frankpalazzi

Sounds like they're stuck in "Cub Scout Mode".

I would also mention, that if your boys are relatively young and "green" and don't have much knowledge or experience with camping. (such as a new, or newly-revived troop), then the experience of the SM may very well be the way to go. Otherwise, let the boys decide!

In our troop, we prefer actually going out and shopping for the gear. The committee decides on the amount that can be spent, and then we (MC in charge of gear, the SPL, and myself, the CC-with-the checkbook! ) make a day of it. We shop stores ranging from Wal-Mart to camping specialty stores depending on what the troop and/or patrols are in need of. The SM generally chooses not to come along, although he is of course welcome and encouraged. He seems to trust our judgement enough! (Not that we've never made mistakes!) I just think being able to see/touch what you're buying is much better than thumbnail internet photos.

As far as who decides what we need? The SPL gathers input from the troop QM and the PLC, gives the list to the SM, and the SM brings the list to the committee meeting. He and his boys know best what they need, so their requests are always honored.(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

Strongly agree with all of the above, don't forget:

1. GET TRAINING.

2. GET TRAINING.

3. See #1 and #2 above!

Take the training modules on myscouting.com, and then find out what your district and/or council have available. Don't expect your troop to ever look like the "troops" in the training videos either! Years ago, a newbie on our committee complained that our troop SHOULD BE EXACTLY like the ones on the training films. (I'm NOT kidding!) I then made a motion to hire the actors and director from the training film and register them in our troop, and it was never brought up again. *wink wink*

Eagle732 and others: When news breaks out, I'll break in!

Apparently, this has been in the works for about a month. The Cubmaster is spearheading this effort. The CO/COR, oddly enough is not mentioned anywhere on the pack website, but the CO is the Clifton Lutheran Church, who is backing the CM.

Interesting progression of events:

http://www.octopusoverlords.com/forum/viewtopic.php?f=6&t=82684

This is my Council, though not my district. I know of some folks at the council level who will go no less than ballistic over this, although I don't know how or if the SE or DE will react. It will be interesting to see what develops.

(This message has been edited by FrankScout)(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

We've done week long 50-milers on the LT in Vermont, Weekend white water rafting, mountain hikes, and in 2010, spent a week in Virginia including a visit to the Jambo! (We really learned the meaning of "hydrate"!) Next summer the boys want to spend a week in Acadia National Park in Maine--plans are under way now to make that happen!

Complete hokum.

Acco40: Yes, I would grin and bear it. Second option: If conscience were an issue, quietly resign, citing personal reasons. No one deserves any further explanation than that. If I am that determined to attract attention to myself, I'll do it through service to youth, and it will come naturally.

"Sadly, BSA loses another dedicated and highly regarded volunteer, because of its myopic and self-defeating policies, which the BSA just re-committed itself to within the last month."

Really? So this is BSA's fault? Who wrote the letter? I believe the leader did.

"Way," "united,"....GOTCHA!

Just to review: (If I've left anything out/added anything, please correct!)

1. BSA prohibits gays.

2. Leader writes letter stating he is gay.

3. BSA removes leader.

What am I missing here? Why is this a news story?

Seems to me it's all about the money.

The only reason I like blue cards is because of their redundancy. 3-parts: Scout, Troop, and Counselor. When (not "if") council is missing a scout's MB, you not only have 3 different people with the sections of the card for proof (should council require you to produce it), but it's also in our Troopmaster. File another advancement report, and done! Yes, the extra paperwork is a PITA, but a necessary evil when it's time to file that Eagle Application! I just don't trust internet advancement and Scoutnet. I've always been able to produce an initialed-by-someone-at-council pink copy of the advancement report though! Every time! Stick 'em in a ring binder, and forget 'em until you need 'em.(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

"Correct me if I'm wrong, but I do believe that the Flag can be displayed 24/7 if it it lighted and can be flown in bad weather if it is an all-weather flag, i.e. nylon."

That IS correct! Also, the American Legion publishes a book called, "Let's Be Right About Flag Etiquette!" Your local post can probably get them for you free or at minimal cost. ($1.00 ea.) or http://www.legion.org. It's written in easy to understand language with lots of FAQs. Everyone in our Troop gets one!

There must be a reason for that: Was there a serious accident in Michigan which prompted this law, i.e., a fire?

Sunday nights worked fine for us when the majority of the troop were High School athletes (Football, basketball, etc.) No games or practices on Sunday nights! Of course, we did not meet on weekends we were camping. That all changed a few years later when they aged out, and we went to Tuesday nights.

"It's laudable that BSA is doing something about conditioning, but why did they pick an unscientific, discredited horsepucky method to use?"

Because, it's the easiest way out for BSA to satisfy the insurance folks and lawyers! Test hikes?? Why, that would make SENSE, and create extra work for people!! Better off with a "one size fits all" (pardon the pun!) solution!

What are the things that you and your wife questioned about the troop?

Our SM and ASMs keep their cell phones OFF during the day at Summer Camp, and check them in the evening---IF they can get a signal!

Troop returns from camp this weekend--I can't wait to hear from the SM how many "dead" phones there were by Tuesday morning because of constant texting and/or signal searching (very rural area--little to no cell signals), which eats up the batteries fast! BTW, there's no place to charge the phones! Ya tell 'em every year, and some of 'em just...don't...get it.

And I mean both Scouts AND parents!!

"One wonders what people did 20 years ago before cell phones were common!"

No need to wonder! If there was a true emergency,(injury or illness where transporting would pose a problem) a "runner" (the ONLY time running was allowed in camp) would be sent to the nearest program area, each of which was equipped with a CB radio. The person with the radio would call the appropriate person/area of camp depending on the scope of the emergency. Since the majority of Scouts were either already on their way to a program area, or already in a program area, help was never far away. I would think that all Scout camps had similar procedures back then, and those with poor/non-existent cell service still would employ a similar procedure.

"I know our troop has never filled out one of these applications since at least 1992 and maybe before that and no one ever called, emailed or slapped anyone's hand for not filling them out."

I must confess, neither have we! Thanks for all your views, but I would still maintain that since the unit is "owned" by the CO, then the CO also "owns" the bank account. That is true in our case, the CO name is listed on the account, and their EIN number was used in opening the accounts. Councils are supposed to support program, and I don't see how it would be any concern of theirs how units spend and budget their money.(Save the FOS motive.) I do of course subscribe to the Unit Budget Plan and use it for both Pack and Troop. I suspect that our non-filing of Fundraising applications was dealt with in previous years by previous COR(s). I have never heard anything about it (I've been COR 2 years)EXCEPT strict orders from the CO that our books are open ONLY to CO members, Scouters, and Scout families. (And of course, the IRS if necessary, but that's never happened.) Another "golden rule" from the CO: "Raise what you need, and spend what you raise."

As far as the previous discussion of units with five-figure bank accounts: Ridiculous! But again, it's the CO's (and perhaps IRS's), not the council's business. I imagined a scenario where we would have $30,000 in our account, with 25 boys, and the CO ordered us to spend it before the end of the Scouting year. So I scratched out some figures...you know, the Troop would be living like KINGS and we'd still have enough for the troop to run for another year! (without the luxuries).

Bluejacket: LOVE those answers!

Scoutfish: BUT..Popcorn doesn't require a fundraising application! Guess council doesn't care how you spend your money if they're getting a piece of the action, huh? (sarcasm button OFF).

(This message has been edited by FrankScout)

There are a few things that bother me about the Fundraising app., and I'd like to know your thoughts:

"Is your unit on the budget plan?"

"How much are dues?"

"How much is in your unit treasury?"

Why does the local council need to know these things? Does anyone feel that these questions are overly intrusive? I feel it's nobody's business but the unit's and CO's.

We assure the parents that the boys will get a "mandatory delousing" on Wednesday--that always gets a smile out of 'em.