Spiney Norman

Hey vansja, your vote makes three for Lefeber Northwoods Camp. Go Lefeber. What week does your troop attend?

This topic comes up every year at this time. When my son was younger he too played baseball and attended scouts. Me being the dad that I am volunteered for both activities. The choice of what to do when a schedule conflict came up was totally up to him. Sometimes it was scouts, sometimes it was baseball. Sometimes he went with the scouts when I was at baseball and vice versa. Fortunately, he had coaches and leaders who understood this conflict, which more than I can say for the rest of the crowd, though I think scout leaders are a bit more forgiving. Perhaps there is less testosterone involved

As a Scout went to Owasippe in Whitehall, MI. I am sad to see that the CAC is trying to sell it. The camp was seperated into different campsite areas. Our troop always stayed in Wolverine South. We had a lot of fun razzing those yankees from Wolverine North. Presently, the troop I am with attends Camp Lefeber in Laona, Wi. I can't make it this year. This too makes me sad.

Thanks for all the support boss! BTW are there any more snickers bar left?

The short answer is any time they want to and whatever badge they want . In our troop scouts work on merit badges independantly. We might schedule 1 or 2 merit badges to work on as a troop, but this is done at the behest of the PLC. Most of our first year scouts who attend summer camp will, with guidance, choose 1 or 2 'fun' merit badges to earn. We do spend meeting time and campout time working on scout skills though. Personally, I think scouts should begin working on some of the 'easier' required merit badges as soon as they feel capable. By the time a scout enters high schoo the dem

Last year our troop held it's 50th anniversary celebration at a local banquet hall. Our SM cajoled us pants "slackers" into purchasing and wearing the complete uniform for the dinner. I complied but only after SWMBO absoulutley forbade me to purchase the field pants. She said that no husband of hers would wear pants with an elastic waistband. I guess she doesn't want to feel old yet. Anyway, I purchased the 100% cotton slacks and find them very comfortable. Perhaps I should wear them more often. Ken

Welcome Back! and good luck on the new biz. I've always enjoyed your insights. I especially enjoy good arguements. Stick to your guns, it's what makes forums such as this so interesting. Ken

I agree with KS on this. It is the parents responsibility to allow or disallow piercings,tattos etc. It is the character of scouts that I worry about, what's on the inside. My son, at the age of seven, decided he wanted his ear pierced just like his older sister. My wife and let him, as long as he kept it clean and took proper care. Needless to say , after six monthes he decided it was more trouble than it was worth and let the piercing heal. He is thirteen know and really has no interest in going down that road again. It didn't change him on the inside, only who he thought he was. S

Our troop has a veritable cornicopia of adult volunteers. We have at present 6 ASM's and 20 or so MC's. While they are not all active, some handle 1 big event a year and that is the extent of their involvement. I am listed as an MC but take a pretty active role in the program and I suppose I do more ASM chores than committee chores. That being said, the patch on the shoulder doesn't matter so much to me, I am just glad to be involved and helping the program whatever that entails. You might consider trying to turn some ASM's into MC's though. Council likes to seee a balanced roster. Just beca

ASM's should not sit on BOR's. The reason being it is a open forum for the committe to learn about the scout and should be a safe place for the scout to tell the committee how he feel's about the program. With an SM or ASM present it could deter the scout from speaking his mind. It also keeps the SM/ASM's from coloring the BOR's impression and dialogue with the scout. That being said, we sometimes have to bend the rules a tad to get more than three people on the BOR. As some of you may know we have just recently made a BOR part of our troop's SOP and we are still working out the logistics

After some of our scouts did some boneheaded things on a winter camp a couple of years ago our troop added our own unofficial 13th point, it being 'Don't be an Idiot.' It was some gentle ribbing by the leaders towards the boys, no it WAS NOT hazing, and it seemed to at least make them more cognizant of their actions for a while. Ken

Why not deputize one of your present ASM's to approach him. They could tactfully ask him when he was appointed to his position. The answer to that one should be interesting. He could also fill him in on all the enjoyable jobs thay had to do when they first became an ASM. This may work better than directly confronting as it sounds like that conversation may no go so well. Once you have some info as to his intentions you may actually be able to utilise his skills and abilities. Obviously by putting on the uniform he wants to help in some way.

I dont't think there is a "scouting Gene' either. Of my three brothers I stayed in scouting the longest; I made it all the way to Second Class. Of all of my nieces an nephews only my son is still involved in scouting, he says he really is working on those MB's needed for Star Scout. My mom was a den mother back in the 70's. Right down to her yellow blouse and blue skirt. Her parents however lived and breathed scouting. My Grandfather was a Scoutmaster as long as I can remember and probably before, he was always supportive of me while in scouts. My grandmother was heavily involved too. She wa

Thanks OGE.

http://www.troop90bsa.org/ Props to our webmaster Eric, he did an awesome job!

Felicitations of the season to all! On new Years Day I will be wrapping things at my present employer of twenty years with on eye on Monday when I start at my new position at a larger dealership. As far as New Years eve I am trying to put together a foursome for a round of golf. The weather here in NE Illinois will be in the upper forties! Any Takers?

Laurie, No you do not need SSN's for adults already registered, unless of course, as you pointed out, they are changing positions. Ken

Regarding the SSN #'s. The only point that you need it is when adding new adult leaders. If you don't have them it will not let you add an adult. Once you input the info on the web site it does not display them. I would think that one could always turn in the app's after rechartering and place the onus on the council for entering them.

So this is Xmas And what have you done Another year over And a new one just begun And so this is Xmas I hope you have fun The near and the dear one The old and the young A very Merry Xmas And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear And so this is Xmas For weak and for strong For rich and the poor ones The world is so wrong And so happy Xmas For black and for white For yellow and red ones Let's stop all the fight A very Merry Xmas And a happy New Year Let's hope it's a good one Without any fear And so this is X

Wow! Controversey and vehemence. Everyone else seems to be weighing so I will too. For the most part BW's posts were informative and helpfull. If one was too lazy to look up what "the Program" stipulates, Bob would. (Though I don't think he really ever had to look for anything any further than his own head) With such knowledge does come a bit of arrogance, SO WHAT!. If he offends you tell him so and leave it at that instead of engaging in a running battle of words. I will leave you with a riddle: "Why is arguing with a parts man (insert your own profession here eg. lawyer, doctor

This discussion has brought a question to my mind. Our troop's and the entire council's deadline for rechartering was Dec. 15, yet some of you folks don't recharter until February. I just assumed that National set policy on this, or do they? Ken

Duh! I need to read things closer. Yes, Just download the council's charter and compare to your roster of paid members. You can add or delete members. I think you delete folks first and then a given an opportunity to add members later. Carefull, once you have deleted someone you will have to add all of their info if wish to reinstate them. When addind adults you will have to have their application in front of you. The system requires adult SSN's Ken

Don't sweat it. It's easier than you think. Just carefully review your youth and adult members. I would be glad to help. The site is set up so that you get many opportunities to review and verify your roster. It takes a lot of going back and forth but spend a few minutes getting familiar with the site. The hardest part is making sure your Boy's Life subscription jives with your roster. Ken

Since we're off on this tangent how about young Indiana Jones in "The Last Crusade?" As many times as I've seen it I still enjoy the opening sequence. I wonder if Indy ever made to Eagle? In the movie he has a Life scout rank patch. Oh, and need I point out that all the scouts look resplendent in their "Campaign Hats!" Ken

As a Scout: AOL Second Class ( I was a bicycle ride away from my First Class, all I had to do was pick-up my signed First Aid merit badge card. I dropped out shortly thereafter, wish I would'nt have!) Presently: MC, Advancement Chair and general Pot Stirrer.