Hello!

I am an ASM with T889 in South Naperville.

My son just crossed over from Cub Scouts, went the whole program from Tiger to AOL.

My daughter just became a Junior in Girl Scouts. Although I hope she gets into venturing with the BSA when she is eligible.

I just got paddle craft certified with the BSA in June! I am so excited! I will be exploring the Merit Badge Counselor for Canoeing next.

Let us know who you are and your scouts!

YIS,

Steve

Long timer Scouter here in East-Central Iowa (near Cedar Rapids). Have been Committee Chair and currently ASM with Troop plus several district position over the years. Troop does high adventure to BWCAW about every other year.

YIS
Jay

Started in second grade, national jamboree in 1969, active into college. Life. Reconnected when first son joined in second grade. Both sons are Eagle Scouts and in their 20s. Have stayed active as adult leader - committee person - to present. Catch as many campus and service projects as possible. Intro to canoeing was with my son and high adventure in 2003.

Just read welcome and will note my Aunt was a GSA council exec in Scranton PA for 35 years. My dad earned Star around 1924. Still have his first edition handbook and of course his badges.

quote billconner: "Started in second grade, national jamboree in 1969, active into college. Life. Reconnected when first son joined in second grade. Both sons are Eagle Scouts and in their 20s. Have stayed active as adult leader - committee person - to present. Catch as many campus and service projects as possible. Intro to canoeing was with my son and high adventure in 2003.

Just read welcome and will note my Aunt was a GSA council exec in Scranton PA for 35 years. My dad earned Star around 1924. Still have his first edition handbook and of course his badges.

"

''

Wow, now that's a lot of scouting!

Well, I started in Cub Scouts in 1965, Boy Scouts in 1969. Got my Eagle in 1972. Started again as an Adult leader in 1989 when my son got into Tiger Cubs. I have been a Den Leader, Webelos Den Leader, Asst. Cubmaster and Cubmaster, Asst. Scoutmaster and Scoutmaster. Served as volunteer and paid Asst. ranger at our local Boy Scout camp for 15 years putting in approximately 500 hrs per year. Also served on the Properties committee for 10 years.

I completed cub scouts and earned my arrow of light when I was in grade school. Our town did not have a Boy Scout troop to advance to so that was the end of that road.

Now I am an assistant den leader for my older son's wolf den and will be helping as much as I can with my younger son's lion den this fall.

22+ years sonce I volunteered as assistant cubmaster. Have a 3 yr old son, so looking at another 15 years (at least) to go.

Currently the 2nd worst Charter rep ever. I make about 3 meetings a year with work. But... At least I do that much. I offered to vacate the post, and the committee declined.

My son is part of a very active and high spirited den of 14 second year Webelos in a pack of 57 scouts here in Minnesota. My son, and 8 of the other scouts in his den, started as Lions the year after the BSA introduced the pilot program to the Northern Star Council. The boys have been very active in scouting since kindergarten or first grade, attending and participating in many camps and service projects over the last 5 years including a two crew expedition last January to Northern Tier for their Webelos Only Weekend at Okpik.

I currently serve the Pack as a fully trained Committee member, Baloo, Outdoor Activities Coordinator, Quartermaster, Advancement Chair and Webelos Den Leader. I will begin my Wood Badge training in September.

All 14 boys have nearly completed their AOL requirements with 12 earning the second of the two Supernova STEM awards available to Cubs. Those twelve have committed to cross to troops of their choice in December. The other two are as yet undecided where they will go if they choose to cross over.

I will be following my son to his chosen troop and will undoubtedly be deeply involved with the program. To what capacity I'll volunteer is still an unknown.

My son is very into scouts and scouting and is already collecting ideas and planning more than one high adventure expedition. He has also begun mapping his advancement to Eagle Scout.

Jim

Hi guys! Great idea for a group. Glad to join and share Scouting experiences, stories and advice.

Long time Scouter... earned my Eagle in 1976 in a Troop located in a town of about 200 people. Worked one summer at Camp Decorah in the Gateway Area Council based in La Crosse, WI.

I was out of Scouting until my son, Kyle, joined as a Tiger Cub. Two years later, I was Cubmaster of a Pack that would grow to 90 boys.

Moved on to our Boy Scout Troop a year after my son and became a committee member and, shortly thereafter, the high adventure advisor. Helped our Troop take it's first three high adventure trips ever - backpacking on Isle Royale National Park, canoeing through the Northern Tier base in Ely, and backpacking Philmont - all with my son and a group of great young men.

Became the volunteer high adventure coordinator for the Bay-Lakes Council in Appleton, WI helping train and organize our council's crews headed to Philmont and Northern Tier. After six years of doing that, I handed over the reins and retired from Scouting. I'd done my share.

Boy Scouts is a great organization, one that I'm very proud to represent to this day, even though I'm not registered anymore.

Hi Everyone!

I am a long time Scouter with a troop in the Milwaukee area. I've been a Committee Chair, Scoutmaster, ASM and OA Chapter Adviser. My son is an Eagle and former OA Lodge Chief. I've helped my troop expand their high adventure program and have lead groups on trips through the BWCA, Backpacking in the Porkies and more.

My favorite part of the BWCA is the Sawbill area where I have recently done the Lady Chain/Louse river loop, the Frost River Loop and explored the fire chain. I'm planning my first Quetico trip for September with a buddy from work, Nym/Batch to base camp on Sturgeon.

Looking forward to being part of this group.

Just returned to scouting after a couple of decades! I was super involved as a youth, arrow of light, eagle scout, vigil honor member. Summer Camp staff in Michigan before spending 7 summers at Sommer's Canoe Base. Was a DE right after college for about 3 years. Left scouting, chased other dreams, and have now returned to scouting as a District Executive once again.

Hello!

I have two sons that are scouts - one just aged out as an Eagle, and one is currently a Life scout in a NE Metro area troop. I've had many positions as they've grown through the pack and troop ranks - Wolf/Bear/Webelos Den Leader, committee member, webmaster, treasurer, advancement chair, training chair, service chair, Eagle coach, and district advancement committee member. Currently trying to get the troop's high adventure program back on track after being dormant for awhile. We've made treks to Okpik over the years, but haven't been on a BWCA canoe trek in 10+ years. We've got a young troop (75% are 15 yo or under), so trying to plant the seeds for a trip in a year or two. I'm still fairly new to the BWCA, as my first trip was only 5 years ago, but we have a number of adult leaders that have been to the BWCA many times.

ECpizza - at least you show up to the meetings once in awhile. In the eleven years I've been with our pack & troop, we've seen our Chartered Org reps only 3-4 times...seems pretty common practice around here though.

YIS,
Denise

Scout for a few years in late 1970s. Made First Class so I could go to Northern Lights - Council camp similar to Northern Tier but north of Toronto.

Started back with Cub Scouts when my son joined Tigers. When Cubmaster was going to cross over with his son, I made the mistake of asking who was going to be the next Cubmaster. "How 'bout you?"

Cubmaster for three years and crossed over with son. Committee (Outdoor Coordinator) for seven years. Son earned Eagle barely with Board of Review after 18th birthday.

Troop does BWCA (not Northern Tier) every four years and I just finished second trip.

I used to be an Eagle, and a good old Eagle too.

ASM for 4 years with my son's unit in NE Illinois Council. Prior to that I was his Tiger & Wolf DL, then ACM for 1 year, then CM for his final 2 in Cubs. A long, long time ago I started off as a Tiger then went all the way to Life before the fumes got me & I aged out. Don't think I knew Venturing was an option for me otherwise I might have tried to stay active a couple more years before going into Scouting hibernation.

Just returned from Philmont & one of the first things my 11 year old daughter said to me is she'd like to go there someday. I've been telling her for several years to just hang on until she's 14 & can join our venturing crew. She's a GS and hates it, the only thing keeping her in the program is summer camp.

My youngest is 4 and will be eligible for Lions in another year when he starts Kindergarten. We'll see what he wants to do but I suspect I've got at least another 15 years of Scouting ahead of me. Personally, I'd like to be one of the old timers that have hung around long after their own kids have gone through the program and left to start their own families.

YIS & WWW,
Al

If you earned Eagle rank, you are an Eagle Scout forever.

I haven't been active for a very long time, but it was such a big part of my growing up I thought I would join in here. I put on my little blue uniform at age 8 and had my Eagle medal pinned on me just before I turned 18. My first BW trip with with scouts like many on this forum. I also went to Philmont, spent 3 summers living in a tent on staff at Many Point, our council's camp in northern Minnesota, and completed my Woodbadge training.


I still keep my favorite hat on my bookshelf.

For the record, with Troop 16 in Oak Park IL now. Was Des Plaines, now Pathway council. I did Philmont trek as an adult leader with Troop 55 in Downers Grove. And way back, I was a Scout in Troop 61 of Skaneateles NY, Onondaga Council (where I was on camp staff two years.)

Wow, there is a lot more scouting experience on this board than I knew!

quote billconner: "If you earned Eagle rank, you are an Eagle Scout forever."

Bill, not sure if that was in response to my 'used to be an Eagle & a good old Eagle too' which is a direct line from the Wood Badge song.

But I agree 100% with your statement - once an Eagle always an Eagle!

quote mirth: "

quote billconner: "If you earned Eagle rank, you are an Eagle Scout forever."

Bill, not sure if that was in response to my 'used to be an Eagle & a good old Eagle too' which is a direct line from the Wood Badge song.


But I agree 100% with your statement - once an Eagle always an Eagle!"

It was a general sort of comment that the Eagle Scout rank is earned, not given or won, and that as far as BSA and at least me is concerned, it is forever. Just don't think that should be overlooked. I only intended the comment as respect for the Eagle Scouts posting here and Eagle Scouts everywhere.

I did not participate in scouting as a boy, but I have very much enjoyed going through the process as an adult leader with my son's troop. I've been camping in the BWCA since 1991; it sure would have been helpful to have learned some of these scouting skills back then!

My son started in cub scouts and is now a 17 year old life scout working on his Eagle Scout Project. It is amazing how quickly the time has gone.

I am currently an assistant scoutmaster, chartered organization representative, merit badge counselor, and high adventure coordinator (Philmont 2014, Northern Tier Manitoba 2016).

I've got two grandkids that are 9 months old; I'm looking forward to starting the process all over again...... but knowing something about it this time!

Dave

was not a scout, my son is currently working on his eagle, I am parent volunteer, merit badge councilor, shooting sports, RSO, camping coordinator, and trailer puller, and the soon to be new high adventure coordinator for troop 469 in Bloomington, MN

did a 7 day trek in Philmont last June with the troop.

coordinating the 2018 trip to Northern Tier.

Ty Hodges

Life scout here. Moved cross country when I was 16 and just didn't get back in. Regret it to this day. My boy will start scouts this summer as 6 year old. Plan on being heavily involved through Boy Scouts if he stays interested.

My brother's an Eagle and my dad still mentors a troop out west and works with the prospective eagles.

We did Philmont and Northern Tier when is was in. Ready to get back in.

quote tyh: "was not a scout, my son is currently working on his eagle, I am parent volunteer, merit badge councilor, shooting sports, RSO, camping coordinator, and trailer puller, and the soon to be new high adventure coordinator for troop 469 in Bloomington, MN


did a 7 day trek in Philmont last June with the troop.


coordinating the 2018 trip to Northern Tier.


Ty Hodges"

Welcome! You are a "Scouter" for sure!

I am currently the Unit Commissioner for troop and pack 211 in Sartell along with being a merit badge counselor and the advancement chair for the troop. I was not in scouts when I was younger but got involved when my son joined cub scouts as a 1st grader in 2005. He has gone on to earn his Eagle in 2016 and still active with the OA and troop after aging out.

Thanks to scouting I have been able to find other areas of the outdoors I never would have done on my own. Hiking is now a favorite activity of mine. Our troop has done many hiking/backpacking trips in addition to many paddling trips throughout the years. We did 6 days on Isle Royale and did the Greenstone trail, spent 6 days in the Big Horn mountains, 6 days on the SHT.

Even though I do not have a history as a youth with scouting, I will probably be active in some capacity with the scouts for a long time. Seeing what my son has been able to accomplish because of skills he learned in scouting will keep me going so more youth can hopefully have the same experiences he had.

YIS
Curt

Made it to Weblos before I found other interests. Picked wrong. :) Now as an adult, I live vicariously through my son. Again, wrong but oh well. He is currently a life scout and working on what it takes to be an Eagle Scout. I was the assistant CubMaster when he was a cub scout and now am somewhat active in his Troop. Currently the program director. I am a merit badge counselor for several topics (camping, hiking, shotgun etc.) and currently coordinate our trips to the BWCA. Looking forward to our trip to Philmont this summer and SeaBase in 2019.

My older brother is an Eagle Scout, but my dad returned to the military and Scouting was just something that I never did.

Once I had kids I joined Scouting with them. I was one of those sucker volunteers as a Tiger Den Leader...it was all downhill after that ;) By the time my son entered Bears I was an Assistant Cubmaster and was Cubmaster of one of the largest Packs (200 boys) in the country during his Webelos years. I then bridged over with him into the Troop as an Assistant Scoutmaster and after about two years we spun off to form a smaller Troop with me as Cubmaster. Around the same time my older daughter turned 14 and joined a Venture Crew with me as Associate Advisor. Now after many years, I have been in it a while.

I've now attended Wood Badge and have staffed 4 courses so far. I've also staffed as an adult leader on two NYLT courses. I've also been the adult leader for two Northern Tier treks, a Philmont trek, and will be on a Sea Base trek this summer. I am now the Summit Award chair for our district. My kids have been really active too.

My oldest daughter who is now in college, completed both her Venturing Ranger and Silver awards. She youth staffed 4 NYLT courses, culminating in being our council's first female SPL for an NYLT course. She is now working her WB ticket. She's done high adventure trips to Northern Tier, Philmont, and will be at Sea Base for her Triple Crown this coming winter.

My son just completed his Eagle. He is staffing his third NYLT course this summer and has done high adventure trips to Northern Tier, Philmont, and will Triple Crown at Sea Base this summer.

Hello

I'm an Eagle Scout (1985) and my son is currently a 16yo Life Scout in Excelsior, MN.

My first experience with the BWCA was with my Troop going through NT, Ended up going on one week long summer trip (rain rain and more rain) and a couple of Okpik winter experiences. One was ridiculously cold (Ely hit -39 the night we were camping) and the other one was too warm (40s during the day, barely below freezing at night).

I managed a few trips while I was in College but it wasn't until after college that I became a regular BWCA visitor. During a stretch between the early 90s to the mid 2000's I was going at least once and usually 2-3 times each year. In April of '97 I was laid off and ended up spending a month at Voyageurs Outfitters. In exchange for helping them out a bit each morning in getting ready for the season, they provided a place to pitch my tent, kept me fed, and let me use their canoes during the afternoons.

My number of trips slowed down a bit between more travel for my new job, getting married and having a kid, and discovering Scuba diving which started claiming much of my vacation time.

In the last year or so I am starting to make an effort to "rediscover" the B-Dub. I have gone on a couple of trips with my son, the most recent being helping lead a small group from his troop. I'm in the planning stages of my first solo trip which I plan to take next May or early June and hope to help lead a bigger group of scouts later next summer.

Welcome Cricket!