Sandyt888

I had a chance to go following a business trip to Dallas in Feb. I dragged a co-worker with me. We both enjoyed it. Its a good mix of displays and interactive stuff. We had fun with the bb guns and pinewood derby in the cub section, the trek in the venture section and oa jeopardy. We were there about 1 1/2 to 2 hrs. its about $18 cab ride back to the airport.

Come see us at trading post B. We arrive on Sunday (jul 17?). we're gonna do a 1 day tour of DC before getting transported to AP Hill. CYA There!

Our summer camp holds a Pinewood Derby for adult leaders. They get to build/decorate cars during the wk and race on Thursday or Friday. Also is the "Chicken Lips" SM Cook-0ff.

How timely - Our troop trainer and I were just preparing for the same meeting! Now I have something to work from. We're also going to include a list of acronyms that we use all the time, but forget other newbies don't necessarily know what it means - PLC, JLT, etc. who it is, what it is, who its for. Its easy to get caught up in the program and forget that not everybody knows what its about. We made the mistake of recognizing one ASM at a court of honor recently for attending Woodbadge and mentioned that he's a good ol eagle too. Now we're seen as too "clique-ish" with "inside secrets/jokes".

was on staff for our course which finished Sunday. When the Win-All-You-Can game was first presented in our council 4 yrs ago, it caused quite alot of hard feelings. Those participants still have hard feelings. Since then we have presented it in a "game" atmosphere and there haven't been hard feelings. This yr the presenter was ready to have to do a major debrief, but the participants figured out how to play the game within the first 2 rounds. This was my first time to be part of an AWESOME staff and i look forward to the opportunity again. Used to be a bear SR517 Used to be a troop guide for bobwhites SR707

I was on staff for our course which finished Sunday. When the Win-All-You-Can game was first presented in our council 4 yrs ago, it caused quite alot of hard feelings. Those participants still have hard feelings. Since then we have presented it in a "game" atmosphere and there haven't been hard feelings. This yr the presenter was ready to have to do a major debrief, but the participants figured out how to play the game within the first 2 rounds. This was my first time to be part of an AWESOME staff and i look forward to the opportunity again. Used to be a bear SR517 Used to be a troop guide for bobwhites SR707

When our former SM's son crossed over into the troop, he was instructed to call his dad "Mr. Lastname" so it didn't appear he was receiving any favortism. But I don't think he was fooling anybody. Like most, we are a Mr/Mrs troop. Except for our dance team where all the mothers are "MOM"

Looks like ours in Southern Region are as follows: class of 2003 was SR5XX (my class was SR 517) last yr was SR6XX this year the class is SR 707. Maybe we just run the numbers together rather than breaking them out as they do in NE...

As a follow up, my friend's original application was apparently lost btwn council office and national so it was resent. She got the postcard acknowledging receipt. She has been in contact with Trading Post personnel who reported she should be receiving a letter soon. It arrived Saturday. If you have an application in, keep calling.... and we'll see you at the Trading Post!

Our troop charges $80/yr which covers registration, boys life, and dues, paid quarterly. We used to do $1 week dues but decided we were spending too much time at a meeting with collecting current dues and too much bookkeeping time collecting past dues. The troop pays for leader registration and training. Thru fundraisers, the troop covers the camp fee portion of outings; scouts & leaders pay for food. Our major fundraisers are: popcorn, wreath sales, scout show ticket sales and the odd car wash. Some fundraisers are earmarked for a particular outing (summer camp, etc) and all the profits go to the scouts' accounts.

Our troop charges $80/yr which covers registration, boys life, and dues, paid quarterly. We used to do $1 week dues but decided we were spending too much time at a meeting with collecting current dues and too much bookkeeping time collecting past dues. The troop pays for leader registration and training. Thru fundraisers, the troop covers the camp fee portion of outings; scouts & leaders pay for food. Our major fundraisers are: popcorn, wreath sales, scout show ticket sales and the odd car wash. Some fundraisers are earmarked for a particular outing (summer camp, etc) and all the profits go to the scouts' accounts.

How about this situation: A 12 yr old scout needs 1 more hr for star. He repeatedly comes to the SM stating he "did this at school, does it count?" He acts as den chief and attended cub scout roundup - and after asks if it counts? He's also newly elected scribe and attended Troop JLT. As part of the day's activities, we were asked to haul branches around the yard of the scout house to the street. He doesn't put in much effort. He states the only reason he attended the campout was to get his 1 hr service for rank advancement. SM turned it down. Should it count?

I sent my app to the Council office towards the end of January and got an acceptance letter by mid May. A friend in my troop sent hers in May and still hasn't heard. Cindy put in for trading post. Is it worth checking with the person who is the trading post contact at the supply division in NC?

I'll be there - Trading Post staff. Don't know which one yet. Hopefully near Southern Region since our Council is sending 4 troops.

This post could also be titled: "All I ever needed to survive the hurricanes I learned at scout camp". 1. There's no electricity for 1 wk 2. Only cold showers 3. You know how to make coffee on a 1 burner propane stove 4. You own and know how to cook over a Coleman stove 5. You're used to keeping everything in a cooler 6. You know where your flashlight and extra batteries are at all times 7. You know you can last a while on that trailmix 8. Your camping gear is already packed and ready to move into your safe room And you know you're a scouter when... you pack up your kid's merit badge/eagle stuff and patches and move to a safe location before family pictures. This is the first week in more than a month that south Florida has not been in the path of an oncoming hurricane. We're looking forward to drying out and getting back to normal...

I think teachers as MB counselors are great resources. I wouldn't have a problem asking one to fill out an adult leader app, but do they have to pay the $10 registration fee?

Hi - need help with the "pizzazz" session for trainer development conference. I've got a couple of songs and a cheer lined up for the pizzazz elements btwn sessions. Does anybody have any good skits or stunts that can be done within the time constraints of the sessions.

I'm not sure what you mean by "program," but I used the same scout bio information included in request for letters of commendation to write up a press release for the newspaper's "Scout Corner" for my son's Eagle announcement.

We have an air conditioned SM lounge and air conditioned dining hall. Of course, being in S Florida, we also have the rain and sweat. www.tksummer.org Back to the post... So if the leaders know the scout is not in camp and an camp advancement report is provided stating that the scout has completed rank requirements, he has to be given the rank?

We were the Road Kill patrol for SM Fundamentals. Our patrol yell was thump! thump! Our patrol flag/neckerchief had an upside down armadillo. Our neckerchief slide was a toy truck tire. Our scouts have been the Whho and the What? patrol for district/council events. They enjoyed the conversation - Q: what's your patrol name? A: what? We did question them once when they wanted to be the Hooters patrol and use the owl patch. We weren't necessarily going to oppose it but suggested they discuss with their parents why they wanted to use that name. They reconsidered. Aren't 12/13 yr old's great!

We have a scout who took 2-3 yrs to go from first class to star. He was lacking req'd mb's. (He spent a couple yrs on summer camp staff, too old/too cool for summer camp etc). Last yr he attended summer camp and earned enough req'd for rank advancement to star. It wasn't until after he reached his 17th birthday that he realized that he wouldn't be able to get eagle because he didn't have enough time btwn star to life and life to eagle. Some lessons are learned the hard way.

Brings back memories. First yr I went to summer camp with the troop, they were signed up for Env Sci, mostly 1st and 2nd yr campers. Us leaders hadn't read the pre-reqs or requirements and were suprised to find out the scouts were getting partials in env sci. They never mentioned they had to do 10 hrs of observation and write a 500 word report! After camp, we did the observations as a troop and a few started writing their essays. One essay contained a 100 word description of a pine tree - A pine tree is tall. A pine tree has brown bark. etc. Almost all of our scouts do swimming 1st yr and life saving 2nd yr.

thanks. Pointed out the references in the official literature. And floor was opened for "elections" anyway. Oh well.

troop elections are tonight. Other than SPL and/or ASPL and PL's, are other positions (QM, chaplain aide, etc) appointed by SPL/SM or are they elected by troop. Where can I look it up to show our SM.

we stopped having a district dinner several yrs ago and how hold "Just Desserts". Food is just desserts - everyone brings dessert to share. Entertainment is a skit that leads up to presentation of District Sparkplug Awards and District Awards of Merit. We hold it on roundtable night.