J-dawg168

It's that the job description of a Troop guide?

Yes, I'm a brotherhood arrowman, active on my chapter's ceremony team, and hold a chapter position.

jblake, I found that very offensive to my troop. We ARE boy led. We ARE one of the most boy led troops around our area. Before you criticize a troop that hard, be educated in their structure and workings. Also. I stated in my post that he is not open to an older boy patrol. One of our patrols does have some of the older boys in it, and the patrol is COMPLETELY worthless. I do see why he isn't open to. To the rest of you, thanks for the encouraging words!

Being a sophomore in high school i see this problem all the time. This may sound rude to some people, but PLEASE do not take any offense to this. Kids join teams, bands, clubs, or whatever else, and strive to be the best. Only a select few of those get into college for it. Lets take football for example. A kid joins football in junior high, he's second or even first string. His team is good and so is he. Goes to highschool, still on first string, plays well. College time. Colleges want the best of the best. Yes he may be a good player, but more often then not, they aren't good enough to make the cut. Same thing goes for band. BUT!!! Even if they make it into college on a scholarship and play, that DOES NOT mean that is what they will be doing the rest of their life. Recently, there have been many NCAA commercials about athletes going pro in something else other than sports, which is true to about 95% of the people. Now, lets judge that against scouting. Kid joins cubs. Has fun going to camps and everything. Gets to Webelos, gets arrow of light, and is crossing over into boy scouting. Crosses over into a good boy led troop. Now, kids make fun of him, discourage him from being a scout, but he perseveres and makes it to first class. He then gets the ability to run for patrol leader, then ASPl, then SPL. Through those times earning merit badges, getting leadership time, doing service projects, yet still made fun of. Still he perseveres on getting to life, then reaching eagle. What does that have to do with anything? This: Scholarship application, what looks better, football player, or Eagle. Job application, Football or Eagle. Yes you may learn good things from sports, but being in high school in this day and age. You can pick a scout out from a crowd, you can trust them, you know they are clean minded and bodied. Though scouting is looked down upon by kids outside of it, the kids that are in it can laugh at the others when they go further in life, excel, succeed. The Question comes to this: What's more important, fun and MAYBE glory; or learning about life, how to take it on, and how to lead people to success.

When i first joined scouting, I had no idea i would be this far along, Philmont, Norther Tier, Jambo, Staffing camp, and SPL. I'm 15 going on 16, just bought a truck, honors classes at school, and will have to get a job to pay for my truck and insurance. My time as SPL is coming to an end, as elections are next week, and new terms starting two weeks later. I wanted to be a JASM, but without knowledge of my future availability, I was quickly shot down by the Scoutmaster. I would like to stay active and give back to the troop, but DO NOT want to go back to a regular patrol. I know I've hit the age of the three W's, wheels, women, and work. Many things in our troop have changed under my term. We have about 50 - 60 boys, and a very experienced scoutmaster. He is quick to shut things down that have not worked in the past, and likes sticking to TIGHT schedule. Under my term its gotten a TAD bit more laid back and more enjoyable for everyone. Also, I've been a SPL, ASPL, TG, PL, and APL, so I've done just about everything. My question is: What do you do with the older boys like me that still want to be active in leadership, but have a job where they can't be at everything and don't want to be in a regular patrol? Also, there are no active venture crews in my area, and the scoutmaster has said NO to a venture patrol.

I have done this before, with success and faluire. works GREAT with the heavy duty freezer bags! Not so much with cheapo's

Source, How in the world is it possible to get your Eagle in 2 1/2 years?

For sleeping bags go with slumberjack. I have a 30 and 20 degree used for regular camp outs and high adventure. They are farely light, pack down small, and still a little bit roomy for the claustrophobic. I love them. I know one of them is called the superguide, can't think of the other. They aren't terribly expensive either.

How old is he? The average Philmont pack can weight anywhere from 35-70lbs. If its not too long of hike don't worry too much about weight. Like others have said, big retailers like Bass Pro, REI, Dicks, academy, and others either won't have the knowledge or the selection of QUALITY packs. Look for more local or regional outdoor stores (Backwoods is my fav.) They are operated by people who use the gear they sell. When they fitted a pack to me they had bags of cloth for weight, so when weight is added you can feel the pack and how it sits on your hips. Ebay is also a great way to get some of the expensive things for cheap! DO NOT WEAR COTTON!!!! Cotton is heavier than a lot of synthetics and also if wet takes a LONG time to dry out. (fleece socks at norther tier took about 2 minutes in the son) I have a Mountain Smith pack(technically mine). Kelty is a good brand for kids/teens. Alps, and even Jansport makes a few good packs. I wouldn't recommend an Osprey pack though.. EXPENSIVE stuff.

At a Fall Fellowship there was a class on Regalia making. Its more time consuming, but much cheaper if you make it. For instance. My team uses black martial arts pants, black martial arts shirts with ribbon sewn on for ribbon shirts, and other accessories such breastplates made from leather strands, beads, and hairpin bone(plastic). The thing that will cost the most is probably headdresses.

That was called the death march. Yes it sucked. But won't detract from my trip.

There is a Troop the next city over who has over 200 ACTIVE. Something like 25 patrols with over 17 boys per patrol. They do Patrol campouts. TOO BIG!!!! Mine is about 65. I like it. Used to be in one with about 10, hated it.

In about 6 months or so, have a Venture patrol

I currently am a Troop Guide, so i know the drill. My dad also shares the same mindset as me. He was a ASM over new scouts. So that absolutely DID NOT happen!!

Sorry for the confusion, I have only been with my current troop for 3 years. So 3 years ago i went to our Council camp. I am 14, not 19. I have friends in other troops who haven't gone elsewhere, and still say it isn't a good camp. Hopes this clears it up!