Eagle92

Having worked for supply, I can tell you that they do have a lot of folks who know zilch about scouting, and who will not listen to those of use with experience, and are active as volunteers. One reason I left.

Must disagree with the activity uniform not being official. it's mentioned in the BSA literature. And if you are a relic like I am, then you have one of the 1990s Activity Uniforms that national made and used inall their literature at the time, i.e. khaki shorts and program specific polos

UC, Thanks for the assist. Beleive it or not I could not find a color version on the net. But i created one very similar to the official one. I just customized the wording and used one belt loop image instead of two.

Do you have one of the WOSM hats? I wan tot say they have 3 colors, tan, green, and blue,but they are pricey. Unfortunatley WOSM online store is down.

I was told that the Cub Scout Shooting Sports Award Certificate is no longer in stock with National Supply. If anyone has a color scan of one, could you email it to me? PM me for info. Thanks

Boomer, SSSSSSSSHHHHHHHHHHH! DON'T TELL FOLKS THAT BOYS' LIFE USE TO TELL YOU HOT TO MAKE HOMEMADE STOVES, THAT'S AGAINST THE RULES NOW!!!!!!!!

Stosh, Two words for you: HAT PRESS Seriously though, my second smokey, the JLTC staff one, is kept in a hat press when not in use and you'd be surprised at how it's kept its flat brim. That and It is worn on special occasions. Now my first one, the BA22 one, wwwwweeeeeelllllll that's a different story. It's been well used, surviving pouring down rain of the outer bands of a hurricane the first day I got it (yep we were in a hurry to finish closing ceremony and head home, but didn't make it), surviving Germans on the rifle range (don't ask, I was lucky, the hat wasn't), and surviving my two sons and myself in a 2 man Eureka. It's several different colors, has holes in, bent brim, etc etc.

must have been an error as I am seeing 99.99.

Please post link as i see them for $99.99

If what you describe is the case, then I agree, it's about priorities. Gotta remember, most of the time I'm reflecting upon my own experiences growing up. Thrift stores, hand me downs, etc were the norm for me. Only "new" stuff would be stuff for school, i.e. maybe 2 uniforms if needed and books. Unless it was surplus bought for Scouts. That said, it was an unspoken rule, tradition, whatever you want to call it,that the only folks in my council who wore campaign covers were those who completed WB and those who completed BA22 and JLTC. Once folks got their beads, they usually got their smokey bears. With the BA22 and JLTC, you were awarded your GI surplus smokey bear upon completion of the course. Still have my BA22 hat with BB gun holes (I know why Germany lost WWII ), and the one they gave top staff for JLTC.(This message has been edited by Eagle92)

Skipper, I bought from a 3rd party, REI, when they were getting rid of the older models. I should have said I haven't used that website and program. I'm looking into some of their day and photo packs for the future.

I admit I have not used Scouts Direct yet, but the Alps sleeping bag I got the wife for her birthday is AWESOME! My only regret is that it's hers and not mine

Actually the "Smokey Bear" is still produced, and still authorized for wear. Problem with most scouts is that it is cost prohibited, $94.99 for an official one. What I find interesting is that the Expedition hat, now called the Brimmed hat, which is authorized for uniform wear, as well as all the replacement parts for the Smokey Bear and the Sea Scout Leader hatband are now in the apparel category, not uniform category. As much as I love my Smokey Bears, I have two of them that I've been awarded by a previous council, I admit there is a time and a place for them. Kickball with Cub Scouts at a pack summer time activity is not the time or place

Get Green Bar Bill's 2nd ed. BS Field Book for all of your answers for this thread. NUFF SAID!

You are doing it right and stand firm. If the parents are upset, then they need to be informed how scouting works which is this in a nutshell: The SCOUT is responsible for all of his actions, including but not limited to advancement, PORs, attending activities and meetings. ( bold for emphasis not shouting) Now one thing my troop did was keep a track of what things we were doing and how theycan be used for advancment. Best example of that would be me earning Motorboating MB and not realizing it. The ASM, who was also the MBC, created a fun and efficient way of teaching the material without us realizing it at the meetings. On the water campout, we played in his motorboat and had a blast. Little did we realize we earned that, and some also earned Waterskiing, or Skiing I don't remember as I didn't get up on the skis. "Advancement should come a naturally as a tan....

Are they on the troop's charter? Then they are active with the troop. Are they on the crew's charter? Then they are active with the crew? Are they on both charters? They they are active in both units. Then they are good to go for Eagle. If they are not on a charter, then they are ineligible.

Yep Not many know about scouting's international opportunities. Besides world jambos, units can organize their own international trips, and BSA national has a few resources, not many, to help out with it. One of the best deals is the European Camp Staff Program. I beleive the application fee is $150 now, and that covers medical insurance once accepted, and your transprotation to and from the camp you work at. When you come back 50% or $400, whichever is lesser, is reinbursed. What other program allows you to stay 3 months in the UK and cost less than $1000 once you return and get your money back(ok it was closer $3500, but that included WSJ and serious sightseeing on the days off)

I also agree that no reinbursement is in order. #1 responsibility to prepare for summer camp is the scout's responsibility. I agree that someone should have reviewed this with the scout, that it should be clearly stated in the leader's guide if it is not already, and it should have been mentioned at the start of class. Quasze, unfortunately it does not. Age limits are there for legal reasons if memory serves. However I would not consider it a total waste. Depending upon when the scout turns 15, and where AD is located, a skills check off and a second written test at the age of 15 may be appropriate. Need to talk to the AD though.

And let's not forget, some of the newer hiking boots today are not leather or canvas. Me personally when I did inspections, as long as the shoes were clean, unless the scouts just hiked in in the rain and had to go through the mud then I'll cut them some slack(the district camporee requires patrols to hike about 1.5 miles into the camp from the mainroad with their personal gear, sigh)then those points are a given.

While in some ways I am very envious, my district is lucky to get 16 folks to IOLS, and it's been run with as few as 2 attending, 50- 100 is HOLY COW! Some ideas I've seen work and have thought of. 1)get as many staffer as possible. having patrol guides can really make a difference. 2)Round robin style training is good. gets folks moving, about, meeting other instructors, etc. 3) Use other instructor form other districts. Also utilize older youth, i.e Scouts in venture patrols, and Venturers, especially those working on the Outdoor Bronze. I find it funny that they can teach Cubs, Scouts, and other Venturers skills, but no one thought about teaching new adults skils as part of the advancment requirements.

In regards to the first generation Switchbacks, the nylon ones with the zipper in the lower leg, I must respectfully disagree with the comment they are not "outdoorsy." I've worn them way to much in the outdoors and have no problems, camping hiking, etc. I've used them both in the summer as shorts, as as a toplayer in winter 9 they really repel snow very well). Could it have been made a little better, absolutely. Ripstop material, and sized properly would have been nice. But the pants were a heck of a lot better than the ODLs. I know I haven't worn them working with the OA, but the problem is that they are so expensive, and you can longer get them, I'm afraid they will get damaged beyond repair. Yes the old stuff is very good, I have one of the 1960s shirts and love it, just hate to take off all the patches from my early Scouter career and resew patches, but if I had the pants for it, i still wouldn't wear them for some activities for the same reasopn..

Courts of Honor are like troops, every one is different. I've seen COHs that are very formal affairs, seen some turn into all out roasts, and some that are in between. I went to one where it was completely adult run, some where it was completely scout run, and again some that are mixed. I was fortunate in that my second troop was an established troop, had lots of traditions with the COHs, and was mixed with youth and adult run. The December Christmas Party and COH was usually adult run b/c we were having a good time,plus it's hard for a youth to imitate Santa Me personally I like mixed COHs where the youth run things, but adults have small roles. Growing up the SPL gave out all Skill Awards and Ranks up to First Class at the COH with the SM giving out MBs and Star and Life. Exception to this was Christmas where Santa gave out stuff. Also SM installed the new SPL, who then installed the PLs. Now Eagle COHs were a formal affair. While the Eagle could do whatever he wanted, within reason, for his ECOH, there was a traditional script for the troop, and with minor variations, everyone tended to follow it. It did tend to be adult run, with the committee chair opening and closing the ECOH, a "roasting" of the Eagle usually an adult that the Eagle picked that would now be recognized as a Mentor (no such thing or pin in my day) and the Sm and parents presenting the award.

Plus I forgot Sea Scouts and Venturing. But what I find funny is this: the yellow blouses are on sale ar Scoutstuff.org, but not the blue ladies pants and skirts that go with it.

back in the day, troop wore Field Uniform 6/ months out of the year, to and from campouts, COHs and special occasions. Usually the colder months of the year. 6 months out of the year, the warmer months, we were the activity uniform except to and from campouts, COHs and special occasions. Once we got to camp, the uniform came off, unless you had a spare for the trip home, and we wore troop t-shirts and any pants we wanted. However there was a big preference for cammies.

'Fish Field Uniform, aka official uniform, aka "Class A's" is the blue uniform and level specific necker, hat and slide for Cubs, tan and green for the Webelos who want to wear it, boy scouts, and leaders. Activity Uniform aka "Class B" currently refers to the above, minus the shirt, and in it's place is a scout t-shirt or polo. Dress Uniform, aka "Pro Uniform" is the blue blazer, grey pants, and striped tie that mostly pros wear, although any member could wear it. Now in the 90s, an official Activity Uniform consisting of tan shorts, and colored polo existed. Not very popular though. Forgot to add, there is also a "Camp Uniform" in Camp School literature for Cub day camp and res camp. Basically any bottoms, and the camp t-shirt.