Tampa Turtle

I think it is inappropriate. Scouting is about the boys. Boys and their families come in all (political) shapes and sizes. Just like religion. Don't want the "brand" to be associated with one side or it ends up discouraging future scouts who do not agree with you.

I guess I kinda do the don't ask don't tell thing too. Gotta an 11 year old too who is wondering if he is Gay. Great kid, likes girly stuff but seems to enjoy the "male-ness" of scouts. Hears boys saying negative things about gays and then wonders about himself. All I can do is tell him everything is going to be OK, that he is young and developing, and is OK just the way he is. And oh by the way do you know that taut-line hitch yet? Try to keep it a sex-free zone. My older son went to a youth church pool party (middle and high school age) yesterday. His first boy-girl party re

Since I rely on Eamonn to keep the discussion cheerful and centered it kinda bums me out. I agree do something with the kids. I find that being married with two kids the one weekend a month camping plus other meetings and events takes it's toll. I am lucky to work at a place that is both family and scouting supportive; my last job wasn't and I am sure it cost me money and advancement. Certainly seems a lot more work to plan a camping trip than it used to be. I would like BSA to be much more outdoor oriented.

Bummer, I always thought their badge sashes looked cool. Like the leader red shirts-looks like a lumberjack.

OGE, You were in Tampa? They let you in? I am going to have to have another talk with security. I actually live near downtown Tampa but go to Pinellas fairly frequently. We do a lot of aquatics since we live here. Do our conditioning hikes on the soft sand at the beach which has the added benefits of girls waving to the boys. I like the idea of teaching the boys some basic maintenance of new materials. At least a few boys are learning to sew so my faith in mankind is restored a tiny bit. So much stuff that is repairable is treated as disposable; it bothers me the waste.

I like to add jobs, education (like any special degrees), hobbies. I keep it really short and friendly-like. A lot of people forget that they have a whole lot more experience than they think. I found that wives will sometimes volunteer a husband the grandfather. Sometimes it is good to mention planned activities (the dreaded Tigers "Visit a television station, radio station, or newspaper office. Find out how people there communicate with others. " that became hard around here after 9-11". Sometimes you find out the dad that never shows up is because he is the weatherman at the local TV s

DK I agree that you have to teach the modern techniques as well. I like boys to make, if possible, their own gear to be thrifty and learn about what they are using. If you rigging an ultralight tarp those knots come in handy. We have had some good new-school vs old-school debates with the boys and encourage them to figure the stuff out on their own. I have one old-school son and one who has to have the latest innovation. I think the traditional skills, partially because they are different and a tad exotic, encourage a bit more creativity and a deeper understanding of how things work

I agree start saying "when you are a boy scout" and start doing more adventurous activities. I had 3 of 9 that did not cross over last time. Two were the moms was not ready for them to be "on their own". One hated the outdoors, we hike in a city park on a paved trail and he found the plants and animals quite appalling. He played Hockey instead (yes Tampa has rinks). All 9 boys got AOL. I think of all the Webes in the former Pack 90%+ get the AOL. The inflation of the "honor" of the AOl --and yes parents think it is like the Eagle--screams ending point. There is a lot of burn out by t

OGE glad you are back, I am having a bad morning so I will try to be Cheerful --it is not a natural state for me. Talked with a former Bear co-leader of mine last night. One of "our boys" her son dropped out of scouts (her other son got his Eagle). I talked to the boy. He did not like the outdoors stuff, the camping, etc. Found it too challenging. Preferred baseball which he is good at. Fair enough he is passionate about something and wants to do it. As we have said their is a lot of competition. There is no way this kid is ever to go pro; he is good but not great. So are the ba

We had a number of card games going (poker, black jack). No money exchanged, though.

"Be Prepared" said BP "Prepared for what?" They asked. "Why...for anything!" He replied. "er...sorry we only practiced those modern skills we thought relevant".

Did you ask them?

Buffalo, I know one of our adults said he was wearing a fleece outfit inside a (pretty good) 20 degree mummy bag and said he was cold on 2 night 2 weeks ago at a high elevation.

Some of our guys just came back from there. They said the tents were provided and very welcome as the temps hit around 30 once or twice at night.

Craftgasm, indeed. Very cool. Could be perfect for a Boy Scout project, too.

Good luck! I am a bit jealous. Starts up can be fun. It would be nice to have a small Troop. My recommendations: get SM and MBC training and keep it fun. Be patient: boys work at their own speed. In a couple years you and the boys will take great pride in being "founders".

I was in a very organized and active Pack and I was not aware our Council even had a resident camp for cubs (which it did) much less what a resident camp was until I was well through the program. I would concur with the previous suggestions: (1) Whip up enthusiasm on camping in general. (2) Create awareness of this great thing Resident Camping Does the resident camp provide food, fun, and housing? While there are costs their will be some parents who will be attracted to camping without the hassle. Explain the pros and cons. Don't expect everyone to want to go. When I was in cubs

Lashings are a tough sell? Why our Pioneering camp out is one of the most popular ones we have. The older boys made towers and gateways and (unauthorized) catapults. They made rope (well I screwed that one up so they instead had a lesson in adversity and had to redo later). The log drag with the timber hitch was very, very popular. One boy said "It is amazing what you can do with some big sticks and rope". A Scout is Honest. The boys hated splicing. But we told some of them -- you want go to Seabase you gotta know your knots.

I have used Altoid tins for survival kits, sewing kits, and making speakers (look it up on Instructables.com) Best sewing kit container I have is from a 1950's stainless steel water tight made in USA tube that was from Lydia Pinkham's Pills. Wish my MIL had saved a bunch. To think that used to be a disposable! (I guess thats why she saved it) Fun discussion though I wished I'd used MM containers!

I wouldn't do the special recognition. The leaders son frequently advances at a good clip because of good attendance. Sometimes they are not the best behaved boys around their parents (imagine that!). A lot of the other kids suspect that the leader's kids get preferential treatment anyway so I wouldn't reinforce it.

A Scout is Kind. Did we forget that? If I was called into a 5 on 1 meeting at work or church over a smart-a$$ remark I made to someone making a smart-a$$ remark to me I would feel a bit prosecuted. It would feel like a star chamber. I don't care how "nice" anyone acted, heck for BOR we only have 3 and you are allowed to bring someone along for moral support! Good chance that even a straight boy would be so mortified that he might leave Scouts forever. Probably keep any family members out to. Anyway if a guy is bisexual does that mean he is 1/2 in and 1/2 out of Scouting? Can he

Dan, I beg to differ with you, esteemed colleague. As a person who started with all the "modern equipment" in cubs and has moved on to Hammock camping and backpacking in Scouts I find these "old fashioned skills" quite handy, light-weight, and versatile in many situations. I use the 2 half hitch and taut-line hitch quite frequently to rig the hammock, hang gear, and rain fly. So does my boy. I have used the tautline hitch in tying down gear at home prior to a storm. Very handy. Hurricane Charlie came through in 2004 we had no power for 10 days. Wish I knew a few alternate ways

Mini-MM tubes are slightly larger than a diameter of a nickel, I think. I agree the eating will be popular (step 1: eat MM's) and since they are a little longer they may store some other things better. May not work as a necker thingie (to get technical). When I did the mini-first aid kits in the dying days of the easy of find film canisters it was VERY popular. A couple boys made sure to bring it to the first camp-out. Make sure you get some red tape (I used electrical) so they could make the cross--that was a big hit. I recall this was the same meeting (Tigers) we introduced th

Give them the need to use it indeed. I heard our SM say that dining fly's will be part of the allocated stock of Patrol equipment. I like the idea primarily because it will force them to erect a dining fly on campouts using their knots and give us an excuse to have competitions at meetings.

Ask around if anybody is a Diabetic and has test strip containers. They are similar in size to film canisters but with a hinged top and are a heavier plastic. I keep mine and they accumulate fast. Also ask your local pharmacy if they have any extra small pill bottles, I have gotten some stuff there as well.