Greying Beaver

Hey, I've got the "I'm Proud of My Eagle Scout" bumper sticker taped to the bottom corner of the driver-side of the rear window. More people see it that way.

The list above:

-SM is WoodBadge trained

-Really understands and uses the Patrol Method

-Has 20+ active scouts

-Is boy-led

-Has a good outdoor program

sums up what is needed as the basis of a troop that can deliver the program.

The WB/21stCentury is filled with proven ways of doing that. One thing that really is useful is how "close to a problem" a SM sould be. It can vary from taking direct control all the way to the SM letting the boy-led, Patrol Method troop function while he/she watches from the sideline. The latter is the preferred method. The only one that could be optional is the SM being a Woodbadger, but not really. The time that it takes to complete the program (up to a year and a half)is the problem. Having an adult (ASM) interested in being SM, he is the one to send to Woodbadge. The lecture part can be implemented within a month of his/her starting the course (See above.). And possibly have him/her attend on a "troop scholaship", the troop paying for at least half of the cost of the course. Don't think that only SM's can attend WoodBadge. I was just a little ol' committee member when I went through. I cannot emphasize enough - Go sign up for . . . , Ooops, sorry. I digress.

A minimum of 20 active scouts is needed to make the boy-led, Patrol Method troop function. An SPL, ASPL, and three patrols of six (active) boys. For a long time the literature said that the perfect troop size is between 32 and 36 scouts: SPL, ASPL, and five patrols of 6(active) boys each+/-.

Ask any scout what he really like about scouting and he will tell you, "Camping.". Five or six scouts sharing camp duties from a chart that they made, working a menu that they planned and having good food from it; boy-led at the patrol level. And doing so on a monthly basis . . . regardless of the weather.

The only one that could be optional is the SM being a Woodbadger, but not really. The time that it takes to complete the program (up to a year and a half)is the precieved problem. Having an adult (ASM) interested in being SM, he/she is the one to send to Woodbadge. The lecture part can be implemented within a month of his/her starting the course (See above.). And possibly have him/her attend on a "troop scholaship", the troop paying for at least half of the cost of the course. Don't think that only SM's can attend WoodBadge. I was just a little ol' committee member when I went through. I cannot emphasize enough - Go sign up for . . . , Ooops, sorry. I digress.

Those five elements are linked together. Bbng is correct about adult leaders not using the Methods and wondering what went wrong with their troops, and that it takes time and effort to train the boy leaders in the Patrol Method and leadership techniques. But guess what? That is the adult leaders' job (8-O). What a concept. "It's in the book!" (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

Look at helping with CS event as "advertizing" for the boy scouts in general, the troop that is helping, and the Lodge as well. For most CS families, they are not familiar with the boy scout program, including O.A. and Wood Badge.

I put the two together because they show that the scout and/or scouter has bought into the program, "MOC(member of the club), if you will.

The first time that I wore my uniform to a pack meeting (after having to do the "velcro and loop shuffle")I had a few parents ask me about the "pretty embroirdered patch on your pocket flap" and how to get one, as well as my Wood Badge beads. No adults in the pack are either O.A. or Wood Badge. So I told them. I'm looking for an "excuse" to wear my sash, too. I'm trying the get some of our dancers to put on a demostration at a pack meeting. Advertise!

Units used to do neighborhood "good turn" projects. Invite the local chapter to help and ask them to wear their sashes. Our rule of thumb is that if 5 arrowmen participate in the event, they wear their sashes (and get them a little dirtier, too . . .).

Cub Scouts and O.A. are both part of the BSA.

The O.A. handbook has a section on ceremonies. Ceremony teams are encouraged to research the attire of the Native Americans who lived in the area and use that clothing as a guide for ceremony regalia. Our lodge's part of the swamp was ocupied by the Karakawa. They wore very little when the weather was cold and less when the weather was warm. So, . . . our chapters have found inspiration from the Cherokees at the time just after First Contact with the Europeans.

When Dr. Goodman and Mr. Edson were writing the ceremonies, they drew from what was familiar. Edson was a Mason. I have shown the ceremonies to a couple of Masons and asked if the O.A. ceremonies resemble Masonic ceremonies. All agreed without violating their oaths.

No Native American group has any ceremony even close to the ceremonies in the O.A., from Arrow of Light to Vigil. "Respectful Imitation" describes what the O.A. does in all of its ceremonies.

In my talking with Native Americans who are not aware of the O.A., they seem to think that a service organization based on a Delaware (Leni Lanapi) legend is great. The younger ones who are interested in keeping Native American cultures alive and glad for our interest in Native American clothing, singing, and drumming, and dancing. A drum is one thing; a plastic trash can is another. I must confess that I did use a plastic trash can when another ceremony team had borrowed ours and had not yet returned it. It made a very satisfying sound, deep and resonate. Better than our hide-over-wooden frame drum! I made quite a site thumping on the bottoms of plastic trash cans at the Wal-Mart. The drum is not seen, but it is heard in our ceremonies. Hey! "Git-R-Done", right?

My paternal ancestry is Scottish. Do I object to someone wearing a kilt? No, so long as they wear it properly. Even if they are wearing my clan's plaid and they cannot show or recall being descended from our clan. My take on all of this is a "P.C. Tempest In A Teapot" of our own invention.

Hi, Gwd! Getting a troop to switch to the three-pot method from "overnight picnic" thinking is no mean feat. Good on you! Five SM's in eight years is not good. Your being in place for more than a couple of years brings stability to the troop. If you make sure that the troop has fun activities that keep coming will strengthen you troop's program. One of the Troop Committee(TC)'s jobs is to implement the Patrol Leaders' Council(PLC)'s program requests. You are the liason between the troop and the TC. Go camping monthly, and you go on the campouts, and you have a good time on the campouts. Set the example.

Our troop wnet through a SM change a couple of years ago. The former SM was a young (30-something) man who enjoyed outdoor activities and could connect with the boys. Man, did we have fun! Entire patrols were aging out as Eagles! The current SM, well, . . . he's in his 50's and there has been a change in the troop. I am not faulting the current SM. We did have a bit of an exodus when the current SM became SM. A couple of years later, none of the boys currently on the troop remember the former SM. The SM may not be the one who runs the troop; that's the SPL's job. The SM's job is to train the SPL, . . . and be the "compass" for the boys' journey through scouting.

Ya know, an occassional viewing of "Follow Me Boys" ought to be required for SM's.

Well, . . . an organizational chart would show the TCC at the top, followed by the liason between the TC and troop, the SM. The SPL is in charge of the troop's metings, activities, and campouts. The CO holds the charter for the troop from the Council meaning that they "own" the troop's physical assets and can express its wishes for certain things do be done by the troop.

For Example, a troop sponsored by a church could see COR telling the TC that the CO would like to see a class for the religious award started. That's fine. The pastor telling the boys that when a boy asks him/her

for the Eagle letter of recomendation that he/ she will write a more enthusiastic(sic?) letter for a boy that has completed his religious award could be looked upon as tampering with the rank requirements. I said "could". That's not fine.

TC's recommendations should be voted on by the TC, with a majority vote needed to have the SM take the "request" to the troop through the SPL. "TCC" does not spell " Dictator" (benevolent or otherwise), "Monarch", or any other type of "My way or the highway"-type of government. MAJORITY VOTE TO IMPLEMENT! Stand your ground on this.

Try this: If the TC wants to make changes without the approval of the TC, call your District Commissioner. If your troop does not have a Unit Commissioner, explain the situation to the DC and ask for one toot-suite.

Good Luck!

We had a troop bully. He was the reason for the troop instituting a code of behavior. That youngster played the policy like a fiddle. It was frustrating to say the least. He even tried to bully/campaign election to the O.A. three years in a row. He was never elected. He disappeared during football season his sophomore year, and it was learned through the grapevine that yes, he had made the team, and was getting the stuffings pounded out of him with regularity.

In dealing with problem youngsters the first place to look is in the home, as has been remarked upon. His was the Dysfunctional Family if ever there was one. Their church was able to get them into family counselling. It did help. . . some.

He become active after football season was over. I guess ending on up his back with the wind knocked out of him helped him to see things differently. He did pass his Eagle Board of Review. I sat on that board. We had lots of questions about his living the scout Oath and Law. Lots. But he had met the requirements of the Eagle rank. His attitude had changed. Football? Good guess. He did receive his Eagle medal but he did not have a Court of Honor. The wife of the TCC saw that he got it. Haven't seen him at a troop meeting since his BoR. Cutest Bobwhite, my wife, was disappointed that we passed him for Eagle. She said that he did not deserve it. I replied that even an eagle molts its feathers from time to time.

Sometimes you really cannot see the forest for all those trees. "Scouting is for all boys" gets lost when you have a bully in the troop. He is the type of boy that needs the lessons of scouting now . . . and later in his life.

I have two - a "Beanie Baby" from my wife, Cutest BobWhite, and a little one on a cord necklace from my son, the Philmont Staffer. He found it at the Cimmaron Art Gallery. They have a website - "cimmaron art gallery" - and they have all of the critters in all sorts of guises. And a gen-u-ine Beaver hat pin that I picked up at our scout shop. He went on the hat when I got my beads. I don't care if the little guy on the necklace is not official. He gets worn almost all the time and hide next to the beads.

Bass Pro Shop, huh? Hmmmmmmmmmm.

Hi, Lala. Townhall.com proves that there are those who would complain if they were to be hung with a new rope (New ropes stretch - a lot!). That forum is just like all other forums, including this one (but to a lesser extent here).

Betcha there are those who would block George Washington's confirmation to anything because he was a slave holder. Politics as usual.

Don't look now; here comes another Beaver 'a waddlin' up! Always first in Gilwell Order. There must be a reason. But Beavers have other things to worry about, right? After all, be nice to Beavers; Beavers can turn your property into a wetlands in a heartbeat, and we all know what that means 8-).

I used to be a Beaver, and a good ol' Beaver, too. But now I'm finished Beavering; I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feeble and I can Beaver no more; So I'm going to work my ticket if I can . . . .

FScouter and BrentAllen have hit the nail squarely on the head: When wearing the "Complete Uniform-of-the-Day", render the hand salute. Otherwise, hand over the heart. Of course the "Uniform-of-the-Day" has to be announced or posted.

About the problem with the Venturers: I heard this one at Philmont Venture Advisor Training and at our district's Venture advisor Training: "All boyfriend-girlfriend relationships end at the Venturing door. No going off alone together, no sharing a tent, etc. It needs to be made clear to such couples and th line held." On the other hand, . . . given their ages and experiences on such matters, not a bad idea to keep a closer eye on them, especially if the relationship contiues and deepens. Oh, and remember that we were all young once ourselves, and they are HUMAN. Calling for the boy's removal is throwing one very experienced baby and one very enthusiastic baby out with the bathwater.

When I was a scout and turned 18 (and still in high school), I asked the TC if I could " . . . stick around as an adult member of the troop . . . ." It was almost unheard of at the time in our part of the swamp. I was "virtually gang-tackled" by the TC! Wow! I got to eat with the adults (Boy, could they cook!). Adults got to sleep on cots on campouts ("Mom! We'er going shopping!"). The "fun-level" want off the chart. I learned alot from them about being an adult.

The real advantage was the relationship that I had with the younger boys in the troop. Their former peer (me) held them to knowing the skills for rank advancement and knowing them cold. They would talk to me about "things" about which they wouldn't go to the older adults. When I did go off to school, I would meet the troop for the wekend campouts.

The "magic" lasted for about three years when the boys who had been in the troop when I was a scout began aging out. To the younger boys and their parents, I was a curiosity. When I fnished school . . ., well, I had other things to do. The TC understood.

What to do with an 18-yr-old who wants to continue as a scouter? Take him in, feed him, love him, give him an ASM patch, brag on him at the next CoH, and give him things to do. He'll stick around.

Hi, SMBURNS. Here are some suggestions - to pass along to the PLC:

1. Keep it simple; Opening including presenting the colors and reciting the Pledge of Alegence, and possibly a short prayer.

2. Welcoming remarks by the master of ceremonies, usually the SPL. That makes it "boy-led".

3. Awarding of rank advancements; Advancement Chair usually does this.

4. Awarding of Merit Badges; ASM can do this.

5. Other recognitions and awards. New members of the O.A., religious awards, etc.

6. (optional) Scoutmaster's Minute.

7. Closing: retire the colors.

8. Refreshments ("If you're not having fun and you don't have food, you're doing it wrong!")

Activity Uniform = Class "B" Uniform.

Get the best quality t-shirts for the best price and the silkscreening for the logo. You want the t-shirt to be a bright color. Our troop wears the Class "B" t-shirt under the Class "A" uniform shirton the way to camp and activities. They take off the Class "A" when they arrive at camp or the acitivity. Simple.

Let me shed some light on the possible reasoning behind the exclusion of "old" WoodBadgers for being 21stCentury WB staffers. The "old" course has a different purpose, a different set of requirements for tickets, and meeting the requirements of the ticket item.

Too many "old" WoodBadgers who were staffers on 21stCentury courses tried to make 21stCentury tickets fit the mould of "old" tickets much to the frustration - and sometimes anger - of the patrol members.

On the other hand, the "old" WoodBadgers have come up with an interesting name for the 21stCentury course: "WussBadge". Oh, yeah?! Go have a look at the "old" course; they do have a point. But, . . . a look at the original (B.P.)course syllabus - that included morning physical training(!) - Gracious!

The 21stCentury course has been around for three years now. We were told that the "new" course was a work in progress and to look for changes in it. Here they are.

If you want the "war story" about what happened to Cutest BobWhite, my wife, and her patrol's "old" staffer, just ask. It is the perfect example of why "old" WoodBadgers are being asked to take the course again to be able to teach it.

Hunt: The first point of the scout law is "Duty to God and . . . ." Which??? Of course our country's history is shot full of wrongs that this country has done to others and to ourselves. Name one country's history that isn't. Try Canada. Ask the Cajuns about how they were treated by the new landlords.

And whenen the Canadian nationalized medicine budget dries up, your dog can gat a hip replacement but you can't. Need I go on?

"When in Rome, do like the Romans do." must not apply here, huh?

If you don't like it here, try it anywhere else. Pick your country. You will be back in a hurry, no bet.

I may not agree with your ideas or your presenting them here or in any other forum, but I will defend to the death your right to express them. I expect the same of you. And if you don't feel the same way, there are flights leaving daily.

I'm bingo on fuel. Returning to base . . . for more Napalm.

Let me expand on what Packpacker has said. I took Venture advisor Training at Philmont a couple of years ago, and the nuts and bolts of the program has not changed that much.

Venturing has a different mind-set than boy scouts. The Bronze, Gold, and Silver are not ranks or advancements in the boy-scout sense. They are recognitions. The great thing about the Bronze Awards is that for the Arts and Hobbies bronze award, the membewrs of the crew can make up the requirements for their own award. Generally speaking, 12- 13 requirements emphasising "Teach . . . ", "Visit . . .", " Over a period of time, (do something related to the art or hobby)", "Learn . . .", etc. are necessary for the award. The members of the crew make up the requirements and give them to the Crew Advisor for approval. The Crew President, VP, and other officers sign off on the requirements. The Gold and Silver awards have the Crew Advisor as the approving party.

Although BSA has an official Venturing uniform, crews are free to design their own crew uniform. It can be anything, anything. Because the crew is free ti design it's own uniform, all of the recognitions can be worn on the crew uniform shirt or blouse.

If you have your beads, there are two schools of thought on whether or not you can wear them on your crew uniform: you can and you cannot. I have seen Crew Advisors doing both. If you don't have your beads, go get them and then worry about it.

The crew funcions at a level between PLC and TC. If they want to do something requiring fund raising, they do their own fundraising for inception to completion of the fundraising project. The only limit as to where they can go for a Superactivity is that they must stay on the planet.

Want to go camping? If one of the young ladies in the crew goes, an adult trained female assistant advisor or advisor must go on the campout. And sleeping arrangements are stictly non-coed. Boyfrien-girlfrind relationships get left at the door and do not exist at crew activities.

If the crew wants to learn how to repair coo-coo clocks, they can go for it. It is their program. Your job is to make sure that things don't get out of hand. At Philmont, I asked the instructors what is the real purpose of adults going on a crew outing, the crew mwmbers being 14 - 20 years old. He gave a great answer: Two-deep leadership (read: BSA insurance), gender segregation, and have enough money on hand to bail'em out of jail, just in case (Be Prepared!) ;-)))). The story that went along with that, . . . well, it's funny now and the misunderstanding was straightened out.

Have fun and hang on!

(!)

If you keep a big bag of cookies and a case of Hawaiian Punch in your trunk (for den meeting snack - just in case), you might be a CS den leader.

If you call for quiet at the beginning of a meeting at work by raising your hand with the first two or three fingers extended, you might be a scouter . . . (And how many times have you done it without thinking, hmmmmm?).

If you find yourself quietly singing "The Grand Old Duke of York" at work, ar anywhere else, . . . you might be a cubscouter.

IF you insist that it's spelled "A-k-e-l-a", . . . you might be a cubscouter.

If you know the receipe for "Gormet S'mores", . . . you might be a cubscouter.

If you spend one evening a week peeling dried Elmer's glue off your fingers, . . . you might be a cubscouter

And, of course, . . . If you have more stuff on your uniform than anyone else in the pack, and you are the adult partner of a tiger who calls you "Gran'pa" at meetings and other places, . . . You bet your Biblical beast of burden you're a scouter.

Making the world a better place one boy at a time, and having a blast doing it,

Greying Beaver

Tami the Mom - Be very specific when you tell this family why your pack does not want the boy in either Webelos den. That the family has a history of problems with another pack as well as yours, and both the boy's and father's behavior are an on-going problem with the both dens are known. Their behavior is threatening your whole pack's program. Let them know that. It is a shame that you are left with few options because scouting is for all boys. You and the other adults in the pack, stand by yours guns. This could get uglier. I've seen it happen. So, . . . uh, . . . be prepared.

Good luck.

This is too good not to pass along about Vigil names. There is a retired fellow who donates a couple of days a week at our lodge office. This guy can tell some really great stories. Anyway, the English translation of his Vigil name is "Teller of Tell Tales". His take on his being given the name is because the Vigil Name Committee could not find the term "Used Car Salesman" in Lenape, Cherokee, or any other Native American language . . . .

Re: kid's room = black hole, etc. Betcha my kid's room is a deeper, darker black hole than your kid's!

The Totin' Chip is a good idea that won't go away. Why not make the 2ndClass requirements and the Totin' Chip requirements the same and be done with it? The youngster learns the skills and the appreciation for the tools ans well. It's that Totin' Chip patch that's got my feathers a bit out of position. We've got NSP guys who appearently earned the Totin' Chip as Webelos and wear the patch on the right pocket flap >8-(! It's a temporary patch worn on the right pocket, but their WDL said that he was told the Totin'Chip patch is worn on the right pocket flap. He could not recall where he had heard of that. The WDL's in my grandson's pack has never heard of such a thing. Anybody got any ideas?

Heck, my old Totin' Chip card (with all corners intact) has begun to turn back into celuose. But then again I don't see knives in use in camp like when I was a scout.

Try this: Grandpa can give the high sign to the ceremony team during the tapout. He can be present for the pre-ordeal and ordeal ceremonies (Yes, dues need to by current, but our ceremonies are not closed, and he can be present nonetheless.). Also, Grandpa can speak to the ordeal ceremony team about their putting his sash on the boy and the team giving the boy's sash to Grandpa.

I did that with my son. He wanted it that way, and the ceremony team was very accomodating ("No problem, sir. Cool!) I was asked to stand behind my son with my old sash in my hand and give it to "the chief". He, in turn, handed my son's sash to me and the kid didn't realize what had happened until after the deed was done. Smiles and tears all around the ceremony ring.

So, will my son return my old sash? Nope!! That's the sash given to him at the ceremony! Talk about your legacy stuff!

I do have a grandson who is in tigers this year. Now if he is elected, . . . .

Our chapter uses the scout sigh above the candidates' heads. But, boy, do I like the idea of the sash held above the candidates' heads. I going to run it past the chapter chief and advisor.

I concur with John in KC, especially about something lurking deeper. Nevertheless, keep records on his advancement work. Honor his wishes, but . . . , be prepared.

Hoo-boy! If the SM is insrtucting Wood Badge, then he sould be familiar with the boy-led troop concept. It's part of the WB/21st Century program. It could be that he needs to go through the classroom part of Scoutmaster Fundamentals again. If the sylabus has changed since he went through SMF, he might be interested in how the program has changed (And it has.).

The boy-led troop takes a lot of the up-front responsibility off the adults' hands. Let him know that. The SM is now seen as a coach/ facilitator. He trains the SPL, ASPL, and PL's to run the troop. He does that at troop (boy)leader trainings. This can be run like SMF: An afternoon of "theory" and a weekend campout for the PLC only where the boys see how a boy-led troop is run. Adults have two oppurtunities to talk during a troop meeting - announcements and the Scoutmaster's Minute. The boys do eveything else.

Get the troop committee on-side about this. You have a wonderful resource in this veteran SM. Let him know that he is working too hard at his job; that he needs to learn to work smarter:

SM Position #1: Standing in the background, hands in pockets, eyes on the action, and telling the SPL what he is doing good (often!) and where the SPL could be doing better.

SM Position #2: Sitting down in a chair, holding coffee cup, eyes on the action, etc.

Ask your SM to explain the management techniques explained in WB/21stCentruy using the four squares, the little circle, and all the little arrows in the squares. See if he doesn't click when you lable the little circle "SM".