skeptic

Location, location, location; Catalina is an anomaly due to this. But anywhere in California you are going to most likely see between $300 and $400 due to state laws related to camp staff pay and other state level rules regarding camps. One of the reasons we have stuck to council the past few years is that any camperships available are only good within council; and few councils offer them to out of council units. For us, our camp is just about the closest too, which is a bigger factor than it was once. Of course, now we have the drought to deal with; last year our reservoir lake dried up before July, so no boating. Still have the pool, but the weather outlook does not bode well for boating. Lots of other good program though. For what you still get at most BSA camps, the price is not that high. But smaller troops often are penalized for leadership costs due to minimum camper counts and two deep. We no longer get any free unless we have at least 10 scout campers; and since that is how many we have in the troop, not likely to happen. Adult price is lower, but I feel it should do no more than cover food costs, which would save about 30-40%. Of course, troops from less financially stable areas also struggle to cover summer camp especially, and even local weekend camping to some extent. There are few free camping areas anymore; and many closer in public areas are not the best place to camp due to lack of control of who is nearby, and their actions. Compare BSA camps to other group camps though, and they generally are a deal, even on Catalina. We just keep working on finding the least expensive spots that meet a minimum level. Packing in helps with this, but right now we struggle due to leadership shortages of adults that can still backpack. Working on that now with some hope of finally getting some help. Just keep working the program, and "do your best".

Probably better off to simply train the dog to return home. They more likely can find the right way than us due to their noses. Of course, they may be drawn off by the scent of pooh along the way.

The new Eagle application is now out. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-728_WB_fillable.pdf

Now how do you know for sure? Perhaps there are others within hearing or sight, but simply not in the picture. And uniforming is a tool, not a requirement. A new recruit would very likely not have a uniform yet anyway. Of course we cannot be certain these are even scouting related subjects; maybe someone posed them to bring ridicule or hint at something not quite right. Thanks for the wishes though.

Schiff; I suspect the "duty to God" element is aimed at strengthening the program against the next political attack after the current one comes to its likely final outcome regarding leaders. Do not see anyone attacking BSA on the duty to country, others, or self elements so no need to strengthen them in comparison. JMHO of course.

From the advance notice on National site; Proposed changes in 2016. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/program_update/pdf/2015_Program_Change_Overview_Cub_Scouts_Boy_Scouts.pdf Boy Scout Change Summary 15 NOT Changing • Current ranks or approach (T-1 concurrent; S-E sequential) • Use of merit badge program CHANGING • Scout becomes a rank • Additions: – Service @ all ranks (conservation related at Life) – Health eating/habits – Some reordering (T-1) – Physical fitness at each rank – T-1 – Outdoor ethics – LNT & TL – Weather safety, risk assessment & mitigation – Duty to God incorporated in requirement to show Scout Spirit.Boy Scouts - Transition 16 Current Requirements New Requirements Jan. 2016 Current Requirements MUST Be Used Transition Period (See Following Detail) New Requireme

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401815[/ATTACH] May we follow the Scout Image pointer in the true direction of Scouting and focus on the youth as BP hoped.

Moose; Many, maybe most of these type of situations are pretty much things the unit will need to deal with through their committee and/or sponsor, as they are usually very ambiguous and subjective. Ultimately, it still is the our responsibility as a leader to try to recognize possible problems with interactions and find solutions. Never ignore a boy's complaint; but make sure you do not jump to a conclusion either. Of course, if you have a number of similar concerns from others, it needs to dealt with. And on occasion, that could mean a difficult decision. But we need to make them when needed; otherwise, we are not doing our best.

Like any training or educational effort, learning about and doing it are only the beginning. If you do not occasionally practice the skill(s), then you will eventually either forget or have a bit of a struggle with it. Physical skills are even more practical hands on doing it. I have tied knots all my life and still struggle with them all that time as well; but if I did not continue to tie them, I would barely be able to start. Mental things are similar; do not do basic math for long periods and you likely will find yourself taking longer to accomplish what once you did at a glance. Review is never bad. And helping those less skilled is not only the scout way, but also enhances your own abilities, as well as maybe earns you a friend.

So, just came home a bit ago from the official memorial service for Swabby. He must be smiling as he chats with BP, Uncle Dan, and Greenbar Bill. The church was filled with people standings anywhere they could, and a few even just outside. A large percentage of his troop members were in attendance dating to the sixties, as well as scouters from local and other councils. The saying about friends and funerals really fit. His sister, his only remaining family, was overwhelmed by the turnout. RIP Swabby.

That is not what she said at all. She makes the valid point that the decision is an overreach, small minded political posturing, and hurts the children the most.

Feast? Left overs from a couple nights ago with eggnog.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401552[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401553[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401554[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401555[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401556[/ATTACH] Merry Christmas and blessings for the season as you may celebrate; good wishes even to those for whom the holiday has little or no meaning. Last card is a BP card from 1927.

Merry Christmas to all; (or substitute whatever suits you). [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401549[/ATTACH]

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401507[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401508[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401509[/ATTACH] A final group tomorrow; enjoy.

[ATTACH=CONFIG]n401455[/ATTACH] or this one [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401456[/ATTACH]

Older images are more fun; enjoy. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401433[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401434[/ATTACH] [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401435[/ATTACH]

Two more for the file. [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401393[/ATTACH][ATTACH=CONFIG]n401394[/ATTACH]

More cubbing: [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401357[/ATTACH]

At last nights RT we invited people to attend and give respects to Swabby's memory. We had the largest RT attendance in years, easily in excess of 50, with one large group from a local community food share where he volunteered for years. I have to wonder if Swabby had any idea how appreciated he really was, and how much his quiet service to Scouting and the community at large meant to others. While his appearance initially frightened some, once they made the effort they came to see he was a teddy bear with a heart of softest gold. His patience with scouts was amazing, and his effect on those from his unit is obvious by how many have already posted on their troops FB page and how many have asked when the official memorial is. We had a small slide show while short comments were made and a few moist eyes were seen. Seemed right that we should be honoring him during this season of giving and good will.

Nuf said [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401275[/ATTACH]

Initial comments shown are not particularly supportive of Lockheed. Suspect they may get more backlash than they expect, especially being where they are. Good thing we have you here Merlyn to make sure that you rub these irrational decisions in the faces of those with whom you disagree. Too bad that building what they do, there is little room for any seriously effective public backlash.

Nope; this is the Politics and Religion Forum; it is where this belonged. The simple holiday greetings are under the more general forum above.

From the 20's [ATTACH=CONFIG]n401203[/ATTACH]

A little holiday punishment. This guy goes into a restaurant for a Christmas breakfast while in his hometown for the holidays. After looking over the menu he says, "I'll just have the eggs Benedict." His order comes a while later and it's served on a big, shiny hubcap. He asks the waiter, "What's with the hubcap?" The waiter sings, "Oh, there's no plate like chrome for the hollandaise!" A group of chess enthusiasts checked into a hotel and were standing in the lobby discussing their recent tournament victories. After about an hour, the manager came out of the office and asked them to disperse. "But why?," they asked, as they moved off. "Because," he said, "I can't stand chess nuts boasting in an open foyer."