Gonzo1

Its Me, I'd suggest the following: Dish soap paper towels TP hot pot tongs small trowel leather gloves bow saw rope, whipping twine (dental floss is great besides the intended use) spices dish cleaning gear, brushes, sponge, etc. flint and steel matches Frisbee this should be a good start

25 boys 4 patrols 1 venture patrol 2 12-14 year old patrol 1 NSP patrol 1 SM 1 ASM works with 12-14 year old 1 ASM works with green bars (PLC) and NSP 12 active committee members

GWD, Hang in there. you're the SM right? Not a superhero. Do you best, and go camping when you can. Gonzo

Wow, now that's a problem. Simply say to the scout and parents that scouts don't use those words. Remind him that a scout is kind, courteous , friendly, obedient, etc. Remind him that he agreed to live by the Scout Oath and Law: On my honor....... etc. Also, ask him in front of his parents if he can point out in the handbook where it is acceptable to use those words. Then tell him in front of his parents he can stay and be a scout if he uses good language, otherwise, he is being too disruptive and can't return. You may lose one, but your UNIT may be better off. I know already some of our forum members will disagree with my comments, but if repeated attempts to correct this at the lower level (without parents and apparently without consequences) has failed, crank it up and give consequences. Sadly though, this kid probably nees scouts more than the others.

I guess my old scoutmaster didn't approve of Pop Tarts. Pogey Bait was not allowed, unless the scout brought enough for everyone. Whatever snacks were discovered, they were immediately shared with all. Pretty much ends moms (and dads) stuffing backpacks with junk.

GWD, It's a great opportunity, enjoy. I've been on several EBOR's, enjoyed them all. Ask what the lad plans to do AFTERwards, IF he earns Eagle.

I agree with the others, but go through the Assistant District Commissioner first if there is one. Use the channels.

Anarchist, thanks for the note, Local, the guy us a red neck. "nuf said ya'll"

Lisa, I apologize for using the term "mommy". Mom was not on the trip, dad was and wasn't really visable, I think I mentioned some of this in the thread about preventing mischief. This particular dad didn't lift a finger 9except to hoist a coffee cup) all weekend. All mom or dad had to do was follow the list. I haven't come unglued with the committee yet, I'm still trying to figure out who's who in the zoo, i.e. who hangs out with whom, etc. Scoutnut, I'm not upset at either except that someone meddled. I don't like meddling. I know one thing for sure, the easiest way to cure much of this is to take them backpacking. Check the other thread, you'll see what I mean. For what it's worth, the guy with the RV trailer wouldn't eat my cooking. Someone told me "he" is "the cook" for the adults and wouldn't try my food, it was a yummy jambalaya which left more for the rest of us. So, no soup for you!!

Alright, my son had his first Boy Scout campout this past weekend. Menu in advance for his patrol had cheeseburgers and fries for dinner. the grubmaster buying food asked me how many boys were going. I told him and suggested he buy 2 pounds of hamburger meat and I admit, I suggested he buy Ore Ida type fries, easy to cook and tasty. When he showed up, he had pre-made, pre-shaped burgers from a box and regular, raw potatoes. Hmm, mommy wasn't supposed to change the menu, "she" thought it would be "easier". Hmm, open box, put patty on grill, no measuring, shaping, etc. It was kinda frustrating.

Maybe BSA could obtain inmate labor. but that wouldn't make good press coverage, would it?

I thought it was spelled like it sounds, chowda.

Not hating The King, just the huge, gigantanormous collar!

If there's no interest in a crew, how about having them as ASM's? That way, you get to have them at your table. G

Anarchist, I'm not upset about my friend "knocking" my son's troop. I'd be upset if I didn't know him, it allowed me to focus on some things. Beavah, Lisa, others: The campout was safe and fun. They didn't have a written plan, so things just kinda happened. The trailer I mentioned is an old RV, not the troop equipment trailer. 2 dads and a scout's younger brother hung out by the trailer. No YP issues, everything was good. 2 small excursins off peoperty, nobody riding in the backs of pick-up trucks. One kid got a minor cut, no big deal. The thing with the cans in the fire is like this: A year or 2 ago, someone thought of a nice thery, put a can in the fire and see if the heat will expand the seam and then the water would put out the fire. Well, the seam expanded alright, but blew corn everywhere! It was decided then that there would be no more cans in the fire. As for boys, the SPL, ASPL and one PL were missing. So, we had some challenges. Of of the PL's present couldn't put his own tent away. I think he's a second class. Patrol food was another issue, some brought pop-tarts, store bought and pre-made muffins like at Sam's Club. Some brought pre-shaped hamburgers (Angus Beef) and one dad (the tent roller) cooked his son's food, hamburger helper of all things. We had some dads doing things for the boys. I am amazed. The biggest infraction I observed was adults smoking right in front of scouts. I think this weekend makes a good case for vertical patrols, some newer guys with experienced guys, if someone isn't there, another experienced guy can take over. In the end, the SM asked me for help. (This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

I don't think "homemade" uniforms is the way to go. We might look like the crocodile hunter. Somebody, Kudu I think, wants a uniform that "SCREAMS HIGH ADVENTURE when indoors" How about one that screams high adventure OUTdoors? I've suggested other options, returning to the 70's style uniforms, looked good, no Elvis collars, stayed tucked in, etc. I've also suggested that BSA adopt something new, lot's of us have. How about we scrap the dress designer uniform and get something like the 70's uniform, OR, get an American company to make a uniform. I shop at Sam's Club from time to time, their store brand Flyer's has nice looking switchbacks, shorts and shirts. Perhaps something could work? Velcro pockets, zipper pocets, cargo pockets, nice design, etc. just my 2 cents.

If you'd like to celebrate freedom, read a banned book! We had a lady in Georgia who wanted to kick Harry Potter books out of school libraries. She had her day in court and LOST!, then, she appealled! It's just plain nuts. I can see the point of banning skate boarding on public shopping areas/sidewalks/RAILINGS! Too much liability for the shopping center. However, Johnny can grind his heart out at home or at a friends house, or skate park, or better yet, maybe Johnny dressed like a slacker can open his own skate park.

I'm more upset that much of our patches and uniform parts are nowmade overseas! Check with your local service center, see what happens to "irregular" items. Check ebay and google search for used uniforms. They're out there. Maybe going to Roundtable and start an exchange, could be a WB ticket item for someone.

Pargolf, I'm usually agreeing with Beavah and BrentAllen, but I think I'm split today. Sorry guys. Vertical patrols make more sense overall. There is merit to both way however. If a troop is gaining 14 new scouts, the troops probably is already big, what 40 boys? You could put 3-4 boys in each of your patrols. Observe them and see who actually gravitates toward one another and put them together. I think the concept of New Scout Patrol is fairly new. I personally prefer vertical. If the NSP gets the boys acclimated to scouts, then put into vertical patrols, that might work well. The troop of my youth still has the same patrols as when I was a kid and ASM in that troop! Comanche, Flaming Arrows, Thunderbirds, Eagles. No picking new names, new patches, etc. New scouts were assigned a patrol, intoduced to his PL and basically, fit in. Occaissiontally, changes were made, but not often. (This message has been edited by Gonzo1)

Wow, a sewing project modifying BDU's, someone has BDU pants that scouts wear to school too. I'm not sure about a nylon shirt. Why can't we ....... But how about ............ Does National really read these posts?????? I wish we could do away with the current tan shirt, I think the basic design of the pants is OK, larger cargo pocket would be helpful. The shirt we wore in the 70's didn't come untucked as Prairie noted. I never like the collarless version, but the smaller collar was fine, turn it under and put on the neckerchief and go, even with a backpack.

BrentAllen, I hope you're kidding. Kudu, It's the fifth axe murderer you gotta watch out for. Besides, I'd use a chemlight on the latrine. Gonzo

I disagree with jblake47, putting them in the fire is disrespectful in my opinion. Keep them all. How many your unit wants on the unit flag is up to the unit, hang them from a dowel rod if you wish. Display them with pride!

In general, I believe only 2 boys per tent max. If a scout wants to sleep alone, fine, particularly older boys. My 11 year old usually sleeps alone. I think the idea of more than 2 should be discouraged for reasons mentioned above, mainly staying up late. Cabin tents for scouts? Um, no!. Timberlines, or something similar. My son and I use Uereka tetragon 7, rated for 3 people, sleeps 2 perfectly, waterproof and lighteight.

kb6jra, Very Funny! or is that VF? As for wtf, well for a big guy like me, that means "where's the fries" G

CRS is Can't Remeber S**t