purcelce

We have seven new scouts crossing over this weekend! Only have 8 scouts now. The new scouts will nearly double our troop. Here is our plan: We have three Scouts that are 2C Tenderfoot and Scout. Made 2C PL for one Patrol. Made TF PL and Scout APL for other patrol. New boys will be assigned to a patrol. Going to run both Patrols as New Scout Patrols, without the 30 day change over in PLs. Gives the "exprienced" scouts some leadership, and each patrol has a Scout that knows the program. We have three troops guides in addtion to our SPL and ASP. We have the best of both worlds.

Our Troop just did some regorganization. Patrol names now are: Flaming Toliet Paper, call is still pending Lighting Boltz, call is "Lightnig Strikes" Duct Tape, call is "Rrrrrrrrriiiiiiiippppppppp!" The boys were having too much fun that the adults came up with the "Geezer Patrol" our patrol patch the old style red background with a rocking chair.

I just got back from an Eagle Court of Honor. The kid is not in my troop and he invited me. I've known him for about 9 months, first met him when we went to NOAC this past summer. When I went to him after the COH and offered him a handshake. He refused it, and gave me a big bearhug instead. I had to fight back the tears!! Now that recharged my batteries!!!!

This might need to be in another thread but... Here's the situation with our troop. Two Lifes ages 17/15 One Star age 14 Two FC age 16/13 One SC age 12 One TF age 11 One Scout age 11 Eight New Scouts Crossing over in March. We've reorganized into two patrols with SC and below as PLs and APL Star is SPL, One FC ASPL. The Two Lifes and other FC are Troop guides and are our "Leadership Corp" Two patrols will follow First Year/First Class Program. Once the new boys show up, they'll be split into the patols. The boys are really having fun with patrol names and flags...Names of patrols are Thunderbolts, Flamming Toilet Paper, and Duct Tape (Leadership Corp). Since the kids were having so much fun, the adults have formed a "Geezer Patrol". Having a JLT and BSA 101 Campout in March. Who says you can't have fun, be boy lead, and follow the Patrol Method at the same time YIS

Very interesting and informing post! Cary P ADC

Here at Scott AFB military units are the Chartered Organization for the three troops, a venture crew, and Explorer Post. The only exception is our Cub pack's CO is the VFW Post just outside the gate. Any BSA unit that wants to help out in any way shape or form would benefit the military and BSA. Flag Ceremonies, helping out the families of deployed military, etc, would great. Even though I'm active duty and live on a base, there are thousands of Reserve and Guard members all over the country. Guard/Reserve units are located everywhere. American Legion, VFW, Disabale Vetran's of America are also the few Vet groups that come to my mind. Get out there and show your support to our troops, no matter what the anti-war, anti-military, or whatever group might have a problem with it.

Here at Scott AFB military units are the Chartered Organization for the three troops, a venture crew, and Explorer Post. The only exception is our Cub pack's CO is the VFW Post just outside the gate. Any BSA unit that wants to help out in any way shape or form would benefit the military and BSA. Flag Ceremonies, helping out the families of deployed military, etc, would great. Even though I'm active duty and live on a base, there are thousands of Reserve and Guard members all over the country. Guard/Reserve units are located everywhere. American Legion, VFW, Disabale Vetran's of America are also the few Vet groups that come to my mind. Get out there and show your support to our troops, no matter what the anti-war, anti-military, or whatever group might have a problem with it.

Anybody know where I can get any Scouting Web Page templates? I'm very new to web designs and I'm trying to create a Troop and Scouting Community website for the base that provides information for Boy/Girl Scout programs on Scott AFB. YIS Cary

I have a copy...send me a private message and we'll see what we can do. YIS Cary

How we have it set up is the SM will teach JLT and I'll be handling the BSA 101. Part of JLT will be helping out the new scouts. We'll also have one new ASM (just turned 18) on board.

Our troop is planning a JLT/New Scout campout in March. We have 8 Webelos crossing over, plus our SPL/ASPL are new in the position. We currently have 8 scouts in the troop. My idea is to have both programs separate, but camping as a troop. I'm wanting to use the BSA101 program for the New Scouts with some modifications. I also have the JLT program material. Looking at having a traditional campfire on Sat. night. My questions/concerns are: 1. Want to keep it fun and not bogged down with a lot of "classroom" work. 2. Don't want to make into a logistics nightmare. 3. Has anybody else done this before? 4. We are a military troop and our SM will be deploying, not to mention all of us ASMs are all military and might be heading out. 5. There are two other troops (5 -8 scouts per troop) on base. Should we invite them to participate. Any ideas and suggestions are more than welcome. YIS

Below is some more info on the Illini Jamboree 2003 Illini Jamboree 2003! Prairielands Council, BSA and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign announce that Illini Jamboree is a GO for 2003! Over 3500 campers participated in "Illini Jamboree 2002," hosted by Prairielands Council. Boy Scout troops enjoyed a weekend of camping on the former Chanute Air Force Base and a convincing win by the University of Illinois football team over Arkansas State. Boy Scouts joined both football teams on-field honoring America during the national anthem, with great coverage by ESPN-Plus. For 2003, the dates have been set - September 5-7 at the former Chanute AFB, Rantoul, Illinois. The football game will be University of Illinois vs. Illinois State University. Get the date on your calendar now and check back for registration information early in 2003. If you wish to give feedback/comments on Illini Jamboree 2002, or have questions about Illini Jamboree 2003 contact: illinijamboree@yahoo.com

Has anyone used the large GI packs on backpacking trips? Would like some feedback,as I'm in the market for a new backpack, but don't want to blow anymore money if the ALICE pack will do the job. YIS Cary P

Happy Holidays to all from the Mid West. We're even getting snow today (Dec 24). YIS Cary p

I've got the honor to go back to Philmont. Last time I went was the summer of 1980 as a youth. My main concerns are the backpack. I currently use a GI ALICE large pack for local troop camping. I know packs have come a long way. Any suggestions or ideas as what to get. YIS Cary P

No. He earned it, he keeps it.

What the heck, does this poll have to do with Scouting??????

Our troop will have about 5-8 Webelos cross over in Feb-Mar. This will double our troop roster What I'm looking for is any/all info on "New Scout Patrol and First Class in First Year". Mainly does anybody have a "plan/calendar" already made up? I'll be the ASM for this group of new scouts. Don't want to reinvent the wheel. YIS Cary Purcell

When our troop went this past fall we brought 2nd year webelos with us. A troop had to sponsor the webelos. Best thing to do is call Prairielands Council at (217) 356-7291.

I went to the great weekend Jamboree! It was great. Prairielands Council is planning another one next year. Details below: Last September, Prairielands Council in east central Illinois, hosted the inaugural "Illini Jamboree" with nearly 4,000 scouts camping and 5,000 Scouts attending the football game, from across the state of Illinois enjoying a great weekend full of camping, native American dancing, tours of the Chanute Aerospace Museum and the Illinois-Arkansas State football game, featuring the 200 member Scout color guard in front of a national television audience on ESPN! A weekend full of football, camping, museum tours, live bands and entertainment! This event was our council's first attempt at a large scale camping event and it was a huge achievement! So huge in fact, that we are doing it again in 2003! Thanks to all of you that attended in 2002 and made the event such a success! Pre-announcement buzz and commitment from additional Councils has led us to believe that we will double the number of Scouts that will be camping with us in 2003. We are getting out-of-state Councils contacting us for information and the Jamboree is being promoted as a Regional event. This certainly will be the largest gathering of scouts in the Midwest, perhaps the largest in the Nation that occurs in 2003, so think about joining us for a great time. Prairielands Council, BSA and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign invite your troop to participate in this 3-day event. "Illini Jamboree 2003" Friday-Sunday, September 5-7, 2003 Former Chanute Air Force Base, Rantoul, Illinois The Illini-Jambo committee incorporated the suggestions for improvement that campers made into our plans for next year, as well as coming up with a few of our own. * Additional camping areas - with water, garbage pickup and administration help at each sub-camp * Swimming Pool and Water Slide Park * Chanute Aerospace Museum Tours * Sky Divers (weather permitting!) * Tours of Hardy's Reindeer Ranch for all Scouts * Shower facilities * Indoor restrooms * Additional vendors on-site; Wal-mart and more food vendors. * Exciting Entertainment, including live bands and DJ music * Illinois vs. Illinois State football game at Memorial Stadium * Scout Color Guard performing the national anthem with the Marching Illini * Bus transportation to and from the Illinois football game * Illini Street Fest activities including interactive games, face painting and live music * More post-game activities for scouts to do at the camp area. * Sunday morning inter-faith religious service * Large indoor hangar provided for meeting space for leader cracker barrel and as inclement weather location for entertainment * Unlimited use of pre-lined soccer, football and softball fields (all will be lighted and are located next to the pool) * Additional support from the City of Rantoul including, creating a complete map of campsites that can be sent to campers, improved signage, traffic and parking support, garbage collection, on-site security from Rantoul Police, EMT and ambulance service from Rantoul Fire Department City of Rantoul link All for just $25 per camper! Please, help to spread the word so troops will be able to add this event to their plans for next year. Call Prairielands Council at (217) 356-7291 or go online at Illini Jamboree Link for general answers to your questions. Registration will start soon. Preferred camping spots will be assigned to early registrations. Email me for specific concerns at jonathan.h.hall@att.net Thanks and hope to see you there! Jonathan Hall Illini District Camping Promotions Chairman

There is nothing wrong in having merit badge session at troop meetings. Our troop dose and we have had no complaints. The boys deside on what merit badge they want to do. The boys usally knock out three merit badges a year with merit badge sessions at troop. We have a small troop so it works out great. The merit badge sessions do not take away from our Scouting Program. The troop is working on Space Exploration. It was great to see our older Scouts helping out the younger ones with their model rockets. The boys are having fun, learning something, and getting a little "leadership" experince all at the same time.

I belive this is a yearly event. I think it was canceled last year. Contact Prairelands Council and they will have all the info. I'll post a report after I get back.

The Illini District of Prairielands Council, BSA and the Division of Intercollegiate Athletics, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign welcomes your troop participation in a 3-day event. September 13 - 15, 2002 Plans are set, with over 3400 campers registered, for "Illini Jamboree 2002," hosted by Prairielands Council. Boy Scout troops will enjoy a weekend of camping on the former Chanute Air Force Base, complete with free tours of the Octave Chanute Aerospace Museum, stage shows, fireworks, balloon launches, skydivers and much more! And, on Saturday, September 14, all campers will head to Memorial Stadium as the University of Illinois football team plays Arkansas State. Boy Scouts will join both football teams on-field honoring America during the national anthem. Non-campers, Cub Scouts, families and friends, can purchase game tickets only for the low cost of just $ 15 and be a part of the gameday experience, including Illini Street Fest and view the pre-game national anthem ceremony. The Updated Schedule of Events is here. A Letter to Unit Leaders with more Detailed information is here. Maps and updated information are coming soon. Online Registration ended at 5pm Friday September 6. Registration for Camping ends 5pm Wednesday September 11. Registration for Game-Only Tickets ends 5pm Thursday September 12. If you purchased Game-Only Tickets (no Camping) on or after Monday September 9, you may pick them up at Will Call at the Athletic Ticket Office outside the West Entrance of the Assembly Hall, beginning Wednesday September 11 Contact Prairielands Council at 217-356-7291 for last-minute registration needs.

There I go again, not checking the spelling. It's Illini Jamboree near Champaign IL.

Any of you folks going to the Illni Jamboree near Champaing IL this weekend? We're taking around 50 folks from Scott AFB IL (two troops and Webelos from Cub Pack). I know of at least 7 other troops from Okaw Valley Council going.