Eagle707

I am a few years removed from volunteering at the troop level but here is what I remember: 1) If you haven't done troop leadership training yet, make sure you have one soon! The Scouts in my troop loved TLT because it was a day of leadership training, pizza, and (relevant) games. The allure of the "Trained" strip didn't hurt either. 2) If you have Scouts who enjoy teaching, make sure they have the opportunity to be instructors-- Instructor is a leadership position and it allows Scouts to focus on presenting the skills that interest them. 3) Definitely pursue the Venture Patrol

You have to wait until 21 to serve as a unit commissioner but if you still want to volunteer at the district level, you can register as a "College Scouter" (position 92).

NEPA, I think you may have misread my comment. I didn't say anything about donors. I'm completely in favor of this award and have been since it was announced. (This message has been edited by Eagle707)

My understanding is that it is supposed to be the council equivalent of DESA. DESA recipients are not eligible for the award. I think this is an example of "Scouting is Local" being actively encouraged: it allows councils to recognize their own distinguished Eagles (yes, lower-case) without making them compete with other Eagles nationally. The number presented is also linked to the annual number of new Eagles in the council. "Each council NESA committee may present one NOESA per year, with the option of awarding an additional NOESA for every 100 Eagle Scout awards in excess of 200 awar

I wish I had gotten that answer from someone sooner since I'm registered as both. Thanks, 92!

District/Council College Scouters do not have a patch either, unfortunately. We're district-level volunteers but we aren't allowed on the district committee (or so my DE told me). I went back and forth with National for several months over trying to get a College Scouter patch approved for 92 (before 92U was announced) and they didn't want it because they didn't think enough people would buy one. We just get to wear silver loops and look important. As for the BSA official who didn't understand the position: My College Scouter group helped with the local Scouting for Food campaign. We j

Are you looking for a handbook for adult leaders or a general orientation for parents? For leaders: Encourage them to take "Fast Start" training ASAP and to work toward getting trained. For parents: The "This is Scouting" training module is a good online resource for all parents who need an understanding of BSA's programs. I would also encourage them to read their sons' handbooks to get a better understanding of their specific programs.

Eagle02- My apologies if I misinterpreted what you said. Your longer explanation makes a lot more sense and now I see your statement was based more in personal reflection (which did also feature in your initial post). However, initially, this was what I read: "I just feel that boys shouldn't be earning their eagle at 13 or 14 years old. I just feel earning it that young doesn't instill in them what the purpose of that accomplishment is." I am sure you understand that could have been read a few different ways. If I misunderstood the meaning behind your words, I apologize. It is

Let's just take a moment to be impressed by this accomplishment. This means, of course, that he stayed active as an Eagle Scout for 51 months beyond Eagle. Anyone who earns Eagle and still stays involved "gets it" a ton more than any Eagle who earns his badge and then disappears. Also, the hints of elitism in the "my Eagle is worth more than yours" argument is exactly the opposite of the attitude Eagles are supposed to display. In the Eagle Scout pledge, a Scout is told to "wear [his] award with humility." Claiming you appreciate the significance of Eagle more than young Eagles do is

National Jamborees are every four years on average. The best description I have given to people who have not attended is "half convention, half summer camp." It is the BSA's one national event that brings Scouts from across the BSA together under one "roof." It is just BSA members and (if memory serves) units from other WOSM countries. Girl Scouts are not included but Venturing members are included for the first time in 2013. As far as finances, it depends on in what capacity you want to attend. It looks like you are pretty close to The Summit (West Virginia) so travel costs will be

I'm just waiting for Eagle92 to find this thread and chime in... No offense taken here either. I am an Eagle Scout and a former New Zealand Sea Scout. I have also researched starting a ship with my friend (before we were swamped by our coursework) so I have great respect for Quartermasters. However, please be patient with those who say "so it's like Eagle." They simply see two "terminal" awards and are trying to meet you halfway in understanding the Quartermaster award. Once they demonstrate they are willing to do that, then take the opportunity to correct their misconceptions.

Well-played, Beavah. You had me going for a bit...(This message has been edited by Eagle707)

Of all the silly uniforming things I've seen, wearing an old jamboree patch hardly qualifies as peacock syndrome. An old jamboree patch, a youth religious knot, an AoL knot, and an Eagle knot all represent something a Scouter did as a youth. Personally, I plan on wearing my 2005 Jamboree patch until I end up at another one as staff or as a participant. However, here's something we can both agree is absurd: At a recent Eagle CoH, I witnessed a Scout leader wearing all seven of his knots. That was fine. However, he also had a temporary patch and a hanging patch on both pockets... and

This has been around for a while and I have yet to see why people have a problem with it. We have a "Computers" belt loop and THAT certainly hasn't brought down Cub Scouting. Also, check out requirement 9 for the pin: http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Cub_Scout_Computers

I think a patch blanket would be a fantastic idea! You can also try sewing them on a fleece jacket or vest. It makes for nice outdoor wear and dries quickly if it gets wet.

Congratulations to your new Eagle Scout, to your troop, and to you! When I got my Eagle (nearly five years ago), I went to the council headquarters to pick up my "Eagle Award" which was the certificate, national and local council scout executive letters, the wallet card, and the medal. My troop had a policy of "upgrading" the medal by paying the $6 extra on the Eagle's behalf to the Scout Shop in order to acquire the "Eagle Scout Award Kit." Just a suggestion: I don't know if the "normal" Eagle Badge is still included in the kit for the years a special Eagle badge is issued but, if

What they did was permitted but pictures like this one are exactly why the BSA has this in the "Rules and Regulations" guide: "Uniformed unit members and leaders may participate in flag ceremonies at political events and may lead the Pledge of Allegiance; however, they should retire after the ceremony and not remain on the speakers platform or in a conspicuous location where television viewers nor photographers could construe their presence as an endorsement or symbol of support. In addition, photos of candidates with Scouts in uniform or which contain BSA marks and logos are not allowed

Any Scoutmaster who uses rank advancement worksheets should be shown the door. Scoutmasters are supposed to be like brothers to their Scouts (B-P's idea, not mine) and I am fairly certain no older brother would require paperwork before talking with a younger brother. That is what a Scoutmaster conference is, after all: an opportunity for the Scoutmaster to talk with a Scout about how he is doing in Scouting. Don't ask Scouts about weaknesses but instead ask "What was your favorite part of this requirement?" BSA Advancement Policies opens with this quote: "One of the most enjoyable ex

If I recall correctly, the Baden-Powell Scout Association and the Baden-Powell Service Association are the same group. Apparently the name had to be changed since "Scout" is protected by the BSA's federal charter. That is what I am told, at least. The page for the current incarnation of B-PSA looks like it is fairly up-to-date. I poked around and found that, while they stick with materials from 1938, they have updated their first aid training to fit the 21st century.

Your son is an Eagle Scout and nothing can be done to revoke his rank. With that settled, I will echo Shortridge's advice: focus your energy on your relationship with your son and not on looking to us for answers. It sounds like Scouting should be the least of your worries right now.

I would, hypothetically, advise that such a person consult the Guide to Safe Scouting: "All persons involved in Scouting shall report to local authorities any good faith suspicion or belief that any child is or has been physically or sexually abused, physically or emotionally neglected, exposed to any form of violence or threat, exposed to any form of sexual exploitation including the possession, manufacture, or distribution of child pornography, online solicitation, enticement, or showing of obscene material. No person may abdicate this reporting responsibility to any other person.

It's completely true. I had the same conversation a few weeks ago, actually. I had to explain to a German friend that my home is farther from Washington, DC than Berlin is from Madrid. Needless to say, he was quite shocked.

C!C!- I know better than to create straw-man arguments and, to be fair, it was only GP1971 who was adamantly "English-only." My post was mostly directed at him and others who share such a perspective (who may read this thread later). I do understand why there is a fuss but am irritated when such fusses drag politics (and language choice is certainly a political issue) into Scouting not to teach (like with Citizenship merit badges) but to create division. I agree with most of the posters on this board but felt the need to add my own rebuke/response also. My problem is not with peop

Wood Badge has already been offered in English, German, French, Spanish, Dutch, Japanese, Finnish, Swedish, Norwegian, and many other languages so I'm not sure what all the fuss is about. Wood Badge is the INTERNATIONAL adult training award. It is not the sole property of the BSA (in fact, it belongs to WOSM). This looks like a cool international outreach event- if I spoke Spanish (only English, Finnish, Japanese and German), I would jump at the opportunity. Meeting Scouts and Scouters from other countries is always a fantastic experience. ...also, how many of the English-only cro

The main training issue for college-age Scouters is taking IOLS/Assistant Scoutmaster Fundamentals. Since most college students usually split their time between two cities/councils (and, therefore, two different training calendars), it is very easy to miss out on training opportunities. I am a College Scouter (92, not 92U) and have been working with others to get them registered in the same capacity. We are not "untrained" by any stretch but we happen to lack the opportunity to get position-specific training (still waiting on the test-out option for IOLS).