Spiney Norman

Our troop usually does not charge adults who accompany the troop on campouts, unless of course their are an inordinate amount of adults going or the cost of the campout is prohibitive. On a normal, we're just going camping, weekend I don't pay the campout fee. I guess it helps to offset the cost of gas. LOL. If were going to some event while on the campout that would cost extra, I do pay. I really don't mind, I have just as much fun as the scouts. On troop outings such as sporting events I pay my own way.

That's it, I am going to wear my campaign hat from now on. I had stopped wearing it because I was catching flak from some of the veteran scouters in my unit. "Adults can be so cruel to each other." After reading these posts I realise they are just jealous at how absolutely great I look wearing it. Thanks, Ken

Thanks to all. Last nights BOR went quite well. It was a new experience for all particpating save for one veteran scouter. I and the other adults enjoyed them immensely. The second one did run a bit long though. Hopefully the scouts attending learned as much as the adults.

Personally, I have been trying to exorcise "da' ole' neighborhood" out of my vernacular and here you are picking on me for it. "I am deeply hurt" LOL Ken

Thanks Bob, Keep the sage advice coming.

You Guys are the Bomb. Your responses definitely pumped me up. You've also given me pause to reflect and realise what an important task this is, for both myself and the scouts. The BOR will be comprised of older veteran scouters and new parents on the committee so it should be interesting. I really wanted to give these folks some poignant conversation starters. We will be interviewing two scouts for the tenderfoot rank so it should be fun. YIS, Ken

I will be running my first BOR today. I've got the committee members lined up to attend. Aside from asking the scout about what they like and don't like about the program can any of you folks offer any sage advice about what questions would most serve the scout and the program best. BTW we will NOT be quizzing the scouts about the Requirements for their particular rank advancement. Thanks in advance. Ken Knasiak Troopp 90

It's an obtuse reference to a Monty Python epsode. Spiney Norman is actually a 30 foot tall hedgehog. Totally nonsensical, dont' you think? Ken BTW what was the score of the Illinois game Saturday, I heard it was exciting,

Wow, you sound stressed. Our troop has been through some of the adult politicking you mentioned too. Some left our troop to start another. These people were my friends. Or so I thought. I now only speak to one of them. I try to remember two things when the adults can't play nice. 1. check my ego at the door. Easier said than done. 2. Ask myself, what will serve the youth best? After all that's why we're here. Ken Knasiak

Oh yes, the weather was gorgeous this weekend. Guess I got lucky. I live about 1.5 miles directly west of the zoo. A little too far to hear or smell anything. I think it's highly ironic that you can regularly see coyotes and deer running along the north side of the zoo that faces the forest preserves.

Thanks for the welcome. I live in Brookfield, which is a commuter suburb west of that big bad city. Got back from my ordeal today and I AM SORE! I've got band-aids over the blisters on my hands but I think I'll live. I had a great time and met some great scouts and scouters. As far as my my rhyme goes, Youse guys should come down to da city an' learn how real people talk.

Hello All, Started scouts as a cub and almost made it to first class. Really wish I would have stayed with but somehow got led astray. Was cubmaster in a Pack I helped start for a couple years until it folded, a sad day. Rejoined scouting when my son joined as a Cub. Served as asst. den leader and asst webelos leader. I am now a committe member and advancement chairman. I try never to miss a meeting or campout, I love this scout stuff. I'll be missing this weekend's campout to attend my OA ordeal. Oh, my real name.... Ken Knasiak. (hi, dale)

This is a really great requirement for the older scouts to administer. In fact in my limited experience the scouts are tougher on themselves than the adults would be. We usually have the older scouts test them and then retest them 30 days later. In my opinion the requirement is designed to open the scouts eyes to the benefits of exercise, not to force them to build huge muscles in 30 days.