eagle90

We have 59 scouts in our troop, all active. We have a possible 4 crossove3rs next month. I really don't want to grow much bigger. The logistics are enough of a problem now. Plus I, as SM, really have a hard time getting to really know the boys when we are this large. Dale

The call of a loon at night on a northern lake.

Just got in from snow blowing 8" of fresh snow. I'd give anything to be swimming with manatees! Dale

http://www.cyberdriveillinois.com/departments/vehicles/license_plate_guide/specialty_plates/eaglescout.html The Illinois Eagle Scout plates

No food bribery here. In fact, we ALWAYS cook a hot breakfast on Sundays prior to leaving camp. Get up at 7:00, cook, clean, break camp, and are almost always on the road by 10:00 at the latest.

Our patrols will cook a complete breakfast on Sundays, break camp,police the area, and QM's will pack the trailer. We normally will leave the campsite around 10 AM, and getting home around noon time. This gives families (and tired SM's) a chance to still enjoy part of the weekend.

What's the big deal? I just completed the JTE form with our re-charter and it took less than ten minutes to complete. We made the gold standard with little trouble.

Bear Down, Chicago Bears Make every play clear the way to victory Bear Down, Chicago Bears Put up a fight with a might so fearlessly. We'll never forget the way you thrilled the nation With your T-formation Bear Down, Chicago Bears And let 'em know why you're wearing the crown You're the pride and joy of Illinois Chicago Bears, Bear Down!(This message has been edited by eagle90)(This message has been edited by eagle90)

OGE- I was 13 years old in 1963 and remember listening to the Championship game on my little portable transistor radio because the home games, even NFL Championship games, were not televised in those days. But I can, to this day, remember the starting lineup for the Bears that day and most of the details from that game. Same for 1985's Super Bowl team. Quite a difference from the Bears of today, I'm afraid! Dale

A very Merry Christmas, and a happy, healthy, and prosperous Scouting year to all in 2012. Dale

1. Too many scouts being elected. We have a large troop, and we had 8 members elected. Way too many. I would myself would have only voted for 3 or 4 of them. More of the "everybody wins, nobody's a loser" mentality. 2. Better ceremonies. If you are going to be on the ceremonial team MEMORIZE YOUR LINES. The last ordeal I saw one of the Indians had all of his speeches written out on his hands and arms! Another was reading off a cheat sheet taped to the back of a shield. Not very impressive. 3. Go back to "tap out" ceremonies. Not just calling the names of the ordeal candidates. It was always suspenseful and impressive for the young scouts to see.

Our PLC meets on a separate night from the troop meetings at my home. We found more gets done on a different night than after a troop meeting. We get to have refreshments and a good deal of camaraderie. Oftentimes after the meeting is over, the kids stay around chatting with each other for a good long time.

While our troop is very active in OA affairs, it can be very frustrating as a unit leader. Each January or so I am called too set up a date for the troop election, which we normally schedule for April. Three out of the last four years the election team has failed to show up on the proper night. The excuses I get range from You have your election late in the year, and the election teams tend to burn out, to the team member was without transportation, to the team member had a lot of homework. I have had my JASM and SPL conduct the election in any case. If I had not been a staunch supporter of the OA, this conduct would certainly tip the scales to the negative side of the whole OA experience. It is very frustrating that this continually happens.(This message has been edited by eagle90)

Ea - The book is Scout's Honor by Peter Applebome, an excellent Scouting story. This is not to be confused with Scout's Honor by Patrick Boyle, which is about sexual abuse in the BSA.

You may check with Indian Mounds Reservation (Milwaukee County Council)_The camp is in Oconomowoc, between Madison and Milwaukee. Lots of cabins, but I'm not sure if they are all booked. 414-774-1776. Oops - they are now Three Harbors Council after a merger.

Scouting can become expensive for families with multiple boys. We have a family with 3 boys in the troop and summer camp and High Adventure activities can become over the top. I have (confidentially) let mom pay the balance of summer camp fees whenever is convenient. The oldest son is religiously paying off a High Adventure trip from 18 months ago $20 at a time or so. You can always work out the situation if you work together and there is some honesty and compassion.

What national CEO or upper echelon executive of any company the size of the BSA doesn't get some perks of his office? Be it the Escalade or a better meal or better accommodations than the rank and file. That's just the way it is. My boss drove a better car than I, and had a more plush office than I did. So what? Because of his position, he earned and deserved it. Just because an entity is a not for profit doesn't mean its not a business, with balance sheets and P & L's to worry about.

I have a personal Master Card that I reserve solely for scout purchases. The Committee gets a list monthly of all expenses and checks written.

We limit merit badges at summer to camp to 3 maximum. Most new scouts we recommend taking 2. This gives them more free time to explore the camp and see what activities are out there for them to try. This seems to work well. "Free time" is one of the hardest concepts for new crossover parents to comprehend. After the uber-scheduling of cub scout activities, they are amazed and shocked we can give scouts a couple hours of free time on a campout to do what they want. Explore the woods, dam up a creek, hike to the camp store, do homework, read, or nap!

Sometimes technology can be a hurdle. Why not just have the Scout in question call the treasurer and say "How much is in my account?". No passswords, no extra work, no privacy issues. I know...old fashioned. But sometimes a pen and paper still works.

We have 62 boys and 6 ASM's. Some have a definite responsibility One is Advancement Chairman One is in charge of Eagle progress One is in charge of training The others handle special projects as they come up. Works well for us. Dale

We endured the same problem a number of years ago. The new helicopter parents didn't like the way the troop was run. They were there a month and didn't feel they had enough input. They eventually left with about 6 families, started their own troop, and were defunct within 2 years. I agree with Quazse. We do NOT use NSP's for this reason among others. Sounds like your troop is doing it the right way. Wave good bye and don't let the door hit them in the a** on the way out

I agree, skeptic. Back in high school we thought nothing of changing and showering in one gang shower. In fact, our six week swimming class for the boys was done naked! They said it was more sanitary that wearing suits! Now our scouts won't even change clothes in the tent at the same time. Better times? Who knows....

we have 62 scouts. The cutoff is one week before the event. In the past we have been lenient, but as the troop grew, we have become more stringent. We have turned a few away and that sure sent a message. As someone said, it's always the same ones who are habitually late. There are too many logistical problems with latecomers (food, transportation, camp fees, etc.) Make a date and follow it religiously. Your problems will end.

I agree with Engineer. Do nothing. Don't get in between two heated contestants in a messy divorce. We are scout leaders, not Dr. Phil.