Eagledad

Hi all There a lot of good reasons to allow or invite the SPL to the meetings. One comment I remember very well from an SPL; "Wow, now I understand what you have been trying teach me at PLC meetings". We also found that the committee members enjoyed listening and learning the scout's point of view on different subjects. But I would be cautious that he has the time and isn't being pulled in to many directions. I don't think there is right or wrong answer here, only that it should be a positive experience for both the scout and adults. It was been for us. I love this s

I really like the idea and respect the amount of work that goes into it. We thought several times about doing our own summer camp because we've never been happy with the quality instruction from BSA camps. I think the number of required adults is what scared us away. But every troop I know that do their own summer camps rarely go back to BSA run camps. The scouts seem to really bond from the experience. I think that must be because they are so immersed in the Patrol Method and the boys work as a team with the adults. Also our troop has planned and run Camporees and our scouts grew from th

Hi all To me, for scouts to benefit and grow from the Eight Methods, they have to be responsible for them in the program. Each scout is different and he needs some methods more than others at different times during his personal scouting experiences. The responsibility for the adults is the Aims and to insure the methods are part of the program, and guide the scouts as they struggle in their experiences of the methods. I found that when adults push their explanation of methods on the scouts without the scouts experiencing the methods, the scout has less desire to learn. I think our d

>>Barry, I don't mean to come off as sandpaper. I'm just not a "flowery" word type. Sorry if it offends you, but that's the way I am!

>>I really don't think that whatever is posted is going to change the hearts and minds of those who are committed to the "We don't do it that way" train of thought, but there are some new forum members who are new to Scouting and there are us old folks who enjoy exercising the little gray cells.

>>What is wrong with a discussion where about something that some of us feel is at the very heart of what we are doing?

I think it's fine to learn more about this young man, but how about being less formal. Ask him to sit and have a coke with you and the SM. What you learn there would probably determine if you want to call his folks. Sounds like you have a good program. Barry

>>kenk, If you explain your son's special needs to the SPL and to the troop, they will understand. I had to explain one of the scouts who has night terror and claustrophobia to them.

>>You mention breaking in boots with a 100 miles of walking. How do you get scouts to do this.. You must have some outstanding motivational techniques.

>>My point is , the average scout should economise somewhere else, not your feet.

Hi all >>Having said this, I must say that in the past year, the troop has moved in the right directions. We've finally come to embrace the patrol method and are in transition now, and are doing a fair to good job on the other six methods. They'll get even better when the other two cylinders are firing as well. I'm hopeful about this troop's future and I am glad to be a part of the change.

Great Oklahoma Sunday All Interesting topic. I wrote about this lastyear after our WB Course. I didn't post it because I wasn't sure how to introduce it to my friends on the forum. I was walking behind most of the participants on one of our warmer Oklahoma WB days as we had to hike about 100 yards to an event. Just a short stroll really, but it was very clear that this was a difficult hike for many of these wonderful scouters. I counted well over half the class that was clearly over weight. But it wasn't just that. At least a third or more smoked. I remember at least half our

Check out Red Head. Bass Pro carries them, I'm not sure who else does. You can look at them on there web site. Barry

Hi all My question is why do you feel they need a boost. What are they missing in the program, did you ask? I have found the adults are to quick to propose a solution to a problem they don't understand. In short, most older scouts start to get bored when the program doesn't challenge their maturity. I have yet to see a program with these same problems solved with High Adventure activities. Adding more adventure to the program is always good, but I find giving the older scout more mature responsibilities over the Troop program is what gives them more satifaction. One way of doing thi

Hi All Ive tried to understand this thread all week. Are you saying Fuzzy that since the scout once believed in God, it doesnt matter what he says or believes at the time of his BOR? My son has a friend who was just arrested for making a very stupid choice. Now he and his family have to live with that choice the rest of his life. The scout made a clear and conscious choice to not earn the Eagle, but even after all the post, the boards position isnt clear to me at all. Barry

Hi All I was the Troop Guide of the Beaver patrol a year ago in our Wood Badge SR535 course. I got the honor to present two of those Beavers their beads Saturday night. I must say I think the giving is more fun than the getting and I want to give more. I have a couple Beavers left yet. For the sake of all the Wood Badge Troop Guides out there waiting for you to finish your ticket, HURRY UP! Oh I love this Scouting Stuff. Barry

I guess for me, if I as a Scoutmaster I developed the troop to make Eagles, I would have failed all my scouts. I developed our troop to make men of character and integrity. I feel if boy scoutng had started with Eagles in mind, we wouldn't have scouting today. For me, the Eagle is a rank for three percent extra acheivers. Those who wanted, no who needed to go the extra step. But you see, some boys don't have that long to get eagle, some earned the equal honor in other parts or their life. I worked toward a program where all our scouts were expected to be held to the Scout Law and Oath in

Hi All We had a scout who practiced Black Witchcraft. He was one of those scouts that I once got calls from the police. Truely a very troubled boy from a a very troubled family. He loved our troop because it was an escape from his real life. We liked him a lot also. My advice is approach him honestly like I approached our scout. Explain the concern most folks have with Witchcraft and they think it is evil. I told him that it was not my place to preach or sway him one way or the another. Normally I would suggest talking with the parents, but in this case no. I asked that he consider n

Great answers Curtis. Sounds like the program did what is was supposed to do, and you did what your were supposed to do. Looking back on it, I know that scouting help me be a better man, husband and father. Oh and a better scout leader. I don't have the Eagle to show for it like you, only my intergrity. I think the difference between you and I have nothing to prove myself at the begining. Your Eagle has already given you the start. Hey thanks for the thoughtful answers, they were really good. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>Sorry to do this to you, BUT there are lots of ways to get where we are going, please don't just try and pin everything on one idea...

>>I really didn't like it back then, but I do think that good has (now that we've finished growing up) it's been good in the long run.

>> So why would we want to put these guys back into the mix where they are always "little grass hopper!.

Hi All Yes, we had some of it in our Troop. I was the butt of a few jokes with some parents that I was anti Eagle because I was quietly aginst the idea. But they loved our program because many of these families had several sons and just about all of them now have their Eagle. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>So, I would plead gently for civilized discourse, and respect for my views as a Christian without the homophobe label. I have no fear of homosexuals, but I am taught by Scripture not to condone sin, either.

Hi All Anarchist has some great stuff. Considering the idea of multiple smaller trailers so a diesel rig isnt required to pull it. Im reaching way back into my gray matter, but I think a trailer heavier than 850lbs empty really needs a truck size vehicle to pull it when loaded. While multiple trailers does require additional storage and security requirements, they also give you more options of including cars and mini vans. The second largest Troop in our district (120 scouts) owns five 6x10 steel trailers. They grab only what they need for the number of scouts going on an outing. We