Hoohaa310

Eagle Scout here, class of '06. As most people on here, I have more than one uniform. The uniform I wore as a youth has the Eagle Scout badge on it, simply because my mother sewed it on there and I haven't taken it off yet. I have another uniform that has the eagle knot on it because I bought it shortly after turning 18 and I got excited to wear knots. I have ANOTHER uniform that is completely blank, and thats actually the one I end up wearing most often. Do I sometimes wear my older uniform with the Eagle Badge on it? Sure do. Do the uniform police complain about it? Sure do. Do I care? not really. (the only time I would is if the camp director I work for asked me to, but he has more important things to do than than worry about if a 19yo staff member has his uniform 100% ship shape.)

the Vice Chief- Dan, used to be (although it we haven't elected a new one yet so technically he still IS) my Section chief. He's a great guy he'll do an amazing job.

I earned my Eagle in '06, and the patch has stayed on my uniform since then. I turn 19 this march. My reasoning: I earned the rank, i'm wearing it. Whats it matter if i wear a knot that says the exact same thing or a patch that says the exact same thing? This isn't the Army. I realize that some people care if a patch is 1/4" off center or if you wear spoof patch. I think thats what makes scouting fun.

hey everyone, i have recently been informed by my council chief executive that i will be sent to national camp school this summer to be trained as an Outdoor Skills Director. Any tips or advice or words of wisdom (i'm sure some of you have some...) that you'd like to give me?

Okay I'll step in here meteu7772 and help you out a little. Me and meteu are in the same troop, I was SPL a couple years ago, and right now I'm kinda the ASM (my dads the SM). I'll answer some basic questions i've been hearing to clear the air a little. First off: Yes we only have about 12 active boys. The reason I believe this happens is we had a horribly week scout pack for something close to 5 years. It is my belief that boys dont join boy scouts. I'm sorry but in our area it just doesnt happen. An 11 or older boy will NOT join boy scouts (there has been maybe one exception to that observation). EVERY other boy we have had join the troop has come up through cub scouting. Last year, our pack numbered 11 boys. Thats it. Now, since we have changed out the Cubmaster, the pack has grown to 35-40 boys. (not to brag but the cubmaster is my mom, who is a retired teacher at the local school so all the little kids and their parents know here, which helped alot). In a few years, the troop will get back up to its 20-25 active members. our meeting spot/time: We meet at our local fire dept's banquet hall. Its a wonderful space that they have graciously allowed us to use. that being said, its not ours. which is something the leaders have talked about changin (we have no where near anough money to buy that place, but there have been other places looked at for purchase). As far as the hour and a half meeting time, I think if it were any less people would think it is a waste of time to go and then not show up at all. another big problem our troop encounters is school sports. During sports seasons, practice is everynight and on nights there arent any practices, theres a game in some far away land. our last SPL was a 3 sport athlete, which basically crippled our troop. We've tried to change the meeting place and time, but we've been met with so much resistence (mostly from the grey haired leaders who argue "well we've been meeting here at this time since forever"). as far as games to play and whatnot, i'll have to dig out my JLT syllabus (yea, thats right, JLT) and get some sweet games going this fall when we start up again. Keep those suggestions coming people we appreciate it!

Thanks prof! As most vigils on here will probably agree, receiving Vigil has been on of the best moments of my life.

I wish i knew about this thread/site last year as i was the trading post manager for the local council camp (camp samwood and camp dittmer up in Iroquois Trail NY). My advice is this: -Don't let the TP become the staff lounge. Too much clutter, too much noise -Make friends with the head cook (or whoever is in charge of ordering food and other such things. It made re-ordering candy bars and icecream and whatever else you're ordering food-wise MUCH easier). -the Staff will LOVE you if you run tabs for them (We have a very small staff of maybe 30 total so this was simple for me, a dollar store notebook with a page for each staffer was all i needed. Tabs were to be paid on payday. Might not have exactly been by the books, but it kept the staff happy) -The customer is always right (just like any kind of business) -Never let anyone behind the register/counter but you/your staff (i was the only one running the whole store, but sometimes i needed a bathroom break or something simple like that. I'd step out for 5 minutes or so, and anything i had under the counter like my ipod or a knife i was sharpening was all in disary. Maybe its just me but I like my stuff left alone) -You'll be the king (or queen) of gossip for the camp. Parents will complain to you, kids will complain to you, you'll hear all the bad, and all the good. Pass on what you feel you should. thats all i have for now. GOOD LUCK!

Hello one and all, young and old Brandon P. Lewis is the name, scouting's my game. I am an 18 year old Eagle Scout from Western NY (Iroquois Trail Council). I have been involved in Scouting since Tiger Cubs. I work at the local boy scout and cub scout camps (camp dittmer and camp sam wood respectively). This past Sunday, I recieved the Vigil Honor in the Order of the Arrow. thats about all..........for now...