Nike

One way to get around this for things like a family tree is for the boys to bring all the information they need to a den meeting and make the project there.

This only helps in Metro Atlanta: Take the CNN tour. You can also check out your local public access channel.

Depending on the locaiton of the cache, you could be in for a strenuous backpacking or SCUBA trip to get to it. Like Beavah said, it's a good way to get boys to look at new places to camp or as a destination for a hike/climb/boating trip. Oh, and you can hide the orienteering coordinates in a geocache (or vice versa) that take you to some kind of problem solving cache. They did this out at NYLT at PTC this summer. It was downright nefarious. All in all, it's the same old game with a new twist.(This message has been edited by Nike)

When I went to PTC this summer, flew into Denver, rented a Prius (one tank of gas there and back, roughly), drove to PTC through the most amazing lightning storm, and had a wonderfully quiet week by myself. I considered ditching class and hanging out in leathercrafts quite often. As for trails, the Staff insisted that if you didn't meet the height and weight limits on the new Physical, you weren't supposed to go on any trail except the easiest, flattest one, the name of which I don't remember. Coming from 0' above sea level, I did experience a near constant headache the entire week.

In the age of the 24 hour news cycle and instant messaging, no one can adequately represent the ever changing "will of the people" anymore. The people don't know what they want, other than as much as possible for themselves.

I think it was in Federalist #10 that the authour debated with himself whether a Congressman was a representative of the people and so should do as the people directly wished or was elected to exercise his best judgement. I go with six of the first and seven of the second. Sometimes we need the bad medicine and other times it is just stupid to go agaisnt the will of the people. What our Congress really needs is wisdom.

Obviously fill in the COR and UC that you are having this problem and whether you want to give the secretary a chance to get in line with how the pack will be run or whether you would like to find a new secretary. Either everyone can come together amicably and reiterate who does what and what the proper mailing address is for all pack business, or you can tell the secretary that you, the CM, and the COR have dicussed her failure to work with you honestly and that her services as the secretary are no longer necessary as you have asked Suzy Q to take over that position. (Make sure Suzy Q has agreed in advance.) Now, who's trained as committee member? With the new year coming up, you have an excellent oppurtunity to have a committee meeting with the one and only item of business being training everyone.

While the statement may not be part of the SMC, if the SM reads the statement and can't make heads or tails of it, he should point that out to the Scout and suggest a rewrite.

Active = registered, no matter how much heartburn that definition causes some.

Tot lot may be your biggest headache. You need your best volunteer in that position and she/he needs a really hardcore team. Our last District's day camp had a huge tot lot that was set up and run just like day care with centers and an iron clad schedule. Any boy over 6 was not permitted and only girls 10 and under were able to go. We did take infants since there was a second room for cribs. The girls between 6 and 10 were their own den and fell right into the camp rotation. Tot lot can be very successful and a real boon to the volunteers. You just have to run it with an iron fist (aimed at the parents not the kids). If it weren't for our tot lot, we would have had about half the volunteers we needed for 300 boys.

The Scout pants reinforce the uniform look of a Scout shirt, necker, etc. For whatever reason, we like groups that are dressed the same or very similarly, witness the popularity of family photos in which everyone is wearing the same colors or complimentary colors. For instance we were driving to summer camp and my van load spills out into a BK in their complete Scout uniform. Another troop comes in with their Scout shirts and shorts ranging from over sized basketball shorts, ripped up cargos, and really loud Bermudas, to Scout shorts. The boyslooked sloppy and clashed visually as they lined up to order. My boys looked Scoutier. Do the pants do anything significant for anyone? Probably not. But they complete the visual picture.

I would personally like to see BSA and GSUSA merge to form Scouting America with same sex groups and Venturing as a co-ed link for the older kids. I'd also like to see BSA's program used as a model to finally give Girl Scouts some kind of foundation. BSA historians: Was there an effort back in the 20's or so to merge BSA and GSUSA that ended in vicious recriminations?

Alright, I have to admit I almost quit reading the OP's post several times, and I wouldn't be in a defensive position about anything he wrote. Along with your laundry list of complaints, have you also recommended actions with proposed costs to not only the CD, Camping Committee Chair, SE, and Council Chairman?

Enjoy your Peace Dividend!

Our SMs have also reported on disciplinary actions, special needs Scouts, and Eagle Scout project progress.

Most parents who have children diagnosed with autism, Asperger's, or ADHD, will quietly tell the SM so that no one is shocked by the attendant behaviours. And, they usually want their child to be treated and held accountable as much as any other Scout or at least as much as that boy can handle. Maybe these particular parents are in denial. They could also have the kid who is just hard to deal with about everything and giving in to all his idiosyncracies makes thier life at home easier. If he does have a physical problem, I wonder if it's one of the real medical zebras.

Without a doctor's letter detailing the need to cater to this child's self imposed diet, I would leave it up to his patrol to deal with him. Between now and next summer, it will get resolved in some way or another. Before camp and the final prep/payment for your Gettysburg trip let the parents know that if the boy can't physically keep up at summer camp next year, you will cut him from the Gettysburg trip due to concerns over his health. BTW, I have one of these. Tastes, textures, smells, temps, you name it. Back when my now 8 year old was 4, he literally threw up on the table every night for about a month when we finally told him he had to eat the vegetables. Cleaned it up and served more veg. He finally realized we weren't backing down and now eats the vegetables but still doesn't like them. He will not let a piece of fruit pass his lips, but I can live with that.

On our second go round with Wolves. As others have said, don't rush through it. Make Cubs fun not an endurance race. The boys don't cross over into Bears until June anyway.

Some people just don't understand the term "mortified." Companies who sell these things should have to provide an insurance policy to be collected upon by the SAR service with a steep deductible. If my son were going on a week long trip in the back country, with a buddy or two (cause if he went alone I'd brain him), I would insist he take a locator, for my own peace of mind. But, unless he had a serious illness or injury or some sudden weather related catastrophe, I would be furious if he used the thing.

Stay the course. Go to Blue Ridge. Ignore the blowhard. Next August just remind the PLC that they need to get a few camp options developed by October so the adults who write checks and sign forms can get the ball rolling. If any of your older boys go to Jamboree, they might learn about some really great camps out there.

Thanks for the reminder to give the SM a big pat on the back, frequently.

Sctldr, here's hoping everything goes well for your son's wedding. You can always photoshop the mask(s) out. I would be at my child's wedding come hell or high water, too. John in KC, thanks for the chicken soup recipe. I may try it on the stove this week. So far only our teen has come down with H1N1, probably because he retreated to his cave and stayed there except to eat, mostly chicken soup.

Maybe try to work your way up to three first? I've seen the amount of gear that many, many families bring to pack family camping. It makes deploying a battalion look trifling.

If you want to go to BG and Water Country USA, go to Williamsburg/Jamestown/Yorktown first. They've completely redid J'town for the 1607 anniversary. And if you go to DC, I found the Museum of the Native Aemrican bored my kids senseless. Go figure.

Welcome to the Rodeo! If your pack doesn't family camp, get the BALOO training so they can. And, since most Tigers aren't ready for full on backpacking, what about a few hikes in local parks to somewhere interesting with lunch in thier school backpacks? I also took my Daisies on two mile long scavenger hunts along our wooded walking path in the neighborhood. Yosemite? No. But, they were just as excited to count all the different animal tracks on the edge of a 6 inch stream.