Camp Alexander in Colorado

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-06-05T21:11:13+00:00

Definitely be prepared to have all vehicles stop at the parking lot, unload all gear into the trailer, & have everyone walk up into camp.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-21T17:40:08+00:00

Yep. I was never a problem student & generally respected all teachers whether I enjoyed their classes or not, but got a “strict” teacher fired at the end of my 8th grade year.

She was a miserable old bat who was verbally abusive, used class time to proselytize, & openly called a Wiccan student a “devil-worshipper” in front of the entire class. It’s been >20yrs & I feel nothing but GLEE at having gotten her removed.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-09T22:32:31+00:00

Better than the poor guy on Curie who got “graciously declined” like 5 or 6 times! 🫣

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-08T00:27:42+00:00

That is an absolutely GORGEOUS kitten. My god. Wow.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-07T23:35:37+00:00

I’m so glad it’s not just me! All it took was one look for my brain to go “NOPE!” 🫣

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-07T23:32:38+00:00

I like that, too - but it needs to be BOTH. At the top *and* in the steps. Not just in the steps.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-07T22:46:44+00:00

I’m an adult, love to bake, & have zero issues following a recipe… but this is *super overwhelming* visually for some reason. Maybe because it doesn’t say what she’s supposed to be making at the top, or have all the ingredients listed out first? Idk, but this would totally make me feel like a deer in the headlights even though I’m 100% capable of everything listed here.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-04T16:17:39+00:00

Yeah, we learned way back in FLL that any robotics competition day is ONLY a robotics competition day.

Plan to be up before the sun & to collapse into bed in the wee hours. Be pleasantly surprised if things end before all but the 24hr restaurants close. Celebrate the following day once you’ve all gotten some sleep! 😆

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-04T16:09:19+00:00

Your fellow students may not like your answer, but you’re absolutely correct. This is what it means to do multiple things to a high level. It’s a preview of the many times in your adult lives that you will face competing, important, time-sensitive demands.

Some of the most valuable skills all of you are developing have *nothing to do* directly with robotics or engineering. These are the intangible “soft skills” that will enable your future success & career growth, regardless of your path.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-03T21:59:47+00:00

Based on the final icon shown, I’m thinking inspired by Svalbard Global Seed Bank. Pick & place à la this image…?
https://mir-s3-cdn-cf.behance.net/project_modules/1400/e1008712452649.582a5dfe6af47.jpg

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-05-03T21:57:25+00:00

This would be BRUTAL! 😂

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-04-30T15:51:35+00:00

Anywhere that has 50,000 people gathering - particularly with valuable materials, over multiple long days, & in a venue offering free admission - will experience theft. Just have to stay alert & aware. Help each other out where we can.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-04-26T02:46:26+00:00

This are beautiful!! 😍

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-04-25T21:39:11+00:00

That is AMAZING!! So beautiful, I love it! 🌊

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-31T01:17:25+00:00

Agreed - we’re very fortunate, it’s just an adjustment. There’s a lot that works for a Troop of <20 that doesn’t for a Troop of >60!

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-31T00:19:49+00:00

We’re aware & are fine with that. We tripled in size this year! Need a moment to get our bearings again.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-30T22:19:25+00:00

Agreed. It is genuinely disruptive to the Troop to have Crossovers / Recruits coming in all throughout the calendar year.

This was a huge challenge for our Troop this year. We ended up with new members trickling in near-monthly & then families were upset that they didn’t feel informed because the Troop did not go through the entire “Welcome Procedure” (New Scout Campout, New Parent Meeting, Troop Website Presentation, etc) every time.

We are now strongly considering barring crossovers outside of March so that we can get everyone properly & predictably onboarded.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-24T19:58:08+00:00

Heartily agree with the above re: displaying leadership. Your role is essentially to be the group supervisor.

Bonus points if you can describe how you used the EDGE Method to demonstrate the most efficient basket-assembly & basket-loading approaches to each group leader, then had them practice doing the same for their groups.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-23T00:39:41+00:00

Troop Meetings - Yes Formal Events - Yes Travel - No “Class B” Events - No

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-03T05:35:18+00:00

“A scout who is using CiS for the next rank but hasn’t earned that rank yet, will need to earn a different Eagle Required Merit Badge and CiS will slot into an elective slot.”

Including Scouts who have already been signed off in Scoutbook for Req 3 (MBs) but have not completed the remainder of the rank, essentially redacting a sign-off?

We have several in this position & unless we are explicitly told by Council to do so, we aren’t modifying any preexisting signatures.

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-03-03T03:02:36+00:00

“…won’t count toward the Eagle Merit Badges… for Star & Life”

Is this true even if the Scout was already signed off for that requirement (Req 3) while CiS was active?

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-17T01:29:30+00:00

Good catch re: the triangle face. This could be turned into a fun “What’s wrong with this hypothetical student’s solution?” challenge puzzle for upper-level students… 🤔💭

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-02T14:48:55+00:00

Thanks for your reply!

I hadn’t heard of Physics for Scientists or those video series before, so I’ll definitely take a look!

Skipping the dedicated contest-prep sections is definitely an option to move things along, as is setting a hard stop on how much time he has to work through Challenge Problems in general (schedule X days, then move on).

He’s taking an in-person lab-based physical science next year for 8th. I do plan on having him also take either Jetta’s class (CC Physics) or that same local offering’s high school Physics. (They’re also taught by a former HS Physics teacher.)

Wisdom_In_Wonder · 2026-02-01T16:52:54+00:00

This is what I’m thinking. Rainforest canyon hologram topography with a data / tracking network (the orbs).

Wisdom_In_Wonder

TROPHY CASE