sceagle

This one post subject sure has stirred up a lot of messages, both against solo tent camping and for solo tent camping. But now, having read all the posts, I must add my thoughts. I really commend Bob for his posts and for defending his interpretations. It sounded like everyone was against him, but Bob is right in a way. And for all those of you who are 'for' solo tent camping, (consentual, not forceful) are also correct. I don't really see a difference in a boy sleeping alone in his tent and a boy sleeping alone in his own room at home. It's true boys mingle and stay up late hours in a tent together & finally fall asleep. But that is not the case in all instances. However, using the buddy system does apply to Boy Scouting. Except, I believe an older Scout, 16+, who wants to sleep alone should be able to do so. Adults as young as 18 and older sleep alone in one or two man tents, wheres the buddy system in that system? In my troop, no younger Scouts sleep alone. Our two man tents are big enough for 3 smaller to middle sized scouts. But all in all, Scouts with medical problems should sleep with a partner and I believe that partner should be aware of it and should know what to do incase anything during the night were to occur. And lastly look...We go on camping/backpacking trips to have fun! What goes on during the day is the most important and memorable part of an activity outing. Not whether you had someone to share a tent with or not. But lets not forget safety first. Two scouts should share a tent together, but if it's an odd # and an older Scout wishes to sleep alone, let him be. Michael

Hey, I have worked at Camp Old Indian, but not in the Ecology Department, however I have taught merit badges in the Ecology Dept. during my free periods if they were short an instructor one week or so. We do have a nature trail set up which eventually leads to a nice waterfall and many other trails branch off/connect with the nature trail/waterfall trail. Many trees/plants/shrubs are named & labeled & have a descriptive paragraph a long the trail. The Nature Lodge comes equipped with numerous displays of non poisonous animals/reptiles/amphibians dead & alive as well as a lot of posters. The Scouts always look forward to building their rockets in Space Exploration MB. Do you guys offer that? If you want, I can give you the email address of last years and this years Ecology & Conservation Director and he can really tell you a lot. He is one excellent young man and knows his stuff and how to make it fun and exciting. Just reply back, and I will get his permission. Hope this helps you out. Michael

While Camp Old Indian continues to strive to meet todays demands and tomorrow's expectations, it continues to prove to be one of the best Camps in the South East region. A 'good' Camp is not a Camp erected with state of the art facilities. True COI has buildings new and old, but that is not only what makes it great; The STAFF creates the proper Scout Camp environment. I believe great camps are created & established mostly from the staff. Not to brag on Camp Old Indian or it's programs, but let me tell you this...I, as a staff member, have been told by numerous troops that they really enjoy Camp Old Indian because it is a "Scout Camp". These very leaders have told me that they have been to camps that were supposed to be great and top knotch because of their state of the art facilities, but those leaders said that they did not feel like they were at a 'Scout Camp'. With all said & done, trust me, you will not be dissapointed with taking your Troop to the Camp Old Indian 2005 season, but hurry because spaces are filling up quick! Also, COI is one of the cheapest camps in the south east. $145 for in council, and $175 for out of council. Can't beat that with the great food, awesome camp programs and instruction and the beautiful array in which Camp is located.(This message has been edited by sceagle)

Thank you for your post. It helped out a lot. I am a Venturer with Troop 260 (and have no Eagle Scout award [squareknot] or Eagle Scout Patch) on my green venturing uniform. But since I can wear the patch on my left pocket until I am 21, I'll sew it on there. I am also a Scouter (asst. sm) for Troop's 245 & 260. I have the adult Eagle Scout award sewn on above the left pocket, so I guess I'll just let that be. I also work on Camp Staff at Camp Old Indian, and we actually become a venture crew for the summer as well as through out the year after camp ends, so we wear the Green venturing Class A uniforms to dinner/chapel/some campfires...so now I can also sew on the Eagle Scout patch on that as well. Thanks again for your post. Michael Tucker "Once 'n Eagle, Always 'n Eagle" "Livestrong"

I understand that only the Scout wears the patches he earns [scout thru Eagle] on his left pocket, and when he becomes an adult Eagle Scout, he removes the Eagle Scout patch and sews on the Eagle Scout square knot. I didn't know this rule, but when I turned 18 I was told I couldn't wear it anymore, etc., so I bought the square knot that represented I was an Eagle Scout. However, I heard that [now] you can wear that Eagle Scout PATCH on your left pocket until you are 21 yrs of age. I dont know if that is true or not, can someone please help me out?