vumbi

I may be teasing the third rail because I suspect this is destined for Issues & Politics....but...I have to ask: Is there something participants can get from a display like this that they can't get from the internet?

Viruses are really interesting. There are plenty of other things to worry about too like Hep A and C (and B if sexually active). Yellow fever is still around as well as Typhoid. I do almost precisely the same thing as Stosh, long sleeves and long pants tucked properly and sometimes even dusted with Sevin aound the tucks. I have also been impressed with how useful a hat is at keeping flying things away even if without a net. I don't often use repellants or sunscreen as a result. It helps to avoid being exposed during mosquito-active times of day. Aedes aegypti is most active in the morning and again in the early evening. Plus they are territorial and don't travel more than about 50 feet from hatch. That makes it easier to control a campsite. You can actually sweep the place with a net each day and remove most of them for quite a while. This doesn't work for all species though but A. aegypti is the most likely to carry the dengue/chikungunya/zika/yellow fever complex.

I have often traveled to places where all of Richard's list is present and, so far (whew) haven't had any problems. The long pants and sleeves are hot but I fix that by putting my valuables (ID, passport, money, etc.) in a waterproof bag and then soaking everything with water. The evaporative cooling is just fine. And the cooler surfaces seem not to be as attractive to flying insects.

The only time I expose skin other than face and hands is when I'm going for a swim and then I stay submerged as much as possible. Cooler that way too.

Hi, and welcome to the forums. The best choice is a really personal thing. It depends on your size, build, interests, and personal preferences. Some like external frames, some like internal frames.

If I were thinking about another backpack I'd go to an outfitter who had a good variety to try on and have an experienced person carefully see what 'fits' best. That is really important because you're going to have that thing your back for many hours, sometimes under difficult conditions. This is one situation where you really want to have comfort on the trail.

Stosh, While the basic elements are present, those materials also have a lot of other things that would preclude formation of black powder unless there was a LOT of refinement beforehand, lol.

JoeBob, that quote was interesting. I haven't read something as passive aggressive as that in a long time and it makes me think there was a lot of disagreement on the topic. They didn't come out and say, for example, "...bubble ball is therefore prohibited from official scout events"

There are two things running in this thread. One is the idea: "I (do or don't) like bubble ball". The other idea is: 'This is one more (good or stupid) rule from National'. I'm with desertrat and have no interest in bubble ball. At the same time, this is a silly action on the part of National. Sometimes they should just keep quiet. Better for them to sit quietly and be thought to be fools than to speak and confirm the suspicion.

I'm breaking my vow never to participate in I&P but I have to admit publicly that even after that April 1st note I STILL didn't get it. You really had me.

I can be taught but sometimes it takes a while. OK, now back to my vows.

Stosh, if you click on the number itself, next to the 'red' and 'green' arrows, it will open a window that lists who left the good or bad 'vote' (or whatever it is called).

Calls to elimnate I&P are not necessary if everyone would just stop going there. It would whimper into oblivion on its own in that case. It's one of those great situations where the right thing is to do nothing. Doesn't get much easier than that.

I tried to warn him. Sad. I&P is a blight on these forums. I understand his feelings but I disagree with his decision to leave. Leaving didn't improve anything. It was a better place with him at the campfire.

Wish I'd thought about the zombie idea. I was asked once a long time ago and I had just gotten back from a very pleasant primitive camping experience and when my response was to suggest a primitive campout in a remote place where there were no amenities, the two district people looked at each other and thanked me and said they'd give it 'careful consideration'.

I guess they're still considering it.

The key will be whether or not this is a long-term committment. If so it could be a very good program. If not it could be just one more example of the academy making and breaking promises.

I could go with 'Scout Spirit Award'. Honorary Eagle? Out of the question. And those instances of living up to the slogan are what ALL scouts should do regardless of rank.

Honorary Scout? Smacks  a little of the phony 'Doctorates' that are handed to persons who sometimes did nothing more than donate money to something and then later strut their status as if they actually earned the degree.

Desertrat, I'll tip my hand about how I feel about computers here: when I think of the hours of life I've lost waiting to fix blue screens of death...I could, in some ways, view Gates in a negative light. But as you probably know...money talks and the BSA top brass definitely likes the money.

See colon star dot star backslash......

Somewhere I think I may still have my old Lion patch from Cub Scouts. But that was when Lion was the last 'rank' not the first. H'mm, I'll have to see if I have a photo from back then...naaaahhh,..better not.

Wish I'd known this years ago.

This has been an interesting discussion. We routinely post photos of the pack walking as a group in parades. We use photos of pack meetings and some of the activities (like visits from reptile collections) for our publicity in the newspaper and in the recruiting ads at schools. I don't see a material difference between paper and facebook for stuff like this. To me the difference is a photo of an event as opposed to a photo of a boy, in agreement with the comments so far.

When I do take individual photos, I only give them to the parents.  But the pack doesn't have a FB page so really, I guess we've dodged the issue, lol.

It does matter that they are good kids and good scouts. But that might not affect the decision.

There is no option but to be completely honest about all this to the council. The mistake seems to have been their mistake after all and I would be surprised if the council decided to try to rescind rank that they had previously approved. Those boys have evidently completed the requirements and received the approval for advancement at the council level.

And, if it was my decision, at age 11 they are now eligible to be Boy Scouts. I'd let it ride as is but I'd make sure that they and their parents understand the sensitive nature of this mistake and the possible consequences.

I know you feel bad for the boys but this is not some kind of fatal error. It's merely time to face the facts and make the needed correction. Let us know how it works out.

Make sure the bells are engraved with your personal info so they can identify who the bear ate by studying the scat, lol.

Seriously, If you search on 'bear spray' or something like that you'll see ratings for the most popular brands, spray patterns, and strengths. Back in 2005 I procured some of the last cans of truly strong bear spray. It's illegal to even check that stuff through in baggage so I leave what's left of it with a friend out west.

From one or two observations of encounters, all an experienced bear needs to do is just see the spray can or maybe a short burst and they take off to put as much distance between you and them as possible. If you're really unlucky you might encounter an 'inexperienced' bear and if so, let 'em have a real snoot full. You'll do yourself the favor of making them scarce right away and also making them wary of any other 'monkeys' with spray cans.

They don't make the spray that powerful anymore but if you do try it out, regardless of strength, make sure you know which way the wind is blowing or else you'll really, REALLY regret it. The stuff is seriously bad news and there should be no temptation to 'play' with it. Plus it's kind of expensive.

Good luck.

Question to anyone who is a LEO: I accept that you have your legal requirements and I appreciate that you are both well-trained and that you follow those requirements carefully. But...if you are on a troop outing, how do you feel about those other adults who are not LEOs and are carrying concealed? Do you think this is a good thing? Why?

Ian, I too am astonished as I read this thread. I had no idea that scouting events were so awash with hidden firearms and none of that makes me feel the least bit safer for it...especially considering some of the personalities I have observed in leaders who may or may not be 'packing' at any particular time.

I do not engage in this kind of security fantasy/theater. The worst threat we've ever encountered on an outing is the occasional raccoon trying to raid our garbage, a patch of unnoticed poison ivy, and those truly ever-present biting insects...none of which even hints at the need for the kind of fire power I see discussed here.

Ian, the only explanation I can think of is that just like any other fad, there seems to be a tendency to try to join the 'herd' when a fad gets started. In this case it is some kind of fascination with having the ability to kill someone. I just don't get it, especially for scouting.

When people this stupid can do the 'process', it hardly qualifies as 'advanced' chemistry, lol.

With all the life and wonders of the world out there, this guy and others like him decide to embody evil incarnate. They have chosen to forfeit life. I hope he and his ilk find their way to a quick death and then an eternity in hell. The world will be a better place then.

I can agree with SeattlePioneer...IF the boy chooses to do the ECOH as a troop activity. Otherwise, the boy (and his family) are  free to make any other choice they want, including no COH at all if that's what he or they want.

I liken this to a graduation exercise. If you want to do it as part of the school ceremony then you're stuck with whatever structure the school decides to have. Or you can have a family celebration, independent of the school. OR you can just accept the diploma in the mail and quietly move on (which is what I did).

Actually, the Webelos in this unit go camping at least twice a year, sometimes up to four times. Two of those are family campouts just for the pack. Others are with the troop at camporees and such. Is this not also true for LDS units?

We tell them that we'll pass the cards out and make the presentation for them if they'll just stay away. I think they've mostly given up on us anyway. We have a lot of families of 'modest means' so no matter what their efforts are mostly going to be in vain.

LOL, he's probably going to end up as an attorney! Thanks

First of all, welcome to the forums! And thanks for posing that question. I had never even considered that possibility. It is a really interesting alternative and I appreciate Eagle94's answer.

what would you define as uncommon concern, or exceptional character.

To respond to this original question, I'd have to take it on a case-by-case basis, considering the circumstances as well as the action. Lending a hand to get someone to safety doesn't seem to meet the 'uncommon' part in and of itself. But...

Putting oneself at some kind of risk in order to do it, however, does cross the line to 'uncommon'. My two cents.