jjlash

Some good advice here - I agree with those who suggest that you not buy a pack just for your OLS session. Either borrow a pack, or use something you already have or is inexpensive until you have a bit more experience and/or until you have a better handle on what else you'll do with it. Like others who have been doing this a while, I have several packs. For monthly campouts, OA campouts and training that involves camping, I use a two-strap military duffle because I take way more stuff on a local campout than on a backcountry trip - I often take multiple of the same item so I can test new stuff. I have a canoe portage pack for those trips and a 72L Golite pack that I absolutely love for backpacking.

Good movie. Picked it up a year or so ago after it was mentioned in a Scouting forum.

The CC (nor the BOR) can deny advancement on the basis of Scout Spirit. Scout Spirit is a requirement for each rank and by the time of the BOR it has already been signed off. If the Scoutmaster is not the one who signed it off, he basically approved it by holding a SM Conference and recommending the Scout for BOR. The Scoutmaster (or a delegate) determines if requirements are met - if he doesnt think the Scout is showing proper spirit he has that conversation during the conference. The purpose of the BOR is to monitor the quality of program that the SM is providing. If the Committee doesnt think that a Scout is showing proper spirit, they can bring that up with the SM - who can choose to do something, or not. The second thing would be making sure the adults are setting the example by being in complete uniform all the time. Partial uniforming has become one of my pet peeves - either wear the uniform or don't but don't "kind of" wear it. Around here the worst examples of this are at OA meetings/events where everyone wears their uniform shirt with jeans.