gwd-scouter

When I first joined the forum my posts were almost exclusively questions as a new Scoutmaster trying to revive a failing troop. I also shared the ups and downs of our progress over the past months. We are now closing in on the two year mark and I enjoy posting some of our success stories. I still feel there are others here with much more knowledge and experience than I, but I am trying to become more of a giver to the forum than a taker. I thank everyone for your time and thoughtful responses to my queries. If nothing else, reading posts on this forum have helped me realize that the condition of our troop is not unique, that the slowness of our troop's progress is not necessarily a failure on my part as SM, and that improvements can be made through learning from mistakes, positive attitude, perseverence and a healthy sense of humor!

Some mandatory training is already required. If a Pack wants to go camping, it must have a BALOO trained leader. Taking the Scouts to the water? You MUST have safe swim/safety afloat, CPR. Rock climbing? Climb on Safely. Our District holds an annual Youth Protection Training roundtable that is stated as being mandatory for every adult leader every year (many of us know that this is not the case, but we go anyway - can't get enough of the Carver Picnic). Like everyone else it seems our District is plagued by untrained leaders and the topic is brought up at Roundtable and District Committee meetings. It seems to be worse among the Cubscout leader ranks. So far, however, no real solution to has been found. I agree with other posters here that even trained leaders and/or those leaders who have been around a long time can ignore their training and go off on their own agenda - even as trainers spreading misinformation to new leaders. That was my case as a new SM. My trainer told me a lot of things I later found out were not exactly true (i.e., wearing the uniform while traveling for insurance reasons).

Are you referring to the round multi-colored patch? That goes on the right pocket as temporary patch. If you mean the rectangle recruiter strip, that goes below the right pocket.

In our Troop, we will just accept the Scout's word that he did the requirement. One of our Scouts just completed the requirement - he spoke with a friend and gave that friend my email address. The friend sent me an email stating our Scout had talked to him, but unfortunately would not be able to join the troop. I was quite surprised to receive the email and really don't expect anything more than a Scout telling me he talked with a friend.

About that Scout Underwear. When my younger son was complaining about wearing his uniform he said one time "next thing you'll be making me wear Scout underwear." So for Christmas, I took a pair of his tighty whities, sewed a Scout rank patch on the front and wrapped them up. He loved it!

Wood Badge Course SR-730 - Fall 2006 Camp Old Indian Scout Reservation, Travelers Rest, South Carolina Come to Wood Badge so you can become the kind of leader that will make a difference in the lives of our youth. Expect the most demanding, challenging, enlightening, satisfying, rewarding, motivating, and exciting course you can take! Since Lord Baden-Powell held the first course for Scoutmasters in 1919, Wood Badge training has helped thousands of men and women all over the world improve the Scouting program as well as themselves. Are you up to the challenge? WHY - To give leaders leadership skills to strengthen Scouting in meaningful ways. WHERE - Camp Old Indian WHEN - Two three day sessions: October 20-22 and November 10-12, 2006 WHO - ALL registered Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venture Leaders, as well as District and Council leaders (limited to 48 participants) COST - $225.00 ($50.00 hold a place deposit may be sent with info request.) PRE-REQUISITES - Participants must be registered members of BSA and have completed the basic leader training steps of New Leader Essentials and the Leader Specific training for their current positions. Introduction to Outdoor Skills is required for SM, ASM, and Varsity Coaches. Trainer Development and Outdoor Leadership Skills are recommended for all participants but not required. A class 3 physical is required. Leader must also be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. To apply, please fill out the application form and return to: http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/files/2006%20wood%20badge%20application.pdf Radaka Williams, Course Director Blue Ridge Council, BSA P.O. Box 339 Mauldin, SC 29662

Don't know if anyone is aware, but camping merit badge requirements were changed slightly effective Jan. 1, 2006. Most notably the addition under #9 about camping a total of 20 nights: From: http://usscouts.org/usscouts/mb/mb001.html "If the camp provides a tent that has already been pitched, you need not pitch your own tent." Also changed: On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision: 1. Hike up a mountain, gaining at least 1,000 vertical feet. (lowered from 2000 ft.) 2. Backpack, snowshoe, or cross-country ski for at least 4 miles. (snowshoe and cross-country ski added) 3. Take a bike trip of at least 15 miles or at least four hours. 4. Plan and carry out a float trip of at least four hours. 5. Plan and carry out an overnight snow camping experience. 6. Rappel down a rappel route of 30 feet or more. A footnote to Requirement 7, reading "May be part of a Troop trip" was in earlier editions of the Requirements Book, but no longer appears in the current edition. However, although not specifically stated in the requirements, if the troop goes on a trip, and the Patrol method is used (or if there is only one patrol) that campout can be used to meet requirement 7.

Wood Badge Course SR-730 - Fall 2006 Come to Wood Badge so you can become the kind of leader that will make a difference in the lives of our youth. Expect the most demanding, challenging, enlightening, satisfying, rewarding, motivating, and exciting course you can take! Since Lord Baden-Powell held the first course for Scoutmasters in 1919, Wood Badge training has helped thousands of men and women all over the world improve the Scouting program as well as themselves. Are you up to the challenge? WHY - To give leaders leadership skills to strengthen Scouting in meaningful ways. WHERE - Camp Old Indian WHEN - Two three day sessions: October 20-22 and November 10-12, 2006 WHO - ALL registered Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Varsity, and Venture Leaders, as well as District and Council leaders (limited to 48 participants) COST - $225.00 ($50.00 hold a place deposit may be sent with info request.) PRE-REQUISITES - Participants must be registered members of BSA and have completed the basic leader training steps of New Leader Essentials and the Leader Specific training for their current positions. Introduction to Outdoor Skills is required for SM, ASM, and Varsity Coaches. Trainer Development and Outdoor Leadership Skills are recommended for all participants but not required. A class 3 physical is required. Leader must also be capable of functioning safely in an outdoor environment. To apply, please fill out the application form and return to: http://www.blueridgecouncil.org/files/2006%20wood%20badge%20application.pdf Radaka Williams, Course Director Blue Ridge Council, BSA P.O. Box 339 Mauldin, SC 29662

Congratulations Scouter06. Haven't heard of blackhawk honor (at least not in our Council). What is it?

I can only, at this time, reply to the padlocked gate. Our summer camp also has a locked gate just beyond the parking area. Only camp vehicles are allowed inside. During summer camp, the camp ranger pulls trailers to campsites and/or campers carry their gear to their campsites. This is stricly enforced. My older son spent several weeks as as CIT years ago and we complied with the rules of camp. If he had to leave early, he/we had to carry his gear to the parking lot from his campsite. Even if he didn't leave early, when it was time for his 24 hour break (noon Saturday to noon Sunday) we had to help him carry his gear from his quarters to the parking lot. We NEVER showed up at camp just to take our son out for the day and find out how things were going. (now, your son may have had this break time too, but your post sounded like you just showed up to spend a day with him on the weekends). Camp vehicles were only scheduled to pull troops out from their campsites on closing day. ALL Staff was left to handle their gear themselves. And, I believe, if a staffer (or CIT) is leaving early, then they SHOULD have to fend for themselves. You should have left your vehicle where you were supposed to and walked to your son's campsite and helped him carry his gear out if you were asking for him to leave early.

Lisabob, a simple note of thanks is all you need to send. Amazing how that gesture is in so little use today, but how it does please the recipient because someone took the time to write it.

We are going on our whitewater trip in a couple of weeks. Tonight, the scouts were finalizing the menus when two more Scouts decided they were going on the trip too. One of those scouts is our SPL who said he felt he hadn't been on enough outings and really should go on this trip so he cancelled his other plans. (Amazing!) Now we have 9 Scouts and 5 adults (2 of whom are Eagles from our Troop). Our biggest trip in years! The Scouts had actually planned their menu the week before for only 6 Scouts (the 7th is the SPL and he will eat with the adults). So tonight they were talking about actually making two patrols for the campout. They decided that since the menu was already made up they would just do it as one big patrol and add to the grocery list. Their decision, their plan. Adults planned our own menu (plus the SPL). Awesome. Even a few of the older Scouts mentioned that it was a great meeting, decisions were made (by the Scouts) and isn't it wonderful that almost the whole troop is going on the rafting trip. Feeling well tonight - sure do love this Scouting stuff.

Welcome to the Forum '06. It's always nice to a more youthful perspective on the topics here and I look forward to reading your comments.

From Calico: I started Salesmanship and quickly learned it didn't interest me - I completed two requirements and never did finish it - when my Scoutmaster asked why, I told him it didn't interest me. His response wasn't "real men don't quit" - it was, "Then you've learned something of value about yourself" Isn't that what Merit Badges are all about anyway? Calico - great answer from your SM. I'll try to remember that next time I talk to a Scout with a partial.

Scouts pay for food and gas. Typically, we fund the cost of the campsite fee or camporee fees to the Troop. However, the past two years have seen our fundraising drop to almost nothing. Last year, only three Scouts in our troop sold popcorn and their combined sales only netted us $150.00. So, all of our trips since the Spring have been paid for fully by the participating Scouts and their families. That's a big hit for my family since husband, younger son, and I all go on every outing and sometimes older son comes along too! We have tried to come up with other fundraisers but our CO keeps putting us off. Example, we wanted to do a pancake breakfast on Sunday. Church decided what a great idea and did it themselves for their own fundraising efforts. Oh well. We'll keep working on it.

CNY - funny you should ask about this - I was just thinking about the same thing this morning. We have our Troop's annual planning weekend coming up, and last year as a treat the guys got to work on water skiing and motor boating merit badges for one afternoon. Everyone very excited until I told them that they all had to wear PFDs at all times on the boats. I was told quite loudly and in front of the Scouts by the Dad who was operating one of the boats that it was ridiculous to require the Scouts to wear PFDs since our local regulations do not require them for boats more than 16' in length. But, G2SS says wear 'em so the Scouts had the option - get on the boat and wear it, or stay on the shore. So, in case this situation ever comes up again (this year we are doing canoes - no question or option about the PFDs), I too would like to know if there is a size requirements for boats. What about slow moving pontoons? Ferries?

Thanks guys. You've been a big help. :-)

for all you merit badge gurus out there: The requirement for camping merit badge: "On any of these camping experiences, you must do TWO of the following, only with proper preparation and under qualified supervision: Plan and carry out a float trip of at least four hours." How much planning is required by the Scouts? Would a white water raft trip count even though the Scouts don't really plan much about the trip down the river itself?

The cloth badge may only be worn by youth members. Those registered to a Boy Scout Troop may wear the badge until 18. Those registered with a Venturing Unit may wear the badge until 21.

Yes SWScouter, the varsity letter may be worn on the bottom of the sash. Thanks to FScouter for quoting from the official uniform guide (I just couldn't find my copy).

Officer GWD here, stepping in as a member of the UP. Merit badges ONLY are worn on the FRONT of the sash. On the back of the sash, additional merit badges may be sewn and temporary insignia may be sewn. "Temporary insignia" is defined by the BSA as special insignia for participating in unit, District, Council or national events or programs. Previous rank, service stars and pins are NOT to be worn on the sash. From the "unofficial" insignia guide at Mike Walton's fantastic website: http://www.mninter.net/~blkeagle/patchtop.htm I have not, however, ever seen a Scout with patches on the back of his sash.

Jo, all of our Scouts are able to recite the Outdoor Code. At almost every meeting, they begin by reciting pledge, Oath, Law and Outdoor Code. Don't really know why, but that's the way the Scouts have been opening our meetings for years. In my post about AOL and Scout, I was not actually concerned that our new Scouts can't recite the Oath and Law from memory. I know it is not a requirement until Tenderfoot. I just think it's curious that through the years I've watched these AOL recipients join our Troop and at their very first meeting they act like they've never even heard the Oath and Law.

Hanging out in the chat room. Kinda lonely. come on by!

How many of you have been faced with a new Scout in your Troop, proudly wearing his Arrow of Light patch, and he can't say the Oath or Law? Just got 3 new scouts crossed over at the end of May. Our Troop was there and watched as they each received their Arrow of Light. When we open our troop meetings the Scouts usually do both the Oath and Law. None of these new Scouts could do it.

My opinion - the number one quality of a good camp is experienced, enthusiastic staff. Of course, those wonderful staffers won't be worth much without a well-planned program. So, in a tie for number one, progressive type programs: a first year camper program, something for the 2nd-3rd year campers, and then some high adventure for the older guys. Attend a camp without either of these two items (or, worse, without both) and it will probably not be a very pleasant experience.