DuctTape

Yeah. Tinder is usually not a problem, neither is ignition. A lot of folks seem to focus on these aspects as it is kind of fun to try different ignition systems. But ignition isn't the goal. As was stated, the problem is often moving from ignition and tinder to a sustainable and controlled fire. IMO, too much focus is placed on different ignition and tinder methods and not enough on the next stages. Use matches until they are proficient with building, sustaining, and using the fire. Then, move to different ignition and tinder. One method is to use a single pole, 12 feet in length with a 4 inch diamter. Scouts use axe, saw and knife to prepare tinder, kindling and fuel to boil water for cocoa all from that one pole, and using a single match.

A cot? I have never carried a cot into the woods; a hammock yes. Anyway, the main purpose of my building that chair was for the boys to see the utility of a littele extra rope and knowing some pioneering skills. To that end it worked perfectly.

True. But the back rest was way comfortable.

Stosh, I have had a camp chair. I pulled out a few hanks of rope, cut a few poles and lashed together a quick seat. Within 10 minutes boys were using their skills (or quickly learning them) and improvising their own seats. Four boys actually worked together to make a 4-man bench.

Two troops I was involved with had dedicated storage rooms at the CO. One other, the SM had a barn which stored everything. The one with a trailer used it for storage, but not transport. The trailer was parked behind the SM garage. A trailer for storage is different than a trailer for transport. I do not see any reasonable scouting purpose to transport the entirety of the storage room regardless if it is on wheels.

Class B is the name of a company. That doesn't mean it exists within the BSA construct. Using your description of what a myth is, that would exclude anything as long as people undertood what was meant. IMO, class B is a myth not because nobody uses the phrase, but because it is not the official bsa term for any uniform.

Good luck to you. Change is difficult, especially for a group. Having only one person as a change agent is almost impossible, a second person increases the success rate immensely. I cannot recall the exact statistic, but it was something like 60%.

This is exactly what we try to avoid. Having everything there just in case promotes lack of planning. Experiences which involve not having something due to error in planning is a learning experience. Boys learn to plan better and/or improvise. Adults should be far away from the boys for meals imho.

If a wood fire is allowed, why would we encourage the use of chemical fuel stoves? As was stated, with practice a wood fire can cook up great food. Plus it is fun. A stove can be used at home. Adventuring in the out of doors is not about trying to make outside into inside any more than is necessary. Sure there are times when a stove is appropriate, but I see many troops always using them (even when fire is allowed and more appropriate). This goes along with the trailer thread. Everything gets hauled to the roadside, and that ends up being the only camping the boys ever really experience.

I am fortunate to be in an area where wood fire cooking is available. IMHO, cooking on the fire while camping is better than any chemical fuels. Even in winter.

I agree. The only time I see a trailer as necessary is if the troop/patrol does not have a building to store gear. I view the trailer as a storage unit, not for transport. Otherwise little planning takes place for gear needs, and the troop devolves into solely plop camping.

I am not a fan of using educational terminology for merit badges. The adults are counselors, not teachers. They counsel the boy in the badge, not teach a class. Some might say it is just semantics, but I disagree. Words matter. When one uses school language, it becomes school and the boy loses out on the individual counseling to experience and grow. I would bet good money the discuss/explain with your counselor ends up being a written test administered to a group instead of the boy engaging in a conversation with the counselor. The boys lose out. Sad.

IMHO, a COH is for the boys, designed by the boys, and executed by the boys. I do think it is important that the boys see adults also continuing their training, and it would be appropriate for the boys to hand out awards, certificates, etc... to adults as well. But how it gets done is the boys'decision.

I agree completely.

What always seems to be missing in the discussions about merit badges is the expertise of the counselor. Before I get jumped all over, what I am referring to is the processes which ignore this expertise and use mbc as testers only. Merit badges are an amazing combination of methods, adult association and advancement. When processes ignore the adult association method the boys lose out on an amazing opportunity. The method of adult association and the opportunity for boy to learn ditectly from an expert is the reason why merit badges are separated from skills listed in rank advancement. Many current practices are viewing merit badeges as the same/similar. They are fundamentally different.

As a scout our troop never really participated in the OA. I do recall at one point someone I didnt recognize come to a meeting and there was an election. Seemed like a popularity contest at the time. I had friends in other troops who would mention it at summer camp, and recall they had to leave camp after only a week (we went to summer camp for 2 weeks) to go to their OA lodge. Even during camp they had to leave their patrol to go to some ceremony. I don't recall ever feelimg like I was missing out on any big scouting adventure for not belonging, on the contrary. As an outsider to the OA, I see it as additional competition for the patrol/troop. Even years ago, there was a finite amount of time available to boys for scouting. I saw/see the OA as taking the boy away from his patrol/troop.It aapeared to be an obligation which took away from my friends' scouting participation. Anyway, that was my experience and nothing I have seen as an adult has shown it to be any different now.

It must be rather newish, since the older traditional neckers were square. This was back when they were useful and not simply decoration.

I see value in a charge. I liken it to when a speaker at a graduation recognizes the future hopes for the graduates. A pledge, not so much. The scout (or graduate in my simile) is not required to accept the challenge (charge) put forth. They have already earned the honor being bestowed.

I knew the answers to my questions before I asked. I asked them to make my point.

And how many advocate for 3 tubs, chemical sanitizing solution, or even soap as required. Those in the "field" just wipe and rinse, soap is used only for really greasy foods (although those with more experience have found that to not even be necessary).

I am curious as to who the experts on dishwashing while in the backcountry, primitive camping with only a few people would be. For some reason I doubt there have been too many studies in this area.

There are a multitude of lashing methods, even when one needs it for greater strength. Look up japanese lashing methods. They are quite different from traditional scout methods, but just as effective. The scout knots and lashings arent meant to be the only way, but just the beginning.

Yeah.Patrol cooking is cooking for just a few people. Backcountry, primitive camping would not follow procedures designed for commercial kitchens. Wipe out pot with moss, put moss in fire. Boil some water in pot, extinguish fire with water. No soap, no chemicals, yet clean.

I posted in wrong topic. Sorry.

There would be less emphasis, and monopolizing by merit badge classes (and I abhor the term. MB's should not be "taught" as a "class", but done in a counseling fashion. But that is another topic altogether). One way to fix it would be for BSA camps to follow their own BSA policies and not allow 15 or 16 year old to act as MB counselors, even if signoffs are done by an adult. Adults should be the counselor, and conducting the testing. Other scouts with some experience can always help other scouts, but should never in any way shape or form be de facto MB counselors. This current method bastardizes the process, denies scouts the opportunity to benefit from adult association, etc... It would radically reduce the number of scouts in the MB, giving them the real opportunity to benefit and not just be granted a badge without really being counseled and tested by an adult counselor. The boys are the ones who lose in this. Less "classes" = more free time =more fun.