I am trying so hard to get Amos ready to be socially acceptable.  With the Jamboree coming up, I want him to behave himself and be the really friendly dog that I know he is.  I've been taking him for long walks and he does so good.  Yesterday, I took him to the lake.  It was a beautiful day and there were LOTS of people there.  He nearly barked his fool head off!  It's a really big area and I was able to keep him out of direct contact with anyone, but that is not the goal.  I want him to be able for me to walk up to people and him behave himself. 

This is what I did yesterday:  I had both dogs, Amos and Smoosh so I kinda had my hands full, but when he would start barking, I used a calm tone of voice and told him, "Amos, those people are not bothering us.  They are good people, we have to be friendly."  I also did the "Aaak" to distract him.  There was alot of activity in the parking lot with folks loading and unloading boats.  There was also a small dog(shi tzu type) that was off leash and walking right at his owners heels behaving like a gentleman.  Didn't hear a peep out of him, but I also didn't let Amos even see him.  He would have thought  "Oh boy!  A stuffy!!!!!"

I plan to take him back today and would like some suggestions so that our walk will be not only good for exercise but for socialization too.

Sounds like you're on the right path to a well-behaved boy! It just takes time, so keep that in mind.  I find that positive reinforcement for good behavior works better on most dogs than negative reinforcement for bad behavior.  You know, what I mean to say is,  Amos might respond well to being told "good boy!!!!" and maybe even given a SMALL treat when he is quiet, or when he stops barking.  I have had to use both positive and negative reinforcement ( spray bottle, for instance) and it sometimes just depends on the situation and how determined the dog is to keep barking, no matter what.  I think that the more he is around other people and other dogs, the more he will be used to seeing so much activity going on, and eventually it wont be a big deal to him anymore.  Lucy and Bo both are bad about barking at other dogs when they first see one when we are out walking, and I have to remind them, like you did with Amos, that it's no big deal, and I reward them as soon as they quiet down.  Dar, on the other hand, never barks at people or other dogs when we are out----but when she is in the house, she lets me know every time a leaf blows across the yard, and anything else that moves or breathes within a 2-block radius.   Good luck in your socializing lessons!

 that's Rosie too!  darn dobie...I have to make sure the drapes are closed at night and all outdoor lights are off because she will bark at the wind rustling the bushes...she just KNOWS someone is out there.