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 option: Some of the older Scouts in my troop formed one and had an absolute blast with the "high adventure" options they found in our area.

4) Inter-patrol competitions are a great way to keep Scouts engaged. My troop had cook-offs, mousetrap car races (every patrol was given a kit with the same materials), and other wacky activities that kept the Scouts engaged. The best way to run them? Have a different patrol run the competition/game every week!

5) Write a survey for the Scouts and ask what they want to do during the coming year. Refer to it during the annual troop planning meeting (or help the Scouts run their first troop planning meeting).

I hope these help!

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 awards certified the previous year."

...

"In addition, DESA recipients may not receive a NOESA, although a NOESA recipient may be nominated for the DESA once he has achieved prominence at the national level and meets the 25-year time requirement since earning Eagle."

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 just didn't have a lot of time to volunteer and our council only conducted training while we were gone. That precluded registering for ANY other position.

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 very easy to misconstrue comments on the internet.

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 not quite in line with the idea of humility.(This message has been edited by Eagle707)

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 cheaper. If you attend with your council, you will have a much higher cost than if you attend as a staff member. You also have the option of visiting for a day instead of staying for the whole time.

If memory serves, there is not a subcamp specifically for deaf Scouters but there is a "Disabilities Awareness Center" that addresses blindness, deafness, and other disabilities. I've attached the staff position description below if that is something you are interested in pursuing.

Disability Awareness Challenge

Seventeen fun and challenging exhibits and hands-on activities which will give participants the knowledge of and sensitivity to the various types of disabilities. This experience will enhance their understanding of what those who have special needs/disabilities go through on an ongoing daily basis.

More information here: https://summit.scouting.org/en/Jamboree2013/Pages/Staff-Position-Description.aspx

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 an old district event patch above his right pocket. It was interesting, to say the least.

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 it is, I would be sure to pick up a "Centennial Eagle" badge for your Eagle since this year is the 100th anniversary of the award.

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 in political campaign materials of any kind."

Having a group of Boy Scouts photographed in front of Rick Santorum signs has the potential to be misconstrued and create the kind of controversy the BSA seeks to avoid as a non-partisan organization. Yes, I know we have our share of controversial stances already but the policy seems to be about attempting to minimize any additional controversies.

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 experiences of being a Scoutmaster is the opportunity for a Scout and his leader to sit down and visit together."

It doesn't say "test" or "quiz" or "interrogate." It says "visit." When I had my Scoutmaster conferences (even for Eagle!) they were all conversations about what I enjoyed on my path to the next rank. I was never quizzed on anything. The closest thing to quizzing was simply a question about what I enjoyed about "_________ merit badge" or what my favorite Scout skill was, and then we would close with setting a time goal for me to reach my next rank (and I was never held to them- they were just guides).

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.

Notify your Scout executive of this report, or of any violation of BSAs Youth Protection policies, so that he or she may take appropriate action for the safety of our Scouts, make appropriate notifications, and follow-up with investigating agencies."

Notice the last sentence in the first paragraph. If a Scouter hypothetically had information about abuse against a child (and emotional abuse is a crime), he or she would be required to report it. Period.

If you have information about abuse of youth, you need to speak to the police and to your Scout Executive. Now. Cultures of silence allow abuse to continue.

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 people who are encouraging those to learn English: If I was opposed to ESL education, I would not work as an ESL teacher. I definitely appreciate the usefulness of English (I am an American citizen, and native English speaker, after all) and I know that English is a major language in scholarship and business. My major objection is to those who have a knee-jerk objection to being exposed to other languages (or, in this case, simply hearing about events in other languages) while claiming to be part of the "World Brotherhood."

I have also lived abroad and, while abroad, I have also seen many Americans who, to use your phrase, act like "colonists" and expect to be served in English (and refuse to learn the language of their new country). My main question with "how many have lived abroad" was because (in my experience) most who demand complete assimilation and mastery of English do not understand the challenge in mastering a new language.

As far as having less use for foreign languages: This can be easily made into a chicken-egg problem. Do we have less use for foreign languages because we don't go abroad or do we not go abroad because we do not learn foreign languages?

As for someone not doing their job, I assure you it is not me who is screwing up. I work with students who have been identified by the university as needing additional practice on their writing. My job is to provide students with ways to improve their writing and my students leave my class more confidently than they arrived.

Finally, I do not feel I am being any less friendly, courteous, or kind than you are, in this case. My tone was unfriendly to those who oppose any mention of language but I still think I was fairly civil in how I wrote my post. I am, like you, simply saying what I feel needs to be said. I did not flame or insert any profanities (nor did you) but I am writing forcefully because this is a subject I care a lot about. Thank you for pointing out what could be misconstrued, however, because I would hate to have anyone confused by what I wrote.

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 crowd have ever TRIED to move to another country (non-English speaking) and speak the language? As an ESL teacher, I can tell you that English is a nightmare for adults to learn. Try being friendly, courteous, and kind instead.

Ole valmis!

(Google Translate is wrong. It's "Be Prepared")

PS: For those that feel so strongly about English being the only relevant language- the World Crest is optional. If you don't believe in the World Brotherhood (and it appears that many here do not) then remove it from your uniform... and be honest about why you took it off.

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).