SouthPoleScout

The fires are getting worse. Stay tuned.

No offense sctmom, but I'm glad adults don't have a merit badge/rank program in Scouts. There are enough troubles with having boy run programs as it is.

Besides, there are awards that adults can work toward (I'm sure everyone has seen the various knots)

Just my two cents

go ahead, be blunt!

Thanks for all the hard work!

I too agree that the uniforms are of poor quality and over priced.

My son has gone through many items over his years of camping. (yes, one of the rare boys that wears the full uniform all the time) Some he outgrew, but most were just so poorly constructed that they fell apart when he used them for the Scouting activities they are supposedly designed to be used for.

I could go on and on about poor fit, quality, etc..

Surely a better uniform could be produced for a better cost. I wouldn't mind the expense if I were getting a comfortable quality product.

I wish I felt like my complaints would be heard and make a difference.

Ranger Quest 2002

The North Cascades Ventureing Base at Camp Black Mountain will offer a one wee program this summer exclusively for Venturers. The program will focus on completion of Core Requirements and electives for the Ranger Award. Specialty areas that will be offered are:

Scuba

Markmanship

Equestrian

Project COPE

& Whitewater Rafting

Come one - individually!

Come all - the wole CREW!!

Call the Mt. Baker Council at 425-338-0380 for more information.

Just to pass on some more info - this course is being offered all over the US. I know we have a course set up here in Washington state. I posted the link over in the Venture forum - you can look there for the course near you!

What is the best way to keep these hats in good shape? I just bought one for my son to wear while staffing JLT and he wants to take it to summer camp as well.

We live in the Pacific Northwest - I can see this hat getting wet. I can also see it getting tossed into a locker and/or gear bag....

I'd like to see the thing last and look good as long as possible.

Any hints?

Thank you!

Powder Horn is a training opportunity designed to expose the Venturing or Boy Scout leader to activities and resources necessary to operate a successful Venturing Ranger Award or Troop High Adventure program in several ways:

Help Venturing Leaders and Scouters to safely conduct outdoor activities of a fun and challenging nature.

Provides an introduction to the resources necessary to successfully lead their Venturers and older Boy Scouts through a program of high adventure.

Familiarizes the Advisor with the Ranger program so that he or she can help the Venturer to meet the requirements of the Ranger Award.

This course is based on the Venturing Ranger requirements giving participants an exposure to outdoor/high adventure activities.

Powder Horn courses include Ranger Core Requirements, at least Ten Electives, plus additional program development information

course dates:

http://www.powderhorn-bsa.org/dates.html

fyi..

the info I gave about the max weight being limited due to rescue gear capabilities came directly from Philmont.

Even if your Scout is really physically fit - the max weight restrictions are enforced... why? Because that is the max weight the rescue equipment is designed to accomodate.

If someone gets hurt out on the trails they need to be able to get to them and get them back.(This message has been edited by SouthPoleScout)

Thanks all..the info really helped!

Dont know why I couldn't find it at the Philmont site. Must have been tired.

Thanks again!

Our troop has a "venture patrol" - I'm not quite sure of all the aspects thereof.. but I was wondering if it would be appropriate for them to be able to wear the Venture uniform and/or activity shirts.

What do you think?

A question came up recently about the height and weight guidelines for Philmont and the Charles L. Sommers Wilderness Voyage -

Can anyone tell me where I can find these guidelines in print??

One would think if they are "strictly enforced" as stated in the program information that someone would think to put the guidelines in writing where we could find them.

Thanks

Glad to know the info helped.

I did a bit more checking into our Mt. Baker program. Its fairly new but has a lot of challenges for the Venture scouts.

Make sure to give the office a call and they'll help you out with some info.

I have to say no too. Not because I have any issue with a girls ability to do exactly what my son does... but because Scouting promotes a unique opportunity for the kids to push their limits in front of a closer peer group.

I do second the idea of a younger Venture program. In my experience GS doesn't offer enough outdoor opportunity and this would be a great alternative for those girls who want the rough and tumble.

But keep the main programs seperate.

found it!

Emerald Bay

http://www.bsa-la.com/Camping/EmeraldBay.html

They offer a variety of programs... including SCUBA for eligible members.

you might try these too.. came across the links while "surfing"

http://www.bsaboston.org/index.cfm?contentID=252

http://www.campbonner.org/seabase/

and you might try contacting the Mt.Baker council in Washington state.

425-338-0380

I heard they were developing a program that might meet your needs

www.powderhorn-bsa.org/mtbaker.pdf

Have you tried the Catalina summer camp...

I cant remember the exact name off-hand.. I'll see if I can find it. We sent a handful of older Scouts last year. They had a blast and got a lot accomplished.

I've never heard of a regulation against adult wear.

The official scout catalog shows several adults with neckerchiefs. If you want to wear one I say go for it!

the catalog can be seen at

http://www.scoutstuff.org/cgi/catalog

I know that there are parts of the old Oregon Trail along the upper part of Oregon that are open for hiking. I think there may even be a special patch available.

Has anyone ever gone along this route? Any info would be helpful.

Thanks

Okay... Pepsi can stove aside...

What are your recommendations for good, light - reliable camp stove. My son is a small guy and we don't want to load him down, but he needs to carry his own stove. I have NO IDEA what kind of stove/fuel is best to look for.

I don't want to spend a fortune on something thats a) not approved by scouting b) unreliable c) unpractical

I do want something reasonably priced that will be light enough to carry and tough enough to withstand a Scout.

Please HELP!!

You might try

http://www.paulsslides.com

Blank patches work great for this ...

My son was in a patrol that had the same issue. One of them drew up what they wanted their symbol to look like - then my wife painted them onto the blanks using standard acrylic craft paints. They came out great and have withstood the test of camping and multiple washings.

Silver Arrows ought to be easy enough - they even make metallic paint!

I posted a reply to this over at the Camping Tips forum - including some links.

Check it out.

I haven't actually made one of these yet - but several fellow Scouters referred me to the following pages for ideas & patterns :

http://www.blanketbrigade.com/Capotes.htm

http://www.nwtrader.com/

http://www.nwtrader.com/pages/patterns.htm

http://www.nwtrader.com/pages/trade.htm

hope that helps!