jtswestark

In our council camp, any staffer can teach a class and the director signs the cards.

A number of years back a past committee member built some nice, thin plywood boxes with fold down fronts and hinged lid. Each of our 4 patrols has one. Each term, the new QM uses his master inventory list and has each patrol QM review for damaged, broken, missing stuff. They get new gear as needed through troop QM. They add to it through the year, their own soap, salt, kool aid, peanut butter, other small non-perishable items that they want to keep for their patrol. They arent too big to prevent one boy from carrying, but two is preferable. Not too large to allow too much crap to accumulate. Works great. They have ownership of their boxes and protectively maintain them. Boy lead. PM me if you want more details on them.

I was involved with our Councils Jambo committee ASM915 referred to. I was an ASM in 2005 and we struggled the whole way through, had a couple open slots right up until before we left. This time, a few of us decided that wouldnt happen again and pushed our Program Director to get the ball rolling last fall. Our pros handled it so much better this time and with some great committee chairs in action, we went through a very orderly adult application process this past winter. Blasted over and over again the deadline for applications. We didnt want any appearances of good old boy selections, and wanted the best qualified leaders this time around. Announcement of their selection was made this spring to coincide with sign up promotions weekly at summer camp. We started before the on-line registration started and was handling it on our own through our council office. It went great and by the end of August both contingents were full. I have three boys going. We are hopeful that an application for a third unit will be granted, but not very optimistic. We are taking preorders for our fundraisers patches right now, and will be much ahead of the game from last time in so many aspects, it is exciting to watch. A lot of the stress we had in 05 will be gone this time around for the new leaders (two of which went in 05). We are estimating $1500 via bus drive from Canton, Ohio without too much extra sightseeing. But dont forget all the extra uniforms needed (maybe new ones!), trading patches, and other personal gear like bunks, trunks, spending money, etc easily hit $2200 to be safe. I would say each council should be either well on their way by now, at worst need to get started asap. If your council is not, maybe you should offer to chair a committee to get things started? Usually Ive seen thats all it takes to get things going, people just want to see something starting and then theyre willing to jump on board and pitch in. I think theres a Jamboree -L list you can join to learn more, too. If you want to make sure your son is involved, get involved so you know what is going on.

Anyone ever done a 'switch around' during your trip to/from a campout? I had ASMs assigning Scouts to cars, which drove me nuts. So I came up with this idea and use it once or twice a year. Simple rule: scouts are not allowed to ride with their own parent. They need to ride with someone else. At times, we have a lots of drivers and this is a way of taking a Scout out of his comfort zone, gets him to interact with other adult(s) and shuffles the cliques a little too. Funny the reactions I get. JTS