dancinfox

I use a tuna fish can with both the top and bottom cut out. It makes a great ring to place a pie tin or cake tin on.

When I was a Scoutmaster, I always told the youth in the troop that each choice they made had consequences, the consequences could be good or they could be bad, but they made the decision. The younger scouts always asked what that meant, and I always explained the good and bad consequences of a decision. The older scouts had it figured out and would live with their decision and not complain. David

National has come out with a 2010 Centennial Commissioner's patch set. Unit, Asst. Dist. Comm., Dist Comm., Asst. Council Comm., Council Comm. I purchased some of the new patches. They are sharp. David Harrison

Badger, The woggle tied for a participant of 21st Century Wood Badge is a 3 pass woggle. The woggle shown in pictures, patches, and pins is the leather woggle presented to one after completing their ticket which is a two pass woggle. David Harrison

If a NYLT Scoutmaster has met the requirements to be presented a 4th bead, then the 4th bead should be presented to them before the start of the NYLT course, not at a Wood Badge event. If someone who has earned a 4th bead, is working on a Wood Badge course as a Asst. Course Director, then they should wear 3 beads, not 4. In regards to other NYLT staff earning a 3rd bead, this would be the Asst. Scoutmaster responsible for program. (The one working with the youth staff on the course.) If the 3rd and/or 4th beads need to be ordered, I would talk to the Professional Staff Advisor, and have that person place the order. David Harrison

In doing a google search on each congress person, I found that all 26 are democrats. Not one republican signed. Dancin

When the Scoutmaster chooses a Den Chief with the Cubmaster, they both must take into consideration the maturity of the youth, how the youth deals with adults, deals with younger youth, and the type of dedication they have to the program. To place a youth into a position that is not meant for them, is setting them up for failure, not success. I have seen Eagle scouts who do not have the maturity level that second class scouts have, so rank shouldn't be an issue. The true issue is what the leaders feel about the youths different levels. David

Additional information from Publication 526 Travel. Generally, you can claim a charitable contribution deduction for travel expenses necessarily incurred while you are away from home performing services for a charitable organization only if there is no significant element of personal pleasure, recreation, or vacation in the travel. This applies whether you pay the expenses directly or indirectly. You are paying the expenses indirectly if you make a payment to the charitable organization and the organization pays for your travel expenses. The deduction for travel expenses will not be denied simply because you enjoy providing services to the charitable organization. Even if you enjoy the trip, you can take a charitable contribution deduction for your travel expenses if you are on duty in a genuine and substantial sense throughout the trip. However, if you have only nominal duties, or if for significant parts of the trip you do not have any duties, you cannot deduct your travel expenses. Example 1. You are a troop leader for a tax-exempt youth group and you help take the group on a camping trip. You are responsible for overseeing the setup of the camp and for providing adult supervision for other activities during the entire trip. You participate in the activities of the group and really enjoy your time with them. You oversee the breaking of camp and you help transport the group home. You can deduct your travel expenses. Dancin

BadenP is correct on his assessment of a 501c3. In regards to the deductibility of a camp fee. If you are on duty 24/7 at camp it is not considered a vacation so the fee would be deductible (ie: if you were to travel to the National Jamboree as a leader, you are on duty 24/7 and your fee would be deductible. We had a case where a troop asked for donations to purchase a new troop trailer and the letter stated the donation was tax deductible. I informed the SM that unless the donation was made to the church and the church purchased the trailer for the troop, any donations made by businesses or individuals were not tax deductible. Dancin

Tflytyer, You left LHAC just about the time I was becoming active. I went to Cub Trainer Wood Badge in 1993 and Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge in 1995. I was asked to serve on Wood Badge staff in 2002 and again in 2004 and was a course director in 2006. One person you might remember from the shoreline district, Sue Jacobs went to 21st Century Wood Badge in 2002 and recently staffed a 21st C course in 2008. She staffed a Cub Trainer WB course in 1995 or 96, but if she hadn't taken 21st Century WB, she would not have able to staff last year. Of the 30 people in the council who had gone to Boy Scout Leader WB or Cub Trainer WB and staffed a 21st Century course before 2007, one third didn't get it. The last three courses the council has put on have been better because the staff "got it" and there was no references to the old course. I wish I would have set aside my beads and taken the new course. I think I did a great job as a staffer, but it took two courses for me to understand everything the course has to offer. David Harrison

I received an e-mail from Brad Farmer, the Central Region Director indicating that there are changes coming as of October 1. Bob Mazzuca will take a be leading the national dialogue about the BSA. Assistant Chief Scout Exec. Wayne Brock will take over the day to day operations. Brad Farmer will become ACSE for Development and Alf Tuggle will become ACSE for Resources and Strategy. All the Region offices will close as of 12/31/09 and be relocated to Irving. The Regional Directors will be relocated to Irving by November 1, David Harrison

If you look on scoutstuff.org you will see national sells centennial loop and also green, blaze and orange. Orange for Varisty Scouting, blue for Cub Scouting, and green for Venturing. The centennial loops are a different item. David Harrison

I just received a memo from national that as of January 1, 2010 the registration fee will be $15.00 instead of $10.00. The last fee increase was in 2003 when it went from $7.00 to the current $10.00. David Harrison

We went to Laurl Caverns with the Jamboree Troops after the 2005 Jamboree. I would recommend two adults with each group. One in the front and one in the rear to keep the scouts moving. The one in the front can keep the scouts from getting in trouble. The guides are there to do just that! Guide you! Just my two cents. David Harrison (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

What would make me increase my FOS donation? Being asked. I had lunch with our new Scout Executive and during our conversation, he asked me about my donation. I said I would give the same as last year and he asked if I could raise it by half. I did, and since he has been here, he has engaged volunteers 150%. David Harrison