OneHour

"Wearing Uniform while traveling for insurance purposes"... yes this is true ... it is not written for insurance purposes, the tour permit should be enough; however, wearing uniform should be maintained for a number of good reasons: 1) troop identity, 2) great publicity for the boyscouts, 3) great reception and perception from everyone (including state troopers). I recently got pulled over during a campout trip for a burnt out headlamp (appearantly it went out when I turned them on at dusk for I checked everything that morning). The state trooper wrote me a warning but he was friendly and courteous. This is in comparison to the time that I got pulled over by another state trooper for speeding 6 mph (the traffic flow!) over the speed limit on my way to work . I was treated as a common criminal with him rudely and discourteously yelling and lecturing at me for speeding and with his hand on his holster! What a difference wearing the BSA uniform made. Being a minority in this great nation ... wearing the uniform is my comfort blanket! I know that the BSA uniform or any uniform is being respected! Okay ... so that statement may be challenged by others, but I will continue to wear my uniform and the boys will wear theirs to and from a troop activity. The BSA insurance is only supplemental any way! The insurance cards in my wallet are what count! 1Hour

... Blinded by the light, revved up like a deuce, another runner in the night ... ... But mama, that's where the fun is But mama, that's where the fun is Mama always told me not to look into the eye's of the sun But mama, that's where the fun is

Pack ... I think that is what they (my scouts) call it! It sounds half way between rap and unintelligible yelling! What ever happen to good music where one can actually understand every word that was sung and can actually sing along? Okay ... so I have always sung the wrong lyrics to "Blinded By the Light," but then so did almost everyone else! Eagle76 ... you're not alone! I love Beethoven, Mozart, and Chopin ... along with Trans-Siberian Orchestra!

We only allow CD, MP3, IPOD, ... for long trip and in the vehicle only. Once we arrive at the destination, all electronics stay on board or be confiscated. Without these devices in the car during our last year summer camp trip (11 hours), I would have gone crazy after the first hour! I do not think that they would have missed much scouting experience on the long car ride. I tried that a couple of times, having an older scout to teach the younger scouts knots during the car ride. It lasted 10 minutes and those boys requested another driver on the next trip! Hey ... I might be on to something here!

Rooster, I enjoyed reading your posts and a few others through the years. Only you and about two handfulls of people who have been longer than I have been. It will be strange without seeing Rooster7's posting. Sometimes, I know exactly how you feel! Needless to say ... good luck and best wishes! 1Hour

That's a good quandry to be in! I can only speak for our troop. We have currently 71 boys (21 recently crossed over). We have 1 SM and 6 ASMs (about to recruit 2 more) who refer to ourselves as scoutmasters with one adult lead (the Scoutmaster). Each scoutmaster has a patrol to mentor. Here is the division: (2) New Scout Patrols: 2 scoutmasters (2) Trail to First Class Patrols (Tenderfoot< TFC < 1st Class): 2 scoutmasters (2) Trail to Eagle Patrols (1st Class< TTE

They can listen to their CD, MP3, Ipod, ... whatever their hearts desire, but if those earbuds come loose, they get to listen to the likes of CCR, Turtles, Brother Fours, Jefferson Starship, Who, Rush, AC/DC, Jethro Tulls, Jimmy Buffett, Eagles, ELO, Gordon Lightfoot, George Strait, Rebba, Tim McGraw, etc. As in the words of Donny and Marie, "I'm a little bit Country, I'm a little bit Rock'n Roll!" My sons call it "the ancient musics!" As matter of fact, we just came back from our Camporee and I'm sitting here reading off my CD carrying case! I do not like the current hip hop (?) and grunge (?). 1Hour

Some of the categories that we have used before: - Fastest Looking - Blue Streak (cars that have some blue streaks on them) - The Patriots (Patriotic theme) - Firebirds (Firebird decals) - Silver Lining - Best Movie Theme (Batman, Sponge Bob, etc) - Spoiler Galores - Racer X (cars that look like a racing car) - Slim Jim's - Wedgies - 4x4s - Trucker's Special - Boy Oh Boy! (Boy's Built) - Beginner's Luck - Speed Demons - Retro - Most Realistic Car - Best Use of Leggos - Best Use of Figurines - Best Paint Job - Best Use of Colors - Cartoon Specials and probably my favorite (especially it denote the store bought kits) ... MichaelLobby

Our Pack and Troop do participate in Scouting for Food every year. Last year we pool our resources together and gathered over 2000 pieces. We note that leaving out flyers the night before at each door work some. The next day, you have to go door to door. Leaving the flyers saying that you'll be by next day to pick up the donation will not work, maybe for 3-4 homes at best. Leaving donation box at a school help a little as well. For Katrina's relief, we gathered close to 1500 pieces in 4 hours of work. Good luck 1Hour

We rarely have a problem with old scouts staying clean. It's the newbies. It's the 11-12 years old scouts who are shy or for some other reasons do not like to shower. So ... we came up with a plan three years ago for our new scouts! "You have several choices of merit badges but there is one that is required ... depends on your swimming abilities, you will either 1) take the swimming merit badge or 2) take swimming lessons at summer camp!" They would be guaranteed of a good wash down with chlorine water! So far, we have gone to summer camps with swimming pools! 1Hour

Fred, Take a look at previous posting on this: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=72392 My vote is the aluminum track, especially in damp area such as Houston where humidity is not good for any wooden track. Aluminum is easier to setup and take down. 1Hour

Barry, Great minds think alike! I just came back from lunch at the Scout Shop and bought 10 copies of the PL Handbook and 2 copies of the SPL Handbook! Since the new TLT was too thinly populated, I was going spend an extra hour to dive into the PL Handbook with the guys. Now that I saw your suggestion ... I know that I am going down the right path. Thanks, 1Hour ... does anyone have Chapter 3,4,5,6,8, or 9 of the Scoutmaster Handbook scanned? If you do, do you mind emailing it to me? It is easier to project it on the screen than zerox all those pages. Thanks in advance.(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Thanks for the advices thus far. I talked to our SM and apparently I'm not the only one who has the same concern. He and I will talk to "professionals" for advices to go forward with. I really hate to lose this scout! He's a 14 years Life who has a lot going for him! He jumped in the SPL role with both feet and off to a good start! Thanks, 1Hour

90% of the summer camp we attended thus far, we use the camp's canvas A-frame tents. The parents/scouts put together mosquito netting frame (if they do not want to string the netting up) out of pvc frame. It worked well or as good as personal tents. I don't know about anyone else but those "stinking" canvas tents bring this "je ne sais quois" about them. I do believe that it's part of BSA's summer camp memories that shouldn't be missed! I still remember my days as a Tenderfoot camping in the canvas tents at Camp Strake in Houston. We live in SE Texas, the capitols of mosquitoes. As Anarchist pointed out, netting and a dab or two of insect repellant work well, well ... maybe not in areas where there are salt-water marsh mosquitoes. A couple of other points that we prefer the canvas tents are: 1) there is a lot more room for the scouts to make a mess with! 2) There is actual standing room. 3) If it is hot which is common down here in SE Texas, you can always roll up the sides and have a great breeze, whereas a regular dome 9x7 tents will be stuffy and hot. 4) You can set a cot up inside the A-frame. 5) You don't have to set up and take down the tents. 1Hour (This message has been edited by OneHour)

I'm planning to hold the TLT this weekend. If someone who has paved the way already and has some useful information or presentation resources and don't mind sharing, please let me know. I could use the help. Thanks, 1Hour

... yes ... however, I'm not an expert to determine whether or not a person is under the influence. If I accuse her incorrectly, I would have lost the trust from her family and worst off the trust and respect from the SPL! I can't equate that an alcohol breath = drunken stooper! This is a serious accusation. Yes, I did offer to drive them home "in case" that she got hurt from the slip, but she said that she was alright. It was just her bad knee and bothersome 5th lumbar. It is hard (for me any way) to insist that someone is drunk when I don't know that for a fact. I'm not a law officer nor do I play one on TV. I don't have the luxury of having the sobriety test. Throughout the night, the "what ifs" went through my mine at 100 mph! Yes, I do feel guilty that I let them drove off. Should I consult the SM and let him handle it? Our SM is non-confrontational! What a dilemma! Thanks for listening! 1Hour

I need y'all advice on this one. It has been bothering me for a while as well as most of last night. Last night after the troop meeting, everyone has pretty much left. My son and I waited until our SPL and one other boy get picked up. The SPL's mother finally drove up. She pulled the truck to the curb half crooked. She sat there and insisted on waiting for the last scout to leave. She acted very weirdly, almost too happy mood. She got out and called me to the back of the truck and proceeded to tell me what she has planned as a joke for her son on April's Fool Day. I was almost knocked out by the smell of alcohol in her breath! I'm not an expert, but she is under the influence! We talked some more and as we stood there she wobbled and slipped off the curb. I caught her arm and prevented her from hitting the pavement. By the looks in her children eyes, I could tell that they were worried as if this has happened before. Usually, kids at this age will laugh if someone slips and almost falls, especially their parents. They proceeded to drive off. I felt completely helpless of what to do. This is not the first time that I smell the alcohol off her breath. Thanks in advance. 1Hour

Couple of threads on this subject before just in case you haven't seen it. http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=6203#id_6203 http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=60579#id_60600 The one that our troop bought is Primus Yellowstone Classic Trail Stove $25.95 at REI (with the additional footstand $9). I have the older Primus Trail Stove. It works well; however, as with most isobutane stove, it was difficult to light at low temperature. We camped one winter in a 28 degrees weather. It was very difficult to light the stove, but once it was lit ... it worked well! Apparently, isobutane doesn't burn well at low temp, but as the temp warms up to 40, the stove worked flawlessly. The one that I have has a built-in piezo. I like this stove ... One of the ASM has MSR Rocket Pocket and loves it. He had the same lighting issue in a 28 degrees weather. 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

It varies in our troop, but the majority of the times we are car camping. The junior leaders usually do squeeze in 1-2 backpacking trips a year for the troop as well as 1-2 canoeing trips. This year is mostly car camping. Let's see 2005-2006 school year: Aug - car camping at State Park Sept - car camping at State Park - spelunking Oct - car camping at State Park - hiking Nov - hike at State Park Dec - lock in Jan - Web transition car camping Feb - overnight at local battleship Mar - car camping - fishing Apr - car camping District Camporee May - car camping - canoeing June - summer camp July - none August - tbd Our high adventure guys are planning some pack and paddle trips in preparation for their trip to Boundary Water. 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

MarkS, The two scouts who parents wanted them to concentrate on their schoolworks are straight A's GT (gifted and talented) students. Their parents are overachieving parents who apparently did not see any benefit of scouting on their sons' scholastic achievements other than taking time from their studies. I, on the other hand, would love to see these boys take a break from their studies! Now, we do have one parent who "grounded" her son from scouting because his grade dipped. He came back after he pulled up his grades! That to me is great, because it shows me that the scout loves scouting ... enough to work his rear off to raise his grades! 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

For our troop, we have noticed the following reasons why a scout quit our troop for the past 3 years: (3) quit because parents' divorced and were forced to quit or one of the parents made it hard for the scout to continue. (4) quit because of too many conflicting activities, namely bands, orchestras or other school related activities, ie. not enough time in the day. (4) quit because of sports (1) transferred to another troop because his mother thinks that he can rank-advance faster with the other troop and they camp in the backyard! (6) older scouts (15+) became inactive (partly from resenting new scouts invading "their" troop 3 years ago). (2) quit because parents want for them to concentrate on school and grades. (4) Eagled out. (4) moved out of states. (3) college bound. I don't recall any complained about the lack of troop campouts or activities. The closest ones are the older scouts who wanted high adventure which we agreed totally and have since developed a program with them. 1Hour

Hey Mike ... I agree with you. I have the same "uneasy" feeling about the mb; however, as in any mass mb day/fair/university/classes, hands-on, a lot of the actual demonstrate, point, explain actions are blurred enough to satisfy the requirements. I had the same talk to on of our other scoutmasters on hand. Nevertheless, it was an experience for some of the scouts to have met an air force general or even a colonel! For others, this is probably the only opportunity to get to fly a Cesna. Great to hear from you! 1Hour

fgoodwin ... we were there, but our boys didn't earn their wings. After waiting for 3 hours, their flights were cancelled. We were proud of the fact that our guys behaved very scoutly & gentlemanly! Overall, we had mixed reviewed from our scouts. Maybe the fact that they didn't get to fly might have something to do with it. Today, we were informed that they will try to arrange something in Houston for us and the other troops that didn't get to fly! Thank goodness the storm held up until we left San Antonio! It was a great effort and event over all even with the slight drizzle! Our special thanks to all of the volunteers and event organizers. 1Hour

1. Is your troop boy led? Yes, 70% of the time. We still have a lot of work left to where the boys can function independently, automatically, and efficiently. We are hoping for 2/3! We can live without the efficiency part! 2. Do you make good use of the patrol method? Yes and no, we can use a lot more work in this category. Our nsp's tends to retain the patrol identity better than our older patrols. Our scouts use the patrol method; however, not fully implement the ideals of the patrol method. 3. How many boys are in your troop? Before this past cross-over, we had 52 scouts. This past February, we picked up 21 new scouts, making it 73 boys strong. 4. What has your troop meeting program been the last few months? Our PLC determines the content of each troop meeting. One meeting was geared towards working on TFC requirements for our younger scouts. At the same meeting, the rest of the older scouts who were not teaching the TFC skills worked on a mb of their choice (they would invite the counselor to the meeting). One meeting was dedicated toward skills needed for the next outing. One meeting was set aside for planning for the outing, including gear inspection, meal planning, carpooling, buddy determination, campfire planning, etc. Finally, one meeting, the PLC meets to determine the activities for the next month. The PLC meant well every time that they meet. They always have a well laid out plan for each meeting, but they never quite get the idea of time-limit or keeping to the agenda. We do revisit each meeting to let them determine what went wrong, but they end up going down the same path again at the next meeting ... we're getting there. I think! (This message has been edited by OneHour)

Ah ... a topic that's near and dear to my name! Monday night - 6:15 pm - 9:00 pm, troop meeting (actually troop meeting lasts 1.5 hour, paperwork, mb counseling, requirement testings take up 1-1.5 hour afterward.) Tuesday night (used to be) - 6:45 pm - 8:00, Den meeting (I have 6 mos reprieve from Cub Scout before I start all over again as a Tiger Leader)! Wednesday night (once a month) - 6:30 pm - 8:00 pm - Troop Committee meeting. Thursday night (once a month) - 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm - Round Table Friday - Sunday - campout, outing, District events, District Training ... This excluding any review of the troop plan with the SPL or mb counseling ... not to mention helping out with the Pack meeting and planning for Den meetings or Pack event that I chair. Of course, it doesn't include shopping on the net for cheap camping, hiking gear for myself, my boys, or for the troop. I'd say ... about 10+ hours (without counting campouts and weekend scouting activities) a week and that's conservative! At pinewood derby time, the hours go up considerably, especially when I get to work on my 18-wheeler! My wife says that I live and breathe scouting. That's not true! I also dream scouting, too! As it goes ... it's one hour a week per scout! 1Hour ps: This also excludes the cummalative hour each day looking, learning, and sharing on this forum.(This message has been edited by OneHour)