Eagledad

>>Teaching good behavior is part of the Scouting program.It is part of the trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly part of the program. This is taught primarily by the Scoutmaster, the Assistant Scoutmasters and the youth leaders in a troop.

Hi all, what a great 106 degrees day in Oklahoma. >>I also disagree with your conclusions. If you have mixed age patrols, there is no need for troop guides - thus less youth leadership. If you have a group of 11 to 12 year olds in a patrol, one of them gets blessed with a leadership experience (something all should get for 30 days if you follow the BSA program).

This is one of my favorite subjects and some really good stuff has been said. I found that no matter how much training you give to scouts, they will still bring stuff like hair gel on a hike. Yes, hair gel and he was an older scout. Anyways, I like a hike where the scout has a chance to lighten the pack on a second day and feel the difference. As for scouts physically fit for the trips, I have always had one scout on each trek who struggles to complete the day. He usually is the bigger athletic scout that nobody would expect to struggle. I have come to believe that fatigue and endurance a

Hi All Looking back, I've come to believe that 50% of the Scoutmasters job is to work with the adults: Partly to evaluate the performance of the programs and partly to reaffirm the vision of the program. I can't say that we had any kind of planned meeting to do this, but I do remember that we evaluated the program a lot after troop meetings, on the way to camps and from camps, at campfire after the scout went to bed, and even through Email. I think we were a bit anal about it really, especially the first few years because we knew to achieve the kind of boy run program we envisioned, we ne

>>Lotsa talk about summer camp... what do you do to make it more fun and comfortable for both yourself and your scouts?

Yes, a pat on the back is in order. You can't know the excitement and pride of some parents and families. I've had parents who set the ECOH date and invited family from out of state before the scout even went to his BOR. To some families, the Eagle is no less of importance than a daughters wedding. Wearing the patch before National approval can be a risk, but you don't want to throw any water on that families flame. As for early patches, traditionally the SM of our troop purchases and presents the Eagle patch to the scout as soon as National approves so that the scout can proudly show off

There is a lot that could be said about the situation, but you pretty much said it all. My experience is when the adult starts to behave in the way you described, it is time for him/her to move on. I also don't see the granola bars being a big issue here. In the context of everything, the boys learned their lesson and the JASM guided them in how to change the behavoir and the snacks just help the scouts funtion the rest of the day. The adults need to know when a positive growth experience can quickly change to negitive one. I've observed about Wednesday at summer camps, everyone is

>>I would be uncomfortable with most scouts using tools such as a power circular saw, chop saw, pneumatic nailers or a heavy drill

Under G2SS (Sports and Activities) ..Chainsaws and mechanical log splitters may be authorized for use only by trained individuals over the age of 18, using proper protective gear in accordance with local laws. This is the only restriction on power tools you will find in the G2SS. Our scouts use a lot of different power tools for their service and eagle projects. We used the activity badges in Webelos to teach proper safety and use of power tools as well. I remember teaching all the scouts the proper use of lawn mowers since that is about the age they start using them. Truth is

>>Since your unit seems to be short on gear, hows about having all the funds from the next fundraiser go to replacing what has been lost or misplaced?

Eamonn my good friend, after watching each other these last few years, I can honestly say that you and I are cut from the same cloth (tartan?). If it seems that we dont back each other up sometimes, it usually because we are approaching the discussion from two difference angles. However, I can assure you that we agree on just about every aspect of older scouts. I have nothing against older scout programs of any type. I was an Explorer Scout when I was young and I remember those days as some of my best scouting. As a SM, I looked at all older scout programs as more resources to building b

>>Eagledad, there's a hugh difference and your moniker says it all. The vast majority of adults involved with scouting, do so because they are a parent, or were a parent of a scout.

>>Let's face it. Having an age range that run's from 10.5 to 18 years old in the same program is challenging. Most 16-18 year old boys are not likely to want hang around 11 - 13 year old boys outside of scouting.

Have you sat down and explained your fears and frustrations and then asked them for ideas? The older scouts should be the Troop leaders, but for that to happen, the adults need "give" them that power. I find many troops say they are boy run, but the adults don't really give them any room to lead or more important fail. The adults really aren't thinking boy run. There is no reason why a 16 year old can't run a troop as good as the adults, but it does take time and growth development for a program to mature to that point. The adults have to lead in letting even the young scouts take respon

>>Returning to failed policies without a vision is irresponsible and should be considered neither religious nor moral

>>Once Churches get into the business of deciding policy for everyone else, then with that decision comes the inevitable responsibilities that follow, which will almost surely become "bad laws".

>>Those who are only interested in the prestige and bragging rights of beig an Eagle Scout could then leave and those who want to learn what Scouting has to teach can stick around.

To answer the question, there will likely be only little review between the WB staff and the ASM, and no review between the WB staff and your SM. You guys are on your own. It sounds as is if you dont have anyone WB trained other than this ASM, which could cause more problems if you Troop is intimidated by him. However, the WB experience does not give anyone permission to have and upperhand over scouters without the experience. We had a somewhat similar problem and in the end, it took the CC and UC telling the ASM the she was no longer welcome to the meetings to stop a year long frustrati

>>If their boys are not getting to Eagle with enough leadership skills then it is a leadership problem within the troop. And the SM and Committee needs to address that and not add requirements.

>How sad. I agree that when the discussion degenerates into "and I bet you support pedophilia, too. wink, wink, nudge, nudge", yes it is time for the subject to move on.

>>Not a construct of man alone. The only thing that is a construct of man (through the Bible) is that homosexuality is a sin. Or do swans, penguins, and rams commit sin?

>>So I guess these federal benefits not available in civil unions are irrelevant and unimportant:

>>also find your view of the APA interesting, especially that "A very large portion of the group are openly gay, so Im told." Well, I believe you've been told wrong. > But their recommendations (such as this) are based on research and data, not on opinions and agendas. I understand that letting scientific data override religious fanaticism is not a popular stance in these days, but I'll take data over doctrine anytime.

I believe that there was an "elitism was viewed as a general attitude in the old WB course in many Councils. I don't see how that can happen in the new course because the staffs are pushed to recruit, I think, at least 30% new staffers. There was an elitism attitude in our Council with the old course, but the new course requirements basically drove it out. If there elitism in your Council, I think it is local. Maybe you should volunteer to be a test case for your unit. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>So, in fact, does the American Psychiatric Association, so you are going to be hard pressed to define it as "abnormal" in any sense other than a Biblical one (and a Biblical interpretation considered faulty by the many Christian denominations and theologians, at that). But I guess I don't count, since I'm not a Christian, and therefore can't really be religious or moral.