I think we should make our committee meeting as easy for everyone as possible.  The idea of the having a pot-luck in connection with the committee meeting was to relese you from the need of preparing meals before the lengthy meeting.  If it is not achieving that goal, than we should reconsider it.  Mr. Giovenetti has said he will be unable to attend, I know we can not please everyone all the time we just have to the best we can with who we can.

Please consider that the boys have just come off an exercise that has better equipped them to care for themselves.  They cooked and served an entire meal.  What is your next step?  Do you ignore that at home or do you move in a direction toward them doing that at home for the family.  

I understand there are steps between from what they did as a group preparing an entire meal to the solo exercise, but I am asking what is your next step.  At some point the goal should be your family served a complete nutritious meal, completely prepared by your son!  I am interested in your opinions and comments.

Parent Post - Camporee

Hello all! Camporee was held the weekend of April 3-5th, and it was an eye-opening experience for all the boys, and even a few parents. If you have been wondering why the boys spent every Monday in March cooking until all hours of the night, they had been hard at work practicing for the Golden Spoon cooking competition. They worked at planning the menu that was in keeping with the medieval "Feast of Frugality" theme, and then practiced their roles in getting the items on that menu prepared, cooked, and served within the timeframe they would be allotted. Each boy had a role to do, whether it was lighting and manning the charcoal, chopping the items for the salad, skewering the appetizers; preparing the stew; or making the dessert in a box. Other boys had the all important task of cleaning the dishes throughout. Every week was a little different - some things tasted great, and others not so great - but they learned some important lessons along the way. They had to work all together in taking direction from their leader, learn how not to bicker with each other, and (I think!) were happy with their outcome. The weekend came and the boys went out for the day with their patrols doing their various skills. Saturday afternoon the competition began with the boys having to setup and decorate their kitchen. All hands came together to prepare and present the meal as planned. Everyone was happy when they got 3rd place for their endeavor! It's something they should all be proud of ~

Happy Feet

Got happy feet? Then you'll never notice them during rugged outdoor travels, and that's good. A couple of blisters, though, and the sad state of your heels and toes can suck the joy right out of your day. Preventing blisters is easy with a little planning ahead of time and some common sense while you're on the move. Here's how. Before a hike, get: ·  Footwear That Fits - Boots and shoes for hiking need to be the right size. Wearing new footwear around home breaks them in before you're on the trail. ·  Socks That Absorb - Expert hikers wear heavy socks over thin liner socks. Made of material that wicks away moisture, the liner socks protect your skin if your feet slide a little inside the heavier socks. Carry spare socks, too, so you can change out of those that become damp with sweat or rainwater, or soaked as you splash through puddles and streams. ·  Armor That Protects - Have a history of blisters? Use moleskin before a hike to shield tender places on your feet. Some hikers have good luck protecting healthy skin with duct tape, too. The slippery face of the tape slides against boots and reduces friction. While you're on the trail, follow:
Three "No Blister" Rules These simple rules guarantee almost no blisters: 1. Check for hot spots! 2. Check for hot spots! 3. Check for hot spots! Stop often, take off your shoes and socks, and examine your feet for redness or tenderness.  Those can be warning signs that a blister is starting to form. Reinforce hot spots with moleskin and you'll have a good chance of stopping blisters before they can stop you. Patching the Damage Despite your best efforts, a shoe can rub you the wrong way until a hot spot turns into a blister. Take action the moment you notice it. The classic treatment is to cut moleskin into the shape of a donut and fit the bandage around the blister. That takes pressure off of the injury so that you can continue hiking. Gel bandage pads such as Spenco® 2nd Skin® can be placed directly over a blister. Used alone or with moleskin donuts, gel bandages offer sterile protection and relief from friction. If you need thicker padding to protect a serious blister, stack additional moleskin donuts on top of the first one. Or cut a corner from a closed-cell foam sleeping pad, shape that into a donut, and fit it around the injury.

Outdoor Essentials (Part 1)

For some it's a hiking stick that has set the pace for dozens of backpacking trips. For others it might be a special camp mug for that perfect cup of cocoa, or an old broad-brimmed hat with a hawk feather tucked under the band. Everyone has an idea of what they can't do without when they take off on an outdoor adventure. The BSA has a list of items, too-the ten Scout Basic Essentials. Carry them every time you hit the trail and you'll have what you need for making the most of your time in the woods. The first five Scout Outdoor Essentials are a pocketknife, first-aid kit, extra clothing, rain gear, and a water bottle. (Check next month's issue of "Be Prepared" for a discussion of the rest of the list.)
Pocketknife The classic all-purpose camping tool includes a can opener, awl, and screwdriver along with one or two sharp blades.
First-Aid Kit A personal first aid kit has supplies you can use to treat blisters and other minor wounds, and to be ready to help if more serious situations arise. Of course your kit is only as useful as the knowledge in your head. Passing the first aid rank and merit badge requirements builds a good foundation for being prepared to act effectively in emergencies.
Personal First-Aid Kit The Boy Scout Handbook recommends that personal first aid kits include: ___Adhesive bandages 6 ___Sterile gauze pads, 4-by-4-inch 2 ___Adhesive tape 1 small roll ___Moleskin, 3-by-6-inch 1 ___Soap or alcohol-based hand sanitizing gel 1 small bar or travel-sized bottle ___Antibiotic ointment (Bacitracin) 1 small tube ___Scissors 1 pair ___Tweezers 1 pair ___Disposable non-latex gloves* 1 pair ___Mouth-barrier device for rescue breathing 1 ___Pencil and paper 1 * Use medical gloves from your first aid kit to protect yourself whenever first aid emergencies involve blood or other body fluids.
Extra Clothing A few layers of clothing in your pack allow you to adjust what you're wearing to meet changes in the weather, both hot and cold.
Rain Gear Carry what you need for the worst conditions you expect. A rain jacket and rain pants are good for almost any season. Add gaiters to keep rain, mud, and snow out of your boots. A poncho can shield you from mild rain, though it tends to blow around in the wind.
Water Bottle Drinking plenty of fluid helps your body fight off heat exhaustion and heat stroke when the sun is beating down, and hypothermia during days that are chilly or cold. Carry the water you need in one or more plastic bottles that fit neatly into outside pockets of your pack. If you take draw water from lakes, streams, or other untested sources, purify it before drinking by adding tablets, by using a filter, or by boiling.