eagle90

For those Survivor fans out there, the biggest challenge the survivors face is starting a fire. And these are grown adults who have weeks before to learn and practice firebuilding.

Koda - We have been dealing withthis same situation for the 51 years our troop has been in business. The parent's organization is a name on the charter only, and that is the way they want it to be. They "provide" the meeting place, but in actuality, we get that thru the school administration, not the CO. They do not even appoint a COR. That is our job, they say. They do not even respond to invitations to dinners, eagle ceremonies, etc. We have offered to do ser5vioce projects, and get no response. So we do our own thing, they sign the charter, and we still provide an outstanding program for our youth. I think this is common with school/PTO sponsored units.

We have SPL elections coming up this week. We have no restrictions other than they be an active scout. Two of the best SPL's our troop have ever had have been only 1st Class scouts, but had tons of leadership abilities and knowledge. In fact one is now a seargent serving in Afghanistan after a year in Iraq, but never got above 1st class!

Last summer our outfitter in the Boundary Waters told us to burn everything burnable and pack out only the non-burnables. That basically amounted to aluminum foil packaging. Worked well for us!

I agree with KS. As Scoutmaster, I assess the scout and the counselors available. Many I know personally, and know they are excellent counselors. If there is a choice of sending a boy to a stranger or someone I know will do a good job, I'm going to "assign" that counselor. I also take into account geography whenever possible. We also have no problems with parents counseling their sons. For the most part, I have found most parents harder on their own kids.

Ok you Texans - In addition to the Scout Museum, we will have about 4 hours to spend in the Dallas Fort Worth area before our flight home. How would you recommend we spend our time? The Kennedy Site? What else? Thanks for the help! Dale

Our SPL does NOT attend Committee Meetings. As has been stated before, oftentimes confidential information is shared and opinions and diagreeements occur that the scouts do not have to hear. It's always awkward to have someone at a meeting and then ask them to leave the room during a certain discussion and We do not need the "Do you know what Mr.XXXX said at the Committee Meeting about YYYYY"? Besides, our Committee has been known to share a beverage or two at a Committee meeing!

Why the push? Let the scout himself decide if he wants to go forward. And if he doesn't, there's nothing wrong with that. I have had MANY boys stay in the troop all the way thru High School and never make Eagle. But each and every one of them learned a lot, had a good time, made a valuable contribution to the troop, and still come back to visit and reminisce about their Scouting experiences. It doesn't get any better than that. DALE

Our High Adventure crew will be in the Dallas area in June and will be stopping at the National Scout Museum in Irving. Has anyone been there? Was it worth the stop? How much time should be allotted for the visit? Any other comments? I visited the museum years ago when it was in Murray, KY, but not since it was moved. Thanks for the help! DALE

You can never go wrong with a Eureka tent. Our troop has some Timberline Outfitters that are over 20 years old and still in great shape. And they are used 10 months out of the year in all weather conditions.

Our troop requires a scout to wear the shirt to all meetings and outings, with a clean, net pair of jeans OR Scout shorts. No sweats, gym shorts, cut offs, etc. If shorts are worn they must be scout shorts. And all scouts must have a complete summer uniform if they are going to summer camp and/or High Adventure. Most families are not adverse to spending the $30+ for a pair of scout pants, but at 11, 12, 13, 14 years old and with puberty and growth spurts hitting, they may need 2 or 3 pairs in a year. That gets expensive.

We too, just returned from a weekend campout - a bicycle outing. Of course last weekend was in the 70's. This weekend in the low 40's with 20-30 mph winds. We sure know how to pick 'em! But I was proud to see our scouts ride 25+ miles in poor weather conditions with little or no complaining. Even our youngest and smallest new crossover finished the trip! Yours truly rode in the support vehicle and supplied the lunch. A dirty thankless job, but somebody had to do it. Thank God for younger ASM's!

I'm a little confused, I guess. Who is your CO? Is it a church, school, service organization? It sounds as if you are adding to the reuqirements having boys sign a contract. Are you afraid this boy is going to spend his time proselytizing and recruiting other boys into his religion? How old is this boy? I have found that religion may be the farthest thing from the boy's minds when they are busy with the Scouting program. I am a very active church member with religious awards as both a scout and adult, but wonder if the religious aspect isn't being emphasized a little too much. I think we need more info to give any advice.

Prairie Scouter - This has been a pet peeve of mine for years, the withholding of Scouting as a punushment. Maybe it's an Illinois thing?? In my orientation for new parents I try to make it a point of not recommending this. Dale

Barry - Great post. In our troop we have tried both methods and have found the mixed age patrols work best for us. You just put into words what we feel! Good job! DALE

A secndary advantage in bringing back the skill award belt loops is that it would encourage the scouts to actually wear belts! In our area that is a fashion accoutrement that is becoming extinct! Of course then we couldn't see the top of the boxers!

All of our brave men and women should be kept in our prayers. Our troop's former SPL just returned to Iraq for his second tour. The first lasted eleven months. They certainly epitomize the Scout Oath and Law.

Acco 40 - What a great method of picking Jamboree patrols. That was our biggest mistake in 1997 - we just kind of randomly assigned scouts patrols by where they lived, their ages, etc. I will definitely remember that method should the need arise inthe future.

We have been to Rivers twice, and would go back in a heartbeat. They are very professional, have outstanding equipment, excellent food, good package prices for Scouts, and top notch guides. Take the three day scout package. Two days of Class I-III and one day in the Gorge (Class IV-VI) What a rush! The guides are also MB counselors, so your scouts can earn the Whitewater Merit Badge with no problem. We have stayed in the bunkhouses over night. Rustic but economical. We have also did 1/2 day mountain biking one year, and 1/2 day horseback riding the second year. A good way to unwind from the river! PM me if you have any questions! DALE

We are talking perception here. Not the perception of us here who understand how the BSA is run. But the perception of the general public. They see a picture of Mr. Smith in full uniform and regalia and see a scout leader. They have no clue if he is an employee, a Scoutmaster, or whatever. They see a scout leader who has blemished the organization. As much as it is said that the BSA had nothing to do with this, and we here can understand and agree, that is NOT the opinion the general public will have. Not in this day and age.

Ditto

Of course there will be fallout from this. The vast majority of the public do not understand the BSA heirarchy. They hear Boy Scouts and Child pornography and abuse and they immediately think of a Scout leader and a young scout in a compromising position. They have no concept of a national HQ employee who supposedly has no contact with youth members. But the sensational headlines and comments will be there in full force. I heard one commentator today say "More news from the BSA - the cesspool of pedophilia" Not true, but that is what is being spouted.

We hold SPL elections in May with the Scout taking over for Summer Camp and the ensuing school year.

Just a word of advice - Allow PLENTY of time for your Jamboree troop to get thru any metal detectors! It took us forever in 1997. Service Stars, Belt buckles, belt loops, hat pins, etc. If you are touring DC, many of the attractions also have metal detectors. The most sensitive we found was at the Bureau of Engraving!

We just crossed over 16 scouts in the last month from two different packs, doubling the size of our troop. It's gonna be a challenge, but it sure will be interesting and exciting! We just did a parent's oritentation last week. The subjects covered were: The differences in Cub Scout and Boy Scout programs and philosophies, Troop Meetings, Committee meetings and jobs, uniforming, handbooks and resources, finances, medical info, patrol method, communications, program, camping, advancement, summer activities, Family Nights and COH's, Fund raising, discipline, parental involvement, and then have a Q & A session. Lots of info in a short period of time.