Tampa Turtle

GREAT! Met a lot of scouters from GA, FL, AL, and MS. Saw some Webelos III troops, throw-back troops, and saw all sorts of variations. Adults all got along and Patrols started pulling together by 2nd day. No major homesickness. Did one big activity with each son. Walked a good 50 miles just around camp. Newbies did great. Troop won a lot of awards this year for first time. Had one injured boy left behind in camp with 2 adults INSIST we show up for flags in full uniform, etc--his elders just wanted a nap. Weather was a little warmer than I would like but no rain. Did the canoe over-ni

During the H1N1 scare the flu hit several camp populations hard. The CDC actually has an after-action report on what happened--I do not think camps are going to more lenient. If you are playing football at a public school they aren't going to "spot you" a physical--ya gotta have it. It puts the adult leaders in a pretty bad situation. Furthermore more and more camps seem to want National Accreditation Standards and all that entails. Let a boy in without a completed health form--I do not think so. I agree on the "anniversary creep" problem--I had to have mine a month early and it messed al

We did this for two months and some folks waited to the last minute. If you do not have A,B,and C you are not getting on the bus. We also scan copies of everything as the folder with 60 or so people's forms has gone swimming on occasion. We have a separate thumb drive and a person back home that will email/fax copies as needed. But if someone doesn't do it and promised to fax it up, well, they would have to drive their boy to camp and check them in themselves. What if the bus had an accident on the way? We were frequent flyers to the local Hospital emergency room this camp so I am a belie

Good discussion. We constantly have to make the sons of leaders stop and request permission to enter. If not they keep dropping by for silly stuff or stuff best handled by Patrol leaders. However I do like to see my sons now and then. At summer camp I try to do one thing with them individually and touch base at meal time if they wish. I do think if it is a dining hall sort of situation the adult leaders can sit with the boys. But yeah on busy weekend campouts I might hardly see them. Sometimes this is good, sometimes not. And yeah we have not done an evening campfire so that is a goo

Typical from son#1 (as run-on sentence) "No one saw anything so it didn't happen I didn't do it he deserved it he did it first." Usually accompanied by crying, injured scout. Now I HAVE to investigate...

I really like getting the SPL's together. I just got back from Summer Camp and learned a lot just from casual conversations with other Scouters.

I second the need for a "Faith and Chaplaincy" forum area.

(actually heard from a first-year at a campout while telling jokes) This one's FILTHY! And it was.

LOL. I got summer camp coming up and my "dainty things" AKA wicking underwear has static clinged themselves into a pocket universe. Shoulda used my wife's lingerie bag again; or get my own. I guess I will need to rename as "inner layer mesh washing retainment system".

Ah the cold question...that is an issue. I do several things: 1. I hang it low to the ground when it is cold so my bottom is less than 6" when I am hanging. I use the tarp slung real low or use a big tarp to (a) create a micro-climate and (b)block any air flow. 2. I use an underquilt system which helps some. 3. Dress warmly and not leave any bare skin in contact with hammock skin. I find hat real important. 4. I may throw a cheap blue pad or two under me and while awkward it helps a lot. 5. I will pick a site within a bunch of trees rather than the edge; it really can stay warmer

(I got this from an article on the KKK wanting to adopt a road in GA)If the KKK wants to be a CO than change the name of the council to the "Rosa Parks Council" and make 'em where a real nifty council patch.

It is funny how much we gripe. I was looking at brass plaques of Troop Eagles going back into the 50's. With a Troop of 75 boys with 60 actives we have averaged about 4-6 Eagles a year. In the years 1961-65 our Troop was 35-40 boys and averaged 4-6 Eagles a year.

Hi! Illinois--you one of them yankees? Welcome out of lurking. I find this a very good resource for at least elevating the discussion in my unit.

1 tan shirt, cotton. Used for ceremony and field. Sweat stained with holes from where I cut off knots on a campout. Ink stain from a leaky pen at a Wolf campout. Includes toy train device to show I was "trained". Too big since I lost 30 pounds. 4 red Troop microfiber shirts for camping, sleeping, swimming.

The cub scout is trying to make a self-propelled transport vehicle; sadly he will move on to FIRST LEGO Robotics league instead of scouts. He will go on to start his own company "Flame-wagons", then corporation, then foundation. Then BSA will hit him up for a big donation for STEM Merit Badges. Richard B., thanks for being a good sport. I am sure it is not easy. Why just this weekend I was a at a campfire as the other Scouters stated 3 reasons why I was not suited to be Scoutmaster. Whether they were true or not it is hard to hear.

We will be there Week #3 June 17-23.

Read his Bio. Looks real good.

Lack of sense of humor. Poor people skills. Very poor outdoor skills. (If a guy is up to First Class and is willing to learn and has other great skill sets) Agree on poor program understanding-sometimes "cub scout mentality". A UN-SUPPORTIVE SPOUSE. (a real Achilles heel)

Oh slip! I get it. I should rewrite one based on a series of (all true) esty Troop emails I got in the interim since i wrote: "Have your mother demonstrate two-half hitches and a taut-line hitch. Video acceptable" "Have your mother write you a note of your food allergies and need for junk food. Father's may be substituted." "Prepare a meal plan for a campout. Demonstrate why whatever meal-plan our Patrol will come up with will be unacceptable. Make sure each of the food groups--Pop-tarts, Gummy worms, and Doritos are included." "Prepare each meal in the following envir

This looks like a good thread. OK I will try to get started... When he talks boy-led but "fixes" things with adults to speed things up. Completely undercuts his credibility. (kinda the Covey bank of trust thing--you are making a withdrawal) When boys complain about a continuing bullying problem tells them there is no problem. (true) Not sharing in adversity. If it is storming, hot buggy campout, or is below freezing, goes to sleep in his SUV or drives up the road to a motel. (true story) Taking too much, talking at the boys.

Ya know, trying to write funny stuff is hard work. I see why folks who are good at it get paid for it. (sigh) I am just a smart a$$. Its true. In 4th. grade my teacher sent me to the office with a slip. On it, under reason:"smart a$$". Principal looked at the slip, sighed, and said "Ms Patterson, AGAIN". He looked at me and said "Son, go to your next class. If she asks you saw me. Learn your lesson: never smart off to a lady getting a divorce."

"When scouts and scouters go mano-a-mano on that gay stuff they leave their NIKES on."

(1) How about "A Mom is honest": The requirement is complete when the scouts mother rushed up the Scoutmaster with a YouTube video of their son doing the requirement even if the boy is not there. (2) A similar rule will be "the Dad hovers": The MB requirement is automatically met when the dad is within 3 feet of the MBC and Scout. (3) A night of camping includes any church youth-group indoor lock-in provided a sleeping bag was carried from the car to the gymnasium. (4) A verbal description of any requirement, even if it is merely a restatement of the question, counts as meetin

We need some outdoor company to give us $100 million or something. That would take care of that Outdoor emphasis. Maybe Nike: "When Boy Scouts and Scouters run away from the Gay Issue they depend on NIKE shoes!"

I guess we keep saying Mike Rowe because we have Bear Grylls envy. Funny I have heard boys in USA respond to Boy Scout smack by saying Bear was the Chief Scout and "he is beast". I have stopped correcting them that he is the UK guy...but yes they need a hero. I think THAT would need to be vetted carefully for obvious reasons. I would keep RichardB even if for a dissenting opinion. BSA=CYA for a reason. I think I would get re-lawyered around these BSA issues. Agree on uniforming cost and quality ideas. Agree on advancement "roll back"--that would be a HUGE culture change. Be more