Eagledad

>>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?

Hi all At one time we asked the SPL and ASPL to be part of the adults group. While they did enjoy hanging with the adults some, they where always seeking out their fiends. Most of our Senior Scout Leaders are 15, 16 and 17, so that may have something to do with it. We still bring enough food for them and when they have had a hard day and need a break, they sit with the adults. But when they want to just relax, they want to be with friends who relate to them. We do treat our PLC with specail prevlegdes, they usually get treats like candy, cookies and even coke once in a while from the SM during PLC meetings on campouts. The SPL is usually invited to all adult special snacks, so they do enjoy the special treatment. Have a great weekend. Barry Have a great day. Barry

Good morning all Wow, some great post on ground pads and storing them properly. I just wanted to add that sleeping bags need to be store the same way, either unstuffed laying out, or hanging up. With each use, the pile in sleeping bags breakdown and become less efficient. keeping them unstuffed in storage helps extend the life of the material in the bag. Down bags hold up a little longer than man-made fibers, but they also need to be stored unstuffed and hanging up. Also, clean you bag as much as the manufacture allows. The more the bag breaths, the warmer it is. Oils in our skin can clog the pores of the sleeping bag fabric which keeps the miosture in the bag and on our skin. Liners can help a lot. Great stuff Barry

Hi All I believe a scout should be asked to leave when his attendence disrupts the positive influence of the the Troop program. Barry

>>Not to use at least a closed-cell foam pad (for most conditions) is daft.

Good Morning All My younger son and I use a closed cell pad, my older 20-year-old son doesn't use a pad. That will change as he gets older, I'm sure. They make some really good inflatable pads now that are very thick for folks with back trouble. I backpacked for ten days with an adult who has back troubles and he said these thick pads are fantastic. I don't have much trouble with my back, so a closed cell pad works for me, but the newer inflatable pads roll up so small now, they take up very little room in the pack. I'm looking to get one for that reason. Several scouts in our troop buy the stadium chair pads at Walmart for $10 and use them for sitting around camp during the day, and a ground pad while sleeping at night. Barry

>>I am not sure I would want him around meetings,>And he is definitly not the type of role model I would want other Scouts following.

Hi All We had a 16-year-old Eagle in our Troop get his 19-year-old girl friend pregnant (sister of his best friend who is also an Eagle in our Troop. What did we do? Really nothing. Both families had to get use to the situation. I say it took about a year and just after the baby was born for everyone to open up about it. Everyone knew the situation, the wrong of the situation and the struggle for the families. The scout didn't show up as much because he had more responsibilities. He would talk about it if asked, but the answers were short. We let the families figure this one out because it was a shock. From the troop side, it was never glorified in anyway. There were one on one discussion between scouts and adults about the lesson learned, but nothing discussed with the troop as a whole. The scout and families were supported in their needs and respected for the struggle, but they kind of stayed away from bringing attention to their situation. They were clearly struggling with it and needed time to get ready. It started out as a dark time, but has developed into a happy story. That was four years ago, the scout and girl are still happily married. The scout is majoring in Engineering and the mother has one semester before she graduates. Her younger brother is about to get his Eagle at our COH next month. So what should the troop do? Kind of hard to say, but Id start by letting the scout and his family guide you through their struggle. Barry

Hi All >>Where I come from, two deep is just that two deep all the time. Just stop and think of it for a second, the YP policies are designed to protect both the kids, and the leaders.