Spiney Norman

"WOW! My first post and what great ideas and comments. Thanks!" Yep! That happens here with alarming regularity.

I thought that the bulge in the middle WAS a sign of an experienced Scouter! Almost as good as the "beads". While I too have a bit of bulge, I like to call it a mini-spare, I try hard to keep fit. The kids know who is and is not fit. We should all try to set a better example.

WOW!!!!!!!!!!!

Well Said!!!! It would be a good idea for the adult leadership to take your message to heart as well. Remember, we are their to help mold them not to expect perfect scoutlike behavior from day one. Also, don't forget the parents of these new Scouts. It is a time of transition for them as well.

Oooh! Oooh! I can answer that one. Camping, Hiking, Backpacking and Climbing(Rappelling) are all merit badges. When you earn the Climbing, Hiking, Backpacking or Climbing merit badge are there any requirements which specify that something must be done while camping? Just a Question. Ken

Sometimes I wonder what the heck folks are thinking. Most of the revised/updated merit badge requirements have gotten pretty darn odious,IMO. The cooking MB has turned into a food sanitation course whilst the communictions MB reminds me of an ISO9000 program. Just my opinion. Ken

Our troop uses the Coleman two mantle lanterns that accept the disposable propane cylinders. Of late we have had problems with the globes breaking or cracking, of course we don't find this out until set-up on Friday night. I think this has more to do with how the boys are packing the trailer than anything else, but I was wondereing if we could retrofit these lanterns with the screen type globes and has anyone had any experience, good or bad, with these screens.

Sure this is all very funny, till someone loses an eye.... then it's hilarious. lol OMG those were some great stories. Thanks, you've all made me laugh out loud and now I'm getting strange looks from the other room.

I too,think that is an excellent plan CubsRgr8. I'll be sure to bring your suggestion before our committee.Any more ides?

Yes, Great topic and a great reply OGE. I was unaware that you could hold a BOR for a non-advancing scout. "Sounds like I need some training" Being Advancment Chair for the troop I take it personally if the scouts aren't advancing. How would one go about calling these 'underachievers' to appear before the board? Presently we only hold BOR's for advancing scouts after they have had their SM conference.

Thanks annon. I will be posting my queries there shortly. It looks like a great site. Ken

How about Turkey dinner at the indoor winter campout. Last year we upped the ante and went with deep fried. YUMM! I could be wrong but I think we are going to add singing and dancing to the after dinner festivities. Ken

WELCOME! BTW The family and I are planning a trip to your country next summer, your winter I guess, and I would definitely like to do some camping while we are there. We will be staying with some friends we met on a trip to Hawaii. They live in Bermagui ( did I spell that right?) Any advice you could offer would be most appreciated as I am just a bit leary being so unfamiliar with the geography.

Overheard at this last weekends campout: ASPL to Tenderfoot: NO! Go and wash your hands with soap and water, using that (hand sanitizer) just makes clean dirt! Sometimes they hear us. Ken

Overheard at this last weekends campout:

Ditto. While the troop leaders may wish the scout to have more leadership experience you cannot change the requirements. The requirement is what it is until national decides to change it.

Whoa! Who are you accusin' of being young. I'm an old man, just ask the scouts in our troop. My boyhood troop wore the overseas cap, almost the coolest hat I ever had. We didn't go in for those new fangled berets neither.

Having never watched the show it would be wrong of me to comment on her actions. However, You know darn well she used her affiliation with BSA to get herself on. Maybe she thought she could operate in such a moral free fall zone and escape whole. Maybe she didn't even think about it. I have an axe to grind with all of these reality shows anyway. I call them car crash television. You know it would be better if you didn't look but you do anyway. These shows prey on our human weakness to watch others fall prey to theirs. So Sad! I think the idea of even appearing in uniform for these huck

OK, I'm confused. What is a "Tom Watt" Salesman? Either I'm too young, old or sheltered to know.

Put into the same circumstances can anyone here say that they would have been able to operate in this situation without reproach? I for one could not. Would any of us choose to bring long a scout shirt as "luxury item"? That would not be number one on my list. Of course, the main reason she was cast on the show was just because she is a scouter. "Ooooh! What gripping TV it will make if we see a Scout leader acting badly" She was manipulated. She was manipulated knowingly. I would be very interested to know her motivation for appearing on the show to begin with.

Skyhook, I was with on this thread until hearing the stories of the "veteran" members of this forum. At first I thought the old skyhook, smokebender, shore line routine was just in good fun. Then I read OGE's tale and made me reflect on my own experiences at camp. He's right. Hazing just should not be tolerated on any level. Scouting is still all about outing and we can have just as much fun without hazing. I recently completed my ordeal for OA. After swearing SWMBO to "secrecy" I related my experience. She thought it was just plain out and out hazing. Even after I explined the rea

UH-OH!

Let's see, since everyone else is going way back so shall I. Golf Ball shagger at the local driving range. (OUCH!) Busboy Hamburger flipper at White Castle Auto Dealer Porter Parts Driver Parts Counterman Parts Manager (Ford) Service Manager, The most stressfull job I've ever had. Parts Manager, Again My last five jobs have been with the same company, they must like me.

Our troop allows portable electronic devices to and from outings only. Once we arrive these items must stay in the vehicles. Otherwise: Drinks other that water (I suppose this is meant to ban soda pop): Not Allowed Camp chairs or stools (one troop expects them to be made in camp as camp gadgets): If they can fit it in their bag, wHY NOT? Electronic items of all sorts (pagers, cell phones, radios, electronic games, TVs, etc): See Above Book or magazines other than BSA published: I would never discourage reading! Rain suits (they want the Scouts to use ponchos): Why, Ponchos don't

Back in less PC times my Scoutmaster, Mr. Lynch, would wear his campaign hat proudly. He added to the overall effect by wearing half of a White Owl cigar firmly clenched betwixt his teeth. The funniest sight I ever seen was while our troop was on a conoe trip. At the terminus of the trip there was a rope used for swinging out over the river. Well, here comes Mr. Lynch, campaign hat, cigar and full class A's. As he emerged from the water not one drenched piece of his outfit was out of place. He looked like the monster from the Baden Powell lagoon. I still have that image stuck firmly