Ohio_Scouter

My daughter's heart stopped beating at work one day a couple of years ago, and I wasn't there to administer CPR to keep her alive until the rescue squad arrived. But every day I thank God and the American Red Cross-trained lifeguard across the hall who was certified in CPR and kept her alive until the squad arrived and could get her to the hospital and revive her. Stop searching for reasons to avoid taking the WFA course. Some day someone may need your help. Take the course!

WS, It's well worth it. Wish I could take it this summer.

Congratulations, WildernesStudent! Keep us informed of your ventures.

Congratulations, WildernesStudent! Keep us informed of your ventures.

Congratulations to you and your son, Dan . We'll be here to say it again when he makes Eagle!

Eagle son and his former Venture Patrol will be taking a 400-500 mile high adventure cycling trip from Cincinnati, Ohio to Erie, Pennsylvania with several side-trips along the way. This is part of the Underground Railroad Bicycle Trail. He aged out of his troop when he made Eagle Scout just before his 18th birthday last summer, so now he's going as an adult. This year, I finally plan to take my wife and daughter on a non-scouting summer vacation-- hopefully to Glacier National Park, MT.

Again, from personal experience... When traveling to Philmont Scout Ranch, never assume that the train will be on time, or that the wheels of all cars are even on the tracks when wondering why the train is running late .

Way too cool, OGE. As Beavah says, these kinds of outings are filled with the best Scouting stories and memories . This one's right out of a Hemingway novel, The Old Man and the Sea... Santiago sails back to shore with the marlin tied to his boat. Sharks follow the marlins trail of blood and destroy it. Santiago arrives home toting only the fishs skeletal carcass. The village fishermen respect their formerly ridiculed peer, and Manolin pledges to return to fishing with Santiago. Santiago falls into a deep sleep and dreams of his lions...

If your scouts decide to attend any of the BSA Northern Tier High Adventure Bases, and the base assigns your crew a guide who wears glasses, beware! During your journey, after your canoe swamps, don't ask her to help because in the process her glasses just might accidentally fall irrecoverably to the bottom of the lake, and you may have to find your own way back to canoe base. If you have maps, compass, and a good navigator in your crew, you'll be OK. If not, you're in big trouble.

From personal experience... Whenever deep-sea fishing on Florida Seabase Coral Reef Sailing adventures, and you hook into a large dolphin fish, make sure to reel him in quickly, or you may end up with only a fish head because the sharks got him before you could land him in the boat. Very disappointing, but an intersting photograph!

Always stand up-range at any Scouting mountain-man rendezvous . This includes rifle, shotgun, tomahawk/knife, and archery ranges. This scouting truth was learned after participating in many years of our Council's mountain-man rendezvous. The cattle rancher whose property adjoined the old rifle range of our Council's Scout Reservation would paint the current market price on the side of each of his cows so that every scout knew how much he'd have to pay in case the scout inadvertantly shot one of the grazing herd.

Personally, I recommend boots for backpacking at Philmont, but I'm sure that others have had success with hiking shoes. Here is what Philmont recommends: Buy a pair of quality hiking boots. A pair of boots 6 to 8 inches high with sturdy soles is recommended. Lightweight hiking/running footwear is excellent for the dry, rocky trails prevalent at Philmont. Lightweight footwear is not recommended for people with weak ankles, who need heavier leather boots. Wear your boots to school or work and when walking anywhere to break them in and to condition yourself.

Get out into the backcountry! There are very few places more beautiful and awe-inspiring than hiking and camping in the mountains of North America.

Never do anything for a scout what he can do for himself.

Everything tastes better when cooked in a Dutch Oven over a campfire.

Correction, pack, (I know you can take it because of your thick skin), but giving credit where credit is due, Velcro was Ed's solution.

With all sub-requirements listed, Auto Mechanics takes 3 blue cards to complete!

SA, It doesn't get much better than that, my friend! Congratulations to your son and mom and dad who deserve a standing ovation from all .

Gotta agree with you 100%, bkale. Philmont's the best, but I wear the Triple Crown High Adventure patch on my right pocket because it symbolizes Philmont, Northern Tier, and Seabase--all of which I dearly loved. I wear my Philmont arrow head neckerchief to remind me of all the wonderful times at the ranch.

Hi Lisabob, Congratulations to you and your son. I believe that he has just embarked upon the best part of Scouting--backpacking. If he had fun with lousy weather and a heavy pack, just imagine how much fun he'll have when the weather breaks and his load lightens . Because of all the associated exercise, before too long you will see him morph into the best physical shape imagineable. His mental outlook will also improve considerably after he encounters all the natural beauty of the backcountry. I hope to see him as a ranger some day on a future trek to Philmont. Two of our Eagles just got hired for this summer's program, and they are really excited about it ! Also, heed Gern's advice well. You and your son will soon become the best customers of your local and internet backpacking outfitters, so watch your wallet closely.

California department of Fish and Game says: Staying Safe in Mountain Lion Country Mountain lions are quiet, solitary and elusive, and typically avoid people. Mountain lion attacks on humans are extremely rare. However, conflicts are increasing as Californias human population expands into mountain lion habitat. Do not hike, bike, or jog alone. Avoid hiking or jogging when mountain lions are most activedawn, dusk, and at night. Keep a close watch on small children. Do not approach a mountain lion. If you encounter a mountain lion, do not run; instead, face the animal, make noise and try to look bigger by waving your arms; throw rocks or other objects. Pick up small children. If attacked, fight back. If a mountain lion attacks a person, immediately call 911. http://www.dfg.ca.gov/keepmewild/docs/lionbrochure.pdf

Gern, My favorite 4-season tent is the Eureka Alpenlite XT. Free-standing, you can sit up inside, very well-vented, sleeps 2 (but 1 quite comfortably), has vestibules, weighs about 7 lbs., costs about $250.00 new from Eureka. They might have a 1 sleeper. Check it out here if interested: http://www.eurekatent.com/p-71-alpenlite-xt.aspx

WildernesStudent, IMO, Based on your questions and stories about your adventures in Northern Georgia so far, and if cost weren't a major consideration, if I were you, I would opt for the Wilderness First Aid course. Just think, if you decided to join a BSA Venturing Crew and attend one of our high adventure bases, you would already have the WFA course requirement out of the way.

Hi Chloe9999, Welcome to scouter.com, and thank you for helping our scouts.

Welcome, Brian. Dunwoody, GA, is a great Scouting town. I met some really wonderful Scouters from Dunwoody last summer at Zastrow camp during our Philmont trek. Was that you?