dsteele

I'll attempt to illuminate the registration thing . . . In order to be a Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity Scout, Venturer, unit leader, district leader, council leader, national leader (I give these adult positions in reverse order), you pay a registration fee to join The Boy Scouts of America. The Boy Scouts of America is the organization to which registered folk belong . . . which program makes no difference and it's easy to help in one form or another without having to stick to walls that don't exist. Clearer? Or muddier? Let me try one more time -- You're eith

Sometimes knowledge of the arcane and archaic is a hinderance, sometimes it is a help. It's been a while since I last heard about it, but there is a position for females younger than the age of 18 to be at least affiliated with a pack. I don't recall whether it was a registered position or not. It's called Den Aide and was specifically created to give young ladies the opportunities to help out in den meetings. It's very similar to a Den Chief, but the exception is, since, as many have ponited out the gal can not have been a Boy Scout, she can not fill the role of encouraging the Cu

I don't know if I can help you down, Bob. I'm only five feet and six inches tall. You're up there a way, pal! I have said it many times and will say it again. Advancement is a method used in the programs offered in tradtional scouting. It is a means to the end of helping instill values in young people . . . the values we seek to instill are found in the Scout Oath and Law. I'm not a big fan of merit badge colleges, nor am I entirely opposed to them. I'm for earning some merit badges at summer camp, but not at the cost of quality. By quality I mean, is it assisting in the young

Hello . . . I know it's getting late, but the fire is still lit. Come on in . . . DS

Sagerscout. Thanks for the compliment and the reminder. I did manage to float once. But not for long. I don't think I ever quite got the technique or the neck flexibility. As to Man of Steele, I don't think I deserve the title. The man I said I pulled out of the river actually pushed me under the water and pushed off my back. I was scared as all get out. I dont' know how I got out of the undercurrent that pushed me against the rock. I really don't remember. The good news is that we made it out. Unless I'm actually the inspiration for The Sixth Sense Movie . . . DS

When I joined the Scouts (in the Seventies) there were time requirements between all ranks. It may have been an attempt to discourage young Eagles, or to more fully develop leadership. I don't know. I was a kid at the time. There was a minimum one month tenure as a Scout to earn Tenderfoot. There was a two month minimum to go from Tenderfoot to Second Class. There was a minimum three months from Second Class to First Class. Four between First Class and Eagle. Six between Eagle and Life. Six between Life and Eagle. And still I earned Eagle just shy of my 14th birthday --

So the boys grow into men. I'm glad you're there to watch it happen and still allow it to proceed at it's own pace. I think I came to appreciate that one mother's day when I made my mother a quilt hoop with a poem that thanked her for letting me go and grow. Scout Camp when I was 11, staff at 14, college at 18. By age 19, I had an Amtrak pass and was touring the country meeting with authors such as Clive Cussler, Terry Brooks, and Stephen R. Donaldson. At 20 I was sitting on a mountaintop in Peru, staring in wonder, by myself, as a herd of wild horses rode by my tent. Without my

This thread strikes close to home for me personally. My first summer at camp, I wasn't a strong swimmer. Never have been actually, but I have sinced learned to manage well enough. As I struggled my un-trained little body through the 75 yards, I heard the lifeguard say, "he isn't going to make it." I was so young I believed him and gave up. The next year, I was elected patrol leader and thought there is no way I'm not going to be a swimmer. I imagined that swim test time and again in my mind as I lay in bed. I wasn't going to give up, no matter what. Well I still have o

The campfire is lit. I'll be here for a little while, but not a long time. It was not such a good day for me at the Scout office. I had it coming. It's amazing the loose ends you didn't realize you had that come out while you're out. I'm not perfect, but can admit it when I screw up. Maybe that's why I didn't sleep well on the eve of my return from a one week vacation. DS

In a few moments, the campfire will be lit. I'll keep it lit until about 10:00 PM Central Time. After that, others may linger, but I'm going to bed. DS

Bob is correct in saying that the chartered organization can demand that all funds be run through their account. This is not necessarily a bad thing. The troop and pack are part of the chartered organization and the fact that they care enough to take fiscal responsibility is, IMHO a good thing. My guess is that your pack or troop is using the chartered partner's 501 © 3 (non profit) number in its purchashes and their auditors are doing their duty in making sure that the pack and troop are following the IRS rules. Having said that, my advice is to go with the wishes of the chartered

Eamonn: I can hear you now. I could hear you then. I was, at the time, a Sprint man. Now I use a council provided U.S. Cellular line and the Scout Executive never calls me on it to yell at me. Which is a pleasant change, BTW. DS

I guess I should have left the Lemmings alone, but for the sake of sanity, let me point out that Eamonn brought it up As to professional scouters and McDonalds, I don't know. The only time I go to McDonalds is to pick up breakfast for the secretaries in our office. I'm more prone to restaurants that serve me meals at my table on a plate and I use a knife and fork to eat. I'm not above going to McDonalds, but I prefer to eat my lunch in a place with flatware. As to ID -- I'll have to admit that I'm sensitive to it. Two years ago, I opened my Visa bill and $3,000 had been charged

I'm about to give some of my personal philosophy, and not a standard BSA professional's answer -- although I'm not sure it makes a difference. I also welcome you to this electronic campfire. Come on in, the water's fine! I think that as a summer camp Scoutmaster your job is to make sure that you return from camp with the same boys you left with. It's not your job to make sure they earn badges or that every minute of their time is occupied with Scouting stuff. They are Boy Scouts and should be responsible for their own time at summer camp. Sure, if the camp has a schedule of class

Matua gives good advice, Laura. I think you've taken the right steps. I really can't blame you for losing it, but you can't take it back now. Folks will move on in time. DS

Willysjeep: Actually, I remember looking at adult knots as a boy and looking forward to the day I could wear them (and earn them in most cases.) I had a healthy respect for the adults and knew that the red white and blue knot was Eagle and knew many of the others . . . because I asked. I, like you, worked hard for my Eagle Scout patch and wore it proudly until I became 18. Then I realized that the award shined through my actions and that a knot is enough. I think the award itself belongs on a boy's shirt. Let the adult wear the knot as a reminder to himself to act like an Eagl

Eamonn: I hope I'm smart enough to let us all know if I think we're collectively heading for a cliff. Even if I'm not, I'll be the guy at the back who's late because he stopped for an Egg McMuffin! DS

Onehour: As you can see, Bob White and I are not saying so long. We (and I hope ya don't mind, Bob, but I'm speaking for you here) appreciate your contributions to these forums and the fact that you ask questions others are afraid to ask. I'm not sure what's causing you to step away from your unit, but you are a trained leader in the BSA. There are other areas you could help. Perhaps some portion of the district committee could use you. What do you like? There's a membership committee, a camping committee, an advancement committee, etc. Or perhaps your idealism could be used in

Interesting that an Austrailian would ask of formality from Americans on a post started by an Englishman. Wow, I digress before I even begin. Actually, Ozemu, it is an interesting question. The answer is no, we really aren't that title oriented or class-conscienced. At least not on the surface. I think a lot of American formality depends on the person more than the position. I have no doubt in my mind that President Bush wouldn't mind it a bit if I said, "Hey George!" But his protocol officer and secret service detail would be reaching for their weapons. I usually refer to

Sad to say, but I packed better as a Scout on Ritalin than as a professional Scouter not on Ritalin . . . I had the honor in (I think) 1993 of serving on the staff of Akela Calls which was a kind of Regional Pow Wow held at Western Illinois University. When I got there and put on my uniform to go to dinner I discovered I had left my BSA web belt at home. I was embarrassed the whole evening and quickly found the nearest Scout Shop in the morning and bought two more. DS However, I can tell you that as a kid I rarely forgot to bring anything. Usually I forgot to bring stuff

It sounds like charm school didn't "take" the first time with your Field Director. I won't take the second time. No, you can't send him back. PS -- I'll be your new phone buddy. Call me anytime. DS

First of all a truly sincere congrats to Matua! It is indeed an honor to staff a Wood Badge Course. I've done it three times more than I wanted to. As to Padre, I've seen many divorces in which one partner's involvement in some aspect of Scouting got out of hand in terms of the relationship. Please don't blame the program. As others have pointed out, it could easily have been many other things. I really wish I could help you more, but my expertise is in Scouting, not marriage. I hope all turns out well for your family, yourself and your wife. Wood Badge can engulf all someone t

I don't like the term, charm school for professional development level one, but I know it's used. So, in light of the interest some folks have in training, I figured I would give those who care about such things the "skinny" on what is taught to our DEs within (usually) the first 60-90 days on the job. They are shipped off to the Center for Professional Development in Irving. National pays the training fee and the council pays the travel expenses. It is usually a young DE's first business trip and is very exciting. The training lasts 13 days and most of those days are at least 12 hour

This is a great thread. There are a lot of good ideas and I'll steal some of them in good conscience. In another thread, on the topic of training, I'll post the course outline for PDL-I. That's DE 101 school. You might find it interesting. One of the best trainers I ever saw was the director of the professional BSA People Management Level 1 course I took. This guy was able to keep 30 professionals interested and engaged for 8 hours a day for 5 days straight. We had the tent-nametags as well. In one memorable discussion, some professional made a smart-alec remark. The train

Reading this thread has reminded me of many happy homecomings from troop campouts, summer camp, and even college and other far-flung trips (six weeks in Peru while in college.) Thank you for the happy memories. My thought waxes philosophical -- Webelos to Scout Transition is optional. Many do not progress to the ranks of Boy Scouting. But boy to man transition is not optional. It is a part of life. I for one, think that the transition is off to a good start when it begins with a week at Boy Scout Summer Camp. I'm not a parent, so I really don't understand how hard it is to l