I haven't been doing so much with my Boy Scouts lately because I've been getting very involved in volunteering with the local Autism Society. My husband does most of the stuff with the guys and I go when I can. This weekend we have a Bike Ride at Lake Fausse Pointe State Park (LA) where the scouts take over the park. The Boy Scouts do a 15 mile ride and the Cubs if I remember right do a 7 mile ride. We also have a fishing contest, scavenger hunt, night hike with the Park Ranger and of course a big campfire. Recently we went to visit the USS Alabama and camped at the State Park (I think Huntley). Everybody had a blast. We have slept overnight at the USS Kidd in Baton Rouge, LA before as Cub Scouts. It is always fun but the USS Alabama is SOOO much bigger all the Boy Scouts loved it. Next summer our Council is planning to attend several high adventure treks. I think my 15-year-old son will go to Philmont. My younger son may be of age to go to the Bahamas Adventure -- his brother went last year and loved it. We are hoping to attend Philmont as a family also. My husband has been invited to attend training there -- fingers crossed. Are y'all planning on going to the 2010 National Jamboree? I know our younger son is looking forward to it. Feel free to email me -- I have to check my email daily due to my Autism volunteer work but don't get to surf much. Anne

Hi Dave, Congratulation on becoming an Eagle Scout! Also, congrats on your surgery! Everything going as it should after surgery? It's a blast being part of Boy Scouts as an adult, I have to sons, but, have 16 other boys in Troop 399 that call me mom. The scouts call all the moms "mom". As far as having a girl in girl scouts, get involved. That was the best (almost) thing about girl scouts for me (40 years ago?). My father along with 2 other fathers got involved in meetings and camping trips on a semi- regular basis. It was a blast! Enjoy your kids and your new life of wls. Wendy

Hey Wendy, Yes, our 14 yr old is always thanking us for getting him on the big adventure scouting trips! It is so thrilling to hear him talk about all kinds of places I've never been and have been able to let him go. He knows that financially it's always a struggle to do the big trips so he it very thankful and is always helping us around the house, with our Welsh Corgi dog and the upkeep on our land. He is really looking forward to the Seabase trip, if we could afford it we'd go b/c they have opening for a male and a female leader on the trip. Po-boy , LOL! It's a local name for a hoagie or submarine type of sandwich on French bread. I'm New Orleans bred and lived there until college, still miss it! One of the hardest things about my surgery was I had it just pre-Katrina and was off work during the Hurricane and the subsequent news coverage. It was so heartbreaking to see the city I love be so low down, I would get so depressed. I haven't been able to bring myself to go back yet but almost went for Mardi Gras. Anne

Hey, Scout Mom here!! I've been in scouting for 7 years also. My older boy is 14 and has been in since Tigers. He went to the National Jamboree last year and this year is going to the Florida Seabase Bahamas trip with the Venture Crew. My younger son is 11 and has also been in since Tiger's or really since his brother was a Tiger Cub since our Pack tried to do lots of family-oriented trips including siblings. Our troop does lots of camping, hiking, canoes and biking. It's so nice now that both of our boys are in the Troop. It was hard splitting ourselves with one in Cub Scouts and one in Boy Scouts. It's really great now that my husband & I have both had the WLS, so much easier to keep up with their activities! Our biggest fundraiser besides popcorn is our Po-boy sale. We've done it since they were Cub Scouts and get lots of community support. It has helped finance winter & summer camps plus Jamboree, at least partially. Yours in Scouting, Anne 254/175/1??

Where are you from ? I'm from Columbus, Indiana Kim