King Ding Dong

Sorry. First check your inbox for an email from Scoutstuff.org this morning, or see the first image on the site revolving banner. I posted a copy of the pic over in the "prissy" thread. I am referring to the "near miss incident reports" we are supposed to fill out when anything potentially unsafe happens. Scouts hanging out bus windows is certainly a "near miss" If you go to Scoutstuff from a PC they have a link on the front page to the Made in America t shirts. Looks like a July 4th item. Mobile version does not show it. I am poking at National for marketing a Made in America t shirt for less than the imported ones. There are many bothered by the uniforms being manufactured in Asia.

After you check out the photo of all the scouts hanging out of bus windows on their way to Jambo. (GTTS compliant ? ). See the new "Made In America" t shirts. Cheaper than some of the imported ones. Hmmm.

RichardB, can you send National Supply Group a Near Miss form? You should run off some extra copies looks like they are going to need a few at Jambo.

Camp directors around here are most concerned with angry parents when the $300 iPod is lost, damaged or stolen.

Mom & Me camp had some issues because a strong storm that blew through Saturday afternoon. they didnt get to the campsite until the storm was over. Almost all the cots were wet at her site. She described how the bottom corners of the tents with the grommets were stretched open. Is suspect that and the doors not being secured caused the problem. Everything was all set up for them because week long Webelos camp was the previous week. One mom from our pack slept in her minivan, one set up her own tent, and another went home and came back in the morning. My wife was a GS in CA her father is a Marine, so she stuck it out. At BS camp the other week we set up in a deluge and one of the tents was not right. The walls were not touching the ground and the corners we not laying right. We did not take the time to analyize the problem and just grabbed another. The ridge poll fit so is suspect the vertical poles were to long, but that does not explain why the corners did not lay right, in my mind. Do these tents experience shrinkage issues over time? I suppose if the guy lines were out to far that could cause a problem but they were not out farther than all the others that were fine. Also what is the proper method to secure those corners if you are expecting strong storms? Should you lace it up or six or so individual knots? The other problem she complained about was the strong stench of urine when she opened the doors. Lol. Strike one for letting cubs use wall tents. I guess they figured they could just pee in between the floor boards. I actually liked my wall tent, but may just bring my own for Dad & Lad in the middle of July. 98F and urine stench is were I draw the line.

One option that has not been mentioned is renting a tent. REI stores have lots of various equipment such as tents, packs and pads for rent at reasonable prices. With you along to ensure proper handling there is minimal chance of damage. Let me make clear one point. I do not object to a full fly per say. Just getting stuck in one with a tent mate that insists on using it on a warm night with no chance of rain. He was concerned that without it bugs would get through the mesh. That wal mart tent has such a small fly that it would be near useless in a storm. I do have a $20 3 person dome tent I got years ago at Aldi that leaks but is fine for fair weather and backyard camping. It is also a great tool for my kids to use for practice pitching and tear down. Cheap tents do have their uses and can save wear on the good ones. If the climate is moderate where you will be, you can certainly save weight and space by leaving the bag at home and using sheets or a light blanket.

I think you could bring your sons pocketknife. I would just give it to him when you were at a place the you have verified it is ok for him to carry it. Like a scout camp.

Pack you really have me thinking now. Where do you go that you carry a machete in your hand most of the time AND has banks that you might need to visit ? Sounds like a video game.

12 more dummies that won't pay their bill, sticking to the taxpayer.

I know you can't have kids outside in a thunderstorm these days but do you see the irony of setting up a sprinkler when the rain stops ? When I was a kid we went outside and played in the rain. Built dams in the street gutter, stomped worms, and skidded out on our bikes. We would run inside when the tornado sirens went off. Times change. As I type my wife is at a Mom and Me overnight camp stuck inside a conference room with 150 scouts in a thunderstorm. The staff has the boys watching How to Train Your Dragon. NOAA website still only calls for a slight chance of thunderstorms, but has a flash flood warning.

New Rule: Anytime Texas Speaks > ROFL

This gentleman is going on a backpack trip in August, and it it is going to be less than 10 degrees??? On this troops first foray into backpacking ??? Just when and where do you think this troop that has never been on a backpack trip is going to start camping in freezing conditions ? Did you bother to read his whole post? I did. This may very well be the only backpacking trip he or this Scout does EVER. He is trying to be thrifty and your advise on post 7 is not helpful to his stated situation. Your right he should not be sleeping with his son but that is his decision to make and indicated he might do so by stating his other option is to borrow ONE of the troops heavy tents. The only time my boy was ever in my tent as a BS was when his patrol's tent (kelty) failed and was flooding during a continuous rainstorm at 42 degrees, the rest of the patrol slept in cars. But you already know that story. Would hypothermia have made him a better scout ?

BD is right. That was bad advise. Don't evaluate your tent decision based on YOUR needs and preferences. Base it on his or my needs and preferences. I now highly recommend spending 4 times the amount you are comfortable with for something that has a high probability of never getting used again based on your stated needs and preferences. Don't try it out first and see if works for you, test in the field, that is the only way to go. More adventurous. Two doors is so overkill, oh wait, BD now thinks that is a good thing, I'm confused. Oh well, nothing new. Don't even consider not buying a tent. BD would never consider that option for a thrifty scout. You should also get an expensive hammock while your at it. Sorry, make that two expensive hammocks. They are compact and will fit nicely on a shelf in your basement until your next garage sale. Since you and your troop are experienced backpackers you know for certain there will be suitable trees where the troop decides to camp.

I don't send my kids to the BSA for health and safety. They will be very safe in my basement sucked into the vortex of video games. That is something you just don't seem to understand.

June 11, 2008 LSSR, IA we loose 4 scouts to a tornado. BSA response: spend hundreds of thousands to build storm shelters within 15 minutes of all areas of the camp to house 1000 in case another tornado rolls through that exact same valley. What does BSA do for Camp Cedars, Camp Eagle, Camp Wa-Kon-Da ? Nothing until a tornado rolls through them. Unfortunatly an argument can be made that the less Texas knows about what is happening in the program all the better.

While I have my head stuck filling out a two page form 50 times a day I know what I will not be doing.

I see Richard stepped on this skunk in January. That was funny. The correct question is: "Is Texas Prissy?" http://www.scouter.com/forum/open-discussion-program/361479-new-incident-reporting-kits-and-gtss-updates

I really had a good chuckle with Near Miss Report. That is what scouting is supposed to be. An endless series of near misses, with a few direct hits along the way. Am I really supposed to carry two reams of forms with me ? Good grief is right. Richard, if you want to know what is going on in the program get outdoors and visit the program. If it makes you feel better, the next time we require professional medical attention I will fill out a form. I love the bottom of that page: "a Scout is trustworthy: be sure to report." How about a Scout is courteous and doesn't waste people's time with forms that no one is ever going read. You are going take a good ribbing here. I will give you the benefit of the doubt and assume you are just doing your job and the Near Miss nonsense was cooked up by the insurance company and lawyers. Next time we encounter a thunderstorm we will settle under a fly with a stack of Near Miss Reports and a count how close each lightning strike was. "Oo ohh, that one was even closer!, scribble , scribble". What is your mail stop at national ? You know, until you opened your mouth "Prissy" was a topic of debate. Now the case is closed.

Check out the geometry. That 5 feet is at the waist not the head and feet. I hope you like to snuggle with your son in august and someone is going to get stepped on getting out. I would set it up and try it out in the back yard some night first. I personally would rather sleep under the stars than in anything less than a 3 man rated tent with two people in August. You could also look for one that has two doors. I would prioritize what functions you want your tent to serve. Weather protection, bugs, wind, gear, animals, comfort, weight, price etc. Rain flys that go to the ground or near it are great for rain but really suck for ventilation. I like ventilation, my bag will keep me warm if needed. I hate getting stuck in a Marmot, with some moron parent from the troop that insists on the full fly when no rain is forecast. Sauna.

NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Maybe the BSA is to prissy, tough call. Certainly some troops are. Just be thankful the BSA has not resorted to Incident Reports. Every time a kid stubs his toe or swallows water at a pool you have to fill out the dreaded two page incident report. That would kill scouting. I wouldn't put up with it. Even if a scout breaks a leg on a campout, is there a form to fill out? I can't recall one. That's not prissy.

No it isn't the same. The tower is a very controlled environment and not very tall. He climbed up, now he has to get down. A cliff like the water is real and much scarier. I have had to deal with to many terrified kids who have had instructors dunk them or let them sink and swallow water when they were not ready.

I wisely let my son go to open climb by himself. He came back to camp yelling "I did it! I did it!" He admitted he was crying and they would not let him go down the stairs and he was the last one down. Apparently it took some pulling from below as well. Glad I wasn't there for him to appeal to. BD, sometimes just throwing a non-swimmer in a dive tank and making him struggle is not the best approach.

Yep that is me, WDL new in troop. I am just a committee member and like it that way. I have been approached to take over SM next April, but at this point I know I am not ready. If you count IOLS, I do have 13 camping nights since April. Primarily my concerns are my own health, backpacking/hiking skills, and being able to provide wise leadership from whatever feet. It will also be hard not to be Dad. e-male is best used for positive communication.

Thant is a good question. Kickball is a team sport. I think the latest revision of the Webelos Handbook was 2003 and Kickball was added as a belt loop in 2010 according to meritbadge.org. Therefor it could not be included in the list. My vote is yes. My son earned it at a district lockin that included kickball and basketball for Sportsman.