va-scouter

Dreaded double post. (This message has been edited by va-scouter)

Sounds like the council-wide camporee we had a couple of weeks ago. Camping on the grounds of the state capitol building. Thus... no fires of any kind, all cooking done with gas stoves. Tent pegs had to be tiny, so as not to damage the lawn. Had a pinewood derby too, as it was a combo boy scout/cub scout event. We just went up for the day, due to all the restrictions on the camping and bought lunch from the vendors... first time I've ever seen funnel cakes at a camporee. Those who did camp were miserable... high winds, driving rain, lightning, and low temps. If there was ever a time fires were needed, it was at that camp. Cold, wet young men are unhappy young men.

So, did you go? And how did you find it? Our troop just got back from there Saturday. It was my first time there, so I couldn't comment on your previous question. Roughing it..... yes, that's a good description of Camp Buckskin. 8)

We leave for Camp Buckskin, also known at Dilleys Mill, in..... 5 days. May the sun shine bright and the mosquitos be few. LOL

Just so I'll be clear in the future. Does this mean that if a scout is working on their Eagle project... say raising funds or material donations to build a bridge on part of the Appalachian Trail, for example. He cannot wear his uniform while out soliciting these funds/materials? Thanks

Hello, Glad this topic is here. Almost all of our boys can get thru it by using the DARE program. However, this is not an option for our homeschooled scouts. Any ideas? We have one right now that this is the only thing holding him back from becoming 2nd class.

One of the problems with the "lightweight" Boy Scout switchbacks is they melt when you stand to close to a campfire. Changing them to a heavier material would be a good thing. Guess they learned from their mistakes and improved them for the Cubs. Getting rid of the boot zippers is wonderful too. Ever try to shorten pants by 4 inches when you can't just cut off the bottoms? It's not pleasant.

Thanks for everyone's input so far. Anarchist -- with our troop going in 2008, we'll only have two scouts over the age of 13. We're a ... rejuvenating troop, shall I say. That's why we'll probably stick with the base camps this go round. My thought is to get them there once so they can see everything that's offered and that'll make them want to go back to try the areas designed for the older scouts as they advance in the troop. Give 'em something to look forward to.

Our troop is considering the Blue Ridge Mountains Scout Reservation in SW Virginia for the 2008 camping season. It's out of council for us, but 2 hours closer than the council camp, go figure. Anybody ever been to Camp Powhatan or Camp Ottari? And what did you and your boys think? Thanks in advance for your input.

You don't need to worry about getting sea sick on the Yorktown. When we were there, I got the impression that it was aground, surrounded by water, but not going anywhere at all. Getting sea sick on the side trip to Fort Sumter, is a completely different story. Take dramamine, and then take some more. We were there in July two years ago, only the theatre and sleeping areas are air conditioned. Any other place, we were standing still and sweat would just run off of you. Lost 15 pounds there. Food was not good for our young men, Webelos. Out of four meals, only dinner got the thumbs up from them. Most of 'em wouldn't even try the grits that they served for breakfast. I ate them, due to the fact I was starving to death. There's no allowance for food allergies, four in our group was allergic to eggs and they were served both mornings for breakfast as the main item with no alternative. One piece a sausage and a piece of toast will not fill a boy up. If you're a Coke product drinker, have some stored in coolers in your car, you won't find it on site. Pepsi only. No chocolate to be found anywhere either; we had to send out a messenger to Walmart to buy all of the ladies some. Our cubmaster was freaking out that we were bringing contraband in... good gosh... it was one big Hershey bar apiece, all the boys came out alive due to the calming effects of chocolate. The chocolate was sent for right after every single boy managed to vanish on us and it took us some hard looking to round them back up. Two had even wandered off to the submarine without telling anybody where they were going, the others were closer in. I've written a book, enjoy your trip.

Our troop currently has 8 middle schoolers who crossed over in March, and 3 older boys. And, no, this isn't a brand new troop. It has existed since the 60's and has produced 47 Eagles in that time. We were told by the scoutmaster when we visited that they had just in the last few years had trouble recruiting and had no idea why. If we hadn't crossed our boys over to them, they would've given up their charter due to lack of young men. Plenty of adult leaders with decades of experience between them, just no boys coming in the door.

I'd like to second the suggestion for contacting Scholastic and Troll, most companies like to get positive press by donating to worthy causes such as this. Also, I had a question, what age groups are you wanting books for? Preschool, elementary, middle school, high school?

We have an "interesting" situation. Our C.O. is a church. Due to an organization in the area giving away money to non-profit groups, we decided to request the church's tax-exempt number in order to take advantage of the opportunity. Other troops and packs in the area are taking part in the give-away, so we thought we might as well get a slice of the pie for our young men too. We were informed by the treasurer of the church that they don't have a tax-exempt number, and that we can't even use their tax i.d. number because they'd have to pay taxes on everything we raise. Has anybody here ever heard of a church not being tax-exempt? It's a Methodist Church.

We have an "interesting" situation. Our C.O. is a church. Due to an organization in the area giving away money to non-profit groups, we decided to request the church's tax-exempt number in order to take advantage of the opportunity. Other troops and packs in the area are taking part in the give-away, so we thought we might as well get a slice of the pie for our young men too. We were informed by the treasurer of the church that they don't have a tax-exempt number, and that we can't even use their tax i.d. number because they'd have to pay taxes on everything we raise. Has anybody here ever heard of a church not being tax-exempt? It's a Methodist Church.

I look forward to the answers to this question. Our pack has a young man that is about to cross-over to a troop. Don't know if he's technically a dwarf, he has normal porportions, but he's the height of a small 4-year-old, at most. When I'm sitting down, I'm taller than he is standing up. Both of his parents are on the short side, so he comes by it honestly. I find myself wondering how he'll do in a troop. Don't see how he could backpack, the packs are taller than he is, etc.