Eagledad

>> Going to church every Sunday only serves to fill the church's coffers and rather than listen to some inane sermon, I'd rather be out putting Christ's teachings into practice.

>> CubmasterMike-Let your boy chose and change your handle to ASMMike.

>>Your religion should only be important to yourself and no one else.

>>I always tell 'em that a COH is an act of service. They don't need it, but the community needs it. It's a way of providin' an example for younger scouts, and a way to thank the SM, ASMs, parents and parent volunteers for all their efforts over da years. Yeh say "thank you" to those people by giving them a chance to celebrate. Beavah

Im with lisabob here. She seems to see something else here. Nowhere in your words do I read that the young man really wants the Eagle. I don't know, but maybe the focus of our replies arent quite on the mark. It sounds more like the problem is you have a scout who doesnt really want to fit in anymore. I agree with setting expectations for him, but Im more of the mind that he needs your expectations of him as a man tens years down the road, not as an Eagle now. For what ever reason, hes floundering in scouts, which maybe means he is floundering in his other life. I know that he is a pain, but maybe there is some way to get him to engage in some small way. Try something else. Think way out of the box. Find something that gets him excited in your troop, whatever that is and see if you can use that to give him some kind of motivation. Sometimes what we do doesnt seem to make a difference. But I think it does even for the ones who seem the most distant. At some point in each of our lives, those who gave something of themselves comes back to give us a boost. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>I consider that action to be the strongest form of statement of contempt for the targeted individual and, as such, represents an unfriendly (and unscoutlike) act.

>>What are you selling?>Who are you selling it to?

>> I think he is wanting some curve balls. Something to make it interesting.

Hi I am not one of those adults that preaches "first get trained then.....". But I really think Wood Badge is exactly what you and your leaders need right now. The course guides the unit in finding your gaols and building the adults into a team to reach your goals. Most of the problems adults have in units are caused because they don't have visions or goals as a unit, so they don't work as a team. Take the course and I think you will have a much better understanding for what you are supposed to do. If you still feel the need to make guidelines, I think they will be more focused. But because the course will get all your leaders in one frame of mind, I'm guessing you won't need to make additional guidelines. Barry

>>When someone so obviously misinterprets the data they've collected, it makes me question what else they got wrong. Yet we're quoting them as an authority on all of the facts of the case.

Hi EagleInKY Not sure what youre looking for and really HH sounds like a really good adventure. There is another option near Philmont called Chimayo High Adventure at BSA Camp Frank Rand. The part we did was their Pecos backpacking trek which is in the Pecos Mountains by Santa Fe. Of all the High Adventure hiking treks our troop has done across the county, that one is still considered the most beautiful and most high adventure. After the first day, you will not see another soul for a week. And it is gorgeous woulded county you will ever see. The Pecos Wilderness has dozens of trails that are hundreds a miles long, so you basically customize your trek with your guide when you get to camp to match your scouts experience and what they want to do. One of our crews hiked to a different fishing hole every day catching trout for dinner. They send a Boy Scout guide along with you who trains you in Low impact camping if you don't already know how. Tehy are pretty strict with LNT. They use Philmont gear and the Philmont food. HH does sound really good and I know we will consider it in our future. I just wanted to give you another option in that area. Here is some information: http://www.gswcbsa.org/summercamp/highadv/index.shtml Barry

>>If the SM sees the Scout is just not ready, he can decide the conference needs continuing.

Boys loves lock ins. Do it at the YMCA and you have facility of things to do like swimming and basketball in a building designed for those activities. My experience is that boys are attracted to lock-ins for the simple reason of just staying up all night long. Our troop does computer lock-ins where scouts bring in computers to play video games all night long. We even did one once at an Air Force Base where the Scouts got to sleep in a C-17. Our District does Cub Scout lock-ins at a local museum designed for kids doing hands on experienments. Usually attracts about 600 cubs and parents. Not done one for recruiting, but I love thinking out of the box. Barry

>>Not sure what would be wrong with a friendly chat between people on the same team to share information and discuss possible changes or adjustments?

>>One of the purposes of the BOR is to do "a checkup" on the health of the troop. That is an indication of whether the SM is doing his job. If he isn't doing his job, the CC needs to have a chat with him.

>>If the BOR believes that the Scout never learned his stuff, they have an obligation to fail him and then chastise the SM for letting the Scout get that far.

>>But every time something like this crops up, people keep bleating how gays have to be kept out.

>>It's not a life-changing experience for a boy. It's meant to get his feet wet and prepare him for the higher ranks, where the real fitness, character and citizenship learning happens.

>>If Leadership was not required for Advancement it would eliminate the constant turnover which undermines the Patrol Method with its natural youth-youth skill training.

>>At Philmont our guide said for the crew you only need 2 knives, the scouts had a real issue with this. I told them they could carry as many knives as they wanted. After the hike they understood why only 2 knives where needed, they where rarely used.

Find the name of the pinewood chairman and give him a call. Those guys are always cool, have lots of fun, and let anybody help. That is the best starting-out job and once your started anywhere, you're in. Glad to have ya in this Scouting Stuff. Barry

>>Folding knives (clasp and lockback) only on Scout activities. Others not necessary (except for perhaps kitchen knives for cooking use).

>>I here those up north have more of an emphasize on programing, not MB's and advancement.

It is not a national policy, but some councils have the policy. Call your DE and ask if the council has anything in writing. Barry

>>I'm in no way saying that what we have doesn't work or hasn't worked, but maybe it's time for a change of mindset?