From: Roman J. Smith (Roman.J.Smith.13@ND.EDU)
Date: Fri Sep 01 2000 - 06:53:42 CDT
I have a few notes to add to some topics and a note on uniforms.
Bugler:
Our troop does not have anyone who is willing to play the bugle. We do
have a bugler though. One of our scouts holds the title and is responsible
for waking up the SPL, and PL at a given time. This scout is always the
first one up and loves this little job.
Electronic equipment on campouts:
We normally do not allow electronic equipment on campouts. The boys seem
to bring them anyway. As long as the use is confined to hours outside of
scheduled troop and patrol activities, we do not make an issue out of it.
On our recent trip to Gettysburg, I sent a note to the scouts and parents.
It noted that scouts often like something to pass the long hours on the
road. The adult leadership would not responsibility for the safe return of
any equipment or games and strongly suggested that they leave them home.
We also said we would confiscate them if they interfered with troop
activities or the safe operation of a vehicle.
One scout brought a walkman style CD player with external speakers and that
worked well in the van. One scout brought a game boy that was passed
around for all to play. When one scout sat playing the game for 15 minutes
at dinner without eating a bite (I was at the other table and did not
notice at first), the game moved to my possession for 24 hours. Everyone
made sure it was properly used when they got it back.
Uniforms:
In an effort to move the troop on in my quest for more complete uniforms we
set the following policy this year. The boys chose a troop neckerchief for
the first time in memory. We will not require them at this time, but if
you wear one it should be the troop neckerchief. The troop ordered 25 of
them and will sell them at $1.00 below cost as long as the supply lasts to
encourage the purchase of them. Exceptions to the policy allow for earned
neckerchiefs to be worn. That includes Eagle and Wood badge neckerchiefs.
We also set a policy on pants. We are encourage all scouts to buy pants.
For dress occasions, if they do not wear the uniform pants, they are asked
to wear tan khakis (most of our scouts are required to wear them to
school). We presented this to the PLC and they got the troop to adopt the
policy unanimously. A few scouts spoke up on their own and asked every
scout to buy the BSA uniform pants. It is not fully regulation, but we are
starting to move towards a better looking troop.
More tiny baby steps.
YiS
-----------------------------------
Roman J. Smith, SM Troop 505 / CM, Ship 505
roman.j.smith.13@nd.edu http://www.nd.edu/~rsmith1/RJSBSA.htm
-I used to be an Owl
