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Eagle007

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Posts posted by Eagle007

  1. I can assure anyone reading these threads that should that happen in the troop or district in which I am associated with that the parties involved will be dealt with swiftly and surely including dismissal from the function being attended. I take a zero tolerance stand on illicit drug use and am an equal opportunity employer of that stand. You use, you deal, you condone, you leave - the function and the troop. Scouting has no place for this kind of activity.

  2. Just a side note. Their was nothing in the camp brochure about age requirements for the lifeguard course. I guess we could say this all boils down to be prepared always and never depend on anyone but yourself, ever. Prior preparation and planning could have prevented the heartache these scouts had to face and they could have taken other couses instead. They can chalk that up to experience I guess. Thanks for everyone's comments.

  3. I caught word of some scouts returning from summer camp that took the lifeguard class. It turns out that a small number of these boys may have paid for a week of fun and adventure with nothing to gain because the instructor failed to tell them until Thursday afternoon that they had to be 15 to get their certifications to become lifeguards.

     

    Now I'm sure not all scouts, scouters and parents are always necessarily the sharpest tools in the shed, including me. And some research should have gone into what each scout from the respective troop was signed up for. I also believe that the instructor should have probably asked at the begining of the class if each scout had reached the age of 15 so they could get certified if they passed all other requirements. So where does the blame get put and what could get done about it? Should the scouts be reimbursed for summer camp? Or should the scouts and parents chalk it up to experience for not doing their homework prior to going to camp?

  4. I aplaud Ann's sensitiviy to the needs of her scouts, especially the need to make them feel comfortable. I have recently often had those thoughts of making people feel comfortable when I open roundtable meetings with the Pledge of Allegiance, Scout Law, Scout Oath and a prayer. The prayer is what has had me perplexed as I have members of LDS come to the meetings and am ignorant of their beliefs.

     

    But I don't want to people to mistake my kindness and sensitivity for my weakness. As RT Commish I will continue to open the meetings in this way and if one doesn't wish to participate in a Christian prayer or has no belief in being reverent with prayer then I respect their right to express themself in their own way. I ask a different attendee to offer a prayer no matter what background they have and haven't been refused to this date.

     

    As to Ann's quandry, I agree with Packsaddle. If the estblishment doesn't fit one's needs and it is contrary to what one believes then find an accommodating establishment or organization. In my opinion we don't need to cater to every whim and need nor walk on egg shells for opposing individuals.

  5. If one can't leave their vices alone for a weekend of camping or other activities with boys then they have no business being involved in any shape, form or fashion with scouting. If one can't control their habits then stay at home. The offenders would:

    1) Told to leave the premises - no alcohol means no alcohol whether on you or in you.

     

    2) Be brought before the troop committee or SE, if need be, and have their membership revoked

  6. Scoutfish,

     

    I'm an AHA Instructor but on any public listing. What I would suggest is to call your local hospital and ask for their education department. They should be able to put you in touch with their CPR instructor or the area AHA Training Site Coordinator.

     

    FYI, the new guidelines for CPR started being taught as of April 1st. Any instructor who didn't update their certification and get the new teaching materials won't be able to teach any new classes until they do so.

  7. I agree with OakTree. Listen to your wife. I listen to mine - most of the time; he, he. I may wear the pants in the family but she picks them out.

     

    All joking aside, she may be asking for more time from you. Even if you've been married for 100 years, continue to grow and nurture that marriage. Your wife and son will thank you for it.

  8. I've had friends of mine with multiple learning disorders such as dyslexia. And if that was what was holding them back from taking a mandatory course like YPT in order to become a scouter and offer other skills and knowledge that they have, I'd be all over them with help.

     

    One particular friend with dyslexia has graduated from college with an associates in forestry/horticulture. He could run circles around folks teaching LNT and forestry/horticulture/irrigation associated MBs.

  9. Troop equipment includes tents, backpacks, stoves and a troop trailer. Most events revolve around hiking/packing your equipment in and out. Car campouts are seriously frowned upon although a few may be scheduled during the year to satisfy those that have issues about the constant hiking. The troop does its best to absorb a great deal of the equipment cost.

     

    A comment was made that our unit is one of high adventure and if your thing is car campouts then another unit may suit your needs more appropriately.

  10. I actually heard of someone address a group of scouts during a meeting and tell them that if they, meaning individually, didn't want to be with this group and participate in the activities/act right then they needed to find another unit that would better suit their needs. I think that was putting it pretty bluntly. I believe the point was well taken.

  11. On future events I would:

     

    1) Announce the event way in advance to give everyone plenty of time to plan their calendar.

     

    2) Make a sign up sheet and have everyone (scouts, scouters and parents) who plans to attend sign.

     

    3) Make a list of items will be required for the event and have a sign up sheet for those attending to bring said items.

     

    4) If no one wants to help bring the required items, announce the cancellation of the event and that there will be no future events because of lack of support. Light a fire under some folks.

     

    You can't do it by yourself all of the time. I wouldn't anyway.

  12. I'm all for good, clean competition. There are winners and losers. But there is no place for pitching a fit and arguing by the parents. If I want to see all of that kind of drama, I'll go watch a little league baseball game or youth soccer game where the parents curse the coaches out because little Johnnie didn't get to play enough.

     

    If the scouts, scouters and parents have been made aware of the rules and the consequences of violating the same, then they should have absolutely no problem being made to leave in the event of a temper tantrum or other situation.

     

    Competition is great. But isn't there one hobby, sport or event that can be competed in where the kids have fun without the undue drama? We aren't raising little combative cavemen even if the parents act the part.

  13. Desertrat77, I couldn't agree more. When I assisted my son with his PWD car, I did just that - assisted. He made the car. I offered advice and moral support. He wanted to hedge on certain parts of the project like cutting out the form of the car and sanding it. But I told him that this was his car not mine and that he would get more out of it if he were to build it and not me. He did and had the pleasure of saying "I made that."

     

    In reference to the adults acting like spoiled brats and ruining the event for everyone, I say this. Send out a list of rules for the event (local, district, etc) ahead of time to all scouts, scouters AND parents. Include consequences for rule violations (disorderly conduct or disruptive parent) stating that the participant will be eliminated from competition and the person/people causing a problem will be asked to leave the event. Also state that judges, like referees, have the final say; arguing with them will get you tossed out just like at a game. If you aren't willing to abide by the rules and allow the boys to have fun then stay at home. It's really simple.

  14. I didn't want to steal the thunder from the other thread so what about fund raising from the sales of sodas, bottled water, "p" or "g" ades (sorry, didn't want to be brand specific). In my area, flavored and unflavored water drinks fly out of the stores. What would they do if sold for a good cause?

  15. Is lining up for a uniform inspection to check and make sure the kiddos have all the do-dads and in the right place necessary? Can't this be accomplished by observation while carrying on a friendly and healthy conversation with the scouters and parents?

     

    Maybe I'm wrong, but the way I understand it is the UC is not to take notes on the unit he/she is visiting until after the meeting is over. The UC is to be a help not a harm to the unit. Our district is beginning to implement the use of UCs after an unknown number of years without them. We've gotten by without them (good, bad or indifferent). Now we are going to see the benefits of having them - I think on the positive side.

  16. Twocubdad, thanks for the advice. I'll certainly look back at the previous RT threads that you reference. I merely posted my questions because this was a current thread and wanted to know if there was something new info that could get veterans to RT.

     

    I know from past personal experience that our past DE was running the RTs as there was no BS RTC. And not to put too fine a point on it but they were boring. I don't want to repeat what I experienced. I want to spearhead something that people want to go out of their way to come to without thinking it is a total waste of time. Some people will still have a bad taste in their mouths but that may take time to heal or they may wish to remain set in their ways. Either way, as long as whatever is accomplished is going to be the best program for the boys.

  17. Moose, I believe the topics for RT you brought up are legit and as a brand new BS RTC I will be bringing them up for our district.

     

    I also pose the questions:

     

    1) For the those that can't stand the thought of going to a RT, what would it take to get you to attend and participate? If you were to be in charge of a BS RT, what topics would you discuss or what ideas would you bring to the table (old, tried and true, or new)?

     

    2) For those of you that attend RT what has been discussed/done that has really grabbed your attention - the WOW Effect? Could you convince new and/or veteran scouters and parents to attend? What would you do/say to pursuade them?

     

    3) If an hour is too long for a meeting and 1 1/2 - 2 hours is way too long, then what is considered acceptable for a meeting that is held once a month?

     

     

    I was given fair warning not to expect the seasoned veterens to attend RT because they "know everything and can be taught nothing." I would love to see the veterans as well as the new scouters at RT because I can learn from them and share with them. I don't see my position as one of supreme authority and control but rather as one of service and sacrifice. I want to work with everyone and vice-versa. I want to network and help to make scouting an awesome experience for the boys. I want the input and as well as the feedback.

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