The patch trading report for the weekend reveals two universal truths that we all will do to remember.  Remember to order your patches early is the first one.  Nayawin Rar Lodge 296 didn't and the probably 1,000+ flaps they made for the event to trade and collect won't arrive until after everybody is home from the event.  The poor guys from the Nighthawk lodge had nothing to trade other than a simple pair of epaulets that they wore as a spirit item.

• Western~Boulder, Colo.~Black Handle Knife w/ Sheath
• Huge Collection, Eagle Badge, Ribbons, Pins, 1930's
• Area 6-D Fellowship 1966 Camp McKenzie Patch
• Camp Kingsley Fort Stanwix Council Slide
• Lot of 19 Boy Scouts of Belt Buckles
• Scouts De Cuba 1950s Silk

 

Speaking of spirit items this one totally caught me off guard.  Maybe this is a very micro focused thing but several lodges produce specialized epaulets for the event and these have now become collectible.  In fact for Occoneechee 104 if you wanted to have the full set it probably includes the nicely embroidered epaulets and maybe the button which many people probably don't collect.

• Boy Scout Pocket Chanco Lodge Flap Patch 1969-1972
• NOAC Set Wyona Lodge 18 Pennsylvania Columbia
• Mirimichi Lodge #102 Flap Patch Mint Condition
• Ordeal Brotherhood Vigil Sash Belt Buckles
• OA Boy Scout Allegewi Lodge 455 P-1b
• Lodge 334 X1 Shin-Go-Beek Patch

 

The 2nd universal lesson is don't plan the biggest conclave in the country and forget to put patch trading on the schedule.  We all showed up Friday and not only was patch trading not on the schedule the shelter that for years had housed this event was full of boxes for a service project.  Literally all of us were standing around with the rain threatening and no place to put down a blanket and trade a patch.  I think I managed 6 trades total Friday night.  Things improved Saturday afternoon but that gave a lot of guys heartburn. 

• 50th Anniversary (1960) Philmont Scout Ranch Patch
• Lodge 56 60 62 63 64 66 70 72 Patch Ohlone Tejas
• 2013 Connecticut Yankee Council Marvel JSP Set
• Flaps Lodge 37 40 41 43 44 55 66 Woven Patch
• Rare 1944 Sea Scouts Flagship Fleet Patch
• Mohican Lodge 178 S1 Flap Robert Treat

   

During April I'm running an OA Activity Patch Blind Trade.  You can shake up your dupe box and get back all different patches.  I've received a bunch of packages and I hope you'll jump in too .

Going back to a theme from earlier in the week - bringing up the next generation.  For much of the weekend I had an apprentice sitting behind my table who is going to be at the Jamboree. I joke that Ron King should have been signing sashes as he was part of the contingent that delivered the report to Congress this year.  During the aftermath of Hurricane Matthew Ron helped organize Scout volunteers from local troops to assist in relief totaling hundreds of man hours.  Hopefully at the Jamboree he'll be ready for the patch madness after listening to me all weekend and helping me trade. 

• Utah National Parks Council Dark Orange Bdr JSP
• Utah National Parks Council Light Yellow Bdr JSP
• Grand Teton Council Green Border Border JSP
• 1997 Orange County Council GRN MYL Border
• Fairfield County Connecticut Red Bkgrd. JSP
• Southwest Georgia Council Pink Border JSP
• 1997 Desert Pacific Council Red Border JSP