perdidochas

We never had any problems with that. We had a binder with health forms in it. Nobody ever had privacy concerns. I think the main thing is the parents wanted their kids problems to be known to the adult leaders.

Has YPT changed since this summer?

The kids in by boy's troop would call them pancakes with flavor crystals. They were most famous for making scrambled pancakes, though.

I agree. Pancakes are hard enough to do right on a stove.

Most of us involved think that the outdoors is fun.

Well, if they were Webelos, it could be simple. Scouts 1a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning. 1b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. 1c. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used. 1d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge. 1e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you. 1f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning. After attending at least one Scout troop meeting, do the following: 2a. Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership. 2b. Describe the four steps of Scout advancement. 2c. Describe the Scouts BSA ranks and how they are earned. 2d. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned. Patrol 3a. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used in your troop. 3b. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell. Explain how these items create patrol spirit. Knots & ropes 4a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used. 4b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope. Tell what you need to know about pocketknife safety. With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade.[1] Since joining the troop and while working on Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.

It's allowed, but not recommended. IIRC, my sons' old troop had bylaws that didn't allow for this, except for requirements that were just record keeping--number of camping nights, etc.

Find a troop and join it. You can start whenever you want.

I agree. When they were cubs, I would ask my boys at the beginning of every school year if they wanted to continue with Scouts. When they were Boy Scouts, I would ask them in November (just before rechartering). They both are Eagles.

I agree with the luci solar light. I think every Scout leader (and most scouts) should have one in their backpack.

I think you're a little behind the times in terms of flashlights. I've been using LED flashlights since my oldest was a Wolf Scout, and he's a 20 year old college sophomore now. The flashlights I use (usually headlamps) take 3 AAA batteries ($0.63 each), and they last at least 24 hours. I don't know for sure, since I only change batteries every year or so. That's about 8 cents per hour. Our troop uses the propane lanterns on trees, attached to our 20 lb propane tanks. Not nearly as expensive as the disposable bottles. I like the idea of candle lanterns, but I would be a bit afraid to use them with younger Scouts. Also, your calculation (and mine) doesn't take into account the amount of light produced.

The southern alternative to this is grits. (although you shouldn't put freeze-dried fruits in it).

Here at the Gulf Coast Council, we had a female DE for a few years.

The propane heaters are for heating up shacks and duck blinds, not just tents.

It's against G2SS for using in a tent. It's pretty clear: https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss12/#a Burning. Never use flames in tents, teepees, or snow shelters. This includes burning any solid, liquid, gel, or gas fuel; using features of tents or teepees that support stoves or fires; and use of chemical-fueled equipment and catalytic heaters. It's not just a council rule. It's national rule, and is in the winter camping section of G2ss.

Great idea, provided you don't use them in tents, which is against G2SS.

Don't think so. I think the story is that Phillips was the disrespectful one.

Well, the Pack my boys were in up until 2010 (when they aged out) used the belt loops extensively.

The cooking requirement is a good one.

Well, when I did my mile swim practices, one of the scouts thought that the mile swim was done that way--that you could swim the mile a few hundred yards at a time. He quit when told he had to do it in a single swim.

Well, per the rules, he's never been the CM. I would say that the COR needs to tell him he's not welcome and I go with what DuctTape said.

Whoever the COR wants to be CC.

I agree with you. One law, 12 points to the law.

That's what ILST is for. It's for Troops to conduct their own leadership training. Our troop did that for a while (not sure they still do). It seemed to work. https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/ILST FINALS 2011 - Item Number 511-016.pdf https://i9peu1ikn3a16vg4e45rqi17-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/721-07218-ILST-Facil-Training_WEB.pdf

We once had a Scout who finished his last Merit Badge for Eagle at 11 pm on the night before his 18th birthday. The requirement is that all requirements be done, that does not include the application.