GKlose

Hello all -- our troop is considering a high adventure trip on the West Branch of the Penobscot in Maine. Has anyone done this already? We're talking to an outfitter, but I think the nature of the trip is such that we can do it without a guide (only flatwater and quickwater -- no whitewater). Although I haven't found it on a map yet, I believe this is above the Ripogenus Gorge, so we're not in rafting territory. Thanks, Guy

I didn't know this until just recently, but I learned from our DE that our unit (82) is coming up on 60 years old. Troop 81 in town dates back to the mid-1920s, I believe. Sarge, I didn't pay attention to the invoice when I saw it last night, but I think it was around $19 and change for 12, and maybe $4 or $5 for shipping. So, a "double-digit" patch is under $2 each, in quantity (3-digit and up cost more, of course). As I recall, single-digit pricing is $0.89 at the local scout shop. But you hit exactly my idea -- last year when my son joined, the troop handed him a new handbook

Let me refresh memories: I posted a complaint that individual numerals didn't have a matching font (this was with an "8" and a "2"), and I think it is fairly obvious when you look at the images on scoutstuff.org. Gold Winger posted a detailed followup that pointed out that the "2" had remained in the old "block style" font, while the other numerals had changes to a more sleek font. He also posted a link to a brochure that shows exactly the problem: "Even more of a hoot is this. Look at the Scout on the first page of the flyer at http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/images/pdfs/2008Uni

"I was sort of surprised by the number of posters in the pack dues thread who said their pack dues are $80-$100/year." I was one of them...I think our dues are $100, with a discount for multiple Cubs. But I also mentioned that this was a one-stop shop kind of thing: the pack doesn't do any other fundraising (except for selling hot dogs and other stuff at the Pinewood Derby -- it doesn't really raise much), and the fee covers handbooks, neckerchiefs, awards, all den meeting materials, Blue and Gold (at a banquet facility that runs ~$20 per person), and an FoS donation from the Pack. In fac

"If the troop is to produce youth leaders, then a strong adult leader isn't necessary." Not to step on your esteemed toes, Stosh, but I see the situation a little differently. It might take a strong adult leader to do his job properly (by facilitating the youth leadership program), and perhaps not step in to "straighten things out, just to get things going again." AskAndy talks about the "World's Oldest Senior Patrol Leader" syndrome. I don't think that's a sign of a strong adult leader, that's a sign of an adult leader not delivering the program in the right way. In fact, it may tak

Last April, as a "wet behind the ears" newly-registered Scouter, I attended a local University of Scouting (without having had the opportunity for any prior training). The first session I attended was called "Annual Program Planning", and it was basically an introduction to the Troop Program Features, and the monthly inserts in Scouter magazine (which I still have not seen in person). The other things I picked up from the session included the responsibility of the PLC for the annual troop program (I didn't know the PLC concept existed, but I did know our troop didn't really have one), and the

Right, Lisa...in fact, I think both of my kids have won design awards (I noticed in our present pack, where just a few too many cars are dad built that all of a sudden are winning design awards too -- but the Cub, of course, is picking up the trophy but doesn't really understand why). They've never yet won a single heat of any race (out of maybe 8 total cars built so far).

Like lots of us here, I've seen a lot of Pinewood Derbies, and I've seen good things and bad things. One policy I liked best is with one pack that had trouble with cars being dad-built and it was kind of going over the top. So they started offering an "other" category for family-built cars (with separate trophies), with strict guidance that Cub-built cars were to be built and decorated by Cubs (with my own sons, I drew the line at unsafe tools -- their designs, but I'm the one that cut and chiseled them -- but they used sanders; that kind of thing). One thing I really hated. My young

Sorry -- I should have pointed out that the pack doesn't do any other fundraisers. The $100/year is a one-shot deal for every family. I don't particularly care for the system, so please don't expect me to defend it. Guy

Our pack does much the same thing, except it's a little higher (I think $100 total this year, discounted for multiple cubs in the same family). The pack builds in B&G banquet costs (it's one of those eye-rolling things for me, it's held at a pricey banquet facility that I really dislike), adult registration costs, and also a Friends of Scouting donation.

I'd like to concur with checking at the local YMCA -- maybe ours is atypical, but out of the entire lifeguard and aquatics staff, there are two Eagle scouts. With the one we checked with, he was more than happy to sign off on 2C/1C swimming requirements and Aquanaut requirements.

I had to check the date on the above posting, because I swear it could have been written in 2001 That was back when I learned that 401K money probably isn't best invested in company stock, but I had to learn that the hard way.

I recently sat on my first EBoR, with our troop (troop run, with district advancement committee representative). The CC was the chair of the board, after he attempted to defer to the DAC rep (who said, "I'm only here observing, I may not speak up at all"). Only one thing was seemingly off...there were two ASMs on the board (the other members were CC, the DAC rep, me and the COR, who happens to be the previous SM of the troop). Then again, I don't really know, because my membership card says "Troop Committee" but at the first troop CoH after my official training weekend, I was handed an AS

Maybe I missed this along the way, so I'll ask for clarification: "Eagle Adviser" is not an official position, either with the troop or the district or council. However, in this particular case, the troop chooses to assign a registered scouter the unofficial task of being an Eagle Adviser, who is supposed to assist a Life Scout with the process of developing an Eagle Project and taking that to the district advancement committee for approval. Do I have that correct? If so, I'm unclear on who is really insisting the "problem EA" must be part of the process. Is it the troop committ

Sorry to glom onto this thread, but does anyone know if unit flags only come in one size? I'd like to get one on the smaller side (say, 2' by 3' or smaller). Thanks, Guy

It's not like I've been around as a scouter for very long, or been participating in this forum, but one common theme that keeps being visited over and over again is how scouters are supposed to be assisting with getting things done rather than putting up roadblocks. In the "Ask Andy" column, this sounds like Andy's classic case of a Tin God who has his priorities mixed up. He'd be exactly the kind of guy that says "yeah, I know what the handbook says, but we have higher standards around here for our Eagles." You'd think that after two or three or four passes he'd get tired of the bac

These are bring backs lots of old forehead slaps! Two kinda lame ones I remember: "So, you heard the story about the ceiling?" "No." "Well, it's over your head." "Heard the story about the bed?" "No." "It's not made up yet." In an older vernacular: "What's that you're rubbing on your arm?" "Liniment...and boy, does it make my arm smart." "Tried any on your head?" Two scouts in my old troop found an old vaudeville routine in a book at the library. The routine was called "Corn, But Not Forgotten". They modified it to add in a whole bunch of these run-ons. A

For Arrow of Light award purposes, are you able to schedule a den visit to the troop 20 minutes away? Schedule an overnight with them, or a visit to another one of their weekend activities (if they have them)? That would mean a small number of visits over several months, not necessarily a weekly commitment to drive 20 miles. As far as the 5th grader is concerned, he "ages out" at the end of the school year. Or, as is the case with both of my sons, he may be 11, and "scout eligible", sooner than the end of 5th grade. There is always the "Lone Scout" option until a troop is started clo

Woodwind-Brasswind (www.wwbw.com) sells bugles. They're a reputable company, and they've gotten lots of my business over the years.

I understand what Bob White is talking about... I think if you have a young and enthusiastic new scout, and an active troop program (outings at least once a month, for example, and perhaps patrol activities in addition), then T and 2C are pretty much easily attainable, and perhaps the bulk of 1C too, within the first year. So depending on when a new scout starts, that could mean 2 or possibly 3 rank advancements in the first year. Of course, advancement happens with a self-driven scout, perhaps with a little encouragement from a parent and a troop leader. If everyone else is advancin

I sat in on my first Eagle BoR a little over a week ago, and I'm glad we were not put in this same position. Although I didn't know the candidate well (he's a senior in high school, and between work, school, his cross-country season, getting college applications ready, his participation in the church music ministry and youth program, and his other volunteer work), there isn't anything about him that wasn't a slam dunk. In fact, if anything at all, I don't think the candidate realized how great of a job he has done with his life. I was honored to be a part of the board. In a slightly humor

Interesting thought, John... Another surprising bit from our discussion -- he mentioned a troop that waited until an October Court of Honor to award Scout badges to their newbies; he was implying that it took the troop that long to "advance" them to that point (assuming a spring transition to the troop). I mentioned to him that AoL recipients were supposed to receive their Scout badges right away ("with approval of your Scoutmaster" according to the handbook). Now, I see two red flags -- one being that it seems like it took and awfully long time to walk them through some rather easy

Sorry, I can see how that can be confusing... This was from a DC at a district committee meeting, and I believe he was talking about quality units (and he had CQU sheets in front of him). As far as I know, one of the criteria of quality district is to have a certain percentage of CQU's right? In the limited reading I had done, I thought that goals were put in place by individual units. However, I don't know if this is just our district or not, but our district's unit commissioners seem to have a hand in getting those forms filled out. From the way the DC was talking, it seems like ev

Hello all - It's not like I'm seeking clarification, or trolling for dissent, or anything but I found this mildly interesting: At a district committee meeting last night, our district commissioner was going over centennial quality unit criteria (there is a goal for 50% advancement, however I don't know if that is the district, or part of the council or national criteria). Our DC mentioned that packs find it relatively easy to meet the criteria, because ScoutNet advancement reports count Bobcat as a "rank earned". He went on to mention that "I don't know why they don't do th

saw something of note a couple of weeks ago: At a troop Court of Honor, a scout about to age out of the troop was being awarded First Class. Likely his last function with the troop. His family, including an older brother who is an Eagle from the troop, attended. Older brother, the Eagle, is now in college and made a special trip home to attend. He was wearing his full youth uniform, including Eagle patch, merit badge sash and OA sash (yes, I know it's wrong on many counts). There are no uniform police, so nobody is going to be quoting BSA uniform regulations to him. But I got to thin