perdidochas

I can't imagine a much better adult leader than a young man who grew up in the Troop. I know we've had good luck with young sailors (Pensacola is a Navy town) who were Eagles, who choose to help us as ASMs in their spare time. Boys interact with them differently than they do parents. We also have (well, soon had) a retiree from up North with a lot of Scouting experience who helped us out. Boys interact with him differently than they do parents. There are a lot of different kinds of adult associations that are good for Scouts. We should be encouraging them all.

Scout pants are good. For a long sleeve, get some kind of wicking Tee. The long-sleeved Tek shirts that the National Scout shop sells are pretty good.

I would say you're ok with Scuba. I'm in about the same boat--certified Asst Instructor (although I haven't actively had that certification since 1988), certified nitrox. I haven't scuba dove in this century (last time probably about 1994). That said, I've read the MB guidelines for Scuba, and I think you should be Ok. Here are the requirements for the MB: Scuba Diving merit badge requirements Do the following: a.Show that you know first aid for injuries or illnesses that could occur while scuba diving, including hypothermia, hyperventilation, squeezes, decompression illness, nitrogen narcosis, motion sickness, fatigue, overexertion, heat reactions, dehydration, injuries by aquatic life, and cuts and scrapes. b.Identify the conditions that must exist before performing CPR on a person, and explain how to recognize such conditions. Demonstrate the proper technique for performing CPR using a training device approved by your counselor. Before completing requirements 3 through 6, earn the Swimming merit badge. Discuss the Scuba Diver’s Code with your merit badge counselor, and explain the importance of each guideline to a scuba diver’s safety. Earn an Open Water Diver Certification from a scuba organization recognized by the Boy Scouts of America scuba policy. Explain what an ecosystem is, and describe four aquatic ecosystems a diver might experience. Find out about three career opportunities in the scuba industry. Pick one and find out the education, training, and experience required for this profession. Discuss this with your counselor, and explain why this profession might interest you.

I would combine citizenship into a single MB and leave the rest alone.

Well, while legally, you can't force a student to show his grades to Mom and Dad, the power of the purse is paramount. FERPA doesn't cover what goes on in my house. My boys are early in high school (freshman and sophomore), but when it comes time to go to University, the general rule will be if I dont' see your grades, I don't sign the check. I can't see how a parent could spend thousands (besides a single semester) and not know how their kid was doing.

I like the general idea, but to some degree, most of the MBs would need to be re-written to be more rigorous. In general, the current Eagle-required MBS are more rigorous than the average MB.

The only thing I do with the MB selection, is to help them plan their day. If they want to take First Aid, and First Aid is only offered in the morning, I'll help them figure out what else they can take. Now, if they ask for suggestions, I might say--this one looks fun or I haven't seen that in other camps (we tend to travel out of council for summer camp).

The question is what is supporting the scout? Is it better for the scout to do the cooking requirement for T-2-1 separately from cooking for Camping MB? IMHO, it is, and I believe the Scout is supported by doing each requirement separately, albeit slightly redundant.

For cooking, it is a requirement that they be done again. It is spelled out in the Cooking Merit Badge requirements. IMHO, it only helps the Scout to do these requirements over and over again. Now, I do think that the camping nights for camping merit badge should also count toward T-2-1 Advancement.

The Cooking merit badge specifically says that you can't use requirements for T-2-1 http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-COOK.aspx

Well, the whole slip-n-slide thing was about adults and heavier teens on them. As a large male (5'11, 250), I have experienced it. My momentum is a lot more than that of a 60 lb cub scout, and the risk of the slip-n-slides is probably unacceptable for anybody my size. My last experience on a slip-n-slide, while I didn't get hurt, was scary due to that.

Food allergies are more common than they once were. Not so sure about the picky eaters.

My question is what do you do about telephone calls? Do they require two-deep as well? On emails, I always copy a parent. Now, I guess I'll have to do that with texts as well.

Personally, I think the whole thing is just a reaction to the "Rambo" knives of the 1990s. I will never tell a boy not to use a sheath knife, I'll just advise a reasonably sized one. Our former SM used blade the size of your palm as a rule of thumb. I would probably say blade the size of your hand as a rule of thumb for maximum size.

Well, they just changed the language on knives (well, since the last time I read them):

In my bachelor days, Hot Dog Stew I was a staple for me.

Woks are handy. I've been thinking about that idea as well. I may bring my wok on a campout to test it.

We don't have forbidden foods, but if we did, poptarts would be at the top of my list. Followed by (at least for now), chicken alfredo (which is made by at least one (usually more) patrol every campout). I would probably add ramen as well. Our boys don't care for hot dogs much, have only seen them on one campout in the 30 something campouts I've been on with the troop.

We've only run into #2 of the above list. The boys are pretty good about watching out for the one boy we have who is allergic to tree nuts (major) and peanuts (minor). We also have an issue with an Asperger's boy who has a very limited diet due to texture/dislike of mixed food. His mom packs him enough protein bars to survive, and he seems happy enough with that idea. He still is expected to take his turn cooking/cleaning.

I do, too, but, "not recommended" means something different than "not allowed." Alcohol as a stove fuel is not recommended, but that doesn't mean that it is banned. Homemade chemical stoves are banned.

Unless the water was too cold, I would have run a quick swim test. Doesn't take more than about 15 minutes or so.

For a strainer, we use a screen (intended for a small window) about 6 inches by 12 inches. It's a screen with an aluminum frame, and we slip it into the chuckboxes between use. I've also seen a smallish frisbee with holes drilled in it used.

You need to pass the swim test to go on a canoeing trip, unless it's flat water and you are in the canoe with an adult who has passed the swim test. From G2SS, Safety Afloat. 3. Swimming Ability Operation of any boat on a float trip is limited to youth and adults who have completed the BSA swimmer classification test. Swimmers must complete the following test, which must be administered annually. Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating. For activity afloat, those not classified as a swimmer are limited to multiperson craft during outings or float trips on calm water with little likelihood of capsizing or falling overboard. They may operate a fixed-seat rowboat or pedal boat accompanied by a buddy who is a swimmer. They may ride in a canoe or other paddle craft with an adult swimmer skilled in that craft as a buddy. They may ride as part of a group on a motorboat or sailboat operated by a skilled adult.

Actually, a swim test is required for actively canoeing. From G2SS in the section on Safety Afloat. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss02.aspx

1. Yes 2. Primarily charcoal, but we have used wood. 3. Patrol cook, although the adult patrol often makes a cobbler for the troop. 4. Not sure. 5. Both. 6. No, but I am looking at them. 7. No 8. Parchment liners. 9. Oil 10. Yes, we use cast iron skillets on the camp stove. This is for plop camping only.