69RoadRunner

I got this one during REI's recent anniversary sale because it's sturdy, the right size and can handle 2 water bottles (also has a hydration sleeve). I plan on using it at summer camp. There are lighter options for summit packs for backpacking, but that doesn't sound like what you're looking for. https://www.rei.com/product/880836/rei-co-op-trail-25-pack-mens

The previous replies addressed the possibility, but you really need to work with the leadership in your troop. Look at the requirements for getting through Eagle and make a plan yourself that you take to your troop leadership. It looks like you'll need to be in a leadership position all the way through Eagle. I wish you well!

Our adult patrol cooks for ourselves. This one is mine. Slice challah bread down the middle and then into slices Mix sufficient eggs and milk with a little bit of vanilla (no, I don't measure) Slice bananas. Fresh raspberries. Warm a bottle of raspberry syrup in a pot of warm water. Spread mascarpone cheese on 1 slice of bread. Top with some banana slices. Top that with another slice of bread to form a sandwich. Dip both sides of the "sandwich" into the egg mixture. Cook both sides on medium heat until properly browned. Top with bananas, raspberries, raspberry syrup and some powdered sugar. Watch your scouts drool!

I think I would quit as a scouter if we didn't cook as an adult patrol for ourselves. We like to eat good stuff and set an example to the scouts that you don't have to do simple things.

Charcoal with lighter fluid in it seems to require more briquettes than the charcoal without. You can buy pre-formed parchment paper at REI and I'm sure Amazon.

We go later this summer. Safe travels and have a great time. That reminds me of all the last minute planning I know we're forgetting....

I'll have to ask if he still has the recipe. This was from a few years ago. We do this in November, so ideally you'd let it set in the cold for a while, but no time for that.

Our scoutmaster's cheesecake. The picture doesn't do it justice. Not a crack at all. This is from our Iron Chef campout/competition.

We had a rotary phone and my brother got Pong and hooked it up to a black and white TV. My attempt at being a child model was short lived. Those polyesters are a mean animal, but their coats are worth a fortune. (I think I went off topic)

If a scout goes to a merit badge where he's the only one in our troop taking that badge at that time, he has no buddy. In this specific case, the scout was having issues and wasn't going to his merit badges. That was addressed. However, scouts going solo to a merit badge can come back to the campsite to meet up with a buddy. Camps like this require deviating from the rules or it would be very tough for scouts to take the merit badges they want.

One of the primary reasons for sending an adult is that the counselor to scout ratio is too large. In the past, we've also had some special needs scouts that we felt needed an adult. Two, who dropped out of the troop, could not go to events without dad present. As a troop we were not equipped to handle their issues. We'll evaluate it again this year Oh, and I'm in my late 40s, I just look like I'm a millennial.

Yeah, I was out in the open, not in a tent, reading my book. It just points out the flaws in the system. If a scout is taking a merit badge by himself at camp, the scout won't have a buddy (briefly). It is a controlled environment. The rules for who can tent with whom also seem to work on the assumption that everyone is heterosexual. This actually was an issue for our troop last year where 1 boy allegedly made an inappropriate request of another boy in a tent. The story changed so many times, it's impossible to know what was true. Several boys, including the accused boy chose to go to another troop.

At summer camp, I had some down time while the boys were at their merit badges and I was the only one at our site, sitting in a chair reading a book. One scout came back to the site. Does one of us have to leave? I think the arguments that this is mostly about BSA doing CYA for BSA and damn the scouters is correct. There's no question that safe scouting and YPT rules need to be in place. Good rules protect scouts and scouters. When you make the rules impossible to follow, don't be surprised when it does further damage to the program. I guess I should stop delaying buying that umbrella policy since BSA is setting us up as the Fall Guy for any issues. One of our ASMs already talked to me about this. Good grief, I just want to work with a fun program that safely helps boys develop skills for adulthood.

To throw fuel on the fire, there's very little patrol method going on at summer camp. Sure, you can tent by patrol method, but since the tents are in set positions, you're not getting much separation. We travel to flags as a troop, not patrols. We eat breakfast as a troop at our designated tables, which typically don't allow for separating as patrols. After breakfast, Brownsea scouts go to their program as a group. Everyone else scatters as individuals to their merit badges. Everyone (except Brownsea) arrives to lunch as individuals and we sit in those same tables. Siesta after lunch done as individuals or groups as the scouts choose. Off to Brownsea and merit badges again. Travel to flags and dinner as a troop. Evening programs as individuals or as a troop. Sleep. Lather, rinse, repeat. Patrol method works at troop activities, not at summer camp.

At summer camp, the SPL and PLs are going to their own merit badges. These are first year scouts. The group we have this year might be good on their own. We've had some special needs kids who could not. At the beginning of the week, I'd want an adult making sure they get there. They have no older scouts going to Brownsea Island with them.

We don't just meet the new scouter and send him off with the new scouts. First, one of our ASMs has kids in the primary feeder pack for our troop and knows these dads. Second, they've been involved with troop activities prior to summer camp. Third, the adult(s) who help with the Brownsea Island scouts are simply ensuring they get to the program area and are asked to be available to assist the counselor if the counselor desires assistance. Basically, they herd the cats when attention is lost or the counselor will first teach the adult and the adult can assist the counselor. Also, an experienced ASM or the SM will spend time at the program throughout the week ensuring things are going well. Where we go, sometimes they do not have a good counselor to scout ratio and the college/high school kid teaching can be overwhelmed at times. Overall, it is a good program but as always, is dependent on the ability of the counselor.

Hoping for lots of rain and very little wind. Greatest concern is with the local residents who risk losing everything. If Philmont provides quick refunds, that could allow crews that can't cancel their travel arrangements to possibly find another backpacking option in the area. I'm just not sure what that might be and if it would be possible to arrange on such short notice.

My comment about it being intentional was tongue in cheek. It's a means to criticize really bad decision making, in my opinion.

The reference to BSA not approving this policy was perhaps misstated on my part. The BSA does not promote the policy but WOSM does. As far as my opinion that the organization is being destroyed from within, take a look at membership. No question there are many contributors to the drop in membership, but recent policy changes have, in my opinion, contributed to the decline. I'm sure many of you have seen this, but I think Mike Rowe presents better ideas. http://fox13now.com/2018/05/20/mike-rowe-of-dirty-jobs-weighs-in-on-girls-in-the-boy-scouts/

The BSA does not approve, but World Scouting is mandating the availability of condoms at the World Jamboree. Apparently this is not new, but it's hitting the news now along with all of the other changes going on with Boy Scouts. I'm really starting to get the feeling that people who want to destroy the Boy Scouts from within are now in top leadership positions. https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2018/may/22/boy-scouts-require-condoms-upcoming-world-jamboree/

We have 1 adult each day getting the first year scouts to the Brownsea Island program. This is a great program, but the counselors can use the extra help herding cats with that many 11/12 year olds. I did that my first year and wasn't too happy with the troops that dumped their hyperactive scouts off without providing help. The rest of the troop is mostly on their own getting to their merit badges. Of course we do meals together and evening programs, but it's a controlled environment where the boys can have independence. I'd have no idea what that many adults would even do unless you have a lot of special needs scouts.

This is why alcohol is not permitted at scouting events.

We keep track of it online. Of course the person who did it isn't in our troop anymore.

I've read that on the UGQ Outdoor website. I'm not an expert, but can see how the treated down might be more marketing than benefit. Either way, you should not need to treat a brand new down bag. I have a couple of down bags and love how light and compact they are. It doesn't matter much if you're car camping, but does for backpacking. I fortunately do not have experience with wet sleeping bags.

If you're using it for backpacking, then go with Smartwater (or similar) bottles. They'll last many trips, are lighter than Nalgene and thrifty. If it's not for backpacking, go with something more durable.