Eagledad

I'm not so sure this is a dicussion about one person's ego, forum protocal, or proper forum content. Lets start with the idea that compaining about uniforms has no value here. I will give the same example again. In the mid 90's National change from thigh high socks to ankle high and there was a huge outrage. Huge! A couple years later National comes back and adds thigh high socks to the choices. I say choices, up to that point, there was only one choice. Now like BW, I had little interest in the discussions, but I stood back and watched on ScoutsL. I heard that National watched the disc

>>The truth is there will always be a percentage of complainers no matter what the BSA does in the next uniform change. BW

Hi All My interpretation has been that its up to the Counselor how the scout satisfactory completes each requirement. Some counselors allow performance of a requirement before the scout even signed up for the badge. Others want to witness everything. How that counselor is satisfied is up to them. As a counselor, I always discussed with the scout at our first my minimum expectations for each requirement. That way there are no surprises later on. If the scout doesnt like the way a particular counselor wants to work, he can certainly look for another one. Where this can get tricky is f

Hi all I'm not surprised that EagleInKy has done this. Visiting other units was one of my favorite ticket items in Wood Badge. I think its a great idea and everyone will learn a lot. I agree with EagleInky that nothing beats seeing it in person. Barry

>>Barry - "By the way, by the end of our JLTC course, the scouts personally write over 18 agendas. " Just curious. What types of agendas do they prepare? 18 per scout?

Yes. First I think the number one biggest problem Ive seen with PLC meetings, and all meetings in fact, are not teaching the scouts how to use an agenda. An agenda helps the SPL see on paper what he wants to happen in the meeting. If the meeting gets a little out of control or the SPL looses track, which WILL happen, he only has to look at the agenda to get back on track. Such a simple thing, but most troops dont do it. So first go to the Scout shop and get you and your SPL a SPL Handbook. Use the books together. There is a good agenda in the book. If cost is and issue, give me a call. By the

Nldscout is right about the list, but I found at least in our District that "common sense" was mainly used to giving a scout a waiver. We had the one scout afraid of water, but I had several mental retarded scouts that I had to get advice on as well. Aquaphobia, so that is what its called. Our scout couldnt even look at a glass water. In fact he was so bad that camping was very restrictive. And forget about rain. You see a lot of interesting things in a troop. Scoutingagain, I would call the camp Director and explain your scouts situation. I have always had good responses from them.

Hi All I think this is a case where the bad news dominates over good news. Our unit reported physical abuse and it was handled immediately. The adult in question also worked on staff at a summer camp and that council was contacted immediately as well. I wonder how many positive situations like ours are never reported as good news for the BSA. Barry

Hi All We had a scout with a severe neurosis to water. He was terrified with a glass of water. Our District Commissioner took care of the swimming requirements with no problems at all. Barry

>>and your (Eagledad's) backhand slap at our (my?)'great' programs of older boys is unappreciated and unkind and I will not dignify with further comment.

HI All I'm late on this one, but I agree with Dug in just about every thing he says except that they bend the rules too much. Other than that, you can search and find post where I've said basically the same things. Adult run BORs don't fit in a boy run program. They are basically intended for is quality control of the adults. I also agree with Dug that Scouts aren't likely to open up to adult strangers more than any other adults other than their parents. So why don't the adults review the adult parents. That is probably the most likely adults the boy will open up. At least the part where

Hi all Good subject, but as I read the replys, I can't help but feel we are mixed up here. Does the Eagle make the program, or does the program make the Eagle? I think if we could tour the program EagleInKy is talking about, we would find the answer there. I believe a program must appeal and challenge all ages, even the adults. The hardest part of that is the 14 to 17 year old range because that is when a boy becomes a man. Most (90%) of troops still hold those guys down to the boy side of the program even while their body and brain wants to be a man. I remember once one of o

Hi All Check with the OA and see what they have that you can borrow, and/or ask them for their source as well. Once you start asking the question, somebody will have the answers. BArry

>>Our policy hasnt cut dads (an moms) from being a part of our program and it really has made more then a few kids become much more independant then they would have even if Dad is in the area.

>>JD- We try to urge the parents not to attend the first two trips for a few obvious reasons.>advocate for the 'twit' a bit? As a troop, we would rather see NSP parents stay home for the first few camps...as mentioned in other posts they can become a crutch for some boys.

Hi All Lets see, try some nonscout skills themes like automechanics, rocketry, cinematography,Iron Chef cooking and shooting sports. Also find new themes for the old skills like building a fort for water balloon battles (knots and lashings). Got to a local park for map and compas. Two packs of Webelos visited us during rocketry and I know that is why they joined our troop. These are past themes off the top of my head. I'm out of time. Oh, our guys manage to have a hot rod show on the automechanics theme and I think a dozen hot rods showed up. Pretty cool. I love this sco

The answer to your first question is no, this is not common in the BSA. Im not sure how to advise you because what I think you may really be asking is how badly do you want your son to be in Boy Scouts. Yes, you can join another troop, but statistics and odds are that son wont be happy and will quit. Im curious, ignoring this problem for a moment, how good do you think this program is for your son? Is it the kind of program you want you son to experience? I think the first step is going on the campout with the other mother. Find out just how bad it really is. I wish your husba

>>That shows a lack of initiative on their part and that requirement is currently not completed IMO. Kids today get way too much spoon fed to them.

>>So, is this a "First Class Mill"...?

>>Nowadays many boys feel it is their right to be an Eagle and by doing substandard work in the process.

>>but since humans are pretty lazy, is there a large burden for the senior members of the patrol? I would guess that younger members would rather be taught tasks by the older members rather than learning on their own from their books.

Hi All >>By eliminating patrol cooking in summer camp you are essentially cutting the leadership eperience of the elected leaders by at least and maybe more then half.

>> Haha, ok, bring it on! Im ready.

Hi All >>HAVE your boys set goals,

>> Eagledad, I wasn't blaming anybody,