Eagle74

For those wondering how this was done on a "campout", I forgot to mention that the training weekend was held at the local council scout camp. Boys tent-camped, patrol-cooked, etc. Training was conducted in a nearby large open-sided shelter with electric for the computer, multimedia projector, etc.

Here are some suggestions from my "value added" JLT weekend campout. The weekend was open to anyone in the troop, since they are all potential leaders if not already holding leadership positions. Yes, we did use the BSA material (games need to change from year to year). As mentioned above though, this gets old by the third or fourth time around. Friday Night at the Movies (snacks provided by the troop) - The group watched "Remember the Titans". Good movie with leadership, teamwork, and diversity themes. Boys told not to watch the movie just for fun, but to notice and analyze leadersh

First; Guide to Safe Scouting: Prescriptions "The taking of prescription medication is the responsibility of the individual taking the medication and/or that individual's parent or guardian. A Scout leader, after obtaining all the necessary information, can agree to accept the responsibility of making sure a Scout takes the necessary medication at the appropriate time, but BSA policy does not mandate nor necessarily encourage the Scout leader to do so. Also, if your state laws are more limiting, they must be followed." That said, there is something that I neglected to mention in my

With tongue in cheek . . . one produced by an Eagle mill or one produced by an operation with quality control? A Yugo or a Mercedes?

Policies/Rules are set and usually specific. They are a do this / don't do that specification. What some fail to realize is that even policies and procedures are subject to interpretation. Where there is no explanation or spirit of the law guidance, interpretation is up to the individual or group until such time as a higher authority provides definitive guidance. This is how the system of courts operates - at some point or other there arises a question of interpretation of the law, decided by the courts. Where does one go to find official BSA interpretation or guidance? Policies from

I like the path you're going down OGE, and I agree. Although I don't totally disagree with a peer review concept (for lack of a better term at the moment) I'm looking at a way to slowly back away from it as currently done in our troop without ruffling too many feathers. It's been a part of the troop advancement process since well before I came on board. You're correct in saying that a program rich in scouting skills content eliminates the need to use a review in most cases. Ours is not quite there yet, but is doing OK. I have been able to steer the boy board system away from a "grilli

You're right BW - I saw it coming down the barrel as I typed. Try this on for size: Forget the term "Boy Board". The Scout is instructed/trained/taught the skills by other seasoned scouts. He must still demonstrate that he can know/perform the skill. Rather than one person performing the evaluation with potential for bias, there are three observers. Three observers serve to provide an unbiased opinion of whether or not the scout has obtained proficiency in the skills. Three observers also make the evaluation process more consistent than a single different observer for different scou

In agreement that the BOR should not be a skills retesting session. The BOR should be looking more toward the big picture including the scout's role in the organization, whether or not the scout is living up to the ideals of scouting, whether or not the scout lives the oath and law - not just scouting during activities, whether he having a satisfying scouting experience, whether there any issues/problems and what solutions does he suggest, and so on. All boys appearing before the BOR are expected to recite the oath, law, motto, and slogan and be prepared to explain how they are living those

Who really knows Who doesn't What makes it work What would make it work better When to listen When to speak Where have I been Where am I going Why is it wrong Why is it right How to follow How to lead

Thanks yaworski, your example is right on.

When I was still a Scout, and old salt (a real "salt" from a longtime New England sailing ship / fishing family) explained to me that the reef knot and the square knot were not originally the same knot. He showed me the difference and gave me a small knot manual that shows them as different knots; a manual I still have.("Mastering the Art of Knots and Splices", New Bedford Cordage Company, Copyright 1936) At one time, I found a few other old riggers manuals that showed them as two different knots, but can't find them now. According to him and the manual: The square knot, also somet

In our troop medications are handed over to the Scoutmaster or Asst. for safekeeping. The parents are instructed that the boy is to know and follow his medication regimen; time, number of pills, etc. If we are not told, we ask for a rundown of the proper times for medication; in the morning, with dinner, etc. just so we can remind them when needed. The reason for a leader keeping the meds is for safekeeping only. The boy and leader(s) know where they are so there's less chance of losing them, getting wet, getting mixed up, etc. The boy is responsible for taking his meds as instructed

The water survival requirements (clothing flotation) were not originally part of the 1st Class swimming requirements; they were part of the Swimming Merit Badge. For us "old guys" that requirement was added "recently." In fact, by 1972, swimming in any form was not required for 1st Class and the Swimming Merit Badge was no longer specifically required. (Boy Scout Handbook 1965, 1972, 1979. Requirement Book 1969, 1972. BW will be proud.) I don't have time at the moment to go through all the books to present for a complete history. So yaworski, we're not really dumbing-down the requireme

Wonderfully insightful. I'm still chewing on it. Within a team (patrol) concept of operation, every member of the team is a cog in the wheel without whom the team does not function at its greatest capabilities. We recently had a discussion resulting from a JLT about formally establishing patrol scribes, quartermasters, etc. - something not done in the past with our troop, but something done with a troop I was a member of as a Scout. No, every Scout does not have a position. Yes, we do merge patrols on a fairly regular basis for outings, but not for meetings. Yes, I see how this c

Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary, 1973. (Not so new anymore, is it!) Webster's New World Dictionary, College Edition, Unabridged, 1975. It is not 74th Eagle, it's Eagle(class of)74. For the sake of returning to discussion on the original topic, can we agree to put this to bed and move on?

Lippoeowl, you're right on the line with additional information wanted by the hospitals. Even with that info, don't be surprised or upset when they want to call the parents first. This is when it pays off to know how to reach the parents or who else to call that will know how to reach them. A "permission" or "information" slip works to cover this. It should state where you will be - I'm sometimes amazed at how little some parents know about where their son will be - and how you can be reached (even if it's as basic as call the ranger's office at xxx-xxx-xxxx so he can find us) so the p

Agreed. They earned it, it belongs to them. Who knows, they may have a change of heart and return, or maybe start up again with a different troop.

Meanwhile back at the ranch . . . Our committee works pretty much as Bob White suggests. It is more of a discussion with a concensus process than a formal voting procedure. Seems to work for us. At times the Committee Chair asks for a show of hands or a "nay" or "yea", but more as a formality for major decisions such as a large expenditure, approval of the PLC annual plan and so forth. The actual vote count is not recorded in the minutes of the meeting, simply "the committee approved xxx". The counted "votes" usually are those of registered committee members and leaders. As I said t

Zorn OK, so I used an obscure definition of proscribed - controlled, restricted, imposing restraint or restriction. The intent was not "prescribed" as this would have indicated a positive connotation of following a set, agreed, approved curriculum, but allowing for interpretation. The intent was that of a negative connotation of a curriculum that would allow no leeway if done strictly according to B.S.A. methodology. OK, so I could have used a better word or phrase. Sorry. Now that that's cleared up; other than nit-picking grammar, syntax, and phrasing, what is your contribut

Proscribed - prohibited, forbidden, but also - controlled, restricted. I assume you would have preferred: Prescribed - set, agreed, arranged, approved But what you prefer was not what I wanted to convey.

Thanks BW. As Laura mentions, you bring a wealth of knowledge and information to the forum and it is appreciated. You remind me somewhat of a building code official that I deal with regularly, who seems to be able spit out the chapter, section, paragraph, and exact wording of everything in the building code. This kind of knowledge is very valuable to those of us who don't know the "letter of the law" for many things. It provides us with a checks and balances system that keeps us within the proscribed boundaries. It's those gray areas, those "spirit/intent of the law" items, that r

Ok, I think I've got a handle on this now (after reading three pages worth of posts). Nowhere is it required that the committee votes. Nowhere is it prohibited for the committee to vote. Committee members are assigned tasks / responsibilities and report back to the committee. Some tasks / responsibilities are broad - investigate, come back with a recommendation; while others are specific - call and make reservations report back on the time we will be going and the cost per person. Some things need to be discussed among the committee (options presented; decision to be made tha

Not knowing your familiarity with compass work, I'll start from the beginning. Azimuth - Measurement in degrees from a north baseline. This could be magnetic north, true north or grid north. Your north baseline is 0 degrees with 360 degrees full circle clockwise. Azimuths are commonly used in the military. Let's say you're standing at point A and want to get to point B. Using magnetic north as the north baseline, 0 degrees on the compass ring should be set at the north end of the needle. The azimuth to point B (direction of travel) is the clockwise deviation in degrees from nort

Please check with emergency response and management organizations before "just showing up." As an emergency services professional, I can tell you that very often "volunteers" descending upon a disaster site from every direction become just another problem for us to deal with. On the local level we often employ the assistance offered by local/regional groups, mostly as behind the scenes workers - runners, supply distribution, meal servers, or handing out water bottles type activity as mentioned above - especially when we already know their capabilities. We do tell them all to contact us firs

OK, I confess Loki, I don't like to sing. I'll do all the motions (with enthusiasm), and mouth the words (when I can figure them out), but I don't sing. Yes, when I was a Scout I sang (if you can call it that). There are many things that I do that others cannot,will not, or do not; singing is not one of them. I have no problem with public speaking in front of large groups, I have no problem with being in front of a TV camera, I have no problem reading to kids in an animated fashion, I involve myself in (sometimes silly) skits, I have been Santa Claus, I have even whistled an entire tu