frank10

http://familyfun.go.com/parenting/learn/activities/feature/famf78music/famf78music3.html I like the idea of the "COPPER-PIPE GLOCKENSPIEL" Except when I first saw a write up on it, they hung the pipes on string and hit them with a wood spoon, one pipe (note) per scout.

When I was a young ASM I only required the Mr. B in Public. This was done to avoid having my scouts look ill-mannered. That seemed to be the only reason to require it at the time... Then one day one of the Scouts tolds some thing to "John" that "Mr. B" was required to report. Hurt feelings all around but I was an adult and leaglly bound. Since that day (twenty years ago), It's Mr. B at all times.

Most would go along with your idea IF it was the offical uniform. The problem between the purist and free spirits is that some feel it is OK to make this change at a unit or personal level.

Which is more important, your left shoe or your right shoe?

Kristi, Yes, you read it wrong. Each scout must have one adult to answer to, an adult may have more than one youth.

SP, Are you sure Peter was a Jewish Pope? Was that before he met up with John, Paul and Ringo?

First I'd have a talk with the parents. Not to disagree with them but rather to understand the limits placed on the boy. I'd let them know upfront that the troop is there to support them. Can he wear the troop T? can he wear a MB sash? Are tehre other areas of concern like the oath and the pledge? Second, I'd take the items he can't do and next to each I'd list the goal that is achived by each. "Wearing the uniform helps to identyify you as part of the unit. It help build the team. (and the rest...)" Then the scout (and his family) would be asked how the scout will achive the same items. I am flexible, but there is no free lunch.

Troops should be boy run however... It is the job of the SM to work with the PLC to deliver the program. The SM can not know all. Find a quite time and have a talk with him. He can't guide the PLC if he doesn't know about the problem.

The job of the CC is to hold it all togeather. None of the things you listed is required of the CC. As a matter of fact, the first thing you will have to learn is to let go and ask others to do many of the task you are now doing. If you try to do it all yourself you have no one to fall back on when you can't. Sure way to burn your self out. It should be more of a management position than Cheif cook and bottle washer. Are you interested in that type of role? if so, step up to CC but share the load.

Bring it up at the next round table.

I'm going to get flamed for this but I think it's time that Native Americans or American Indians or what ever they want to be called to get over them selves. MAybe it's time they took at the Irish and learn from their example. Never seen an Irishmen complain that your wearing the green wrong. I've never heard one complain if you call the police van a patty waggon.

To help we need more info... what service are you using to host your website? (I use LeechFTP to upload mine to my server others have web based interfaces and require you to zip up the page before uploading... tell us more)

Signing up will be the easy part. Finding your place is the hard part. Best thing you cauld do for your self and the troop is to pick one thing you'd be willing to be incharge of overseeing. Could be anything, ording the new troop Tshirts, making the calls for the next trip (reservations, tour permits), the troop website... what ever, one item you are willing to take off the scoutmasters plate. Tis is the fastest way to fit in. if you just start going to meetings and camp outs you will find yourself standing around with your hands in your pockets and mostly in hte way or invisable.

The SPL in a small or new troop. The SM keeps talking about the SPL being in charge, but some how he's always pushed aside when the time comes. On the other hand he's the first to get the blame.

Amen.

Zippie, Hope all is well and stays that way for you and yours. How about filling in your profile so we can all know where you not when your not where you are.

Since a business has already deducted the enitire cost of the cartridge they can not then count it as a donation and deduct it again. All they need from you is a "thank you" to hang on their wall. On the other hand, your avarge Joe may be able to use the deduction but even then it woun't help him much since how many can he have in the forst place.

Hmmm.... High adventure is: Extream Scouting. Scouting with an aditude. Not for litle kids. A personal chalange. A team building adventure.

Kristi, Sorry if that came of as an attack. Was only a supposed to be a helpful tip to protect your unit. You are right that this is only a draft so I jumped the gun a bit. On the other hand, if you take the pack number in post and combine it with our state, Google will lead you right to your webpage where one of your scouters has posted his home address. My whole point was and is... be careful. YIS, John B.

I'd have let the spelling slide. My one question is do you think it wise to post the dates you won't be at home on the internet? We will only post the what, not the when in our unit...

Setting aside the good troop vs. not so good troop part of your post I'll address the question of shopping around.... No one troop fits all boys. We have four very good troops in town. Ours is a bit laid back. We understand that a scout has other commitments in his life other than scouting and work with the sports players, band members, church goers amd that works for our scouts. Another troop in town is intended for SCOUTS only. If you can't make every camp out, every meeting and are not on a direct path to eagle, your not in the right place. Some boys need this structure. Third troop is more into family camping than I can handle. Fourth troop is at the far end of town. Each troop meets on a direrent night. some stay local while others travel. There are a number of reasons to pick one troop over another and the reasons may be diferent for each scout/family. Let them shop and pick a program that they fit into.

Have them make their checks out to Boy Scout Troop ### of Church Name. Seems to work for our supporters.

Dang, you had me all excited, then I found out you are creating a manual for the parents to read and not a manual that explaines parents to us scouters.

Bolo, Thanks for the info, I just passes it on to my troop here in CT with the following note... By now most of you have heard that four adult leaders (from Alaska) were killed setting up a dining tent at the national Jamboree. A fund has been set up for the families (see below). I'm wondering if the PLC might be asked if they would donate $10 from the troop as a gesture of brother hood in scouting. Account created to aid families CC to T### and T### - Challenge to your PLC join/match us.

One thing I have found over the years is that small bodies burn up meals faster than older and larger bodies. Scouts are rushed in the dining hall and just can't pack away enough calories... Result is they start to lose their way some time around 7pm. We try to provide a nighly snack to the first year scouts (nothing fancy, an apple or orange.) We also plan a few troop snacks over the week like hand cranked icecream or apple pie from the dutch oven. It doesn't solve all the problems but it can cut them down to just the hard core cases. As for the other adult, first impulse is to tell him he's not a kid any more, it's time to grow up. For this my mother would slap me in the back of the head. After taking two advil for the headache, I'd reconsider and say this adult must not feel comfortable and maybe I should make a point of giving him a pat on the back the next time I have a chance. It wouldn't cost me any thing and who knows, he might just pull me out of a low point when I need it. For this mom would pinch my cheeks and tell me what a good boy I am... Ouch, that hurts, I can't win. (Grin)