DuctTape

the powdered pb is nasty IMO.

Of course fuel as a variable comes into play if one is using a stove. I am fortunate that almost all of the backpacking areas I am able to make a twig fire. I know this isn't true for all.

Sewing a lightweight SilNylon tarp is a rather easy task. Almost all of my scouts have taken a sewing course in the middle school. Some even asked if they could make gear in the sewing lab. Fleece hats, balaclavas are a favorite. Buying a few yards of fabric from ripstopbytheroll and some seam sealer is inexpensive. Plus the added benefit of scouts creating instead of the default purchasing.

I have had scouts who were Jehovas Witnesses who also do not participate in the PoA.

Of course each day's plan will dictate menu choices. For example, if one is at a dry camp, then b-fast will be something with the least amount of water in it. My point was regardless it takes time to break camp, more than the 10 extra minutes it takes to make any sort of breakfast and that ten minutes will not make much of a difference in mileage for the day. I typically don't do a real breakfast in general, but that is a function of my body not liking food that early. With scouts, I am usually up hours before them so by that time I am ready. Usually had my cuppa already too.

Even a full 15 minute cooking time is not that long, especially with a buddy or patrol. One cooks while the other packs up camp. Then eat together. Then the cook packs up while the buddy cleans up. The extra ten minutes is only 3 tenths of a mile walking.

Barry, I must apologize. My post was not intended to be judgemental of anyone here. I am sorry if you took it that way. Many times questions and discussion arise here focusing solely on the requirement itself. My intent was only to broaden the discussion by including the program and the other elements of advancement as a method.

Too many (not on this forum) seem to think the requirements are to be done at home and then signed off when accompanied by a parent note. This is not cub scouts. First step is instruction on the GPS etc, by their Patrol Leader, Instructor, etc... This instruction should include using the gps to determine location, provide driving directions, walking directions, off road travel, etc... The instruction should not be limited to the most basic minimal "sign-off" of the requirement. Then they practice. Then they are tested. I always like to have requirements be part of the adventure as opposed to a stand-alone-I-did-it-once-now-sign-my-book. So, while the scout might have practiced with their folks in the car, with video evidence. They still need to be "tested". (assuming instruction took place). What *I* would do is acknowledge the learning and practice and then let them know that on the next Scout activity they can ride with me and use the GPS to determine their location, and plot a route to our destination and provide me with the directions as we go. I would also like to ensure that the instruction recieved was more than the basics.

Welcome. The decision for the minor details is made by the person(s) who are running the "event". These details are not discussed or decided by the pack committee, but by those tasked with accomplishing the event. For example. The B&G banquet. There should be a sub-committee (mostly non-pack-committee) tasked with organizing and implementing. They are given a budget, and some parameters which are sometimes tradition (like location and date), and everyone else supports them. At pack committee, they are an agenda item to report on progress, and answer questions, but not to deliberate details. Those are argued at "their meeting". Pack committee should not micro-manage. Only step in if BSA protocols like GTSS are not being followed. If random topics are brought up not on the agenda, then be a bit more strict about Roberts Rules. Politely, but with authority cut them off and say, "we are on agenda item 4, and we will follow the agenda. Any other topics may be brought up under "good of the order", or added to new business at the next meeting. "

The Nestle NIDO is similar in packaging to the baby formula ("fortificado"), not baby powder. Nestle also owns KLIM (milk backwards), another whole milk powder. This is usually found in asian stores.

also, if you have access to an Asian grocery store, they have aisles of instant ramen. These are not your 6packForaDollar crud, but very very good. Most have 3 or 4 packets of "condiments" which are added.

Agreed. I posed the questions to have us remember to not steal an opportunity away from the scouts in an effort to be more efficient. What we do as adults should not replace the scouts' responsibilities.

What can the scouts do to take ownership at the patrol level? What can the troop Scribe do to fulfill his POR?

to be fair, part of "running a business" is getting proper paperwork in order. It isn't just doing a job and getting paid for it, that is labor not business. And if you are thorton mellon "you left out a bunch of stuff".😜

So they eliminated the only real experiential part of the mB requirements? Figures. What's next, eliminate the actual swimming portions of swimming mB and relegate it to a workbook "discussion"? These are supposed to be MERIT badges, not show up and listen badges.

I always referred to "kinds" as species, or in the least the genus. 10 different genus in the local area is not that hard, especially for first class. Just "coniferous" is way to broad IMO, as that refers to the phylum which on the taxonomic key is just below kingdom. Barely any different than identifying it as a plant.

Yep. Each patrol should have its own separate tent at some distance (at least 100 yards) from the others. This latter is with a view to developing the responsibility of the Patrol Leader for his distinct unit. --Baden-Powell, "The Object of Camping" In Scouts' camps the tents are not pitched in lines and streets as in military camps, but are dotted about, 50 or 100 yards or more, in a big circle round the Scoutmaster's tent. This keeps each Patrol separate as a unit. --Roland Philipps, The Patrol System, Patrol in Camp.

The biggest problem for adult training is how the focus is on the adults being trained to be the leader, and not how to train the adults to mentor the scouts to lead. For example at SM Specifics, the adult is trained in how to set up an annual program calendar. Instead, it should be how the adults can mentor the scouts to set up the annual program calendar. Seems subtle or semantic, but it isn't.

I see the biggest problem is skills instruction is done as a separate activity from the out door program instead of the program driving the instruction. For example, instead of a classroom setting and "let's learn to tie a taut-line hitch", this can (and should) be done every time a tent or tarp is erected on a campout, or troop/patrol meeting. The guyline isn't long enough? Don't run back to the trailer and cut a new longer piece, attach a smaller section using a square knot (or sheet bend if different diameter cord). The point being, instruction happens as part of doing scouting as much as possible not as a separate activity all of the time.

If a person willingly provides their information to another private citizen, that citizen is not obligated under HIPAA to keep it confidential. Yes, that is the ethical choice but the private citizen is not legally bound by HIPAA.

One could adopt the HIPPA guidelines as "best practices" and not be legally bound by them.

https://www.backpacker.com/trips/state Not comprehensive for certain, but a start. A good resource for any PLC at the very least.

I think the OA bears the brunt of the responsibility on this front. It is up to them to explain the program, the process, etc... not just show up and expect an election to be conducted for them. The arrowmen in the troop should be the point people for this.

No. I did not get nominated for the Silver Beaver, and have no expectation that I would be notified of that fact. My point was to view the SM rec, as an affirmative recommendation not as a rejection. Should the SM discuss OA process ahead of time? For sure, and this is where the problem truly exists. But to go to every scout and tell them they have been "rejected" is not kind. Instead, the SM rec is a surprised recognition of exemplary that warrants the recommendation above all others.

I view this differently. I do not see it as the SM stopped them from being on the ballot, I see it as the SM recommended others to be on the ballot. In other words, being first class and having minimum other requirements met does not automatically get you on the ballot. Instead, the SM recommends certain scouts to be on it. Viewing it from this perspective, no scout should assume they will be recommended by the SM and thus there is no obligation from the SM to tell all the scouts ahead of time who isn't recommended.