insanescouter

Welcome to the virtual campfire, pull up a log and have a chat... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Welcome to the virtual campfire, pull up a log and have a chat... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Welcome to the virtual campfire, pull up a log and have a chat... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Welcome to the virtual campfire, pull up a log and have a chat... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Two ideas come to my mind ... 1) you can try shift+reload 2) make sure you put the new files where you think you did and where they are suppose to be Wish I could be of more help... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Wow LC which we could get that kind of response recruiting .. but we have the problems of big city to fight against too ... I cross my fingers that the next few weeks at the back to school nights we get lots .. lol LC I would also suggest you check out a great website http://insanescouter.org

One year my dad got me as he claimed a "gag" gift ... it was a book titled "How to **** in the woods" ... it is actually a pretty good book that explains a lot of the whys and hows... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

rolls eyes and then tries to decided to giggle or cry ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

You know the sad truth to it all Venividi is right ... that is how it would go ... that does not mean if we really wanted to we can't change the the path... After all what occurs today is not a result of our choices today, they are a result of are choices yesterday, which means if we change our choices today, our tomorrow will change... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

My answer is Yes all the above ... 1) The Scout / Parent keeps track through the handbook 2) The Den leader should have their own records 3) The advancement chair should have complete records for the pack... at this level a program like packmaster or one of the online ones may be helpful Hope my 2 cents is useful Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Welcome aboard ... pull up a log and enjoy the virtual campfire ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

I have seen a few such occasions as a guest, and the OA has always done an awesome job... but I have not seen it done where I live now, and would suspect that this lodge would not do as great of a job. So I the outcome would depend on your lodge... Scott Robertson http://insanescourer.org

John-in-KC.... inviting the OA dance team, etc sounds like a awesome idea to me... Scott Robertson http://insanescourer.org

As an Eagle myself the big thing that comes to mind make sure you do not take over the Scouts Eagle Court of Honor to celebrate him be the 100th rather then his achievements to make Eagle. Maybe a good way the Troop can recognize this honor is some kind of plaque the Troop hangs up where they meet that lists all 100 Eagles with room for those who make it in coming years. Also maybe at your next regular Court of Honor after the Scouts Eagle court you have a celebration of the Troop having 100 Eagles, not that Scout being the 100th. I would also like to congratulate the Troop on having 99 so far, and the to be Eagle for all his achievments! Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Here are some thoughts to ponder ... (yes some of these I used in another post that got me thinking of starting this one) ---- Some times we spend to much time dreaming of where we are going or what we want to become that we forget to live today and take it one step at a time to get there. ------ I recently was on a hike to top of a peak. The hike was challenging and rewarding in itself. I kept thinking as I worked my way up the trail about how gratifying it would be to be on top of the peak and enjoy the fruits of my labor. However, upon reaching the top of the peak all I could see was another peak. Now rather then feeling the full effects of my accomplishments all I felt was an urge to shot for that peak. Of course one day soon I will go after that peak, and I am sure have a repeat of finding another peak after that one. After all life is just endless peaks of possibilities. ----- I once saw a family skiing, just having a good old time. They were not great skiers but having fun. Then the saw a man hop on his skis and just fly like a bird. Later they said the man that it was unfair that he could ski like that. You know what that man said? He looked them straight in the eyes and said "No it isn't. Do you know what I have been doing for the past two years while you have been sitting in your comfy living room watching tv? I have been learning everything there is to know about my sport. I have been reading everything I could. I have been talking to anyone who would talk to me. I have been on the hill testing my limits. I gave up a lot to be where I am today. What did you give up?" ----- If you see someone sitting on top of a mountain remember no one dropped that person there, they worked, climbed and fought their way there themselves. ---- Do you know who a millionaire is - some one who has failed the first nine times. ---- the differences between the possible and the impossible is the measure of the mans will --- Lastly from the famous Yoda "Do or do not there is no try" another good one is when Luke fails to lift his space craft out of the bog and Yoda does it and Luke says "I don't believe it" Yoda responds "That is why you failed" ---- What other kinds of thoughts do you have that are worth a good ponder?? I have tons more and one day I will type them up and share them. Of course most I get from movies, audio books, other people, sayings on shirts, etc... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Some times we spend to much time dreaming of where we are going or what we want to become that we forget to live today and take it one step at a time to get there. Think about this for a few minutes... I recently was on a hike to top of a peak. The hike was challenging and rewarding in itself. I kept thinking as I worked my way up the trail about how gratifying it would be to be on top of the peak and enjoy the fruits of my labor. However, upon reaching the top of the peak all I could see was another peak. Now rather then feeling the full effects of my accomplishments all I felt was an urge to shot for that peak. Of course one day soon I will go after that peak, and I am sure have a repeat of finding another peak after that one. After all life is just endless peaks of possibilities. I once saw a family skiing, just having a good old time. They were not great skiers but having fun. Then the saw a man hop on his skis and just fly like a bird. Later they said the man that it was unfair that he could ski like that. You know what that man said? He looked them straight in the eyes and said "No it isn't. Do you know what I have been doing for the past two years while you have been sitting in your comfy living room watching tv? I have been learning everything there is to know about my sport. I have been reading everything I could. I have been talking to anyone who would talk to me. I have been on the hill testing my limits. I gave up a lot to be where I am today. What did you give up?" Ok in reality both of those I took from a audio book I have been listening to, however you get the idea. You know those may make good SM minutes too. The big thing to remember is if you see someone sitting on top of a mountain remember no one dropped that person there, they worked, climbed and fought their way there themselves. I guess these really don't have a lot to do with your problem. But this does. Do you know who a millionaire is - some one who has failed the first nine times. You are that millionaire, just get back up and fight your way back to the top. The only person who fails is the one that does not try again. Ok I am done spouting words from motivation seminars that I have never attended... hope these words help some... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

First, I agree with the others don't worry about woman being in the O/A. Generally few adults actively attend or participate in the OA anyway, at least here. Second, Scouting in this Country is strictly young men, accept at the venturing level which may be co-ed. That does not mean that opening all of BSA levels to be co-ed is a good or bad idea. What I can say, is I have been part of several international scouting committees and BSA is like one of like 3 or 4 other countries that are not co-ed. If I were you I would ask why? Why have all the other countries become co-ed? Why is this a bad idea? Why is this a good idea? Why are so many BSA leaders against co-ed? How is it really different today then it was 20 years ago? How much of what we perceive in Scouting today is different in our minds as adults now, although in reality there is little differents? Ok thats enough what if's... and no I am not trying to start a co-ed debate, or say which way it should be - just throwing it out something to ponder... Third, The OA is not what it was when I was a Scout. However that could also be partly where I live now and this lodge. But from the people I have talked to nation wide the OA has changed. Fourth, most importantly remember every Council, every city is different. If you are now in a different location then you were as a youth, that could be part of the problem. Also remember like anything else, it is just as good as its leaders, and what occurs models after its leaders. Ok now that I accidently started a co-ed war ... I will run off and hide behind my wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

To me the big thing to remember is B&G is first and foremost the celebration of Cub Scouting. It is not a big stage show. I have many fond memories as a Cub Scout, and some of them are from the B&G's. For example how the B&G and my sisters birthday always seem to be connected ... Ok seriously ... let each den come up with a special skit, song, story that they perform. Invite a local Scout Troop to come help, and maybe put on some skits and stuff. Please, don't get me wrong there is nothing wrong with bring in a pro act, as long as the scouts get time to do their thing too... The big thing to me is the Scouts need to be active, not just watching some show, let them be the show and fell special doing it. Also make sure when awards are handed out that it is done with a ceremony with meaning - not just hey Johnny earned (some long list) shake hands .. congratulations next ... Anyway just my wacky 2 cents Scott Robertson http://insanescourer.org

Welcome aboard... hope you find lots of advice here and may be able to offer some yourself ... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Make Roundtable: - Interesting - Active - Informative - Challenging - Fun The informative part is announcements of sorts ... what is happening and coming up and make sure there are flyers, etc An example that happened here is we had a Lawyer come in who explained what personal liability we are taking on taking the Scouts camping... the answer will shock you... then he went on holding up the guide to safe scouting point out specifically the sweet 16 and explained how following those 16 items will keep you out of trouble and claimed if something did happen and you were following all 16 they would provide you a lawyer... As another example we have also had some of the shorter trainings done at roundtable... Another one as I recall some leaders brought in patrol boxes and compared notes... I guess I have babbled enough ... hope you like my wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

I don't care if it Scouting or a non-scouting event. Shouldn't the bottom line be what is the risk to my kid, and what can I do to reduce that risk. Notice I did not say get rid of the risk, everything we do in life has certain risks, it how we minimize them... Thus as you can guess I would say use the right helmet its not worth the risks... My wacky 2 cents... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

Thanks SequoiaWDL ... no one else has any useful sites, or unit websites, etc they would like to share? By the way I made a typo of sorts above... its macscouter.com not org.... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

I have been using Troopmaster for years, but am currently considering changing to a internet bases system that would be easier to allow a small group of us to keep the records up to date. We do use .net but it has proven a pain for the less tech savvy leaders we have. Scott Robertson www.InsaneScouter.org

There are alot of good flag ceremonies here http://insanescouter.com/t276/files/ceremonies.html ... in the future when the new site is launched there will be new content including rank ceremonies coming online constantly... this is still a ways away though... Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org

I do not believe there is such thing as typical. It is possible for every court to be different, one may have an Indian theme, the next a mountain man theme and the next may be a old time scout history theme. The main thing is to not just hand the key a badge, shake hands, say good job and call next up... make it special. Every unit, every person, and maybe even every new group of youth leaders will do it different. Personally my favorite are ones that everything has a theme. For example the youth leaders are dressed in a customs such as Indians, the ceremonies themselves have that flare to them along with any other reasonable elements such as food and decorations. Make it youth ran, make it fun, make it interesting and most of all make it memorable. Scott Robertson http://insanescouter.org