hondaman

I second the dietary restriction part. Be sure to have backup plans in place for people who cannot eat certain foods due to allergies, personal preferences, and the like.

A lot of people have mentioned meat-centric meals so far. Make sure you have some vegetarian options in the cookbook; even if you don't have any vegetarians this year, you may get one next year. Usually, this is pretty easy to accommodate--they have veggie burgers, veggie hot dogs, and skewers that can be done with peppers and other veggies rather than meat.

Likewise, be aware a lot of people are cutting gluten out of diets. It's worth it to have some corn tortillas, rice crackers, and the like on hand if you know you have anyone who is sensitive or restricted in their diet. Be open to having kids with special restrictions bring something if need be.

As far as good recipes, one that my friends and I have made--even today as adults--when we cook out (camping or otherwise) is a pizza-type creation that I think we call "mountain pie" (I call it "campfire pizza" but your term may differ). You'll need some bread, pizza sauce, mozzarella cheese, and whatever toppings you want. (Bring a pack of pepperoni and some diced peppers and you should please most people; again, if you have anyone with restrictions, be sure to get gluten-free bread in addition to regular bread and make sure the cheese doesn't contain rennet if you've got vegetarians on hand).

Make the sandwich by spreading sauce and cheese between the two pieces of bread. Put any toppings in there as well, Then, grill it in a campfire sandwich roaster (for lack of a better name) and you've got yourself a great campfire pizza.

Really craving one of these now...do I really want to brave the negative wind chill and attempt to build a fire now though??

Also, to add to my previous post....I thought of a good idea for WEBELOS-aged boys, based on my first shop project from middle school (since power tools aren't required unless you're the one cutting the pieces, I feel a fourth/fifth grader can handle it). It's a letter opener and is a two-day job.

Get a piece of cherry wood. Cut it into 6" x 1" pieces. Then, do the same for maple. Have the boys use a ruler and a coping saw to cut the maple piece in half, then shape one end of each piece so that it is rounded. The tool to use here is a double-cut file. To me, there is no better tool to introduce than a file, since it requires both precision and patience. In a day and age of instant gratification, it's all too common to see boys become frustrated with files (keep in mind they've never known a world without one-click downloads).

This will require the use of a vise for support; I recommend getting the vacuum-mounted vises (they're about $15 and should stick to just about any surface; I've mounted mine to everything from wooden workbenches to ceramic tile). Glue the two pieces on the base of the cherry piece (one on each side) to create the handle. This whole process should take about 30 minutes or so to this point. Since the glue will need to set, it's a good idea to set it aside and do something else for the rest of your meeting.

The following week, devote an entire meeting to this project. Shape the blade and some handle grips. It's also a good idea to round off the end. Again, use a double-cut file and a vise. This should take them a while. Once this is done, sanding can be performed. Emphasize the use of 80 grit, 120 grit, and 220 grit in that order (since you'll want a coarse sandpaper to take out the file marks, medium to remove marks left by the coarse, and fine to finish things off). Wrapping sandpaper around the file works very well. Finally, use linseed oil as a finish (make sure you have Borax or pumice soap on hand to clean up with).

This project takes a little longer, but I could see it being done over the course of two meetings.

When I was in Cub Scouts, we had quite a few good projects, some of which are still sitting around my place or my mom's place today.

We didn't do any wood projects in my Tiger year, but I think a lot of that had to do with when I was a Tiger. Tigers were still a newish thing when I was in Cub Scouts. I wore the bright orange sweatshirt with the iron-on paws and the orange and white cap, and we didn't even have specific paws back then--they were all black paws. I'm not 100% sure about this, but I think they started having "achievements" in the mid-90s; if anyone can confirm that would be great!!

In our Wolf year, we made three projects. One was a bird feeder, which I actually still have and used for many years. I'm not sure if it was a Cub Scout kit or just one we found at the local home improvement store (back before we had Lowe's and Home Depot in my area!) but it was pretty easy to put together and emphasized the correct use of a hammer--plus it had a nature component since we talked about birds a bit. Later that year, we made Santa Clauses out of hammer handles. This was more of a craft project than an actual wood project, but it did use a few wooden pieces. I still have this Santa and put him up every Christmas! Our final project was a key rack. I'm not sure if it required much more than gluing pieces together, but it had to have been an official BSA product since it had the logos and everything on it--and I'm pretty sure we did sanding with this one (come to think of it, I think we had to sand all of these projects since I remember every boy had one of those black rectangular sanding blocks).

As Bears, we made a bird house. Again, this was an exercise in proper hammer use and had a nature connection. Yes, I put it up near my bird feeder. Again, I'm not sure if it was a kit or not. Later, we made a larger wooden snowman. Like the Santas, these were more of a craft project and were based off a snowman my mother (our Den Leader) had found at a craft show--my grandfather made a template for it.

The only thing I remember making in WEBELOS was a bug box out of either maple or pine. We used a staple gun on this one. I'm pretty sure there was balsa or corkwood on this somewhere, too--I seem to remember cutting it with either a small saw or an Xacto knife.

While we're on this subject, I must say I'm surprised at the number of boys who can't use a hammer properly by the age of 11. I have taught woodworking courses at my church for children aged 7-11, mostly boys (occasionally some girls). In any given group, almost 80% of the boys start out holding the hammer near the head, then get frustrated with them. Occasionally, you'll get someone who really knows what they're doing (my best hammerer was actually a girl), but it seems it's just become a lost art. I think I spent more time showing these kids how to hammer than anything!

One word of advice--if you've got Tigers or other younger boys (or boys who haven't swung a hammer yet), start them off with a ball peen hammer. The smaller size makes it easier for them, especially if they aren't all that strong. Work up to a claw hammer once they master the smaller one.

Once again, thanks to everyone for the responses.

I had a talk with his parents, especially since he couldn't make it to his session on Tuesday. I saw him Friday instead.

Evidently, the "communist" remarks are nothing new. He has been using them on politicians he doesn't like for years, or at least as long as he's known much about politics (I'm guessing either the 2008 or 2012 election).

I talked to both his mother and to him, and the main issue is that he despises his math teacher, more than I had even thought. He feels she is "incompetent" and "can't teach". The same opinion is true of the other teachers he doesn't like. Through this point in his schooling, he has typically gotten along fine with teachers and has been lucky enough to have had some good ones. The bad teachers are something new for him outside of one science teacher he had years ago, and evidently he made similar remarks about her.

He does have some motivational issues, which is something I've known since day one working with him, but I think they have gotten more severe because of the presence of teachers he doesn't like.

I talked with him about effort and he has said he truly does want to do well. After a bit of a motivational talk on Friday, we had a very good math session. He actually wanted practice problems to work on and was more than willing to take a practice quiz I had developed for him (which he did very well with, I should add). At the end of the session, he said he had gotten a lot out of the session despite not knowing half the concepts going into things. He did pick up very quickly and said that he would rather work with me than with his teacher since he felt I explained things much better.

This isn't the first time I've gotten that remark from someone at his school. I tutor another student who takes the same class and she said the same thing to me. This other student had asked me if she could bring her friends to a session sometime as well since there are many students struggling in that class. However, she was much more respectful of her teacher than the young man I have previously described.

The job at the church he has taken seems to be eating away at his free time quite a bit. In fact, I saw him working this morning and he looked a little bit tired. If his grades continue to suffer, I think the parents and I will have a talk about the job (which he doesn't mind; he had some positive things to say about it).

Throughout the session, I gave him a lot of praise for doing things right. I didn't want to dwell on the issues with the teacher and instead focused on the content. I will see him again on Tuesday and will probably get a few words in about respecting the teacher now that I let him vent a bit to me about her. I'm going to use both the Scouting concepts brought up earlier plus a bit of Biblical principle, especially since this week's sermon at church had a bit about caring for everyone, even those we don't like.

I appreciate everyone's concern for this young man. I also have enjoyed my time on this forum so far and may have to check out the other forums, especially since I just read about some major changes coming to Cub Scouts and feel I should be informed since I have a few younger boys as well, a few of whom I've recommended Cub Scouting to over the past few years.

Rick--good question. I have known his mother for quite a while through church and I know he's always had a few focus issues, but he's always wanted to succeed and hasn't really been all that negative about school until this year.

He has been very negative about his math teacher, his foreign language teacher, and to some extent his chemistry teacher. I have never heard him that negative about actual teachers before, although he has been very negative of others outside of the school system (namely politicians he does not like). He does have an interest in government but refuses to hear all sides of any argument and is quick to call his enemies a "communist". (Maybe he's just stuck in the era of McCarthyism?) He's always been opinionated, but this is something new. He also won't take suggestions easily, especially ones that could help him (like taking his time, doing practice prompts for tests, better organizing his folders, etc).

It could just be part of him being a teenager, but it's gotten to a point where it's interfered big time. He's never received a grade on a report card below a B until this year. I don't suspect drugs here, but he's rebelling a bit against authority.

I'm also not sure if he has any leadership role in his Scout troop. He's not the kind who would step up and do it (although I'm pretty sure every boy has to do something leadership-wise at some point, at least we did in our Cub pack back in the day--we'd take turns leading the flag salute, demonstrating something, etc). Again, help me fill in any Boy Scout details I am missing (now I regret not continuing in Scouts...)

Wow, thanks for all the great replies!! All of you have given me some great ideas and have answered my questions.

Since some of you have brought it up, yes, he does have an X-Box, and I have talked with the parents about limiting it or even putting it on ice entirely. He also watches a lot of hockey on TV but isn't really into any shows or movies. I'm not sure if they have followed through with any of this but I will see him Tuesday and will find out.

Dropping band isn't an option for him since you have to sign up for band class in school. Marching season is over but I think they have a band trip where they march in a parade in the spring (at least my school's band did). I'd hate to tell them to cut back on church; too many kids grow up without a solid faith anymore and I wouldn't want that to happen to him.

The scout-based suggestions do sound great, especially the parts about going over the expectations of a scout. I seem to recall learning these at one time (maybe in WEBELOS?) and the refresher has given me some ideas for a pep talk. I'd gauge his interest in scouts at maybe a 7.5 out of 10, but it's hard to tell because apathy is one of his main problems these days. He has the ability to be an A/B student and was getting good grades until this year. I'll also check in on that merit badge to see if he's earned it. It could make for a good summer project for him.

I am friends with his Scoutmaster; we attend the same church and he actually bought my family's old Day Sailor when we downsized during a move many years ago (remind me to ask him if I can buy that boat back because I miss it; I'm pretty sure he still has it and rarely sails it). I am not sure if I want to involve anything with that yet since I do feel he has the ability to turn around on his own. However, this is a student who calls anyone he disagrees with a "communist" and clearly has some attitude issues.

I really do like the young man and feel he can go far; I also believe Boy Scouts has helped him in many ways. He's just going through a rough patch in his life for whatever reason and I think having a good talk with him will help. I think having a guy outside of his troop to talk to (most of his role models are the leaders in that troop) may also be good since he won't have to worry about being judged in Scouts through that.

This isn't my first case of apathy in a teenager, but it's my first where Scouts are a factor. I've been able to turn kids around in my first few years on this job (including a former drug addict who is now succeeding in academics and life) so I'm confident I can make a difference here. Thanks again to everyone who has posted, and if anyone has further ideas/suggestions/input, please share!!

First, I am new to these forums and am not directly involved in Boy Scouts (although I was a Cub Scout many moons ago and earned my Arrow of Light before retiring so I could focus my non-school activities around instrumental music, computers, and baseball). I am an academic tutor who runs a support, enrichment, and homeschool business.

Currently, I have a high school junior who is a Boy Scout. I am not sure exactly which rank or requirement he is working towards (again, I am familiar with Cub Scouts but not Boy Scouts) but I know he is extremely busy with activities for Scouts, particularly on weekends. He also plays in his high school band and is active in his church (where the troop is based).

Here's the problem--his grades are currently far below where they should be (which is why I am working with him). As I said earlier, he is a junior, which is the most important year for colleges to look at. His effort in his schoolwork is poor, and his attitude about school is very negative. He has said many disrespectful comments about his teachers when working with me.

This is a student who needs to focus on his studies and needs more time to complete assignments, study for tests, and build skills in almost every subject. He can't drop band since this is a course he takes through school, which leaves just church and Scouts as activities he could eliminate to gain more time.

I would hate to see someone have to quit an activity because they need to allocate time elsewhere, but I feel this is a student who needs to do that. I would like to recommend scaling back activities to his parents due to his current performance in school, but have a few questions first:

--Are there any grade requirements to remain in good standing in the Boy Scouts?

--Would it be a good idea to take a break from Scouts, even for a week or two, to refocus other areas of life?

--Is every single weekend camping trip mandatory? I'm sure they'll have more in the spring, which is when he will need every bit of time he can get for finals and standardized tests.

He's a good kid but is going through some trying times, academically and elsewhere, and I'd like to approach the parents in the right way if I make the recommendation to scale back on activities. Any advice/answers to my questions?