mmhardy

Not seeing a lot of activity and chatter for what experienced HA Scouters call the most rugged and remote base in the BSA system; Northern Tier which is bounded by BWCA and Quetico Provincial Park. So who is going? With Jambo, the NT staff tells us that a very limited number of slots are open this year. I have two boys that are going up as Charlie Guides.

Thanks for the feedback. We are fortuante to live pretty close to Canada so our troop travels over at least once per year for DIBC. We also go over to enjoy some great camp areas such as the Pinery and Point Pelee. If you educate yourself on the border requirements, crossing is a snap. I've had all the documents in my hand and Canada Customs, seeing I was prepared, just waived me through. Being in uniform, including the adults in a must. I am surprised that BSA is allowing the use of PWC in their programs. I applaud the educational aspect of teaching the use of personal watercraft (Jet Skis) safely.

Is BSA Too Risk Adverse? Scouts Canada sure isnt. Check out the video cobbled together from snaps from 2007 Dorchester International Brotherhood Camporee. There is a lot of activity Ive never seen in the States. If youre a troop near the Great Lakes youre within a days drive to a great event held annual on Mothers Day weekend.

Ive chuckled as I scanned this thread. There is some kind of odd ball perception that as soon as a boy puts on a uniform he is an expert in the outdoors. Scouting is a turn-key youth program and the adult volunteers that make it up many times are equally inexperienced in outdoor manners. My 20 year old son is a guide at NT. He mentioned that it takes several days for a unit to understand the courtesy and nuances of water trail manners during portages.

I have a son who has just served is second season as a Charley Guide at for NT at both BWCA and Quetico areas. He is a Triple Crown holder. Needless to say the guides up in Minnesota and Canada have built up a true esprit-de-corps as this area has been in general operation since 1923. My son mentioned that this year was the NT busiest season ever. I asked why and was told point blank that Philmont is now nothing but a dog track. He said youre never more than a days gentle walk away from an attraction. (

Sounds like a perfect activity for adults with nothing better to do.

A successful troop will widen the net of the GOBN by recognizing motivated talent and bringing them into the fold. Fresh faces bring fresh ideas thus a dynamic program with lots of energy.

Those Scouts who use their own gear tend to learn the responsibility to care for it.

Opps...Gunny hit on the LNT idea early on.

Its interesting that of all the posts on this topic I've not seen any mention of Leave No Trace principles. While identical tents and gear look nice in the typical parking lot set up of a Camporee (and Jamboree) it has no place out in the field. Blending in to the natural surroundings with little impact should be a gold standard by which a good campsite is judged.

Hosted by FastRoot, Chicago? What platform is this on? Looks like its running on an older .NET platform. (Microsoft IIS)

Its a moot point now. The boy has his Eagle. He had to see it though the State Supreme Court. Someone sued. (Maybe the plaintiff thought the statue wasnt a worthy Eagle Project)

Actually I disagree with all the nah-sayers. Its a great project. Since this project is done and the boy has is Eagle, the Great Salt Lake Council feels it was a worthy Eagle project too. Remember that all projects must have council review and sign off. The statue was not done for the direct benefit of the BSA. The statue was built in a public park. The work commemorates the ideals and 100th anniversary of Scouting. It does not benefit the BSA.

Ill bet your going to see a vast majority of Scouts and Scouters sporting Cell Phones and Blackberrys on their belt. They are going to be taking pictures, posting to their Facebook pages and keeping in contact with their peeps. Patrol Leaders are going to keep in contact with his guys and agree to rendezvous so they can attend an event as a group. Someone lost?not any more. A quick call and they are back with the troop. Jambo land is huge, vast and a modern cell phone a great way to keep the guys together. Wish I had it back in 77. It seemed we were spending a huge amount of time keeping track of everyone.

Our council contingent troop is requiring all medical forms to be submitted in mid February. Is your council requiring the same? They give the rational is to review the documents. Thats about 6 months ahead of the event. Seems odd.