FScouter

One of the three "Aims of Scouting" is character development. We don't accomplish that when we "kick out" a member of the troop. By doing so we would be admiting that we failed to successfully correct the offending boys' behavior. Now it might be different if there have been many, many prior incidents with these two boys, and many, many efforts had been made to correct their errant ways. If we kick the boys out, we have failed them. For the same reason, resigning as Scoutmaster is an admission that you have totally failed, and that the troop is better off without you. Scouting will not be better if you resign, and it won't be better if we start "kicking out" scouts.

Mommy and Daddy go on Scout campouts ?!? Our troop has a policy that Scout campouts are for registered Scouts and registered Scout leaders. We also require registered Scout leaders to go through Scoutmaster Fundamentals. These requirements pretty much eliminate the problem as trained registered leaders are much more likely to let the boys work things out and let them learn the hard way. Schedule more backpacks and fewer car camps. I've found that the doting mommys and daddys aren't so keen to tag along on a backpack outing. Work hard toward establishing a boy-led troop. And remember what R. Baden-Powell said; "Never do anything a boy can do."

Our Scout troop built a bridge for the Webelos bridging ceremony. We used the Single Trestle bridge described in the Pioneering merit badge book. We built and used the bridge indoors, so modified the design slightly so it wasn't quite so tall. I would suggest building it yourself first to work out the bugs, then turn it over to the Boy Scouts to build. If you want to be real simple, just use two 2x12 planks supported by a cinder block in the middle. The point is that each boy gets to walk up one side and down the other. They don't need extravagant to get an ear-to-ear grin.

The Insignia Guide, Cub Scout Advancement section says "Activity badges, metal pins worn on light blue front panel of Webelos cap by Webelos Scouts." It also says "Webelos colors, ... red, yellow, and green tabs. Pack option for wear by Webelos Scouts, ... If colors are worn, activity badges are worn on the tabs." There is no mention of which badge goes on which color. This would seem to imply that the boy may put any badge on any color. I'd agree with Tiny1pj that it would make sense to place the badge on a contrasting color. However it seems clear that the hat is not an option if colors are worn.

In our troop we have an agreement that adult leaders never sign off their own son. This avoids any thoughts of favoritism. We also want the boys to be independent of their parents, short of having the parents out of leadership positions.

The BSA Insignia Guide, in the Boy Scout Advancement section, says "Eagle Award, silver medal suspended from scroll, ... Adults wear only on formal Eagle occasions." This would seem to imply that until the boy is 18, he can wear it for any occasion, formal or not. For adults though, the Guide specifically says "Adults wear only on formal Eagle occasions". My observation for medals in general, is that most only wear their medals for courts of honor and such. But unless the term "formal" is clearly defined, I would say that whenever the wearer feels proud enough to wear the medal, then that is a formal occasion. The Insignia Guide is inconsistent about medals and when to wear them. For several, such as the Silver Beaver and Silver Antelope, the Guide says "formal wear". For others such as the Scoutmaster's Key, it says "key or embroidered square knot may be worn", with no mention of whether the occasion is formal or not. For religious emblems it says "Adult religious emblems are generally worn only on formal occasions." My philosphy is that as long as it is in good taste, and not specifically restricted as in the case of the Eagle medal (adults), one may wear his medals whenever desired. Having said all this, 13EagleT430 has spent close to one third of his life working to earn his Eagle medal and should be entitled to wear it proudly for all the world to see.

To quote the BSA Insignia Guide, Special Regulations, Excess Insignia: "Members may wear only temporary patches (no badges of rank) on the back of the merit badge sash. Members may wear only one merit badge sash." It also says "Members should make every effort to keep their uniforms neat and uncluttered." Our troop made a "brag rag" for each boy. It is a cloth banner upon which temporary patches are sewn after having been displayed for a time on the right pocket. We hang them from the wall of our meeting place for courts of honor and such.

Great idea, and you can earn the "Night Hiker" patch.

We agree on a reasonable up time the night before. At that time in the morning, I get out my portable tape player and bugle tape and play Reville at full volume. There are one or two that refuse to get up, but we don't wait for them. They miss breakfast. It's not fair to the rest of the troop to let one or two set the schedule for the day based on their lazy habits.