Eagle732

Knowing Ryan this will be an excellent course. If you want to learn more about ultra-light backpacking I recommend subscribing to his website and reading his book. Disclaimer: I have no connection with Ryan Jordan but I've read his books and been a subscriber to his website. Both are very valuable sources of information on lightweight backpacking.

I have a little experience with special needs kids. Our troop has a few, we have an outreach program to help boys from all backgrounds and situations be in Scouting. It's true that certain meds wear off at the end of the day and those boys that need them will show the effects of that. that's not an excuse for this extreme and dangerous behavior. Discipline is in order. My theory is that when a Scout becomes such a liability that the boys that want to be in the troop and live by the Ideas are ready to quit because of the disrupters then its time for them to go.

Our District's Day Camp fee is $145 per Scout and we limit it to 750 Cubs. Cost is relative to the program you have. Also we use to do a family night type cook out but it got to be too much of a hassle with the amount of people attending.

If you go here: http://www.scouter.com/contact.asp and use the pull down menu you'll find "Report a bug on Scouter.com". Maybe that'll get you some help. You're not alone with your complaints, I find the site slow and even non responsive a times. Oh well, it's free so I just use it when its working and go somewhere else when its not!

"A troops culture is what has to be developed. New ways take time to become the norm. Had to age out the scouts who grew up the older way of doing things and once the younger scouts came to leadership age they only knew the scout led way" Our troop is going through this phase now. Older Scouts doing things the old, adult led way. Problem is newer Scouts tend to follow. How do you break the cycle? How about specifics? What do you do, what do the Scouts do? How did it happen? I've heard the saying "Boy run doesn't mean boy run into the ground". How do you avoid that? Great post. I look forward to learning from someone who has made the transition from camping club to Scout troop.

The Eagle Scout Service Leadership Project Workbook states "Your proposal must be approved by the District Advancement Committee before you begin. You should not commit to performing the project or to a start date until you have committee approval". Since fundraising is part of the project your son must be approved before fundraising. In our district a Scout who fundraises before approval must forfeit the money to the benefiting org. and does not get credit for the hours as part of the project.(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

He did a great job, a very thorough listing with pictures of the headstones too. The link in the article didn't work but you can see his work at: http://blackstonequakermeetinghouse.org/

Mafeking, you mentioned that the lanterns are forever failing, glass breaking etc. here's some things we do to prevent breakage and failing. 1. Our troop uses a propane tree so Scouts can hook up their stove and lantern. The lantern screws on top of the tree which is attached to a 20# bottle. This bottle fits tightly into a milk crate which makes it more stable and prevents it from tipping over. This is more stable than the small (16 or 20 oz.) propane bottles. 2. All lanterns have their own case and are packed in the patrol chuck box when not in use. 3. Replace all glass globes with wire mesh globes. I just found out that Century makes them and they are sold through Campmor. Mantels still break, just not as often.

Our troop replaced the glass with a screen type globe. I have no idea where they came from and can't find a source now. Maybe something you could make though. Just some steel window screen crimped to a ring top and bottom to keep its shape

"The Medal of Merit is awarded to Scouts and Scouters who have performed some act of meritorious service above and beyond that normally expected of a youth or adult member of the Boy Scouts of America. This act may involve a lifesaving effort, but is not confined to lifesaving. It may also be awarded for any meritorious action using some aspect of Scouting skills or learning." Well, 20 gallons of blood is certainly above and beyond what is normally expected! So what would be" the action using some aspect of Scouting skill or learning"? A Scout is Helpful? A Scout is Brave (if you're afraid of needles)? I'm on the bone marrow registry, if I'm lucky enough to give bone marrow should I expect a medal?

Those old diaries are interesting to read and a real window into the past. I have my grandfather's 1923 diary. At that time he was the SPL and a First Class Scout. He writes about sending letters to merit badge counselors requesting meetings and then taking the streetcar across town to meet them. He also writes about being inducted into the OA and later that year taking part in an induction ceremony for new members. Fascinating history. I'd hold on to those old diaries if I were you but if you want to give them away maybe the council would want them.

"Either way, it means they can't be earned right now anyway." Maybe in your Council but the Baltimore Area Council registrar told me last week that the program is up and running. Scouts in this council are free to start working on them now.

I guess some districts / councils do it differently but I (the SM) have never stayed during the deliberations. That seems to be the procedure as spelled out in the Advancement Guide Book.

"The scoutmaster stayed in the room while the scout went outside" The Scout and his SM should leave the room together after the EBOR. The SM does not stay behind to take part in the discussion after the candidate leaves. Other than the introduction the SM does not speak at the EBOR unless asked to clarify something by the Board. As a SM I've been through a few of these and I've never been asked anything.

There can be no more than 6 members on a EBOR. The Advancement Guide does not allow for a liaison for the candidate. The candidate goes before the board by himself. By definition a liaison assists in communications, neither the SM or anyone else can assist the candidate. The only case where I could see where the candidate would have assistance at an EBOR would be a special needs Scout and that would probably have to be approved by Council. Are you preparing to go before an EBOR?

According to the 2008 Advancement Guidebook this is the function of the SM during an EBOR: The candidates unit leader introduces him to the members of the board of review. The unit leader may remain in the room, but does not participate in the board of review. The unit leader may be called on to clarify a point in question. After the review, the candidate and his unit leader leave the room while the board members discuss the acceptability of the Eagle candidate." I like to stay for the EBOR, but only with permission of the candidate. I learn something new every time. It helps me prepare the next Eagle candidate prepare for his EBOR.

Wigwag uses the International Morse Code. My source is the 1968 printing of the Signaling merit badge book. I have seen copies of old merit badge books in the public library so you might want to check there for a copy, also eBay occasionally has them.

WIgwag is a method of sending Morse Code by the use of a single flag. Basically you move the flag from the upright (12 o'clock) position down either left or right and back up to 12 o'clock again. A wave to the signaler's right is a dot and one to the left is a dash. A series of waves, say three to the right would mean three dots or the letter "S".(This message has been edited by Eagle732)

"We are into month 8 since the council denial and month 4 since the National appeal was dropped off. And you folks don't think this is excessively long? SCOTUS decides cases faster!" Well as far as I know the Supreme Court was a full time paid job with a full time paid staff. Most of the people involved with this appeal are unpaid volunteers. Even the folks that rule on the National appeal are Council advancement committee people from various councils.

Twocub, thank you, apologies accepted, no hard feelings here. I haven't been willing to post specifics including names, dates etc. I figure that's up to Mdsummer to do if she wants to. After what has been said here she may not want to share the results. That would be understandable but a shame, there's lots to learn from this experience. Honestly when I first posted on this way back on page one my interest was learning how the process of appeal went since I figure I might have to go through it one day. It wasn't until several weeks later that I realized that I knew the SM involved. So I will wait for an answer and those that don't care or believe this is a hoax can skip this thread.

Twocubdad proves my point! To insinuate that I am perpetuating a hoax is equivalent to calling me a liar.

MDsummer has given me her word that she will let us know when she gets the results from National. Knowing both parties and a great deal of inside information about this situation I have no reason not to take her for her word. I believe she has been totally truthful in telling her side of the story. Much of what she has told me privately I know to be true from other sources. Many here believe this is a hoax or that she has received the answer but since it was not in her favor she has not responded. This is not true. Some have questioned the truthfulness of those who have information on this situation, that is sad. A few of you have been especially mean spirited and have made statements of "facts" such as the recent statement "there was NO appeal" without knowledge of the situation.That is unfortunate. Although I have never met mdsummer personally I have traded emails and I've spoken with her on the phone. I believe she is a concerned mom who strongly believes her son deserves Eagle. I know people who know her two sons, the younger of which is the troop's current SPL. I know the SM, he's a good guy and dedicated Scouter who believes in the program. He and I have trade program information, in fact he gave me a CD with pictures from his last Philmont trek, a trek that mdsummer's son was on. (great group photo!) I hope this all comes to an end soon so that mdsummer's son can get the answer he deserves.

You're worried about the Scout Shop not checking someone before buying a OA handbook? Maybe you should take a look on eBay! 5 bucks for an '08 edition! http://cgi.ebay.com/Order-of-the-Arrow-Handbook-Boy-Scouts-America-BSA-2008_W0QQitemZ250574257643QQcmdZViewItemQQptZUS_Nonfiction_Book?hash=item3a5763bdeb#ht_570wt_1167

Well, I have an Eagle SMC this Tuesday. Oh, and he'll be one day away from turning 18. On Positions of Responsibility, in this case he served 2 months as ASPL then quit showing up. Next time I saw him was 5 months into his POR. We talked and he got credit for 2 months. I offered him a position of Troop Guide which he turned down, seems he wanted another chance at the easier ASPL job. The next SPL gave it to him. He barely showed up enough to consider him completing his obligation. POS completed, that was two years ago. On being active, the Scout attends very few meetings, maybe 6 last year and only one camping trip, which he left early. I won't turn him down for attendance since by the rules I can't. However, I can not judge Scout Spirit if I don't see the Scout on a regular basis (say at least 2 times a month). If I decide not to sign off on Scout Spirit then he can appeal and we'll see where it goes. This is exactly the situation being debated at length in another very long thread! If you allow a Scout to pass with poor Scout Spirit (lack of participation) then you set the precedent and standard for other Scouts to follow. As far as re-registering Scouts who haven't had contact with the troop goes our policy is we send out notices for dues with a deadline two months prior to re-charter. After a few reminders, if a Scouts doesn't pay his dues we do not recharter him. If District wants him re-chartered then they can pay. We've actually had council take money from our Scout Shop account to pay in these cases. We now keep no money in that account.

Since your a Chief you need to know the admonition so here's a hint: Your first step on the path to discover the Admonition is a jump to Brotherhood, then if you accept the challenge and are willing to memorize, you will find the Admonition. If you find the right place you will even hear Allowat Sakima whisper it to you.