Eagle92

When Scouting for All protested in front on the Southeast Louisiana Council's office, which can be seen from I-10, we actually the council actually got a bunch of phone calls supporting the BSA and getting a few folks to sign up. Some folks thought the BSA did cave in to the activists pressure and were looking for other options. When they realized the d BSA didn't cave in, they wanted their sons in.

Ronna, Go ahead and look at the thread i started as I am getting ideas overthere for next year as well As for 1910 ideas, I would look material from overseas, esp. the UK, as Cubbing didn't get here until 1930s.

I liked the old Webelos hats better, but now they would look like the Bear hats.

SSS Thanks for the input and everyone keep it coming. Please keep it coming. With all the ideas I'm getting I am getting a plan. Still need to work out the details and talk to the others involved in the process, but we need a shot in the arm and any and all ideas are welcome!

Sctdad, Only 1 youth OA member. Most of the folks wer at either scout summer camp, or other summer camps, i.e. church, sailing etc. That and I was told that they now have to be 14 to help staff CSDC. hopefully the advance planning will help. Everyone, Crazy idea for you folks now. I know one of the projects I did as a Webelos was build a model catapult, which is still a requirement. Why not teach lashings and knots, and use scout staves to build a catapult like the old JLT course?

St. Augustine HS in New Orleans still makes parents sign a waiver allowign corporal punichment, no waiver, no attend St. Aug. I am told every classroom has a paddle in it, and one techer I met at a local MDA camp had a paddle that he wore all the time that some of his students had given him as a thank you gift for being and excellent teacher and mentor. Ah the days of discipline!

Sheldonsmom, Unfortunately it's getting to the point where the BA or BS degree is the new high school diploma. The days of finding a decent job right out of high school are over. My older brothers did Distributive Education in the late 70s. While that was great initially, and they thought me going to college was silly and that I should find a real job after HS, in the long run I did the wiser thing. Brother #2 eventually did go college via night schoolfor 7 or 8 years and is doing well. Brother #1 has repeatedly tried to go back to school, but something always comes up and he drops out. And brother #1 had years of sales experience, was a department manager for Macy's, and could sell a refrigerator to an Inuit if given the opportunity. But nowadays the sales jobs want people with degrees, not experience.

Pack, If you reside in NC, there is some beauracratic infighting that is preventing the NORTH CAROLINA from overnighters. Best thing i could recommend is take you pack/den when they do their living history weekend, in October I believe, and campout at one of the scout camps in the area. I know camp Sam Hatcher is in the New Bern area.

Set he example and WEAR YOUR UNIFORM Also be prepared to sign an application to be a CS leader! I know that when my son was visiting a pack, I wore one of my uniforms. Also when we were invited to join them at their family campout, I was in uniform. FWIW, I also filled out an application to be a TCDL

I think if national does make the mistake of repeating the 70s, then I will do what my SM did: Continue with the program the way it has always been done, i.e make it a youth run troop that do understand that "outing is 3/4 of Scouting." I admit you do need to keep current with some things, i.e. LNT vs diggin trenches, use of technology, etc. But the foundation that Scouting is based upon: the Oath and Law, patrol method, boy-run, etc are so vital that they should not be messed with.

Again keep the ideas coming!!! Quick question: do they still do Webelos Overnighters during CSDC? I remember when I worked CSDC back in the '80s that the Webelos could spend one nite if they wanted too. We had the proper leadership and scout volunteers. I am trying to arrange the week of camp so that 1/2 the troops are not at summer camp, and they can possibly "sponsor" the event by having the scouts run it. I'm not too worried about OA involvment: the past chapter adviser worked staff and will be PD next year , the current CA did shooting sports and will be the camp EMT pending his (re)cert class, and the CC was an assistant on 2 days he wasn't working. Again keep it coming.

Sctdad, It's CSDC, not the encampment the Boss wants. Trying to get the process started early. Nike, I would love to have 300 Cubs, but that would mean every CS in the district goign to camp The year round planning is what I am use to, and when I moved here I was shocked at how "last minute" everything appeared.

Thanks guys and please keep the posts coming. Short, No theme yet for next year. Don't know when the council will come up with one either as we recently lost our council day camp chair, so I think finding a replacement is #1 priority. Can't wait for the first meeting to get ideas. GWD, To be honest I think the problem with DC has been the current CD. She's been here over 11 years and also does CS programing for the district, so I think she has too much on her plate and has burnt out. We followed her standard program this year, and while the newer cubs had fun, some of the older ones didn't. Basically it's one program for everyone. TCs are doign the same activities as Webelos. That's where I come in. I want to redesign the program to make it more age specific. TDK, THANKS those are some good ideas. Everyone please keep them coming. Extending the time might be a good idea. right now we are essentially 9-4. Sessions are 35 minutes with 15 minute travel times. I bet we could narrow the travel times to 10 minutes except for the TCs, they go to the potty alot I've found. A little background: Since we lost our council CSDC chair this year, there was alot of last minute stuff with day camp this year: i.e. theme didn't come out until April, registration forms came out in May, little to no promotion to the packs, etc. With the district, recruiting staff was also last minute IMHO as we didn't get together until May/June. Fortunately we did it at a council camp and alot of the preliminary stuff had been done for us, i.e. inspection, water testing, etc. Overall it was challenging to get folks involved, but we got it done. We had 4 DLs covering the 27 cubs in four dens (and this was a large number of cubs for CSDC in this district!)We had two certified shooting sports directors and two scout assistants. We also had 2 den chiefs, one assigned to a den, the other a floater. No craft director, no ecocon director,and no sports director. We were just given the supplies and told what to do with our dens. And as stated previously everyone did the same thing.

Any vessel in the Historic Naval Ships Association's fleet is well worth it. I've been to the ALABAMA several times and worked the KIDD for a year. BRAVO ZULU to those vessels. Now if only the State of NC could get its act together and allow overniters aboard the NORTH CAROLINA.

Ok, last week I was asked to be the PD for CSDC next year. While I won't commit until I can guarantee the time off from work to do the week long camp, I believe I can get the time off and have begun working on day camp scheduling and activities. If anyone is willing to share what they do at their day camp to give me ideas, I would appreciate it greatly. I don't want to wait until after NCS in March to get to work. Basically the way it works in my council is that the council only provides the theme. Each day camp creates its own shirts, patches, activities, schedule, you get the idea. While I have an idea of based upon this years camp: fishing, archery, BBs, crafts, nature, sports, and water games, all the different levels did the same activities, and honestly it was put together at the last minute IMHO. I would like to see what others do, i.e. scheduling, crafts, nature activities, etc. I want to work on some advancement, but also KISMIF. Again consider the problem as if I am beginning from scratch Again I don't want to wait until after March when I've come back from NCS to work on this. I am use to planning stuff for the next year as soon as the activity is over with in the current year. PM me if you wish. Thanks

Yep I agree with everyone else, don't wear a patch that you weren't around for EXCEPT for the following reasons. 1) There is some family connection to the event and patch: i.e. it was your dad's or granddad's lodge flap when he became a member, my brother who is serving in Afghanistan went to the NOAC and I am wearing it in his honor. 2)It was gift to you with the intention that you wear it, i.e. a fellow Vigil member gave it to you to wear in recognition of you becoming Vigil. 3) You are doing a historical display, and that was the period flap. and my personal favorite 4) You designed the patch for the event, and at the last minute was unable to attend. That happened to me twice now, at the last conclave and at the '96 NOAC.

M, Lisa is right the uniform is a hot topic, but please stay as their is a wealth of info around here.

Yep officially the cubs need to wear the uniform hat. But I do know of a few packs that went with a custom one. I also know of a few Cubs who wear camp hats, like the Camp Bonner hats. Also see some cubs with "vintage" hats. Heck my son wears the hat my mom got for me to replace the my old hat that was lost in Katrina. As for neckers, My pack is contemplating a custom leader necker. I showed some of patch designs and a few of the neckers. Personally would love to see the pack adopt a half blue, half gold necker with a custom patch.

The camp I worked at in the former New Orleans Area Council, now SE Louisiana Council, did have a designated chaplin every year. Usually it was a seminarian from the local archdiocese. His job was to A) arrange for formal services, usually Catholic, but also Protestant, B) lead daily services, C) act a counselor and friend to the homesick and depressed of our campers and staff. The one chaplin I remember best was "Padre." He was the only staffer who got away with wearing his straw hat and not the staff hat. You could see him around camp walking the trails and talking to folks. When ever we had a major counseling problem it was Padre to the rescue!

I had a very interesting conversation this weekend at the Camp Bonner Staff Reunion. One of the directors on this years staff was discussing the new uniform and how the folks from national went to Philmont to talk to the NAYLE participants about what they would want in the uniform. From what he told me the centennial uniform took al ot of input from the youth in its creation. I think the problem may have been that they didn't take the time to field test it.

Hot Air, Welcome to the forum. I don't disagree with you on the amount of time and energy spent on conducting NYLT. But what I do have a problem with is that while WB has a specific national (ok international)set of regalia that marks those who have completed and staffed courses, i.e. the WB necker, woggle, and beads, their is no such national recognition for the youth of comparable meaning, except a temp insig. While different council's do different things, my council awarded smokey bears upon completion on BA22 and JLT, their is such a wide divergence of recognitions. Heck just go on Ebay and look at all the different Brownsea neckers that are out there. So if you are going to recognize the adults who are involved withe NYLT, shouldn't the participants, the youth themselves who the program is geared for, also receive some sort of national recognition like the adult mentors?

Ok after spending an entire week at CSDC as the only fully uniformed volunteer there, I have some thoughts on the usefulness of the uniform and the outdoors. 1) ODL was not the greatest design. It does work if wearing a T-shirt with the shorts/pants, belt, and socks. Uniform shirt not so much b/c likely to get damaged. But #2 was much better 2) Ok I admit I don't have the new uniform pants, but my wife got the Walmart knockoffs of the ccnavas pants that the BSA's manufacturer makes. THEY WERE GREAT, except for the fact I wish the zipper needs to be at least a 1/2 higher minimum. lots of pockets, and if you get too hot and at the main part of camp then zip off the legs, going through tick country on a hike, zip on the legs. 3)New belt is very nice. Buckle is easier to use, the belt is wider, almost like a mini pistol belt, and I can easily attach some of my military surplus gear(compass and magazine pouches) easily to without it moving around. 4) Long sleave centennial shirt needs to move the ipod pocket up (or get rid of it) as well as the Swiss tabs up on the sleeve. Yep wore that briefly, but this comes form other camping experience. 5) Both the all green and the green and gray socks are GREAT in the field. Wish they made them in a knee high version to wear with my older shorts, or when I zip of the legs. 6)Venturing pants work very well. Wore those one day. Lots of pockets for stuff. I think the BSA is moving in the right direction with the centennial uniform, but it does have a ways to go. They need to find an American manufacturer who won't sell knock off, lower the prices, and maybe go back to smaller insignia with no wording on them to tone the uniform shirt down some. Don't know how the different colored borders to non trained and basic trained leaders worked in the past, but maybe we should do that as well. Finally LOWER THE PRICE to make if affordable to all. Biggest complaint I heard is that the uniforms are too expensive, esp. at the CS level where the kids outgrow them every year AND need to buy new slides, hats, and neckers every year. I can see neckers as they can differentiate the various levels, but slide and hats, especially the Wolf and Bear hats? Also what's up with the TC belt buckle? Most Scouts in my neck of the woods don't get a complete uniform until either Webelos or Scouts, as they know that they will wear it for avery long time.

Having done the European Camp Staff Program, spending 11 weeks in England at 2 international camps meeting folks from Russia, Ireland, Belgium, Switrzerland, Croatia, Finland, etc, and attending a WSJ, I can say neckers are the most recognized uniform item of a scout worldwide. yes they wear them with Abba shirts, and even without t-shirts on ( see the 18th WSJ stamp). Neckers have 100s of uses, from first aid (just don't use your GBB signed necker on a bleeder ), to game time, cooking , and on and on. The problem with BSA neckers is that they are too small, you need a 32 to 36 inch necker. Also the secret to wearing them comfortably in the summer is to wear them with the collar tucked under, as BP wanted and as it was worn prior to 1972 if I am not mistaken. TRUST Me on that one, I lived in SE Louisiana where 100% humidity and 100+ degree temps are the norm in the summer. As other have pointed out, I've noticed very strong morale among those units with a history uniforming, I hate to say it, but with the two units that do not have the culture are having problems with recruiting and retaining scouts. Those units with the uniform culture are surviving and growing. From experiences Scouts fully dressed in a uniform tend to get treated better. From my time as a youth, to my time as an SE, to my the present, the fully uniformed units tend to get more publicity, get more notice, and get treated better. And it doesn't have to be a full field uniform, it could be just wearing a trust t-shirt in lieu of the official shirt. heck a good friend of mine's troop got into either Boy's Life or Scouting, simply because they were the only unit out of 8 or 10 units that had everyone in scout socks, shorts/pants belt, troop t-shirt, and hat.

Just to give a quick briefing from that meeting, I've been prepping for CSDC and am on day 2 now so I need some more sleep . We had good representation with 3 pros in attendance: the staff adviser for the committee, the council camping director who is implementing a rejuvenated CS camping program, and the SE. We talked mostly on camping program and facilities. Lots of good stuff to look to. Also looked to assist in the other areas of CS: training, recruiting leaders, and health and safety. Although I have "Program Freak" tattooed under the "SUCKER" on my forehead, I've signed up to coordinate with Training.

What may be an option is to buy the shirts from an outlet, and silk screen them your selves. My old troop had the kit, used a once color design, and just added a year screen every year. Once we paid for the initial set up, all we had to pay for was the year strip (and that was usually a give me, so it was free 99.9% of the time)ink and shirts. Every year we got a different color shirt. We will be silk screening shirts at CSDC this week, and we cna bring extra shirts for silk screening. Wife found a wicking T at a local outlet store for $4.95!