croushorn

In our Troop, camping is a major part of our program. We balance it with mainly tent and only two cabin campouts so that a Scout cant get away with that. Maybe you all need to cut back some on your cabin camping to head that off? Its lots cheaper too! I would assume this is an older Scout? I wouldnt worry about a younger one too much unless hes trying to shortcut some of his advancement requirements. But as he gets up there in rank he needs to be active to perform his POR and part of that would include tent camping. One leads into another. (OA eligibility, Camping MB.) The next

>> Joe Biden but at least I believe he has enough experience to draw upon that he wouldn't be in way over his head if something happened and he had to step into the job.

SMT224: please tell us this is tongue in cheek? You really think the GOP is condoning teen pregnancies?

>> Well, it isn't often possible to conclusively disprove an Internet rumor, but I guess Governor Palin did it.

Lisa If Palin were the Republican nominee for President your comparisons would be dead on. >>forcing him to clarify and further develop his understanding and views on issues.

Talk to the SM or CC of your Troop. With allowing only one adult nomination per year, it can be a tough choice as to who gets that one nomination. They may already have one or two people in mind for the upcoming year. Its a tough decision, we struggle with it annually. Please note I said nomination. There is a committee within the lodge that selects the adults to be tapped out from the list of nominees. Each lodge handles this differently - it may be a rubber stamp to all nominees or they only select a number of the best nominees.

No way go along with this! If you want to stay in the Pack, explain why and that you'll join the group on Friday eve and be leaving Sunday. Are the leaders able to schedule their work around this schedule? That would knock out a majority of my leaders, parents and drivers... That is not the norm in any way for a program to run.

Sheeze, a lot of us wore those shorts and grew up just fine.... at least I think so....

We separate lodge adults and youth to prevent the helicopters from going into mode. Not afraid to step up and point this out to them either. Most will respect that action instead of talking behind the back, like how you heard about it. I would ask your source if anyone had the stones to say anything to him? Shame on them for not. Dont let gossip taint a great organization, there may be more to the story than either of you know. At an ordeal a bunch of youth members didnt get up in time for breakfast. By the time they rolled in to the dining hall they werent happy about it. Had a

Another testament: Elected in 1978, somewhat active in the OA. Was a young Eagle that lost the interest in Scouts after the challenge was gone. A great fellowship, a lot of fun, a lot of gratifying work, a lot of friends. But regretfully ignored numerous invitations to join the executive committee. Instead dedicated my year round time to a sport that in the end only left me with damaged shoulders and broken dreams of scholarships. Uncle Sam was my way to college, and that effective ended my involvement with Scouting right after HS. Fast forward 15 years when my Cub is approachi

The ECOH is still a Troop function, regardless of where it is held. I cant believe any reasonable parent wouldnt understand this premise. If a separate celebration is to be held, then it needs to be separate. On the announcement or invitation list the start and end time for the ECOH. Then the private party can ensue afterwards. But I think you all are asking for trouble here and would encourage all leaders to leave at the appropriate time.

Right, its not about me. Its about my son, 16, who is up and coming in the lodge. Hes considering running for Chief next year. He loves the OA and has taken on many great things Scouting has made available to him as an older Scout. Im hoping I can take at least one more Arrowman as well to spread the experience. I guess Im looking for some fodder to help justify the cost, the drive, the weekend away from the family. Juggling the troops camping schedule to accommodate. Its the usual issues, the wife wonders where my priorities are!

Found this post in the archives. It was passed onto me and I did it for one of my 'special' Eagles last summer. It is a beautiful knife and would highly recommend it.

>>Do you think there's a conservative mother who might want to adopt Trig?

I do wonder if they'll kick him out.

Good thing our CC doesn't keep our trailer at his house; more than once he'd be upset at me digging around at odd hours! Don't forget these arrangements need to be convenient for all and sustainable after your CC moves on. I think we've talked about this before: try and find a local storage yard that will give you a space for the write-off or in trade for an annual good turn project. I really like the idea of NLD - wheel lock or find something unmovable to chain it to, maybe both! We park ours in front of our storage barn at our Church, plain view for all from a nearby state highway.

Interesting how much even THIS part differs from troop to troop: Had a Scout ask me after opening Tuesday night if I could sit with him to review his proposal. After closing, the CC and I sat down, listened to the Scout explain what he wants to do and we threw a few questions at him while we were reading his proposal write up. We both signed. Now hes off and running. Only took about 20 minutes, no big effort. I guess I can see some benefits to having the presentation come before the full committee, and I'm all for maximizing the learning process on a kid's trail to Eagle. Is the co

I'll probably get pasted for this, but here's how I'd handle it: If he's just coming for the evening, no problem. If he's going to stay for all or most of the two days, then he needs to register with both.

A cat and mouse game. Creative folks find creative ways to continue honoring their members.

Fantastic! What a challenge you have taken on - and thank you doing it!

I've got one - why did national do away with individual honors? Oh yeah... we're all Arrowmen... we're all equal, aren't we... kumbya....

>> Some folks just won't camp without massive amounts of gear

We are actually trying to resurrect the patch trading in our lodge, been lost over the years due to past Advisors that didnt do much with it. Speaking of that, starting to see some NOAC fundraisers around Anytime we can get a kid talking about flaps, he is talking about OA, our lodge, our history. Some kids wear different flaps because they glow in the dark, change colors in the sun, because they just like them. As long as it isnt a spoof and it gets them talking OA & Scouting weve done a good thing, right??

Just out of curiosity, I would ask him why he wants to wear a patch to an event he didnt attend? He may have a very good reason. I wouldnt stop it. I have guys wearing flaps we issued for last NOAC as a fundraiser, but they didnt attend. Seems a little odd, but its a flap from the lodge. So why not? Actually I do wear a flap on my shirt from our lodge that was issued before I was tapped out, back in the day. Reason is it was given to me by someone when I finished my Ordeal that I had a great deal of respect for.

Am being encouraged to go to NLS this fall. Anyone have any insight they can provide?