Saltface

Now that we're already off-topic , how common is it for district-level volunteers to be expected to donate a certain amount in order to maintain their position?

A moment of silence for the starry-eyed young scouter who evidently didn't survive the game of life.

On behalf of National Council, I'm aghast that scouts and scouters would think it okay to point firearm shaped objects (FSOs) at human shaped objects (HSOs).

I've played with it a few times. If I need (or have time for) a better whipping than a common whipping, I prefer going straight to a sailmaker's whipping (ABoK 3446 for you knot nerds). There's a lot more friction holding the whipping on.

My mistake. I was talking about Communication but I see now that SteveMM was referring to Citizenship in the Community.

Yeah, obviously in person is better. But most city council and school board meetings are rubber stamp affairs in which you'll probably hear just one point of view presented (if any at all). Would you require a scout to continue attending public meetings for several weeks or months until a debate occurred?

I believe the intent of the Communication requirement is to experience a public debate. As much as I would enjoy listening to a 45 minute diatribe on what species of grass should be planted in the common areas, I doubt an HOA meeting would have a debate of any real substance. If a scout can't attend a city council or school board meeting in person, my PBS station frequently hosts debates on local issues. I've accepted reports on that before.

And to know what to do when it kicks in. Most drug abusers aren't too happy when you ruin their fix.

A knife is useful anywhere you can legally possess it.

Is this all that GS leaders are complaining about when they say that GSUSA makes it really hard to go camping?

Maybe you'll make life-long friends, maybe you won't. Don't try to force it. Will you have a life-altering transformative experience? Probably not. Will you learn something and have an enjoyable time? Most likely. Wood Badge is a good training course, especially for those who haven't experienced leadership/management courses elsewhere. Yet all too often, it gets oversold.

There's also a free iPhone app called Tomstrails GPS that's dead simple. Most importantly, you can change the coordinate system to UTM or MGRS. You can also see the accuracy of your GPS fix.

The Trail Life troop I visited a while back was pretty forthcoming about incorporating religion into their program. Their handbook references the bible on the first page. A parent would have to be pretty dense to not realize their son was being preached to.

I second the use of metal pans. One chicken feed pan on top another (bottom to bottom) will insulate your coals from the cold wet ground. Any idea what the ingredients are in a Crisbee stick?

What does that mean?

Always use the grill! I like to use a wire cup brush to make sure I get everything off when re-seasoning.

$24,000?! That's at least fourteen bags of popcorn right there.

Or just shun.

I get you. Running into another human when I'm soloing is the worst.

I thought every troop that predates ~1920 calls itself Troop 1.

An army scout was an experienced woodsman that could care for himself and carry out his duties (cook, navigate, track, evade, etc.) away from the safety of the main body of the army. Isn't that why BP chose the term? Maybe we should change the name to SBSA...

Just what were these highly trained folks planning on doing with their training?

11 years later, I'd like to know too.

Judging by the recommendations made here, I'd say the only hard and fast rules of summer camp would be to not do the Citizenships or other "classroom" merit badges at camp. Our regular camp is a mile higher in elevation than our town. No one in their right mind does Swimming there. Too cold. Invariably, the camp is under total fire restrictions when we're there. How the scouts complete Cooking there (other than the cooking at home) is beyond me. I doubt they're getting the full benefit of the badge. A lot of first-years have difficulty scoring enough points to complete Archery or Shotgun Shooting. They're really popular merit badges, so there's too much waiting in line for range time. First Aid, Emergency Prep, Leatherwork, and Astronomy are my two cents.

The nameplate is not required. Most folks don't even have one.