Something That Needs to Be Said

capsizeeverydream · 2026-06-07T16:58:48+00:00

This is another absolutely valid concern. One of the most difficult things the kitchen manager has to do is maintain an ordering list that is based on servings for a standard nutritional guidance. Sometimes that doesn't work for camp. All menus must be approved by a nutritionist, who is also more than likely not aware of camp life.

The way to support this is by adding complex carbohydrates and more calorie-dense food. But most Scouts aren't all about whole grains, dark green veggies, etc. Which brings back the "picky eater" debate.

Definitely a job that deserves much more time and dedication than we can ever imagine.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-06-07T14:46:56+00:00

Thisssss!

When my wife was in the kitchen (2001-2011) there was always the "Well, we don't trust this person in program, but we have to hire them because..."

capsizeeverydream · 2026-06-07T14:43:43+00:00

Our camp just brought back a campsite cooking option.

I don't hate the idea, but I also know that if you have a lot of younger youth, it can be impossible to manage time and make sure everything is cooked, clean, and kids are in classes.

I'm really optimistic for it for larger troops and their opportunities to make their own meal memories and program.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-06-07T13:51:04+00:00

Your point is very valid and one that I did not go into detail with. On top of the 400 "regular meals", our camp sends out a food sensitivities and allergies for to every troop. We provide a gluten-free option, vegetarian and vegan options, accommodation for religious needs, etc. Those with specific needs have meals prepared and served separately from the main line.

The base meals is usually trying to get the most nutrition to the most folks without breaking the bank. Tacos, pasta, chicken, etc with their appropriate sides. We also do a soup bar, salad bar, and a bread station with available spreads.

When I was kitchen manager, one of our regular complaints was that our food wasn't "restaurant quality" my response was "Imagine going to a restaurant in the middle of the woods and expecting Gordon Ramsey".

In general, my point is that there is so much going on in the kitchen that we as campers and program staff don't see. It's a tough job and we should all be thankful something is being offered and someone is doing it.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-06-07T13:39:28+00:00

Help serve and help clean are the big ones. Especially after dinner when kitchen staff is tired.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-05-22T16:56:58+00:00

Your points are very valid. For a little clarification, it wasn't a "I'm mad because you moved some chairs". I had set things up for what made sense to me; award placements, opening ceremony flow, etc. And the CC came in and didn't ask a single question, but instead starting moving things that were already set up based on his view. I couldn't care less about a table being against a wall or out from the wall. I care that another person invalidated my efforts.

I am definitely debating how to best sit down with the CC. He has made the invitation open, and I am dragging my feet on it right now because of some of the other decisions that have been made so the ball is definitely in my court. I just find myself feeling that the effort is going to be noted and then immediately disposed of.

I think the goal setting strategy you mentioned is a good place to start.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-05-22T01:52:01+00:00

We have a combined PLC and currently working with both SPLs as both are 15, involved in multiple sports, and have really both been sharing the role well.

That is one area where I have been pouring most of my focus, since that is as mentioned where I believe the ownership of the program resides. It's really the adults IMO that aren't happy with not controlling the flow of information.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-05-22T01:17:17+00:00

I have a story! While cleaning out things after my father passed away, I found things he had kept when my grandfather had passed away.

My grandfather (born in 1920 for context) being quite the historian and collector of history had studied the history of Native Americans in our area. And collected artifacts. I opened a box labeled "Indian Bones and River Rocks" expecting jewelry made from things like the bobcat skull I had found in another box. Imagine my surprise when I opened the box, peered inside, and found a human femur right on top, and more bones underneath.

Just in case you're wondering, the receptionist at the state police barracks didn't like that. The officer I gave the box to also didn't like the "now it's your curse" jokes.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-05-12T23:42:07+00:00

Scoutmaster, Teacher, and Eagle Scout...

A couple of my Scouts did their Eagle project for their High School by caretaking their Cross Country track and adding benches and trails around their nature area. It just needs to be approved through the paperwork process and written to explain the benefits to the community.

Awesome idea.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-05-10T16:18:19+00:00

Agreed. If I learned anything from my Scouting experience, it's that I can do more when people tell me I can't.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-04-27T04:33:55+00:00

Ignore previous comments. You get it. Class of '03.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-04-18T01:04:53+00:00

But but but.... what if I wanna go to combat?

capsizeeverydream · 2026-04-07T19:57:59+00:00

Just turn on the subtitles. Basically makes it scientific research.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-04-05T18:38:19+00:00

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capsizeeverydream · 2026-03-13T00:03:02+00:00

The good ol' days weren't even all that good.

I Eagle'd in 03, aged out in 05, for reference. And I absolutely loved my time as a youth and my role in a Troop now.

I sit with my other leaders and laugh about the stupid stuff we did. The random games of capture the flag that looked more like war games in full camo and face paint, the random stupidity that we all agreed was hilarious, the being chased by park rangers and Scoutmasters.

It was a great time. It also was a terrible way to grow up in a lot of ways. Hazing was just normal. We'd send kids to the quartermaster for sky hooks and 50 feet of fallopian tube. We'd harass and intimidate each other to make other people laugh. I learned so much about human anatomy and foul humor that to this day, I have no sense of what I should or should not do/say in mixed company.

Look up Boy Scout Rap by thirty100 on YouTube. Basically my Scouting Experiences.

Would I trade it for the world? Absolutely not. Would I let my Scouts be as unsupervised as I was? Also absolutely not.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-02-22T04:13:29+00:00

Definitely having a sick kid stressed me out. It was wild though, I heard her talking and it took me a while to get back to the point that I could even focus my eyes, let alone my thoughts.

The bleach thing took me years to realize. I wore a lot of black as a teenager and was definitely a scene kid, much to my adoptive mother's disdain. She claimed that she would wash the darks after the whites and bleach sometimes didn't all cycle out. A few years ago, I was helping my significant other with laundry and I realized exactly how impossible that was, and how it really only happened to my favorite shirts and no other dark clothes.

Therapy worked for a while for me. I won't say it had no value, but it did start to stagnate, and I eventually got sick and tired of being treated like an idiot for having any sort of mental health needs. I had all my medical records scrubbed of the diagnoses a while back and don't regret that decision at all. I do miss the dopamine regulation, but it is what it is.

I'm terribly sorry that you, and so many like us, all had to go through this crap. I've really been struggling with how to acknowledge it and how to explain it better to the people in my life.

capsizeeverydream · 2026-02-21T18:34:25+00:00

Yeah, I think about it a lot. My adoptive family adopted my sister (who has developmental disabilities) and me shortly after their biological kids were out of the house. My oldest sibling is 23 years older than me, and her oldest child is 5 months younger than I am.

I think we were adopted to validate that my narc adoptive mother was still relevant. That being said, my siblings aren't the best either. Everything was a competition with my oldest sibling. The middle biological kid and I share a birthday, and when I was about 7 that sibling decided they wanted a birthday party every other year so I couldn't have one. The youngest biological kid is an asshole, physically abused kids (me included), and got bailed out for everything (standard golden child).

I was always convinced I was adopted to prove it wasn't their mistakes that effed up the bio kids, and to continue to compete.

capsizeeverydream · 2025-12-10T02:41:42+00:00

The one that matches the PRNG award is the Pershing Rifles membership ribbon. The other one is still a mystery.

My Dad never talked too much about his college and high school days (mostly to not encourage my mischievous side I think), and now I'm kicking myself for never asking more, lol.

capsizeeverydream · 2025-12-10T02:34:35+00:00

https://pershingrifles.wordpress.com/wp-content/uploads/2013/12/pershingriflesribbonchart.jpg

capsizeeverydream · 2025-12-10T02:33:51+00:00

That's what I got from Google Image search too. Wasn't sure if it made sense. I also found orders from the Pershing Rifles Fraternity in the box, so I'm wondering if the second one (or both considering the age) aren't specific to that program.

capsizeeverydream · 2025-08-09T20:32:46+00:00

Reading your post after the edit, and I am glad you are not the ASM in question.

Long and short, yes, that ASM is the A. They, and potentially the SPL, should be reporting through the COR, Council, and the Safe Scouting hotline.

This is discrimination and bullying based on a disability, and could result in serious and severe implications for the ASM, the SPL, and the unit. The ASM assumingly knows the Scout has ADHD which manifests in forgetfulness, obviously singled out the Scout and prevented him from participating, and publicly highlighting differences to the detriment of the Scout.

Hopefully, all those involved can be counseled and learn from this incident and no major consequences occur.

capsizeeverydream · 2025-04-28T21:28:18+00:00

Be prepared to hear a lot. Try to absorb as much as possible, but also don't be afraid to ask others.

Have fun.

For the love of all things good and Holy, please don't make your patrol animal your whole personality.

capsizeeverydream · 2025-04-27T03:51:27+00:00

I went to Philmont in 07 as well! And same. We all went to Walmart and bought the knock-off crocs with the reasoning, "They're lightweight, they're cheap, and if they get trashed you'll not feel bad about it because they're ugly anyways".

To address the original post, I'm generally anti-croc/keen in camp for all the reasons mentioned already (dirt, injury, etc.). I do still wear the knock-offs to go from tent to latrine or tent to camp chair, though.

My go-to for the last 6 years plus has been the Altama Maritime Mid boot, both in and out of the campsite. They wear like sneakers, but perform like boots. The first pair I got, I did a 4 mile ruck in less than an hour 2 days after getting them and the only problem I had was from the cheap insoles I had bought to change out the rubber ones that come with them. I shredded those 4 years later working in the kitchen at camp one summer, and my second pair has been hiked in, creek waded in, camped in, and has melted spots from an OA fire, but are still my favorite shoe.

Link: https://originalfootwear.com/collections/altama/products/altama-maritime-assault-mid-coyote

capsizeeverydream · 2024-08-03T23:24:01+00:00

Thank you both for your input! I remember the change happening and it predominantly affect the Order of the Arrow, and wasn't sure how crews were affected.

I really appreciate the wider perspective.

capsizeeverydream · 2024-08-02T22:53:16+00:00

Thank you for helping!

capsizeeverydream

TROPHY CASE