emb021

"TtT" means "Train the Trainer". It is/was the generic course that National expected all would-be trainers to take to learn how to BE trainers. Back in the 80s, the course was called "Train the Trainer Conference". At some point it became TDC: Trainer Development Conference. Now its Trainer's EDGE, I believe.

The EBOR needs to have people on the board that understand Venturing so your youth aren't put thru this nonsense. The uniform is NOT a method of Venturing. A uniform is NOT required for EBOR. If the candidate arrived in dress shirt, tie, and slacks, that shouldn't be a problem. And I have heard of crews who have done what you suggest, FWIW.

It wasn't discontinued. It was intended to only run for 3 years. Its the Arrowmen Service award, and ran from 2001-2003. I found info on it at the National OA site: http://www.oa-bsa.org/misc/anr/asa/asa-implement.htm I also found info on the National OA site for the Leadership in Service Award, which followed it: http://www.oa-bsa.org/misc/anr/lis/leadinservice.htm The Leadership in Service Award ran from 2005-2007. I would have thought they'd do it again, maybe running up to 2010, but didn't happen. Will they do this again between now and 2015?? No idea.

I took a look at the shirt. I was figuring they'd do a dark green version of the Centennial shirt. I don't understand why they did yet another different shirt (which is probably the cause of the higher cost. Do these replace the current shirt?? the sleeves look shorter, and the pocket flaps look strange.

Huh. And I thought the problem was the people holding multiple positions at different levels such that it prevented other people from taking on positions. (ex: instead of allowing someone to take a position that would be their main/only position, let instead give that position to someone who already has 2-3 other positions).

Problem is that people have been wearing red loops on the Venturing uniform, because they think that Venture Patrols can wear it. Moving the red loops to Venturing would have just been confusing, and given an excuse to too many Scout Troops to keep wearing red (yes, there are troops doing this, even making their own).

It WAS something you could earn during a 3 year period (you could earn it each year, for a total of 3. You added a small pin for the 2ns & 3rd time you owned it). It was then replaced with a similiar award called the "Leadership in Service" award that could be earned over a 3 year period. The LiS award ended a couple of years back, so this was available about 5-6 years ago.

"In reference to HA activities, I'm told Powderhorn is a great course for an intro. Me personally I would use a consultant or other expert to help plan and prep a unit for a trip. hence I would focus the trainign to that one specific trip, and have everyone go through it." One of the purposes of PH is to introduce you to the many local consultants/resources. This is why 1) the staff of the course aren't expected to be your expects, that's why we get outside consultants to come in and 2) many recommend that you take a LOCAL PH course so you can be introduced to these LOCAL consultants vs. going to a course in another state.

Re: the dropping of the unit numerals on Sea Scout uniforms. Ok. This one was one I had never heard of. So what if National Supply didn't make the numerals (which, by the way, isn't true. they made them for many years. I have a whole set I purchased from my local scout shop)? NS doesn't make a lot of Sea Scout insignia, so you had to get them from places like the Ship's Store, which IMO were better made and cheaper then NS. But the reason I was told for dropping the numerals, was that the National Sea Scout committee wanted to push the use of ship emblems on the uniform, and figured if they dropped the unit numbers, they could increase them, which I felt was silly. "Before Sea Exploring, the unit numbers were optional." Uh, not as far as I can tell from my researches. unit numbers were always a part of the Sea Scout uniform since the time of Cmdr Keane in the early 30s, and probably before.

"I wouldn't doubt it as, again my opinion, Venturing split off of Exploring after a lawsuit. Now I've heard that the split was coming, but was accelerated b/c of the lawsuit. let's face it the literature was rushed out, there were no shorts until 9 months after Venturing came out and pants 2 years after Venturing came out, lot sof errors in the literature, or so I'm told, etc." This is what I know, so take it for what it is, but AFAIK, there were no plans for a split of Exploring & Venturing. Yes, the lawsuit spurred it on, but AFAIK, all the stuff that became Venturing was really planned for Exploring. The people behind what became Venturing were putting it all together under the aspices of the Exploring Outdoor Committee. Yes, things were rushed. My understanding was some of the early issues was due not just to the rush, but a Program Director that was a bit of a micromanager, and died suddenly during the early years. (Charles Holmes was brought in to replace him, but why they just didn't promote Brad Harris or Bill Evans, I have no idea).

scoutfish- interesting post. But what you don't understand is that bylaws (one word, no hyphen, no space) serve a CERTAIN PURPOSE. Its NOT the purpose of bylaws to set down policies or behavior. Bylaws set down how an organization is organized. And the reason many say they are not needed, is because BSA documents ALREADY do this for units. The standard sections of bylaws include the following: * Name * Object * Members * Officers * Meetings * Executive Committee * Committees * Parliamentary Authority * Amendments None of what you pointed out falls under any of these. Hence, they wouldn't go into bylaws. Maybe some kind of 'policies & procedures' or maybe 'acceptable behavior' or the like.

I've seen many VSs over the years since the program was officially rolled out around 1984. But to be honest, since the late 80s/early 90s, pretty much all the Teams I've seen have been associated with the LDS. So at even major scouting events, I may seen an occasional orange loop.

"Question is Varsity Scouting not considered another division of scouts? " No. When the BSA was organized into programs, Varsity Scouts was just part of the Boy Scout program division. Its just a varient of Boy Scouts, but for older boys and some other tweeks. VS have the same ranks as Boy Scouts, and Eagle is considered the highest VS rank.

"I've heard that both the Summit and Indian Summer will happen next summer." Well, that's good to know. "I've already been recruited to staff Indian Summer." Congrats on that. I'd love to staff Indian Summer again, but don't expect to be asked.

Most Scouting Universities are a day (or a weekend) of Scouting training. They can cover a wide range of topics, and be aimed at all or certain programs. Some may allow for older youth to attend. Now, some SU programs may tie it into some kind of degree program, as a means to encourage repeat attendence. Sort of: attend and take certain courses, get a bachelor degree; come back next year and take certain coures, get a masters; come back next year and take certain courses and do either a project or write a report, get a doctorate degree, etc. But you're not forced to do this. If you just want to come and take courses, that's fine too.

"Scout units don't need bylaws, or behavior contracts, or parent rule books, or whatever other names are used. Everything needed is already in the BSA leader books and training." By and large, all true. However, putting down in writing some guidelines (I hate to call them rules) for the parents can be a good idea. Most parents have no idea how things run in a scout troop, aren't going to look at BSA policies, etc, and this can (if done properly) can avoid a lot of headaches down the road. "They aren't needed, however, a CO can institute bylaws so that the unit is run according to their wishes and policies. They aren't a bad thing." I would question what the CO is trying to achieve with such 'instituted bylaws'?? A simple document setting down their 'wishes and policies' would be more appropriate then bylaws. Bylaws are there to service a purpose. They are written to give certain information in a certain way. When people don't understand the purpose of them, or go overboard with them, you have problems. I find that too often some people just don't understand what they are really for, and that can be as problematic as bad bylaws.

As noted, you need comfortable hike shoes. For some, they may be boots. While not rough terrain, the site is hilly, not level. There are paved roads, but gravel roads, grass, etc. You will do a lot of walking, so prepare for that.

"Indian Summer" was an event OA ran back in 2003, as a continuation of the old National Pow Wow that were run ever so often in between NOAC. It focused on Native American culture, as well as Ceremonies. It was held at Ridgecrest, NC. The hope was we'd have another one in an open year, and everything I was told by some people at the National level was we'd have another in 2011.

What I'm hearing is that NOAC will be back in Michigan in 2012. Its not clear what schools will have NOACs in the future. I was told we'd have another Indian Summer in 2011. Is that off now with this Summit event?

"More importantly, why would a Brit like Baden-Powell pick a "French" symbol like a fleur-de-lys?" He picked it as it was the north point on a compass, not because it was a french symbol.

"I think your allowed to have the 50th anniversary patch on your sash." The Insignia Guide is clear that you are allowed to only wear the 50th and 60th Anniversary patches on the OA Sash. Sashbacks are specifically forbidden. You can wear both, btw. "I would imagine they will make a 100th anniversary patch to replace the 50th one." We have no idea what kind of award we'll have for the 100th anniversary. For the 75th, we had a special ribbon. We've had other ribbon awards in the last few years. So who knows.

"My understanding was that Baden Powell just used an existing British Army "Scout" insignia from those soldiers designated to lead the way. Later he added the Scouting meanings previously stated to this design of a commonly used insignia." Actually, it was B-P who CREATED the British army scout training and its insignia. Keep in mind that it was B-P work: "Scouting for NCOs & Men" that set down the British Army Scout training, and which became the basis for B-P's Scouting for Boys program. This is known as "stealing from yourself" or "reuse".

"I don't think I've ever heard the others/self thing. Where did that come from, crew? " Been around for a long time. I've long said the 3 points are: Duty to God/Country, Duty to Others, Duty to Self. " 1) On my Honor I will do my best to do m duty to God and my country and to obey Scout Law; THAT's "Duty to God/Country" 2) To help other people at all times; THAT's "Duty to Others" 3) To keep myself physically strong, mentally awake and morally straight. THAT'S "Duty to Self" Also, there is a different between a trefoil and a fleur-de-lis. The Scout Badge is a fleur-de-lis (compass point or 3 pointed lily). The Girl Guide badge is a trefoil: a 3 leafted clover.

AFAIK, its NOT changing. What we may see is the forest-green shirt come out in new materials similiar to the tan centennial uniform. Which I find a little hard to accept, as I figured there is still a good supply of the current forest-green shirt. My advise: don't sweat it. It doesn't make the current shirt go away or give one a reason to replace it.

what events are you looking for? Most of the activities (action alleys, exhibits, Tech Quest, Environment/Conservation area, Mysterium Compass, etc) will be open most days from 9-5. Certain one-off activities will be on the schedule (2 main shows, religious services, etc). A basic schedule for the Jambo already exists and is given in the literature. There are some shows going on at certain location, not certain about schedules for them, and if so will be given in the Jambo newspaper.