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I was in cub scouts, webelos, and then boy scouts. I got the Life badge at the youngest age allowed in the program (13, I think?), then discovered jazz and played in several bands throughout jr. high and high school into college. I think I had 5 years to get the required 5 merit badges and a scout project to complete the eagle scout requirements but never went back to it. I still went on all the camping trips, 50 mile hikes (including walking, camping and canoeing - we built our own canoes) all over the NW and in BC, Canada.
Later I was a co-scoutmaster for the younger boys. I was surprised to see the things we used to do all the time weren't allowed in the program anymore. Overnight campouts were rare. Week-long, 50 mile hikes unheard of, etc. What the program has devolved into today I wouldn't even recommend to my nephews.... just come camping with the family.
I went to Salem his morning for a chiropractor appt. A cool 58°F this a.m. put me in my newly received cap from Keith Lo Bue at the Well Dressed Head. Made from 1850s-1890s overshot wool/cotton in a blue/cream colorway. Sweet cap all around with a buffalo leather sweatband.
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How times have changed. For fundraising we would cut, split, deliver, and stack firewood. A bunch of kids running chainsaws, limbing trees with axes, swinging mauls, riding in the bed of pickups on top of a load of wood: they’d probably arrest you if you tried that today.