my_three_sons

I finally got all of the awesome pictures from our Troop’strip to MOHAB(Montana High Adventure Base) sorted and wanted to share a few ofthem with everyone. This is our Troop’s second trek at MOHAB we went backpackingtwo years ago and loved it so much we went back this year with an even largercrew for packrafting. TheTheodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch is my favorite base camp of any HighAdventure camp I have attended. Thestaff was wonderful from the guides who spent a day and a half making sure ourcrew was prepared for the trial to the cook who prepared home-cooked meals forevery meal. The bas

I am the Scoutmaster and was surprised that he went to the MB university since it was a few hours away so I was just asking about the meritbadge. I have had 3 sons complete the mb so I know its not the type of mb that 20 scouts knock out if 4 hours in a classroom without a bunch of prerequisites completed beforehand.

The scout needed another Eagle-required meritbadge to rank up to Star so I am sure this is part of the motivation to get this meritbadge. He didn't want to go to summer camp this year so all of the other scouts in his grade have already ranked up except for him. Yes, he seemed to think he did enough to earn the meritbadge but I don't think he fully understood all of the requirements. If this was a regular meritbadge I would let it go but we have a group of scouts that have been working on the Communications meritbadge for close to 3 months. The scouts made a list of who planned past CO

I recently had a scout go to a meritbadge weekend and returned with a signed blue card for the Communications meritbadge. The problem lies in that when talking to him he couldn't tell me what his 5 minutes speech was about when I asked who he interviewed for that requirement he looked at me like I was speaking another language. I know for a fact that he has never planned a troop court of honor, campfire program, or interfaith worship service. After talking with him more it's clear that he didn't complete all of the requirements. I suggested that we sit down with one of our committee membe

We have always left a tip for our guides whenever we go on a trek since most of them are college students and these camps don't pay a high wage it more of a labor of love for the guides. Normally I ask everyone give $10-20 for adults and $5-$10 per scout if they feel the need to do so. We then have everyone sign a card with a short thank you and our youth trek leader presents it to our guide. Our last trek was awesome and most everyone gave more than normal so out guide ended up getting close to $300 which when he thanked us he was tearing up since he was a grad student who lived on very litt

I discussed it a few other scoutmasters at the call out ceremony and apparently he asked every troop but none of them took him up on it. Our chapter has been in disarray for a while the meetings are sporadic and differ on day of the week and time. Every year I try to get the members excited about the OA and they last 2 or 3 meetings before just fading away.

We had 3 scout eligible this spring and two were elected then a short time before the Call Out ceremony out Chapter adult leader call to tell me that he could put the third scout in since he can put in deserving scouts that don't get elected. I told him that I have never heard of that before and no the troops vote can stand but he replied that there weren't many scout elected for our chapter. Sometimes it feels like they want more Arrowmen just to have a larger audience to sell all of their OA swag to.

So what happens when you change the policy and this scout doesn't get elected? If you keep changing policies then why even have policies.

Our troop had a crew return from a backpacking trek with MOHAB. The Theodore Roosevelt Memorial Ranch is a truly beautiful base camp with the best view of any high adventure base and the staff was all super friendly. Our guides, Stephen and Conner, were awesome with the scouts from the minute we walked in the door through training as well as along our trek and all the way to getting up at 6am to have breakfast with us before we headed home. Having completed a Philmont trek I though I was prepared for the hikes but some of these climbs were kicked my butt but every view was well worth it. The

I do it the same way. 2 years is 24 months so the scouts they can stay with the same in May as it is in September.

We always created design categories since not everyone has the means or the know how to compete on speed. We gave out a certificate for each rank then a trophy for the winner in each category. We came out awards for best in show, blackest black, hand decorated, hand painted {my favorite}, scout theme, sports theme, military theme, American theme but if you just google cub scout pinewood derby themes there will be more than you can ever imagine.

Have you discussed this with his Scoutmaster? Some leaders will take it as a challenge to make sure your son have the greatest week of his life.

Point it our right away don't wait until another time also make it a big deal without making the scout embarrassed. A simple " Thanks Billy for helping the new scouts with knots tonight its great to see a scout step up without being asked" during a scoutmaster minute means more than you could ever know.

Our pack supplied the AOL plaque and arrow along with cake and ice cream for after the ceremony. The troop gives each scout crossing over a new scout handbook, bolo and troop number badge.

I normally just search for team building or ice breaker games there are tons to look through online. Pinterest (No, its not all crafts) is also a great resource for finding games the more you search and look for something the more pinterest pushes out suggestions to you.

There has been a bunch of great advice so far my two cents would be that most ideas get shot down because the scout's idea wasn't reflected in the workbook. If the scout needs to explain the project after the coordinator looks at his workbook he needs to go back expand on his idea in the workbook. I always tell scouts that pictures are great to get your idea across{they are worth 1000 words} since most people won't read thru a workbook completely when they can just look a few pictures to get the premise. Maybe bring an example kit with or at least the instruction so the coordinator can see t

We had a crew go to Swapbase this summer the heat and humidity wasn't bad until it was time to sleep. The mosquitoes were almost none existent I didn't see any until our last night. We spent a bunch of time taking breaks for swimming since I over estimated the difficulty of the trek and we spent a lot of time canoeing before our trek. If you are looking for an outdoor adventure do trek 2 its camping outside every night in hammocks rather than house boats and cabins. We are looking at getting a crew together to go to MOHAB for 2019. I recommend giving them a call or send an email with

If he likes the sleeping bag and it fits try getting a sleeping bag liner to help when its colder. You should be able to to get one for $10-$15 if you shop around. Most are advertised as comfortable up to 50 degrees alone and add 15 degrees when added to another sleeping bag. I sleep in my fleece liner all summer on top of my normal sleeping bag.

Criminal Background Check

I was surprised at the camp directors response I was expecting "No, please submit your $33" but here is his response: "I would say that yes, it does meet the new rule. The reason for the change was to ensure the CBC and YPT are completed and a Merit Badge Counselor application will check those boxes. At Camp this summer we are planning to accept registered Merit Badge Counselors to satisfy the requirement. "

If an adult is registered as a meritbadge counselor and takes that new YP are they good to attend summer camp with the Troop or do they need to register for a position within the Troop?

Sorry I haven't been on the forum for a week so this might post might be a little long. Last year we went on a 12 day trek at the end of July and put our itinerary choices in on April 19th then got our itinerary on the 20th. I don't know if the 7 day treks are different but give them a call and see when they will be drawn. There was a question about hiking real early. We were told we had to wait to for sunrise to start hiking because of bears. That being said the staff at Miranda told us that they weren't up early in the morning to check if anyone left before sunrise. Checking in w

I would let your new pack leadership know about the situation if they don't know already then let it go and work on getting the scouts ready for Boy Scouts. If your old pack isn't on the district's radar with losing two dens of 12 scouts then you have a crappy DE who probably won't be much help anyways.