FScouter

That's funny. A typo, or a Freudian slip?

If BSA had to list every stupid activity from pitching a tent on train tracks to jumping out of an airplane with no parachute, the G2SS would be a million pages long. I guess they hoped that Scout leaders would have enough sense to know that pointing guns, real or otherwise, at individuals (or groups), is a dumb thing to do. Even still, BSA listed that dumb activity as something not to do. It is so incredulous that there are still those that arent sure about this !

Hmmm ... It looks like an authority in BSA has already made the call. It's right there in the Guide to Safe Scouting; "Pointing any type of firearm (including paintball, dye, or LASERS) at any individual is unacceptable." Pointing a gun of any kind at another person is just plain dumb. Just because some other troop does a dumb thing in violation of the G2SS (and with no BSA liability insurance protection) doesn't make it OK for another troop to be dumb too. Just my personal opinion.

If your workday is from 7 AM to 4 PM and you clock in 20 minutes late and leave 20 minutes early, do you get paid for a full day of work? If 5 PM Friday til noon Sunday counts for two 24-hour days, how about 6 PM Friday til 10 AM Sunday? Or 8 PM til right after Sunday breakfast? At what point do you decide its not really two days? Sure, maybe it's nit-picky, but consider that we set the example for our boys by the way we treat such things. Is it so important to get credit for an extra day that were willing to stretch the truth? Just something to consider.

The Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures booklet is over 60 pages long, and that is too much to type on a message board. Every unit should have at least one copy of this very basic publication. I can't see how a unit can properly operate without the basic guidebooks.

Web sites are a dime a dozen and the views expressed are the opinions and practices of those that write them. The bottom-line answers may be found in the various BSA publications, available at the Scout Shop.

I didn't mean to sound harsh and apologize if it came off that way. Its great that your boys are showing leadership and initiative in developing their crew.

Venturing crews may choose to wear the BSA uniform or choose to design their own uniform, or may choose to wear street clothes. But they may not choose to alter the BSA uniform and may not choose to wear adult insignia.

From the Scoutmaster Handbook: "A Scout at least 16 years of age who has shown outstanding leadership skills may be appointed by the senior patrol leader, with the advice and consent of the Scoutmaster, to serve as a junior assistant Scoutmaster. These young men ... follow the guidance of the Scoutmaster in providing support and supervision to other boy leaders in the troop."

Members of a Venturing Crew are still Boy Scouts. They are members of a crew, not a troop, but they are still Boy Scouts. The 18th birthday does not necessarily mean a person is considered an adult. It is the registered position of the individual that determines whether one is "adult" or "youth". A person up to age 21, registered in a Venturing crew, is a youth, and wears youth insignia. Registered adults wear adult insignia.

Youth are the only persons authorized to wear the Arrow of Light award (below the left pocket) or the Eagle rank emblem (on the left pocket). Adult Scouters may not wear these youth insignia. Registered adults may wear the embroidered square knot if they earned the AOL award or Eagle rank as a youth. An individual over age 18 and under age 21 may be registered as a youth on a Venturing crew. Such an individual is a youth and wears the youth insignia. An individual over age 18 may be registered as an adult Scouter and may hold an adult leader position. Such an individual is an

Interesting dilemma. What is an "annual permit"?

All adult leaders in a troop "serve at the pleasure of the CO" (Chartered Organization). The committee recruits the adults and the chartered organization approves them. The Scoutmaster is appointed by the head of the chartered organization, and "reports" to the committee, not solely to the Committee Chair. Assistant Scoutmasters are recruited by the Scoutmaster. The Troop Committee Guidebook #34505B is the BSA reference that discusses the selection of adult leaders and what the reporting and organization structure looks like. It is available at the Scout Shop for about $4. It's confusi

The Silver Moccasin trail from Chantry Flat (above Pasadena) to Vincent Gap is 50 miles. That will take you over the top of Mt. Baden-Powell, 9400'. The LA Area Council offers a High Adventure award for this trek.

"The best things in life are free, but you can keep them for the birds and bees. Now give me money, that's what I want." Hmm . . . somhow that sounds familiar.

Tom Lehrer? Surely you jest!?! It might be fun though.

Do know of any other good inspirational opening music?

One of the eight methods is "Uniform". Wearing the uniform is an action that shows one's commitment to the aims and purposes of Scouting. When we wear the uniform we set the example. We we skip the uniform we set the example.

Or "Ainsi parlait Zarathoustra". Whatever you call it, it really gets the blood flowing when played at full volume. (shiver)

More thoughts: A Court of Honor is a time to honor the boys. Don't try to squeeze in a parent meeting, or popcorn promotion, or announcements, or anything else.

Some thoughts: - Pass out all patches and awards at the very next troop meeting after they are earned. Recognize the boy again at the Court of Honor. - Schedule a COH at least quarterly, even if there are only 2 or 3 boys. - Start the ceremony with some music. I like Strauss' "Thus Spake Zarathruska" (aka theme from 2001 A Space Odyssey) at full volume, or Copelands Fanfare for a Common Man, something ceremonial, that lasts only 2 or 3 minutes. It quiets the audience and sets a ceremonial tone. - Let the SPL or any older Scout assist in handing out awards. Let another Scout lig

Schedule one (or more) "family" campouts during the year. Invite Mom, 5 yr old son, Grandma, etc. to join the troop on the family campout. If she has visions of bringing 5 yr old on your campout this weekend, remind her that the family campout is scheduled for another weekend. I'd also suggest that you let it be known that campouts require a firm advance committment from boys, adult leaders, and parents. It is inconsiderate for a mom to say "maybe, I might decide to come". You need to be able to plan ahead.

Your district training chair or council training chair can help you with this. They will know experienced people that have delivered Den Chief training. You can get the syllabus from the National Supply Division (800) 323-0732, item # 34450. They can ship it FedX overnight.

The Scoutmaster's Junior Leader Training Kit # 34306 was last printed in 2001. It is 128 pages long. There is a video that accompanies it, # AV-02V013. This should be a stock item at your local Scout Shop. I like the off-the-shelf training as it is. The boys really like the video. I don't know much about White Stag except that there is a very loyal following. It is not a BSA product.

I've been reading over many other threads and notice a constant battering of participants by each other . . . It is my querry as to what you like to eat for lunch to better understand the points of view. Most of us admit that our lunch influences our opinions and personalities for the rest of our lives, Ill go first. Peanut butter sandwiches are what I like best for lunch.