frank10

Better than I expected. At first I was thinking that we'd be better off if they left this one up to the traditional teaching method but... 1) on line was interesting 2) traditional method for me is at camp while wishing I was somewhere else doing my "job". Under those conditions you can imagin my mind was never 100% on the class.

Ps56k, I couldn't even begin to answer this with out knowing why they set the limit. Could be based on space, could be based on the fact that it is a new program and they want an "easy" batch to test it on. Or it could just be that they are rookies who don't know what they are doing. Best advice I could give is sit down with the folks who made the rule in the first place before they read it here.

Studdman, Thanks for this info. We just ordered our first 10 flag kits, now to see how it works out. If it works I like the image it will present. We are adding this to our current fund raisers - Popcorn, can drive and flint and steel kits ( http://www.onmyhonor.com/events0001/flint/ )

So far we have one Indian Scout and one active Indian mom. Our problem is in recruiting from the large Portuguese population in town. Some of the fathers are openly hostile to the program. They do not want their sons mixing with youth from out side their closed community.

Eamonn, If the computer is used, the company has already writen off all it's value (three years I think- any CPA's out there?)... Point is since it has $0 value, there is no farther tax credit no matter who you give it to.

The shortest distance between two jokes is a straight line.

Our local Stop and Shop Super market lets us set up in their parking lot right out side of their bottle redmetion area. I get the feeling they don't want folks to return the bottles to them. With just a one time - one line anouncement ad in the local paper we score about $400-600. Plan in advance where you will be taking the cans, some of the centers only give 4 cents. Others make the scouts feed them in to machines. It's worth finding a place that will both give full price and take them in hte bag.

Back in 1980, we had a scout shatter his hip at a Klondike Derby... Don't know about the supples and training, mostly I just layed in the snow and moaned. Worse part is that they tried to disqualify my patrol because they finished the sled rece one man short of what they started with. In the end we got all five gold nuggets.

JD: "Problem is, Merlyn's right." Yep, and it kills me to say it too (Grin). Seems to me that a Eagle shouldn't need this kind of support any how.

If your theme is Dinosaurs, my best advice is think big (sorry, had to say it). Start at teh parking lot with foot prints leading into camp. (cut outs? painted? stampd in the mud? painted using mud?). Leave "bones" around camp for the cubs to find (cut out of plywood?) or give them out for completing activies. Maybe turn it into a game where they need to collect up all the bones needed to make a dinosaur? (skull, tail, ribs/body and legs) or just have a point value on each. Wear cave man style clothing. Maybe borrow some of the images from the flintstones? Above all, you need a valcano.

Thanks for the update!... "We charge $35 for 7 holidays" Which 7? Vet's day, Memorial day, the 4th, flagday.. that's 4. hmm - 9/11? President's day? MLK? Labor day? Bet this is easier than I'm making it. Any how, I plan to pass this one along to the troop, sounds like it might work for us too.

Our unit also uses "A+"... That's your Class A with your troop T-shirt under your uniform shirt. they requir it for most service hours - uniform shirt is for show, T-shirt for the dirty work. OGE - "I wonder how we assure ourselves all who read our purported wisdom realize that indeed "Class A and B" is only slang and not official? " Does it matter as long as they know how to dress for the event?

Forgiving.

mhager, It's an odd thing about the Boy scouts that folks who do not agree with the basic ideals of the club still want in. I understand you want to be included. I do not regaurd you as bad person at all, as my bible tells me "judge not least ye be judged". However, Some day I will sign my son (now 6 weeks old) up for cubs. I won't do it for the crafts, I won't do it for the field trips. I will do it because I will expect that the leadership of his pack can support what we teach in our home. No, not all of the leaders will belong to my church, but my son will know that they also belive in God. He will know that unlike at school, it's ok for him to bow his head before meals and offer up a quick prayer of thanks. I don't see it as picking on you for me to want that for my son as my father wanted for me. I do wonder why so many feel that I shouldn't have a place where my family fits in. That's as best as I can state it on line, I hope it helps you understand myside.

Laurie: Ramble, yes... but I think we all understand. Congrats. Hops: best cold weather site ever - http://www.princeton.edu/~oa/safety/hypocold.shtml Not for the general scout, to much info, but great for the advanced members and leaders.

You can't miss with flint and steel. Our troop sets upo a booth at the shows and the kids go to town on it. Our booth always has a lone of scouts waiting for a turn. (see pir booth at http://www.onmyhonor.com/events0102/fall01scott/page4.html ) Note: I can provide info on getting the kits wholesale if you are interested.

A second point is that it's not just the problem of the impression we make on our swcouts, the public is watching us too! With all the bad press they try to pin on us do we want to be seen on an outing with a beer in hand?

I have not seen it my self, but I'm told our troop made it in to this months Boys Life! Page 26 (If I have the details right)... They Captured us at the Mattatuck District Klondike. Well, that's one more goal off my list. Any one know where I can get a few copies? Do they have them at the news stands or book stores?(This message has been edited by wingnut)

Stanley "Job Box"... they cost $50 at Home Depot but I use them at work (home repair) to hold a few hundred pounds of tools and to stand on top of. Empty box wieghs almost nothing, they have wheels, pull out handle, a removable tray (that fis in the above mentioned handle), are lockable and don't take on water even when transproting in the rain in my open trailer. Box size is 21 X 36 X 21(tall) See it at http://www.homedepot.com/cmc_upload/HDUS/EN_US/asset/images/eplus/165805_3.jpg

KS, Any idea what his home town was? I see he was from CT and would like to mention him at our next round table (Mad River Dist, CT Rivers Council)

1) TRAINING, TRAINING and MORE TRAINING. The BSA has a great training program on tape for use at the unit level. Also check with District/council for both adult and youth training. It's easier to follow the program when you understand the program. 2) Follow the program. At this point you may have to spoon feed the PLC their lines, but it's importent that you let them be the ones to say them. 3) Reward the effort. Saturday nights my PLC knows that after lights out we will have a quick meeting. If they have done their jobs so far they have good reason to expect a treat (RHIP as they say). Being member of the PLC also means special outings such as a day on my boat as a thank you for working with the younger kids. 4) Respect the PLC. Don't tell them they can run the troop and then just do it yourself. Too many SM's ask the boys if they want to do something and when the PLC says no they get upset and over rule them. 5) Have fun.

How about a firm "I'm leaving first... DON'T PASS ME". (works for the kids on the trail)

Man walks into a bar - ouch!

Fling1: "Luckily, the G2SS does not specifically prohibit fooling about with midieval seige weapons " As a mater of fact, the Age Appropriate Guidelines chart shows that catapults are approprate for Tiger Cubs and up! Go for it! (it's in the Shooting section).

Scoutldr: "the "Tiger" plate of PA comes to mind" Tiger? It's been a while since I've been to PA, but any chance that's a lion on the plate?