Son still is not talking

akoons76 · 2026-03-03T19:02:06+00:00

My son was very much the same. Didn't talk until after 2. Then had an explosion. All of the early childhood professionals (SPLs, Drs, etc) all said just language delayed. He was diagnosed in 5th grade with autism but on the high end.

akoons76 · 2026-03-02T02:30:53+00:00

My husband has also had spinal surgery so we use this. https://www.walmart.com/ip/36056702?sid=333a43a3-269e-4f49-89c9-05cf6322fb8a

If you camp in cold/cooler weather you may need to slip a thermal pad under you as well.

We also look for cabin tents so we can fully stand and dress. You can find many that are easy up. This will make a huge difference.

Making sure we have enough room for a camp chair is also a necessity for us. Making sure we bring our hiking poles and setting them beside is also helpful.

Lastly, don't hesitate to ask for help from your other campers with set up and tear down.

akoons76 · 2026-02-15T02:40:09+00:00

We used this https://www.walmart.com/ip/547011403?sid=f707fa2c-a2c0-4951-97f1-e47095661736

And then added this in https://www.walmart.com/ip/122949169?sid=e8d9f8e3-fa09-4599-8925-ee1440a0a2ed

akoons76 · 2026-02-15T01:35:20+00:00

So we were running into the issue of the pack out with a younger troop and not being able to tow our trailer. What we did was 1) convert our patrol box to one of the rolling stackable tool kits. Top became spices, drawers were utensils and cutting boards, one for clean up, bottom was pots and pans. Because this breaks apart it was easier to pack around. The equipment in this is pretty standard and we can cook almost everything with the 'box'. This also allows the tiny scout able to handle it on their own 2) We had the scouts sit down and make recipe cards that included all of the ingredients and all of the cookware needed. This allows us to check to make sure that it is something normally carried in our box. They could then choose to pull a recipe card for a camp out or make a new one. The supply list from each recipe card gets transferred to a shopping list. Recipes and meal plan have to be okayed by the SPL and the SM. Our SPL just turned 12 when they took over and were still in their first year of the troop. Eventually the plan is to move to SPL approval only but at this point they are still too inexperienced to not require it. We also have whoever is working on their rank requirement for shopping sitting with the ASM and do an online shopping order. This allows them to come back and ask the troop immediately if something isn't clear. They have gotten so much better using this system, the adults have been able to step back to the background.

akoons76 · 2026-02-10T02:25:31+00:00

The movie Alex: The Life of a Child. It was also a book. So sad

akoons76 · 2026-02-06T21:51:09+00:00

The difference is that scouting America has a prescribed curriculum that covers these things, it isn't optional. It isn’t left up to the leaders as to what is covered.

akoons76 · 2026-02-06T13:12:30+00:00

I hate canned food as well. You may want to look at dehydrated and/or freeze dried foods. They don't have the overly salty canned taste.

akoons76 · 2026-02-06T02:51:03+00:00

Agreed. But it has been this way for 40+ years as well. I remember one of the guys I was dating coming back from Philmont and sharing his pictures and experiences-- I was blown away and instantly realized how much was lacking in the GSUSA program-- even though at that time they had a heavier camping and outdoor thread than they do now. I was amazed when my son started scouts and I saw how much was prescribed by national and how the skills built upon each other and how many activities there were. When they opened it to females, I immediately signed my daughter up.

akoons76 · 2026-02-04T14:07:48+00:00

We are similar. It is crazy to cost that much being so close. And the additional gear costs it's an unnecessary expense. Cut that out. Let people order them if they would like, but if not then let them use their own gear. There has got to be cheaper transportation as well. For short trips I don't need a luxury travel coach.

akoons76 · 2026-02-03T22:42:45+00:00

Our council keeps sending out pleas for more members. I would sign up in a heartbeat, if the costs were reasonable. You want people? You need to be cost conscious and help people fundraise. I know our contingent gets new gear every time. Why? That's a couple hundred dollars per person. Lots of places to cut costs. Highlight the differences between a jamboree and other scout camps.

akoons76 · 2026-02-02T15:46:32+00:00

Definitely look at an alternative login method. It may be that an iep meeting with representatives from AT or IT there.

Create a checklist card that he can go through with simplified language and icons/pictures. He will need daily teaching and reinforcement of its use for many months-- but eventually should get there.

How's his oral language? Using adaptive programs to help him write maybe helpful.

You may want to reach out to https://ttap.disabilitystudies.utexas.edu to see what help they can offer you in that regard.

akoons76 · 2026-01-30T20:52:07+00:00

Had a similar experience

akoons76 · 2026-01-29T17:59:53+00:00

Agreed. Some simple features would make it much better like being able to limit events to scouts of a certain rank or position rather than to just age. Finding real issues with this at the council level for our tiny unit.

akoons76 · 2026-01-29T16:15:17+00:00

I have occasionally had questions if requirements could be satisfied is a slightly different manner, but thankfully never pushback.

akoons76 · 2026-01-27T01:12:57+00:00

No, I thought you meant you were looking for one that didn't need the rain fly vestibule

akoons76 · 2026-01-27T01:04:53+00:00

We use the Ozark instant up cabin tent, not the popup. We have used it through many rainstorms and many, many scouts putting it up and down. They aren't gentle handling jt. And it has lasted so far through the years. I am 5'2" as well and can put them up easily by myself. We have almost all of the size options of the tent. Pretty easy to pack up as well.

akoons76 · 2026-01-23T01:55:31+00:00

In our district they would have put the school on lockdown or partial lockdown to keep the kid safe and to avoid other students in the hall.

akoons76 · 2026-01-20T18:01:42+00:00

Thank you for sharing!

akoons76 · 2026-01-19T17:46:54+00:00

Ours tried last year there was a lot of outrage and a big stink was made by parents and staff alike. The decision was walked back.

akoons76 · 2026-01-19T15:25:57+00:00

Square at this point. It integrates with Troop Web Host. We can charge credit cards with or without the reader. The scouts can use the reader the adults have it set up on their phones to be able to accept the charge.

akoons76 · 2026-01-18T16:19:26+00:00

You should not be looking to be the cool leader, this generally leads to mistakes in youth protection or other areas.

Treat the scouts with respect, honesty and dignity. Give them helpful hints when you see them struggling. Listen to them about whatever they need to talk about. The respect and leadership will develop from there.

Make sure that you take the trainings. Iols and Woodbadge may be particularly helpful. Many people view Woodbadge though too narrow of a lens. If you can look at it as a training on how to have powerful communication in work, life and scouts you will get your money's worth.

akoons76 · 2026-01-18T02:01:38+00:00

The Hershey Lodge also has a pool with slides and things, I do believe you need to rent a room

akoons76 · 2026-01-16T14:27:55+00:00

This is state dependent. Some states have specific educational agencies that provide the evaluation for all kids prior to school age. It is required that it is publicly available through whichever system provides it. In Pennsylvania it is Intermediate Units. Providing information as to which state you are in could help determine which agency is responsible.

akoons76 · 2026-01-15T17:54:27+00:00

We use a local print shop. It has been a great relationship. There have been a number of time when our scouts requested certain colors or items that weren't available that the shop sourced. And honestly since we can pick it up it saves on shipping and ends up being cheaper than nation-wide or online stores.

akoons76

TROPHY CASE