FW: Need Your Assistance via Tommy Scott

Sent by David Hyler from my Nokia phone
-----Original Message-----
From: William Oswald
Sent: 12/08/2011 9:47:52 AM
Subject: Fw: Need Your Assistance via Tommy Scott

David,

Please post to our list ASAP. 10 Dec. Noon. Need help laying wreaths at Lee St. Cemetery, Danville from Boy Scout and Cub Scout units. E-mail or call me if they can participate. Danriverde@BSA-brmc.org<mailto:Danriverde@BSA-brmc.org>. or 434-429-643<tel:434429643>)

Sent via DroidX2 on Verizon Wireless™

-----Original message-----
From: Tony Turner <tony@virginiapatriotguard.org>
To: William Oswald <woswald@bsamail.org>
Sent: Thu, Dec 8, 2011 02:46:01 GMT+00:00
Subject: Need Your Assistance via Tommy Scott

Bill,
Tommy Scott gave me your e-mail address. I have been trying to get in touch with several Boy Scout Troops here in Danville, but have failed miserably. Last year we had a troop participate in our Wreath Laying Ceremony at Danville National Cemetery on Lee St. The coordinator of last year's ceremony did not pass his contact information when he decided not to lead this years ceremony. I just came on board about a week ago so I am scrambling to find participants. So far I have several organizations attending. The American Legion and the Civil Air Patrol are, but two.

I was hoping to get more Boy Scout troops involved. It is a brief ceremony honoring our fallen veterans.

We will present seven wreaths representing the
United States Army
United States Navy
United States Marine Corps
United States Air Force
United States Coast Guard
United States Merchant Marines
and
in honor of the 93,129 United States Servicemen
from all branches of the service who last know status was either Prisoners of War or Missing in Action. POW/MIA

We will also lay as many wreaths as we have on the graves of the fallen. It would be an honor to have some Boy Scouts laying some of these wreaths.

Below you will find information concerning the Wreath Laying Remembrance Ceremony that will take place this Saturday December 10, 2011 at Danville National Cemetery. This is the 5th year for our local ceremony. We join with tens of thousands around the country in more than 500 cemeteries in remembering those that have served and passed, those that served and remain and those that currently serve.

We would be honored for you to attend this brief ceremony (approximately 30 minutes). I would appreciate any assistance you can offer with getting area Boy Scouts to participate. I know it's short notice, but I only came on board last week. Anything you can do is appreciated.

Wreaths Across America You Tube Video: http://youtu.be/FNSKh9-yIyM
Wreaths Across America Website: www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org<http://www.WreathsAcrossAmerica.org>

Respectfully

Tony Turner
Patriot Guard Riders
Virginia Patriot Guard
Assistant State Captain
State Captain Emeritus
434-728-1968

To be killed in war is not the worst that can happen. To be lost is not the worst that can happen... to be forgotten is the worst." -Pierre Claeyssens (1909-2003).

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Wreaths Across AmericaTM Day To Honor Veterans At Danville National Cemetery And Over 600+ Participating Locations Nationwide.

For Immediate Release
Danville, Virginia - Danville National Cemetery - 721 Lee St Danville, Va - On Saturday December, 10th, 2011 at 12:00 Noon - members of the Danville community will gather together to honor veterans during the holiday season as part of the annual Wreaths Across America Day.

The Patriot Guard Riders has volunteered to conduct the WAA ceremony this year at the Danville National Cemetery on Saturday December 10, 2011 starting at (12:00 Noon EST. Seven ceremonial wreaths will be placed to remember all soldiers, sailors, airmen, and marines who served, honor their sacrifices, and teach our younger generations about the high cost of our freedoms.

Specially designated wreaths for the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force, Coast Guard, Merchant Marine, and POW/MIA will be placed on memorials during a ceremony that will be coordinated simultaneously at over 600 participating locations all across the Country.

December 10th will mark the 20th anniversary of Maine wreaths being donated and placed on headstones at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. 2011 is also the sixth year of the national wreath sponsorship campaign under the guidance of the non-profit WreathsAcrossAmerica.org tha

Popcorn in warehouse and lonely

Thanks to all parade participants

Thank you to all the scouts and parents who made the effort to come out for the Veterans Day Parade. We had 30+ boys from T372, T376, T300, P374, P353, P386, P372 and P377. You made us all proud to be scouts.

Roundtable Commissioner

Roundtable Notes for November 2011

Attendance

Packs

•  174 Anderson Memorial UMC 
•  353 Sacred Heart School 
•  359 Fairview UMC 
•  376 Trinity United Methodist Church 
•  377 Whitmell UMC 
•  386 New Testament Baptist 

Troops

• 175 American Legion Post 
•  359 Fairview United Methodist Church 
•  376 Trinity United Methodist Church 
•  377 Whitmell United Methodist Church  

Crew

• 361 Bailey Place

Calendar

November

• 3rd Popcorn Turn In
• 4th Popcorn Sale Ends
• 5th Popcorn Orders must be in by 5pm
• 6th Veterans Day Parade, Line up at 1:30 on Rison Street, Look for me or other Scout Leaders in uniform, we will march as one unit, parade starts at 2:30
• 9th OA Chapter Meeting
• 17th District Committee Meeting
• 18th Pick up ordered popcorn at Dan Valley. Come early to help us sort and you can take your popcorn with you that morning. Others can pick up between 1pm and 5pm

December

• 1st Last Day to turn in popcorn money
• 1st Roundtable Boy Scout breakout will be on CPR and Cub Scout is tentative on songs and skits.
• 1st FOS Starts
• 14th OA Chapter Meeting
• 15th District Committee Meeting

Commissioners Story or Activity

Hiker, Biker, Horse

A simple game to reinforce the concept of trail etiquette. Play this game after having presented the concept of giving up the trail when groups meet, including groups of hikers, horses, and bicyclists.
Goal
Participants will know who should give way on the trail when hikers, bikers, and horses meet.
Time
7 minutes - 2 minutes to introduce game, 2 minutes to play and completely memorize which choice wins, 3 minutes to discuss.
Objectives
Participants will be able to:

• Understand that horses always have the right-of-way on trails.
• Understand that bicyclists never have the right-of-way on trails.
• Understand that hikers may have the right-of-way, but a smart, safe, and considerate hiker is always willing to step aside.

Materials
Required items for the activity

• none

Motivator When hiking, you will cross paths with others on the trail. You'll be much more confident and leave a better impact by knowing proper etiquette.
Presentation
This game is a play on the well-known children's game of Rock, Paper, Scissors.
Opponents face each other with their left hand open with the palm up. The right fist is dropped into the left hand as a fist twice and then on the third hit is changed to a meaningful shape:

• Horse - 4 fingers out to symbolize the 4 feet
• Hiker - 2 fingers out to symbolize the 2 feet
• Biker - 0 fingers out to symbolize no feet on the ground

If working with younger children, they could do other actions rather than just fingers:

• Horse - hands up to head to make ears
• Hiker - wave one hand to say HI
• Biker - both hands out in front holding onto handlebars

Reflection
It should only take a couple rounds to quickly see that a Horse always wins and a Biker never wins.

• If two hikers meet 8 bicyclists, does it still make sense for the bikes to give way? (may be simple and do less damage for the 2 people to step aside)
• What if two groups of hikers meet? (group heading uphill has right of way. If one group is much larger, then it might be better for the smaller group to give way.)
• If I see a bike barreling down the trail at me as I'm walking up a steep grade, I'm not going to debate the concept of trail etiquette - I'm going to quickly step aside. Use sense to stay safe - don't expect that everyone is considerate of others.

Commissioners Guest

Rob Gunnell - Leave No Trace

• LNT Website
• LNT Award Application
• LNT Board Game for Scouts
• LNT Training Booklet
• Video: Pack your Poo
• Video: Leave No Trace

Commissioners Recipe

Corn in a Cooler

1. shucked corn
2. cooler
3. boiling water
4. lay corn in cooler
5. pour boiling water over corn
6. close lid and wait at least 30 minutes (can leave longer)
7. carefully remove corn from cooler
8. eat corn

Commissioners Minute

Leave No Trace Scoutmaster Minute

A good way to protect the backcountry is to remember that while you are there, you are a visitor. When you visit a friend you are always careful to leave that person's home just as you found it. You would never think of dropping litter on the carpet, chopping down trees in the yard, putting soap in the drinking water, or marking your name on the living room wall. When you visit the backcountry, the same courtesies apply. Leave everything just as you found it.
Hiking and camping without a trace are signs of an expert outdoorsman, and of a Scout or Scouter who cares for the environment. Travel lightly on the land.
"Leave No Trace" is a nationally recognized outdoor skills and ethics education program. The Boy Scouts of America is committed to this program. The principles of Leave No Trace are not rules; they are guidelines to follow at all times.
The Leave No Trace principles might not seem important at first glance, but their value is apparent when considering the combined effects of millions of outdoor visitors. One poorly located campsite or campfire is of little significance, but thousands of such instances seriously degrade the outdoor experience for all. Leaving no trace is everyone's responsibility.

2011 Fall Camporee

Ruth Yeaman (Troop 378) was tapped out and converted to OA Brotherhood this past weekend.

Message from District Executive

Congratulations on a successful phase 1 for the fall recruiting season (School Open Houses / Join Scout Nights).  Like any good campaign plan, there are several phases.  We registered nearly 100 new scouts since 1 August.  We have one new Cub Scout Pack and hope to have a second soon.  The second phase of our fall membership campaign consists of getting out to you associated schools during their September and/or October PTA/PTO meetings and setting up an information table.  If you receive approval from the PTA president, you may also be granted 2-3 minutes to present why parents should consider joining scouts and letting attendees know you are available at a table to provide information to them about scouts and your unit. 

 

Please contact your school this week and find out when their PTA/PTO meeting is taking place.  Let me know when you have contacted the PTA and received approval and type of approval (table only, presentation, etc.). 

 

Per all the School Superintendents in our district (yes, even Danville City), we are allowed to set up information tables and speak to parents at the meeting.   

 

We also need to be scheduling Troop Open Houses.  To date, I have only received one date for a Troop Open House (Troop 377).  Please schedule these ASAP. 

Part of Troop Open Houses is to spread the word about the Open House.  Go to your Middle School PTA meeting and hand out invitations to the open house.

Direct each of your youth members to bring 3-5 friends with their parents to the Troop Open House (at least 1 will join). 

Make sure your Troop Open house announcement is in the community events location of the local newspaper (usually free).

Other ideas – better yet, take out an ad in the paper or school newspaper.  Put it in your church bulletins (usually free).  Call the local radio station and have them make a community announcement (usually free)

 

Let me know when and where you are holding your troop open houses. 

 

Bill Oswald 

District Executive

Dan River Disrict

BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA
Blue Ridge Mountains Council

2131 Valley View Blvd., NW
Roanoke, VA 24012
(540) 265-0656
 Fax (540) 265-0659

Cell:  434-429-6430

 

September 1, 2011, Boy Scout, Roundtable

CALENDAR

SEPTEMBER

● 7th: Show-N-Sell Orders Due

● 9th: OA Fall Ordeal

● 11th: Scout Surge

● 14th: OA Chapter Meeting

● 15th: District Committee Meeting

● 16th: Wilderness First Aid Course

● 23rd: Popcorn Sale begins

● 23rd: Units pickup popcorn at Dan Valley

OCTOBER

● 1st: Spookoree - Brett Jackson or Bill Oswald

● 6th: Roundtable -

● 7th: OA Fall Fellowship

● 12th: OA Chapter Meeting

● 14th: Cub Scout Troutoree

● 14th: Fall Boy Scout Camporee

● 20th: District Committee Meeting

● 21st: Boy Scout Troutoree

● 23rd: Red Ribbon Week

● 29th: Super Saturday Training Blitz

COMMISSIONER FUN

THUMB BALL

● Take a round ball and write questions on it with a Sharpie marker

● Pass ball to one another and when you get the ball you have to answer question closest to your right thumb

COMMISSIONERS SKIT

DOCTOR!

Patient: I can’t figure out why my nose runs and my feet smell.

My last doctor said I’m paranoid. Well, he didn’t actually say it, but I could tell he was thinking

it.

So, I’m going to see a new doctor.

(walks up to Nurse)

Patient: Nurse, I keep seeing spots in front of my eyes.

Nurse: Have you seen a doctor?

Patient: No, just spots.

Patient: I brought my son in two hours ago because he swallowed a silver dollar. What’s his

status?

Nurse: No change yet.

Patient: Well, let me see the doctor.

(walks over to Doctor)

Patient: Doctor! I feel like a set of curtains.

Doctor: Pull yourself together, man!

Patient: Doctor! I've got insomnia.

Doctor: Don't lose any sleep over it!

Patient: Doctor! I have weird dreams that I’m invisible.

Doctor: I can’t see you now. Please come back tomorrow.

Patient: Doctor! I feel like killing myself and I need your help. What should I do?

Doctor: Pay in advance.

Patient: Doctor! I think I’m shrinking!

Doctor: You’ll just have to be a little patient.

Patient: Doctor! Everyone keeps ignoring me.

Doctor: Next!

Patient: Doctor! My back feels like a deck of cards!

Doctor: I'll deal with you later.

Patient: Doctor! I feel awful again. What's wrong with me?

Doctor: Oh, you've had this before?

Patient: Yes.

Doctor: Well, you've got it again!

Patient: My friend's doctor told him he had appendicitis. Two weeks later, my friend died of

heart failure.

Doctor: Don't worry. If I tell you you've got appendicitis, you'll die from appendicitis!

Patient: Doctor! I need this rusty nail removed from my foot. How long will it take and how

much will it cost?

Doctor: $300 and about 5 minutes.

Patient: $300!?! For five minutes work?

Doctor: Well, I can do it slower if you’d like.

Patient: Doctor! What’s wrong? You look puzzled.

Doctor: I can’t figure what’s wrong with you but I think it’s the result of heavy drinking.

Patient: OK, I’ll just come back when you’re sober.

COMMISSIONERS RECIPE

CORN DOGS

Required:

a tall glass, ziploc bag, skillet, pot to boil hot dogs in

Ingredients:

4 cups vegetable oil

1 pkg. hot dogs (8 or so)

1/2 C flour

1/2 C yellow cornmeal

1 tsp baking powder

1/2 tsp salt

1/2 tsp sugar

1 Tbsp shortening

1/3 C milk

1 egg

8 wooden skewers

Instructions:

Combine flour, cornmeal, baking powder, salt, and sugar into a zip-loc bag at home.

Put hotdogs in a pot and cover with water. Bring to a boil, remove from heat, and let sit with the lid on.

Fill a skillet or dutch oven with oil so it is 2 inches deep. (To use less oil, put an empty vegetable can in the

skillet with a rock in it to take up space)

Heat the skillet to about 375 degrees.

Add shortening to dry ingredients and cut up with a fork so there are only tiny bits of shortening.

Combine milk and egg in a cup or zip-loc bag.

Pour milk/egg into cornmeal mixture and mix thoroughly.

Pour cornmeal batter into a tall glass.

September 1, 2011 Page

Remove a hotdog from hot water and dry with a paper towel.

Insert a skewer into the end of the hotdog, leaving and inch as a handle.

Dip hotdog into batter in the tall glass.

Place hotdog into oil and fry until golden brown, about 2 minutes.

Serves 4 to 6

COMMISSIONERS MINUTE

A FAVORABLE YOUNG MAN

There used to be a young man that was a miracle baby for his parents and they were so appreciative they

dedicated their baby to a life of service. It is said that this young man ministered on his job, what does this

mean? (wait for answers) It means he was a help to those who needed it, he cared for those who were needy

and talked with those who were lonely. It is said that he grew in favor with his master and those around him.

What does that mean? (wait for answer) He was known for being a helpful and honest young man that people

could depend on every day. He was also known for how he spoke to others because he was careful about what

he said. If this young man spoke it was with thoughtful consideration and spoke the truth even if it was

unpleasant. He also had a relationship with God to the point that God would tell him things to tell others

around him. Do you know this young man’s name? (wait for answer) His name was Samuel and even as a

young man he lived a life that was noticed by others and young men today can do the same, we just need to

give them an opportunity to do so.

Scout Surge 9.11

 

Scouts are encouraged to serve in their communities September 1-10, 2011 using the suggested service projects and posting them to web and social media channels. In addition, these activities should be recorded in the Journey to Excellence service program. On September 11, Scouts are encouraged to gather as groups and invite non-Scout friends to watch the movie, New York Says Thank You, which tells the story of the first responders to the New York City terrorist attacks and which features Scouts from the Little Sioux tornado tragedy.

 

Things to do:

• Select, plan, and schedule your service project between Sept. 1 and Sept. 10
• Use Twitterm texting, email, and Facebook to spread the word.
• Post your service project ideas and event pictures on www.scoutsurge911.org
   
  , your council's Facebook page, or other social media.
• Use the ScoutSurge graphics available on www.scoutsurge911.org
   
  .
• Gather as a group on September 11 (invite non-Scout friends) to watch the movie New York Says Thank You, which tells the story of the first responders to the New York City terrorist attachs and which features Scouts from the Little Sioux tornado tragedy.
• Purchase and wear the ScoutSurge 911 patch.

Ideas for the event:

•  Hold a ceremony to properly retire an American flag.
• Visit a local fire, police, or EMT facility and present them with a Flag of Honor or another appropriate expression of thanks.
• Conduct a service project in honor or memory of the 9/11/01 first responders.

Get Smart About Drugs

Red Ribbon Week Patch Initiative

Mission

The mission of the Red Ribbon Week Patch is designed to provide Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts the ability to earn a patch from the Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) by for performing anti-drug activities in commemoration of Red Ribbon Week. Furthermore, this initiative seeks to empower young people to create, embrace, and strengthen their drug free beliefs. DEA aims to award a Red Ribbon Week Patch and Certificate of Participation to the first 20,000 qualifying Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts.

Coordination

The Red Ribbon Week Patch is an unfunded initiative. The coordination of this initiative is led by DEA. The agency has dedicated in-kind resources to include staff, website development, website hosting, meeting coordination, graphic design, and other resources.

Only the first qualifying 20,000 Boy Scouts and Girls Scouts will be awarded a patch.

Guiding Principles

• The Red Ribbon Week Patch Initiative promotes the delivery of drug free messages by Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts within local communities.
• The Red Ribbon Week Patch Initiative incorporates input and direct participation from drug prevention experts, as speakers and presenters in local Red Ribbon Week campaigns.
• The Red Ribbon Week Patch Initiative inspires grassroots community outreach strategies to reduce the use and abuse of non-prescribed and illicit drugs among youth.
• The Red Ribbon Week Patch Initiative keeps the dangers of use and abuse of non-prescribed and illicit drugs prominent in the public.

Patch Requirements

All Boy Scouts and Girl Scouts are eligible to participate in the program. In order to receive the Red Ribbon Week Patch, the followingMUST be completed:

• Each Scout leader must submit the Intent to Participate form by Friday, October 7, 2011.
• Each Scouting unit or troop must sponsor a Red Ribbon Week activity.
• Each Scout must attend an anti-drug educational session.
• Each Scout must take a drug-free pledge.
• The Scout leader must submit the Activity Report upon completion of all program requirements no later than Friday, November 18, 2011.

Note: The Red Ribbon Week patches are limited and are disseminated on a first-served basis. No exceptions will be made.

Reporting

Upon completion of the patch requirements, the Scout Leader or contact person must complete the Activity Report form. In addition, we encourage you to submit photos, newspaper articles, handouts, and posters, describing your Red Ribbon Week activities for use in future program promotional venues. Please note attachments will not be returned.

All submissions of photos must include a copy of a signed Media Waiver Agreement

Once the Media Waiver Agreement is completed it can be scanned and emailed to Demand.Reduction@usdoj.gov or it may be faxed to 202-307-4559

Certificate of Participation

The Scout leader may download and sign the Certificate of Participation upon completion of all program requirements. The online certificate has been formatted to enable the typing of each Boy Scout and Girl Scout's individual name before printing.

Downloads

• Implementation Guide
• Certificate of Participation
• Drug Free Pledge
• Sample Patch
• Red Ribbon Week Flier

For more questions or more information on the initiative call DEA at 202-307-7936 or email Demand.Reduction@usdoj.gov.

For more information and employment opportunities with DEA please go to www.dea.gov.

Kroger 200 for Scouts

Boy Scouts in Uniform get in free

Adults $20

Pre-order tickets by Sept. 27

Use form Here to pre-order tickets.

Spookoree 2011

Fall Spookoree 2011, Pittsylvania County Fairgrounds, October 1-2

Cost: $15 person (3 years and up)

Bring: Tent, sleeping bag, flashlight, water, toiletries, rain gear, change of clothes, bag lunch for Sat., Health form for all participants, 

Complete Registration Form and send it along with $15 to 

Spookoree 2011

Blue Ridge Mountains Council

P.O. Box 7606

Roanoke, VA 24019-0606

Reminder

Dear Dan River Scouters,

This is just a friendly reminder that there will be a meeting this Tuesday night at 7pm, St. Lukes Church. The meeting is to help your units with recruitment this fall at your schools. Audra Keen has put a lot of work into producing materials to help you organize, implement and follow up on a unit recruitment and open house. With out new members our units will dry up, so please plan on sending at least one member from your unit to this meeting.

FW: Summer Camp Staff Positions OPEN NOW- Call Today!

NEWS FLASH

Summer Camp Staff Positions are OPEN!

Do you know a Scout who is 16 or older and is looking for a great life-changing
experience over the summer? We are still looking for camp staff members to be a
part of the Blue Ridge Scout Reservation family. Positions are open in various areas.
Positions are open to start TODAY! For more information, please contact Tommy Pendleton
at Camp Powhatan at 540-980-3787

Day 3 of Wood Badge

Day 2 of Wood Badge

Day 1 of Wood Badge

Help Your Scouting Brothers

If you are interested in helping the two troops who lost the majority of their gear in the Gretna Fire, contact me via email and I can give you an account number at American National Bank where you can make a donation. Thanks.

The Present

Imagine there is a bank that credits your account each morning with $86,400. It carries over no balance from day to day. Every evening deletes whatever part of the balance you failed to use during the day. What would you do? Draw out every cent, of course!!!!
Each of us has such a bank. Its name is TIME. Every morning, it credits you with 86,400 seconds. Every night it writes off, as lost, whatever of this you have failed to invest to good purpose. It carries over no balance. It allows no overdraft. Each day it opens a new account for you. Each night it burns the remains of the day. If you fail to use the day's deposits, the loss is yours. There is no going back. There is no drawing against the "tomorrow".
You must live in the present on today's deposits. Invest it so as to get from it the utmost in health, happiness, and success! The clock is running. Make the most of today.

To realize the value of ONE YEAR, ask a student who failed a grade.
To realize the value of ONE MONTH, ask a mother who gave birth to a premature baby.
To realize the value of ONE WEEK, ask the editor of a weekly newspaper.
To realize the value of ONE HOUR, ask the lovers who are waiting to meet.
To realize the value of ONE MINUTE, ask a person who missed the train.
To realize the value of ONE SECOND, ask a person who just avoided an accident.
To realize the value of ONE MILLISECOND, ask the person who won a silver medal in the Olympics.

Treasure every moment that you have! And treasure it more because you shared it with someone special, special enough to spend your time.
And remember that time waits for no one. Yesterday is history Tomorrow is mystery Today is a gift That's why it's called the present!!
And that my friends is why I finish each blog post and each podcast with...
HAVE A GREAT SCOUTING DAY!

How to Prevent Tent Condensation in Winter

Tent condensation manifests itself either as frost on the inside surface of your tent or moisture droplets that are transferred from the inner tent to your clothing and gear. It is undesirable, particularly in winter, because it can make your gear wet and degrade its insulating properties

Here are a few camping tips to limit the amount of condensation buildup in a single or double-walled tent.

Vent Your Tent

The best way to prevent moisture from building up you tent is to help it escape by venting your tent. If your tent has a front door and an inner bug screen, you can unzip the outer door fully and still prevent snow from coming inside by keeping the screen closed.

Alternatively, if you side porches, like on the Tarptent Scarp 1 shown above, it's best to open both of them up wide to prevent frost build-up inside. In my experience, venting though a smaller hole is far less effective at reducing condensation or frost build-up.

Don't Cook in your Tent

If you can avoid it, don't cook or melt water in your tent. This only turns it into a Turkish Steam bath. If the weather is just too crappy to avoid this, try digging a hole under your tent's front porch, if you have one, and cook inside it with the door to the tent closed behind you.

Don't bring snow into your tent

If you bring snow into the tent, you are significantly upping the chance that it will melt and increase the internal humidity in your tent. Brush all snow off your boots, back, ropes, and gloves before you get in the tent. If you have a porch outside the main door, leave all gear that doesn't need to be dried there. If you bring snow into your tent despite these precautions, carefully sweep it out.

Don't exhale into your sleeping bag

It's tempting to put your head inside your sleeping bags on those long winter nights. Don't do it. Keep your face clear of the bag and avoid exhaling moisture into your insulation. You can exhale a liter's worth of water at night: not only will it degrade your insulation, but you'll have to carry it all the next day as extra backpacking weight if it remains trapped in your bag.

Dry out your sleeping bag in the morning sun

If it's sunny in the morning, open up your sleeping bag and dry it out in the sunlight on top of your tent. Many down sleeping bags have darkly colored interiors for just this purpose, to absorb as much of the sun's radiation as possible and accelerate drying. Bringing a wet or damp sleeping bag back into your tent on a subsequent night is not desirable because it will create condensation and retain less of your body's warmth. .

Put Wet Gear into a Stuff Sack

Don't try to dry large items such as pants or a sweater in your sleeping bag at night. Instead, put them into a stuff sack, close it, and stuff it in your sleeping bag to keep the contents from freezing. If necessary, you can dry these garments using your body heat by wearing them the next day.

Those are some basic tips to stay dry in a winter tent. If you can recommend any others, please leave a comment.

February Roundtable

  February 3, 2011

 

Commissioners Announcements (10 minutes)

Dates:

• 2/9 - OA Chapter Meeting
  
• 2/9 - Nominating Committee Meeting (Bill)
  
• 2/17 - District Committee Meeting
  
• 2/18-20 - Winter Camporee
  
• 2/24 - Leader Specific Training
  
• 3/5 - University of Scouting
  
• 3/3 - Roundtable
  
• 3/9 - OA Chapter Meeting
  
• 3/17 - District Committee Meeting
  
• 3/18-20 - Outdoor Leader Training
  
• 3/26 - District Pinewood Derby Race
  
• Announcements from District Executive
  
• Announcements from District Commissioner
  

 

 

Commissioners Story or Activity (1 minute)

Letter from Scout Camp

 

Dear Mom & Dad,

 

We are having a great time here at Camp CatchaCough. Our Scoutmaster is making us all write to our parents in case you saw the flood on TV and worried. We are OK. Only 1 of our tents and 2 sleeping bags got washed away.

 

Luckily, none of us got drowned because we were all up on the mountain looking for Charlie when it happened. Oh yes, please call Charlie's mother and tell her he is OK. He can't write because of the cast. I got to ride in one of the search & rescue jeeps. It was neat. We never would have found him in the dark if it hadn't been for the lightning.

 

Scoutmaster got mad at Charlie for going on a hike alone without telling anyone. Charlie said he did tell him, but it was during the fire so he probably didn't hear him. Did you know that if you put gas on a fire, the gas could blow up? The wet wood still didn't burn, but one of our tents did. Also, some of our clothes. John is going to look weird until his hair grows back.

 

We will be home on Saturday if Scoutmaster gets the car fixed. It wasn't his fault about the wreck. The brakes worked OK when we left. Scoutmaster said that a car that old you have to expect something to break down; that's probably why he can't get insurance on it. We think it's a neat car. He doesn't care if we get it dirty, and if it's hot, sometimes he lets us ride on the tailgate. It gets pretty hot with 10 people in a car. He let us take turns riding in the trailer until the highway patrolman stopped and talked to us.

 

Our Scoutmaster is a neat guy. Don't worry, he is a good driver. In fact, he is teaching Travis how to drive. But he only lets him drive on the mountain roads where there isn't any traffic. All we ever see up there are logging trucks.

 

This morning all of the guys were diving off the rocks and swimming out in the lake. Scoutmaster wouldn't let me because I can't swim and Charlie was afraid he would sink because of his cast, so he let us take the canoe across the lake. It was great. You can still see some of the trees under the water from the flood. Scoutmaster isn't crabby like some scoutmasters. He didn't even get mad about the life jackets.

 

He has to spend a lot of time working on the car so we are trying not to cause him any trouble. Guess what? We have all passed our first aid merit badges. When David dove in the lake and cut his arm, we got to see how a tourniquet works. Also Raymond and I threw up. Scoutmaster said it probably was just food poisoning from the leftover chicken.

 

I have to go now. We are going into town to mail our letters and buy bullets. Don't worry about anything. We are fine.

 

Love,

Your son

 

P.S. How long has it been since I had a tetanus shot?

 

Commissioners Presentation
(15 minutes)

• Recognition Awards PPT.
  

Scout Games (10 minutes maybe)

Learn the names

 
 

• Stand in a circle
  
• Holding a ball of yarn, call out your name.
  
• Throw the yard to someone across from you
  
• That person must call out your name and then theirs.
  
• Next person must call out the names in order until the yarn has made it around the room
  

Commissioners Recipe (Pass out while PP is shown)

Chicken Quesadillas

 

• Ingredients
  
  • stove, dutch oven, can opener, fork, small pot, aluminum foil
    
  • 2 10oz cans white chicken meat, 2 Tbsp chili powder, 2 tsp minced garlic, 12 large soft flour tortillas, 8 oz shredded Mexican-blend cheese, salsa
    
• Directions
  
  • Heat dutch oven to 450.
    Pour chicken, undrained, into small pot on stove.
    Add chili powder and garlic.
    Shred chicken with a fork and mix well.
    Stir chicken while it heats for about 5 minutes.
    
    To make quesadilla:
    Place tortilla on square of aluminum foil.
    Spread 1/6 of chicken over tortilla.
    Sprinkle cheese over chicken.
    Top with second tortilla.
    Place in dutch oven.
    You can place a second quesadilla on top of the first.
    
    Bake for 8 to 10 minutes, then lift by corners of foil.
    Cut into 1/4s or 1/6s and add salsa if desired.
    
    Serves about 6 people
    

 

 

 

 

Commissioners Minute (20 minutes)

 

Big L and Little L

 

Which position leads in this district?
Anyone else?
OK, those are the Leaders of the district, the guys that run the show, the guys with the cool patches, the guys in control.

This is an 'l' (hold left index finger up vertically)
This is an 'L' (stick left thumb out horizontally)
Do you see the difference?
This 'l' is a Little L.
This 'L' is a Big L.
(from now on, make the Big or Little L sign as appropriate)

This is a key difference, especially when we're talking about 'l'eaders. The ones you mentioned are 'L'eaders - guys in a position of 'l'eadership. You think of them as 'l'eaders because of their position.

But, a 'l'eader is someone that leads because some 'l'eadership is needed, not because he is in a position. A 'l'eader is proactive - he sees a need and takes care of it. A 'l'eader steps up and makes decisions.

All of you can and should be 'l'eaders, whether or not you're a 'L'eader.

So, basically:

• 'L'eaders don't always 'l'ead.
  
• 'l'eaders aren't always 'L'eaders.
  
• the 'l'eadership of this district is not limited to the 'L'eadership