Herms

Our Troop currently uses Troopmaster which has done a great job for us for years (tracking 55-80 boys). Some leaders and parent question the fact that because it is a desktop application with troop data downloaded to a desktop, that after someone leaves the troop they still have access to addresses, phone numbers etc.

Looking at some alternatives and your ideas/thoughts on the following:

- TroopMaster Web

- eTrailToEagle

- ScoutManage

- ScoutSoft

- ScoutRoom

- TroopTrack

A couple of additional notes, besides advancement we like to track activity participation (ie campouts, service projects etc) and have a separate website for the troop.

Looking for your thought...

Explorer, oh wait a minute that is "old school".

Yeah or another theory is that these "Alpha Dogs" have waaaayyyy to much time on there hands!

jamist649,

Interesting responses here. I'd take him like any other kid. You can also use the term "God", doesn't have to be "Allah".

Jews, Christians and Muslims ALL believe in the SAME God, the God of Abraham!!

I gave a short honor presentation at our COH on the 30th for a fellow shipmate, MC1 Victor Jeffries, I lost in Kuwait on 24 Dec 2007

Great discussion. In my opinion it boils down to two different philosophies about what the merit badge program is about and I see both of them here.

The first as some have stated is that the most important part of the program is about the boys "learning" something form the merit badge. The second view some people hold is about the scout "demonstrating" a level of knowledge/skill of a subject.

I see both sides. At a recent COH the SM asked me to talk to the boys about the meaning of being and Eagle (and getting rank/merit badges). I have given this talk to every boy who I have ever done a SM conference with. I take one of my old Eagle patches and ask them if they want to be an Eagle Scout. Of course the answer is usually yes so I give them the patch and tell them to sew it on! They look at me strange and say they can't do that. When I ask why they tell me they haven't "earned" it. Ah, now we can talk! I explain to them that the patch is really just a piece of cloth with colorful thread and that it is the knowledge, skills and fun that they had in getting the award that give it true meaning. If it is just given to them does it really have any meaning?

I have had several boys years down the road getting Eagle which have mentioned "The Mr. H Talk" during there Eagle COH, so I guess the point gets taken.

Thanks RememberSchiff. Scouting Heritage was there also!

Just wanted to see what everyone's thoughts are on extending the BSA Lifeguard certification to 5 years. I have re-certified many times and although there are usually a couple minor changes it seems to be a redundant process. Your thoughts?

Personally, I (re-re-re-certified BSA Lifeguard) prefer to do the swim checks for our Troop before we get to camp. Besides the obvious reason of all the troops trying to get swim checks in when they show up on Sundays, I have the opportunity to look at a boys swimming ability in order to counsel them on whether they should take the Swimming MB or swimming lessons at camp.

I have watched many camp swim tests over the years. Usually there are so many boys in the water that the staff is just looking for "completed". I have watched boys "dog paddle" the whole thing and then see them in the Swimming MB where they struggle for the whole week and don't get the full value of the experience.

Similarly, if you review a boy's swimming who is thinking about Lifesaving, particularly his ability to side stroke, you can let them know if they are ready for that MB as well.

There are two others as well, Inventing and Scouting History. A 4th new MB, Robotics will be added sometime after January. Saw the advertisement at for the four new ones at our local Scout shop last week. Thanks for the .pdf on Geocaching. Has anyone seen the requirements for the other two??

There are two others as well, Inventing and Scouting History. A 4th new MB, Robotics will be added sometime after January. Saw the advertisement at for the four new ones at our local Scout shop last week. Thanks for the .pdf on Geocaching. Has anyone seen the requirements for the other two??

My father was a Scoutmaster for 40 years (now he is the Committee Chairman and my little brother is the SM). The Scoutmaster of Troop 174 in Albuquerque has been there for over 40 years!

Buff, it has also happened to me/us about three times now. All you can do is count to 10, breath and fill out the bloody form again.

When I was a Cubmaster about 6-8 years ago we sold quarter raffle tickets to Scouts and siblings for baked goods. One den would be responsible for bringing brownies, cookies etc. and we would end the meeting with drawing some tickets. I always made a big deal out of getting the brownies and to this day I have boys/men (now teenagers or in their twenties) ask me if I still like brownies. For my recent birthday one of my parents with a younger brother Boy Scout remembered to bring them to our troop meeting (and I made a big deal over it again).

Bottom line, if you make it cheap enough for everyone to participate and you make it fun I don't see any problem with it.

Great fun for the boys. Make sure they PRIME and paint (and thus seal the wood) the boat. The boys can use the spray can PRIMER and an non-water based spray paint. A final coat of True Oil or varnish helps also (again spray on is easiest for the boys to put on and helps the stickers/decals stay in place).

You have already been told about glueing the sail. On race day bring a role of Scotch tape to help those boys who don't know about the glueing secure the sail. Have a blast with it.

Not to defend the guy, but there really aren't enough specifics here. Maybe the kid was being a jerk. Maybe if the boy was misbehaving and the father knows that he is one of those kind of kids that is motivated by his popularity...

If you feel it was unwarranted, get may want to get the Pack Committee involved.

Last note, as his den leader you will have a great opportunity to help this boy. While his father tears down his confidence on one side, you can use your position to help to build it back up.

Welcome Josh!

Find a troop or crew and jump in! OA is always looking for advisors (and the OA trail crews are a great way to get a Philmont trek). Enjoy your daughter (and when she is 14, get her in a Venture Crew, she'll have blast) and take her camping, backpacking and the whole nine yards. My daughter can backpack and shoot with the best of them. Of course it helps to have three younger brothers, so be patient.

Congrats Nick!!

From an Eagle who has sat on several Eagle Boards:

- MB sash: Definitely

- Belt: The Philmont belt would be fine

- Shoes: Wouldn't really matter to me. Wear the nicest ones you have.

- Pins: No

- Old uniform or new: Wouldn't really care as logn as it is clean, ironed and looks good with the correct insignia in the correct spots.

- Philmont patch: Definitely

The uniform is a reflection of your pride to belong to the Boy Scout organization. As an Eagle you will be looked at to continue with your leadership in your troop and community, and a sharp looking appearance will show that. Go knock their socks off!

Welcome Mandalorian!

Another vote to go back to flat pockets. There are more than enough pockets on the pants, and guys tend to carry day packs while outdoors most times.

Heard that the summer camp we attended this year is planning on teaching Citizenship in the Community, Nation and World next year in addition to already teaching Communications. Was wondering what the general feeling is about this idea?

I don't know... I know the boys want it for advancement (and some Eagle mill SM's were also excited about the idea), but it just seems to me that these are the types of MB's best left at home; that while you are out in the woods the guys should have their minds on outdoor type MB's, maybe some conservation and just having fun instead.

Thoughts??

Hash, re-hash... Give the Homosexual & Atheists issues a rest!!

As Scouters we all know BSA is a private organization with set rules/standards, and as such you either want to belong or find another group.

In reading all these posts it is astounding to me how American has gotten away from the concept of "getting what you work for". The prevalent idea in our society today is "I'm entitled to..."

Take our kids: 30 years ago, you want a cell phone or car, you were told get a job and pay for it. But today kids EXPECT their parents to provide a cell phone or car.

Society mimics this. Today Americans EXPECT healthcare. They EXPECT a higher education. They EXPECT immediate higher wages. They EXPECT...somebody else to pay for their "needs". You tell people something is "free" people will line up to get it without a thought as to who is paying for it.

Politicians are only telling, and giving the people what they want. Things for free. Sadly that is the reality of America today.

We left our old pack 4 years ago (after 8 years with them) for just they same reason and had soooo much more fun in the new pack.

A unit has to fit the ideals and goals of the boy and parents, and they are all a little different.

Welcome! All the things previously mentioned are awesome ideas. Things to add:

- Extra water bottles (which disappear all week)

- In addition to leatherworking tools, buy several rolls of lacing material. The boys will spend hours in camp making lanyards

- Extra bucket for soaking those Basketry reeds

- Tote'n Chip supplies to go over it AGAIN (now there is another thread) after they attend the T-2-1 class

- Stamps and make up a fill in the blanks funny postcard to mail home (ie. circle one - the bugs are small medium large HUGE) and have the boys fill it in and mail it on Tuesday (many parents and boys love them and they end up in scrape books).

Wear it! Whether you know it or not, you son's will be proud there dad is in a uniform also.