MikeS72

There are 4 relatively recent optional YPT modules, one of which specifically addresses bullying. All 4 are good, the bullying segment should be mandatory.

Not sure about wrist bands, but I know I have seen drawstring bags and water bottles on classb.com.

State Farm khakis.

Our council camp has a shower house with 2 each of individual locking showers, toilets, and urinals in each campsite. Usually a bit of a wait, but not too bad. We just did an out of council camp where we had a permanent 2 seat outhouse in each campsite, and 2 sets of shower houses with 18 individual shower rooms. I did not have to wait for one all week, but it was about a half mile from our campsite.

Unless they are brand new Tigers (just finished Lion). They still require an adult with them at all activities, so if they do not have a parent/guardian/adult sibling willing and able to take off a week of work, they do not attend. This is why some years we have 4 - 5 dens of Webelos, and only one of Tigers.

The low cut uniform socks are very comfortable. I also wear them most days. When camping/backpacking, etc., it is always the Thorlos wool socks.

Six sittings & the two of you may well have enough energy to wash dishes for the entire US contingent!

Ah, the standard Wednesday summer camp question: "Have you showered or changed clothes yet this week?"; followed by the Friday night declaration: "Anyone who expects to get in my car tomorrow MUST shower tonight!" Please tell me you do not plan on losing that many cups while at WSJ! 😂

We were at our local camp last month. Changing a MB class had to be done via the camp office, and only prior to noon on Monday. We were at our second camp of the summer last week (Daniel Boone in NC) and at the Sunday SM meeting we were told that they have an open enrollment policy. Once camp starts if a Scout decides he does not want something he is signed up for, he just tells the instructor he is dropping, picks something else that fits his time schedule, and tells the new MB counselor that he is joining the class. No muss, no fuss. I had a couple of boys who said they were put into something they did not request; they were out and in another session with no problems at all.

My reading of the elections comment was that this would determine eligibility for OA elections. That is correct. Only 5 nights from long term camping, the other 10 must come from short term (3 or less nights total in the event). You cannot do 2 summer camps and count 5 nights from one and 3 nights from the second. (We are headed out for our second summer camp of the year tomorrow. In the past year and a half my nephew will have 54 nights of camping, with 27 of them long term, and 27 short term.)

Precisely. You would hope that by the time they are elected ASPL the Scouts in the troop would be aware who has those innate leadership skills, and who does not, but that is not always the case. In one situation it was readily apparent to me that this was the case, and it should have been dealt with early on. It was not, and this particular SPL was constantly going to the SM asking what he should do, even something as simple as opening the meeting with the Pledge of Allegiance. Kept hoping we would see some growth. Not so much.

When we came into our current troop, after crossing over from the affiliated pack, we found that this is what they do as well. I was told that it was done to provide the troop with a more experienced SPL, as he had just spent 6 months as an understudy, stepping in whenever the SPL was missing. I can see that way of viewing things, but have also seen the Scout who is elected ASPL for the first time, does nothing with it, and then becomes the SPL who really cannot not function on his own.

I am in Central Florida Council, and we were discussing this at Cub Scout Day Camp on Monday. I have been here for 30 years, and amazed at how badly people drive. Speed limits are non existent; I use my cruise control on the interstate, and at 70 mph I get passed like I am standing still. Red lights and stop signs are mere suggestions. We had an ASM pulling the troop trailer on the way to summer camp who had to go off of the road to avoid one of our less than stellar Fla. drivers a few weeks back. Looking at the pictures of the scout vehicles, it is amazing anyone survived at all.

If we refer to a patch, that is often a temporary patch, like camporee, summer camp, etc; and goes on the right pocket. It might also be a patrol patch, trained strip, or something of that type. When I am referring to a badge on the uniform, I am specifically referring to rank, worn only by youth, and only on the left pocket. Some also refer to a badge of office, for POR insignia. I am less concerned with the terminology someone uses, and just hope that they are only wearing what has a) been earned, and b) is actually authorized for wear on the uniform and is in the correct location.

Scouters do not (should not) wear patrol patches, just as they do not (should not) wear rank patches. Those items are reserved for use by youth members. My guess is that some of the Scouters you have seen with patrol patches are still wearing patrol patches from Wood Badge. Technically those should come off after the course has ended, many Wood Badgers wear them all of the time. It is pretty easy to tell if that is what the patch is from, as it will be one of the standard WB 'critter' patches. That is different than the folks who wear 'spoof' patches, which IMHO should never be worn on the uniform. I am sometimes dismayed by the number of Scouters I see whose uniform has multiple patches that are either unauthorized, or in the wrong place on the uniform. While at summer camp a few weeks ago, I saw many with things in the wrong place, including several whose Scoutmaster patch was on the wrong sleeve, under the flag rather that under the unit number. (Even our SE had things in the wrong place)

Basically, if you cannot find a reference to it in the Guide to Awards and Insignia, probably should not be worn with the uniform. When it comes to uniforming, Scouts tend to do as they see; if all of the Scouters in a unit are properly uniformed, the Scouts will likely be properly uniformed. By the same token, if all of the Scouters wear only the shirt, and have insignia in the wrong places, the Scouts will follow suit.

Dad Joke 😁

I have done the first verse many times, second a few; don't think I have ever done 3 or 4.

From the WRFA section on scouting.org: Wilderness first aid, or “WFA”, is a generic term that commonly refers to any training course that focuses on prevention, assessment, and treatment for an ill or injured person in a remote environment where definitive care by a physician and/or rapid transport is not readily available. This is defined as being an hour or more away from advanced care. WFA courses are intended for anyone planning a remote high adventure, from lay responders to medical professionals. As a WRFA instructor, this definition is part of the opening segment of the 16 hour course. When my unit is backpacking or kayaking we are rarely more than an hour away from advanced care, but still have 3 WRFA certified leaders with us at all times.

Not a complete replacement of Cyber Chip, but an alternative that can be done in place of Cyber Chip. If it is used in place of Cyber Chip, it cannot count as one of the elective adventures for rank advancement.

Ah, but was he faster, or just better at tripping someone than his buddy was??😁

I carry a Pocket Rocket 2 kit, that comes with the burner itself, a 3/4 liter anodized al pot, measuring cup, and pot lifter. I added a stabilizing base for the canister. Not only does it boil water really fast, but is designed to hold a 4 oz. fuel canister along with the stove, lifter and an igniter. A little more expensive that some ot the alternatives, but being solid and reliable is more important. As you stated earlier, don't want to have to keep replacing a stove, especially one that dies in the middle of a trek.

I have multiple tents, depending on what type of camping we are doing. When camping with the pack, or something like camporee with the troop, where size and weight are not an issue, I use a Coleman Flatwoods II tent. I like it because it is more than big enough for comfort, with a 10x10 footprint and a 6" center height. It is relatively easy to set up, I can do it by myself in about 10 - 15 minutes. For the size, it is not particularly heavy, at just under 15 lbs.

Been there, done that! I raised and lower the flag at my high school, some 50 years ago. this was on a military base, with all weather flags that flew regardless of rain, snow or sleet. On one occasion, it was very cold, windy, and sleeting. I sprinted out, ran the flag up the pole, and sprinted back inside. Not long afterward, I was called up to the office, only to find the Military Police there, wanting to know why the flag was flying upside down. One of my more embarrassing moments at that school. I was also sent out the way I was, no jacket on, to correct it.

The other thing to remember when retiring flags, particularly with younger scouts, is the hazard presented by melting and dripping synthetic fabrics.