Eagledad

>>I find that the biggest critics of NSP, FCFY and Transition are those that didnt like the concept when it was introduced. They never really tried to implement the idea and never promoted it among their peers.

>>The remaining older scouts resented the change to the patrol method and more work being put on them. That increased their attrition rate. However, it increased our recruiting dramatically. 80% of our scouts are now under 13 and our numbers are increasing. I'm hopeful these new scouts can be formed into a model example of the patrol method. It hasn't worked well with the old guard, they just aren't interested in leading. I wish this all happened two years before we joined. Its been difficult for my son but now he has an opportunity to set things right.

>>Have you ever really given the concept a chance? Rotating PL once a month and giving each boy a chance to sit in at the PLC , run a patrol meeting and organize the patrol for the monthly outing is a good way for them to gain experience. How does a boy get OTJ training for PL your way?

Yes, the stories of adults behaving badly come every year about this time. While it doesn't really help the situation that much, it's important to understand that even as adults, we are still learning life by our mistakes. I must say that Beasties Mom's (Beastie's Mom?) pack had the right formula for a while there. We found you can restrict and creat as many rules as you want, but letting folks vent their creativity and competive spirit in a positive manner always works best and is the most fun. Open class races solve most problems and let the whole family in on the fun. Our pack was muc

>>The leap between pack and troop is a big one and some boys aren't really ready for the independence, the responsibility, and the interaction with older (sometimes a little rougher) boys, without the adults there to mediate as much as may occur in cub scouting. Some boys will hang in there and take the time needed to make the adjustment (generally, because their parents are encouraging them to do so, in my experience). Some won't do this and will quit.

>>Scout spirit is living the Oath and Law in your everyday life. Explain to him how not wearing his uniform conflicts with that.

>>I don't think there's an obligation to take that to the Committee, so that all the other parents in the unit can get in an uproar. Sometimes kindness demands a lighter touch.

>>To even hint that my suggestion of getting trained PRIOR to leading a group of boys is a "high horse" issue is ridiculous and insulting. Shame on you.

>>This is only learned through experience, and the only way we get experience is by making mistakes. Rather than getting on a high horse and telling a SM that he needs to be trained before he be allowed to have the responsibility of a troop of boys, I would advise that the leaders get together for a thorns & roses type of discussion for everyone to learn from the experience.

>>What a shame that sometimes parents themselves are the worst role models for their children though.

>>Face it the adults have to have some input we are the transportation element as well as supervision.

Most here know my heart with the patrol method. We've had many discussions and most of the time I come away thinking that most adults stumble because they don't focus on the outcome, goals or vision. I enjoy reading Kudu's post, but I always feel he hasn't yet understood the the means justifies the end. He is trying very hard to build a program that looks like the old program. But looks doesn't get you the old program. Fscout is right that todays BSA can enable the old program. I've seen it. But my observations of successful programs are the adults first understand the man they are tryin

This is an interesting discussion. A few months ago I was asked to present the Eagle to one of three scouts at their ECOH. I was also asked to give the Eagle Charge and I was so honored by the request that I was almost in tears. I turned them down because I felt that was a place for an Eagle and I am a Life Scout. I have no regrets about turning down the reques, but I still think about it a lot because it was so hard to turn down. I would have given a heck of a charge. The best ECOH I ever attended was a short one where the Eagle spent much of the time thanking all those who helped him ge

>>My two accidents both were from using a bow saw, some boys might have gone home but I just bandaged up my finger tip and kept camping.

>>If this Scout is not responsible enough to maintain his own equipment and can not find his pocketknife (which he misplaced) is he then responsible enough for a sheath knife? Will he continue to misplace his pocketknife before every campout?

>>As for the driver, I think I would thank him for having volunteered, invite him to ride with someone and never ever call on him for driving support ... period. Driving isn't the only parental support task in a unit.

>>If done right, extending the wheelbase of a car will improve stability and permit the to roll straighter down the track (less rubbing means less friction and more speed

Hi Gonzo As one who enjoys tinkering with these things and pushing the limits, why do you want to drill the holes? I'm trying to imagine any reason other than insuring perfectly perpendicular axles. Depending on what you find out on the rules, you can still fill in the groves with wood filler or even glue and then drill them out. I don't see that giving you any advantage and still accomplishing your goal. I love this pinewood derby stuff Barry

Good reply Crew. Barry

>>jblake47, I'm impressed! I've seen two different troops attempt Venture Patrols with disasterous results described by others above. When both of those troops disbanded the Venture Patrol(s) and mixed the guys back in to mixed-age patrols, their level of participation in troop events and leadership sky-rocketed.

>>Maybe because earning the Eagle rank as a youth years ago has nothing to do with the story?

The most successful programs are usually the most fun for all the scouts. They do it by constantly challenging each scouts maturity and skills. JASM is that next level for scouts who have mastered most of what the program offers the youth. These are young men ready to take on adult responsibilities and usually they amaze themselves as much as they amaze the over 18 adults. Sadly, scouting is about the only program for young men of this age where they get the opportunity to act their age. And this is one big reason why I love this Scouting Stuff so much. Barry

I having a little trouble here: Scouting is an adventure...but only on high adventure treks? I understand what you are saying, but may I suggest another direction of thinking. I know a lot of folks think adventure is the only attraction for older scouts, but I disagree. Scouts go were they feel good about themselves and leading a bunch of younger scouts in different adventures is very also rewarding for young men. I hate these whole older scout younger scout discussions because I think many adults unintentionally hold adventure back from the younger scouts. We once had a new 10 yea

Wow, I said all that! I find it humbling that Beav and I met for a couple hours and he said in just a few short sentences what it took me a couple hours to say. Boy he is good. But we sure enjoyed talking scouts for those couple hours. Part of what we Beav and I were talking about is that adults only need to step in where the scouts maturity and experience lack to keep the program successful. A 15 year SPL with five years experience is going to run a different program than a 12 year old. That doesnt mean the 12 year old cant run the troop, he just needs more resources than the 15 year old

Hi all With todays technology, even many of the $40 boots are up to the task of most hiking trails. My experience is bad socks are usually the cause of most foot problems like blisters. What ever boot you buy, get good hiking socks along and liners to wear underneath the socks. Most brands intended for hiking will work fine; just make sure they don't have any cotton in the material. Moisture is the main cause of blisters and cotton holds the moisture to your skin. I agree REI is an excellent place to look for boots because the sales folks know how to fit them to your feet. But I live