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oddball

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Everything posted by oddball

  1. Thanks for all the good suggestions. I'll check some of those out.
  2. My son and I are going to be provisional campers at Swamp Base this year. We're leaving Fredericksburg, VA heading to Lafayette, LA. Looking for advice on places to camp along the way. Overnight stops will be: 1. Somewhere close to Chatanooga, TN on the way down. 2. Spartanburg, SC, or Charlotte, NC on the way back. Does anyone know of any good campgrounds, which allow tent camping near either location? We would be interested in local outdoor attractions where we could do some exploring. Thanks,
  3. Like anything else, it's up to what the boys and leaders come up with. An organization to which I belong has hosted several OA functions on our grounds. Looked pretty boring to tell you the truth.
  4. And they are the crew whining about what a crappy job the ASMs are doing no doubt.
  5. You can simulate anything at a campout. How detailed is up to you. Barring that, summer camps usually can do a better job.
  6. I figured there was more to the story. Not defending the woman at all, but saying we're all subject to doing or saying imprudent things.
  7. Like me - was a Bear and Webelos I 45 years ago. Sometimes, we're all that's available. I do the best I can, but I'm learning it as my son does. I just have to not let the boys know I am only one or two steps ahead of them.
  8. Darn it. Just ran 3 inches of water in the tub, and couldn't walk across it. I guess I have nothing to say.
  9. Young'n, Welcome to life. The simple fact is, 1 out of 15 of you is mature enough to be in a boy-led troop. Doesn't get any better in the adult workplace. Maybe there is this super-troop out there where everyone pulls their weight and the boys can lead, but it's probably a smaller troop. I just got back from camp with 25 of my boys. The SPL checked out, and didn't do much of anything all week (except for text his parents on the phone he snuck along). And no, I didn't take it away, but did ask him if his integrity was worth the ability to text. The ASPL tried to pick u
  10. Not an LDS, but served with plenty over my military career. I don't believe I could call one a slacker, though I have heard them use various terms for the less involved members of their religion. So the LDS religion/culture is a little different than some other folks may be used to. Their culture demands one be heavily involved in the church, and live their faith. IIRC, one of my old LDS colleagues told me it's like this with scouting (could be wrong, but like I said, IIRC): - every boy is supposed to participate in the BSA. - the bishop (an LDS bishop is like a pastor in the heiera
  11. What do they say? I realize a contract with an 11 year old is pretty useless, but do you hold the parents to anything?
  12. It's always sad to hear about things like this. My condolences to his family. It should remind us all to work on getting in better shape. I just came back from scout camp, and observed that a majority of us are "over 50" (years of age and/or pounds overweight). Everyone says to me I don't look fat, but my BMI precludes me from going on HA trips.
  13. He should fill out the application accurately, and hide nothing. 20 years is a long time ago, and he's not the only leader with "a record". The organization is bound to maintain the confidentiality of his application.
  14. I don't think you can do this. I'm blessed with more PTO than I can usually take, but many are not. And this, I feel is the bottom line, right there with camp fees. But, let's remember an instructor and a MBC can be two separate people. For example, I was reminded by a Cherokee and former ASM, that he could most definitely instruct all the Indian Lore essentials, then I as an MBC could evaluate the scout's knowledge.
  15. No, I think you failed to do the right thing. All too often I see these "Peter Pan" dads in scout uniforms who flagrantly violate BSA policies. I sometimes hike a half mile or more to have a cigarette so the boys don't see me, but having come to the realization all the boys know I smoke, I'm giving that up on camp outs. Are these guys such alcoholics they cannot make it through a weekend without a drink? Where does it stop? If a little wine, in violation of BSA policies is alright, can I then ignore other policies and carry my handgun concealed (I have a permit)? What about sta
  16. I have to through a flag on the "too young to advance" mentality. Remember Clown Boy from another of my posts? He's only 12, and has had everything done for Star except for a leadership / service project done since June of this year. His buddy Aspergers boy is right there with him too - swimming is the only thing which was holding him back. As a matter of fact, Clown boy is two merit badges, hard time, and a service project/leadership role from Life (I think Aspergers boy has all the merit badges he needs for Life done). (ok, I'm going to get busted anyway, so yes, clown boy is my s
  17. I suppose it is easier to affix blame than find a solution, isn't it? Of course, that does not fix the problem.
  18. So my son and I went out today to work on his SM approved service project for his Star rank. Our C.O. is a church, which operates a food pantry, so he's going to hang out in front of grocery stores once per month for 6 months and run a food drive. Temps in the 30s, but he made it 3-1/2 hours, and collected enough food to fill two shopping carts to overflowing. He also received $125.00 in cash donations. With the city food bank charging $0.19 per lb, to privately operated pantries, that cash will let the C.O. buy a little over 650 lbs more food. With Christmas coming this week, I gues
  19. A recent experience has me thinking a mountain is being made out of a molehill, or an isolated incident is being touted as commonplace. Or perhaps we are projecting our own lechery onto our children? Case in point. I was a timer at my daughter's swim meet last night. Boys/young men in Speedos, girls/young ladies in skin tight swim suits. The was no ogling, groping, drooling, etc. on the parts of either the male or female athletes. Lots of high-fives, and a couple of hugs, but no sneaking off to the dark corners of the pool. Maybe it is the adult leaders who need to check themsel
  20. A whole lot of stupid, IMO. All we need as scouts and firearms enthusiasts is giving ammo to the anti-gun crowd.
  21. Welcome from another new guy.
  22. Given your other post today, I will choose to forgive your uncalled for rudeness and hostility. Please indicate where I asked any member of this forum for money? You, sir, have no idea who I am, what my financial situation may be, or how much I spend out of my pocket on scouting already. I am not ashamed to ask for a little help with the ridiculous volunteer fee associated with Jamboree. If anything, putting it out there to parents might remind them there's more costs to scouting than meet the eye. Just a week''s vacation to do Jamboree might cost me well over $1,000. Why should
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