Eagle Foot

Over the years as camporee chairman I faced the same problem, one thing that helped was to start promoting early. Form a camporee committee and decide how and who was going to run and promote the camporee. We tried letting the troops do it and at best we had poor attendance when time to promote was short...say four months out. Troops tradionally plan their year in August. If they know before hand about the camporee they can include it in their yearly planning. Doesen't seen to matter if the troop handles the camporee or if an individual handles it, it's early promotion and good communicati

I did not read through all of the postings and if I am repeating myself...just ignore this. Yes...Scouts should pay even if they are not present, if absenteeism continues you have to set some guide lines. We after 60 days do not allow them to camp or advance(by not allowing to advance we restrict giving them their rank, merit badge etc usually they are not working anyway). After 90 days they have to meet with the committee to discuss why they should remain in Scouting and why we should allow them to continue. They need to explain why missing and not partisipating should be exceptable.

pmarius, I've had that more than several times. You've got some good advise here from this great forum of people. I in the past and even today I make it very clear to everybody the decention amoung the ranks is not permitted. We just can not allow this, and if it continues then we...we being the Troop Committee will have to ask you not attend any meetings or activities or be involved with the Unit other than the Scout. If this can not happen...then you must find another unit that would support this behavior (don't know of any that would)...but first in the order of things I bring them

As a former SM who steped down last year after serving for four years when I said I would only do it for one. As the Scoutmaster I knew who would make a good SM and who would do just a "L-soot ol Job" I had a very good working relationship with the Troop Committee and the Troop Committee Chairman. I knew it was time...we all must realize this, if you don't know when or you don't know when or what would be best... then most likely your not in touch with the other Troop leaders, the boys and all involved as you should be...I was more in touch with myself and not the Troop and the other le

As computers are not my main field...but out of "If I want to keep my job" I have learned to use this great tool. I have built a web page for our troop...but as I look around at other sites they really have come up with some pretty cool looking hover buttons and the like. I use front page 2000 and I am looking for some stuff like one troop I saw...wooden shingle where you can write your link. I'v e-mailed them several times but no responce...there last update was back in 06.. http://www.troop44-vanalstyne.com/ Any ides...what do I need to buy or what to download using f

Guess I should read more... Troop Dues....we collect a $100 per year...paid either a lump sum or by the calander quarter. If the scout is not present...he still owes the money. If he gets behind by 60 days after the end of a quarter he can't go camping or advance. After 90 days we really try to find out why. After 90 days he and his parents meet with the Scoutmaster, Troop Committee Chairman, and the other key committee members to either resolve the dues or dismiss the scout from the troop. Eagle Foot

Diden't read all of the replies...sorry if I missed this. We use Troop Ledger...by the makers of Troop Master...this generates a report of each item (as long as it is entered). I see know problem with letting any one see the report. If they have a problem...well I just recurited a new committee member. It keeps track of troop dues, fund raisers, etc. We have no secrets and we sertanly don't want folks to think so. If for some reason people think we are spending it wrong...they need to speek up. Our goal is to same money then spend it, save money spend it. We make a Troop budget

We are looking at no charge under 150 miles round trip Trips 150 to 250 round trip $10 per scout Trips over 250 miles round trip $15 per scout. Eagle Foot

Key 4 District Ex.--District Chair.-- District Com. -- District Program Chair.

Can your local District/Council make modifications to the National Quality Unit Award. I've noticed that our District and Council has apporved the addition of selling pop-corn as a requirement for quality unit award. As it stands our unit is not selling pop-corn so our unit will not qualify. According to the current 2006 National Quality Unit Award... no where does selling pop-corn appear. Seems like to be this is like changing the Requirements for Eagle Also...what's up with the Key 4 in a District...I've always thought it was the Key 3. (edited by Eagle Foot)

We are putting together are annual JLT/YLT/Outdoor Skills training for the up comming new SPL and Patrol Leaders. We encourage the whole troop to attend because it gives everyone the big picture and it allows the older scouts to teach. I'm looking for some new ideas...I'v used the JLT training kit for years and will continue to pull from it. I have the new YLT..but it is lacking...mostly filler...I was dissapointed when I got it open, it has good information--just not as compleat as I had expected. If your troop does something like this I would like to hear from you and get your id

Our district has decided to cancel our upcoming fall camporee because of conflicts, because of other activities that are not on that weekend but near. They feel that attendance would be low which could have overruns in expences. Yes the fall camporee had 20 attendees, the sping had 325, the privious fall camporee had 165, and so on and so on. The Key 4 the Program Chairman, District Ex, Dist. Comis, and Dist. Char. have decided or have had it from another source that they will make the decisions as to who, what, when, where, and how the camporees will be conducted and operated. I

As part of the District Camping committee our DE informed us that if we did not have a budget we would not be allowed to hold a District Camporee. I am with the understanding that if the local troops wanted to have a camporee without funding from the District we could. Just to put things in perspective she...said that she was holding up pathes to the troop (Camporee Chairmans Troop) from the past Spring Camporee untill the Camporee Chairman turns in the budget from the past Spring Camporee. I could use some clarifacation on this. Edited by Eagle Foot

EVMORI The point is I not so sure I'm in agreement with this "Gray Areas" issued by National...The point is our council and district has made them an issue not to do. We had training regarding them...yet we go to our local Council Camp and they are doing the Gray Area skits, songs, cross dressing, and gay stand up comedy. We seem to be saying don't do as I do, but do as I say. Is this "Gray Area" thing just in our area or is it really national, I haven't called national, I just want to get it straight. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

Over the past months our district has made us aware of the new BSA Policy listed as "Scoutings Gray Areas" areas where we should not go. I'm not so sure I can fully agree with this but some areas I can. i.e. the skit "JC Penny, The Ugly Girl Scout, the song Pink Pajamas, and so on. The gray areas would be anything that reflect gays, nudity, dressing up as girls (women) and the like. We have to be very carful about what we say, act out, or sing. Well we just got back from summer camp and I guess our Council seems to have not gotten this information. We had a skit with two guys

Hog-Wash is right...I talked with National Web Master and he was unaware of this hear-say policy. For the record you can build a web site and list what is going on in your district...Where do these DE's get this junk? Edited by Eagle Foot

I had heard that Nation has said that Districts are no long allowed to have web pages. Our District needs a web site because the local Council can't get the information right or just doesen't list what's going on in the District. I think having a District web site or "Un-Official" site created by the Volunteers. What's the word? Edited by Eagle Foot

Tenure based on Board of Review is true...It is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster to insure the program is running and being delivered. In this situation I beleive the SM may be not up holding his position. Hypothetically...the SM should advise the advancement chairman that it is their responsibility to keep current with all scouts advancing. If the need to hold a BOR every month is there... then conduct it...if the need to have one two weeks later then cunduct one. Just how hard is it really? 3 members of the troop (Adults) can make the BOR. Have questions on file for those wh

I think you have to reflect on his past behavior...has he always bullied other boys? If the answer is yes he should have been called on the carpet at that time. He's just been testing the radar to see where it's set. Unfortunantly sometimes we turn the radar off to avoid conflict. Suspension for 60 days is ok, but in order to return he must appear before the troop committee with his parants and explain why he should be allowed to stay in the troop. Just a thought on what I have done...the scout I did this with you ask? He showed up at the committee meeting and did explain why

How does the OA fall into line with the District Camping Commettee? I understand that the OA would work with the District Camping Chairman / District Camping Commettee. i.e. camporees conducting the OA tapout,working with units conductiong OA elections etc. I can not put my finger on the responsibilities of the OA...I have an old OA manual but nothing seems to point to or how this is set up. I can not collect information re-guarding weather or not District Camping has any pull over OA operating principles. I have been told that the OA is responsible for camp fire program at district campo

We have Troop dues of $2 per week or right at a $100 per year. If the scout gets 60 days behind he's not allowed to advance (depending on why he is behind) usually they get behind because they forget to pay. Theres usually enough money to get a coke, candy, or movie when it comes right down to it. If the scout is behind 60 days or more he is not allowed to attend any extra events other than the troop meeting. At first it was a little hard keeping it inforced, but seems to be working out fine. Dues are for 2 camporees per year, 4 court of honors, patches, pins, equipment, etc all brok

Here are your opinons Captain.... FScouter is right. The committee does need to get trained. This program has been going for a long time and each year I see those that come along and try and change what has been tested to be the most workable way. Sounds like the troop committee is forgetting that this is "Boy Scouts" and it is for the boys, by the boys. What happen to the term "Camping Trip" it is the responsibility of the Scoutmaster to promote 10 overnight camping trips and one long term "Summer Camp" each year for the scouts. Looks like a little too much control goin

OGE is right. I may stand corrected but the Scoutmaster may disapprove and approve patrol leaders as he does the SPL. If you are not a member of the committee you should be and have your voice heard. If there is a problem let the committee know. Rembember and this is not always easy, you may have to visit several troops before you find the right one. Your scout is young enough that finding the right troop will provide more years to enjoy before his eighteenth birthday than he as already covered from the age of eleven. If the Scoutmaster has been trained he should be able to see this (he

This comes from "Guide to Safe Scouting" I have conducted many camporees involving the Webelos and Boy Scouts...However you should keep it to Webelos speed...having the Boy Scouts teach the Webelos. I would provide an incentive for the Boy Scouts like using the climbing towers, repelling off a cliff, or something with adventure beyond their working with the Webelos. ********************************************************************** Age Guidelines The Boy Scouts of America has established the following guidelines for its members' participation in camping activities: Overnig

As part of my "Woodbadge Ticket" I put together a troop manual AKA Troop By Laws. The word by laws has something to me that makes all of this scouting to legalistist. I wanted to put to words some possible answers for problems / challanges that had come from being a scoutmaster over the years...Thus it was named the "Troop Manual & Guide" You have to follow BSA policy you cannot change what national has in "The Guide to Safe Scouting" you can add as long as the Charted Orginization has approved it and the committee has placed its blessing on it. You do have to be realistict...do you wa