Tom,

Hi,

I agree with you that Scouting has picked up a lot of tawdry and excess baggage. I commend you for your work to remove it. I am afraid I have simply resigned myself to accept it as inevitable in a large institution. I also agree that it is a the troop level where Scouting does its best work.

We just went to our first Camporee where the boys were checked on their equipment and their ability to use it proficiently in major outdoor skills. This is the first time I have seen them seriously tested. It was a very good and pleasing experience. It resulted from our small district consolidating its camporee with that of larger district. The latter obviously takes its scouting skills seriously. I am going to try to ensure that we continue to merge our camporees.

What do your boys carry in their ready bags and how do you induce them to continue carrying the gear?

I really like your discussion of current events as a standard item in your meeting agenda. I think we will start doing that as well.

Thanks,

John