TAHAWK

We found that getting our son to read anything (Dungeon Master's Guide) led to more and more reading.

The Boy Scout fiction of the pre-WW II period is very inexpensive on eBay,

Now where can we find Larry and Curly?

Thomas Phair, Jr., 19 at the time and a student at the University of California. Boys' Life, August, 1936.

Interesting topic. "We forgive and we ask forgiveness. We are asking pardon for the divisions among Christians, for the use of violence that some have committed in the service of truth, and for attitudes of mistrust and hostility assumed towards followers of other religions." "“As bishop of Rome and pastor of the Catholic Church, I want to beg for mercy and forgiveness for un-Gospel-like behaviour [british spelling] on the part of Catholics against Christians of other churches . . ." "'We ask most of all for forgiveness for the sin of our divisions, which are an open wound on the body of Christ,' Pope Francis said." “When all Christians of different churches listen to the word of God and try to put it into practice,†the Pope said, “they truly take important steps toward unity.†So the Roman Catholic Church regards Catholics and Protestants, despite differences in theology, to be part of a group the Church labels as "Christians" and "the body of Christ."

I have decided that the most important thing about the Patrol Method is that the Scout primarily experience Scouting in the context of his patrol. BP and Bill said so, and B.S.A. says so - in some places. Without that, the central ideas of the method are lost. And yet the standard Troop Meeting Plan form is almost all troop, troop, troop. In this as in other issues, BSA speaks with a divided voice, and some of its spokespersons don't know much about Boy Scouting.

Nothing wrong with "Plan B." In fact, having alternatives in mind or the flexibility to see than the plan is not going to work is pretty important in human affairs. (See Gettysburg, Battle of.) But big deal events, especially those that need lots of resources not typically at hand, benefit from longer-term planning than spur-of-the-moment. In my experience, if an activity is on the calendar and subject to routine checking-up on participants and repeated reminders to the rest of the "family," it is less likely to be cancelled for lack of interest. All that assumes that the Scouts "owned" the activity in the first place - all the Scouts, not just the leadership. The last it what makes the step of PLs gathering wants, likes, hopes, and dislikes so important. I think.

What's mileage in metric? Kilomatry?

"Weird how some people mistake experience for authority, competence, knowledge and/or skill." Yes, experience may be of only one way to do a thing. And yet application is the critical step in learning a skill:. "Knowledge without experience is just information." Can we agree that it is not a matter of one or the other? Experience may be best advertised by Service Stars. None of those are for writing checks. I like your last observation. For me, that has finally turned into, "If I can't trust you, . . . ."

"boy led patrol method" For the innocent, Stosh, that would be the Patrol Method, as contrasted with the strange comment on Scouting.org* about the patrol method being a "component" of the "youth-led troop"? *Orientation for New Boy Scout Parents http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult/Supplemental/OrientationforNewBoyScoutParents.aspx

Great Smoky Mountains National Park (Tennessee/North Carolina) Shelter Policy: Great Smoky Mountains National Park regulations require that you stay in a shelter. While other backpackers must make reservations to use backcountry shelters, thru-hikers are exempt. From Mar. 15 to June 15, four spaces at each A.T. shelter are reserved for thru-hikers. If the shelter is full, thru-hikers can tent close by. Only thru-hikers are allowed to tent next to shelters, so they are responsible for making room for those who have reservations in the shelters. White Mountain National Forest/Appalachian Mountain Club (New Hampshire) Campsite Fees: Fees are charged at some Appalachian Mountain Club (AMC)-maintained campsites in the White Mountain National Forest, though all are available on a first-come, first-served basis. Hut Reservations: A system of eight full-service huts offers meals and lodging. Reservations are strongly recommended during peak season. More information is available here. Baxter State Park (Maine) Appalachian Trail Long Distance Hiker Permit: A free A.T. long distance hiker permit will be required of all northbound long distance hikers who enter Baxter State Park in 2016. Southbound hikers are not required to have a permit, but must follow existing regulations. Permits can be obtained at Baxter State Park Headquarters and Katahdin Stream Campground. Pre-registration for A.T. long distance hiker permits can be obtained at the A.T. Visitor Center in Monson, ME. For more information, please visit the Baxter State Park webpage or refer to their announcement:http://www.baxterstateparkauthority.com/pdf/hiking/ATHikerRegistrationCardAnnounce_Final.pdf Thru-Hiker Campsite Fees: Those hiking the A.T. and walking more than 100 miles continuously on foot before entering the park are eligible to stay at The Birches site, but must still pay a camping fee. If the site is full, hikers must wait for space to become available. Non-Long Distance Hiker Campsite Fees: To camp overnight, a reservation is required and a fee is charged. Shenandoah National Park (Virginia) Backcountry Permit: While there is no charge for permits, they are required of all backcountry travelers. The permit can be obtained at visitor contact stations during business hours. Permits for A.T. long-distance hikers are available by self-registration on the Trail at the park's north and south entry points. If you are planning your visit well in advance (allow two full weeks), permits are also available by mail from Park Headquarters. For more information, click here. Shelter and Hut Regulations: Two types of structures are near the A.T. – day-use (“sheltersâ€) and overnight-use (“hutsâ€). Camping at or near day-use shelters is prohibited. Huts are available to long-distance hikers (those spending at least three consecutive nights in SNP) as space is available. Tenting at huts is permitted in designated campsites; all huts within the park have campsites available.

Ohio Scouts in a council centered in that state up north? Treason ! .

Fixed.

I was told it's an "open secret." The meetings to explain the "future" to the Scouters of Greater Western Reserve are scheduled in the next couple of weeks. "TOWN HALL MEETINGS During the past several months, key leaders from several councils have been discussing the best way to serve Scouting in northeast Ohio. They have reviewed financial trends, membership trends, population forecasts, and organizational structures. A proposed plan has been developed to strengthen Scouting in northeast Ohio. This plan calls for a realignment of council boundaries, to meet the changes in our population, economy, and demographics. A part of this process is to conduct two Town Hall meetings prior to the vote of all registered Executive Board members and Chartered Organization Representatives in our council. The purpose of these Town Hall meetings is to clarify the financial, membership, economic, and demographic reasons why we feel this will improve our service to our youth. The Town Hall meetings will be held on the following dates: Monday August 15th at . . . and Wednesday August 17th at ... You would be quite a ways into be next to Heart of Ohio. Erie Shores Council is between Heart of Ohio and the SE corner of Michigan.

Sure. Why not. Who's "we"? Adults or unit?

Yup. That's what BSA says is the sequence - except for the one truly weird place where it is said that that the planning conference is by the PLC, TC, COR, all uniformed unit Scouters, and even the UC, all of whom who collectively decide on the annual program. Only difference, and I know this is probably part of what you have in mind, is that the SM and SPL are to research possibilities even as the PLs are polling their respective constituents, and then the two plan the party. Perhaps that statement about an adult-dominated planning conference, like the line that the Patrol Method being a "component" of the "youth-led troop" (method?), is meant as a test. Surely, someone failed.

It seems that the five councils in NE Ohio are about to merge into three. That the very NE corner council, Greater Western Reserve, would go away was expected. The area has been hammered economically and the council has been very short of money for many years (two DE's assigned to two large districts each lately). Scouters there seem resigned to something of this sort.. The word is that it will be divided between Cleveland and Akron (Great Trails). This merger may be the stroke of Doom for Camp Stigwandish (weekend only for years) as Cleveland has a large camp in the area. Closing Stigwandish would draw an outcry. http://www.news-herald.com/article/HR/20110818/NEWS/308189982 Camp Stambaugh, southwest of Youngstown, would go to Akron or back to the Stambaugh family. The surprise is that Heart of Ohio (nowhere near the heart of Ohio) is reportedly to be divided between Cleveland and Buckeye (Canton) councils. That council has a viable summer camp program and has spent serious money on its Firelands Reservation recently. One problem has been the lack of an more-than-just-adequate dinning facility. There could be big time upset if the camp is to close. One possibility could be the camp becoming the center for Cub/Webelos outdoor program in addition to the weekend camp for the new Cleveland aggregation, restoring a more convenient option for west-side Cleveland folks missing since Camp Belden was sold off to retire debts.. Many of those units have been supporting Firelands for years. (Buckeye Council has all the camp it needs - even as enlarged.) One result is the near recreation of the Original "Greater Cleveland District" of early days. Turmoil to follow.

I take it the "planning meeting" is an adult thing. If so, it logically follows the approval of the PLC's annual program by the Troop Committee. (The irrationally exuberant might contend that TC approval is automatic and so there is no need to wait for their OK.) Until then, there is little for which to plan. .

My oldest council's camp does have nine large cabins that can be rented for Summer Camp, but the vast majority of Scouts stay in tents - some provided by the camp at no extra charge if the unit could supply its own tents or chose not to do so. Most Scouts eat in a central mess, but some elect to do their own cooking for some or all meals. Both councils where I Scout that have Summer Camp do have lakes (as have every camp at which I have ever summer camped, now that I think about it - in six states. One local camp also has a river running through it.

Witamy !

Merit Badges are supposed to begin with the Scout's interest, not considerations of advancement. "It all begins with a Scout’s initial interest and effort in a merit badge subject, followed by a discussion with the unit leader or designated assistant, continues through meetings with a counselor, and culminates in advancement and recognition." So is he interested?

Thank you for your service - now and in the future.

Hats are optional. Have not seen knockoffs only military and LEO surplus. Who's worried?

The only issue I have with the "Webelos III" comparison is that at least the Webelos primarily operate as a den, not a pack. The classic adult run/troop method operation doss not even have that aspect. Seems we should refer all parents of Webelos crossing over to the on-line training materials for new Scout parents. Although there are some errors, at least they emphasize youth leadership (as the B.S.A. author thought that the boy-led troop is one of BSA methods, of which the Patrol Method is a "component" [should be embarrassing and should have been fixed weeks ago])

I thought I posted this before, but here goes. Since I was taught that God hears all prayer, including in your heart, how is it possible for one not to pray "as instructed"? If this is a offensive question, please disregard it.