SWScouter

You know, a waitress is more likely to get tipped if she has a narrow beam and short freeboard.

Oh Semper, careful or I'm gunwale ooze it again. You might just knock me off my rocker and I'll tumblehome oar keel over. At any rate, I'll probably bow down to SWMBO while getting a stern paddling. Alas, how can I thwart this fate?(This message has been edited by SWScouter)

Whoo hoo, hee, I'm on the floor I'm laughing so hard! Thanks Beav, you made my day!

Officer GWD wrote, "Merit badges ONLY are worn on the FRONT of the sash." Maybe I should wait until I get home and can look in my copy of the Insignia Guide, but doesn't the Varsity V go on the bottom front of the MB sash? SWScouter

Eagle76 wrote, "After completing the merit badge requirements and getting them signed by the counsellor, the blue card is brought to the SM for his final signature, then given to the Advancement Chair." I just want to clarify this because I have seen misunderstanding here. The SM's final signature is just a receipt for the scout, it is not a MB approval. The scout retains the portion of the blue card that the SM signs. This way, if the troop doesn't properly turn in the MB on the advancement report, the scout has the blue card signed by both the MB counselor and the SM thus showing that he both completed the MB and turned in the blue card to the unit leader. SWScouter

Everyone, Thanks for the discussion. I've been thinking of suggesting some sort of meeting of the adult leaders (Oldsm, I like ALC) to the SM. It seems that we adults (SM and SAs) don't have a clear vision on where we should guide the troop. I think we all have similar notions on where the troop is strong and what are its weaknesses but no idea on which trail to take to improve. It seems the consensus here is that it is important for the SM/SA staff to meet regularly to work these things. I think that now I will talk to the SM at the next troop meeting about setting something up. Thanks, SWScouter

I'm curious what types of meetings the adult leaders have for the troops you work with. Namely, is there a meeting for the SM and SAs to meet to figure out the direction to point the troop in? Currently I'm an SA for the troop my son crossed over to last February. The troop has monthly committee meetings, but this doesn't seem like the proper forum for the SM and the SAs to develop the troop program. By this, I don't mean to plan the outings or troop meetings, but instead to look at the current program and see where improvements may be made and how to go about instigating these changes. For example, if there is a weekness in the Patrol Method, the adult leadership may need a meeting to recognize this, and come up with a plan on how to steer the PLC into developing stronger patrols. At the least, these meetings can be used to develop a vision on where the troop should head and have the SM and all the SAs on the same page. Thanks, SWScouter

Hey, Isn't the US the only team that "scored" agains Italy this world cup?

Actually, it's looking like there were two really unsportsmanlike actions, the first by Materazzi, responded by Zidane's. Someone put a website together where you could move a Zizou around and head-butt all the opposing players. I saw it on the news last night. I haven't decided if this is funny or sad. It is telling. SWScouter

When I look back on my summer camp experience, I have few memories. I remember doing stuff at the beach. I know I enjoyed canoeing, rowing and swimming, but I really don't have many vivid memories there. Most images are fleeting. I do however, remember making a basket for the basketry merit badge. I had the basket for years but somewhere lost track of it. I can still remember what the basket looked like. I must have really enjoyed making that basket! I never made another, but I am glad that I had that opportunity. Acco40, assuming evaporation and precipitatiion also covers streams running into the lake and water going over the spillway, i.e., no water entering or leaving the lake, I figure that the depth of the lake may increase, decrease, or stay the same. It all just depends on the xxxx and the yyyyy. Personally, to cater to the sportsmen and not be a litter bug, I would reword the question as follows: You are in a lake, in a boat, and land a 12" trout. Does the relative lake depth increase, decrease or stay the same? SWScouter

Now where did I put that left-handed flashlight? It's probably with the Sidehill Gulcher.

This is great news; I just love to hear of scouts earning eagle! Congratulations to OJ and accolades to all those that helped him on the eagle trail. SWScouter

Those are funny. Back in Feb, I posted a real letter from a scout at camp (me back in 1973). See http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=123065 SWScouter

I'm just back from Camp Raymond near Flagstaff, AZ. I had a great time and did Life guarding and both low & high COPE. My son and the rest of the scouts seemed to have a blast. Except for a short bout of homesickness my son did great, earning Swimming, First Aid, and Woodcarving MBs. He's already looking forward to next year. It was really neat watching the scouts bond together, especially the new scouts with eachother and the older scouts. It's great to be home and clean all the dust off but I'm ready to go back! SWScouter

Eamonn, I actually have read most of Grisham's novels. I have yet to read "Bleachers" and "King of Torts", but I believe I've read the rest of his. "Painted House" was good. I need to get to bed so I can wake up for camp in the morning... SWScouter

Speaking of Lewis & Clarke, I really enjoyed "Undaunted Courage," "1776" was good too. I'm going to summer camp with my son and the troop tomorrow morning so I'm in the same predicament. Eamonn, I know you've already read "everything" Grisham has written but I finally got around to reading, "The Firm" last month. What a great novel. I just started reading James Patterson's new book about Maximum and her flock. It's the sequel to "Maximum Ride" and picks up right where the first left off. They both are fleeting, unrealistic, yet fun. Adios, SWScouter

Well, I'm just willing to bet that the SA's ticket really doesn't fit with the unit he transferred into. That may be part of the problem; he's trying to work his ticket in with a unit it wasn't written for (like trying to fit a square peg in a round hole). Perhaps it would be beneficial for the SM to sit down with the SA and discuss his ticket and see how it can fit in with the unit. Also, there is nothing stopping the SA from working with his troop guide (or ticket advisor) and amending it to better fit with the unit he's transferred to. It seems to me that it would be a win/win for the troop and the SA if the SM could get an understanding of what the SA's vision is and to get alignment with the SM's vision for the troop. SWScouter

Okay, I'm just curious how everyone seems to know what the BBGun Shooting BL requirements are? Where did you read them? They're not in the Cub Scout Academics & Sports Program Guide, nor are the requirements for the pin. The same is true with the Archery BL & pin. Thanks, SWScouter

I used to be an Eagle and a good old Eagle, too. But now I'm finished Eagleing, I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feeble and I can Eagle no more, So I'm going to work my ticket if I can. Everybody: Back to Gilwell, happy land, I'm going to work my ticket if I can. SWScouter

For Boy Scouts, Varsity Scouts, Venturers, and Scouters, members of the OA may wear their lodge's pocket flap patch on their right pocket flap. That is the only patch allowed on the right pocket flap. For Cub Scouts a new award was created a couple of years ago. This award is the Outdoor Activity Award, it is not the summertime pack award. The patch for this award is shaped like a pocket flap and is meant to be worn on a Cub Scout's right pocket flap. As far as I know, at this time, it is the only patch that a Cub Scout may wear on his right pocket flap. SWScouter

Varsity scouts are eligible for OA elections and Varsity teams are encouraged to hold OA elections. From page 22 of the 2006 "Guide for Officers and advisers:" In Boy Scout troops and Varsity Scout teams, every registered active member of the unit under age 21 at the time of election is eligible to vote. A Boy Scout or Varsity Scout who carries a current national membership card and participates in at least some unit activities during the year is considered to be a registered active member of the unit. For example, a youth away at college who participates in some unit activities when home, such as a campout, camporee, or occasional unit meeting, should be considered a registered active member. SWScouter

Well, I beat Resqman by a year and joined scouts in '71. We also used tent halfs. Some had buttons, some had snaps. Every scout wanted the snaps, they were much quicker to pitch and tended to be in better shape. The ones with snaps had better poles too. We always made sure our tent partner had a matching half (buttons or snaps). I always figured they were army surplus. It seems some had US stenciled on them but I may be wrong. Most of the time we didn't use the halfs, they were heavy for backpacking. Instead each scout would bring a 10'x10' sheet of 4mil plastic. This gave us shelter and probably kept us just as dry as the tent halfs would in the damp Pacific NW. SWScouter

Tcherven, I had a great time at wood badge too! BSAChaplain, I take it your wife is no fox (as I duck for cover). SWScouter I used to be an Eagle

So far, I guess I'm the winner since it's just shy of a mile for me to get to roundtable. Ain't life great

Packsaddle, I doubt your council would like the image you would project standing around the water fountain in your uniform with your fly undone and belt unbuckled. SWScouter