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With the United Nations having declared 2015 the "International Year of Light and Light-Based Technologies," the opening of the BMBF's new "Digital Photonic Production (DPP)" research campus at the end of January was perfectly timed. Located on the RWTH Aachen Campus, the DPP research campus is destined to become well known as the home to a new kind of collaboration between science and industry.
New Research Signals Big Future For Quantum Radar
The new breed of radar is a hybrid system that uses quantum correlation between microwave and optical beams to detect objects of low reflectivity such as cancer cells or aircraft with a stealth capability.
Flexible Nanosensors For Wearable Devices
A new method developed at the Institute of Optoelectronics Systems and Microtechnology (ISOM) from the Universidad Politécnica de Madrid (UPM) will enable the fabrication of optical nanosensors capable of sticking on uneven surfaces and biological surfaces like human skin.
Rapid Data Transfer Thanks To Quantum Physics
RUB engineers have developed a new concept for accelerating data transfer in server farms. To this end, the team at the Chair of Photonics and Terahertz Technology applies a quantum-mechanical variable, i.e. the spin. RUBIN, the science magazine published by the Ruhr-Universität Bochum, reports on how researchers optimise so-called spin lasers for data transfer.
Spatial Light Modulators
As their name would indicate, spatial light modulators modulate light according to a fixed pixel, or spatial, pattern. Meadowlark Optics manufactures and sells three different variations of these modulators to address a variety of photonics-based applications.
Compact 640 x 480 Pixel Thermal Camera
The Tamarisk®640 thermal camera is well suited for security and surveillance, UAVs, medical imaging equipment, analytic devices, man-portable imaging devices, and other applications with size, weight, and power (SWaP) restrictions.
APEX®: Glass for Photonic and Optoelectronic Packages
3D Glass Solutions provides systems integration solutions for a wide array of Optoelectronic and Opto-RF products, ranging from mechanical spacers, fiber optic alignment trenches, to completely integrated optoelectronic packages.
Industrial Grade Mid-IR Laser Source: Cobolt Odin™
This compact and tunable mid-IR laser is well suited for applications involving the industrial and scientific markets. They're ideal for analytical instrumentation used in environmental monitoring, for the control and limitation of pollution emissions, and for other applications involving molecular spectroscopy.
World Class Optical Thin Films
DELTA has been providing world class optical thin films for applications involving optical coherence tomography (OCT), image transferring systems, Point of Care (PoC) instruments, flow cytometry, raman spectroscopy, high performance monochromators, biomedical laser systems, and more.
VIS-SWIR Camera for High-Sensitivity Imaging: Ninox 640
The Ninox 640 is a digital VIS-SWIR camera that utilizes a 640 x 512 InGaAs sensor for thermography, astronomy, hyperspectral imaging, telecommunications, solar cell inspection, semiconductor inspection, and microscopy applications.
NIR Spectrometer: AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC
The new AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC spectrometer enhances the Avantes NIRline family. Thanks to its new 100mm Symmetrical Czerny Turner design, the AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC takes performance to a new level, especially in the region from 2-2.5 µm where every photon counts. The enclosed lab version of this spectrometer is 50% smaller and 35% lighter than its predecessor and the unhoused OEM configuration is nearly 30% smaller and lighter. The dual-stage cooling of the AvaSpec-NIR256-2.5-HSC has improved signal to noise and dynamic range specifications for better performance in difficult applications like diffuse reflectance.
Multi-Zone Filters
Iridian Spectral Technologies' multi-zone filters offer optical designers spatially varying spectral performance on a single substrate in the UV (300nm) to LWIR (15µm) wavelength range. Filter types available include bandpass, notch, long-pass, and short-pass with additional coatings offered for AR, high-reflectivity, and black-absorbing.
Scientific CMOS Camera: pco.edge 4.2 LT
This sCMOS camera offers 2048 x 2048 pixel resolution, low noise (0.8 electrons), high speed (40 fps), a high dynamic range (36 000:1), and greater than 70% quantum efficiency. It's been optimized for microscope synchronization and scanning applications.
Photon Counting Device: MPPC (Multi-Pixel Photon Counter)
Hamamatsu's MPPC, a type of silicon photomultiplier, is a photon-counting device with high photon detection efficiency, wide dynamic range, low afterpulsing, and low crosstalk. It also features small size, low voltage operation, and insensitivity to magnetic fields. These and other characteristics make the MPPC suitable low-light detectors for many applications including fluorescence measurement, radiation monitoring, and LIDAR. MPPCs are available in a variety of sizes, package types, and arrays. For easy operation, MPPC modules that integrate an MPPC and various circuits are available.
Surface Measurements In The Most Challenging Environments
In this video, one of Zygo's applications engineers provides a demonstration of the ZeGageTM 3D optical surface profiler as it measures the roughness of the surface of a sealing valve used in the automotive industry. That might sounds fairly unremarkable, but check out how the system does on a rickety plastic table in a machine shop full of noise and vibration.
Ready, Fight! Photon Camera vs. Thermal Camera – The Speed Test
How difficult is it to measure the temperature of a moving golf ball? Would it be better to use a thermal camera, or a photon camera? It's certain that there are more critical-type measurements one can make outside of golf ball temperature, but this video does a great job of showing the different results that each camera type yields from a qualitative analysis standpoint.
From The Show Floor – Part 4 of 4: Piezo Motor Stages
In the final installment of our four-part video series with PI from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan introduced us his company's latest line of Piezo motor stages. He also explained the difference between a Piezo nanopositioner and a Piezo motor positioner, and the impact this difference can have on travel ranges and package size.
From The Show Floor – Part 3 of 4: Actuators For Test And Assembly
In part three of our four-part series with PI from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan showed us a new type of actuator for test and assembly process that call for very highly calibrated, careful, and very repeatable force increments.
From The Show Floor – Part 2 of 4: Air Bearing Stages
Just last year, PI acquired Nelson Air Bearing Proeucts in order to expand on their portofilio of precision motion technologies. In part two of a four part video series taken from Photonics West 2015, Scott Jordan spoke with us about these air bearing stage offerings and the extremely smooth and long travel motions they provide.
- From The Show Floor – Part 1 of 4: The Century Of The Photon
- Transparent Sample Characterization
- Trends In Microelectronics and Interactive Electro-Optic Devices
FLIR is proud to be releasing our high performance cooled A-Series product family with detectors in every waveband. These cutting-edge FLIR Research and Science Thermal Imaging Cameras set a new standard for price and performance. See for yourself and check out the new, affordable NIR, MWIR HD, and LWIR SLS thermal imagers at FLIR booth #1130.
Amazon's New Smartphone Boasts High-End RF And Imaging Components
On July 25, Amazon released its first smartphone, and it didn't take long for the internal components of the device to get leaked.
4 Electronic Design Requirements Of The System-Integrated Soldier
Perhaps most famously portrayed in Robert Heinlein's Starship Troopers (1959), the idea of the "future soldier" has been around for decades. As rehashed in countless science fiction films and video games, the stereotypical future soldier is equipped with a protective exoskeleton, enhanced sensory equipment, seamless communication systems, and advanced weaponry. While the concept once seemed implausible, there are many real-world projects under way focused on realizing those seemingly fictitious warfighter capabilities — by integrating a plethora of diverse electronic subsystems into a cohesively operational suit.
The Top 5 Technologies From DSS 2014
With more than 450 companies at this year's event and only three days to explore, it was an almost overwhelming task to try and take in all of the technology on display. Regardless, I did my best, and here is my list of the top five most exciting technologies I caught at the show.
Electronic Military & Defense was developed as a resource for engineers, program managers, project managers, and other professionals involved in the design and development of electronic and electro-optic systems for a wide range of defense and aerospace applications. Check out the digital edition of our latest issue for exclusive editorial on wearable antennas for military applications, countering EMI threats, biological and chemical threat detection, advances in optical sensing, and more.
Sign up to receive a free copy of the 2014 edition!
Hamamatsu's new X-ray TDI (time delay integration) camera offers high speed speed scanning for X-ray inspection of electronic, pharmaceutical, food, and other products where high sensitivity and high resolution are required.
Digital Encoder Galvano Scanner: GM-1000 Series
The GM-1000 series of digital encoder galvano scanners is comprised of four different models with variations in beam diameter, scan angles, small step response, and resolution. Each model has a compact physical profile, super low thermal drift, and extreme high resolution, precision, and accuracy.
Metal Coatings For Broadband Reflector Or Beamsplitter Metal coatings are often used in systems where a very broadband reflector or beamsplitter is needed. They can also be an excellent choice when an economical coating is especially important.
FAST Thermal Imaging – Tank/Artillery Muzzle Flash Analysis
Typical large caliber muzzle flash last less than 0.2 seconds in the MW (3μm to 5μm) band. This fact leads to the most important technological challenge when it comes to the detection and characterization of short, millisecond long events: high frame rate.
From Patterned Wafer To Packaged Device: Optical Alignment For Packaging and Test In SiP
As photonic and electronic devices began to converge, bandwidth, efficiency, and functionality improved significantly. On the flip side, testing and packaging these silicon photonic (SiP) devices has proven to be a challenge. Testing conventional microcircuits can be done through physical contact, conventional positioning control devices, and visual inspection. On the other hand, photonic devices require non-contact and nanoscale alignment between the hybrid device under test and a probe fiber or other element. And we haven't even begun discussing the complications involved in packaging such devices.
Getting The Best Results From Fourier Spectrometers (FTIR)
Dr. Fred Goldstein in his 16 February 2004 Film Star News had the following comment:
"...it appears that the current consensus on 'FTIR vs. Grating IR' is that FTIR instruments are unsuitable for optical measurements. If you disagree, or have evidence to the contrary, we'd like to hear."
Having been associated with FTIR since 1957, I felt compelled to respond to that comment. In general, I have to agree that the application of FTIR can lead to results that are prone to photometric errors. However, there are things that can be done to overcome the limitations of FTIR for optical measurements.
Vision Research High-Speed Digital Cameras Instrumental In Teaching Construction Site Safety
There is a good reason construction workers are asked to wear hard hats, gloves, safety goggles, and various other safety equipment while on the job; construction sites are dangerous. Filled with heavy and sharp objects, platforms of varying heights, flying sparks and debris, and a number of other potentially dangerous elements, it's no wonder so many injuries occur on construction sites.
Advanced Photonix And Luna Expect To Close Merger In May
Advanced Photonix Inc (API) of Ann Arbor, MI, USA (which designs and makes APD, PIN, and FILTRODE photodetectors, HSOR high-speed optical receivers, and T-Ray terahertz instrumentation) and Luna Innovations Inc of Roanoke, VA, USA (which manufactures fiber-optic sensing and test & measurement products for the telecoms, aerospace, automotive, energy and defense markets) have jointly announced an update to the timing of their planned merger (announced on 12 February).
Effective And Flexible: The REA JET Fiber Laser
REA Elektronik has developed the REA JET FL Fiber Laser that allows for permanent marking of metal and plastics. Laser product marking has many advantages: it is consumable-free and low-maintenance, therefore hardly requiring follow-up costs
Fundamental Advance In Nonlinear Optics Research
A method to selectively enhance or inhibit optical nonlinearities in a chip-scale device has been developed by scientists, led by the University of Sydney.
Excelitas Technologies® Corp. Unveils New OmniCure® AC2 Series UV LED Curing Solutions For Inkjet Printing, Edge Bonding, And Small Component Assembly
Excelitas Technologies Corp, a global technology leader focused on delivering innovative, customized photonic solutions, recently announced the launch of its new OmniCure® AC2 Series UV LED Curing Systems.
Moving Closer To Automated Driving, Mobileye Unveils EyeQ4® System-On-Chip With Its First Design Win For 2018
Mobileye N.V. (NYSE: MBLY), the global leader in the design and development of camera-based Advanced Driver Assistance Systems (ADAS) to the automotive industry, today introduced its 4th generation system-on-chip, the EyeQ4®.
- 03.04.15 -- 3D Optical Surface Profiler; Multi-Head, High-Speed Camera; Scanning Probe Microscopy Kit
- 03.02.15 -- Photonics Market Expected To Reach USD 765.89 Billion In 2020
- 02.25.15 -- February's Most Popular Articles & News
- 02.23.15 -- In Case You Missed It: Photonics West 2015 Round Up
- 02.18.15 -- Revolutionary New Probe Zooms In On Cancer Cells
The Information Source for the Photonics Industry
Welcome to Photonics Online, the Internet's leading source of cutting-edge technical information about the laser, optics, optoelectronics, fiber optics, and imaging industries. If you are a scientist, engineer, designer, or system integrator working in any of these fields, you now have instant access to a comprehensive web site that delivers the latest information on a wide variety of pertinent topics such as display components, camera components, light sensors & detectors, lasers, optical components, optical fabrication, LED, fiber optics, light signal analysis, photonics positioning diode-pumped solid state (DPSS) laser systems, nonlinear optics, high-speed detectors, fiber optic components, optical coatings, and optical design and fabrication. Whether you're looking for cutting-edge technology, the latest business developments, engineering reference data, or hot new products, Photonics Online has all the information you need.
Photonics Online's database is structured to serve the needs of designers, engineers, system integrators, product specifiers, technical managers, business executives, consultants and OEM manufacturers who are involved in the design and manufacture of products such as tunable lasers, diode lasers, optical amplifiers, scanners, electro-optical devices, CCD detectors, photodetectors, thermal imagers, focal plane arrays, precision optics, spectrum analyzers, spectrometers, and related devices and equipment. Reflecting the dynamic and interactive character of the Internet, Photonics Online is the most accurate and convenient source of technical, product and news information available for this fast paced industry.
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My Bookstore Event
Is this exciting, or what? When asked to write about the bookstore he loves, author Luis Alberto Urrea described Anderson's! Now we are so pleased to feature the book, My Bookstore, a compilation of bookstore love letters by the nation's great writers. Come celebrate with Mr. Urrea and our community! |
- Street:
- Anderson's Bookshop Naperville
- Additional:
- 123 W Jefferson Ave
- City:
- Naperville ,
- Province:
- Illinois
- Postal Code:
- 60540
- Country:
- United States

subset: commoncrawl


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TPACK - a framework for technology integrationHello, I am very much interested in a a framework called "TPACK." Technology Pedagogy Content Knowledge (Image from http://www.tpack.org… Started by Matt Townsley |
41 |
Jan 9 Reply by Stacy Mercer |
Chromebooks in KindergartenMy school will be gaining access to several Chromebooks this year. Does anybody have any suggestions of apps or programs I could use with… Started by Megan Clementson |
0 | Oct 5, 2014 |
Technology in KindergartenNext year I am returning to kindergarten after a 3 year 'visit' to 3rd grade. I work in a school full of tecnolongical resources, including… Started by Scott Gaglione |
34 |
Sep 13, 2014 Reply by Suzanne Bedwell |
Funding opp/CFP: Announcing the Trust Challenge, the fifth HASTAC/MacArthur Foundation Digital Media and Learning Competition************PLEASE DISTRIBUTE WIDELY, APOLOGIES FOR CROSS-POSTINGS*********** CFP: Announcing the Trust Challenge, the fifth HASTAC/M… Started by mdailey |
0 | Jul 17, 2014 |
Does technology really help?While in my field experience today observing a 1st grade classroom, I noticed a few things mainly pertaining to technology. When I was in e… Started by Selena |
11 |
Jun 2, 2014 Reply by margaretsales |
How do you use Technology with Art?The Art Institute of Chicago recently had its first ever Google Hangouts on Air with a focus on Art, Technology and Education. Anyone use b… Started by Carolina Kaufman |
0 | Apr 30, 2014 |
Learning Management SystemMy school system will soon discuss which learning management system would be best to use with our students. I say, "Why choose one?" Web/cl… Started by Racquel Springer |
0 | Apr 16, 2014 |
Integrating Technology with Classroom TabletsIntegrating technology into the classrooms is a controversial topic at the moment. Some people believe that we need to just teach our stud… Started by Shana Maines |
10 |
Feb 18, 2014 Reply by Oscar Marin |
Cell Phone Use in the Classroom?Current educators, what are your views concerning cell phone use in the classroom? I know that cellphones have become a behavior management… Started by Carol Goolsby |
4 |
Feb 3, 2014 Reply by C.J. Cruise |
5 ways tech has changed PDMy professor just shared this article from Amplify. I thought some of you may find it interesting as social media allows not only students… Started by Nona Barker |
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Oct 20, 2013 Reply by Lynda Way |
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Origin of the Word Cocktail
This topic has been debated a lot and nobody really knows where the word came from, but every once in a while somebody comes across an old newspaper article discussing this topic. Well, as I was researching through some archives of old newspapers, I came across a couple of articles discussing the origin of the word "cocktail". I decided to share them. The articles are interesting in that they are… [Continue]
Twitter Updates
With so many bars and pubs in Ireland I'm going to assume this has nothing to do with lawyers. pic.twitter.com/u3afNNbKM1


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Warning: Not the safest for work.
Of course, they saved the best one for last.
Set humor to ludicrous speed!
A video tribute to the recycled dialogue, recurring phrases and familiar plot lines that Aaron Sorkin loves so much.
Every scene of Clint Eastwood squinting EVER!
"Look Ma, No Pants!"
11 of the Most Clever and Bizarre Yearbook Quotes
The Best Video on the Internet Right Now is This Guy Performing ...
This Guy Really Knows How to Sell Wine
6 Outrageous Dating Profiles
What Do Cats Do At Night?
Toothbrush Absolutely Blows Cat's Mind
This Augmented Reality Sandbox is a Total Trip
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Horse and Hound Wine Festival
On Saturday, July 14, 2012 between 11am-6pm, Peaks of Otter Winery will hosts it's 8th annual Horse and Hound Wine Festival.
This unique winery and festival is full of fun and exciting events, wines, foods and shopping opportunities. Throughout the day you will be able to taste the wines from 9 local wineries (some made entirely from any fruit but the grape!), enjoy delicious food ranging from pizza to BBQ to salsa to everything in between, shop at over 50 artisan and crafts booths. Combine this with a Parade of Horses, a Muskrat Race and Agility Dog & Obedience Demonstrations to make your day anything but boring.
Stay with us at The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast for at least two nights during this summer festival and your tickets will be complimentary. Visit our web site www.TheCarriageHouseInnBandB.com to choose your room, then call us to book your reservation. You must mention this special when booking your reservation. This special cannot be combined with any other special, discount, coupon or voucher. Advance reservations are required, not later than July 7, 2012 . Call us at 434.846.1388.
You don't want to miss this day of excitement! See you soon.
Blueberry Pecan Scones
Blueberries are in abundance during the month of June, so our signature dish this month at The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast is Blueberry Pecan Scones. Easy to make, delicious to eat, and good for you this recipe is one you will enjoy. We are growing blueberry bushes in our organic garden and hope to be able to harvest our own blueberries next summer. This month, as we did last month, we visited a farm near Lynchburg, Virginia to pick them fresh.
- 2 cups flour
- 1/4 cup plus 1 tablespoon sugar, divided
- 3 teaspoons baking powder
- 3/4 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup cold butter, unsalted
- 1 egg
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1 1/2 teaspoons vanilla extract
- 1 cup fresh blueberries
- 1/3 cup chopped pecans, toasted
- 2 teaspoons grated lemon peel
- 1 egg white, lightly beaten
In a large bowl combine the flour, 1/4 cup sugar, baking powder and salt. Cut in butter until mixture resembles coarse crumbs.
In a small bowl whisk the egg, milk and vanilla; add to crumb mixture. Stir in blueberries, pecans and lemon peel just until moistened.
Turn onto a floured surface, knead 6-8 times. Pat into an 8-inch circle; cut into eight wedges. Separate wedges and place 2 inches apart on a greased baking sheet.
Brush with egg white and sprinkle with remaining sugar. Bake at 375 for 18-20 minutes or until lightly browned. Serve warm.
Makes 8 large scones.
At The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast we bake these scones in a mini-scone pan, found in kitchen specialty stores or at kingarthurflour.com, and serve them as our Amuse-Bouche course at the beginning of our legendary four-course breakfast. The smaller pan makes 16 2″x3″ mini-scones. We have used white sugar crystals or sprinkling sugar, found at kitchen specialty stores or wherever cake baking supplies are sold, as the final step, adjusting the amount of granulated sugar used in the recipe accordingly. You may use frozen blueberries. If using frozen blueberries do not thaw to avoid discoloring the batter. To toast the pecans, place them on a baking sheet in a 350 oven for 7-10 minutes, or until fragrant and a medium-brown color. Watch them carefully as they burn easily. Chop them after they are toasted. These scones are great served alone or when accompanied by Lemon Curd, found in the baking isle at most grocery stores, for a taste balance of sweet and citrus-tart.
James River Batteau Festival
The James River Batteau Festival, in its 27th year, launched this past Saturday from Percival's Island in downtown Lynchburg, VA. A fleet of nineteen boats pushed off from the banks of the river amidst cannon blasts, cheering and applause.
The festival is an 8-day, 120 mile trip down the James River from Lynchburg to Richmond. The launch from Lynchburg celebrates the unique history of these flat-bottomed boats, invented in Amherst, which once carried goods and passengers in the early 8th century. With a draw of only about 6-8-inches these boats carried several thousand pounds of tobacco or other goods on the shallow James River. The batteau carried goods until about 1840 when improvements along the river made navigation by larger vessels possible.
For the first time in 5 years this year's festival included traditional crafters and artisans, historical games, activities and exhibits, storytelling, live music, a bass fishing tournament, a canoe and kayak race and a Monacan Youth Powwow Dance. Due to the resounding success of this year's festival, be on the lookout for the announcement, next year, for the launch date in June 2013.
Flag Day
Flag Day is celebrated on June 14. It commemorates the adoption of the flag of the United States, which happened that day by resolution of the Second Continental Congress in 1777. John Adams introduced the following resolution before the Continental Congress, meeting at Philadelphia, PA: "Resolved, that the flag of the thirteen United States shall have thirteen stripes, alternate red and white; that the union be thirteen stars, white on a blue field, representing a new constellation."
In 1914, President Woodrow Wison declared June 14 "Flag Day." In 1949 Congress passed legislation asking President Harry S. Truman to issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of the hoilday.
The week of June 14 is designated as "National Flag Week." During National Flag Week, the president will issue a proclamation urging all U.S. citizens to fly the American flag for the duration of that week. The flag should also be displayed on all government buildings.
At The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast, in Lynchburg, VA, we fly two flags from our front porch. One is the flag of fifty stars and stripes. The other is a flag of thirty-eight stars and stripes, representing the states of the union in 1878 when our house was completed. The Watts family would have flown such a flag.
Flag Day is not an official federal holiday, although many towns and cities throughout the United States celebrate this day with parades, speeches and other forms of patriotic expression. Perhaps the oldest continuing Flag Day parade is at Fairfield, Washington. Beginning in 1909 or 1910, Fairfield has held a parade every year since, with the possible exception of 1918, and celebrated the "Centennial" parade in 2010.
We look forward to observing flags being flown throughout Lynchburg and Central Virginia.
In 1914 President Woodrow Wilson dubbed June 14 "Flag Day." In 1949 Congress passed legislation asking the president to issue an annual proclamation calling for the observance of the holiday.
Soap Box Derby 2012
On Saturday, June 2nd, the Hill City Classic Derby took place at Falwell Aviation. 22 drivers competed in the double elimination competition, ten in stock and 12 in superstock. The double elimination format meant that some of the drivers raced down the hill as many as six times.
Since there aren't any engines in soapbox derby the difference between stock and uper stock is the size of the driver. Stock cars accommodate drivers in the 10-13 age range. In superstock the cockpit is larger to accommodate drivers aged 13-17.
The drivers must make their cars, using a hard plastic kit that weighs about 60 pounds. According to two of the drivers, the hardest part of building the car is getting the steering cables installed correctly. Most of the drivers had assistance from a helpful adult.
In the 1950's and 60's the Derby was a fixture in downtown Lynchburg, the course taking advantage of various hilly streets. This year, Falwell Aviation was chosen as the sight of the derby due to the layout of the land and the slope of the runway. Without an engine, gravity plays a vital role in the running of the race. The track was about 100 yards (the length of a football field) and the drivers reached a speed in excess of 30 miles per hour.
The stock and superstock winners, Fulton Fitzgerald and Nathan Hansen, respectively, will travel to Akron, Ohio to compete in the National Soap Box Derby on July 21st. The Carriage House Inn Bed and Breakfast wishes the best of luck to Lynchburg's representatives!
The derby was such a success the organizers plan to offer the event again next year.
Celebrating Memorial Day
Once a year we celebrate Memorial Day. To some it represents a three day weekend, to others it means sales at the store and to others it represents the unofficial start of summer. To the vast majority of Americans it is a time to reflect on who we are as Americans. Our way of life, the freedoms we enjoy, the opportunities each of us has wouldn't be possible if it weren't for those brave men and women who put themselves in harm's way to protect us and our way of life. Freedom isn't free and our cemeteries are full of the graves of those who gave their lives to protect us. Many of us took the time this weekend to place flowers or flags on the headstones of our fallen heroes. In Lynchburg, there was a service on Sunday in the Confederate section of the cemetery and afterwards flowers were placed on the graves of the soldiers.
Please don't wait until Veterans Day or next Memorial Day to thank a veteran as many of them need our help now. If you are an employer consider hiring a vet. If you know of a family that has someone serving overseas and you can help with their yard work, house cleaning or even babysitting. When you see a veteran thank them for their service. These little acts of kindness will go a long way and will be appreciated. Finally, if you are in downtown Lynchburg on Fridays from noon to 1:00 pm at the foot of Monument Terrace honk to show support of our troops or better yet, get out and talk to the veterans that gather each Friday.
We all have a lot to be thankful for so let's not forget to thank them more than once or twice a year.
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Vacationing with a baby and toddler? Where do I even begin? Let's just say it should begin with something like, The Good, The Bad & The Ugly.
Without getting into the all of the sordid and lovely details, I'm just going to skip to the fact that Abby turned 10 months old 8 days ago and I missed the boat.
That is not to say I won't be getting to the nitty gritty of our trip, just not in this post. I quite enjoy making each month a milestone, dedicated to highlighting each development or just marking the month with a photo-shoot to remember her when, by.
BFY is quite possibly the best Baby Book out there for us Babblers, and I am humbled and lifted up by all of you lovely readers who have fallen smitten with my girl and/or have taken the time to weigh in on my posts.
We're on the cusp of Lil' Abner turning 1 year old and this past month has brought teeth, standing and playing peek-a-boo, her first fever and ear infection and first plane ride, to mention a few. We've met milestone after milestone – it seems silly to highlight each and every one.
Oh, babies. Adorable pics of our baby girl at 10 months old in Mexico, after the jump!
More On The Babbles…
Babies Who Rule: Chubster Edition
10 Disgusting, Hilarious & Weird Facts About Motherhood
An Open Letter To (Overzealous) Breastfeeding Lactivists
Follow my geekery on my blog, the Twitters — or connect with me on Facebook, Pinterest or Instagram.


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The muscle tutors at Fitness Together work with clients to determine exercise goals for shedding pounds, running a marathon, or being strong enough to rip apart spandex. A customized workout plan is developed and catered to help exercisers reach superfit. Fitness instructors supervise squats and offer nutritional advice and encouragement to make sure you see and feel results. Individualized attention means it's all about you—the trainer can point out when you're doing a stretch incorrectly, help you tone trouble zones, and motivate you to keep going when you'd otherwise quit or become distracted by the fragile beauty of a passing hummingbird.


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The E-Tourism Africa Summit took place on 4 and 5 September 2014 in Cape Town, and is also being held in Johannesburg for the first time this year on 8 and 9 September. The conference features a variety of speakers from across the travel industry, highlighting the rapid changes happening in the online space, and how best to embrace this new digital
GoToSouthAfrica #MeetSouthAfrica's Loxton, via Finding Fervour: buff.ly/1Fi7NfE pic.twitter.com/2nMcpCZvOh
GoToSouthAfrica Cocktails anyone? buff.ly/18njW7L
Photo: Moyo Ushaka in Durban - buff.ly/18njYNb pic.twitter.com/zXgy64t89d
GoToSouthAfrica #FlickrFridayPhoto: Sunrise at Poenskop, Eastern Cape, by Andrew Harvard - buff.ly/1EsQ1YG pic.twitter.com/oBdJWBoeDT
GoToSouthAfrica Are you ready for the @CTCycleTour 2015? buff.ly/1FiUYlm
#meetsouthafrica #capetown pic.twitter.com/Aczwwhxl44
GoToSouthAfrica Popular pics on Instagram this week - buff.ly/18nhWMW. Photo: Keurboomstrand by @SharynHodges pic.twitter.com/Xa9yA4qnGH


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Just wait a week or so. TheSubmitted by Guest666 (not verified) on Mon, 05/03/2010 - 3:36pm.
Just wait a week or so. The oil spill in the Gulf will be used as an excuse to raise prices, as well as BP passing along costs of cleanup to customers. We, the consumer, will be the one to get the shaft, as usual. »
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This is a potential security issue, you are being redirected to http://nvd.nist.gov
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The Canadian Press - ONLINE EDITION
New York City reduced childhood obesity while LA rate grew over 9 years, study says
NEW YORK, N.Y. - In the battle against childhood obesity, New York City appears to be doing better than Los Angeles, at least for low-income preschoolers.
A study released Thursday compared obesity rates for young poor children in the nation's two largest cities over nine years. Rates dipped in New York from about 19 per cent to 16 per cent. But in Los Angeles they rose from 17 per cent to more than 21 per cent before dropping to about 20 per cent.
One reason for the difference: Los Angeles kids included many more Mexican-Americans, and obesity is more common in Mexican-American boys than in white or black kids.
The study joins other recent reports of declines in childhood obesity rates in places like Philadelphia, Anchorage and Kearney, Neb.
New York City's health commissioner said he was glad to hear the study's results, calling them "a big success." But with high rates of overweight and obesity in older children and adults, "there is much more work to be done,' Dr. Thomas Farley said in a statement.
The director of Los Angeles County's health department said it's not clear why the rate rose there, but he was heartened to see it peak around 2009 and decline after.
"This is the first clear evidence — in the largest municipalities in the country — of this kind of decline" in pre-school age children," said Dr. Jonathan Fielding in a phone interview.
The research focused on children ages 3 and 4 enrolled in a government program for women, infants and young children known as WIC that provides food vouchers and other services. The children in the New York and California programs are measured and weighed every six months.
The study covered 2003-2011 and the number of children enrolled varied each year, with as many as 67,000 in New York City and 150,000 in Los Angeles County.
New York's WIC program started very early — in the 1990s — in trying to promote exercise, healthy eating and breastfeeding. That's probably one reason New York City's obesity rate started dropping earlier, said the study's lead author, Jackson Sekhobo of the New York State Department of Health.
It probably also helped that walking and mass transit is much more common in New York City than in car-centric places like Los Angeles, he added.
But another primary explanation is the breakdown of the kids in the two cities. In 2011, about 85 per cent of the Los Angeles children in the study were Hispanic, and most were Mexican-American — a group with the highest reported childhood obesity rates, at least among boys.
In New York, 46 per cent were Hispanic, with far fewer Mexican-Americans, Sekhobo noted.
Nationally, about 12 per cent of preschool-age children are obese, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About 18 per cent of children ages 6 to 11 are obese, and about the same proportion of adolescents are that fat.
About 36 per cent of adults are obese, according to the agency's figures.
After decades of alarming reports of Americans gaining weight, "we're seeing perhaps the beginning of the end of the obesity epidemic," CDC Director Dr. Thomas Frieden said in a statement.
The CDC released the study Thursday.
Obesity report: http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr
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Book your room at Hotell Charlotte
Double Room
Max Occupancy: 2 guests (up to 1 child, 1 infant)Single Room
Max Occupancy: 1 guest3-star hotel near Carolina Rediviva Library
Located in the heart of Uppsala, this hotel is within a 15-minute walk of Uppsala University, Gustavianum Museum, and Carolina Rediviva Library. Uppsala Cathedral and Upplandsmuseet are also within 15 minutes.
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This smoke-free hotel features self parking, coffee/tea in the lobby, and laundry facilities. Free buffet breakfast and free WiFi in public areas are also provided. Other amenities include multilingual staff and free breakfast.
Room Amenities
All 25 individually decorated rooms feature free WiFi and pillowtop beds. Guests will also find cable TV, free local calls, and showers.
Information missing or incorrect? Tell us!Hotel Amenities
Hotel Amenities
A complimentary breakfast is offered each morning. High-speed wireless Internet access is complimentary. This Uppsala hotel also offers multilingual staff, coffee/tea in the lobby, and laundry facilities. Onsite parking is available (surcharge).
Hotell Charlotte is a smoke-free property.
- Total number of rooms - 25
- Number of floors - 2
- Coffee/tea in lobby
- Free breakfast
- Elevator/lift
- Front desk (limited hours)
- Free WiFi
- Laundry facilities
- Multilingual staff
- Luggage storage
- Self parking (surcharge)
- Smoke-free property
- Number of buildings/towers - 1
Family Friendly Amenities
- Free Wi-Fi
- Laundry facilities
Available in all rooms: Free WiFi
Available in some public areas: Free WiFi
Self parking (surcharge)
Room Amenities
- Phone
- Free local calls
- Daily housekeeping
- Private bathroom
- Shower only
- Hair dryer (on request)
- Desk
- Iron/ironing board (on request)
- Cribs/infant beds available
- Blackout drapes/curtains
- Cable TV service
- Free WiFi
- Individually furnished
- Individually decorated
- Pillowtop mattress
Where to Eat
A complimentary buffet breakfast is served each morning between 6:30 AM and 9:00 AM.
Nearby Things to Do
The recreational activities listed below are available either on site or nearby; fees may apply.
- Cross-country skiing nearby
- Bicycle rentals nearby
- Ski equipment rental shops nearby
Nearest Transport Options
Nearest Airports
Hotel Policies
Check-in time starts at 2:00 PM
Check-in time ends at 6 PM
Minimum check-in age is 18
Special check-in instructions:
Check-out time is 11:00 AM
Payment types
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on hotel policy.
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card or cash deposit are required at check-in for incidental charges.
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges. Special requests cannot be guaranteed.
- The name on the credit card used at check-in to pay for incidentals must be the primary name on the guestroom reservation.
No pets or service animals allowed
- Self parking fee: SEK 50 per night
- Rollaway bed fee: SEK 150 per night
We should mention
One child 12 years old or younger stays free when occupying the parent or guardian's room, using existing bedding. Only registered guests are allowed in the guestrooms. No pets and no service animals are allowed at this property.


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Jiddah Water Tower, Jiddah
2 Reviews
2 Reviews
Jeddah Water Tower is a masterpiece of gigantic concrete monument and an evidence of the city's rapid developing and transformance from a small town into big and modern city.
The capacity of the tower is about 18.000 cubic meters of water at the height of approximately 45 meters above ground level. The tower is a part of a new system of water distribution in Jeddah.
The height of the tower is approximately 80 meters above ground level, at the top of which there is a large hall for reception with a capacity of 400 visitors. It is covered with the cone shaped peak of the tower. The reception hall and the overlooking balcony of the tower contain a restroom and a sensational pool with a fountain.
The Water Tower located in the area of Khozam Palace, to the left is the international swimming pool, to the right is the Islamic Bank.
This area is surrounded with huge green grounds and very beautiful to relax at and have a picnic with family
Sponsored Links
Sponsored Links


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Bucket Symphony | 7a | ||
A super pitch on big holds but very much on the wrong side of vertical! Make a powerful lurch to a jug and continue to a move left near the top. © ROCKFAX
Photo: Conor on the well named 'Bucket Symphony' at Moughton Nab © Dave Warburton | |||


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Offer details:
Offer valid through August 31, 2013, for $10 off of a $40 purchase of food and drinks only at participating P.F. Chang's in the contiguous U.S. Printed coupon must be downloaded from Facebook only and presented and relinquished upon use. Offer is one-time use and may not be combined with any other offer or discount, including P.F. Chang's for Two, Happy Hour discounts, or Warrior® Rewards. Offer may not be used for gratuity or for the purchase of alcohol or gift cards, and may not be redeemed for cash or credit. Void if reproduced, sold, purchased, brokered or bartered and where prohibited by law. Limit of one Offer per table.


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"As much of the American West gets warmer and drier, wildfire season is getting longer, busier, and more frightening. But fire, unlike other natural hazards, is still widely considered an enemy to be defeated, rather than a fact of life that must be accepted. As Max Moritz, a fire ecologist at the University of California, Berkeley, and the lead author of a review paper published today in Nature, puts it, "To reduce flood damage, we make floodplain maps. To reduce earthquake damage, we form earthquake commissions. When it comes to fire, we hand everything over to the firefighters."
Center for Fire Research and Outreach at UC Berkeley
Our Mission
The mission of the UC Berkeley Center for Fire Research and Outreach is to provide a forum for coordination on emerging research and tools regarding wildland fire in California. The center will facilitate working groups devoted to a specific field or topic of research and management that relates to fire. The Center also addresses areas with Mediterranean climates world-wide. Learn More
Fire Information Dashboard
ESRI Wildfire Public Information Map
Inciweb Incidents for California |
CALFIRE Statewide Fire Map |
CFRO News
9/15 - Lessons for saving our forests - UC Berkeley News Center
via UC Berkeley News Center
"In late July, UC Berkeley fire ecologist Scott Stephens was working in Stanislaus National Forest, gathering data on how a century had altered its character. What he saw were the signs of a clear and present danger."
Scott Stephens is co-director of the Center for Fire Research and Outreach.
9/2 - Rim Fire Reprise Warning: Restoring Forests the Wrong Way May Fuel Future Fires
via California Magazine:
"As the U.S. Forest Service finalizes plans to restore forests torched in last year's Yosemite-area Rim Fire—the third largest in state history—conservationists are worried that the scheme skimps on environmental protection. Also concerned is one of the state's top forestry experts, a UC Berkeley professor who warns that replanting trees the traditional way will simply sow the seeds for the next conflagration."
Twitter Feed (#wildfire)
Wildfire Today:
Forest Service Chief testifies before Senate Committee about #wildfire http://t.co/mdZHE6VWcT http://t.co/IH8xHL8yHX
Posted 15 hours ago
@Tinashe love #wildfire #AquariusOniTunes http://t.co/skW015VCvq
Posted 4 days ago
I. D. Hansen:
Smokey the Bear's 70th Birthday @smokey_bear #wildfire #OnlyYou #SmokeyBearHugs
Posted less than a minute ago
"@MissieVie: @Tinashe love #wildfire #AquariusOniTunes http://t.co/29RNHYeNGi" #AquariusOniTunes
Posted less than a minute ago
Bob Kowalski:
RT @FireLifeSafety: I'm tired of relying on @fema for #wildfire #mitigation #grants - when #safety becomes political our villages are in tr…
Posted less than a minute ago


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February 16, 2015, category: Agriculture, Delegations, Fairs & Exhibitions, Fertilizers, International Conferences cum Summit, Microirrigation, Pesticides, Post harvest, Protected Cultivation, Seeds, Trade
Dear Friends and Colleagues, It's with utmost pleasure that we invite you to attend agritech 2015. We all agree that everyone of us is witnessing far-reaching changes in the agriculture industry – due to the
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February 16, 2015, category: Dental, Equipments, Fairs & Exhibitions, International Conference, International Conferences cum Summit, Medical, Technologies
36th International Dental Show Cologne, Germany 10 – 14 March 2015 International contact exchange for the dental industry Taking place every two years, IDS in Cologne is the top event for the international dental sector.
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February 15, 2015, category: Healthcare IT, ICT, Information Technology, International Conference, Internet, Technologies, Telecommunications
With a tiny local market, Israeli startups in particular have no choice but to think globally from day one. For them, it was never about trying to figure out what kind of technology will suit
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February 9, 2015, category: Hi-Tech
Recent hi-visibility hacks on corporate giants like Sony, Target and Home Depot and government institutions like the U.S. Central Command have made it clear that in today's networked world, cyber-criminals, cyber-terrorists and state-sponsored hackers are
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February 3, 2015, category: Medical
Imagine there's a wearable patch for treating diabetes that replaces daily injections, or a way to test for lung cancer just by breathing through your nose, or a laser device the size of an electric
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January 30, 2015, category: Cleantech, Hi-Tech, Investment, Research & Development, Start-ups, Technologies, Tel Aviv
The map showing clusters of start-ups in Tel Aviv Israel has long been known as the "startup nation" thanks to the hundreds of start-ups, with scores more founded every year. Entrepreneur Ben Lang, who returned
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January 29, 2015, category: Collaboration, General, Hi-Tech, Investment, MOU, Research & Development, Start-ups, Technologies, Tel Aviv
SCOUTING TECHNOLOGY? FOLLOW THE CROWD TO ISRAEL By any barometer last week was a banner week in Israel when measured by foreign direct investment inflows. In just one seven day period, foreign purchases of Israeli
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January 22, 2015, category: Hi-Tech
Israeli Mobile Technology Talks the Talk by Going Global From the Get-Go When it comes to breaking into today's mobile market, it's crucial to think global from the get go. Take Samsung, LG, and other
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January 19, 2015, category: Investment, Research & Development, Start-ups, Technologies, Tel Aviv
For Silicon Valley entrepreneurs seeking the next-best tech hub, plan to spend at least 17 hours on planes. Eventually, you'll make your way to Tel Aviv, which was ranked the No. 2 startup ecosystem in
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During Scoutmaster conferences I often ask the Scout what the Scout Oath and Law mean to them. In their own words what do the values and the promises found in the Oath and Law mean.
It seems that, by and large, there is a lack of knowledge in so far as defining what "Duty" means with our younger Scouts. With our older Scouts too for that matter.
When I was a young Scout, right after we walked up hill both ways in the snow, it seems to me that we were taught in School, home, and Church what Duty meant and what our role was in keeping our promises and understanding what our duty was when it comes to our daily lives. In Scouts we knew what our duty was when it came to being Reverent and Helpful. We had an understanding about our Duty to our Country.
The other night I took the opportunity while talking with a young man during a Scoutmaster Conference to discuss what duty meant and what he needed to know about it. The discussion started because the Scout didn't understand why he said those words when he recited the Scout Oath.
I started with a basic definition so he could get at least an understanding of duty. I first asked if he felt like he had a responsibility to be helpful. He said yes. I asked if he felt an obligation to be a good citizen. He said yes, but really didn't know what that really meant at his age. I then asked him if he felt that he should be committed to doing his best, staying healthy, and doing well in school so he could have a better life. All of those he felt that he was committed to.
I told him that duty is just that, a responsibility, a commitment, and an obligation to something. In our case as Scouts those are found in our Scout Oath to God and our Country, to other people, and to ourselves.
Duty to me has always been a solid concept of how we live our lives. As a soldier, I was bound to serving our Country and as a leader my duty was to the soldiers I led.
As a Father, my responsibility has always been to making me children good people. I was told once that it is not my job as a Dad to raise good children, rather it was my duty to raise good adults.
As a Husband my obligation is to my wife. To be her partner through thick and thin and to show her unconditional love.
As a Scout leader I am committed to men of Character. Making Eagle Scouts is not my priority, teaching young men to grow up and be men that have Character, are good citizens, and have an understanding and habit of being fit. That is what is important to me. Why? Because it is my Duty.
I shared these things to my young Scout. It helped him gain a better understanding of why, in the Scout Oath, we use the term "Duty".
Knowing that it make the Scout Law more important, it focuses the Scouts outlook toward God and Country and helping others. It creates a want to be his best and take care of himself and those around him.
Some may say that I am reading into this, I say no… I am teaching it for what it is. A promise.
If we don't keep our promises we compromise our character, when we do that, we have nothing. We need to understand that we have a Duty to be good Scouts, Scouts that live the Oath and Law in our daily lives.
It is the foundation of Scouting. Baden Powell understood that when he started this. These concepts have been passed from generation to generation. William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt understood this and made it the hallmark of his writings on Scouting. Scoutmasters for years have held true to these concepts in the teaching their Scouts and for whatever reason there has been a disconnect in our young men today. It is my duty to change that. I will do that one Scout at a time.
Do you feel that same obligation?
Have a Great Scouting Day!
To do my Duty…
Anchoring your tent
Here is a technique for anchoring your tent. In this video, I demonstrate using a snow stake. A stick works just as well. Snow stakes are versatile and light and are worth carrying into camp.
It is important to anchor your tent well. Winter conditions typically include heavy winds so no matter what or how much gear you have in your tent, to keep your tent and the rest of your gear in good repair, anchor your tent well.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Cold Weather Camping – Sleep System
Getting a good nights sleep is an important part of any camp out, and very important when camping in the cold. Sleeping in the cold creates some anxiety in young Scouts. While the Scout is up and moving he can control his level of warmth. Teaching the Scout that it is possible to be warm in the winter will help him get a good nights sleep.
First, lets talk gear.
When I talk gear for sleeping, I refer to it as a sleep system. The system may vary depending on conditions, temperature, and he person.
The sleep system consists if the Sleeping bag, the sleeping pad (insulation), and sleep clothing. You may add to the system a sleeping bag liner, a bivy sack, and of course a pillow.
The sleeping bag is the base of the system. The rating of the bag needs to be at least 20 degrees. Lover is preferred especially when the temps are known to frequently dip below 20 degrees. Adding the sleeping bag liner will add another 10 degrees of warmth to you in the bag and is a light weight, inexpensive option to adding warmth.
Down versus Synthetic? It really does not matter. They are equally as warm, down is going to cost more, but you will get your savings in weight. Down needs to stay dry to keep warm. Synthetic materials fair better than down when wet or damp. Which is an important consideration when coaching Scouts on which type of bag to purchase.
It used to be popular opinion to wear as little as possible when in your sleeping bag, now however, your clothing is considered a part of your sleep system.
First thing to remember is whatever you decide to wear, it needs to be clean and dry. For most that means wearing a clean set of poly pro long underwear. Again, keep in mind that it is easier to stay warm than to re warm. Change into your "sleeping clothing" when you are warm. Boil up some water and drink a hot beverage. While you are drinking, boil up enough water to put in a water bottle. Throw it in your sleeping bag as you change into your sleep clothes. Hand warmers are also a good way to preheat the bag.
A change of your socks is also a great idea. If you are like me, your feet are the first thing to get cold. Dry socks going into a sleeping bag is fantastic and will keep you warmer. Find a real thick pair of wool socks, you know, the kind that you would never hike in but look super comfy. Wear them at night to keep your feet warm.
Possumdown socks or a good thick merino wool sock are what I find to work the best.
The set up of your gear is important. Get out of the elements.
Don't sleep in low ground. Cold air settles in low ground. When selecting your sleep area, where you pitch your tent, make sure you stay on the upper part of the slope. If you must pitch camp in low ground, dig a sump outside of the door of your tent. This will pull the cold air away from you as you sleep.
Vent your Tent. If you fail to vent you will wake up wet, condensation will form in your tent. You can expect a little, but if you don't vent you will certainly get too much moisture in your tent. This is bad for your gear and also will make your packing a bit harder.
The sleeping bag liner is a great piece of gear. It is perhaps the biggest addition to my winter gear. Adding ten degrees to my sleeping bag, it is made of fleece, which absorbs some moisture from my breath at night, keeps my bag dry, and takes away the feel of cold nylon as I slip into my bag.
Getting a great nights sleep is critical when camping. Staying warm is key. Knowing your sleep system and how to use it is an important skill in winter camping.
We will talk more about winter camping in our next post.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Solo Stove Give Away!
Today I was putting up the Christmas lights and getting the tree ready to decorate. Carols being sung in the background and the smell of Christmas in the air. When what to my wandering mind did ah ha!!! A give away of gear!
So here is the way it's going to work… Create the Caption.
1st. You must "Like" this post.
2nd. In the comments section create a caption for this picture!
3rd. "Like" us on Facebook. If you already "like" us on Facebook, Thank You!
The caption that I like the most wins!
What do you win? A brand new, in the box, Solo Stove and the Solo Stove 900 Pot! This is a great prize!
The winner will be picked on December 21st, 2014.
Good Luck! I can't wait to see the comments!
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Cold Weather Camping pt. 2 Skills
Just as a recap… Cold weather camping is a High Risk activity that is challenging, fun, and rewarding for those that venture into the cold weather environment. This type of camping takes discipline, skills, and a great attitude.
Once leaders understand their role in accountability to those they lead, monitor behavior, and maintain the same "can do" attitude, they will provide fun programs in the cold weather camping environment.
In this post we are going to continue some of the discussion on training for camping in the cold, focusing on some of the skills that need to be developed to ensure a safe, fun outing.
Obviously what you wear and how you wear it is a skill in and of itself. Knowing when to layer up or down takes skills and awareness of the conditions.
How all of this clothing gets packed require a skill set also. Those skills need to be practiced and repeated. One of the ways in which we develop that skill is simply to have the Scouts pack and repack. They unpack, set up, and then repack in fair conditions. The second evolution is practiced with gloves on. The same skills worked over and over.
It is once the Scout can do these skills that we practice outside, in the cold. You will see the mastery of this skill proven at that point.
Understanding that the simple skill of packing a backpack in the cold can have a huge impact on the fun of the outing. A Scout that struggles with this skill will place himself in painful situation and prolong his time spent being cold. Remember that it is easier to stay warm than to rewarm. Packing is a skill that will help the Scout find success in the cold. Nylon gets cold and as the Scout packs he is in contact with cold material that may also be icy or wet. It is important to do this correctly the first time so he can quickly return to activity that keeps him warm.
The Scout needs to understand that there is an order to his packing so he can access those items that he will need throughout the day to stay warm, cook meals, and move in and out of layers. He also needs to understand how his gear works so he can have quick set up and take down periods.
His tent should be set up and modified to meet the Scouts needs in the cold. Guy lines added and tied to the tie out points. Knots pre tied and line measured to specific lengths so there is not a lot of adjustments to be made.
A plan for anchoring his tent needs to be made and practiced. I do not worry about snow stakes. A stick will do or a regular tent stake placed in the snow sideways will hold the tent in place. Additional guy lines may be needed in the event of heavy winds or snow. Have those lines in place before you go. A simple bowline tied at the end of the line will make for quick set up and take down.
Digging a cold sump outside of the tent will pull cold air away from you as you sleep. Cold air settles in low ground, creating that low space will keep you warmer at night. You will also have a place to sit and put your boots on and fire up the stove to boil water for a nice cup of hot chocolate.
Cooking in the cold is another challenge that requires a few more skills than boiling water.
First the Scout needs to understand that eating is critical for staying warm in the cold weather environment. Eating keeps you hydrated, it keeps you warm and comfortable, and it provides the nutrients to keep you going. When you cook or boil water, it is a good way to treat that water and get fluids into your system. Dehydration is the number one cold weather injury. Scouts do not feel thirsty because it is cold. It is when you feel thirsty that you are in the early stages of dehydration. Cooking a meal and having a cold or warm drink with help prevent dehydration.
The gear used for cooking needs attention and skill to accomplish the cooking of your meal. Liquid fuels such as white gas are very reliable in the cold. Canister fuels work well also, but you need to keep the canister warm. Throw it in your sleeping bag at night. Keep it in a wool sock. Use a small square of Closed Cell Foam pad to set the canister on as you cook. This insulates and keeps the fuel warmer.
Why do I consider cooking a skill for the cold weather, well there is great emphasis in cooking in the cold. You can not get away with quick trail meals. You need to eat warmer meals to stay warm. The average person burns about 2700 calories a day in the summer. In the winter you need to be prepared to burn about 4000 a day. Considering this, it takes skill in planning and preparing those meals, not to mention getting them into camp. Again, packing becomes a tremendous skill that pays off.
We teach the acronym C.O.L.D. Clean, Overheating, Layers, and Dry. This simple acronym is all about skills.
Staying clean, both your body and your clothing. Dirty, oily clothing allows for water to seep as well as wind. This will not protect you against the elements any longer. You must stay as clean as you can. A quick wipe down before you go to bed and when you get up in the morning will keep you warmer. Keeping from Overheating will reduce sweat and therefore will keep you warmer. Reducing the amount of moisture on the body will keep you from freezing. We do this by wearing loose layers. An effective layering system of clothing that will assist you in regulating your temperature keeping your comfortable and warm. And finally staying dry. Staying out of the snow when it is critical to stay dry. This means changing after playing in the snow or digging a snow cave. Water is your enemy in the cold (unless you are drinking it). Remember C.O.L.D. to stay Warm!
Before setting up your tent, pack the snow. You are your buddy, walk with your snow shoes stamping down a platform for your tent. It need not be too much bigger than the footprint of the tent. Pack it so you no longer punch through when you walk. This will provide a comfortable platform to sleep on and make it easier to set up your tent.
This also keeps you from possible tearing a hole in the floor of your tent should you step through a patch of unpacked snow.
It is counter intuitive to think about opening your tent, but make sure your tent is vented well. This will reduce condensation keeping your tent and the rest of your gear dryer, thus keeping you warmer.
In part three, we will discuss sleeping in the cold.
What do you think? Are you ready to get out there and camp in the cold…
Let me know what you think. What winter camping skill do you think is the most important?
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Cold Weather Camping 2015
Camping in the cold is adventurous and fun. It poses challenges and requires more training to ensure a safe, fun time spent in the winter camping.
I love cold weather camping, it is perhaps some of my favorite camping. Since becoming a Scoutmaster, I have taken pride in sharing that love of winter camping with the Scouts of my Troop. On average, we camp about 3 times a year in a cold weather environment. We have been very successful during these camp outs because of the training that we do before the outing.
So what do we do to make our winter outings successful? Training, accountability, and skills development.
Cold weather camping all starts with good training. We have a rule, not a policy, that if a Scout does not attend all of the training he does not go on cold weather camp outs.
We do this simply for safety. The safety of the scout and his buddies. Any high risk activity requires training above and beyond your typical camping skills.
Cold weather injury prevention takes a good portion of the training. We teach the Scouts first how to prevent cold weather injuries.
Developing the skills of the Scout to prepare for camping in the cold, identify those symptoms of cold weather injuries and then treatment. It should be noted that as stated we average about three cold weather camp outs a year as a Troop, and when I refer to cold weather camp outs, I am talking about sub freezing temperatures. For the past ten years we have been using this training plan and have never had a cold weather injury. I suppose I should pay respect to my Scouting friends in Alaska and Minnesota.. we do not get the temps you all get and I would think you all have similar training programs. Cold weather injuries are cold weather injuries no matter where you are.
Subjects under the topic of cold weather injuries include; Hypothermia, Frost Bite, Chill Blains, Frost nip, snow blindness, and immersion foot.
We move on from injuries to layering and proper wear of clothing. We discuss how and when to layer up or down and the right clothing for the outing. When it comes to clothing, we teach that it is easier to stay warm than to re-warm. The idea that re-warming takes time and energy that you may want to save.
Clothing plays a major role in Cold weather camping. Not just a lot of clothing, but the right clothing. Moving from cotton shirts that keep moisture on the body thus cooling you, to synthetic shirts that wick the sweat away from you. Jackets that insulate as well as protect from the elements. A layering system that allows you to move as well as stand around. Gloves that work for completing camp tasks as well as keeping your fingers, hands, and wrist warm.
Hats that warm and protect from wind while keeping your head dry.
There is a lot more that goes into developing your clothing list. Keeping in mind that you still have to carry it in your pack, bulk plays a part in your packing list. Extra socks are always a must, consideration needs to be made as to when you are going to change them, where you carry them, and how many do you need. A thick pair of wool socks to sleep in may be packed in with your sleep system while your smart wool socks worn for hiking and moving around camp may be packed on top for easy access.
If you are like me, once your feet get cold, I am cold. So maintaining warmth by frequent changing of socks is a must for me.
Part of the training program is a discussion of using existing gear. Using a three season tent to stand up to heavy snow and winds. Adding a layer in a sleeping bag to give an additional ten degrees of warmth. And how to make your stove the most efficient it can be in the cold.
A big area of our preparation for cold weather camping is the matter of accountability. This is a touchy subject for some, but it is a matter of safety and therefore non negotiable. A Scout must attend the four meetings leading to the first winter camp out. This way he gets the training required and has an opportunity to work with the rest of the troop on the skills needed for winter outings.
Being accountable to one another is an important part of this process. The Scouts are accountable to one another. When they understand that they can not have a "me" attitude, they start to pay close attention to what their buddy is doing and how they are a member of that team. We teach that cold weather injury prevention is a leaders responsibility. Leadership and Discipline are the two key components in cold weather camping. Leaders that care for their patrols will keep an eye on them. They will watch for the signs of cold weather issues. They will keep their patrol motivated an on task. They start building that high performance team with the understanding that they are all in this together. It takes the whole patrol watching out for each other, pitching in with camp chores, set up, take down, meal prep, etc. that makes the experience one they won't forget.
When we talk about accountability we need to ensure that the Scout understands that he is an important part in the safety of his buddy and himself. Most Scouts will go through their Scouting life following the leader. Cold weather camping forces the issue of leadership on each Scout.
Accountability starts with the Scout being required to attend the meetings and training. If the Scout fails to attend the required meetings and training the result is the Scout not being able to attend the outing. When it comes to this we stand firm. Training and developing the required skills are important, when a Scout does not get the training, he is setting himself up for a possible injury or at least increasing the risk of himself and his buddies.
The Scout is accountable for his attitude. A lack of enthusiasm for the outing or having a negative attitude is not a good fit in the group dynamic in the cold weather environment. Being able to keep that positive outlook is important. You will need it when the conditions seem to be fighting you and you feel as though the task is out of hand. Understanding that you can and will get through the conditions is mostly in your attitude.
We will leave this discussion right here for now… we will pick up with the skills discussion in our next post.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Warm up socks and boot insoles by keeping them in the sleeping bag next to you.
Stoves? What you can use.
As with many other things in Scouting, some "rules" get made up as they go. Cell Phones? NO.. No electronics on Scouting Outings. Not written down anywhere from the BSA, but ask many Scouters and they will proclaim this as gospel.
Knives, same thing. Throw that subject out at a Round Table and you will get 50 different "policies" on what can and can not be used.
So, lets talk about one of my favorite subjects. Stoves. According to my wife, I have a stove addiction. I have many makes and models. Various fuel types and uses. Yeah, I like stoves. My go to stoves are the Fancee Feast stove, the one I am using now is from Swankfly, but now that he is out of the stove business Zelph at Woodgaz stoves is the guy to get them now. My other go to is the Solo Stove wood gas stove. I absolutely love this stove.
I also have the MSR Whisper lite, a great liquid fuel (multi fuel) stove. Then there are a few more alcohol stoves. The Trangia, which is an indestructible stove. Its Swedish construction is second to none. The Mini heat from Smokeeater 908. Cool remote feed stove that is build like a tank, but so light you don't know its in your pack. Tato Gear's AB13 Hybrid alcohol stove is another stove that I like to throw in the pack from time to time. Great for baking, the remote feed allows for hours of cooking on a single light.
I have a collection of canister stoves, the Snow Peak Giga Power, MSR Pocket Rocket, and a few Jet Boil systems along with Esbit solid fuel stoves.
So I like stoves.
But what am I allowed to use in the BSA? All of the above.
The official BSA policy is simple. As long as you did not make it, you can use it.
You can use alcohol, as long as you use denatured alcohol. You can use White gas, Diesel, kerosene, and solid fuel like the Esbit fuel tabs.
You can not make a pop can stove. I suppose the BSA is leary of Scouts not doing it right. In fact the policy says you can't make your own stove period.
Fuels are to be used as intended and carried in a fuel container that is designed for that purpose. For example, if you are using Denatured Alcohol, you need to carry it in a fuel bottle. Putting your fuel in an old pop bottle or generic bottle is not authorized.
So the myth of Alcohol stoves being banned is just that.. a myth.
The myth that you can not use wood stoves.. just that… a myth.
Liquid fuel stoves too dangerous for Scouts and therefore banned.. a myth.
I was told that wood gas stoves can not be used because you can't turn them off. Huh, what? Can't turn them off? You can put out a fire in a fire pit right? Then you can put out a wood gas stove.
Alcohol and wood stoves can not be regulated.. they are on or off. Ahhh.. again, nope, not in all cases. Trangia, Esbit, Solo, and remote Feed stoves all can be snuffed out and regulated for temperature.
So again.. myth busted.
In my last post I encouraged you to allow alternative gear to be used. Allow the Scouts to seek adventure and try new things. When it comes to stoves, really there are not many restrictions other than making your own.
Here is what it comes down to. Training.
You teach the Scout to use the Coleman two burner stove right? Then teach him to use an alcohol stove properly.
Teach him to use his MSR pocket rocket or Dragon fly the right way and it will serve it's purpose without anyone getting hurt.
When the Scout is properly trained and trusted, he will do the right thing and have fun in his outdoor experience.
Technology and research have produced some really cool stoves. Let them try it.
Many Scouts in my Troop have started using the Vargo Titanium stove. They are available at REI and other out fitters.
They are solid as Sears and work great. They can be turned off (or put out) and get a good boil or simmer if you need it.
They are nice an light and you can cook what ever you would cook on your Coleman stove with them. And we allow them to use them because they can.
I highly recommend this as a great stove to get Scouts and Scouters into using Alcohol Stoves.
Here is the Vargo Official Video for the Triad Alcohol Stove.
So that's what you can use… Stoves. Most all of them are available to your Scouts. Do not make up policy because you are afraid of change. Do not be set in your ways so a Scout does not get the chance to explore. Don't give in to the myths that have been passed down from one old Scouter to the next.
The fact is, there are lots of choices out there. Exploring is part of the Scouting way.
Give them a try.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Gear Alternatives
As you know by reading the blog, I am a fan of gear. I like to play around with gear, test it, try it, and change it often. There are pieces of gear that I love and pieces of gear that I am always looking for the newer, better, more efficient, or just cool. Lately I have been in a few discussions about some gear like knives and stoves. What is significant about these discussions is the idea that for a lot of Scouters there is little knowledge about what is allowed, what is not, and what is out there to show to your Scouts as gear choices.
Take a look at all the old Field books and Hand books, Peek into the Boy Scout catalogs, it's all the same stuff. All the old-time tested and true gear. It all works well and is super reliable. I don't have a problem with any of it, but just because it has always been there and done that way does not make it the only or best way to do it.
At a few recent Boy Scout break outs at round table we have talked about gear and gear alternatives. Much of the discussion focusing on stoves and knives. As discussed in my recent post "The Great Knife Debate", it amazes me that many Scouters just do not know the rules. They perpetuate a rule that does not exist for what ever reason, but the net result is not the safety of the Scout, but a lack of exposure to new and different ways of doing the same old thing. The same can be said for alcohol stoves. The BSA has prohibited the use of "Homemade" stoves. And I can see that the BSA does not want some Scout to get hurt because his leaders failed to train him on how to do it right. But the use of alcohol stoves in general is not prohibited. Manufactured of purchased stoves are not prohibited and I am glad for that. I exclusively use an alcohol stove and scouts in my troop are using them also. I teach them how and make sure they do it right. There is nothing unsafe about them, well, they are about as unsafe as using an MSR Whisperlite. It comes down to training them to use it correctly. Stores like REI and many online outdoor outfitter are selling alcohol stoves. And the fact is you can use them to cook anything.
I can bake, fry, simmer, and of course boil water with them. Here is the point. They are an alternative way to do the same old thing. Camping, Cooking, sleeping in a shelter, whether that is a tent, a tarp, or a bivy sack is all the same. Camping is camping. There are many methods and ways to go about it, but in the end it's all the same.
You also know that I am a big fan of wood stoves (like the Solo Stove). They are a great way to cook. It takes a little skill and you can absolutely cook anything with them. I have had Scouters tell me that one can not use them because you can't turn them off. Huh? What? First Class Requirement 4 e states; On one camp out, serve as your patrol's cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in requirement 4a. In the most previous edition of the Boy Scout handbook Second Class requirement 2g required the Scout to; On one camp out, plan and cook over an open fire one hot breakfast or lunch for yourself, selecting foods from the food pyramid. Explain the importance of good nutrition. Tell how to transport, store, and prepare the foods you selected.
So in one edition of the hand book, we have decided to dumb down the Scouting experience not make it a requirement to cook over an open fire, but it's a choice. But it's still there and it always has been. But in checking the Guide to Safe Scouting I can't find anywhere that suggests wood stoves are prohibited or cooking over an open flame is prohibited because you can't put it out. You see, to me that is just a way for Scouters to impose a rule that is not there when it comes to gear.
There are lots of great gear alternatives out there. Allow your Scouts to explore them.
Many of the Scouts in my troop are moving to camping under tarps. Some are using you standard 10X10 Wal Mart tarp, while most are going to good camping tarps. SilNylon tarps that are light and easy to put up. Some even have built-in doors and can be pitched between trees or using their trekking poles. I love the idea that the Scouts are exploring different gear and ways to camp. It keeps it fun and exciting for them.
I suppose the bottom line is that there are many options out there, as a Scouter you should gain an understanding and knowledge of that gear and not push it aside just because you don't like it.
We had this same debate during the 2010 National Jamboree. Many 'older Scouters' did not like the idea of allowing the Scouts to bring and use "Electronics". There was a misconceptions that electronics are not allowed in Scouting. No where is this found in writing. I allowed the Scouts of my Jamboree Troop to bring their "electronics". Cell phones, Ipods, and of course cameras. I wanted them to be able to communicate with me and other Scouts, I wanted to be able to shoot a text to the troop when I needed to make quick contact with them. I wanted the Senior Patrol Leader to be able to get everyone on the bus on time and sent group texts to better communicate with his Troop. We established "No ear bid zones" Touring at Arlington National Cemetery for example was a No Ear Bud zone. Sitting on the bus for two hours however was not. As long as the Scouts obeyed the rules, I allowed them to use the electronics.
The same goes for their gear. As long as they use it as intended, be it a stove, knife, or any other piece of gear, I allow and encourage them to try new things.
This is a big part of the adventure of Scouting.
Get to know some new gear. Pick something to try with your Scouts. Try something new.
Allow the adventure of Scouting to happen.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
You make the call…
At the end of the summer myself another leader and a couple of Scouts from my Troop, both Eagle Scouts, took a four hour road trip South to attend our Sections Conclave. It was just another four hours in the car until we started a conversation that lasted the better part of three hours. In this conversation the subject of life choices came up. You see one of the Scouts is a very out going young man. He is very active in his community, student government, sports, band, and an active social life. The other would be considered his opposite. While he participated in sports, and drama, he feels as though he is the one on the outside looking in. And so the discussion went. One contrasting the other. But the question was why is that? What makes these two young men so different? They grew up in same community. Both from good homes, Attended the same High School, and both active in Scouting (Eagle Scouts and Arrowmen).
Now, I am not saying one is better than the other here… I was just asking why? But in fact, the more the conversation went deeper, the more I wanted so much for the Scout with less friends and social life to be like the other. Why? Because the social one had what seemed to be a better outlook on life.
What it came down to was choices. Making a choice not to be the guy in the corner, making a choice to step out of the comfort zone and meet new people, make new friends, and discover new things. While the other was clearly not having a great high school experience and felt like everyone was against him.
He did not believe that he had the ability to make a choice to have a different experience, while his companion on the trip felt like his entire high school experience revolved around those choices he made.
Both of these young men are Honor Roll students, so both are smart and articulate. They have the faculties to make sound decisions and choices. So what is it?
We never answered that question, but did come up with 5 things that would help, as they said, if we had to do it over again. First. Make a choice to have the experience you want. If you want to play the victim, That will be the choice you make. You can chose not to be and do things in your life to curb that mentality.
First. Know that you and only you have a choice to make. You will decide whether or not you want to set a course for discovery or to hide inside of yourself. You will make a choice to make friends or not make friends. With that choice though, you need to know that the world is not against you and you must do at least half the work. You can not expect friendships and opportunities to just happen, you need to work at them and create them. Your mind will be the starting point. Get it in your mind to make the right choice and you will find the path that will lead you there.
Second. Break things down into smaller parts. We discovered in our talk that in most cases those that have a difficult time making friends or feeling left out expect to much to soon. Break things down. Start small. Opportunities in life happen in bite size chunks. Financially, we do not wait around to hit the lotto.. we get a job and work our way up to bigger and better opportunities, better pay and position. So it is with most things in life. Start small and set small, short term goals. These will lead you to bigger goals and better opportunities. Again, you need to make a choice to go that route.. or sit around and wait for the right balls to drop in your favor. Keep waiting, the odds are against you.
The third thing is to Never give up. Never, ever give up. The world is not against you, in fact, the world doesn't know you so don't give up on yourself. When you reach a point in life when the going gets tough or you have reached an obstacle that seems insurmountable.. find another way. Every time I have been in that situation I look for a way to get around it. I do not let it beat me. If plan "a" doesn't work, go to plan "b". If that fails you move on to "c" and so on… Sometimes you will get all the way to plan "x, y, and z" before you need to reevaluate, but never give up. I typically get to about "D" and then figure there may be something wrong with me or my approach. You need to be willing to accept that sometimes it is you and not the process or other people. You can be wrong, but don't give up or in. There are ways to accomplish your goals, you may just have to come at it from different avenues. Never give up, especially on yourself.
Fourth, have a Positive outlook. If you choose to look at life from a negative point of view that is what you will see. I am not saying that you put on rose colored glasses, but look at life for what it is. Great! Life is full of opportunity, you just need to go get it. Life is full of fun, you just need to find it. Life is full of adventure, you just need to grab it. The common point there is YOU. You need to be positive and accepting of the fact that YOU are in charge of your outlook.. no one else. If you think that You are wrong.
And finally, realize that you can have results or make excuses… but you can't have both. Results will get you want in life. Excuses will get you nothing. So pick one, Results or Excuses. I can't stand people that make excuses, it is lazy and demonstrates a lack of personal accountability. The person that blames life on their condition is just being lazy and unwilling to work for results. Like I said, the world is not against you.. the world doesn't know you. Your class mates are not against you, you are not willing to make it work or do the work to make friends. You need to look in the mirror and realize that there are people just like you, they all need friends and relationships. They all want acceptance and a sense of belonging. Find them.. do the work. Not everyone is a jock, not everyone plays in the band, not everyone is a Scout or into the drama or chess club. Find the group that you belong to and embrace them. Don't make excuses that no one likes you.. maybe it's you. Maybe you have not allowed them to like you or opened the door for that friendship. Maybe it is you that has not worked hard enough to get that raise or promotion. Maybe it is you that has had a bad attitude and no one wants it to rub off on them. Maybe it is time to stop making excuses and go get results.
You and only you have 100% control over you. No matter what your age, ethnicity, race, religion, whatever.. YOU control You.
So you make the call? Have you made a choice to do something with your life? Have you broken it down to smaller parts to manage your goals better? Have you given up? Do you have a positive outlook? And you want Results or keep making excuses? It is simple, but it starts with you and a choice.
You make the call.
Have a Great Scouting Day!
Ferguson or Scouting?
I believe it was Will Rogers that said, "The only problem with the Boy Scouts…There's not enough of them." Most of us in the Scouting community know this quote and have seen it around for some years now. I think it is true.
In our never ending quest to gain members in Scouting a recurring theme continues to haunt those of us that care very much about Scouting and are not afraid to promote it. The theme of being relevant in our time. Of course Scouting is relevant in our time. Those that argue against Scoutings relevance obviously have not watched the evening news, read a local newspaper, spent 10 minutes on Facebook, stood in a mall. Look around, the world needs Scouting.
No matter what your religious beliefs are, no matter your ethnic background, no matter what side of the political spectrum you fall… Scouting is relevant.
Our values in Scouting are a key message missing in the world today. Over the last couple of days we have been bombarded by the news of Ferguson, MO. I will not get into the particulars of the court case or the actions that led us to this embarrassment of humanity. I think we all can agree that had this young man been a Scout, we would not be hearing about Ferguson, MO. Heck, no one knew it was a dot on the map until recently.
The thugs that are now looting and destroying the town of Ferguson. Do you think they would do so had they knew the Scout Oath and Law and lived them.
Do you think the Parents of those people, that cared enough to take their sons to Scouts would allow this to happen. Do you think that the young men that were required to understand what citizenship in their community meant, visit a public official, sit in a town hall meeting or session of court… do you think they would understand this process a bit better and would participate as a citizen, not a thug. Scouting relevant? Wake up.
In the last week, the week leading up to our special day of Thanksgiving, we have seen the worst in people. What will they be celebrating on Thursday? That they stole a new TV, broke windows, and destroyed their homes? Is that something to be thankful for? On the other hand, what if they had been Scouts? What if they bowed their head on Thursday and gave thanks to their parents for loving them and caring about how they grew up? What if they gave thanks for the hard work that is realized in this bounty on the table? What if they looked across the table and said thank you for life and all of its blessings?
You live in a dream world Jerry… Yep.
But you know, on Monday night at our Troop meeting as I gave my Scoutmaster minute, I gave thanks. Thanks to the parents in the back of the room that care enough to bring their sons. Thanks to the young men that sat and listened to me, that they are growing life skills and living the Scout Oath and Law. I will not see these men on the news burning a car and stealing from a store. I don't have to worry about them bringing a gun to school and shooting their classmates. I don't have to lose sleep at night wondering if they are going to end up in jail.
Scouting relevant. You are absolutely right it is relevant. As uncool as it may seem Scouting is relevant.
In 1907 when Baden Powell started Scouting, one of his goals was to establish a world wide program for boys that would promote peace. Powell had served in the Boar wars and had seen enough of the worst in people. He knew that if.. IF.. men could embrace a common set of values that we could have peace. This dream has not been realized, not because of Scouting, but because there are not enough Scouts. If our politicians had these values, if our community leaders had these values, they would be compelled to think about their decisions in the light of them. They would let their values guide their actions instead of greed and self interest. They would be leaders that have the heart of a servant, not a despot seeking control and fame. The dream of Baden Powell can be found in over 200 countries in Scouts and their leaders. But their are not enough. Scouting is relevant.
Will Rogers said it best when he said that now famous quote, I know you all agree.
The BSA should capitalize on this moment in time. Show the people of America that we have a choice to make..
Ferguson or Scouting?
Have a Great Scouting Day!


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