evmori

WOW! Post a topic & everyone chimes in! I love it! Here's my opinion: Boy Scouts isn't completely about advancement. To me, it is about learning. There are requirements in the ranks up to 1st Class that are very important. I feel the "1st Class 1st Year" is putting too much emphasis on the advancement process. If a Scout is learning and participating in the Troop, the advancement will come. I also feel there sre Scouts who aren't ready for 1st Class when they are 12 years old. Also, what about when they hit 1st Class in a year? Things will then slow down in the upper ranks & it would seem that is where the interest would be lost? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

mommascout, It think this happens more than it doesn't. If your son went to school with chains hanging from his leather jacket, the kids would think he was "cool". I know when I was in high school, the ROTC kids were the brunt of many a disparaging comment when they wore their uniforms. Kids claim they want to be different, but when it comes right down to it, they want to be accepted & sometimes that means dressing the way everyone else does. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I'll see if I can get my hands on the syallabus for LLT & let you know. Ed

Can anyone explain why there is a rush to get Scouts to the 1st Class rank at the speed of light? I for one don't understand it. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

I understand the importance of having merit badge counselors registar & keeping the council/district list current. The only question I have is has anyone ever had the experience of having a counselor questioned when turning in an advancement form for merit badges? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, My district runs a course titled LLT - Learned Leadership Training. It is a pre-JLT course. I have staffed this course & it is a great prep course for JLT. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1(This message has been edited by evmori)

Mike, I'm with you on the Scouts coming & going from events. I like it when the Troop travels together. I do understand that kids are involved in more than one thing theses days. That doesn't mean I have to like it. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Ditto to Mike Long!

How about a file system. Each den has a file folder with all the information they would ever need that is updated as new information comes out. This would be available at the monthly Pack meetings as well as the committee meetings. I would continue the e-mails & updating the web site. I would also explain that ignorance is no longer an excuse. The information is available froma a variety of places. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Personally, I don't think Scouting is for everyone. And I don't have a problem with that. There are certain boys who will drop out because Scouts aren't "cool" and that's OK. I don't think we need to be cool. I think what we need to be is place where boys can learn, have fun & do things they couldn't do anywhere else. I think there are times when we need to get down on their level. Play Release with them. Let them laugh at you. Remember, we aren't infallible. Let the Scouts know that. And most important, respect them as people. That will keep a lot more boys in the program. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

For my son's COH, I built a Powerpoint presentation complete with music of his Scouting history. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Grey FOx, Thanks. I like it. It's just long. I have a Scout who just completed his paperwork for his Eagle. I might use it for that. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

My Troop recently held elections for SPL, ASPL & PL's. We are going camping next weekend & I am looking for a good induction ceremony. Anyone have any ideas? Thanks A blessed Easter to all! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Good site! So is the US Scouting Service Project. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

This is similar to what happened in California a while back. Various companies pulled their funding from the BSA & once they realized this would effect their cash flow, they backed off. The only one who didn't was Levi. To this day, I won't buy any Levi brand. Not even 2nd hand. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

What Mike said!

Quixote, Where in PA? I'm in Western PA. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

How about help with the Troop finances? Or maybe Adult in Charge of the Quartermasters? I would be a little careful signing them up as merit badge counselors until I see how they handle things. In some cases, and I'm not saying this is the case, parents "give" their son's merit badges whether they earned them or not. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Does you council have camperships? If your Troop can afford it I say help the Scout out! You might also want to check with you chartering organization to see if they can help. In my Troop, we give all the Scouts the oportunity to earn money (Popcorn & Hoagie sales). If they choose not to participate, that is up to them. We do explain that by participating they are earning their way in Scouting & learning the value of the dollar. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

For overnight, maybe. But why can't they come out for the day to participate? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Here is what I used on Scout Sunday. Troop 1 has been chartered ny Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church since 1912. 90 years. That's a very long time. Over these years many things have changed. There have been 2 world wars as well as may other conflicts throughout the world, the industrial revolution changed the way we do things and the 60's challenged our values. September 11th changed the worls forever. Two things have stayed the course of all these changes - Boy Scouting and Troop 1's relationship with this congregation. Atheists wanted to join the Boy Scouts of America but DID NOT want to sat the Oath because it mentioned God. The Boy Scouts said if you cannot say the Oath word for word then you CANNOT join. If you CANNOT profess a belief in God, you CANNOT join. A homosexual Scout leader was removed form the Boy Scouts of America because he was a homosexual. The Boy Scouts of America DOES NOT believe a homosexual is a good role model for young boys. The Supreme Court of the United States agred with the Boy Scouts of America in both cases. As Scoutmaster of Troop1, I would like to thank the pastors & staff of Mt. Lebanon United Methodist Church for their sponsorship over these past 90 years. I would also like to thank the members of this congregation for thier support over these last 90 years. We are sure this relationship will continue for another 90 years. I would now like to present our Charter to the senior pastor Dr. Miller. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

In my Troop, we take all the Scouts that are able to attend any event! By not taking the new Scouts, I feel it is sort of saying "you don't matter". And that couldn't be farther from the truth. Are they allowed to go to summer camp? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Way to go Cayuga County! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Quixote, Hmm..... wonder why a SM wouldn't want a Scout to go to a Klondike??????? Maybe he feels the new Scout(s) will only hamper the Troop & they won't do as well???????? If this is the case, the Troop is going to the Klondike for the worng reasons. As far as an age requirement for Klondike, I know of none. It sounds like this is a Troop requirement which is perfectly within the Troops power! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Like Sager said, use em or lose em! Give them something small & easy to do. Explain that this years positions were set prior to them coming on board & these jobs are a good springboard to bigger and better things. Then watch them! Watch how they operate. This will give you a better idea how to allocate their talents (or lack of) in the future. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1