Gunny2862

I can understand the sentiment and felt it sometimes strongly myself when I first started frequenting these boards. There are some whose opinions carry more weight for me than others, none whom I ignore yet. Lurking and getting a sense of who posters are from their replies to others is not a bad strategy. But, if you post a question - look out because you'll get answers - probably some really good ones(to the question asked - we don't read minds although we will put spin on what we read most of the time) and some that are not hearing what you are asking because you didn't ask the question you intended to ask(thinking we were going to read your mind for context)

Yeah, I like the forwarding to the camp office idea in principle, but in action it plays out like this. Mom calls, my phone forwards, Camp phone forwards, Camp director picks up, conversation, Camp director rides golf Cart to my tent, unhappy conversation. Bottom line; I get straightened out, not Mom.

As most of us know, fair and balanced became a catch phrase when a certain network began using it in their advertising. Through out news reporting in the history of the US bias has been known to exist and often be advertised in the very name of the organization. It has been and remains incumbent on the reader to partake in the news with an understanding of the bias of the writer. Currently I'm getting a lot of mine from the blogosphere and Twitter announcements of various blog posts. Before you pooh-pooh this approach it is amazing to me how many times in the last couple of months that the main stream news often runs stories that were in the blogosphere 2-3 days earlier or even more but have been revisited via twitter. In the MSM world I tend to follow what the wife watches which means CBS, MSNBC and occasionally the kid watches FOX.

Gern said, "Count me on board for the Fair Tax, but eliminate all tax loopholes and deductions, even for charitable organizations. Adjust the Fair Tax annually to meet annual budgets." No, at least not to the second part, because you simply then give the Gov't unlimited spending again - at least until that upward tick in the tax rate becomes noticeable. Better yet limit government growth to that provided for by the budget. Just because I want a raise I don't get to go spend more money and then tell my boss he has to give me a raise - Should be the same way with government. If I want a service and am willing and ABLE to pay for it then maybe I subscribe to additional gov't services but they shouldn't be able to say we started doing this(non-Constitutionally mandated service) for you, now pay up.

No bans yet, I'm considering the ramifications of Banning Det cord, PETN, Semtex, Dynamite and any and all ammo - but that might make them think they needed those things... Edit: "Oh, and how then would we go fishing?"(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)

YEA! FairTax! YES, let's do that. By the way you do understand that the nominal tax rate for what you purchase(above the poverty line threshold) would be nominally taxed at 19% and there is NO income tax. But that is what the nominal rate of income received by the Feds has been regardless of what the tax rate has been for income as people adjusted their back end purchasing and investment according to what their front end earnings burden has been. The shell game has just fronted for political posturing and bad revenue and spending policies by keeping the process from being transparent. Let's kill the shell game and get onboard with the Fair Tax!

Currently Our Adults pay for everything at the same rate as the boys for Troop functions, and whatever the presiding authority decrees for everything else, and are reimbursed for gas if a receipt is presented. Summer camp "Free Adult" spots are rationed by the CC and SM in consultation with the treasurer. SO far, except for one year, I've always wound up being a paying adult. While I don't necessarily agree with being paid - I would accept not paying when we go to MBU's and the like, and an annual/bi-annual recognition plaque/gift certificate would be appreciated. And when you realize how much even a "non-involved" (Ha!) Scoutmasters wife deals with, that gift of an evening out from the Troop is a very good investment in retention.

I agree with John and Beavah on this. But cautionary that I am, In my perfect world there would be a years reserve of all costs in addition to what John and Beavah lay out. But that is just my humble opinion. In reality, we hold enough funds to cover the outlay of our Annual fundraiser, Scout Accounts and about what it cost to run this years program - I'd sure like to have some margin though.

Beavah, I think that my understanding - and those of the people I talk to, show fundamentally different understandings from what you mentioned in your most recent post of what the Tea Partiers want. But that's to be expected - they are a disparate group who haven't really organized anything yet - and each person may have different views of "the Plan", but the idea that government is too intrusive, too large, and costs too much for the actual wanted value received should be a common theme throughout the spectrum of Tea Party idealists. But here's what's interesting to me - we are actually dabbling in the ideas of what could be cut, how could we do it, and do we need all of the government we have. But saying it ALL comes down to entitlement programs is disingenuous don't you think? Yes, they will necessarily be a part of the solution but why not go ahead and cut the easy parts first - no time lost - no major arguments/fights over them and the savings help the overall picture.

Or, we could also look at the combination of earmarks, unNECCESARY spending, i.e. NPR, funding for some of the Arts, a lot of Foreign aid (especially that to countries that consistently go against our interests), close the border and quit funding the entitlements we seem to be giving to our illegal immigrants, move to a better tax system i.e. Fair Tax, consider defense pull backs where the threat has been significantly reduced, pretty much everyone sees that Social Security is going to die so how about we just sit down and honestly discuss what we can do about either a new rational program and implement it. And while I would personally be unhappy about cuts to Veterans Benefits (or will be unhappy in about 10-15 more years) as I stated above there are those of us who would sacrifice for legitimate meaningful change. Would any of you be willing to take a hit also?

Ditto! John and Tokala What would happen if any of us were overspending and tried to assure our creditors - "Hey don't worry, I'm getting new loans without new income to pay my loan to you." I assure you it wouldn't slow down the bankruptcy procedure for the common man. And yet, Givernment(actually a misspelling I'm going to leave) seems to think theres an open check book with an unlimited supply of funds. John, Hows that go? 218+51+1? "Hey, it's all good as long as I can add something to it?"

Out here in Flyover country where all the Hillbillies hangout (It's okay, I can call them that - I are one. ) It is entirely likely that absent a strong Republican Candidate who is committed to a smaller role for the Federal Government that Sarah Palin could run and draw enough votes to either win it or wreck it for another possibly Republican Party preferred Candidate. As some have said there is some strong emotion out there. It's true. But I am locally hearing that there are those who WOULD sacrifice for the changes they see need to be made - but they want assurances that their sacrifice/s won't simply equal more money in other people pockets with no substantive change. Because mostly from Washington - they believe in very little that's being said right now. Some of what they see as positive (and others may see as regressive) action may change their view - but we shall see.

http://xrl.in/6jx3 Try this for Troop24's link, the period for the end of the sentence was included, breaking the link.

I have now used the Jetboil GCS system extensively, it's main advantage over the rest of the Jetboil line is that the canister is inverted thus you are drawing liquid fuel vice vapor when operated in the rest of the Jetboil line and most of the other Isobutane/Isopropane systems. I've found it to work very well up to 12,000 ft and down into the 20 degree zone. On Mt.Phillips at Philmont it ran fine, 11000+ft and about 34 degrees, cold and rainy, for evening dinner. I like it, now, we also ran a standard Jetboil PCS with the larger Group pot on a pot stand and there was no noticeable (without a scale for fuel usage, or specifically clocking cooking time) difference between the two. Jetboils do not require proprietary canisters. For our Philmont Crew 2010, we used Two PCS systems with the larger pot and one GCS system - they worked great and our HA coordinator has temporarily retired our MSR Whisperlite Internationals. We're still teaching them - but so far we haven't found the Jetboils to underperform, they seem to be safer to use, plus they are lighter over time( a full Canister is near the weight of an empty MSR fuel Bottle) and avoid any fuel spillage issues in packs. On the negative side, you do have the issue of carrying/recycling empty canisters and marking them so you know which ones are: full(we leave unmarked), in use(we put a diagonal slash on the base) and empties (mark an X on base - Punture canister - crush under boot and pack out) Even so we had folks volunteering to carry fuel - knowing they would always have the can - who before would try to beg off because the White gas would inevitably leak -from somewhere - at some time. I still like Whisperlites but am a regular user of the Jetboils due to their convenience and safety. My humble opinion only - Yours may vary.

Air Suspension - Ensure everything is stowed well though. But you could use the trailer to shake your salad! Shower? How about a Wood Fired Hot Tub - Now that's an accessory!

Focus on the Older Boys you have who haven't had Scouts to lead. Ensure they know what to do and that they can do it. Then get out of the way.

There is no way this is an appropriate BoR question much less an EBoR question. SM conference - depending on your relationship - maybe. BoR - NO.

I see two questions here. One is regrading the program you are providing. The other is about the alumni coming back - ostensibly to put it back on the previous path. Dealing with one - is the Troop healthy? - are you attracting boys? - are you delivering what they think Scouting is? are you delivering opportunities to build character? to have Adventure? Dealing with the other, This may be unpopular and probably wrong but if you are delivering, then we usually acknowledge here that there are more than one way to deliver the program, some are seen as closer to the Founders Intent and others go so far as to be call Eagle Mills. Frankly there are enough Troops that are doing things differently than mine in this area that I have no problem attracting Scouts who want to camp. If they want to go to School on weekly meetings - I'm more than happy to have them join some of the other Troops. If Adults want to run a program then I'm just as happy they are working at other Troops too. For me I'm putting my faith in the Boys and trusting that given the opportunity they will step up and lead - it does frustrate me at times when they epically fail an easy event but it isn't about how well I can push boys thru something (If I ever get than need to do that I'll go work with the Young Marines program.) It's as much about how much they learn from their success AND their failures. As to our Alumni, they've been awesome. We are transitioning from Adult led to boy led - against strong feelings from some of the alumni, and yet they have morally, financially and from a knowledge-base standpoint supported the Troop. When they want to or are asked they show up - if it doesn't run they way they want it to they tend to either leave or at least sit down and not interrupt whats going on. I think they're great considering they really would prefer the whole adult led scenario.

Here's what we do: WE still just use the Eureka Timberline Outfitter 4, but in winter instead of two boys per tent (which we let them do the rest of the year) we push four for the additional body heat (think one 60 watt incandescent bulb in place of a boy). Then instead of completely zipping the tent closed and/or venting at the top. We vent a small opening at floor level and maybe a two inch vent at the top. If you can't escape the wind, close the bottom opening. As has been noted when winter camping snow does insulate better so digging out the tent footprint to sink the tent into the snow can help and siting the tent behind a natural windbreak is also helpful - although this can lead to inadequate ventilation or an adjustment to how much ventilation you give the tent. Here's what I think: I think the advice given about an adequate sleeping bag and ground pad, something warm to drink/eat before bed and possibly if it's really bad using those hand warmer packs in your bag(but ensure they don't bring a sweat!) is better than seeking out another tent. Personally I use a thicker head covering and down sleeping booties if it's just nasty cold.(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)

Well, as much of a problem as I have with some aspects of the "Professional" view of it... Volunteer Position training is necessary if ONLY to safeguard the funds of the liability pool from incessant raiding due to it's indefensible access by those who live in victim world - the Truly wronged will probably get theirs. It provides a portion of a comprehensive legal defense strategy - but, as we have discussed, it has very limited utility on the ground as an actual comprehensive instructional toolbox for that SM or ASM. One additional side note, for those with military backgrounds - if they were E-4 or above they probably had some instructional experience plus troop handling plus a wide background in the basic hygiene and basic injury prevention and care skills. But probably don't know (from those experiences) about bear bagging.

In our Council and a regular attender at our councils campground we have a disabled SM. He can walk about 50 yards at a time but not necessarily repeat it all day long. He uses a regular three wheeled electric scooter and gets around very well to where he needs to go for purposes of getting around an established campground. I don't expect that he goes backpacking nor should it be required necessarily that he do so, he has ASM's who can fulfill those functions and as Kudu might note, Adults aren't required for overnight trips (I might add)especially if the Scouts are well versed in outdoors skills. I don't think this is necessarily different than the aging SM who keeps the program vibrant and effective thru his personal leadership, vision, and experience but doesn't necessarily have to put his foot on every foot of ground the Scouts do to be effective. His efforts might lie more in establishing a core of effective trained ASM's who carry out the "on the ground" portions of Scouting - while that job might by the book lay in the Committee Chairs position, it's just as likely that either the ASM's come in thru the back door as camping parents or once selected would never again really be impacted by the CC as far as applying or learning the program goes.

Yeah some places are challenges, we could usually knock out those requirements in about two hours starting at 4 or 5 am on our Scout reservation. Of course it's best done on a weekend where it has rained overnight and when few or no other Troops are there and might require stalking one's way across about half of it. I did have one Scout just walk the campsite trail on one side of the camp and without ever leaving the trail had multiple species from including but not exhaustively listing: snakes, turkeys, deer, bluejays(verified by observation), coyote and possibly a wolf - indistinguishable track could have been a local dog(didn't count it). On the other hand unless we count up/downs it's a travel opportunity for us to find a continuous 1000 ft elevation change. Unless I miss my guess AND am improperly informed an "iggy" is a press of the ignore this poster button.

Now we're on the right track. And no, the $100 for the correct poles is no laughing matter but in my house it would be the boys lawn mowing, extra chore, finding, other work, money that would suffer - not my wallet, after all, I didn't lose it. On the other hand I've had to replace items I borrowed from him that went awry, a particular compass he saved for that cost way more than I'd pay for a compass comes to mind. OTOH depending on how far he ends up walking carrying the old tent that is probably enough on the discomfort side, I'd offer opinions on things he could do to make the old tent work - if he doesn't do them, THEN as you say, sucks to be him. It's not about taking pleasure in his discomfort(that's just retribution happening) it's about the change in his actions that is hopefully brought on by the discomfort, that's what we SHOULD be smiling at.(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)

And one more thing to add to the list of "Why I'm quitting Scouting" when the time comes... Really, your son went camping in the Spring - who was it that went and got all of the requisite training for there to be a trained adult to oversee his safety? Who was it that went on repeated training weekends not just the camping weekend in question and gave up time with their family to do so? Who was it that went and (if you've ever had and felt the weight of responsibility) worked all weekend to enable your child to be able to go Scouting? IF he's just now discovering his error, I guess that means he's not been camping since? Is he that inactive in the Troop or is the Troops program that weak? I suppose had he put it a way wet we'd be hearing about how it was his adult leaders fault that you had a lump of mildew rather than a tent body... NO NO NO NO NO! IF he didn't recover his gear is it possible that you were so focused on getting to the next thing that when picking him up from that camp out that you gave him no time to recover the poles from the other Scout OR that conversely the other parent was so focused on getting out of there that your son had no opportunity to do so from that angle? IF that were the case, then why didn't your son go through his gear when he got home - where he should have noticed the missing poles and made a note to ask the kid he shared with at the next meeting or even better called him and asked him when he could get them back OR asked his PL what the kids number was OR asked the SPL how to contact the kid OR brought it up to an ASM about how he could handle the situation, OR asked for a SM conference to find out how to do this kind of thing. But from your post we can only conclude that he went camping in the spring and hasn't gone since and which also must be the adult leaders fault - Grrrr Word edit - improper form... Grr(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)

I'm using an Exped Synmat 7 I call it my Sleep number bed away from home - it can be made to be an level of firmness you desire. I have used it on days when I needed a hammock type feel to where I might as well have found a rock and just not used it - but of course I did use it. If you've got the money and are a four season camper I believe the Downmat is an excellent choice. But I am very happy with my Synmat 7. I'm on my second one; I had a valve problem after 3 years on the first one - took it back to my retailer who sent it back to Exped - they held it for 20 days and sent back the New model (with a slightly different valving system) at no cost. I use it even when a cot is available on top of the cot. It has been very durable in relation to absorbing any ground damage - I do try to clear any thorns but only to the degree I would normally clear to put a tent down - and in many cases that means picking up a couple of sticks and leaving all of the rest of the ground cover undisturbed.(This message has been edited by Gunny2862)