acco40

My memory is just like Scoutnut described. I've put PAM or butter right on top of the can and cook grilled chees sandwiches directly on the top of the can. It is amazing how much heat the little tuna fish can (or cat food) and coffe can combo can make.

Just a guess, but my two younger children's elementary school does not allow students to ride in the front seat of any automobile (or van or truck or etc.) during school field trips or outings. Maybe the "urban legend" came from that source. I'm sure many other school districts have a similar rule.

We had a campout at one of our council properties last weekend. We stayed in a cabin mainly because we had Webelos Scouts as visitors and March in Michigan is unpredictable. Anyway, the cabin had a TV and I tried and tried to keep the kids (fairly easy) and parents (very difficult) to not sit around and watch Iraq War news at every turn. I don't think the boys nneded to be subjected to that all weekend. I try to make sure the boys feel free to ask questions but don't interject my thoughts on the conflict unless directly pressed. P.S. I'm not a big fan of the "ribbon" gestures.

As SM, I remind the boys the week before an election that we will be having an election for SPL (or PL). The boys that choose to run have the option of giving a speech (there is no debate) if they wish. Some come prepared, some wing it. We have elections every six months and we do not have any sort of term limits. My question for everyone. Many elections have been close and we have had ties (with only two candidates). What do you all do with a tie vote?

My first son did well in Scouts and is starting on his third year in Boy Scouts. I was never his leader. My second son, from an award perspective, did even better. I was his den leader all the way through Cub Scouts and now SM for both of my boys. I'm sure many adults thought that he had it "easy" because his Dad was the leader and let him breeze through. Actually, I was harder on him (I should not have been) that I was on the other kids. Scouts excites him (school does not unfortunately). Luckily, the adults don't verbalize their thoughts to him. Some kids live Scouting and are not that much interested in advancement. Others are very interested in advancement. Still others have no interest in Scouting either way. To each his own. Try to honor the boys wishes (not the parents) when it comes to advancement.

Although I'm sure it is not unusual, if fact very common, my wife had volunteered my services for Den Leader (yes, it is more difficult than Cubmaster). I found out later that she told all of the Tiger boys (back then, Tigers had no den leader just adult partners and a "secretary") that I would be their Wolf Den leader a few days before their crossover. Nothing like 10 first graders and their parents all congratulating you for a position you did not know you you had taken! (In hindsight, I'm glad she did.) (This message has been edited by acco40)

Thank you. However, for some reason your link (which I believe is correct) did not work. When I went to the www.nfcym.org site and then navigated down all was well. Thanks again. Acco40

I've been very active in the BSA program (Unit Commissioner, Cub Scout Den Leader (Tiger thru Webelos), ASM and SM but am fairly ignorant about Girl Scouts. All of her meetings are held directly after school which limits my involvement. Both of my boys have earned their religious awards (Light of Christ, Parvuli Dei, ad Altare Dei, etc.) but my 8 yr. old (2nd grade) daughter's Girl Scout leader is unaware of any similar program for GS. Can anyone lead me to the resources for the GS religious award programs? Thanks.

Old fashioned potato chips work well as a fire starter. The oil and starch burn well and fairly slow. BBQ flavor works best! (Just kidding on the last one.)

Right now, our troop has three patrols with rather slim numbers of 4, 5 and 7. We also have two boys in the Sr. Patrol (SPL & ASPL). A couple of months ago I asked the boys if they wanted to form two patrols of eight and they declined. I was glad that they fell a patrol identity. We have our SPL and ASPL eat as guests of a patrol. We are going to have an influx of four new Webelos Scouts in April and the current patrol of 4, which has two Scouts who crossed over in February will in all probability be the patrol for the new boys, bringing it up to eight. I like the peer group approach vs. the "even it out" approach when it comes to patrols. The long range plan is to have the Sr. Patrol include the troop QM, Scribe, etc. and start to become a funcioning patrol of their own. It is difficult to do with two boys. The adults eat as a patrol.

"The patrols seem balanced in age, rank and friendships, in that order." That seems contrary to what is indicated in all of the BSA literature that I have. Partrols should be a group of peers and therefore NOT balanced by age and rank. That is why there are new scout patrols, experienced patrols, etc. First, the boys should choose which patrols they would like to belong to, with no "pre-approved" PLs or PL candidates. Why should someone in the "rat" patrol have any say in the leadership of the "cat" patrol? The goal of a troop is not to have evenly balanced (except for pure numbers) patrols. I remember when I was seventeen, my idea of a good time was not hanging around with 11 and 12 year old boys.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Certain topics should be off limits around youth. Most are not. I know that my District has an "adults only" rule for roundtable. However, simultaneously in another part of the building, the Order of the Arrow meets. There are good pros and cons as to why youth should or should not attend roundtables.

Chucklehead, I laughed at OGE's comments. As a Scoutmaster, we have to remember (and are constantly told) that the boys lead the troop. I am nobodies "boss" in the troop. I tend to agree that the "shows scout spirit" can be met with spotty attendance. However, I also believe that the leadership requirement requires leadership (a novel idea!) and not just elected to office. If a boy were elected SPL (in our troop for a six month "term") and only made a handful of meetings, did not provide input into the troop meeting agendas, annual planning, PLC meetings, etc. I would not sign off on his leadership requirement. And yes, the SM handbook, TroopMaster, etc. are all in agreement with this.

scoutldr, You are correct. One should not wear the 1937 shirt withthe 2003 pants. However, once correct, always correct with complete uniforms.

During training, we had a staff member show up in a red jacket and the students (adults) were asked what was wrong with his uniform. The answer was that placement of patches on the jacket. I can't specificly remember the guidelines but I believe one could have only a centered patch in the back (according to the staff). I don't recall ever seeing the issue covered in any BSA literature. Just like adults who wear patrol patches (Old Goat, Rocking Chair, etc.), it is often done, not a big deal to many, AND a violation of the uniform guidelines. I'm not a memeber of the patch police but if asked point blank if it is correct, I give what I believe to be the proper answer.

18 - 21 yr of age are the "tweener" years. To old to be a Boy Scout, to young to be a SM or SA (ASM). However, Venturing offers a good program for these ages.

Yes, there is an official red wool jacket, and if you have "patches all over it" it is in violation of the uniform guidelines. Is it a big deal? That is in the eye of the beholder. Personally, I believe the adult leaders should strive to do everything "by the book." Otherwise, how do you explain to the youth what rules you feel are okay to break and what ones you feel are not?(This message has been edited by acco40)

Disney is amoral. If they thought re-releasing Follow Me Boys would earn them $$, they would do it in a flash, regardless of content.

"has announce me" for Patrol Leader I'll interpret the above as you were chosen by an election of your peers in your patrol. If so, congratulations. If not, inform your "troop leader" (SPL or SM?) that Patrol Leaders should be elected by the boys. Get a copy of the Patrol Leaders handbook and read it. You should prepare for the coming year (does Be Prepared ring a bell?). Keep the traditions, games, etc. that you and your patrol like. As for help when you need it. Make sure you fully understand the responsibilities of the position, none more and none less. Enjoy!

Before the diehard Scouters get to "high falutin" about their scouting ideals, remember this, in a real Boy Scout troop, the SM would be following the boys! Enjoy the movie.

FOr the youth one word meaning: snack. Original meaning: sort of the civilian version of the scuttle on board a ship (i.e. scuttlebutt). Country stores used to have a cracker barrel (literally a barrel with crackers I believe) that customers and town folk would gather round for informal conversation. For Boy Scout troops, "crackerbarrel" or "cracker-barrel" or "cracker barrel" is SUPPOSED to mean the time when everyone gathers around the campfire (or equivalent) shares a good story and may munch away on something. To most youth (and adults) nowadays, the original meaning is lost and most interpret the term as simply the "bedtime snack." For example, the boys in our troop ask, what is cracker-barrel for Saturday night? I believe it may also be a copy-reighted term for a chain of roadside restarants. If so, the phrase originated before it was trademarked. That is the restaurants did not invent the term.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Sctmom, Instead of pushing him to visit a nearby troop, why don't you tell him that he is "forbidden" to join the nearby troop. Just a thought.

Webelos Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts can attend the same camp-o-ree and even do the same activities! They just can't compete against one another. My wish, I got paid by the hour for my Scouting work. Having a job and needing to provide for my family gets in the way of all my scouting activities. (No, I'm not wishing to become a Scouting professional.) Wish #2, that this forum would employ a spell checker and that users would use it!

OGE, shhhh! Be quiet or I'll have to use the "cone of silence" on you! I miss agent 99.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Maybe the US Government will have another huge drug bust and the BSA can purchase another "Sea Base" for pennies on the dollar. Who said drugs never did any good?