Weekender

Just one recommendation. I've found that slumberjack has a tendancy of over-rating their bags. The 0 degree bag I bought was really more of a 20-32 degree bag. I don't know that this is true of all their bags but it was in my case and I've read a few reviews that mention the same thing. Check around at department stores for clearances. I'm in the Air Force and one day while browsing the base exchange I noticed they had TNF 0 degree bags they had purchased but couldn't sell. I researched the model and found they were pretty good bags that sold for $89-$165 depending on where you bought them. I got 20 of them for our troop for $19 each.

If I had the moey to design a campground for boy scouts... I would want 15 miles of trail, broken down so a troop could hike 5, 10, or all 15 on a weekend or long weekend. I would have semi-developed sites set up to support these hikes. The sites would have potable water, composting toilets, and small fire pits. Of course, I would want it in a location where there is plenty of firewood and a pond or stream. I would set up an emergency access road but restrict all users to foot traffic only. If you could build your "perfect" scout campground, what would you include?

National says no homosexuals. If you want to be a boyscout, folow their rules. The NBA wouldn't let you use a tennis ball, The NFL wouldn't let you wear a leather helmet, and NASCAR is not going to let you drive a funny car. If you want to be in an established organization you follow their rules. If you disagree with the rules you either work to change them or, if they are too far from your own beliefs, you leave the organization. You don't join and then decide to just break the rules when they don't suit you. What happened to our training in good citizenship and working within the system?

I own two of them. I love them...wouldn't sell them. I am trying to figure out how to make them out of silnylon. Using Canvas and the 4-piece aluminum pole (plus stakes) they weigh in at about 5 1/2 pounds. They have no floor, I carry a sheet of black plastic cut to half the floor size. They are great for two scouts or one adult. In the 8 years I used them as a scout in the 70's I only had 1 blow down once. Shincatink(sp) Island in a serious wind storm without sand/snow anchors. Tent blew down about 0300 and we ended up sleeping on the bottoms of the walls to hold it up the rest of the night. I've heard people say they wouldn't want to use it in extreme weather...I've had it up to 105 in texas and down to about -20 in Virginia, in the snow, in the rain...It's never let me down. It's not the best tent ever made but I've had good luck with it and....it's always a topic of conversation. Like I said earlier, I'd like to make one out of sil. I figure it would weigh in at just over a pound and unless your 8 ft tall you can still kneel in it. Be wary of rotted or otherwise damaged canvas.

The only place I'm not real big on having extra adults is at the PLC. This is a time for the boys to work out THEIR plan for the troop. I've found that the more adults present the less that gets accomplished and the less the boys own the program. I try to limit adult participation to myself and on occassion 1 other active adult. (youth protection note: My wife, a registered scouter, is always present during the PLC but is in a non-participatory role). Other than that I welcome parents at all activities.

Bush Addresses the Nation Saturday, February 01, 2003 The following is the text of President Bush's speech to the nation on the tragic loss of the Shuttle Columbia: My fellow Americans, this day has brought terrible news and great sadness to our country. At 9:00 a.m. this morning, Mission Control in Houston lost contact with our Space Shuttle Columbia. A short time later, debris was seen falling from the skies above Texas. The Columbia is lost; there are no survivors. On board was a crew of seven: Colonel Rick Husband; Lt. Colonel Michael Anderson; Commander Laurel Clark; Captain David Brown; Commander William McCool; Dr. Kalpana Chawla; and Ilan Ramon, a Colonel in the Israeli Air Force. These men and women assumed great risk in the service to all humanity. In an age when space flight has come to seem almost routine, it is easy to overlook the dangers of travel by rocket, and the difficulties of navigating the fierce outer atmosphere of the Earth. These astronauts knew the dangers, and they faced them willingly, knowing they had a high and noble purpose in life. Because of their courage and daring and idealism, we will miss them all the more. All Americans today are thinking, as well, of the families of these men and women who have been given this sudden shock and grief. You're not alone. Our entire nation grieves with you. And those you loved will always have the respect and gratitude of this country. The cause in which they died will continue. Mankind is led into the darkness beyond our world by the inspiration of discovery and the longing to understand. Our journey into space will go on. In the skies today we saw destruction and tragedy. Yet farther than we can see there is comfort and hope. In the words of the prophet Isaiah, "Lift your eyes and look to the heavens. Who created all these? He who brings out the starry hosts one by one and calls them each by name. Because of His great power and mighty strength, not one of them is missing." The same Creator who names the stars also knows the names of the seven souls we mourn today. The crew of the shuttle Columbia did not return safely to Earth; yet we can pray that all are safely home. May God bless the grieving families, and may God continue to bless America.

I bought mine in the military clothing store at Yongsan Garrison in Seoul korea about 4 years ago. My sons I bought at a surplus store here in the states for about $12.

I generally use both the camelback and a water bottle. I have a slip-on water bottle holder that rides on my hip belt (purchased thru campmor) where I keep a 1 liter bottle. The only down side to this set-up is the bottle sometimes rubs my arm while hiking. I put my camel back just under the upper flap of my pack. If the 1 liter runs dry (rare) I can pull the hose out the top of my pack and press on. The camelback I use for short side trips and around camp. It gives me plenty of water without tying up my hands or weighing down one side of my britches (like a canteen) Mine also has a small pocket just the right size for my first aid kit. Mike Long, Being here in Texas we don't have too much freezing to deal with but the few times it's been below 32 I've put the whole camelback under my outer jacket and it has been fine. The slightly warmer water feels very good going down too.

Rooster, I tend to lean in your direction on this issue. The one addition I would make is that the scout needs to have a scoutmasters conference specifically about his returning to active service. (Having read your posts for while, I know this would happen anyway, but it should be mentioned) He needs to know that he is welcome and the troop is glad to have him. He also needs to know what is expected of him in the way of fulfilling all remaining requirements and what is required of him in the way of being an ACTIVE member of the troop. If he is willing to commit to being a full fledged member of the troop again then I see no problems. If, as I too have seen in the past, he just wants to put in the absolute minimum effort necessary and has little or no regard for the other members of the troop or the program then perhaps another troop (where there is no history) would be a better choice.

Hawk, The mink oil sounds interesting...I've used it on leather but never canvas. I know with a tent the size of yours wieght is not an issue but mine is a backpacking canvas tent a little under 6 lbs (I think) it seems the mink oil would increase the weight significantly...what do you think? Weekender

This is for those donating to BSA through the United Way. Our scout exec told me that the UW gave our council a set amount of money each year (lets just pick a number...say $45,000). If an individual gives $120 to UW and sepcifies that it is to go to our council the council still gets $45,000. $120 of which was from specified donations. The only way for the council to get more than the $45,000 is if people specify more than $45,000 to them. If the same person gives their $120 and specifies a troop then the council must take $120 out of the $45,000 and give it to the troop...The council loses the money. If you want your money to go to your council give it directly to yoru council...if you want it going to a troop, give it to the troop. If you give the money to UW it will be put in a big trough and who gets to feed from it is no longer up to you.

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Acco, They are not good role models...it really is a simple concept.

KWC57, LittleBillie, I agree with both of your last statements. All sin is based in disobedience of God's will. However, not all disobedience is sinful. The United States was born in disobedience and rebellion to England and much of our understanding of human rights was born in civil disobedience to our own government. Were Meshach, Shadrach, and Abed Nego correct in disobeying Nebuchanezzar? Was Daniel have obeyed King Darius?

At a Church CHRISTmas party and gift exchange one person wrapped their gift in duct tape. It was very well done with a bow and everything. It took the recipient quite a while pulling and tearing to gain access to the contents...a utility knife.