CraigHall

A few months ago I searched for wooden storage box plans, and was able to find a few sets of plans. A recent search hasn't yielded any. Can anyone point me in the right direction of some sets of plans to build some good dutch oven boxes??

I didn't include in my original post, but the ONLY reason I'll be taking my laptop, is because I'm unemployed and deep in the midst of my job search. Don't want to be 'disconnected' for the week, and potentially miss an opportunity. On the upside, I'll have the privilege of Scouting with my Scouts.

First, I get the irony of starting this thread in a Scouting forum, given that the 1st point of the Scout Law is Trustworthy. Nonetheless, I'm interested to hear ideas of how you have secured your laptop while @ summer camp. I won't have the use of a footlocker. Other than carrying it with me in a daypack at all times, I haven't come up with anything else.  

I'm having some trouble finding a supplier for new neckerchiefs for my troop. I need a company that can: provide small quantities (< 25), can embrioder my design, and can source the material and hem the edges. Does anyone in this forum have suggestions for companies, or individuals, to contact? I'm in the Del-Mar-Va Council (in the US, I'm based in Delaware).  We've reached the point where we've now run out, and we have some newly crossed-over Scouts who don't have one. (Note to self: better planning, so your next 'first impression' is a better one.) Thanks for any suggestions you may have.

Craig

Back in the '70s, when I was a Scout, my District (Caesar Rodney, in the DEL-MAR-VA Council {Delaware, Maryland, and Virginia}), had an annual event (late spring, I think), that was a Scout Olympics-style patrol competition. As I was considering trying to revive this tradition in my current District (Three Rivers, also in the DEL-MAR-VA Council), I was hoping some readers of the scouter.com forums might recall the event from the Three Rivers District and be able to jog my memory as to some of the activities that took place during the event. Alternatively, if you have participated in the past, or your District currently holds a similar event, please let me know some of the events your District has.

Many thanks.

Does anyone know of an internet resource for plans for a wooden camp bench, like the kind you see around the dining hall tables at summer camp?

I'm looking for some simple, seasonal (i.e. spring, summer, fall, and winter) Scouting clipart that I can use for a Scout project I'm working on for my troop. Would like to find images that depict the specific season, possibly including tents, backpacks, boots, cabins, canoes, and any other good outdoorsy stuff. Any suggestions on where to look? The "Clipart" section of scouter.com doesn't have what I need. Many thanks.

I'm sure there must be previous threads about this topic. Can someone point me in the right direction here at Scouter.com? Thanks!

I'm looking for some suggestions for storage containers to transport my troop's (i.e. each patrol's) camping equipment & gear for weekend trips. We have been using some large HD plastic containers which are available in the large home improvement stores, Walmart, etc. I think we might do better with a container that has 2 'real' handles (to assist with carrying by 2 Scouts), as well as enough capacity for a patrol's cook kit, utensils, foodstuffs, cleaning supplies, spices, etc. Tents would continue to either be carried by hand or attached to Scouts' backpacks. Dutch ovens? Well, we haven't worked out a really simple way to carry those yet!

Your thoughts on what to use?? Has anyone found a convenient, yet rugged, container at any of the mail order houses? As always, I look forward to your replies. Thanks!

You may also find the web site - http://www.usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/framesindex.html - to be useful for determining revision dates, etc. for merit badges. I haven't read each site extensively enough, but both seem to carry good info about the merit badge program, with its frequently changing requirements.

I've (previously, ~ 1 week ago) posed the question to my Council's Adv Chair, as to if there is a BSA national-sanctioned web site which outlines what their most current versions of each merit badge pamphlet are, with the hope of having to avoid travel to either the Council HQ or a local Scouting supplies retailer to review the merit badge pamphlets to see which are the most current. [i recently ran into this, as a merit badge counselor, and found I was using an outdated merit badge pamphlet.] No answer yet.

[NOTE: I originally posted this request on the "Working with Kids" forum. In the interest of trying to reach (much more directly) the Crew Advisors that attended the same Crew Advisors' meeting I did on Sunday, Aug 8, I'm posting my query here, too.)]

After recently returning from a spectacular Philmont trek (808-A1), I've taken some time to look back. I have come across something that I didn't write down at the time I heard it, and of course ... . At the Crew Advisors' meeting on Aug 8, a Scouter, Gene Schnell, talked for a bit, and mentioned the above '10 Things' list (from a survey that had been conducted by ??). I was intrigued by the list, never having heard of it before in my many years of Scouting, and thought it would be worthwhile to share with the other Scouters in my troop. So, 1) were you at the same (or another) Advisors' meeting such that you could tell me what the 10 things are, 2) have you heard of this list in another forum before such that you could send me a URL, or 3) can you suggest a resource where I might find this list? Thanks for your help.

In response to my other post in the other Forum, OldGreyEagle replied with the following. (I wasn't convinced this was the same list I heard on Aug 8 {hence my re-post}, though some of the items did sound somewhat familiar.)

"I have seen this before, is this what you mean ?

The 10 Needs of a Scout

1. To climb a mountain and look afar.

2. To sit around an embered campfire with good friends.

3. To test his strength and skill on his own.

4. To be alone with his own thoughts and with his God.

5. To be ready to reach out and find the hand of an understanding adult ready and willing to help.

6. To have a code to live by.....Easily understood and fair.

7. To have a chance to play hard just for the fun of it....And to work hard for the thrill of it.

8. To have a chance to fail....And know why.

9. To have and to be a good friend and have a chance to prove both.

10. To have a hero....And a vision to measure him by."

After recently returning from a spectacular Philmont trek (808-A1), I've taken some time to look back. I have come across something that I didn't write down at the time I heard it, and of course ... At the Crew Advisors' meeting on Aug 8, a national Scouter (I believe his name was Gene) talked for a bit, and mentioned the above '10 Things' list (from a survey that had been conducted?). I was intrigued by the list, never having heard of it before in my many years of Scouting, and thought it would be worthwhile to share with the other Scouters in my troop. So, 1) were you at the same (or another) Advisors' meeting such that you could tell me what the 10 things are, 2) have you heard of this list in another forum before such that you could send me a URL, or 3) can you suggest a resource where I might find this list? Thanks for your help.

While never having been to Philmont before, and in anticipation of our August trek, our crews are wondering about the 10-tent peg/person requirement. Without knowing exactly what type tents are issued, 10 pegs/person seems like overkill (assuming the tents are supplied with pegs to begin with, even though they're not specifically identified in the "Crew Equipment issued at Philmont" list in the "2004 Philmont Guidebook to Adventure" booklet). I'll assume Philmont staff must have a good reason, however, for suggesting this in their printed materials, but I thought I'd try to get some insight from those of you who may be able to provide it. Your thoughts on the pros/cons of this requirement? Or, is it simply that Philmont doesn't provide them (Why?) with the tents they issue?

Eisely - many thanks for your reply. Waiting until we get to HQ is probably the best solution. I too was surprised to read that trek 14 does not pass ANY locations where we might be able to refuel.

John Sned - If Philmont offers white gas for sale at HQ, as well as other locations on the reservation (as indicated in this year's "TREKS" guide), I'm assuming it's OK to use there.

I have 2 crews going to Philmont trek #14 in early August. I have an MSR Whisperlite Intntl, and 3 other adults have similar stoves. Thought 2/crew would be sufficient.

At issue is how many fuel bottles we should take? Given that I don't have a lot of experience with my stove nor its consumption rate (and certainly not at higher elevations), I'm reluctant to simply guess how many we should take. My read of this year's "TREKS 2004 Itinerary Guide", page 8, is that white gas is not available at any of the posts we'll be passing while on trek 14. Therefore, it seems as if we'd have to load up with white gas @ HQ before heading out on the trail, in order to ensure we have enough fuel for the ENTIRE trek.

What insight can you provide about trek 14 and fuel use, or just fuel use (guides) in general at Philmont?

Thanks in advance.

Regards,

Craig Hall

Our (Delaware) troop was 1 of the lucky ones to secure a slot for a 2004 trek in August. While some of the Scouters who will be going have been before, we'd like to get some current feedback about actually getting to Philmont once we fly in to (????). I checked the previous threads, but didn't see this issue discussed.

Looking for suggestions on: 1) ideal place to fly into, 2) how to get from that location to Philmont [charter bus, van rentals, local (private) shuttling services as are available along the Appal. Trail], and 3) how to return to departure city for flight home [which wouldn't necessarily be the same as the arriving city].

Any suggestions would be most appreciated, including other internet references, etc.

Many thanks! YIS,

Craig Hall

Our troop's adult leadership is currently assessing our policy of providing financial aid (specifically, at this time, for summer camp), while considering the Scout's participation in the troop's fundraising activities. We have only 2 (flower) fundraising activities during the year and ask that each Scout sell a minimum amount (something like 3-5 flowers, while encouraging Scouts to do their best at selling in order to help themselves), which any Scout should be able to accomplish. At issue is the Scout who does not participate in the fundraiser, but still would like to go to camp and who, without some level of financial aid from the troop, may not be able to attend. (We're attending an out-of-council camp this summer, so camperships are not an option.) To avoid skewing any responses, I'll leave the details to those stated.

What kind of ideas or comments do you have with regard to this type of situation? (I have not yet consulted the "Front Line Stuff" column from past issues of Scouting to see if this issue has ever surfaced there.) We're looking for ideas about "where to draw the line" as to expectations about Scouts' participation. We also want to encourage Scouts to help pay their own way, while finding that happy medium with helping as many Scouts as is practicable. Look forward to your responses. Thanks!