Eagledad

>>My guess is 30-70% of WB's are ManScouts, dependin' on your area. It often attracts da wannabe Eagles who never made it as a kid. I'd say it's a slightly better predictor than the knot-infested.

>>Finally, I would say that if you could see the scout as being SPL or ASPL in the next 1-3 years, then you should send them.

>>However, an SM who doesn't know how to light a fire or sharpen a knife doesn't have much credibility with boys who he is asking to do the same.

>>That menu sounds very similar to what we ate every day at Philmont!

I love this scouting stuff. I think you dont realize your gift as a SM. This is just the next step in the scouts growing maturity and independence and I dont think there is much to say or do for the scouts; they have been camping long enough to know what to do. So your job is find what you can do to ease the minds of the concerned adults, maybe even yours. We adults tend to limit our youths growing experiences by our fears. How can you ease the fears so the adults get out of the way of scouts growth. One idea is explain the adult's concerns to the scouts and ask them what they might do t

The widely accepted answer is the counselor has the final say. Our council uses the white MB cards and these cards only have one place for the SM's signature. We used to have to use the blue cards when we went to a camp outside our council and I always thought two signatures for the SM was rather confusing. Now most camps accept our white cards. As for lousy summer camp counselors, don't let them sign at the end and find a counselor at home to finish. We have been to camps with some good staffs and some not so good, but my opinion is any troop handing over their advancement program t

>>However, as Gern points out, today the tide has already turned in the US with respect to views towards homosexuality. What our parents generation thought of as sinful or perverted our childrens genertion is accepting as being merely different.

Very impressive. When I read about scouts in a troop like this, I want to personally meet the SM because it take a special person of wisdom and patience to not only encourage such leadership, but to also get out of the way. I only have a couple suggestions to add to the already good advice. First, let the scouts do the choosing so they are buying into the idea and have some ownership. Second, be honest about your concerns and gaols for the change. I find when the adults are up front about changes, the scouts will do the best they can to ease the concerns. Hope you hang around, I real

>>The SPL is looking at splitting the Troop into 2 patrols

What is the question? A few random thoughts; --I know the SM Handbook says the SM sets up BORs, but I never did, our Scouts set up their BORs when they felt the need. My way of doing SM conferences was summarizing my thoughts at the end of where I felt the scout stood at the moment. Then I allowed him to choose if he was ready for the BOR. Not by the book, I know, but I saw so many boys make man size decisions at the point. --The head of the BOR and I generally talked before and after the reviews so that we all had an understanding of our thinking. I (the SM) tried to always end

>> I'd hazard a guess that if the SM had a little more communication with the Life Scout, he wouldn't be surprised that the project was already completed.

>>Adults have to set clear expectations for behavior and then they have to be consistent about enforcing them. Senior scouts and those in leadership need to "buy in" to those expectations, and sure, have a hand in shaping them to some extent. Adults need to help senior scouts learn how to convey those expectations to the rest of the group too, instead of leaving them on their own and hoping they "get it," but then expressing dismay when some of them inevitably do not.

Hi All Once during summer camp a few years ago, four of our new scouts were so excited about their adventure that they were keeping the rest of the camp awake. The SPL tried several times to quiet them down, but they were anxious for what they saw coming in the next few days and couldnt hold back the tone. Looking for a way to let the camp sleep without throwing water on the scouts excitement, I ask the scout to join me on a midnight hike in the middle of the beautiful Colorado evening. The camp is rather large, which gave us plenty of time to stop and look at the stars, trees and m

>>Now, yeh need to make a similar "be comfortable" or "have experience" list for parents. Beavah

Ask the SM what his goals are for you son in the next year, and five years from now. See if that gives you a better picture of the adults vision, or if they even have a vision. As for the parents, explain the troops just as you did to us and let them ask the questions so you can educate to good and bad points. Both sound like pretty good programs to me. Barry

>>Did you have boys who went to other troops, despite this experience? Just curious.

>>* A big chunk of attrition is due to middle school competitive sports programs. Those are a financial and "required participation" commitment, scouting is not. Unless dad was a scout and valued the program, the middle school sports kids leave. Part of dat is yeh still have to participate in scouts to feel "part of the team" and not fall behind your peers. * Another chunk is "parent exhaustion." Most of these just don't cross over. They've been burned out by all the parent stuff in cub scouting, and are relieved that "it's finally over." * Another chunk is "camping shock" on

Well I understand how you feel. We make a joke of it, but in reality their pain really does hurt us as much as it does them. Just wait until the move out, it only seems to hurt more. Anyways, looking at it from my computer in Oklahoma, you may have taken action too quickly and let emotions dominate the discussion. Do to lack of details, I'm not sure who should lead in resolving the problem, but the two parents probably are the least likely because they have the most emotion invested. Instead I would suggest you call the SM who will be more diplomatic in his approach to find out what is g

>>but if you have district or even council events, it's still probably giving an unfair advantage.

Hi All Announce that do to some folks confused about rules, the pack will purchase nickel plated axles for every scout. Great time for a Cub Master minute. Barry

HI lisabob. I have a pretty good handle on the subject, but Im not sure what youre asking. I believe must of the problem of first year scouts quitting in the first year is more of a troop problem. Oh there are a few things a Webelos leader can do (or not do) to help a boy stay in a troop longer, but the burden is really on the Troop. On the other hand, are you looking for ideas to help Webelos leaders just get their boys into the Troop program? Then there is the different but related problem Im sure you are seeing at a district level of boys who are in Webelos, but not enjoying it b

My only experience with something similar while I was District Membership Chairman was that the unit suffered greatly from the rumors that got out. And other problems arose for the unit because it was evident that morality wasnt big on the list of one of the adults. After watching all that, I would suggest both adults leave the unit to kill the drama and lingering memories as fast as possible. Im betting their recruiting will struggle next year. Barry

Hi All >>Other than just sowing seed and hoping for but not expecting a return should I approach this?

>>The disaster was complete. My fault for not watching out.

Hi All Lots of great answers. OGE gave the style our troop uses. I think it was well said that boy run is a goal more then a technique. We have to understand that we are developing skills and maturity through the experiences of activities in our troops. That means lots and lots of activities are required. If the skills required of the activity are to complicated, scale back the activity and or bring in more experienced guidance. This is the lesson I teach to new units with young scouts.Dont scale back the program for eleven year olds, instead fill in as much experienced counse