69RoadRunner

That video production is far better. But you guys cheated and did a shuttle boat.

I finally figured out how to combine GPX files from the rowing activities I tracked on my Garmin watch. So this is the route we did.

Thanks. I actually didn't keep track of that. I perhaps tried a little too hard to just be along for the ride and let the scouts/interpreter run the show.

My editing skills aren't the greatest, but I put this together of our NT trip. I wish I'd captured more, but this gives a good idea of what it's like. There are a few stills, particularly at the start, but it's mostly GoPro videos from the camera on a headstrap.

The cold showers were one of the very few things our troop noted as a negative when they went for the first time this year. Lack of shade and the extreme distance between activities were the others. They very much want to go back next year.

We only had a half hour in the store, and I got there later than the rest of the group as I had to take care of something. I wasn't looking for those types of items, just hats and shirts. I don't recall anything like that, but that doesn't mean they weren't there.

If you're looking for exercises to do, here's what I'd suggest. Obviously getting out in a canoe is great, but most people can't do this multiple times per week. The rowing machine is good cardio. It doesn't exactly mimic canoe paddling, but it is good. Shoulder press. You'll be lifting heavy stuff and carrying heavy stuff. Weighted walking lunges. Sometimes we had 2 people carry the (mostly) empty canoes on short portages. This will get you used to holding heavy weights and strengthen the legs. Core exercises benefit most activity. Planks, crunches, etc. If you're at

We were only given a 30 minute window to shop in the store. We wanted to take our interpreter out for dinner when we returned but we were told if we left we could not come back in.

There are canister stoves that simmer well. Our remote canister stoves do. We did make the desserts (pudding, brownies, cake) with varying degrees of success. We had the dromedary bags. The tablets at Philmont were better than the Polar Pure at NT. You can backflush the Sawyer Squeeze. People take them on through hikes of the Appalachian Trail, so they should be good for a week. True, take the pants, particularly if the weather will be cold and rainy.

I'll add thoughts as they return to my brain. If you get to a campsite, and there's no grumper or fire grate, you're in Canada. DAMHIK My Railriders Eco Mesh pants worked very well. They don't zip off into shorts but have a long zipper along each leg that when unzipped has mesh that keeps bugs out but allows air in and water to drain out. They also come treated with Insect Shield. Fozzils Bowlz are great for both Philmont and NT. We bought them as crew gear. They're light, cheap, compact and when you unsnap them, easy to lick clean. We found for bsoth Philmont and NT, treating

Thanks! During the day, no problem at all. First and second nights not bad. Third and Fourth nights they came out to feast for about 1.5 - 2 hours.

Sunset and then sunrise view from my hammock.

First, we had a fantastic time. Really, it couldn't have been better. Second, I'll post the route we did later. I intentionally let the scouts and interpreter deal with that. We left Springfield, VA, flew from Reagan National Airport direct to MSP. We rented a 15 passenger van for our crew of 8 and gear and drove 4 hours to Virginia, MN. Not sure why we did that to just end up in Virginia again. Virginia is the closest town with national hotel chains. We stayed at the AmericInn with a great view of the railroad tracks. Well, my room did. Get the front of the hotel to be away from

Our troop went to Summit Merit Badge Camp June 18 - July 4. I don't know if anyone got tested, but we're required to report back to Summit if anyone gets sick. We have no reports. There were only 270 people there that week with 700 the following week. There were no reported illnesses during the week our troop was there. WV recently reinstated some restrictions. Some sound like if they were applied to Summit, then Summit would have to close. I've seen no updates on Summit's site since June, so I assume they're still operating. I've been searching for news stories, and I'm not see

OK, show of hands. How many people take flares out into the wilderness? Maybe that's how some scouters have 75 pound packs at Philmont (I assumed it was dutch ovens). To me, the MB should be based on stuff you'd typically take as part of the 10 essentials. Stuff a scout would likely have.

The merit badge is Wilderness Survival. You're not going to have flares or a flare gun in the wilderness.

While it technically meets the requirement, I think it would be better to steer the scout toward something they are more likely to have on them in the woods. Not sure if the Guide to Safe Scouting covers shooting flare guns, but I'm going to say probably not a good idea.

Until this year, I only got the Mile Swim patch. During pandemic, I managed to get the Social Distancing, Toilet Paper Gathering, Mask Wearing and Weight Gain merit badges.

Thank you! That is close to what I needed to do. I had to go to My Dashboard and then Administration to get the rest of the way. Oddly, Scoutbook insists on giving me the mobile version of the site even on my laptop. Like you, none of the counselors in my troop, including me, are in the report.

I'm still not seeing where to find the MB Counselor list in Scoutbook.

It's My Profile, then My Positions. I'm listed as a Scoutmaster and Merit Badge Counselor, but none of my merit badges are listed. I guess they didn't add them.

Miracle Max: Beat it or I'll call the brute squad! Fezzik: I'm on the brute squad. Miracle Max: You ARE the brute squad. I am the Scoutmaster. I'll check with our CC. She knows everything.

We only recently switched to Scoutbook, and I can only assume it was designed by sadists. It is the most unintuitive pile o' poop I've used in a long time. And yes, I tempered that to be more scoutlike. My actual thoughts are much harsher. Where can I go to get a list of the merit badges BSA currently says I'm a counselor for? I've poked around my.scouting.org and scoutbook, and I can't find anything. Supposedly, I can find counselors in my area on Scoutbook, too, but that's a mystery as well. I'd appreciate some help. Thanks!

I've had several scouts, including my own son, who were much more afraid of open water than a swimming pool. It's tough when you can't see beyond the surface. Doing a test under pressure can have the same result, I'm sure. I try to tell them this isn't like a school test. You can keep trying until you succeed. There's no penalty for not succeeding the first time. We just want you to be capable in the water so you're safe.

I'm told "ambient" if there were native polar bears in the area.