Eagledad

I didn't say that and sadly that is the argument folks want to use to force their way. While the activities are the same, growth from the activities is different depending on age and maturity. To even suggest separating genders to get the most growth out the same activities is viewed as sexist. So, the result of the program mediocrity. Barry

I was sitting with my 5 month old grandson and his beautiful mother last week just chit chatting about her new life experiences. In the discussion, she told me, "you are right dad, boy are different from girls, even at 5 months." Girls do have more freedom than ever to make their own choices, but our culture has overstepped it's bounds and force equality against nature. Nature always wins in the long run. Barry

Yes, exactly. I’ve been called sexist for saying the same thing. Barry

This can be predicted to some degree. 20 years ago, 50% Tiger joined Wolves. 80% Bears joined Webelos I, 85% of Webelos I joined Webelos II and 50% of Webelos II crossed over into troops. Those are very rough numbers, but I think they can give you some idea. Barry

It's hard enough to get scouts in full uniform, I don't pay much attention how they wear the neckerchief. However, Eagles are typically tighter than the norm, so the scout on the right surprises me. I'm betting he was in a hurry. It's been awhile, are those scout pants? Barry

Very well said. Barry

Yep! Barry

So, why did the five boys think they would be on the list? Personally, I would like to hear the SM's side. I rarely had a 12 year old who I felt was mature enough for OA. And the statistics support my observations with 9 out of 10 Arrowmen not showing interest in OA after they are selected. Arrowmen are supposed to be the best scouts in the troop, they need some time to prove it. Barry

Is the CC mom at the meetings? We have a parent sit beside the scout during the meeting. It usually only takes one meeting for the scout to figure it out. I'm not a psychologist, but I played one as a parent from time to time. This kind of behavior is usually "looking for attention" behavior because they aren't getting enough attention from their parents at home. Negative attention from mom and dad is better than no attention. Barry

Well, I guess it’s scary story time. Shortrigde, Tell us about your experiences of COs converting unsuspecting children. 🤔 Barry

I would enjoy giving that pop quiz to every profession in Arlington, as well as all the Scout Executives. I want more than anything to be humbled by my skepticism. Barry

For me, the answer to the OPs question is on the CO; are they sponsoring the unit to get served, or to serve the community by providing a youth program of values. I honesty don’t know of a CO with the intention of being served. I know of a few that expect the units to provide a service now and then for the purpose of exposing their scouts to the CO members. I have seen that get out of hand. That’s typical in units that don’t have a working relationship with the CO. And that’s as much on the CO as the unit. Maybe National should consider some CO relationship training for unit leaders. I remember one church kicking out their unit because it was managed so badly. They had been the CO of that unit for 80 years. A few years later the following CO also considered removing that unit with the same unit leadership. They were just terrible leaders who allowed some embarrassing behavior. As for the CO having a vision for the unit, it’s very common for churches around here to consider the unit as part of their youth program. Not many set strict rules on the unit because it’s an outreach, but some do. I’ve never heard anyone being offended by it. Barry

I like your Scouts Own Service plan. I also agree with you that duty to god is one of the most important aspects of the scouting program. But for me, talking directly to scouts about god is the better than a sleeping pill. The look in their eyes isn't too different from the Zombies. From my SM perspective, the value of god is best highlighted with a few subtle words after a self reflection of a recent scouting experience. For boys this age, growth from duty to god is usually, unsuspecting, subtle, and personal. In general Scouts Own Services are the most dreaded and boring part of the a scout's outing experience. The subject matter is not the reason a boy joins scouting. I personally like to keep scouts own short and to the point. The point is that scouting values are gods values. I admit, from my faith, I believe God does all the work in His time. I try to stay out of His way by not taking anything away, and not adding much. Usually a mention of God from me in front of the scouts is a personal reflection for my experience. My hope is that my actions speak very loudly. I'm not trying to be self-righteous about this. All of us Scoutmasters have our style toward scout growth, it's a personal style thing. Your approach may work, but my experience is that scouts who choose to do a Scouts Own Service for credit are being pushed by their parents. I guess that is as good a motivation as any, but I like to see scouts all in with these things. I wish you luck and hope your plan goes well for you. Barry

It changed in the mid 90s around here. Reasoning given to us is that the modern tent materials are flame resistant and would burn quickly with very low flames when they do burn. Scouts are safer letting the tent burn then trying escape through the flames and throwing water and sand would actually make the situation more dangerous because the burning material would breakup and fall inside the tent. Also, the other HUGE benefit of no water buckets for our area are the mosquitoes. One or two buckets aren't a huge problem, but a camp full of water buckets for dozens of tents can be a serious health hazard. We still keep buckets around for the fire rings. Barry

You've heard me say it many times; the best thing scouts can learn from adults is humility. Otherwise, I just soon the adults stay 100 yards away. But, the Scouting program reputation alone can change an adult's attitude. Stopping at a New Mexico convenience store for gas and junk-food while on our way to Philmont, our scouts presence in the small store was almost overwhelming. I was a little nervous at first when a robust female truck driver called some of the scouts over to her. She, in her cigarette ting voice, apologized for wearing a sexually offensive t-shirt. This seasoned truck driver admitted to being very embarrassed in the presence of Boy Scouts. Maybe there should be a "Scout" Association Method. At the very least, plus one for the Uniform Method. Barry

We purchased the kits for the scouts and asked them to use the materials provided. About the only other guideline is the maximum weight. The cars are checked in the night before the race where they are be weighed, inspected and modified to be race ready. Typically the cars that require the most time at inspection are from scouts who didn't have any help building it. The dads doing the inspection are more than willing to help the scout get the car race ready. I can't remember the word cheating being used after the race. Barry

You have no idea how often my family has said that. My son wants to put on my gravestone “Death makes complete sense”. I’m not sure if that’s true.🤔 Barry

Why does someone have to be egotistical to be skeptical? Many atheists believe in other intelligent life. Being skeptical of other intelligent life existance is egotistical; being skeptical of gods existence is, what? Man by nature seeks answers. But wouldn’t seeking answers base on a vivid imagination be considered egotistical? The History station lost my respect long ago when it started promoting UFOs as real. As a history nut, I just wanted to learn more history as presented by facts. Barry

Wise thoughts, all. i agree the top three are the base for scout growth and discipline development. But I don’t discount the others so much as I see them as tools during different phases of a scouts maturity growth. For example the uniform; for me the uniform is how a scout views himself among his peers, as well as how he wants to be seen by his peers. Whether in how he dresses or how he works to be part of the team, he is practicing uniformity with group. As their biological body changes, the importance of how others see them changes a lot. And they reflect those changes how they were the uniform, and how they want to fit in. How they fit in and when to fit in is some of the hardest decisions they make in context of right and wrong. The uniform is a wonderful tool to help a scout find acceptance of his inner self as much as his outer self. Most adults see leadership as an outcome. But I find leadership the most challenging and stressful experience for practicing the Scout Law (ideals). Nothing else in the program requires the scout to hold his friends to expectations and and accountability like leadership. How often does a PL resort to yelling and threatening to motivate his buddy to perform an action. Learning the skills of serving others requires much practice of humility. Every scout should have some levels of leadership experience so they find their limits of humility, and develop skill of being a servant. And just as challenging are the skills of fellowship. Like uniformity, working as a team when not in the mood or pride says “no” requires practice of the scout law to make the right decisions. Good discussion, I look forward to more thoughts Barry

OK, in my opinion, the OP was only asking about retaliation protection, not YPT violations. Protecting accusers from retaliation by the accused. I was only responding to retaliations. If I'm off the mark, please disregard my responses. Barry

I'm sure you've heard of defamation of character and false accusations. More common in this culture than we would like to admit. Barry

All the more reason to purchase personal liability insurance. Barry

I gathered she was saying that the BSA doesn't cover the liability aspect of retaliations. Litigation can be quite expensive. Barry

Well I'm no Jambalaya expert, and the only reason I've been married for 39 years is I've learned when to not poke the lion. If the Mrs. says add okra, I add okra. We learned that Okra is a somewhat southern thing. We have served many northern friends their first helping of fried okra. Most have never seen it first hand, much less tasted it. I tell them "where do you think grits come from?". Barry