Boy Scouting (Legacy Cub Leader though). Soon after we joined the Troop, an experienced leader (well-meaning, I have no doubt) said that BSA Policy states that Scouts' pocket knives must be "locking" and no longer than (I think it was) 4 inches. I have not been able to locate this restriction in my online searches. For the record, I think this is probably a good idea, but am not sure this is a BSA policy. If it is not
×
×
  • Create New...