Buggie

13 hours ago, yknot said:

One snicker's bar, melted but edible: 35 cents

Not sure what time machine you've used, but unless you're talking "fun size" that price is way off.  

Hey, it's near Halloween. Forage that way. LOL

I would add that for a training hike, you want them to be hauling gear like they would be for the later, more difficult hikes. A light pack sounds good, but if you aren't used to the weight you're going to be carrying later, it might be a surprise. Also the 5 mile hike should be as if you've got the full set of gear. Nothing helps shed pounds like realizing you don't need everything you thought you needed. 

It's been stated in another reply above. But the appropriate response is in several points.

• He has a signed card saying he's earned it. You have to accept that card. There's nothing you can do to stop that from happening. You will get shot down by council or national if you try and do nothing but build resentment with everyone. 
• You could explain why the requirements weren't fully completed, but you'll likely get gruff for it from the parent. Better yet to determine how each requirement was or was not met, to feed into the next bullet...
• You definitely should complain to the merit badge college etc that the MBC did not do their duty with details.

Our scouts make their menus. Pay the fee set for the weekend. (includes food and whatever costs, but generally only food)  The night before they meet at the store and with their budget, shop for their food together. Adults are there getting their food with their menu/budget. We meet and go through the registers, paying out and then loading the ice chests. Drop them off into the trailer and done. Next day, camping fun.

This article hits some of the key notes of YPT in that it talks about grooming. Not only of the kids, but conditioning the adults views. It also emphasised one of the big reasons folks don't follow through with reporting. In this case the abuser was well known and admired/liked (the conditioning I spoke of). Lastly it brings up a situation that makes things like this very difficult to report, the power/authority the abuser can have on the community. And a community can be large as a city/region/state or as small as the scouting council/district/troop. 

We can never relax in our review of everyone around us. We must watch and ensure that YPT is constantly followed. It can be as simple as seeing where another adult needs some backup because by accident they wandered out of range into a 1 on 1 situation or a scout wandered into a 1 on 1. It can happen very innocently enough. I do this for my scouters and they do this for me. I like to think of it as an adult buddy system.

The most important thing I pray for is that we have the courage and bravery to follow through and do the reporting. Especially when it is a friend who violated the rules. Even when doing so could destroy us. People are known to vigorously defend the accused even to the point of willful blindness of the evidence.

The consequences of not following YPT are destructive to those we are trusted to protect. 

The "what den our your kids in" is a classic type of question that feeds into the next question of "why are you doing this then". 

And I get it and I agree that parents should ask simply because when it comes to protecting our kids, it isn't a spectator role. Might not make us feel all that good with someone eyeing us with suspicion, but no harm with folks being curious. And as with everything, you have to watch folks who come up with a crazy idea and if they try to spread it around. There's always those kinds of parents and they will dream something up no matter what is going on. 

And frankly, I LIKE not having an adult leader with their kid currently in the unit. I've seen a lot of adults play favoritism with their own and even when they don't try, other adults tend to favor their kids if that adult is in some position of power.

We adults whose kids have moved on or even if we don't have a kid in scouting, enjoy being scouters and helping the kids. I love being able to be there when I'm needed. I love not being needed too, where I can enjoy a camping trip and stay out of their way. I especially like the questions of, "how did you tie that rope" when I set up a ridge line. 

*reads the very long and wonderful lists of all things scouting you have supported in your many years of activity and service*

So.... a slacker then? 😃

Welcome to the campfire. Looking forward to all the wisdom you have to share. 

23 hours ago, qwazse said:

Anyhow, I suspect there would be a way to rig the CPAP. I often strap my pack to a tree, so I could imagine you doing something similar.

Good idea. I normally keep it elevated off the ground and on my tote which I spray with some bug spray as a barrier, but my big concern deals with small critters crawling their way inside of he unit through some crack. The provisions I take are my best response so far. In a tent, far less issues with wandering bugs. 

And the old saying, "Gravity never lets me down." *thud*

I wouldn't mind camping with a hammock, but I drag along a CPAP with a deep cycle battery. (we don't go far from the trailer, so carrying isn't an issue.) Sort of tethers me to the ground via the hose. I prefer to put my Sansbug (netting pop-up shelter) on the ground or on a cot and if needed, string a tarp on a ridge line. If I know the weekend will have storms or if it is winter then I'll use a tent. 

Currently our troop only has one hammock-eteer (adult) and that's the only way he wants to camp. I admire him because he keeps his gear down to a single backpack. 

I had a hammock, but at last year's summer camp the rope attached to the tree broke while I was in it. Luckily 1) I was relaxed so the sudden drop to the ground didn't give me time to tense up 2) I had cleared any rocks/debris out from under the hammock 3) I had placed a camping pillow under my head. My fellow adult leaders didn't bother getting out of their respective chair/tent. Only offering their concerns before going back to sleep. LOL I was a little sore, but nothing bad. Didn't need to nap after that. 

Definitely shop around for a troop that fits the needs both ways. And as stated, be careful that you don't get over volunteered. I advise easing into things, taking the training online up front so that you know how scouting works these days. Some things remain the same and a lot of other things change over time. All of it is free to take online, so it's a great primer. And it's nice to be able to answer that you've recently retaken a lot of training. If you did your IOLS back in the day, that's fine. Modern IOLS isn't going to teach you anything new, but it might introduce you to others in your area. And it's all about knowing folks and sharing you're excitement. Drop by your district's round table and introduce yourself. It's a great way to meet a lot of folks from a lot of other troops and you might spark some friendships that lead you in. 

But above all, make sure you've got your YPT training done first. Being able to state that you're aware of the awesome responsibility involving working with youth and that you would like to meet folks and their troops is a great step forward. And as stated above, Venturing and other arms of scouting are all wonderful ways to be involved. 

Also was fun explaining to a first year why sweat bees were very pleased with their kitchen area. After a meal of watermelon, brownies, pink lemon aide, and chili made with baked beans (they seemed to love it) was left out after supper. Course the scouts didn't clean up right away, and all ran off to do something way over there. So when this one scout and his buddy came back to get a drink, they find all these bees loving their kitchen and dining area. Minor freak out ensues. 

Why doesn't the adult kitchen and eating area have bees? Because they like sweet things and we're all bitter and sour. That or we cleaned everything up right after supper. 

Also fun, scout needs X and can't find it in the trailer. Okay, I'll go to the trailer. Stand outside the trailer while I go inside to get it. No, don't come in with me. Stand out here. ... Why are you in here with me? I need you to go stand outside the trailer please. Ah, SM. thank goodness you're here. I needed another adult to assist. LOL

1 hour ago, MikeS72 said:

to hone his sewing skills, either by hand (as I did more than half a century ago) or on the sewing machine.

Thank you for letting your scout sew his own badges. Far too often kids in general don't know the basics of how to sew and it's something I wish I had been taught when I was a kid. 

22 hours ago, Pale Horse said:

It's a sad state when people think they need to be within 3 feet of their Scouts at all times.

Scouts smell. Do not sit within 3 ft of them unless your stink is more powerful. 

1 hour ago, Hawkwin said:

Curious; anyone know why it is referred to as the "field" uniform?

On the Parade Field or Review Field. Thus the fancy duds. 

Might also want to bring a diesel powered industrial paper shredder. You know, for the after party form shredding entertainment.  Then watch someone who just shredded their document have their fingers mangled and then where are you? Man, we just can't win! 

20 minutes ago, scotteg83 said:

If they get you lost, go with it.

Just because an adult is present, doesn't take away from the experience.  They will try to get answers and directions out of you, but after enough shrugs and blank stares, they will realize they are on their own.

My thoughts also, as far as compliance with 2 deep goes. Just be there to make sure they aren't going to walk off a cliff because they are staring at their GPS screens or too deep into a swamp. Let them go in a little ways and they say you're not going to go in there and get your boots all messy.

Radio is a great idea, but I'm always worried about battery life and problems with reception or moving out of range. Things like this require two adults behind the scouts. Have them be kids for the fun of it. Bicker with each other. Whine now and then about being hungry, bored, wanting to be carried because walking is too hard etc. Have one pull out something to eat so the other can fight over it. You know, give them the adult treatment. LOL I know, not very Scout-y. 

3 hours ago, David CO said:

You don't really need to give them a compass and map. Just make the destination a video game arcade and let their instincts take over. 

What century are you from? LOL   They have all the games on their phone and handheld devices. Also at home on systems that can't be carried around. 

These days they might order an uber to their GPS location, watch a movie while they wait, and end the day with a meal delivery service. Battery charge providing of course. 

Ever vigilant. And never be afraid to report YPT violations, even if they have an excuse. We all take YPT and we know the rules we must abide by. There's never an excuse not to do so. 

I have experienced an adult who was a predator, he was trying to get my son to be with him alone on occasions and trying to be a family friend. I never did let him. He could have just been a guy trying to be friendly, but he raised the hackles on my wife's and my neck. He was the husband of one of our ministers. he was an absolute bore. Should be completely innocent, but again, hackles raised when he wanted to be alone with my kid. 

He was eventually arrested by the FBI for trying to hook up with minors in a chat room. They arrested him at a parking lot, where he had arranged to meet a minor from that chat room. 

On a side note, I refer to my car as the Polka car. I state quite loudly that polka music will be available. And I do play it loud and proud with windows down as I'm driving up to pick up scouts. I might even play it for a minute as we're leaving the parking lot. Then I turn off the music and inform the oldest scout in the group that he is now in charge of the radio. What would he like to listen to? With the provision that it can not be a bunch of filthy words strung together as a lyric because it doesn't reflect well on us if someone sees/hears us jamming to it. 

If any scout makes a mess, they have to clean it before they can do fun stuff. 

No one is allowed to leave food/drink in the car after we arrive where we're going. 

I also lay out an old tarp on the floor before we head out. Including one for myself. 

And if possible, after returning home before the end of the day, go clean the car. 

(another side note: I have no sense of smell. So that benefits me on trips when others are left gasping. But it isn't helpful in recognizing when someone really has an issue beyond the normal.)

Before every BoR I am in, I remind the members of the board that this is not a retest of the requirements of the rank. After the scout arrives, I ask the scout to recite the Oath and/or Law and I like the Scouters involved also state it with the scout (but it depends on who is there and what rank the scout is). Sometimes a new board member will look at me as if I've just gone back on my word about not doing a retest. 

Then I say, "This is not a test to see if you can recite the Oath and/or Law. This is to remind us all what a Scout abides by. In particular, in this Board of Review, we are called to remember the Oath and Law and conduct ourselves accordingly." 

I'm in a troop with a scout with cerebral palsy. His mother and he chose our troop over many others for a variety of reasons. If you ask her why it's because she knows what he is capable of and that he tries to skate by on (and she makes sure he doesn't skate by on anything he can do). They want to make sure he has as much real world exposure as possible and work on the modifications to the scout program with support of the council. They visited a lot of troops, some they decided against for their own reasons. Others because the troop stated they weren't able to handle a scout with cerebral palsy. (Not shaming/blaming them, they may have good reasons for it.)

Other parents want troops that have more experience with and more connections with others who have disabilities. Like Double Eagle stated, it's all in how you want to experience scouting. 

Frankly, I'm absolutely honored that he is one of our scouts. He's pretty damn awesome! 

17 minutes ago, mrkstvns said:

I'm not even sure why an Advancement Chair is involved AT ALL in picking merit badges for a troop's summer camp.  It's just not part of the job...

As pointed out in so many posts before now, people have a way of making changes and adding responsibilities; reasonable, legal, realistic, or otherwise.  

We have a CC who has alienated nearly everyone out of the committee. As such, most of the committee roles are done by ASMs. My only hope is that when their scout ages out this year, they move on too and we keep "that guy" out of it.  (we all have a "that guy" everyone knows to keep out of the Key 3 and other important posts)

I agree it is expensive and you can do quite well with basic mosquito netting. Major difference is this thing encapsulates; it has a floor. Like a mini-tent. Also isn't as tall and has it's own support system compared to the the standard mosquito netting you pointed to. So for my use, it works well and has lasted me and my son years at summer camp. and for me in regular camping since I tend to either be under a tarp or the stars until it gets cold enough for a tent. 

We had a scout (11 yr/o) who had a tiger mom who signed him up as a maverick for multiple camps his first year. 

Scout eventually burned out because of said mom too.