eagle90

Huh?

Ed - Now I'm beginning to lose any respect I had for you after the Pittsburgh Steelers information. Especially after what they did Sunday to our beloved Bears! Dale

We had the same problem a few years ago and spent hours untangling a mass of ribbons, some approaching 50 years old. Some you could not even read the writing on them any more. We attached some shower curtain rings to the top of the pole and put the ribbons thru the rings. Works fine and keeps them separated. The flag does get top heavy though, but that's what 50 years of history will do for you! Dale

Our scouts definitely DO NOT call any adult leaders by their first names. It may be old fashioned, but respect is still important. Because my last name is a little long and difficult, they do call me Mr. M., which I have no problem with. Having been around a long time, I have former scouts who are in their 30's and still call me Mr. M. I tell them it's OK to call me by my first name, but few of them do! Old habits die hard I guess! Mr. M. (Dale)

A huge over reaction here. I think most of us and our troops have been in the position when the "wrong" scout was elected Patrol Leader or even Senior Patrol Leader. "Wrong", that is, to our way of thinking. What did we do? Unless it was a total disaster, you grin and bear it and remember that the term of office is only 6 months or a year at best, and look forward to the next election. Scout-parent, it sounds like your son has his head on his shoulders and is a better leader than the adults in this case. I would surely want him as part of my leadership team!

I think the February/March bridging is perfect. By that time the Cubs (and parents) are getting a little burned out at Cub activities and are looking forward to something new. It also gives the new scouts an opportunity to camp with the troop on 2-3 weekend outings. Just as important, it gives the parents a chance to get to know the adult leaders that they will be entrusting their son with for a whole week. That said, it is also very helpful if you can get one of the new Webelo Dads to go to camp too. It gives the new scouts and parents a familiar face to relate to.

1897 users now!! Dale

I too would be concerned about burn out. We had a recent Troop campout and were joined by 8 Webeloes from our affiliated pack. After a busy Saturday of helping them with a few activity pins, lunch, a 4 mile hike, etc. We got back to our campsite about 3:30 PM. Our schedule then called for free time for our scouts till dinner preparation. Our scouts (and adults) value this free time and use it to explore, take a walk in the woods with a buddy, read, relax, etc. The webelo leader would have no part of it and kept his Webelos doing other activity pins right up till dinner, as time is running short for them to earn all 20 pins. Down time is important, and we are hoping this will not be a problem after bridging.

Any good Christmas or Holiday SM minutes you know of? Please share!(This message has been edited by eagle90)

I think this is an interersting idea. However, I feel parents in our troop would be very hesitant to send their child out on a campout without adult supervision. I have seen parents become more and more protective over recent years, to the point that they are depriving their son of a great experience. We get questions like how many adults are going and which adults are going, and we also hear, in a roundabout way, how come there are adults going who don't have a child in the program? We have many veteran scouters on our committee whose kids have aged out, but still love the program, love to camp, and want to help. Anyone else seeing this situation, and how do we get around it?

I think Wags should spend less time on the paintball field and more time in English classes studying punctuation, grammar, and spelling!

For the past 52 years our troop and pack have been sponsored by a school's parent/teacher organization. Not the ideal sponsor, but workable.

Anarchist - Excellent post. I agree. All meetings planned by the PLC are not winners. There are some dogs in there, but that is how you learn. And if the Webelos visit on one of those nights that can unfairly influence their decision on where to go. And I don't think it's fair to the PLC to have 18 Webeloes and 18 parents show up unannounced to a meeting. That would intimidate me and I've been doing this for 100 years! Also as stated, there are some outdoor campouts that, again, are not conducive to Webelo visits, depending on what the program is for that campout. In discussing this situation with some Committee members this week, I said I, at times, feel like the collge football coach trying to recruit the star high school athlete. Maybe each troop should have a professional recruiter on staff.......

If your spouse doesn't think Scouts are athletic, I would suggest you take her: On a Philmont trek Canoeing and portaging in the Boundary Waters for a week Whitewater Rafting Sailing Bicycling We also try to keep our athletic boys involved by attending baseball, college football and basketball games, bowling, golf, and play sports at troop meetings and some campouts. Over the years many of our scouts have been and continue to be outstanding athletes, competing on school and club levels. A busy and committed person finds time for both sports and scouts.

Our troop usually has 4 COH's per year. At all of them we present awards and highlight upcoming activities. In September we show video presentations of our trips to Summer Camp and our High Adventure activity. At our Annual Dinner we have had everything from magicians, Indian Dance teams, the local high school jazz ensemble, a IM Canal historian, something different every year. In spring we have a Family Fitness Night in which we have free throw contests for moms, dads, and Scouts, a Scout vs. parents volleyball match, have games for the siblings, etc. We end with a picnic and softball game in June. Everyone seems to have a good time.

I wear a long sleeve t-shirt, sweat shirt, or thermal under my short sleeve shirt many times, expecially during the cold fall camping season. It allows me to still wear the uniform shirt on top and let it show. Better than covering it up with a sweatshirt.

One of my earliest Scouting memories was attending and working in our Pack's Scout-O-Rama booth back in the late 50's. Our council had a SOR every year till about 6 years ago. I served as chairman the last two years. It was held at a National Guard Armory and we had units set up booths both inside and outside (Their preference). It was a lot of work, but we made a profit of over $10,000 the last year, and had a committee willing to run it again, but our council leaders, in their infinite wisdom, killed it for no apparent reason other than "We need some new ideas". We are still waiting for those new ideas. I always like the SOR, because it was one of the few events that brought units together from throughout the council, showed off Scouting to the public, and helped Scouters get ideas from other units.

I am always confused about the "not competing with retail businesses". What kind of items would NOT compete with some business?Candy, popcorn, pizzas, fruit, etc. are all available at the supermarket. Pancake Breakfasts, spaghetti suppers, etc. compete with the local restaurants.

I agree with Korea and FScouter. That's how we handle COH's too.

We continually ask for suggestions from scouts, parents, committee members, friends, etc. for new activities, camping sites, etc. It's always good to get some new blood, some new ideas. If it's a great idea for a new activity that will benefit the boys, who cares who came up with it, if you are registered, etc. Let's not get bogged down in heirarchy and forget we are here to provide an exciting program for the boys.

I think Common Sense must apply! How many CO's would actually WANT equipment? I guarantee our Parent Teachers Organization couldn't care less about camping gear for 50 people. And like CA Scouter, we get nothing from them except a meeting place. In fact we give THEM a donation every year. Before they would get any excess money from our demise, we would have one heck of a party for the remaining few!

The young man doesn't turn into a pumpkin at the stroke of his 18th birthday. We always have the boys who turn 18 during the year to complete the year as he has been doing and in whatever leadership position they are in. Just no more advancement. Then get them registered as ASM's. It's a sin to lose that experience and expertise, especially when they are still interested and enthusiastic. DALE

Many years ago I was teaching a Knife & Axe Safety session at the Webelos Day portion of our District Camporee. Needless to say, I took a slice out of my finger. Between sessions I went to see the First Aid officer, who was a dear old Scouter, but who over reacted to every situation. Instead of the band-aid I asked for, he bandaged my hand like there was an amputation! With three more sessions to teach, it was definitely a "do as I say, not as I do" moment! Dale

Our troop elects the SPL once a year in Spring.

1 to ask if we are adequately trained 1 to ask what the G2SS says about this