samzpop

SMT224 is correct - cotton is not your friend in the winter!! Our Troop uses a handout to help with planning and equipment for winter camping. It can be found at http://www.bouldertroop377.org/documents/safe_winter_outings.pdf. We always make sure to have cracker barrel before bed - to put the boys in bed with some cheese and sausage in the bellies. The protein at bedtime helps them stay warm through the night. I hope this helps - winter camping can be great fun, but the key to having fun is staying warm!

Thank you for your responses. BSA provides a clear definition of what it means to be "active". While the BSA definition is a very inclusive definition (as it should be) and places the responsibility on unit leaders to keep scouts engaged, the reality is that there is tremendous competition for the attention of 16 and 17 year old scouts. One of the things I like about Scouting is the way you ask a question and you get a challenge!! Your responses and this direction is helpful in addressing this issue. Thanks again for your responses.

The first Eagle Scout rank requirement is to be active in your troop and patrol for at least 6 months as a Life Scout. I have been active in my son's troop for almost two years, and recently became the scoutmaster. There are two or three scouts who are between 16 and 18 years old who are Life scouts and are asking about starting Eagle projects. I only know these scouts from their names on the roster - I have never seen them participate in Troop meetings or activities. I would expect that they were active before I became involved in the Troop, or they would not have progressed to become Life scouts, but they have clearly not been involved during the past two years. As an Eagle scout myself, it feels like it cheapens the distinction of becoming an Eagle scout when we rubber-stamp an application from a scout who has not recently been active. Is there a policy about when it is appropriate to refuse to award the rank of Eagle to a scout who is not active?