Col. Flagg

@@Stosh on a hike...

No where does it forbid bringing a member of a Venturing Crew. So what then? But let's not take our eye off the ball. There's more here than just bringing a sister along. There are considerations outside the ivory tower of Irving, where single dads might have to bring their daughter to a camp out. A mom might have to bring her younger son because her husband is out of town and she's staffing an event as an ASM. But of course, let's just be pithy and suggest the problem is with the volunteers instead of with those paid to design a program and its supporting materials.

Well they use the phrase "not specifically covered in this guide", which implies that information might reside elsewhere. I was hoping for a more blanket statement to make it easier on us poor volunteers, not having to hunt and peck to find stuff to protect our posteriors.

22 shots?! That's either a hate crime or gang related (e.g. gang members mistook these young men for rivals). Here's a report from just last year about gang shooting and crime in this area. Sad and bitter that two guys just hanging out can't feel safe anymore.

We did camp in CO two years ago. Two weeks before we leave there's a youth who died from plague (yes, that plague) which he got on his farm from a flea bit. There were also a few Lyme disease reports in that county. Had two moms cancel their kids from camp that summer. Our Crew spent that week hiking the Roosevelt National Forest. Didn't see a tick, a flea or a mosquito. Did see bear, elk, moose and a ton of other wildlife. The irony: The two kids that stayed home got flu...in the summer...staying at home all week.

Well, couldn't BSA just say that? Something like "Unless granted or prohibited by established BSA policies, procedures and guidelines, the Charter Organization has the purview to make decisions regarding the execution of the Scouting program within units they charter." See...it's not that hard to be clear and unambiguous.

http://www.foxnews.com/health/2017/03/13/lyme-disease-soars-in-michigan-as-tick-populations-grow.html

Ah, government. Is there nothing they won't try to regulate?

No, but if she's a Venturing member of the Crew belonging to the same CO (so sister Crew to the Troop), I don't see the harm in her going once or twice. On-going? That's a different story.

The text in red does it for me. One time, fine. Twice, no problem. Several times? We have an issue. It's not Venturing, it's Boy Scouts. I get wanting to be with his daughter. I get having to bring her because mom's ill, divorced, single dad, etc. But this, for me, goes beyond "have to bring her" and is more "wants to bring her". I may be reading too much in to this but it sounds like -- because he's having issues starting a Crew -- he wants to let her experience some adventure. However, because this now seems more like him wanting to bring her rather than having no other option, if I were SM I'd ask him to leave her at home. This is Boy Scouts.

If she's a Venturing member and has to be on the camp out for certain reasons (single dad needs to take her), I don't see any problem with here participating in unit activities such as troop hikes, fishing or other troop events. She would not be allowed to visit the patrol areas of course. If it were a camporee she'd need to hang with dad, otherwise, I don't see why she couldn't do some of the troop activities.

ROFL...I don't live on the east coast any more so concept of humidity hits me faster than it used to. I used to be able to handle the humid nights and huge mosquitoes on Assateague Island. Now the thought of anything over 20% humidity gives me the sweats. You east coasters and mid-Atlantic boys might be less sensitive to it then I am.

Camping on the east coast in the rather humid mountains, we were advised to bring those moisture absorbing things you could put in footlockers. Kept the moisture out and nothing felt wet, damp or smelly. In fact, one kid had one for his wet bag and when he opened his truck back home there was hardly any smell or dampness.

Our council's RSO was bringing the new cache of firearms (pistols, rifles, shotguns) to the local camp when he was pulled over. Thankfully in my state, a carload full of weapons does not draw too much attention from the troopers. He showed his permits and told them where he was going and went on his way.

In my experience ultralight weight it is possible through three methods: 1) Expensive, lightweight gear, 2) Extensive research for cheaper, lightweight alternatives, and 3) Leaving out heavier necessities or cutting corners. The second option is preferred for Scouting because it is the most affordable. I do agree that planning your trek to match your crew's gear, load carrying capacity, training/experience, BSA rules/regulations and local logistical issues is the most important thing to do. All too often units overlook simplicity or safety.

There's all sorts of rules that would need to be followed, but if you are asking if there's a rule barring him from bringing her I don't think there is. I had to bring my daughter once. Followed all the rules and regulations.

I've done the AT. Am well aware of the need for water in the heat and humidity of the east coast.

You cannot take personal firearms to any Scout camp I am aware of UNLESS you get very special permission from your council. At least in my neck of the woods. You can get in serious you-know-what bringing a bow, firearm or even a sling shot on to council property.

2lbs for water? You carrying only one liter of water? Tent 1.8 lbs? You must be made of money. Only backpacking special tents are that light. Having worked as a ranger at Philmont I can tell you you never get someone hitting trail with a pack under 30 lbs unless they are a super, ultralight hiker with VERY specialized gear. Water alone puts you at 12 lbs. Carry less than 4 liters at your own peril.

Yes, a cell phone is NOT an essential. Your 5th grader does not require a cell phone. Your 8th grader does not require a cell phone. Parents may need them in lieu of a land line, but it is not a necessity for every person in your house to posses one...especially if it means choosing between that and healthcare, food or other essential items. So substitute your land line for a cell phone. Fine. That is different from equipping every member of your household with a cell phone. That's a needless expense comparatively.

As a Master LNT Trainer I would add not to have any crew larger than 12 people along the same trek. A 25 person group can have a significant impact on a trail system in even the lightest humid/wet conditions.

In our unit it is the same as the adult registration fee. The only time you'd pay $1 in our unit is if you were registered for a full year as a Scout, then turned 18 during that year. We would 'transfer" your registration from "Scout" to "College Reserve" for that $1 fee. That's a council fee in our area, not a unit fee. Venturing is different. I am not aware of you needing to register as a College Reserve Scout if you are already part of a Venturing Crew and under 21. In our Crew the cost for a Venturing youth (14-21) is the same as the adult fee. The only difference is that adults (those over 21) are required to be fully trained. When in doubt call your local district or council. They will have the most current information.

What? This registration code designation has NOTHING to do with whether someone wear or does not wear a uniform. ANY College Reserve Scout can wear the uniform. The role was created so that former Scouts (just turned 18 and going off to college) did not have to register as adult Scouters (ASM or TC Member) and take the associated training. Many would do just that but fail to take the training, thus causing their unit to take a ding on training in the JTE. So in 2011 BSA created this registration code for college students to register with their unit but only have to take YPT. Whether you are a SM, ASM, TC member or College Reserve Scout, you may wear the (adult) uniform. That means that if you are an Eagle Scout and you are part of a Boy Scout troop you must wear the Eagle knot and not the rank badge. You don't wear your MB sash either. If, however, you are in a Venturing Crew you can still wear your Eagle rank badge on your shirt until 21.

Planning a unit backpacking trip is more than just finding a good trail. You MUST consider logistics and training. Where will you get water? Enough for 6-8 liters per person per day. Add 2 liters per pair for cooking and cleaning. Where will you get first aid help if needed? Is someone on call? How close are local first responders? Do you have emergency comms and/or a locator beacon? Where will you re-supply? Or will you carry your food for three days? How well trained are your Scouts? Adults? Expect to go only as fast as your slowest, weakest hiker. Does everyone have the proper gear for backpacking? Is everyone in good enough shape to strap on a 40lb pack and hike? TRAINING: Do you have the correct number of trained WRFA personnel? If not, you are taking a HUGE risk in heading to the back country. Try this resource as a way to prep your Scouts and adults.

Before you post it to the web, have someone with absolutely no clue about these issues watch them. If they can articulate back to you what you wanted the viewer to take away, you've done your job. If not, you need to revise your script. The hardest part of doing instructional videos is getting your point across. As author, you may THINK you are getting your point across, but you're not.