Eagledad

Hi FOG Are you saying your patrol has to have an adult or else chaos would rule? Boy, most here know my position with aged based patrols and whether or not that is what you guys intended, that is what you have. There are a lot things that we can toss around to help you, but I'm not sure that is what your asking. But, what I teach to adult leaders around here is get in the habit of teaching yourself out of business. In other words, what are the reasons why you feel the adult must be there, then train the scouts so you know longer have that fear or concern. In your case, I think JLT

>>That's why I cringe when troops have an adult assigned to help "coach" each patrol. I have never seen this work. The adult inevitably ends up running the program whether they intend to or not.

>>Some think the Patrol method centers around youth leadership. Actually leadership is its own separate method. What the Patrol Method does is act as the vehicle for the leadership method.

Good point, Thanks sctmom. Barry

Good Day All Hello Bizzybbb, everyone's giving some great advice. I don't think you have an unusual group of scouts, you're just new and havn't quite got in the grove yet. You will, most Den leaders get good after about six meetings. I think twocubdad gives some really good advice and I would read his post a couple times. The candle works also, but Twocubdads advice deals with the maturity of the boys. Your agenda looks good depending on the times, but I would move the snack until last. There is some leverage there if you know what I mean. I would also ask and seek a Den Cheif. A bo

>>Five or six years. A uniform is not mandatory for Scouting and to require it is contrary to the policies of BSA.

OK, but can we call you Beav for short? And yes, by all means feel free to express you passions. I How I love this scouting stuff. Barry

Hmm, this got me thinking about the requirements for our JLTC. When we sign up for the camp, we have to provide a list of adults and their training to the council. We are required to get a medical form from each scout, not sure how comprehensive it is. If we use in of the camp facilities like the swimming pool or rappelling tower, then we have to provide a list of adults so council can verify they are trained and approved to be responsible for those activities. We don't provide the drivers information because the parents or scout leaders bring in all our participants. I don't provide a Tour Pe

Hi all A friend pointed this out to me on a Forum totally unrelated to scouting. >>Start building your library now. Though I don't like reading I buy many books just to have the knowledge on hand. I started this in the Boy Scouts. I saw how many things were in Dad's old handbook, yet not in mine and vise versa. Then they came out with about three versions while I was a boy each one without some info and including some new. I then started picking up any and all older versions. Partly as a hopby collection and also to have the knowledge that was "lost" in the newer versions. I'v

>>I would like to clear this up rather than have this hanging over his head.

>>Sorry for sounding a little legalistic with my plan, but problems arise out of poorly communicated expectations.

>>There is a tremendous learning opportunity here!!

Good morning All >>The least I would expect to prove support would have been a check from them for $75 marked "philmont trip". There being none, there was no agreement

Hi KS We know of several troops here in Oklahoma City that store gear in the trailers. But a couple of troops have had their trailers stolen with the gear in the last year. Council sent out a warning that Troop trailers were being targeted. We added extra locks to our two trailers. We looked for trailers than can be pulled with minivans so we didn't have to rely on a haft ton size trucks. One troop in our town has over 110 scouts and they pull up to four smaller steel trailers to campouts. That seems like a lot, but find four cars and minivans to pull those trailers is a lot easier

Good Day All >> Ask them to choose one and only one that they all want to do. Then ask if Merit Badges ought to be done at Troop meetings. If all you are doing at your Troop meetings is First Aid and Knots, take a look at the pages of Scouting Magazine (The ones in the middle)

OK Dsteel, are you saying when your pants are unzipped, they are not offical. But once the wearer zips them back up, then they are official? So much to ponder. Barry

>>Another badge i would REALLY like to offer is Photography -

>>How many troops do merit badges as part of there meeting time?? I feel that should not be done but it is.

>>Bob White, I can read the wording as many times as you like but 'reading between the lines' still seems necessary for its application to activities that are not specifically mentioned. I agree with NJ that the wording could be clarified. I think he was just making a point with the flashlight analogy.

>>We file it once a year, with all the registered leaders and drivers, vehicles, etc listed, and all known planned activities then on the calendar.

Hi Bear155Scout The SM needs to try and train the SPL so well that he the SM is not needed at the meetings. Of course he has to attend some of the meetings to know what is going on and to learn where the SPL is struggling. But an attitude of not having to be there forces the SM to train the SPL to be independently skills to run the meetings. I sometimes give the SPL the impression that I hated the meetings and didnt want to be there. That goes along with my belief that the best SM is a lazy SM. So, start off small, teach him how to write a meeting agenda. I have found that the perfor

>> have no idea what other variables exist here, but it seems to me that if your COR has a problem with your program, you have a problem.

>>but since so many of these elections ARE affected by popularity, rather than by need or ability - I think it's a shame a kid can be held back in advancement simply because he's not popular or because there aren't enough positions to go around.

>>but instead is, using the knot board idea, creating a knot board and then teaching the knots during that time frame.

Not at all. I know I'm not a good writter of my thoughts. Sometimes I just need a second chance. I just keep practicing and thankful for everyones patience. Barry