ManassasEagle

My den just finished up their Webelos-I year with an outing to launch the model rockets that they had built at an earlier den meeting as part of the Scientist Activity Badge. An older brother of one of my guys used the opportunity to also build and launch a rocket as part of his Space Exploration Merit Badge. Since my guys were so enthusiastic about the rockets, I got curious as to what lay ahead for them in that area in Boy Scouts (7 out of 7 are making the Webelos-I to Webelos-II transition, so I'm hoping a good number of them later will be moving on to Boy Scouts). Anyways, the "rocket launching" requirement for the merit badge says "Build, launch, and recover a model rocket. Make a second launch to accomplish a specific objective.". About that second launch, what sort of "specific objectives" have people used? Any ideas?

I said... "I've got two minor nits and one major. First, your statement says "the troop's adult leadership". Where's the boy-run or boy-led in this?" ...and you replied... "You need patience, the boy run part is coming but these are brand New Scouts. You cannot expect new scoputs to just crossover from 4 years of cubbing and begin to self-govern themselves in a program they do not even know yet..." ...and I think you missed my point. I was not talking about the brand new boys leading themselves. I was pointing out that your statement said that it was up to the troop adult leadership to provide the FCE when it seems that it ought to be the older boy leadership of the troop that does this. Like I said, it's just a minor nit, so no big deal

Okay, you've got everything you need to fit in your backpack for your lightweight camping trip. This includes your nice little tent/shelter that's only big enough for you and your sleeping bag. What's the best thing to do with the backpack that you used to haul everything in? Anybody got any favorite tips and techniques for convenience, weather protection, etc?

Bob, you stated... "The purpose of First Class Emphasis is to give the troop's adult leadership the resources and direction to have a planned, focused, program that will allow a new scout to learn, practice, and apply the skills needed to become a First Class Scout within the first 12 to 14 months of his membership in the troop." ...and then asked... "Considering only the points I have just shared can anyone tell us what possible negative attributes there are to this program planning method?" I've got two minor nits and one major. First, your statement says "the troop's adult leadership". Where's the boy-run or boy-led in this? Second, your statement says "will allow" which, while it is exactly the right sentiment, is not how it is usually interpreted. "Will allow" is correct in that the opportunities need to be there but, and here's where most problems come in, it has to be up to the boy to decide to take advantage of the opportunity. Instead, FCFY/FCE gets interpreted as "we need to get everyone to First Class in the first year" which leads to pushing the boys to advance (advancement mills, etc.). The major problem I have with it is that it places too much emphasis on one of the eight Methods at the expense of the others. Advancement is only one of and not the only (or even most important) Method.

As a scout the only official Scout Camp we did was Camp Tuckahoe in Dillsburg, PA (1974 & 1975). As a scouter, took our Webs to Goshen (VA) last summer and will be doing it again this summer.

I second the Alps Mountaineering recommendation! I recently got their Mystique 1.5 (along with some other stuff). All of their stuff seems to be absolutely top-notch quality and the scoutdirect.com pricing is great.

Also don't forget Arrow of Light. If you made Eagle you very likely also made Arrow of Light while a Cub Scout. AoL has its own knot that you can wear along with your Eagle and religious knots.

The wife wanted to try South Beach as a sort of New Years resolution. Since I figured it'd be almost impossible to do if you're the only one in the house doing it, I told her I'd go on it with her. So far, I'm down 62 pounds. Not to worry, though, I'll always be able to post in this thread because, since the guidelines for what is "obese" are so absolutely ridiculous, even if I reach 100 pounds, I'll still fit in that category.

No, not Paul Bunyan. I think the flaps shown at the following link are what they're talking about. I know that, back in the day, we always had the red/white ones shown near the beginning... http://home.comcast.net/~totinchip/flaps.html

Just to clarify a bit... Here's the applicable pieces from the Guide to Safe Scouting... "Note: Bold type denotes rules and policies. Separate accommodations. When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian."

"Can 2 father and son pairs share a tent?" This one's easy. No.

I have to agree, Trevorum. A "Pack Overnighter" (what my BALOO is for) is family camping. Let things be by family although having all the families put stuff out "pot-luck" style sounds like a great idea. A "Webelos Overnighter" (what my WLOT (or whatever they've changed the name to) is for) is where you start getting closer to den camping.

Heartbreak Ridge?

National Capital Area Council, Goshen Scout Reservation. Boy Scout - Heater Stack or Patrol Cooking Youth - $220 early, $240, $265 late Adult - $135, $155, $180 Boy Scout - Dining Hall Youth - $210, $230, $255 Adult - $130, $150, $175 Webelos - Dining Hall Youth - $215, $230, $260 Adult - $145, $165, $190

Back in my scouting youth our CO, too, was an American Legion post. Every Memorial Day our troop placed flags at about half a dozen different places. Most were cemeteries but there was also private grave at a farm and a veterans memorial at a high school. In every case, there were already markers in place at each site. These were metal stakes stuck in the ground with about an eight inch diameter medallion (don't remember exactly what it was but it looked kinda "starbursty"). These markers had a place to insert the flagstick. At each location, we'd place the flags, assemble, salute, and have the bugler play taps. Then we'd move on to the next place.

Just to clarify, the troop that the first-years belong to was not involved. They weren't anywhere near summer camp. This leader thought the two scouts should have gone to one of the Boy Scout camps and asked for "provisional status" (not sure if that's the right term).

Wow - didn't expect such a long thread when I asked the question. Glad it is, though, since there's a ton a good info. Here's one example... when we were seeing if our older boy was interested in Scouts, he joined the closest troop in town. He didn't stick with for but a month or so and I did go to troop meetings with him and here's what I saw... Troop meetings started with a couple of announcements and then everyone broke up for either merit badge work or Boards of Review. The adults just sat around and gabbed. This was pretty much every meeting so I can understand why my son dropped out. This son is now almost 19 so this all happened 8 or so years ago but I think this troop qualified as an "Eagle Mill". Fast forward to the present... I was our Pack Leader for summer camp (Goshen) this past summer. We took 5 Web-I, 5 Web-II, and two 1st-year Boy Scouts. The 1st-years (both in the above mentioned troop) were older brothers of two of the Web-II's. We had a great time (I was exhausted, though, talk about "herding cats"). There was only one sour note in any of the discussions after the trip and that came from a leader in our pack (who did not attend camp) who also happens to be a leader in the troop. He was absolutely incensed that the two Boy Scouts stayed with us in the Webelos camp - he insisted they should have hoofed it over to one of the Boy Scout camps for the week so that they could have worked on Boy Scout advancement. Sound like this particular troop qualifies as an "Eagle Mill"?

I've got a den of first year Webelos so we'll be starting to visit Boy Scout troops this spring/summer/fall. Does anybody have any tips and/or guidelines on how to identify those troops that are just "Eagle Mills"? Any ideas on what could be done to gently redirect the problem troops?

Don't worry about it. We, too, just this past month, had one scout who had just stuck the wheels/axles into his block and colored the wood with crayons. He had a fine time. The Pinewood Derby is only as big a deal as you make it.

Our guys are definitely on to the "everybody gets an award" thing. They think it's totally bogus. Last year, one cub was given the "Boo-ya Award" for his car. That made up award accomplished nothing other than to make him even more upset with his car not winning. He promptly tossed the award in the garbage.

It's not just Pinewood Derby either. We're planning on having a Father/Son Cake contest at the Dec Pack meeting and it's already been stated... "we'll make sure every one gets some award".

I'd like to hear opinions on the practice of planning events so that every single scout that participates gets an "award". Personally, I think it's a bad idea but I'm willing to be convinced otherwise. At last year's Pinewood Derby they did this, even going to the point of inventing a "Boo-Yah Award" to give one kid for his car. The kid knew exactly how worthless the "award" was and got upset (probably more than if he had gotten no award at all). What point does it serve?

anarchist says "get better goods else where for less!" and this works for more than just price. If you get anything other than the official BSA jac-shirt, those insignia guidelines do not apply. You can put whatever you feel appropriate wherever you feel appropriate. Personally, I chose the LL Bean "Trail Model Fleece". Mine is in bright red but they also have it available in Hunter Green for those looking for that.(This message has been edited by ManassasEagle)

I lucked out, the H-O line only had 8 people in it - took about 10 minutes total. A-G got the shaft, must have been 50 people in that line.

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