Exibar

Let me get this straight.  Summer camp, no WFA, certified leaders?  Boys can't go. .... Yep, sounds like something BSA would require.

 

Adults can't camp 300' away, that's too far to be effective if an accident should occur.

 

I can hear the orchestra tuning up for my Swan Song already.  

 

At one point in my life I was a Nationally Registered Emergency Medical Technician-Ambulance.and state certified Emergency Rescue Technician.  Even after many years in the field (15 years) I think I could comfortably handle any medical emergency that comes my way in the back country?  Snake bite?  treat for shock, send boys for help.  Broken leg, make comfortable, treat for shock, send boys for help,   Seriously people, other than basic first aid we teach S-FC, what is there to know that in the back country one can do without dragging an ambulance down the trail with you?  

 

So, riddle me this Joker, what first aid is necessary beyond FC Training and FC MB will the adult leader need to know before the EMT's arrive?   That information, if any is what everyone is going to pay $150 ever two years to learn.  Yeah, right!

  Your credentials are impressive for sure....  however, WFA certification training is for when the EMT is days or weeks away, not a simple phonecall to 911.... it's to ensure that you stabilize the patient, make him comfortable until help comes in days, not hours....  OR get him out of the back country alive and safe if needed....

  It is a different set of training skills then that of an EMT or Paramedic went through....  Although, any qualified Paramedic such as yourself, would be able to keep the patient alive....

 I encourage you to take the training and then report on your honest thoughts....  my instructors were both Paramedics and we had an ER doc on staff as well helping out...  it was very good training....

 Mike B

thanks for the quick replies!

 Yes, I agree it's up to the MB counselor and not the SM....  however, how many consessions can be made before "too much is too much"...   I suppose it's simply a matter of the MBC accepting the "spirit of the requirement" for the Merity Badge...  as long as that is met in the eyes of the MBC, the scout has earned it...

Ranks advancements are nto in question here, just MB requirements...   I'll have to re-read the GTA as well...

How much do you folks bend the merit badge requirements for those boys that are on the autism scale? 

Do you not bend them at all and hold these boys to the same exacting standard as all the other boys?

If you do bend the requirements, how is that fair to those other boys that followed the "as is" requirements?  Does this even matter?

there are alternate rank advancements, but there aren't any alternate requirements for Merit Badges.....  leaving this up to "scoutmaster discretion" isn't exactly easy or kind on the Scoutmaster...

looking for input, thanks all!

   Mike B

If you are doing 2 backpacking trips a month, I would ramp up to 15-20 miles a day. Learn to do without all the extra weight. Since your next to Sea Level, I would make sure your hiking as high up as possible to have the Scouts/Adults understand altitude. That's your big issue.

 

Where are you hiking in Yellowstone? What entrance are you coming in at? I spent 4 summers working there.

Since you are doing 18 hikes, one or two misses wouldn't be an issue. Though, towards the end you might want to make sure the final ones are attended.

I'd love to chat off list with ya as you certainly have inside information about the park that would be HUGE to help plan the better routes there are... Would you mind sending me an email with your email address?

Mine's exibar@thelair.com

I couldnt' find a way to private message you through this site :-(

thanks!

Mike B

wow, guys.... please dont' take this the wrong way you're all a great bunch of guys.. all feedback is a gift, and I appreciate it all, really.... but honestly, many replies to me about how my troop should be more boy led, I shouldn't be planning this the boys should, etc etc... that type of feedback doesn't help nor comes close to answering my question I posed.... some posts had some useful thoughts though and for those i thank you, Resqman hit the nail right on the head though, thank you very much ;-) I see your point about the 18 training trips, which really amounts to 9 additional treks as the other 9 would involve the entire troop and be the monthly outing.

 

all the boys in my troop have backpacking gear, although Im sure more gear/ better gear will want to be purchased, as that is one of our most looked forward to activities. they all know how to use their gear... but I see that many pack way too much, I'm hoping the training trips will help them lighten their load.... we'll have a couple full shakedowns in between during a troop meeting as well, so the entire troop will benefit.

I see Resqman's point about 18 being too many.... maybe I'll just work in a couple extra training trips along with having the monthly outing more geared toward trek preparedness...

the 14 year old age limit is because I do not want newly crossed over scouts to attend this trek. For the most part they'll be prone to home sickness and in general won't be as prepared. Of course, this is a guideline and if there is a scout that my SPL and I decide is ready and wants to go, and can pay for it, he'll be welcome.... the others will be in scout camp locally for that week....

 

someone mentioned the merit badges don't prove a thing that they're just checkmarks on a list... they do actually... commitment, and mommy and daddy cannot buy them a badge, they have to be earned... I'm thinking that perhaps just Orienteering and First Aid though.... This is not too much to ask of my current scouts to complete in 1.5 years... I dont' care if it's at camp this year or merit badge colleges, or on their own that they earn the badges... I want them to be committed to the trek with something other than having the money to attend... that's also why I want to make the training treks mandatory for both scouts and adults attending... can't make the training treks because you don't feel like it? can't go to yellowstone, sorry :-(

 

I'm in a very affluent town, and some (not all, but some) feel money is the answer to everything... part of our mission as Adult leaders is to teach these boys that hard work, commitment, and accountability will get you further in life than Mom and Dad paying your way.... and we have to be fair to those that cannot simply whip out the checkbook as easily as others...

 

fundraising is big on the list for the trek too... but won't come anywhere near covering 100%.... the parents have been told without fund raising it will be about $1000 out of pocket, but we're hoping to bring the cost down with fundraising, $100 due first meeting in January, $20 each month after that, with the balance due around March April 2015, before we leave when we finalize our airline tickets, etc.

 

In any case, keep the comments coming, I appreciate them all, if anyone has any thing else to add as to how their troop prepares for a high adventure trip that will be in the $1000 range per boy, I'm all ears! :-)

 

thank you all again! feedback truely is a gift, and I have some great thoughts to ponder and to work through with my PLC now! :-)

 

Mike B

Troop size is 25 active boys. I have 9 crossing over in March that will be assimilated...

wow, guys.... please dont' take this the wrong way you're all a great bunch of guys.. all feedback is a gift, and I appreciate it all, really.... but honestly, many replies to me about how my troop should be more boy led, I shouldn't be planning this the boys should, etc etc... that type of feedback doesn't help nor comes close to answering my question I posed.... some posts had some useful thoughts though and for those i thank you, Resqman hit the nail right on the head though, thank you very much ;-) I see your point about the 18 training trips, which really amounts to 9 additional treks as the other 9 would involve the entire troop and be the monthly outing.

all the boys in my troop have backpacking gear, although Im sure more gear/ better gear will want to be purchased, as that is one of our most looked forward to activities. they all know how to use their gear... but I see that many pack way too much, I'm hoping the training trips will help them lighten their load.... we'll have a couple full shakedowns in between during a troop meeting as well, so the entire troop will benefit.

I see Resqman's point about 18 being too many.... maybe I'll just work in a couple extra training trips along with having the monthly outing more geared toward trek preparedness...

the 14 year old age limit is because I do not want newly crossed over scouts to attend this trek. For the most part they'll be prone to home sickness and in general won't be as prepared. Of course, this is a guideline and if there is a scout that my SPL and I decide is ready and wants to go, and can pay for it, he'll be welcome.... the others will be in scout camp locally for that week....

someone mentioned the merit badges don't prove a thing that they're just checkmarks on a list... they do actually... commitment, and mommy and daddy cannot buy them a badge, they have to be earned... I'm thinking that perhaps just Orienteering and First Aid though.... This is not too much to ask of my current scouts to complete in 1.5 years... I dont' care if it's at camp this year or merit badge colleges, or on their own that they earn the badges... I want them to be committed to the trek with something other than having the money to attend... that's also why I want to make the training treks mandatory for both scouts and adults attending... can't make the training treks because you don't feel like it? can't go to yellowstone, sorry :-(

I'm in a very affluent town, and some (not all, but some) feel money is the answer to everything... part of our mission as Adult leaders is to teach these boys that hard work, commitment, and accountability will get you further in life than Mom and Dad paying your way.... and we have to be fair to those that cannot simply whip out the checkbook as easily as others...

fundraising is big on the list for the trek too... but won't come anywhere near covering 100%.... the parents have been told without fund raising it will be about $1000 out of pocket, but we're hoping to bring the cost down with fundraising, $100 due first meeting in January, $20 each month after that, with the balance due around March April 2015, before we leave when we finalize our airline tickets, etc.

In any case, keep the comments coming, I appreciate them all, if anyone has any thing else to add as to how their troop prepares for a high adventure trip that will be in the $1000 range per boy, I'm all ears! :-)

thank you all again! feedback truely is a gift, and I have some great thoughts to ponder and to work through with my PLC now! :-)

Mike B

The reason Stosh is because a lot of priorities can change over two year time for both busy adults and teen boys growing into men. I hate planning that far ahead just for that reason. Like resqman, we also learned to require a non refundable down payment to help the participants through their buyers remorse periods. Some treks have more scouts than slots like Boundary Waters, so we want first dibs to the more committed scouts. I also liked teaching scouts a real life responsibility of accountibility. I agree that scouts should be responsible for planning; my last SPL before I retired as SM planned 100% of a week long backpacking trek in Montana. That was always his dream and the crew had a great time. The adults did absolutly nothing except drive and hike. He was special, but all our adventure treks require a scout to initiate the trek and find a crew (adventure patrol) which includes two adults before presenting their plan to the committee. If the committee thinks it a reasonable plan (they always have), then that scout is responsibile for the trip happening. He doesn't have to do all the work, but he does have to delegate responsibilities. And that youth can be any age. We once had a 12 year old learning handicapped scout plan a weekend of visiting amusement parks to ride roller coasters. His dream was to become a Roller Coaster Engineer. His parents were very proud, but that took some doing because of his handicap. We had another 12 year old plan a biking trek. Besides learnring the basic skills of planning, the thing about scouts doing the planning is that young scouts learn by watching the older scouts that they can do whatever they dream. Our troop averages about four adventure treks a yearof various activities from snow skiing to scuba in Mexico. My goal as a scout leader was to create an enviroment where a boy could live out his wildest dreams. I know of no other youth organization that does that like a Scouting Troop. Barry

some of the best trips are started and planned by the boys :-) I'll plan maybe one outing a year for my troop, helps to give the boys ideas of what's possible... the rest are on the boy's shoulders (aside from our annual Turkey cook campout... that's a given every year and all hands on deck!)

My sons troop attends Northern Tier, Philmont and Florida Sea Base on a rotating basis. Troop of about 40 boys. They are able to send a crew of 10 boys and 2 adults to one of the bases each summer. The trip of the year is announced. Those interested attend an informational meeting where the approximate costs are outlined, list of gear provided, and a list of tasks that need to be accomplished reviewed. Two attendees must take and past Wilderness First Aid, first aid kit needs to be developed, someone has to make travel plans, someone has to be crew leader/asst crew leader, crew chaplin, payment schedule adopted, physicals due by date, etc. Parents attend because the costs usually run $2000-$3000 per scout. Fund raising opportunites are discussed. Attending and participating in all the fund raisers MAY get the scout close but only through lots of hard work. Parents need to know there will likely be out of pocket costs.

 

Troop calender may include some troop outings that tend to favor the trip of the year. Maybe a canoe trip, or a backpacking trip will be included in the calendar. The troop does what it can to help but does not completely change its focus because a few scouts are high adventuring. Son went to Philmont 2 yrs ago. All the scouts were at least 15 yr old, Life or Eagle, and the adults had been active ASMs for 4+ years. Only just to explain that they all had experience. The only restrictions were those imposed by Philmont (14, BMI, Valid Physcial, and pay). The philmont crew had maybe 4 backpacking trips the year they went to Philmont. I believe only 1 trip was part of a troop outing. The others were weekend trips the crew took as training trips. They bought and packed food as similar to Philmont as feasible. Most scouts made most outings. Adults did step up their personal exercise regieme to make sure they were not embarassed on the trail. Everyone knew who would be the problems and who would be the solutions after the first trip. No surprises. The boys had been patrol and troop mates for years. A few stepped up who typically would falter. Everyone had a bad day or did at least one stupid thing. Thats life.

 

The first trip all were tired. A map reading error took them on an extra mile or two. Too much stuff in a few guys packs. Not enough water for others. Typical stuff. By trip three, most of the issuess had been worked out. They took a strenuous trip. Baldy, Tooth of Time and about 65 miles. Everybody made it back alive with no incidents that more training trips would have prevented.

 

All that to say, 18 backpacking trips in the 9 months leading up to a 1 week trip is significant overkill. 10 miles a day is about 4-5 hours of backpacking. A 14 yr old, 125lb scout should be able to do that with no problems after three training weekends. The training will pare down the weight in the pack and teach them how to pace themselves. Just make sure that after the first training trip, that all other trips include at least one day 15 miles or longer with the other day being at least 8-10 miles. The longer distance stresses emotions and reserves and you see who sucks it up and who folds.

 

For money, I would recommend you require a non-refundable down payment of $100. This weeds out the half-hearted. They may have the opportunity to "sell" their down payment if they can find another scout to buy their spot. Limit the trip to X number of participants. All money must be paid in full by date Y with minimum monthly payments due until paid in full. Only partial refunds because trip funds will have been spent on first aid kit, WFA training, travel arrangments, group gear, etc. As a troop leader you already know who will likely be slow payers based on past summer camp and other expenses. Offering camperships is a possibility if you have benefactors willing to help.

 

If you think the troop will continue to particpate in trips like this, then the troop can buy the group gear back at the end of the trip to reduce overall costs to the scouts. For instance, backpacking stoves, group first aid kit, map cases, GPS units, dining flys, backpacking tents, etc. Son's troop goes every year but has no troop gear that goes on the trips. Some how the group gear gets dispersed between the attending boys. My son completed his Triple Crown this year having attended all three bases. Only thing we have is a backpacking stove we bought so there would be enough for the crew.

 

Recommend you have a specific adult be the contact point and overseer/advisor to the scouts leading/planning the trip. The scoutmaster does not have time to be both an SM and trip planner/leader.

This was exactly what I was looking for, how another troop does this type of thing and not criticism or rants or "well your troop should be more boy led and not adult led".... My troop is boy led, and it's the BOYS that are asking for help planning this trip of a lifetime. I'm helping them with the finer points so that next time they can plan completely on their own and simply present their plan to me to see if they missed anything. Afterall, my job as Scoutmaster is to help and guide the boys right? :-)

Thanks again!!

Mike B

also I'm thinking requirements such as:

14 years old

First Class or higher

physically able to hike 10 miles per day for 5 days

Orienteering badge

first aid badge

camping badge

wilderness survival badge

only able to miss 1 of the training trips (reasons for missing more than 1 will be considered)

I edited... I meant to say 2 training trips per month leading up to it.... anyone thing that's too much? We'd have at least one outing per month anyway, but I'm thinking an extra backpacking trip for the boys and adults going to Yellowstone.... the younger scouts would be optional for these treks...

I also want to bestow upon some of the adults that have volunteered (read NOT currently scout leaders) that this is a serious commitment to the troop and not just a one time deal... My "core" leaders are all committed, trained, etc, and honestly that's all I really need, or ever had for backpacking trips too.... but I dont' want to turn away anyone that is committed, but I need a display of that commitment... I dont' want to rely on an adult being there and have them back out last minute, or worse for them to be a hindrance, or get hurt due to lack of training during the trip

We're planning on hiking Yellowstone in 2015. I want to make sure that any adult volunteers for the trip are fully trained and registered (obviously). I also wanted to set some training criteria for the boys (and adults) as well though. I have a couple firm criteria, must be 14 yrs old or older, must be an active fundraiser for the trip, must commit to the trip first meeting of 2014, everyone is responsible wholey for their own gear in their backpack, and must attend the training backpack trips.

We'll be backpacking approx 10 miles a day while in Yellowstone.... for 4 or 5 days. I want to make sur ethe boys and adults are ready for the trip. I'm thinking 2 progressively longer backpacking trips per month over the 9 months leading up to the trip. But, what if a boy misses a training trip? What if an adult misses a training trip? What other criteria should be put in place?

Obvious items such as backpacking gear, and knowledge how to use each piece of gear, packing lightly, etc etc should all fall into place during these training trips. We're a good backpacking troop as it stands now, but there is always room for improvement.

I guess I'm looking for help developing a program that will weed out those that aren't really ready for the trip. I'm also concerned about some of the adult volunteer's I've received. I know these adults aren't ready right now, but just want to go because it "sounds cool to do". I think some boys arent' ready too, so I want to make sure the boys are ready to make the commitment for this trip.

What kind of criteria do your troops have for a high adventure trip such as this? In a nutshell, we're backpacking in the back country of Yellowstone (yes I'm familiar with backpacking in bear country), we're looking at approx 10 miles per day, for up to 5 days.

I don't want to be too strict, but I want to make sure we're all ready and committed to this high adventure trip of a lifetime.

thanks all! I appreciate any thoughts on this.

Mike B

Scoutmaster T-31

Why is the Comm. Chair involved to this extent with Discipline and punishment of the boys? The ScoutMaster has the final say with everything pertaining to the boys, not the CC. I used to have issues within my troop when I first took it over... we had a few "bad apples" that were only interested in causing trouble... once I took over the boys realized that they'll actually have to earn what they receive, I now leave initial punishment to the SPL and ASPL... they have a heavier and more appropriate hand than I ever would. If something occurs that warrants my attention as SM, the boys bring the accused to me, and they plead their case. I have never had to send a boy home from a campout, never had to call the police, or anything like that. I've had one boy tell me to "screw off" after he was being increasingly difficult during a troop meeting, In that case I pulled the boy aside and told him I wanted to speak with his mother when she came to pick him up after the meeting. I mentioned it to her, and she had him write an apology to me and now he's the most polite boy in the troop :-)

first this weekend we had the naked pictures of a girl on a toilet popping up, now various links are getting blocked by malwarebytes on my computer

http:// hjfghj.com / r.php is one of them from today....

looks like it's the banner ad that is right below the logout link to the right that is causing pain this time....

can someone PLEASE look into this??? I'll bet there are dozens of folks that are now infected due to these malicious web banner ads :-(

Mike B

My expectation was that the Eagle recipient receive the Eagle kit, necker, and slide from council and perhaps a certificate to frame on the wall.

It came as a shock to me that all they'd receive is a wallet card and a letter from council.

I didn't have to pay for my own woodbadge class B/beads/necker/slide in addition to the course fees.... I wasn't expecting to have to pay for the Eagle kit... although we have to buy all the other rank patches so I don't know why this surprised me so much....

Great suggestions guys! I actually forgot about the necker and slide... I'll have to pick them up this week and add them to the list for future Eagles.

Mike B

yes, the Centennial badge is in the kit, and I picked up an extra one as well. so it sounds like Council does give a bit, but you'd think that they'd give them the full Eagle kit instead of the troop having to buy it ;(

I'm in SE Mass as well Frank! I Scott Brown's office has always been *very* accommodating for letters and such, to the point they've overnighted one that was needed in a hurry... guess my taxes actually picked that cost up, but it was great to be asked to have it overnighted.

I've put in a request for him to attend the ECoH, and the local selectman always attends our major events.

I ordered the flags for 3 of my potential next Eagles last year... his was one of them. I figured I'd rather have them on hand than have to scramble to get them.

I'm really proud of my boys! :-)

thanks guys!

Mike B

Hi All!

I'm very proud to say that my first Eagle scout candidate made Eagle last week since I took over as Scoutmaster in 2010! He also has enough Merit badges and time to make Silver Palm too, the first in our troop's history of 50 years ;-)

I was shocked this weekend when I turned in his final paperwork to the scout store when they told me that all he'll get in the mail from Council or National is a wallet card and a certificate. The troop has to purchase the "Eagle kit" with the medal/pins/rank patch for $24.95... I was a bit shocked, but I guess I shouldn't be as I've always felt that Council and National is more after the $$$$ than the boys these days.... Myself and my leaders are all there for he boys, so we'll do what's right by THEM :-)

So I ordered a Flag that was flown over the Capitol building in DC,

a letter from the President

A letter from the Senator

The Eagle kit from the shop

what else do you guys usually do for your Eagle recipients?

What do you see your Eagle recipients receiving from National or from your local councils?

thanks all!

Mike B

thank you all for your replies.

I have tried, and tried and tried with this boy. I will not give up on him...

I may have been too kind in my OP.

I have two ASM's that have told me that they will not be part of his EBOR, as he does not deserve it. He is lazy and lethargic, and a troublemaker most of the time. He is only in scouting because his father made him. Now, his father is no longer in the picture for reasons I won't go into here, and I feel his mom is asking him to just stay in until Eagle as he's almost done. He has told his friends that when he makes Eagle he's gone.

His Eagle project was a runner up project that one of my current potential Eagles had as a backup in case the town didn't approve his original one, which they did. The scout in question has put zero thought into his project thus far, and it shows. His mom knows more about his project than he does...

I want to see him succeed, but there has to be *something* that the boy does to show that he also wants to succeed... he has yet to show me or my other leaders any glimmer.

I have conceded that I'm basically stuck, I cannot unring a bell nor will I try. I will work with him on getting his Eagle project approved by council and help him in any way I can, just like I'm doing with my other scouts. If he gets his project done whereas it meets the needed requirements, I'll have no choice but to grant him his SMC and follow him onto his EBOR....

yes he has a couple years to do it...

I'd love it if he was good PL or even a good scout. I've paid for a JNYLT training course for him and a couple other scouts from troop funds. I thought it would do him good. He was the only one consistently not paying attention and he even fell asleep a couple times (the only scout to fall asleep out of perhaps 50 that took the training... I volunteered to help during the training so I was there the entire time).

I have asked him to teach a lashing class for the younger scouts, he had two weeks notice... yet didn't care enough to re-learn the clovehitch and was completely unable to teach anything. When I was still "fresh" as a SM I asked him about his merit badges on his sash one meeting... He had no idea what half of them were *I* knew more of them than he did and i was previously a Cubmaster... Cit in the world was one of them, I remember vividly... How can you not remember what the Citizenship in the world badge looks like?

I've offered help many many many times to him, I refuse to give up on him, but sadly I feel he's given up on Scouting.

sorry for the seeming rant. I'm stuck in a situation that I don't want to be in, none of us do. How can I stand in front of council and say he's worthy of the Eagle rank if I don't believe it deep inside of me?

I can only hope things will turn around before he finishes his project.

thanks Moose! so it sounds like an Eagle BOR isn't much different than a regular BOR, aside my leaders/committee members are the ones giving it.

His project meets my approval for an Eagle project, that's my scout's first step... when he's ready with his workbook, which he's not working on currently because in his words "..it's winter, I'm not doing any work on that during the winter its going to have to wait..." when he told me that, I just told him that "I'd like to see the completed workbook this year, but I'm not going to twist your arm to get it to me, you have to want to get it done." I left it at that....

The rest of my troop is doing very well, I took over about 1.5 years ago and the other boys are advancing and I'm doing my best to bring the troop into a full boy led troop... baby steps, but it's working... A couple of the older scouts are friends with this scout, and it's a struggle to keep them focused at times due to him.

Mike B

oh no, I never though fraud at any time, heavens no! The previous scoutmaster is an honorable man by all means, and the scouts know I'd call them on it if they signed off someone else's name.

He is in a patrol, he's actually Patrol leader of that patrol. I tried to give him a couple tasks to do, like teaching how to lash two poles together... it's like watching a train wreck with him trying to teach something he clearly doesn't know how to do. I usually send a tenderfoot or a new cross over scout over to help him...

Certainly can't unring a bell... no matter how much I wish that I could... I honestly don't know how he made it this far... I do, refuse to give up hope and will not stop trying.... I'm just really afraid that his non-scout like attitude is going to rub off on the other scouts... although I'm very strong willed, and so is my SPL, we're keeping anything from spread for the time being...

thanks guys!

Mike b

Hi All, what if you have a boy that's life scout. The boy made life scout before you became scoutmaster. This boy clearly doesn't know anything leading up to life, right down to can't tie a clove hitch, probably can't tie a square knot either, yes it's this bad. AND this boy is looking at Eagle and starting slightly to get a project together... He has 21 merit badges, and the other requirements completed for Eagle.. again most of which were received before you became scoutmaster of the troop...

To add things and make it worse... he's not living up to the scout law in his daily life, but worse no even during the troop outings/meetings. He'll do as asked, but only if told to do something directly.. where all the other boys would do chores and the like without being told directly to do it...

so here's the issue that I'm facing.... This boy will probably complete his project before he turns 18 and maybe get his paperwork and everything in before he turns 18, as he has a couple years to finish his project and get the paperwork turned in. So, under my watch as Scoutmaster he'll complete the requirements that I have to sign off on....

SMC is really the only thing that I have right now, no matter how much I'm a stickler for his Eagle project workbook and paperwork, I know he'll complete it eventually and correctly.

Would you quiz this scout on past rank requirements ad only sign off on the SMC if he passes? What will he face during the ECoH? Will THEY quiz him on past rank requirements and fail him if he doesn't know the selection they choose?

How would you guys handle this type of thing? I hear some troops have a "pre-board" of review, where the SPL and other boy leaders quiz the candidate on past rank requirements before he's allowed to have a SMC... I feel that's adding to the requirements so I dont' do a pre-board of review...

what do you guys think?

thanks!

Mike B

We were going to have the boyscouts hand out the tickets during candy bar sale the weekend before. We were also going to have the boys participate that evening at RedRobin doing anything they could.

I'm thinking it's worth the little bit of effort for a little bit extra gain for the troop.

Anyone do this as a fund raiser? Redrobin will donate 15% of food sales if you present them with a card that you received from a scout on a particular day.

It seems like a nice easy fundraiser for the "inbetween" time between a couple major fundraisers. I figure if we get a couple hundred bucks, it'll be worth it....

anyone do this fundraiser? what was your approx gain? Just generally, over $100? over $500? anywhere near $1000? wow, $1000 would be really nice fo rsure!

thanks!

Mike B

You know what would be nice, to have a WoodBadge SquareKnot for our uniforms. That way those of us that are proud to have gone through and completed our tickets can were a simple knot as a nice subdued way to show our accomplishment.

Of course, I'd recommend wearing everything for ECoH, and other special "full dress" events. Kinda like the military, you don't see a well decorated general wearing all his awards every day... just for those occasions that require it.

Mike B

I haven't been beaded yet, but hopefully I'll finish my ticket and get my beads. But, I do wear the troop1 necker and woggle in place of my troop necker. when I look down at it or see it, it reminds me that I have a way to go on my ticket.

I'm proud to have gone this far, I've been told that I've brought much improvement into my troop, I'm also proud of that. The "in training" necker has also induced some conversations with others that have gone through woodbadge, great conversations that might have otherwise not occurred.

I'm not sure if I'll wear my troop necker or my woodbadge necker after I get beaded or my 18 months is up. I do think I'll wear it for CoH's and other events, right along with my beads. And I know I'll be proud of those beads when I earn them :-)

Mike B

remember the movie UP?

"Hello, my name is DUG. I just met you and I love you. My master made me this collar so I could talk.... SQUIRREL!!! I love you!"

:-)