Eagledad

>>1. Obtain from your Scoutmaster a signed merit badge application..... 2. Along with another Scout, relative, or a friend, set up and attend your first appointment with the merit badge counselor..... 3. Complete the requirements..... Maybe I'm being to strict but this sure doesn't sound like "show up at the troop meeting and you will earn your ____ merit badge."

>>Its just that the this isnt appropriate for Scouting lectures that seem to work for everybody else is not working in this case.

Hi Hops_scout I have quite a bit of experience with Jansport, both internal and external. Probably half our troop has a Jansport and our family has owned four different models, along with other brands. Jansport is a quality pack for the money. The Carson is a new pack that just replaced the Rainier they sold for about 10 years. This pack is new enough that we have no experience with it, but the Rainier it replaced is probably the best pack you could buy for $80. Our Troop liked it because it is very adjustable and a young scout could grow eight inches and 50 lbs and still use the pack. It is very durable and has a good stiff frame which is important for external frame packs. As KS said, 5500 is plenty of room for a pack, even for Philmont. The harness system in these lower end externals are simple but sufficient to carry up to 45lbs.. Again that is enough for a long trip if you plan correctly. I imagine the Carson harness system was improved over the Rainier, but I have not seen it. Four scouts out of our Philmont crew of 12 last summer had the Jansport Rainier and they held up fine. I agree with everyone here that you need to go try on the pack before you buy it to see if it fits. The 90 is the bigger pack and should work for at least a person up to 5' 8" and 130lbs. Bigger if you dont outgrow the waist belt. It is critical that the belt carry at least 95% of the weight of the pack, so it has to fit well. If the shoulder straps can't be adjusted to allow the belt to carry the load, you need a different pack. Jansport packs are traditionally very adjustable. Hopefully the store has someone who knows how to adjust the pack to see the fit. And I have found Campmor very easy to work with if their equipment doesnt work or fit. If you are locked into this price, this is a good buy at $80, I think you would spend at least $50 for an equal pack of another brand. If this pack doesnt fit, keep watching the sales. Dana Design has some good externals and watch the prices of the Kelty Tioga, also a very good external that normally sell around $145. But you never know, there are some good sales. Barry

>>Barry, I apologize, I meant no harm...

Hey all Saw this on the REI-outlet.com. Today only Dec. 17th. Downright Zero Degree Down Filled Sleeping bag for $79.93. Regularly $165. I don't know anything about Downright, but that is a really good deal for zero degree bag. Barry

>>As I reflect on those times, I know they taught me allot and for that I am grateful. I am thankful for the Scouting program that brought us together.

>>I was disappointed when I returned to Boy Scouts to find the boy-led BORs were gone.>For reference (courtesy of MacScouter) To make sure the Scout has completed the requirements for the ranks. To see how good an experience the Scout is having in the unit. To encourage the Scout to progress further.>The BOR doe NOT test and should only check to see if all requirements have been signed off.>My understanding is that they were done away with because of many examples of abuse. .......... I wish there had been a happy medium to this. Perhaps an adult sitting on the boy-led BOR would have been a work-able compromise.

>>How do you know when you have a scouting program? When meetings are based on learning and practicing skills and activities are based on applying those skills so that a scout advances as he participates.

>>He reported that a full-length Therm-A-Rest would have been better than the 3/4, because his feet were cold until he stuffed some more clothes into the bottom of his sleeping bag.

>>Its what makes the BSA the BSA. Its the scouting program that makes it work not just A program, and it includes First Class Emphasis and New Scout Patrols.

>>I dislike bickering and do believe it drives people away from these forums that we hold so dear.

Merry Christmas All >>Isn't it that simple? If troops are doing all those activities, boys will probably stay in, even if they don't get their ranks. Troops that don't do the activities probably won't retain boys.

Thanks again. Barry

Thanks Bob. Why two committee members, BOR? Is there one reference I can give with all the answers? Barry

Happy Holidays All I had a question asked of me today and I don't have the resources nearby to find the answer to give a reference. What is the minimum number of registered adults required for a Troop, and how old do they have to be? I was trying to remember back to my Membership Chairman days for new troops and I want to say three adults. A Scoutmaster who had to be 21 or over. A CC who had to be 18 or older and a COR who could be 18 as well. But I can't find the answer. Thanks. Barry

You just have to quit hanging around adults. Scouting is a wonderful program until the adults get involved. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>Could anyone provide some insight regarding the origin of the following requirement and what it specifically means? 10. Do not travel in convoy (see "Leadership Requirements for Trips and Outings," No. 2).

Sounds good. Let's see if we can add some good gift ideas. I think among the list of things that are a must for Philmont is good rain gear. I suggest Red Ledge Thunderlight Parka for $49.99 and Red Ledge Thunderlight Full Zip Pant $39.99. There was a backpacking discussion on this list last spring and someone, sorry I don't remember who, suggested Red Ledge Thunderlight rain suits at Campmor. Most really good rain gear cost close to $200.00 or more. Both my sons out grew their old gear, so I was interested. I check them out and found they are of high quality and perfect for backpacking. They are not on sale at this price, but are still a good buy and will last the scouts a few years. I've been in a lot of weather and rain and this is good stuff. Barry

HI All OK, I am not a dealer or represent any, but I like to pass along what I see as good deals in case anyone is looking for Christmas gifts. I won't even get into what it cost me and my two sons to go to Philmont last year. I noticed Campmor.com has several good deals on Packs. A Jansport Rockies II internal frame pack for $109.97 is a pretty good deal. Several scouts (my son) and adults in our troop use this pack and really like it a lot. The Kely Super Tioga External frame pack for $109.97 is another good deal. I have used this pack myself and it is the most comfortable external frame pack I have ever worn. It has gobs of pockets and holds about as much gear as any two people could possibly want. The Jansport Scout for $59.97 external frame is a great pack and price for the new scout and very tough. The Jansport Carson for $79.97 is another good external frame pack that several of our scouts (both my sons) have used on several long treks including Philmont. It fits young teens very well and is very durable with most of the goodies of packs twice their price. I don't suggest it for adults because it seems to only fit smaller body frames. My son out grew his when he weighed about 130 lbs. Again, I have nothing to do with these companies an get nothing from them. These were just some good deals I ran across want to pass along. I KNOW how expensive scouting can be. Merry Christmas and have a great scouting week. Barry

>>the courses are shorter and there is less material on Patrol Method but it is still used and covered.

Great Scouting Day All >>To stray from the specific modules of any course does not serve the volunteer or the prigram. I'm sure if the participants got the correct course presented, and developed strong fellowship, the council would have no concerns what-so-ever.>In my very unimportant personal opinion, they should have changed the name to Advanced Scouting Leadership Training and used the Wood Badge for the 21st Century pentigon logo for the official course emblem.

>>But he tells me that the Executive Committee (Not Board) wants this. While I am not supposed to know. At the staff meeting held yesterday I was being viewed as a trouble maker and they can't understand why I am not for this.

Hi Laura You got some very good replies that apply to you question. Another way to ask your question is how do you build a program where every new scout has the ability to get first class in one year even when the troop recieves a new scout every month. This use to be the way most troops ran their program before the NSP idea was presented. It's more challenging today, but it still can be acheived. PLC's need to make sure there are opportunities for advancement each month. They could have a theme like knots or first-aid, but they should also be prepared to teach and test on any skill. Our Troop always has a free time on campouts and many times pick a saturday when the demand is there. They also need to teach the new scouts who to ask for help with the scouts skills and advancement. Now I know one year is the big catch phrase here, but most Troop leaders will tell you that an agressive scout can get to first class in six montbs if the Troop can keep up with him and most scouts could get it in 10 if they want. What I think is key here is teaching the scout how to independently seek out help when he wants to advance. Of course the program will pull him through a lot of advancement. But a scout should have the confidence to seek out help when he wants to work on something the troop is presently not working on. Self initiative is a skill in itself and will carry a boy a long ways into manhood. Great question and replies. Barry

Well said KS. Barry

Good Day All >>Another question I've learned to ask SMs is how much longer they plan to be around. If they plan to be leaving within the next year or so, it's a good idea to ask about who will likely be taking their place.>Number of eagles? Why would you ask that question?