dg98adams

Webelos Leader Specific:

Working activity badges is a big topic and Arrow of Light if the Den is able to make it it.....but

The section that I think is VERY important:

Webelos-to-Scout transition (introduce to the youth early to Troops outings, don't wait till crossover, get to know some Scout Masters, take the Webelos Den Camping (still Cub Scouts though) - educate the parent on the differences/expectations of Webelos-to-Scouts).

The thing I observe Webelos or new Boy Scouts having the most difficulty with is: listening/getting information from a youth (SPL/PL/TG) on Troop outings instead of an adult.

That, and hearing,

"I don't know where my poncho/flash light/etc is, mom packed my bag".

Call the council and ask for the District Merit badge counselor list.

Many merit badges lend them selves to training modules (first aid, nature, pioneering, cooking, etc...). The list will give you names/phone numbers to call.

Now if you see a name repeated for lots of Merit Badges, it's usually a Scout Master or a seasoned Scouter who was a Scout Master. Try some of the new names.

I am the chair for Outdoor Webelos Leader training coming the 1st weekend in October for the council I serve.

I am not new to the organizing training/Merit Badge Councilors game either. I had ran BALOO and a Merit Badge Trail Drive for the past 5 years. What you are describing is nothing new. RELAX.

What I have done the last 2 years is try to step away from the cadre of "old guard" that usually "volunteers". I had found they won't commit till last minute, but don't seem to be worried about dropping out last minute.

Look to local churches for the interfaith portion. They don't have to be a Scouter. There's probably several units sponsored by churches, but you will probably have to go in person to ask.

For the others, I dug thru my contact lists via camp staff, Venture Crew, Boy Scout, Cub Scout, Woodbadge, Round Table and such for NEW people. I know you said there is a Woodbadge weekend/Camporee so that's probably not an ideal pool.

Best advice, personally ask for trainers. It's too easy to blow off an email.

When you do have the training, make sure you ask at the end if anyone would be interested in volunteering for the next course (pass out sign up sheet). Give them an opportunity to make it better.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Hmm, if those were the only issues (#1 - 5, and especially #5) you don't sound like they were show-stoppers.

Now, #5, I can agree that portions of it was a rehash of some corporate/military stuff I was paid to go thru.

But I know for some in the course, it was an eye-opener, you could see if from my TG position this go round.

Oh yeah, I never carried my stave around, and left it out against the split-rail on GilWell field and only used it as we walked in/out.

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Welcome.

You should be commended for passing your Scouting interest to your son as well as helping him along. You own progress on the Scouting trail is not measured by rank anyway.

You can do a lot, but probably the real gift will be to your younger brothers, via interaction with you outside of the home environment. Just don't "mother them". Look out for them while you all learn about the game of Scouting and have fun.

Besides, you can go to 20.999 years old in a Venturing Crew.

I'll 2nd & 3rd what Fox said, whatever foil dinner you choose a couple dollops of cream of mushroom, cream of celery or even tomato soup can really make a difference in flavor. Also eliminates the need to add salt since they are all hi in sodium.

I have replaced the cabbage most foil dinners use as a moisture/burn layer with apple peals, banana peals, wet tortillas, potato skins, orange skins... get creative.

I think with some 12volt gadgets you could hook up a bell/light/buzzer and make your range active. Plan on using a car battery for source, and surplus stuff for the range.

Maybe use some plastic paddles or spinners to activate stuff. Set it up for "momentary" contact so it does not activate all day.

Pop up targets on a belt/timer would be cool.

If you have a BALOO trained adult they can help make a campout/campfire lots of fun.

Really depends on the injury.

I am an ASM and and amputee. I use a wheelchair, but probably not like many imagine.

It's a manual (not electric) rigid, light weight frame with 8x2 inch front tires and off road 26 inch mountain bike tires on the back.

I don't go back country or rough hiking, but everything else I can get to I do including snow and water (the chair gets submerged at the lake).

I would have directed them to the council office to pay late instead of paying for them, but that water under the bridge.

Personally, I think you you waited too long.

Follow it up with a letter requesting reimbursement for the camp and hope for the best.

In our council Cubs (as far as the chartering roster goes) get promoted to the next Rank as of June 1st.... I think it's an automatic rollover, but it can be a paperwork catch-ya.

Remember, there are NO performance requirements for a boy in the Tiger Cub trail.

Simply participating and doing one's best in an activity constitutes completion.

I just made sure my advancement report got turned it before June 1.

Dad, theyre real serious about math at that school. Didnt see what happened to the guy who didnt do well in math? They nailed him to a plus sign and hung up reminders in every room.

Now that's funny.

I like the way the Troop I serve handles it.

Scout asks for Blue Card for MB. SM signs Unit leader approval on card and gives to Scout.

SM asks Scout does he know any MBC's for the MB?

Sometimes a MBC in the Troop is what he wants (easy access), sometimes it's a relative.

Scouts are encouraged to seek out new MBC's, but does not have to.

If Scout does not know any MBC's for the MB, a short list of MBC's is made available from the District list (sometimes it's a Scouter closer to the Scouts home, but sometimes not).

If a Scout wants to change, it's up to him to let the counselor know before continuing on. Especially, if the MBC is holding the Blue Card and the Scout needs it back with whatever he completed marked off.

I think our MB advancement coordinator notes any changes in the contact info (reported by the Scout) for the MBC's that are currently being used to help keep the District list info current.

Hmmm, the WB course I was on staff last year was told by the CD, even after earning your beads, you can wear the plaid, Troop 1 neckerchief. It is a symbol of service.. initially to the ticket process, but even after the process is complete. The combo of the leather woggle and tartan looks good.

I also picked up a green axe & Log necker after the course, with "Troop 1" and the "course name/date" on it. I wear that one occasionally as well.

I picked up an old BSA rucksack/frame for cheap several years ago.

I leave the frame at home, but I keep all my small camping goodies in the ruck.

* Mess kit

* Steel Cup

* over-stuffed 1st aid kit (contains other things like cotton balls soaked in petroleum jelly, water proof matches, pieces of fire starters)

*song book

* plant/Tree ID pocket hand book

* Native American pocket story book - or BP book

* Small leather craft (laces)

* uncarved neck slide

* head mounted LED for reading at night

* whatever book I'm reading

* flint & steel (I'm terrible at it, but can do it

* glovers needle and some sinew

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Ten Bears... these (and all rank patches) from the Scout store can only be purchased when an advancement report is turned in.

An Eagle card, while commendable, does not automatically raise you above the policy.

There is the "multiple uniform" issue that occurs, but since it's the same rank the Scout/Scouter is....

The Scout office our troop uses did not get a large quantity of Centennial patches. I would think saving them for the Scout actually earning the rank this year would be a priority.

If you were creating a display, you could use electronic images of the patches instead of the actual patches?

"buy the Centennial versions of the Scout through Eagle rank badges", ..... just for that reason.

That passive 250# "victim" I towed during my 1st guard class back years ago when I turned 16 was one of the Y's power lifters. A floater would not be a good description.

When I served as a costal life guard in Florida a couple years later, towing the drunk college kids thru the surf made me wish I was back there.

Now running thru the life guarding sessions with my "don't go anywhere without my float tube", even the weakest Scout swimmer can manage it.

Never had to use steel wool on cast iron.

Anything "burnt on" will soften when boiled, and rust should be able to be heated, loosened and if on the inside would flake/wipe out when heated. Some may take a metal spoon to loosen.

If it's rusty on the outside, it never has taken more than a couple heat cycles and soot from the fire to get it clean.

My gran used folded burlap scrub pads (very cheap) after boiling out burnt food. I got the Troop a couple.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I do.... but it doesn't really count till you have a 250+# victim to tow a couple hundred yards!

I cover the aquatic skills for the Troop I serve. I am also a YMCA/BSA lifeguard and have taught Scouts of different levels to swim.

I also am an amputee (no left leg). Butterfly is the most difficult, but since that competitive rather than Scouter, it's not an issue.

If the Scout can float, side stroke and resting backstroke (arms in the water) and backstroke (arm rotating out of the water) is doable. I can also do a "1-arm/1-leg" forward crawl stroke. It's not pretty, but definitely stronger than dog paddle. Why, I also have some nerve damage in my left arm and sometimes I let it rest a lap or 2.

Anyway the big thing here is getting the Scout to the water, getting him to float and going from there. Who knows, with the right skill-adjustments he may not need any alternates.

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

The Troop I serve has had only 1-2 outings where it was "pack-in & pack out", with all food being carried & cooked in Scouts personal mess kits (several different types).

Some did ok, some (my son included) figured out how to heat the can of beans "in the can" and then use that can for the rest of the cooking. i.e. did not need to scour his kit much for clean up.

Most Scouts forgot to rub bar soap on the outside of the mess kit to make cleaning the soot from the small fire they built.

But I think they all enjoyed it. I know I did watching them use most of the "how to cook in your mess kit" presentation.

The biggest problems, a couple of the other leaders did not really get into it. a few Scouts did not bring enough stuff (and did not want the Raman noodles I squirreled away extra).

I've suggested this to my own unit (4 patrols).

It takes interest from the Scouts, and buy-in to work and a different style of meal planning.

1 patrol rotates out of the normal "propane/patrol box/cooking" EVERY outing. They can either go "full back-pack" (i.e. no cooler, no patrol box, etc) or just no propane, open fire is ok (no charcoal $).

Pros for the "No propane/fuels" patrol

-simple/minimal meals

-minimal cleanup

-minimal setup/tear down time

-Patrol can save $ on some meals and splurge on others (candy bars as treats).

-VALUABLE camping skills learned and used!

** this patrol must be exempt from setup/cleanup/assist of any other Propane patrol.

Cons

-harder to do efficient meal planning & last minute additions are harder to cover

-back pack food sometimes is not more than just nourishment

-Open fire/Charcoal on wet outings is a challenge

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I was stationed at Vandenburg AFB in the late 80's, 4315th Missle Command (Minute Man III Simulators).

I know there is a Boy Scout Troop - Vandenberg Boy Scout Troop 394, Mike Harrington 734-0530, or Ray Wise 757-1204

http://www.google.com/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=6&ved=0CCQQFjAF&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.30fss.com%2FDownloads%2FA%26FRC%2Fjul-sep2010_php.pdf&ei=CPx3TNbgLcKBlAeXqfDrCw&usg=AFQjCNGnEh6FMW1Ybfvf9LSyRywZXPAwVg

Probably got the number from the 394th squadron.....

Space and Missile Heritage Center

The Space and Missile Heritage Center preserves and displays artifacts and memorabilia to interpret the evolution of missile and spacelift activity at Vandenberg from the beginning of the Cold War through current non-classified developments in military, commercial, and scientific space endeavors.

The initial display area is made up of two exhibits, the "Chronology of the Cold War" and the "Evolution of Technology". The exhibits incorporate a combination of launch complex models, launch consoles, rocket engines, re-entry vehicles, audiovisual and computer displays as well as hands-on interaction where appropriate. The Center will evolve in stages from these initial exhibit areas as restorations of additional facilities are completed.

The Center is located at Space Launch Complex 10, Vandenberg's only National Historic Landmark and open for regularly scheduled tours through the Public Affairs office at (805) 606-3595. Persons with normal base access may contact the Center directly at DSN 275-8300.

http://www.vandenberg.af.mil/shared/media/document/AFD-071221-088.pdf

Base Tours

Posted Printable Fact Sheet

Public base tours are offered through the Public Affairs office the 2nd Wednesday of each month. Reservations are required at least one week in advance and can be made by calling (805) 606-6139. No walk-ons are accepted the day of the tour.

Callers must provide their full name, hometown, telephone number and either drivers license number or their social security number. Children must be at least 10 years old to attend a base tour.

Tour attendees should arrive at the Main Gate Visitor Control Center by 9:45 a.m. for check-in. Tours conclude around 12:30 p.m. Upon arrival at the VCC, tour attendees on the reservations list must present photo ID to be permitted on the Air Force tour bus.

Tours are cancelled when mission requirements dictate.

Point of Contact

30th SW Public Affairs

(805) 606-3595

DSN 276-3595

an I come on base to watch a launch?

Vandenberg Air Force Base is designated as a closed installation. Access to the base for launch viewing is limited to those with base access. Members of the media may contact the Public Affairs office at (805) 606-3595 for accreditation and launch coverage.

When is the next scheduled launch?

Information on upcoming Vandenberg launches is available by calling the Launch Update and Rumor Control Hotline at (805) 606-1857. Launch day and time is released three to five days in advance and is available on the hotline during that timeframe. Beyond that, only the month and year of the next planned launch will be posted.

Wheres the best place to view a launch?

The public viewing site for Vandenberg launches is off of Corral Road near Vandenberg's main gate. To access the area, take Highway 1 to the Santa Maria Gate and proceed on Lompoc Casmalia Road. At the barriers, turn right onto Corral Road and bear left to the top. The launch countdown net and port-o-lets are set up near the bleachers.