mashmaster

I love it!

I like a lot of these ideas, I am a first time Scoutmaster for a brand new troop. Our previous troop was very troop-based and didn't do much patrol method which we are going to focus on. The camps we have been to, don't seem to have the ability to have ranges or towers that are open to troops but we haven't tried. I really like the idea of adding on a fun day at the end to top off the camp experience. We are actively searching for a summer camp for the summer since we just formed on the 1st and aren't going with the previous troop.. It is difficult in some aspects because we just st

The one place I saw it said that the afternoons would have many options to choose from like (COPE course, Shotgun skeet tourney, Canoeing, Hike, Sailing, Archery & Tomahawks, Climbing tower). I like that the whole troop does something together rather than eat and sleep. I agree with you on just going and doing a trek (like hike into the Grand Canyon and river raft for example) but as you said most people look at it as a merit badge school. What fun is that......

Anyone know of any in the Texas area?

I was looking at a summer camp for our troop and one camp had a cool concept troop activities in the afternoon. They do the normal merit badges in the morning but activities together in the afternoon. Anyone know of any other camps that do this? It seems like a really great idea.

The first part from 2015 was due to the LDS prohitibion on camping for Cubs. I don't exactly understand why they don't allow it, but that is the way it is. The second part is too allow the boys that the parents don't want to camp to not stop them from getting rank. In my experience, boys really want to camp but family stops them. Should they be penalized because mom and/or dad don't want to camp? That is my guess.

From Baden-Powell's Outlook. There are some really great nuggets in there. Religion VERY closely allied with education comes the important matter of religion. Though we hold no brief for any one form of belief over another, we see a way to helping all by carrying the same principle into practice as is now being employed in other branches of education, namely, to put the boys in touch with their objective, which in this case is to do their duty-to God through doing their duty to their neighbour. In helping others in doing daily good turns, and in rescuing those in danger, pluck, self

THANKS!

We have a brand new troop and need to purchase some basic supplies. We have a Bass Pro shop local and wondered if anyone has worked with them to get discounts on equipment for scout supplies like stoves and tents.

From being at Spartan races in the past. It is certainly not a scouting event. The drinking, language, and crowd would not fit with scouts.

Anyone know if Bass Pro Shops still has a discount? We are starting a new troop so we will need to get some stuff at startup.

Congrats!

Thanks everyone. I am feeling a little better today. My wife didn't kill me when I told her. Time to put the woodbadge training to use :-)

Thanks. The nice thing is that we are starting with a mix of 1st years, 2nd years , and 4th years. Just a couple from each age group so at least we aren't all 1st years. I have more faith in them than me. I expect that I will learn a lot.

I'm excited and extremely nervous about being picked to be the Scoutmaster of a brand new troop of 12 boys. Any sage advice for me in this venture? I look forward to seeing the boys excel in their scouting adventure.

hopefully the price will come down over time.

I need to look into that. The life saving percentage with one vs. with out is astonishing.

wow, that is horrible. I hope for the day for a lightweight AED that can be carried during a hike reasonably.

Go to the nearest firestation and talk to them to see if they will do it for you at the firestation. That is what we did and the boys just loved that a fireman worked with them. We brought treats for the firemen to share, who doesn't just love a firestation?

Thanks I will look at that rating on the trailer itself. I am sure there is a tag somewhere. I have towed campers and boats before so I think that I have the towing part down. At least going forward, backing up is always an adventure :-) But my wife won't be yelling at me to move it over to the right 3 inches....

Not sure which forum to post this in....I may be getting a truck soon and potentially in the future I may need to tow the troop trailer. How much loaded do you think troop trailers are? Could a Toyota Tacoma tow a typical trailer?

When we recruited at our pack, we had a list of jobs and basically explained that they had to volunteer something to help out. Some things are small like being on the blue and gold committee some things where big. It pretty much worked.

Here in Austin, the concessions at UT games are run by scouts for fundraising. Sadly, the Girl Scouts have it monopolized and the Boy Scouts do have the opportunity. Scouts need to be 13 to work it and earn about $75 per scout per game. So it adds up really nicely. Adults also get credit for that amount to the troop. The stands that the scouts run are alcohol free. I guess the answer to your question is that since the parents are the only ones raising the money it doesn't really teach the scouts the value of the work. They don't have skin in the game. Now if it is both scouts and

I really like summer camp as a fun bonding time for the troop. The travel is sometimes the best part. I really dislike the merit badge mills part though. I have witnessed more than not the merit badge instructor talking an the boys glazed over or just not wanting to put in the work and they get passed on the requirements because they were present. The parents feel great and pat themselves on the back and say "Johnny can make fire now" . When I saw Johnny completely fail and not really even try but whined a lot. No camp seems to have them "demonstrate" the skill before signing off,

We do a Webelos Woods, but when I was visiting troops, I wanted to see the real meeting and drop in. We also camped with several troops on regular campouts to get a good feel of the troop. Doing it at a group setting it is hard to really understand the troop dynamics.