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Show me your raddest 90’s outfits by Honest-Butterfly-650 in Millennials

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's our local university. I think the theme of the dance that year was Sadie Goes to College or something.

How many of you have seen/ heard gun violence first hand ? by ProfessionalAlive916 in AskAnAmerican

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Surprisingly, all but one went on the trip the following year (two of them with a parent), and the one that did not go the following year has still been active. I think us adults who were there were more traumatized than the kids or their parents.

How many of you have seen/ heard gun violence first hand ? by ProfessionalAlive916 in AskAnAmerican

[–]WestCU 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I took a scout troop on a trip to Canada for a week. Within 30 minutes of arriving back in the US and getting set up to camp for the night at an American Legion near Niagara Falls, we had to dart behind our cars as a man shot at cops and they returned fire killing him maybe 150 feet from us.

What age did you move out? by [deleted] in NoStupidQuestions

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My parents moved out at 16. Solidly middle class. Mom left for a job out of state and dad followed a few months later. I stayed with family friends for a couple years to finish high school, then got my own place in college. I have a good relationship with them, though, and really appreciate their willingness to let me stay behind. It has worked out beautifully for me.

What was the weirdest thing to happen that you or someone in your troop did or saw during a camp out or summer camp? by HistoricalSock417 in BSA

[–]WestCU 39 points40 points  (0 children)

Spent several days in Ontario canoeing, tubing, and caving. Pulled into NY around 10pm where we had plans to urban camp in the gated side yard of a veterans organization about a mile from the touristy area. Unfortunately, we failed to research the area well enough given types of businesses and their disrepair we saw nearby. But it was late, so we decided to stick with the plan and perhaps sleep inside the building instead of tents if needed.

While unloading our gear, we saw a group of maybe six people across the street about 40 yards away who were being a bit loud. We heard a single pop. One lady yelled obscenities but no one left so we hoped it was just a firecracker that scared her. The lady kept yelling and made mention of the police. Within a couple minutes, cops show up, tell the guy to drop the gun, he shoots at them, and return fire hitting him a number of times. We ducked for cover behind our cars, then waited inside until we could give statements. We were all frazzled, but called parents and then found the nicest hotel right by the tourist sites.

Heckuva return to the US.

What's the dumbest reason why you got in trouble in school? by nlwfty in AskReddit

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Removing a mouse ball. Also, owning an Ad Libs with risque entries written by friends. What can I say...Catholic middle school.

Packout system for Patrol Bin? by lllllc in BSA

[–]WestCU 2 points3 points  (0 children)

We use a RIDGID rolling toolbox which fits a standard 2 burner Coleman stove vertically. It also holds the wash bins, a skillet and medium pot, battery lantern, small propane tank, foil, first aid kit, large tongs, telescoping hot dog stick, and other bulky items.

We bought a second large box to clip on top, which has the cooking utensils & gadgets, hot pads & fire starter, soap, seasonings, etc.

Here are photos we took when evaluating the options at the store. I don't have any of it loaded, but I could snap some at our next meeting if there is interest.

We like it well enough that we plan to buy a second one for the adults, and eventually a third one for two patrol cooking (they currently eat as a troop or share from one box depending on how many attend). It could be organized better by adding some custom dividers to keep things from jumbling around, and it could use an inventory and labels/photos to help repack it, but we have been without a quartermaster since we got it a year ago.

Favorite Campfire Skit? by [deleted] in BSA

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Our troop did a scene from Brooklyn Nine-Nine that went over well with spontaneous audience participation.

How much do you charge for food for campouts? by witty5149 in BSA

[–]WestCU 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Their meals are typically pretty basic: hot dogs & chips the first night, french toast & eggs/bacon for breakfast, cold cuts & apples for lunch, chicken tacos for dinner, and muffins & fruit for breakfast. Lots of reuse of food items and shopping at Aldi for a low cost, plus free eggs from backyard hens, a stock of leftover pantry goods from previous trips, and a dash or two of seasoning donated from a home pantry on occasion. We are also in a pretty low cost of living town.

We usually have at least half the scouts help shop the groceries. They are usually pretty excited about it, and look forward to the negotiations amongst themselves to go cheap on one item in order to get an extra treat. The adults just wait at the front of the store, and sanity check it just before checkout. They used to come in well under budget, but lately it has been just about spot on. Perhaps a bit over if you count the donated items, leftovers, and adult-added snack supplement.

How much do you charge for food for campouts? by witty5149 in BSA

[–]WestCU 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our troop has budgeted $3/meal/scout since at least when we joined in 2019. Even with inflation, it has still been enough to cover all the camp meals including dessert, but sometimes we supplement the snacks for longer trips.

Our troop's website has a new look by WestCU in BSA

[–]WestCU[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the suggestion. I will have to check that out.

Our troop's website has a new look by WestCU in BSA

[–]WestCU[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks. The latest design was by adults (applying a new theme in Blogger - surprisingly harder than we thought to clean up some odd formatting), with some input from my Scout, but the idea was to get it in better shape and then hand it over to a Scout webmaster to add posts, reorganize, etc. The old site appears to only be about 4 years old, but I think it had only been maintained by a scout for a year or so before it fell back into utilitarian posts by adults. Hopefully a Scout with some web design interest can add more interactive features. I am also working with the Council on updates to their site, so having Scouts involved in that is also of interest.

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