oddball

Thanks for all the good suggestions. I'll check some of those out.

My son and I are going to be provisional campers at Swamp Base this year. We're leaving Fredericksburg, VA heading to Lafayette, LA. Looking for advice on places to camp along the way. Overnight stops will be: 1. Somewhere close to Chatanooga, TN on the way down. 2. Spartanburg, SC, or Charlotte, NC on the way back. Does anyone know of any good campgrounds, which allow tent camping near either location? We would be interested in local outdoor attractions where we could do some exploring. Thanks,

Like anything else, it's up to what the boys and leaders come up with. An organization to which I belong has hosted several OA functions on our grounds. Looked pretty boring to tell you the truth.

And they are the crew whining about what a crappy job the ASMs are doing no doubt.

You can simulate anything at a campout. How detailed is up to you. Barring that, summer camps usually can do a better job.

I figured there was more to the story. Not defending the woman at all, but saying we're all subject to doing or saying imprudent things.

Like me - was a Bear and Webelos I 45 years ago. Sometimes, we're all that's available. I do the best I can, but I'm learning it as my son does. I just have to not let the boys know I am only one or two steps ahead of them.

Darn it. Just ran 3 inches of water in the tub, and couldn't walk across it. I guess I have nothing to say.

Young'n, Welcome to life. The simple fact is, 1 out of 15 of you is mature enough to be in a boy-led troop. Doesn't get any better in the adult workplace. Maybe there is this super-troop out there where everyone pulls their weight and the boys can lead, but it's probably a smaller troop. I just got back from camp with 25 of my boys. The SPL checked out, and didn't do much of anything all week (except for text his parents on the phone he snuck along). And no, I didn't take it away, but did ask him if his integrity was worth the ability to text. The ASPL tried to pick up the slack, but most boys wouldn't listen to him. The duty roster was ignored by the vast majority of the scouts. The most mature boys, other than the ASPL Star scout were all 2nd class and below. The bulk were my new scouts. I'd swear many of these boys are so lazy they have someone to come in and wipe for them in the mornings. Now you might take your 4 or 5 friends who are mature enough for a boy-led troop, along with a couple of ASMs who would find that refreshing, and find or found one of these super-troops where every scout takes care of business. I'd like to know how you will handle the scout who will do nothing, or the scout who is a babysitting problem. And how about those "syndrome" scouts? Are you versed enough to handle them? Will your new super-troop shun "problem children". I'd suggest that these super-troops are full of scouts who want to be there, rather than scouts whose parents pushed them into it. Eagle looks good on those college applications, don't you know. Now, if you and your buddies can show the ASMs and SM you can handle the troop, then by all means try it. Demand your PLs have duty rosters, sleeping assignments, etc. in writing before your next camp out. Have equipment checks and uniform inspections. Practice leave no trace. But most importantly, before you accuse the adults, look at the boys. I do believe I've had to light fires for most all my life scouts. Are you a troop which can be boy led? Now for all you keyboard commandoes who will chide me for being such a cynical ASM... PM me and I'll invite you along to summer camp next year.

Not an LDS, but served with plenty over my military career. I don't believe I could call one a slacker, though I have heard them use various terms for the less involved members of their religion. So the LDS religion/culture is a little different than some other folks may be used to. Their culture demands one be heavily involved in the church, and live their faith. IIRC, one of my old LDS colleagues told me it's like this with scouting (could be wrong, but like I said, IIRC): - every boy is supposed to participate in the BSA. - the bishop (an LDS bishop is like a pastor in the heierarchy of things) is either the scoutmaster, or directly appoints the scoutmaster. - the bishop/sm then appoints committee members, ASMs, etc. sort of depending upon their position within their local church (stake, I think they call them). Thus, if you are a devout Mormon, and are called upon by the bishop to perform service as an ASM, you don't refuse. All this said, we're all volunteers, regardless of faith, most of us work unless we are fortunate enough to be retired, an do the best we can with the time we have.

What do they say? I realize a contract with an 11 year old is pretty useless, but do you hold the parents to anything?

Got told I was too fat.

It's always sad to hear about things like this. My condolences to his family. It should remind us all to work on getting in better shape. I just came back from scout camp, and observed that a majority of us are "over 50" (years of age and/or pounds overweight). Everyone says to me I don't look fat, but my BMI precludes me from going on HA trips.

You can't fix stupid.

Absolutely.