OneHour

Yes, his father seems to know more about his problem. It would have helped us had they given us a heads-up on his condition. It is the worst feeling to stand there feeling helpless. I guess that I wished that I could just have slept through it as the other six fathers did, but then I would not be me. My helpless feeling comes when YPT prevents me from comforting him. The best that I could do is to stand there and pat him on his head and talked to him in a consoling way while he sobbing uncontrollably. Thanks for the info Andrianvs. It did take a while, about 15 minutes the first night to get him to go back to sleep. It took about 20 minutes the second night, the second time, to get him to go back to sleep. On the second night, he was wide awake and gathered his sleeping bag and shoes to go to the van. He even helped me clear out the van (while sobbing). I'm fairly sure that he was awaken. Tonight, I took sometimes and did a search on night terror and learned a lot about it and the more that I learned about it, the more I imagine what could have happened (ie., sleep walking, etc.) I guess that I will recommend to our scoutmaster and his parents to insist that his parents be with him on the campout. Clearly, he needs to have constant vigil at night by an adult, one of his parents. I and other scoutmasters cannot take on the great responsibility of taking care of this type of special needs scout without the help of his parents. We are not trained to handle such situation. This is for the safety of the boy. 1Hour

Our Pack usually camped at State Parks where there is a section for RVs. When we do go to a BSA campground, they usually don't go. If they are going to stay in their Suburban, then, yes, they will have to sleep in the parking lot with the rest of the cars away from the campsites, a minor inconvenience, but for a boy to experience scouting, then it's all worth it!

We found out afterward from his parents that he does see a specialist about it. It's a combination of both night-terror and claustrophobia. He has it at home from time to time ... night-terror that is and regularly in the RV. One the first night, around 3:00 am, I heard a scream and a plead for help. I and the three other scoutmasters jumped out of our tents. Fumbling in the dark, we went from tent to tent checking on every boy (all 20 of them). We couldn't find the source of the scream. I found that one boy was still up and we found out that he and his tent mate the tent door opened for him and the window flap down exposing the screen only. I asked him if he was alright and he replied yes. I think that he was crying, but he tried to hide it. He does not remember it the next day. On the second night, he woke up screaming and panically trying to get out of his tent. I got to him first and he was sitting inside of his tent crying uncontrollably. He was trying to get out of the tent and could not find the zipper. He screamed. The scoutmaster and I talked to him. He was very responsive (eventhough his tent mate was out like a light throughout the whole ordeal). He said that he is claustrophobic and felt that the walls were caving in around. Being totally dark and without any depth perception, I could see why he felt as he did. We calmed him down and left him with a lantern that has night light. 1/2 hour later he screamed out again. This could not be night terror, because I can still hear him sobbing from my tent. We clear out my van and allow him to sleep in there. We showed him all of the exit of the van. Crack opened the windows. He went back to sleep. I practically stayed up all night in my tent worrying and listening out for his voice. I got a whole hour of sleep that night. I don't want to professionally diagnose the scout (that's the job for the Doctors). I don't want to tell his parents that this is the way to cure him. The problem is I and the Scoutmaster felt so helpless. I just want to see if anyone has run across this before and how you have handled it. Seeing out of the netting does not help. Leaving the rainfly off in SE Texas is asking for inside of your tent to be wet (and it was sprinkling both nights). But for some reasons, sleeping in the van (I guess that Andrianvs' suggest that locality differences may attribute to it may be a valid one) seems to calm him. The scoutmaster and I were worried that the van is somewhat claustrophic as well. Either that or it is so well insulated that his scream did not venture outside of the van. We did crack both front and rear windows for ventillation. His father is a physician. I had a long talk with him. He said that by simply telling the boy to go back to sleep afterward would be sufficient. He won't remember anything. His father said that he does have night terror and then after the night terror causes him to wake up, the claustrophobia sets in and it won't get better. His father does take him to the campout when we were in the Pack still. They camp in RV, so I never knew of the issue. His mother said that since he joined the troop, he loved scouting and she hates to pull him out. I told them that it is not necessary to pull him out. There are ways that we can help to get him (and us) through it. We agreed on a several of things to try, including having him sleeping with his father (when his fathers attends the campout) in their Suburban or just have him dropped off for the day activities for the close-by campouts or sleep in one of our Troop 10-man tent. As for bivy sack, I have a co-worker told that it is not for someone who is claustrophobic. The netting and the hood around the head is quite a compact space. Hind sight, I wished that his parents had let us know about his condition though! When you are sound asleep and awoken by a scout's screaming in terror at 3:00am, it's difficult for you to gather your senses afterward. OneHour

How would you suggest for us to deal with a new great, inspiring, energetic, scout with a problem with claustrophobia? This is something new for us (especially me). I have dealt with ADD, ADHD, Hyperactivity, disrepect, bully, homesick, shyness, etc., but never claustrophobia and night-terror. He loves the outdoor, but has night-terror because of claustrophobia? Sleeping in the outdoor without a tent is not really an option (at least not for a newly minted scout) in the hot Southeast Texas area where the mosquitoes are hazardous to one's health. We adults (two at a time-YPT) cannot take turn staying up keeping a vigil over the camp. It amazes me still how most of our boys slept through the frantic scream and how quickly some of the adults sprang into action! Thanks in advance. 1Hour

Got one from Academy for $14.95 last summer. Still on the first set of AAs! Got an LED headlamp for xmas. Ran it fairly regularly ... still on that first set of AAAs!

In our Pack we try hard to avoid this type of controversy. We usually have all the cars checked in a week in advance (lube and clearance). We required that each Den provides one parent to judge. At the day of judging, we line up 90+ cars and start to group them into categories, best use of figures, best use of decals, best use of tripes, sleekest cars, fastest looking cars, wedgies, most likely to be all boy made (got very controversal one year), best red rocket, most patriotic, and the list goes on depending on the type of cars that we get. We then place 6-8 cars in each category and rank them in order. Everyone gets a ribon! The parent who son's car happens to be in the category that is being voted on abstains from voting. We have done that for the past 6 years and no one has complained ... yet! At the race, we have 1-3 at each rank level and 1-5 overall for fastest average time. No one goes home crying. This past PWD, our auto gate/timer broke, so we went to a single elimination. That was well received. We got the gate/timer fixed and reran the races at our pwd chair home and got the top 3 for each rank. The results came out almost the same as the single elimination except for 2 anomalies. 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

fultont, here are the results of google on "cubmobile": http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&lr=&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=cubmobile (This message has been edited by OneHour)

packsaddle ... if I were to worry about plasticizers in heated foods (which this cooking technique by the way has been a fav for a while now ... we even show it during OLST) then I need to worry about the extra aluminum in our foil meal diets (aluminum was purported to have ties with Alzheimer), the rust and corrosion in some of BSA camps' water, the additives in coolaids, rust and iron bits from our dutch ovens, etc. You do worry too much! I worry more about my cholestrol level than anything else, cause everything else that I eat already tainted with additives, flavorings, preservatives, ... chemical galores. So Packsaddle ... try it. I was surprised how good it tasted the first time that I tried it 6 years ago. I'm probably going to pay for it later in my old age, but I think that the cholestrol is going to get me first! ShellinWA, I like to show the Cubs how to cook in the Dutch Oven as well, but that usually take too long. Cobbler has always worked. For some reference off the Net: http://www.chuckwagondiner.com/breakfast/omelette.html http://www.onefunbunch.com/app/recipelist.jsp?book=1&chapter=217 Here are a few of my favorite sites for scouting recipes: http://www.troop792.org/cook.htm http://www.troop718.org/cookbook/ http://www.bsatroop28.org/Downloads/Official.Documents/Cookbook.pdf http://www.tricreekdistrict.org/cooking.htm http://scout.ao.com/Notes/phlmntcb.html http://www.scouttroop.org/tx/bsa/38/troop38links.htm http://www.macscouter.com/Cooking/ There are some quick recipes there. Hey Cheffy ... will try your recipe ... sounds great! 1Hour

First and foremost, education. BSA has a class that deal with special needs scouts. All leaders should be required to take it and practice it. The information should be communicate to all scouts as to inform them and not to ridicule the special needs scout. Mixed in with the message should be the Scout Laws and Oath ringing loud and clear; however, treating the scout differently should not be tolerated. Involve the scout's parents to help. They are the best folks to know their son. How do I know? My son is borderline ADD. Of the 50 boys in our troop 3 are severely ADHD (one is an Eagle Scout and our troop guide ... and doing a great job I might add ), another 2 are on ritalin or the likes, and 1 is hyperactive. They all work with these boys as though the boys are no different then they are! That is the way it should be. Although, from time to time it will be difficult, that is when the special needs scout's parent can assist. 1hour

Omlette in a bag or breakfast burrito: Heavy duty gallon bag (freezer rated) Mixed two eggs or three, depending how much cholesterol you'd like. Add chopped onion (if desired) Add chopped bell pepprt (ig desired) Add salt & pepper to your liking (and a touch of tobasco sauce for those who like it hot!) Add chopped sausages (cooked), bacons (cooked), hamburger (cooked) meat ... whatever you carnivorous heart desires ... I prefer all three. Add grated cheese and anything else that you would like in your omlette ... tomatoes, etc... Place the baggie of goodies into boiling pot of water until egg is cooked or cease to be runny (about 2-5 minutes or longer depend on how boiling your water is!). Hence, please cook any meat thoroughly first before add them into the baggie. Remember, do not use regular plastic bag, it will get punctured. Don't forget a permanent marker to mark the names on the baggies. Eat as omlette or place in tortilla with a dab of picante sauce for wonderful breakfast burrito that can be eaten as lunch! I usually get a lot of skepticisms at first about how good it would take and I usually get a lot amazement from the boys (and some of the new parents) as to how easy it is to make and how good it tastes after they have eating it. 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Try http://www.lakevillascouts.org/Forms/CubMobileDerby.pdf

FOG, then, you are suggesting that some bullying behavior is appropriate or should be allowed in scouting. Bullying behavior is what caused Columbine and the likes. We had an incident where a boy was the receiving end of the "peg the fag with the ball" (as the boy called it). How do you think that 11 years old boy felt? One of the kids who partake in it said that it was harmless and they do it at school as well. We put a stop to that. Being on the receiving end of prejudicism, name calling, intimidation, and one wedgie when I was at the same age, I know how these boys feel ... degrading and hurtful; as a result, inappropriate behavior, to me, has no place in scouting. This is why I have my sons join scouting...to have a place and environment that I can help in molding them correctly. The boys-will-be-boys attitude is just an excuse for an adult not to correct inappriopriate behaviors. Of course the offending parties may grow up to be upright, productive citizens, but what about the receiving parties? Young minds can be easily molded. A scout transferred to our troop recently. They transferred out of a very popular troop that is the envies of troops (boy lead, active committee, active scoutmasters, great fund raisers, going places that other can only dream of, 80-90 boys strong). It turned out that the boy was prejudiced against by other boys, having been called names, racial remarks, and threats. I guess that I can see how this could easily have happened in that troop. My son visited that troop during his webelos year. During that visit one boy said something to my son that offended him. He said, "I hope that your f.... face don't join our troop. We don't need you!" We didn't join! Boys will be boys, but scouts need to and shall be scouts! Having said that, I'm not condoning crying-woof either where every single action cries out lawsuit or legal involvement. YPT and BSA have a set of guidelines for us adults to follow in order for us to protect the kids and ourselves. 1Hour

Just to add ... we have all of our boys sit through "A Time to Tell" before they attend summer camp or any long term campout. YPT is strickly for adults, but "A Time to Tell" is for the scouts (and the adults). http://www.scouting.org/pubs/ypt/pdf/46-013.pdf 1Hour

Here are the stats for the Sam Houston Area Council (SHAC): Membership: 23 consecutive years of membership growth 114,603 youth registered at year-end. This is a gain over 2002. 166,536 total youth served in 2003 27,483 volunteer adult leaders 2,614 Cub Scout Packs, Boy Scout Troops, Venture Crews and LFL Groups 11 Quality Districts/Divisions 1,650 Quality Units (Packs, Troops, and Crews. 13.4% gain over 2002) 41,153 young adults ages 14-20 in Learning for Life (more than 50% are young women) 49,264 At-Risk? youth served by Scouting, including 13,580 inner city youth 71,050 estimated youth members from low to moderate income families 6,724 youth in Special Needs Scouting As for my Pack's and Troop's immediate area, within the 5 miles radius, we have two Packs serving close to 250 cubscouts (or about 10% of the boys in the two elementaries). There are three troops serving about 90 boys or about

My statement to Bob White was uncalled for and for that I apologize to ya, Bob. I and everyone else know that you meant well and with great intentions. Your insight and knowledge are still being appreciated and well-received. CubsRgr8, send our hardy congrats to your son if he knows about his election already. 1Hour

Way to go CubsRgr8. My son was also elected by his peers two weeks ago. He doesn't know it yet, which will make it a doubly great surprise for him at the callout (this Spring Camporee). He has always been one who has never won a single election since 1st grade. It got to him for a while there! But to have the 2nd highest number of votes (I got the inside track) in the troop, made me very proud of him. I know exactly how you feel ... so congrats. Now ... to the callout, the ordeal, and the induction (I forgot ... the membership fee as well! ) 1Hour ps: Bob ... I wish that you wouldn't stick a pin on someone's proud baloon like that, but celebrate with him instead. You're correct on the technical part of it ... of course.(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Under the hot Texas sun, we worry more about hydration than anything else. The adults in our troop do not follow the boys from place to place. Instead we split up into four directions and pop in at each activity area through out the day and make sure that the scout's quart of water is finished or at least half finished throughout the day (with at least 1 gallon or more being drunk by the end of the day). Sometimes we see them walking between classes, we spot check their water bottles and quiz them about their water intakes. Other than that, we don't follow them and sit at one place and wait for them (we don't do it for our sons at all!). Last year, we had 23 first time summer camp scouts and we were fairly busied and I saw my son all by 5 minutes between his classes and during lunch; as a matter of fact, my son did not want me to follow him! It's amazing to realize and witness how the boys grew up right before your eyes at Summer Camp. Besides walking the camp, we took various classes that are available to the adults and sat in some that are interesting to us and we are interested in becoming a counselor. One ASM took lifeguarding class. Three of us renewed our Safe Swim and Safety Afloat. We took turns at the Scoutmaster's sessions during the morning and afternoon and fill up the ice and water coolers. Last Summer Camp mid week, we had a storm blew in at night. It drenched some of the boys sleeping bag and cot. During the next day, the Scoutmasters were busily hanging the soaking wet sleeping bags, clothes, and cots out to dry while the boys attend class! We were also there to teach some of the TFC boys some of the skills after they finish their mb classes early (our older scouts were on the high ad side ... so the scoutmasters had to fill in as instructors). Of course, we also had to become camp's counselor for the homesick boys as well. Of 23 first timer boys, we had 12 of them very homesick. This year summer camp offers more for the adults to do. So our adults will be busied with classes, free horse riding, free shooting, free archery, as well as a plethora of classes. But I guess that we will have to draw straw to have at least two back each day at the camp (or a meeting place) for the boys to contact us. So, no we don't play shepherd and escorting the scout from station to station, because at summer camp there are too many things that an adult can do to keep the boys safe, to keep the troop informed, to keep him/herself informed, and to keep one self available for all of the boys in the troop! 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

I didn't question the price difference at the Scout Store either. They had the "permabound" book listed for $25.95 (a mistake I think). The hardbound that I got turns out to be $27.95. The spiral bound was listed at $19.95, but I think that it's $25.95 and the soft bound one is $19.95. There were only 4 hardbounds and 5 spiral bounds left on the shelf while there were a boat load of the soft cover ones. So it looks it is pretty popular around here It's worth that extra $2 for the hardbound, but the spiral is more useful when I'm out and about. They should do away with the soft bounding such as that of the Scout Handbook (or at least make the binding a whole lot better). My son's handbook fell apart 3 months into scouting. The spiral bound Handbook makes more sense. 1Hour

Just got my hardbound copy yesterday. Not bad at all, but then again BoyScout handbooks and fieldbooks are great anyway. I was torned between hardbound and spiral bound. Maybe I'll come back and get the spiral bound this weekend (for my son ... that's it ... yeah for my son ). 1Hour

>What kind of Scouting unit? BSA Troop about 45 boys >Does the unit provide tents for the Scouts? Yes >If provided, what brand and type? Coleman 3-man dome. >Do any or all of the Scouts and Scouters own and use their own tents? Yes, all of the scoutmasters in our troop own their own tent. Some parents who are regular attendees at the campouts own their own. One or two do use the spare troop tents. We have three large 10-man tents that were used once upon a time as Community tent and are still available as such. We quickly realize that a good night sleep for the adults is important for a long drive home. It is not fair for someone to contend with another person's loud snoring all night. Some of our older boys have their own backpacking tents. >What brand and type of privately owned tents are used? Varies from Northface Road Runner, to REI two and 1/2 dome, to my Alps Mountaineering Mystique, to Coleman dome ... 1Hour(This message has been edited by OneHour)

As it turns out, Heimlich maneuver is not considered to be a "medal deserving" action. We had a cub in our den three years ago used the Heimlich maneuver (that he learned a week before for his Readyman activity pin) to save is 5 years old sister from choking on a large piece of chicken. I asked if our District can award him with something ... anything! I was told that Heimlich maneuver is not considered to be a "medal deserving" action. We ended up giving a Pack's Heroic Award. For a 9-year old boy who unconscientiously spring to action like that and gets a well-deserved recognition from BSA, it would have made a great memory for him. I know that his parents were very proud. They framed the article that we put on the local newspaper. As Ozemu pointed out, most teenagers (and adults) worry far more about themselves than other. The Scout continued on into scouting for a year and quit because he wanted to concentrate in earning his 3rd degree black belt and his trainer status. From time to time, I still see him. I would greet him as "How is my life-saving scout doing?" I would get a beaming smile and a "great." 1Hour

Question: Other than the Counselor for the merit badge, who else in the troop can sign off? I raised this question after our Scoutmaster made a blanketed statement, "It is the rule that the Scoutmaster has the ability to sign off any and every merit badge." I do not believe that this is true. I can't find reference to it anywhere! If this is true, can you cite the reference? Thanks. 1Hour

Came out one hot, steamy morning on Jan '65 in Saigon, VN. Depends which calendar one uses for to determine animal signs, I can either be a dragon or a snake, but like to think of myself as a mutt! Head of snake, tail of a dragon! What a combo!

From our Pack's point-of-view: 27 Cub started Webelos 1 17 will continue on to Boy Scout (three troops) 2 moved 4 lost to sport 2 lost interests Total 63% continuing on From our Troop's point-of-view 2 from one Pack 3-5 from another Pack 1 from a third Pack Total 6-8 new scouts or 20% increase in growth.

The Alps Mountaineering's Mystique 2 tent came through the backpacking trip great. Here are the pluses and minuses: + easy to set up (less than 10 minutes). + plenty of room on both vestibules (could always use more). + head room was adequate when I was sitting up (I'm 5'9'), but will be hard for taller gents + it went through a night of rain, sleet, and snow and I woke up with about 1/8 inch of snow (this is Texas!) on it and not a drop of moisture inside. + stood up fairly sturdy in 10-15 mph of wind. + less than 5 lb 2oz. + for what I paid for it ... heck ... it's great! - mostly meshed ... it was hard to keep dry why setting up in the rain! But the others faced the same problem in the rain, REI 2 1/2 dome and North Face Road Runner 2. - two parallel poles mean that you'll have to stake down the corner first before it can stand on its own ... I can't dry/air it in my garage! - same ... after the snow shower, I couldn't pick up my tent and shake it like my compadres with their REI 2 1/2 dome and North Face Road Runner 2. For what's it worth, it's a great tent for the price that I paid, but the REI 2 1/2 dome and North Face Road Runner 2 seems to have a slight advantage! OneHour