perdidochas

Of course they can. We had one SPL run twice (and win) about a year or so apart. The SPL serves 6 month terms in our troop. The boy didn't like the candidates that wanted to run his second term, so he ran himself to keep the Troop running better.

His son is responsible for doing his summer homework.

Give him an adult leader application :-)

Of course, she's female, regardless of the delusion that the child is under.

Probably a thread I created. One of the local county commissioners (then a candidate) had a picture of himself in Webelos Den Leader uniform, and his boys in BSA/Webelos uniforms, in a flier. He didn't repeat that action in later fliers.

Good one.

Some kind of natural fiber. Don't remember exactly.

Wow. My troop was running a "boil water over a fire you make using a ferro rod to starte it" event at a camporee, and most patrols did it in less than 15 minutes.

Well, the boys need to learn all of the above. Around here, it's seasonal. In the fall, we often have a few weeks (that invariably fall when we are camping) when no fire is allowed. Also, my observation is that the great majority of scouts aren't trusted with the stove at home (of course, not all). Thinking about that, I need to start encouraging some dutch oven cooking of entrees by the scouts.

Well, if you're trying to do boy-led, things like that happen. It's good training. I forgot my camp stove once while camping with my family. Managed to cook just fine on the fire. A little more cleanup on the pans, harder to control temps, but still managed to make good food.

I would like 5 lb tanks--I'd actually like one for personal camping. the problem is they are expensive. Camp fire starts with a fireball? Unless using liquid accelerants, I haven't seen that. We use a propane tree on the tank--the lantern on top of the tree (the tree has fittings that fit the same thread as the disposable tanks), and then a hose for the stove. Never have had the problems with dirt in the hoses or regulators. We have had problems with Scouts leaving adaptors and hoses in the quartermasters shack (our storage area). They then use fire or borrow a hose.

do you use one 20 lb canister per patrol, or per troop? We use a canister per patrol, and we refill our canisters about once a year--we have about 6, but usually carry 4 to a campout (one for adults, one for each patrol (usually two patrols) and an extra.) I remember using white gas as a youth--propane is much safer and less messy.

Two favorites (no particular order): Favorite one: If you're wearing Crocs (or flipflops or sandals), BSA insurance won't apply to you: Favorite two: If you're not in BSA uniform, BSA insurance won't apply to you. Runner up: Sheath knives aren't allowed in the BSA.

Wal-mart, it's about $16 a gallon.

We usually carry 4, but have carried 5. We do carry them upright and secure--we have the tank boots to assist with that. The placard is only required for more than 25 20-lb cylinders. More than 5 aren't allowed to be carried. The trailer tongue mount is only required for 40-lb+ tanks.

What are isopropyl alcohol canisters? I've never heard of isopropyl alcohol being used in camping, except to put on bug bites.

You can get it at Wal-Mart.

Whenever somebody tells you a "rule" look it up. There are so many mythical Scouting rules. http://www.scouting.org/Home/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss06.aspx

I'm in NW Florida, so we don't have the temperature problems. I remember white gas, and still have a white gas backpacking stove. I much prefer propane for safety and ease of use. We carry one 20-lb propane tank per patrol (and an extra for the Troop, just in case), with a tree for the lantern, and with extensions to the stove. All we use propane for is stoves and lanterns. We don't usually carry lanterns--they are the equivalent of a kitchen light. For around camp light, the boys use flashlights or headlamps.

We have done chili cookoffs in association with a campout. We've also made buddy burners (about one for every two people) with can stoves and had the kids cook their own burgers. Great fun for all. http://thesurvivalmom.com/diy-survival-make-buddy-burner/ Above for the buddy burner. It's a great project for your Webelos dens. They can also do the stove for below. http://scoutingmagazine.org/issues/9411/a-tcan.html Above for the whole system (doesn't have illustrations) Another illustrated version: http://community.survivethenights.net/threads/buddy-burner-stove-heater.4898/ Have about 10 spatulas for 30 burners, and buy frozen hamburger patties/bring the fixings.

If they are signed by the SM and the Counselor, they are complete, and the Counselor and SM have said so. A blue card signed by the previous SM is a record. Just talk to the new Troop's Advancement person and make sure it's all straightened out. The duel signed Applicant's record third of the blue card is sufficient proof that a MB has been completed.

The Scout's third is proof of completion. Any of the three parts of the Blue card are proof of completion. The Applicant's record has the signature of the Counselor and unit leader (Scoutmaster) that says the requirements have been completed. The back side of it has the actual record of the completion. That is why it's in three parts. The Scout, the Troop and the Counselor all have proof of completion. Any one of the three that has been filled out is proof of completion. Does your Troop not buy the merit badges and present at a Court of Honor? The only MB patches I bought for my sons were for lost ones.

It's up to the CC and the COR to decide. There is no voting in per BSA policy. It's a decision by the CC and/or the COR. That is why they have to sign the applications.

Only advancement reports allow buying of badges at scout shops, so far as I know.

You can't revoke it after it's been awarded. However, before the SM signs it, he can doubt it. Eagle badges earned at Scout count toward his rank requirements. You need to give him a copy of the 2015 Guide to advancement. http://www.scouting.org/Home/GuideToAdvancement/TheMeritBadgeProgram.aspx If the SM thinks MB counselors are being too slack, he should report it to the council.