Faith

2 minutes ago, TAHAWK said:

Dryer sheets have helped, I am told.  Since the objective is not to have a garment that absorbs moisture, I cannot see how they would hurt.  An article of down bag care at backpackinglight.com recommends dryer sheets.

 

Wet feathers stink, but it goes away when they are dry - from the experience with my 58 milsurp bag.

Wonderful, thank you so much. I grew up with down pillows but don't recall them ever stinking or getting wet - just poking me from time to time! I will definitely bring some dryer sheets with me.

Alrighty, so, I'm half way through the process after reading over everything above. I put it in our garden tub and hand washed it with woolite. Multiple times. Got all the soap out and left it in place to dry (stretched it out more and more as the water left.) IT. STINKS. lol. It stunk before but stinks even more so now. We will be taking it to the dryer this weekend (gonna use a big one versus my tiny one at home) and gonna do the "check it every 20 min while drying on a gentle, low/no heat cycle" method. We purchased tennis balls to put in it as well.

Hoping I didn't do anything wrong, will the smell eventually fade? It's not a moldy smell. I believe its the same smell TAHAWK mentions above but it has me worried. Should I put any kind of fabric softener sheets in with it or leave it with just the heat?

Thanks again everyone! You've been a huge help with this.

2 minutes ago, Eagle94-A1 said:

It's British.  http://hmvf.co.uk/topic/18314-58-pattern-sleeping-bag/ suggest using a NikWax wash.

 

REI has this advice for down. https://www.rei.com/learn/expert-advice/caring-sleeping-bag.html

 

 

Thanks so much! I did a variety of searches but just couldnt find what I was looking for. Much appreciated.

My husband was gifted a sleeping bag tonight for their upcoming winter camping trip (he's a leader with my son's troop.) I was able to get enough info off of the tag to find the following info on it. The directions on how to clean it (it's been in storage for awhile) are in Dutch and mostly rubbed off. 

My question is, does anyone know a good way to clean this without ruining it? My searching online didn't provide much help.

Info I found:

C.Q.C Ltd, 58 Webbing, Military Feather Sleeping Bag

KLD.26.4142.11 Lang 1980

Mummy style hood

Waterproof underneath so it can go directly on the ground.

Thanks!

I just wanted to say thank you all for the wonderful advice. They made it back today and used lots of what was on this list. The gold bond tip was a godsend - some of the others didn't feel the need to bring it and are suffering this weekend! He's exhausted but already talking about the next trip.

Yes, and tell him how to use it.  The stuff in the orange bottle not the green

Alright, no laughing at me. Is this for chafing? I kept seeing it suggested when we packed for Disney last year for that so gonna assume here (yes, I know what assuming does sometimes) that's what it would be for here, too. At the time I bought a bar of (the name escapes me) that was for that specifically and it worked great but my sons & husband didn't use it.

Thank you all so much! Many of these things...I wouldn't have even considered. A few of these, he took last year to 4H camp (some were used, some were not.) I forgot to note he will be staying in barracks? instead of a tent at this particular camp but I have no idea how enclosed it is or any of that. He was preparing to bring a tent until someone corrected us on it a few days ago. He loves his tent but I imagine this won't be too bad.

Hi all,

My son is headed off to his first summer camp at Old Indian in 2 weeks. Not sure who's more excited. He's did twilight camp and 4-H camp last year (to semi-prep for this with being gone a week.) But I'm sure it'll be a totally different adventure for him.

Anyways, we have your generic list of what to bring (he is going, as well as his dad, as a leader.) My question to y'all is what is something that would be especially handy/useful that most wouldn't think to pack? Like I said, we have the generic lists we've been going by but I just know once he gets there, there will be something we didn't think of that would make things easier (or maybe not but I'm covering bases.)

Any suggestions?

The BSA has done a terrible job of making this known, but when a boy goes through the booklet with his parents/guardians a second or third time, it's called a "recharge," and there is a silver pin that he earns which is then affixed to his pocket patch. It's a nice little pin too! It's just too bad nobody is really aware of its existence. And it makes sense too; it's good to go over the material frequently, but simply re-earning the award seems redundant. So here for everybody's enlightenment is the pin that a boy should be earning whenever he "recharges" his Cyber Chip Award:

 

Our Pack honored this concept, as I was the awards chair and made sure each year a scout got their re-charge if they previously earned the cyber chip. My question was more along the lines of your second reply, though, if he should just go ahead and do the who thing over as a boy scout, with the boy scout requirements. His next meet is this coming Monday so it will be addressed! Thank you for your input.

Every troop does things differently. In my troop, if a 5th grader is working on Scout and has the 5th grade Cyberchip from Cub Scouts, they already earned the cyberchip and thus do not have to re-earn it. They won't need to do it again until working on Star.

So once they start working on star, they would do the entire list for Boy Scouts cyber chip? Inbetween Scout and Star, if their previous cyber chip expires, do they just leave it expired until working on star? I'm realizing as you said many do it differently. Trying to see what all options there are.

I would think you would want him to step up to the next level Cyber Chip requirements to ensure he learns the next level of online safety.

I agree. The thing that was hanging me up was the boy scouts from last year did not complete the parts that required working with their troop (I know this from speaking to a few parents) but have their Scout rank completed. Hence my confusion with it all. I'll suggest my son talk it over with his scout master (or patrol leader? still learning the hierarchy here) when that time comes.

I do know the requirements changed from 3rd to 4th grade, I believe it was, but since the patch/chip stayed the same, our den only did the re-charge. Looking back maybe they should have did all the steps (instead of the re-charge?) but a bit late now to think about it, I figure. So much conflicting info online too, I wish it was a little more clear (for me, anyways.)

Thanks as always for the input!

Hi all,

I had a question about the cyber chip, in regards to my scout who bridged to Boy Scouts this year. Right now, he is working on the Scout rank and is still in 5th grade. I understand that since his re-charge from Cub Scouts is still good, it will count.

My question is, when August rolls around and he's a 6th grader, once his Cyber Chip expires (a month or so later,) does he do the Boy Scout re-charge or does he have to do the full Boy Scout Cyber Chip requirements, since it's a new patch/chip? I would assume the latter but everyone I've asked so far has given me conflicting responses.

Thanks!

Faith:   Just saw you post.   Thank you for your energy and obvious organizational skills.  

 

Something not yet mentioned:   Cub Scout Day Camp.  Being one of the Camp Directors (Program,  Campsite, Prime Director, or however your District names them) can be a very rewarding and fun thing. You can do such as a Commissioner, or Assistant Scoutmaster or just an interested Scout Volunteer.   Being recognized in a neighborhood grocery and having a Boy Scout age (!!)  boy point me out to his parent as "that archery man" is one of my favorite things .

My Good Wife was the CSDC Director for her five year term and I know (despite some occasional word to the contrary) enjoyed every challenging minute of it. 

I therefore became the "First Assistant Everything Else" (my official title !) . Mention Cub Scouts and things happen.  Free or cheap gear and supplies. Special appearances (astronauts, trucks, bulldozers,  hawks, raccoons,  airplanes and helicopters, Egyptian pyramids,  knights on horseback !)  .  And the Cubs eat it up, despite their parent's misgivings.    Contact the District folks and raise your hand and say "I want to take the training and help ".  you and lots of other folks will be glad you did.

 

See you on the trail.

Thank you. It's funny you mention that camp. We had it my son's Wolf, Bear & Webelos summers. Then last year, we didn't because the camp director left, the other camp (can't think of the position) bailed and we were too late to get anyone else to help. We relied too heavily on the same two people for 5 years to do it (which means years before my time, too) so when they were both suddenly gone, we were in a hole.

That being said, we just sent two people last weekend to training for day camp (we do twilight camp.) One of them has enough peppiness & spunk for 50 people, the other is more organized than I am. I think they will both be great for the next few (however many years they choose, hopefully the full 5) but I did offer today to go to the 8 hour training and help when I'm not working this summer in wherever they need me. We have 5 people trained for range officers so this year, we are covered there. My best friend agreed to do the same as far as volunteering at camp and with the pack (she's my current assistant den leader as well) and will be making all their signage, etc. She doesn't even have a cub scout, she just really loves helping out. I've did some training over the past few years but plan to do more.

I was also approached about being a merit badge counselor (my area of "knowledge" is technology due to my job) and I plan to maybe do that if time allows.

Again, thank you!

1. With your experience, join the Pack committee for a year.  Maybe they need you, maybe they don't, but having you available is an asset to them.

2. Join the District committee.  OK passing on the program chair.  Volunteer for the recruiting/membership committee and tell all those older Troop centric wonderful volunteers that the best way to help Scouting is to do a better job recruiting Cubs.

3. Watch, listen, and learn on the Troop side.  Troops are different than Packs obviously but the big difference is Troops are different than Troops, in addition to being different than Packs.  Learn how "a" Troop operates and then learn how your son's Troop operates.  After a year figure out where the holes and needs are and volunteer to fill that hole or need that you would enjoy doing the work.

I've been a member of our pack committee since 2012. It's one of my absolute favorite "roles", as I've been able to help so much on it. I definitely plan to continue attending those meetings as it was stressed today (while starting setup at B&G) that they could use my help at both our twilight camp coming up as well as a pack camp out. Since boy scouts also assist with the pack camp outs, I could assist along with my son when needed (along with the other Troop scouts that usually help out with the Cubs.)

Thank you, too, on the solid troop advice. I will definitely not take that lightly and will pay attention (and ask questions, which everyone knows I have no problem doing. )

Like you, I wanted to step away from my son's boy scout career as much as possible (although some recent medical issues have necessitated more involvement than I wanted).  I am on the committee to try and make sure the troop stays functional.  I'm trained as an SM and could step in if needed, but only if it was that or the troop folding.

 

I stayed involved with the pack, because a strong feeder pack is one of the best ways to keep a healthy troop.

 

And I became a commissioner, to help other units.

 

Even if you don't want a district committee type position right now, and that is completely understandable, someone with your experience and dedication would make a great unit commissioner or round table staff to help other leaders and units.  Your help in either role, I am sure, would be greatly appreciated.

 

Thank you for all you've done and all you will do in the future.

Thank you ^_^ I agree with the feeder pack sentiment and discussed with my husband today that I really would like to continue to help the pack out. As for District, I will continue to attend their meets and hopefully things will work out (I will try my best to assist with that.)

So, your pack is okay with its collection of leaders? Or, is one den having trouble finding a leader? You might feel in there or help train someone who is not so confident.

I have been the pack trainer since 2015 and can say, confidently, that right now our pack is doing amazingly well leader-wise. We have 34 active scouts that just rechartered (we aren't huge.)

One den for each rank (6 of those scouts are bridging in March.) Each den, minus Tigers, has 2 (or 3) leaders, along with Tiger having all the Tiger parents assisting their one leader. We have had den issues in the past, leadership and otherwise, but are finally in a "good place."

Once we/they recruit for Tigers to join the pack during the summer, then we'll see how leadership goes for that new den.

In light of your comments, Faith, I think it is relevant to mention here that when I "crossed over" I knew pretty much exactly what it was I was crossing over to. As a youth I was a Cub Scout and Boy Scout, and after I turned 18 I was an Assistant Scoutmaster, briefly, until I started college. I was a Life Scout, served in all the main-line youth leadership positions, etc. I also think I learned a lot about Scouting from my father, who was one of my Scoutmasters, and a Scout/Scouter for 67 years. So when I "crossed over", I had a pretty good idea of what was on the other side of the bridge. Had that not been the case, the transition might not have seemed so natural and logical.

That is awesome. Besides my husband being a cub scout growing up, there is no trace of scouting in our families. I didn't even have the opportunity to be a girl scout growing up. So this has been and always will be a learning experience for us.

Thank you all for the great suggestions as well as input on what you chose. I'm still deciding of course but I have a lot more to consider now.

We do have a venturing crew here in town, I didn't even think about seeing if they needed help (they do a lot with our troop that we're bridging to.)

I was actually offered a district position a few weeks ago (program chairman) but due to a whole lot of drama among current members I said not at this time. Maybe later on but I'm not willing to take on working with people that have chosen to smear our pack recently over a twilight camp two years ago, that went amazingly well, at that (very long story but after seeing all the emails I said I'd rather now take on more stress and conflict right now.)

We do have a wonderful district commissioner that stepped up about a year ago. His daughter is an assistant den leader and his son in law our new cubmaster in training. They're a scouting family and we all get along well. So that position isn't open ATM and that's fine with me.

One of my best friend's (met her through the pack) is the Pack's committee chairman so I work along side her for all our activities. She has a Boy Scout, Bear, Wolf & rising Tiger scout. So I imagine she will be here for awhile, too.

My husband plans to help out with the troop, as someone stated here we'll pay attention and see what that consists of. As for me, I may continue to help with the pack (not as a den leader but as someone who can help at events, etc.) I'm a current member of our committee that meets monthly and attend monthly district roundtables so I may continue both of those to stay in the loop, as well.

Oh and on the note about sports. My youngest, 7, plays soccer. He did not have any interest in scouting and I didn't push it. He's starting his their season next week. I am an active volunteer with our local soccer club as well, although there I don't do nearly as much (help sell items, put on a fundraiser, clean the fields, bring snacks.) So I do know how to sit back (some what, lol) but I love being active and helping as much as I can and is wanted/needed.

Again, thanks everyone for replying. I will choose what's best for us but I greatly appreciate all the first hand experience posted here. It has helped clear my mind a bit!

As I sit here finishing up some paperwork for our upcoming Blue & Gold, which I've been working on for the past month, I have had so many thoughts running through my head. One of them, unrelated to my son ranking (and then bridging March 27th) is what is next for me. I've been his den leader since his Tiger year. I've been a very involved volunteer within our Pack (Pinewood Derbies, cubmobile races, B&G, popcorn kernel, twilight camp, fill in assistant Cub Master when it was absolutely needed, etc.) My husband has been very involved as well (range training, muscle wherever needed, cubmobile builder, etc.) I don't consider myself a helicopter parent but I have always been a part of the program. I learned early on to make sure to distance myself as "mom" and let him grow within the program and I think we've did pretty good with that considering (he'll gladly go camp on a weekend with a friend and leave me behind.)So now, I'm left wondering what will I do. Everyone jokes I'll have too much free time on my hands and I surely hope not, to be honest.

So my question for discussion to you all is this. When your son(s) bridged to Boy Scouts, if you were a leader/volunteer, what did you do next? Step back entirely? Help with the Troop? Stay on with the Pack? Dual register to help with both? I'm purely curious and this has always been my place to relate to others, although I haven't had nearly as much time to post this year as I have in the past.

I just re-chartered myself as a volunteer for the next year, so I'm good there. Just trying to decide where I would be most..useful or if I need to take a break. He's going to a great troop and his SM has stated they'll always appreciate and take any help from parents. But I know that's a whole 'nother realm as far as volunteering goes (not really sure what to expect there, to be honest.)

Thanks as always! 

Welcome! I checked out your page (I'm a sucker for those box gift-types) and signed up on the mailing list. My son will be bridging in March to Boy Scouts so I marked that down. Look forward to seeing the progress!

Spoof patch.  Enjoy it.

Thanks. After this year, I certainly will!

Hi all,

This year was my first (and last, lol) time serving as our pack's popcorn kernel. I received a knot recently from someone in our pack (she was given it when she went to our council's office out of town to give to me.) I've never seen it before and was curious if its a spoof knot or what exactly. Trying to get phone to cooperate for a photo - its yellow/gold with popcorn in the center. No one could give me any info on it and I cannot find it online. I tried calling our rep over popcorn from council but no response yet. Just curious, its new to me.

(Sorry if this was the wrong forum, I was unsure of where to post this and I searched the forums for an existing topic on this but couldn't find one.)

Congrats to him!

We purchased authentic Indian arrows (or so the website said) and the parents painted them using various stripes for various ranks and achivements.  For example, a broad orange stripe for Tiger, a yellow stripe for Wolves, a blue stripe for Bear, red stripes for Webelos 1 and green for Webelos 2.  Thin silver and gold stripes for arrow points, purple for World Conservation, a stripe for each of the Webelos awards earned, etc.  It was a fun activity for a group of parents who got to be friends over the five years of Cub Scouts.

That's awesome and I'm jealous we won't be able to do something like that. One of the two plaques I was looking at camp pre-painted with stripes for the ranks. The other you could apply sticker stripes to. I wish I could do something like this with my parents (we had 4 together since Tiger as of last year, now my son is the only one that remains from Tiger.) The rest joined us at Wolf or Bear but we aren't very close (not like I've seen with other dens.)

Finally! I figured out how to post pictures here; this is our den flag, as you can see. The design process was a battle of who's doing what of course, but I showed them a book of medieval banners and flags, and they chose the shape and colors they liked, and what they wanted on the front, along with its dimensions. Then my father sewed it up and embroidered it for them while the boys constructed a pole out of PVC pipes and copper paint. On the back, though you can't see them in this picture, are the jumbo patches for Webelos rank and the Arrow of Light, which we found at the Scout Store. Once the main ensign was completed, each boys had to make his own streamer to go along one side with no adult interference, and these are hung on the flag's right. On its left, which you can't see on this picture, are dozens of doodles they have earned at day camp and as a den, along with their ribbons for the Summertime Pack Award, the National Den Award, JTE, and all that good stuff. 

 

The flag is now really something, but its unwieldy for activities, so we made a simpler version of it, somewhat like the long streamers knights would carry on the end of a lance, and this is attached to our Den Hiking Staff. That way our ceremonial flag can be kept in pristine condition while we still have an emblem to take on our many adventures.   

 

Those both look amazing! I love that you have two - ours we drag everywhere although it is closer to this one's size. Great job.