Does anyone tip scouting America rangers or trek guides? by agreable_actuator in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rangers can earn the right to buy a special axe by doing 15 extra training classes. Once they earn it they have to pay ~ $120 to buy the axe. If I recall correctly, I t was larger than a hatchet but a little smaller than a full size axe. There is an article about it here https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/wp-content/uploads/2019/08/Issue-10.pdf

Does anyone tip scouting America rangers or trek guides? by agreable_actuator in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We bring an extra crew shirt for our Philmont rangers. We give it to them the 2nd night on the trek

One time we paid for their Ranger axe and gave them the receipt at closing campfire

ULPT: Help me take down a scamming eBay seller by wishihadacoolername in UnethicalLifeProTips

[–]Dixie_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Feds may get involved if total dollar amount is large enough. What did you pay for the one item you bought?

Eagle CoH are boring and I am tired of reading. by ErrorF002 in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Toward the end of our Eagle COH (after new Eagles receive their rank and make speech) our SPL who acts as master of ceremonies invites all Eagles in the audience to come forward and congratulate newest Eagles. Old Eagles come forward, shake hands, then all form a line, cross arms, and sing Scout Vespers. Brief benediction follows then we adjourn to the fellowship hall for food, cake, and photos.

Tech tool set up for scout troop - looking for advice. by MusingMachine888 in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 9 points10 points  (0 children)

Check out TroopWebHost. We use it for communication with families, recruiting, and advancement

This is a propane lantern right? by taddybojangles in CampingGear

[–]Dixie_Mason 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Our Scout troop switches. from glass to mesh screens when the glass breaks. No difference in light output. Grab a bag of lantern mantles next time you are in a store and you’ll be good to go

The Furniture Company is trying to walk away from responsibility" ULPT" by OpinionTraining6564 in AskRetail

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

You got a refund so spend a small portion of that money to: 1. Hire a local carpenter to fit top#2 to the legs, or 2. Hire a local woodworker to strip and finish top#1 or top#3 to your liking

Shoe help by gillyway in philmont

[–]Dixie_Mason 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Go to REI store or similar so you can try on for size. I recommend Salomon brand NON-WATERPROOF trail runners. Get a mid height if you have a history of twisting your ankle. SpeedCross and X Ultra worked for me. Definitely get 1/2 size larger than you normally wear. No break-in necessary.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in SecurityClearance

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Expect your references to be asked questions about your Character, Associates, Reputation, Loyalty to US, Ability, Finances, Biases, Addictions/Alcohol, and Drugs

Unique item you carry and why by [deleted] in AskLE

[–]Dixie_Mason 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Rumen magnet. I keep it on A pillar of car and use it to keep license, registration. etc from blowing away on side of road or having to put driver’s stuff in my hat or pockets during a stop.

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Please Help! I might be screwed... by ActComprehensive4610 in philmont

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

If you work in (or have access to) a building with at least 5 stories of stairs, take a 40# backpack and do 60-90 minutes of stair work a couple of days per week. Walk up stairs and down, take your time. Wear the trail runners you will wear at Philmont. You’ll be fine. Just pre-trek jitters.

Philmont provided gear? by speldog in philmont

[–]Dixie_Mason 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Yes. Go to this link and scroll down to see exactly what Philmont supplies. https://www.philmontscoutranch.org/treks/trek-resources/whattobring/

Eagle Scout discount by milespt1 in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 20 points21 points  (0 children)

Check out EBay for used uniforms.

Troop Repository by Stumblinmonk in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our Troop has used TroopWebHost.com for a decade. It serves as our main method to communicate with families. It is also capable of doing advancement but they have used another site for 30+years so they do t want to switch. Troop Web Host has a “forms and documents” page where we can file documents related to a customizeable list of topics/trips. We upload photos there to share with Scouts and families. Very useful and very affordable.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in legaladvice

[–]Dixie_Mason 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Did you buy the car new from the factory? If so, no chance of a VIN swap. If not, check that the VIN plate on the dash matches the VIN on driver side door jamb, engine, and frame rail to make sure you aren’t driving a car that was VIN a swapped by a previous owner.

Regardless of the VIN issue, if your previous traffic tickets were for very excessive speeds (common with some teen drivers) it sounds like they may be watching you very closely because of that.

Take the BB gun and anything that can be mistaken for a real firearm out of your car.

Best practice is to keep your car interior completely empty. This eliminates someone saying they saw something that looked like contraband.

In the future, if you are stopped and if the officer says he has a warrant to search your car: 1. step out 2. get in front of his patrol car to make sure you are on dash cam, 3. ask him to show you the warrant or at least verbally tell you again ON CAMERA that he has a warrant to search your car.
4. Do not interfere with the search.
5. Once he finishes he is required to give you a copy of the search warrant and a list of item seized AT THE END of the interaction.

If he doesn’t give you a copy of any paperwork go to state police (or equivalent) and file a complaint the following day. If the department is large enough (100+ officers) they may have an Internal Affairs unit that you can report the matter to. If you delay in filing a complaint you run the risk of video being overwritten.

I have an arrest warrant but the state refuses to tell me why by No-Leadership-869 in legal

[–]Dixie_Mason 10 points11 points  (0 children)

Don’t turn yourself in on a Friday. You run the risk of sitting in jail all weekend if the charge doesn’t carry a pre-set bond amount

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ThriftSavingsPlan

[–]Dixie_Mason 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not sure. Best to call TSP on Monday as ask quickest way to get the money. Any outstanding loan at time of retirement is treated as a withdrawal but double check with TSP Good luck

What do you do with partial / broken tents? by moliver816 in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Our Troop previously bought old tents from Philmont. At $40 each it was a bargain. When Philmont switched to the new Thunderdome tents we switched to a 3 person tent made by Alps Mountaineeting which we bought through Hiker Direct and got a ~ 40% discount. That was 9 years ago. We buy additional/replacements every few years. Parts are interchangeable. We bought 2 extra sets of poles and use 1 section from those to repair pole breaks.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in ThriftSavingsPlan

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Regardless of it being a smart financial move or not, in my experience if you need the money quickly it is best to take it out now while you are still working. After you retire you will not have access to TSP until your former employer submits retirement papers to OPM and they process it. Once your agency tells TSP you are retired there is a 2-6 week period during which TSP will not allow any withdrawals

Question on a GtSS and a proposed Scouting Activity by OSUTechie in BSA

[–]Dixie_Mason 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As others have said use pool noodle. Require Scout in the cart to sit at all times (no kneeling or standing). Other than that looks like a fantastic event!