Eagle732

Not really sure what it is you don't agree with. Is it the PLC's decision to restrict phone use?

(double post)(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

KC, if you read my original post you would see that our SPL along with the PLC addressed the problem. They came up with the "if I see it it's mine" policy. In our case the problem is that the SPL's policy is not being followed. If anyone confiscates a phone in our unit it will be the SPL, then I'll probably take it for safe keeping.

I don't think having a Scout's ears plugged into an IPod all evening increases interaction between the patrol members. I would like to see boys talking, sharing experiences, communicating and working out plans amongst the patrol members than listening to their IPod. Maybe at night after quite time

Just saw an item on the news about someone using a cell phone jamming device, maybe that's the answer Kudu, I've seen cell phones on backpacking trips on the Appalachian Trail and on canoe trips so I don't think the type of activity determines phone use. It's pretty tough to find a place around here that you wouldn't be able to at least get a text out. I think it's mostly parents that can't cut the cord, even for a few days. Also I've had complaints from scouts that at least one individual likes to play games all night which keeps others up late. And had one of my scouts sitting next to me at a Life to Eagle seminar who instead of taking notes and paying attention to the DAC spent the entire 2 hours playing games on his phone. SPL and PLC came up with the "if I see it it's mine" rule, so maybe they should be encouraged to enforce it.

OK I'm fed up with scouts using cell phones during camping trips. The straw that broke the proverbial camel's back was a scout texting during a Scouts Own service. I asked the SPL to address the problem and he made the decision to impose a "If I see it it's mine" policy but that's not being enforced. According to those who weighed in on a Scouting Magazine article on the subject most leaders feel that cell phones are a distraction and negatively effect the program. http://scoutingmagazine.org/2008/11/controlling-misuse-of-cell-phones/ So what do you think? How do you deal with cell phones?

Have the Project Beneficiary attend the EBOR as a guest or as a member of the EBOR?

I would certainly allow the boy to visit, be an honorary member of a patrol and take part in meetings after a discussion with the boy and parents about what the limits are. A parent would have to attend all camping trips and I would only allow the boy to attend outings with activities that are appropriate for Web aged boys. As an example he would not be able to go canoeing with us. I have done this before and it has worked out fine.

Another source meritbadge.org says "Your son can be a Scout if he has completed the fifth grade and is at least 10 years old or is age 11 or has earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but has not reached age 18."

Many smaller packs combine Wolf and Bear dens (and Web 1 and 2 dens). I wouldn't advise that he skip Wolf or rush through it. Combine his den of one with the Bears but have him work on Wolf requirements. Separate dens meeting together. Next year he becomes a Bear and if you don't recruit a few Bear aged new boys then you combine the Bear den of one with the new Wolf den. What you don't want is for him to be a Web 2 and not be old enough to cross to a troop for another 6 months or so.

I agree Eamonn. I've never had to do it either. I have had to take serious action to satisfy a victim's parents in order to prevent the law being called by unhappy parents though.

BPSA website seems to be down, it just says check back later. Wonder how active they are? I've never heard of them. "If you start it you will be immediately kicked out of your local BSA council." Is this true? How would council know, have they infiltrated the BPSA organization? Maybe they have spies. Oh shoot I just looked at their website, does BSA have spyware in my computer? Hmm, getting kicked out of Scouting for joining another organization, and not even a gay or atheist organization at that!

Yea, today professionals (medical, teachers etc.) are trained in recognizing child abuse and are required to report it to social services (at least here in MD). So a stab wound certainly raise some questions and if satisfactory answers weren't giving the call would be made.

"The SM is the last person in the food chain that can actually bring a halt to the process and retest a scout. I rely heavily on the Scoutmasters signature to attest that the boy has met all the requirements and is ready to sit for his EBOR." Last I knew if a candidate doesn't get the SM's signature he can still request an EBOR thus bypassing the SM. And then there's alway the option that I saw when I had a problem with a candidate who tried to significantly downgrade his project. When I wouldn't approve his watered down project he just quit and went to another troop. He went from proposal to EBOR in his new troop in something like three weeks! For board members we always try to get one person from the community. The owner of the local newspaper, restaurant owner, Legion and VFW commanders are a few we've had recently.

Ban cell phones from your program and you don't have to deal with the problem.

If #1 would have been a hit then what do you do? If you end up in the hospital for stitches you wouldn't have much choice, the hospital will probably notify PD. The rest is due stern disciplinary action in my opinion. Had to step away from the conversation for awhile to take some boys camping. A good time was had by all even in high winds!

Ah, that reminds me of the story of the lad who stuck his cell phone under the stall door and took a picture of a scout on the can. The victims parents were notified and I think it almost resulted in the PD being called. Another reason to ban cell phones on camping trips (at least ones with cameras). "Well why in Sam Hill didn't you TELL THEM???" (In bold and caps) Beav are you yelling at me? This happened on my son's first troop outing. I wasn't there, he and I had left because we had a prior commitment early the next morning. I heard about it a week after it happened. The arsonist left the troop and joined another one a month or more before I knew he had left and apparently after the lighter in the tent had occurred. I was not a troop leader at the time, I was just a parent. I had decided that I would not let my son go on trips without me after I saw how this incident was (or wasn't) handled. I lost all trust in the troop's leadership. Our COR found out about it and raised heck! A month later we had a new CC and SM. And now you know the story of how I became SM. I doubt anyone here is calling the cops of minor incidents. I think we're all well enough informed that we can make solid decisions. Sometimes calling the law is what gets a boy the help he needs, I know here we have a program for young fire starters that has high success.(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

"It's really just a form of cowardice in my book - an inability for an adult to stand up for what's right on his own without hiding behind some other authority. The only uniformed official yeh should need is the fellow that is wearing olive and tan." I don't agree with this at all. I don't know what kind of book you've been reading but it's not the same book I read! I think leaders all make the best judgement calls they can. If the decision is that the authorities are call that in no way should be considered an act of cowardice. It may in fact be the proper and legal decision for a leader to make. Are you ready to take responsibility for inaction? The situation I described earlier about the boy at summer camp who threatened another scout with sexual assault and the local sheriff came and took him away in cuffs was a proper decision, not a decision made by a coward. The head ranger made the call, is he a coward? Suppose no one called and the boy was later assaulted, would you want to be responsible for not addressing it? Our little arsonist moved on to another unit, they had no idea of his prior activities. He got caught playing with a lighter in a tent while the other scout was sleeping. Fortunately the scout woke up and reported him. I hate to think what could have happened. But if the arsonist would have been reported to the authorities the first time than he could have received help which might prevent a lifetime of trouble. Just my opinion formed by 35 years of service in public safety.

"They let the outgoing PLC plan the following years agenda. So instead they camp in cabins, musuems and basements." Yep. The dangers of "Boy Led", they get to do what they think they want to do, not what the adults think they should do. My old SM said "we are boy run, not boy run into the ground". If this type of camping creates a lack of attendance and interest among the members than it might be time to plan some new activities. Then there's the effect on recruitment if this becomes the norm. A new scout wants adventure not more school field trips. Most new scouts and parents will look at your camping schedule as part of their evaluation of potential troops to join. We do 9 weekend camping trips under canvas, one cabin camp in Feb where tenting is optional, one week of summer camp and one day trip in Dec. During the 9 weekends we do one bike hike, one canoe trip, one backpacking trip, and the rest rest are "plop" camping. I'd like to reduce the "plop" camping. The new PLC could certainly make changes if they wanted to.

I just try to balance the overall numbers of the patrols. I ask the new guys which patrol they want to be in and try to work it out so everyone is as happy as possible. I think it's important to let hem have some say in where they go.

Well if the SPL was invited I guess can go. I guess it depends on how the "invite" came about. Seems to me that before any patrol does an outing on it's own a detailed plan should be provided to the SM for approval including a roster of Scouts and adults attending. This "invite" should not have been a surprise to the SM Does he plan on taking over once he gets there? What's this with patrol camping anyway? It's so GreenBar Bill.

Well I didn't say which two! Of course #5 is out since there weren't cell phones in those days!

Heck, I did 1 and 2 when I was a scout! Come to think of it on more than one occasion.

I don't use the NSP method. I mix 'em in with the existing patrols. Better that they see how several older boys lead and learn from them than one Troop Guide. Works for us.

I'd go to Philmont before I'd spend the money on Jambo. Our council is pushing this hard, must be a lot of money in it for them. The Jambo rep. guy wanted to come to our next meeting to sell it, sorry we already have a Fund Our Salaries presentation scheduled.