I share my thoughts on books, campgrounds, and products. Some of these are reviews of things I’ve stumbled across on my own. Others have been sent to me or brought to my attention.
If you have a book or product which you would like me to review, please contact me.
Product Review: Colter Bandanas
I recently received some bandana product samples from Colter Co. with a request for a review. Love these! In addition to being practical and useful, these bandanas are also fun.
Product Review: Flowfold Optimist Mini Backpack
The nice folks at Flowfold sent me one of their Optimist Mini Backpacks for review. This is a 10L backpack and is just the right size for a day pack. I used it over the weekend at a youth camp where the buildings were very spread out and I wanted to be able to keep a few things with me all day.
Review: A Scout Leader’s Guide to Youth Leadership Training
I was given a book to reveiw called A Scout Leader's Guide to Youth Leadership Training: Working the Patrol Method. I am really impressed by this book.
Product Review – Cobrabraid 550 Paracord Bracelets
I recently received some Cobrabraid 550 samples to review. The bracelets I received were made of study paracord.
Review – Johnson Shut-ins Campground
A few weeks ago our troop camped at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park in southern Missouri. The campground was completely rebuilt following the Taum Sauk hydroelectric power station disaster in 2005.
Review – Washington State Park
Our Scouts BSA Troop recently had a family campout at Washington State Park. I recommend this campground. There was definitely plenty to do and see there and we had a great time. I'm sure we'll be going back.
Review – New Orleans West KOA Campground
I would definitely recommend this campground. The neighborhood felt very safe and it was definitely a more economical way for the six of us to visit New Orleans than staying in a hotel.
Review – Mina Sauk Falls Trail at Taum Sauk State Park
Our troop recently camped at Johnson Shut-Ins State Park in southern Missouri. While we were there, we took a day trip to Taum Sauk Mountain State Park and hiked the Mina Sauk Falls Trail.
Review – Buccaneer State Park in Mississippi
Overall, I'd recommend this park for camping, but you might want to bring some earplugs and bug spray.
Review – Davis Bayou Campground
Overall, this was a good campground because of the location and all of the attractions in the area, but the bugs were a real annoyance.
Product Review – Columbia Omni Heat Jacket
A product review of the Columbia Omni Heat Mighty Light Jacket. This jacket is lightweight but warm. I liked the fit a lot. (2020 Note: Ten years later, I am still wearing this jacket. It has definitely held up. I wear it almost every day during the winter.)
Hoo-rag Bandanas, Headbands, and Masks
Hoo-rag recently sent me some free products to review. They sent me some bandanas, a headband, a couple of masks, and more. So here is my review and thoughts about the best way to use these.
Summer Camp at Camp Gamble
We just returned home from a fabulous week of summer camp at Camp Gamble. If you are looking for a summer camp for next year with plenty of activities for all of your Scouts, I highly recommend Camp Gamble.
Book Review: Beginning Boy Scouts
I recently received a copy of Beginning Boy Scouts by Jeremy and Heather Reed. The subtitle is "An unofficial practical guide to Boy Scouts for parents and new leaders." And that describes the book perfectly. If you know somebody who is new to the Scouts BSA program, then this would be a great resource to give them an overview of the program. Note that this book only covers the Scouts BSA program, not Cub Scouts or Venturing. Also the name reflects that it was written before the Boy Scout program name changed, but the information all still applies.
Swift Explorer Base
Swift Explorer Base is located at S -F Scout Ranch near Farmington, Missouri. It is difficult to do a real review of Swift summer camp because their program there is so diverse throughout the summer.
Book Review: Mini Weapons of Mass Destruction
My boys loved this book! It shows them how to make miniature catapults, bows, and other projectile machines out of common office supplies. This book would make a great basis for a open house or a just for a fun meeting.
Woodgas Camp Stove Review
This is a self contained camp stove which burns twigs, charcoal, wood pellets, etc. It has a small battery powered fan to draw air.
Book Review: Developing Teen Leadership
I was recently asked to review a book on teen leadership. The book is called Developing Teen Leadership: A Practical Guide for Youth Group Advisors, Teachers and Parents. It is written by Dan Appleman who has 20 years of experience working with youth.
Book Review: Getting Started in Pinewood Derby
I recently received a copy of Getting Started in Pinewood Derby by Troy Thorne. This colorful workbook goes through all of the steps involved in building a car. My favorite thing about the book is that it is directed at Cub Scouts - who should be doing most of the work on their cars.
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Mosquito Netting for Summer Camp
How do Scouts and Scouters survive buggy nights in open-air platform tents? The A-frame canvas tents have been used by generations of Scouts but are open to bugs and lots of other critters.
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