JFL49

This issue falls on the shoulders of the Scoutmaster. And the Scoutmaster should be taking the matter up with the SPL, since it is the SPL's responsibility to lead the PLC. I wonder if the problem is that the PLC is weak on planning. It doesn't take much planning if you always go with the "usual" events. But it does take effort to plan outside the box. Do the youth leaders know how to be leaders? When is the last time the Troop ran TLT (Troop Leader Training)? TLT is a good forum to learn how to plan. It certainly is an excellent forum to learn how to lead.

BadenP, Philmont offers more advanced courses, like the one you described: http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/PTC/conferences2011/Trek%20Leader%20Planning%20and%20Advanced%20Outdoor%20Skills.aspx http://www.philmontscoutranch.org/PTC/conferences2011.aspx

From my days in the Navy, we would fold a small piece of paper in half 4 or 5 times, and then cut the paper so it's square, about 1/2 inch to a side. Put the paper on the end of the pin and then put the clutch on the pin. That also tended to keep the pin itself from spinning. Another option is to use the pin backs from better quality tie tacks. Those usually are the locking pin backs. For example: http://cgi.ebay.com/10-Locking-Pin-Backs-Gold-Tie-Tack-Clutch-Guard-Saver-/320519036648?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item4aa06c5ee8 But the rubber/plastic clutches are superb. Anot

Scoutfish, The way I would characterize Wood Badge is similar to your words: WB helps you organize, utilize (skills) and perform better at your Scouting job. So WB skills don't necessarily focus on what you've learned so far; rather, it gives you the leadership tools to make you more effective in Scouting. I assume you've seen your Council's flyer on Wood Badge. It's a pretty good summary of the course: http://www.capefearcouncilbsa.org/images/stories/pdfs/SR-1075%20WOOD%20BADGE%20Flyer.pdf My council goes into a bit more detail: http://www.ctyankee.org/program/trainin

Scoutfish, Go with your first impression after completing BALOO - take Wood Badge. Only then can you judge the accuracy of the comments of other posters. And Wood Badge is not the end of all training. One of the important lessons of Wood Badge is that it is the BEGINNING of life long learning. Wood Badge is a LEADERSHIP development course. It is not a course on running a successful outdoor program, although one objective of Wood Badge is to give you the TOOLS to runs a successful program. So, take all of the program related training that you can before OR after Wood Badge.

Our Council implemented this a while ago, as described here: http://www.ctyankee.org/program/training/basic/smtraining We developed a Self Evaluation Form, basically a reprint from the syllabus: http://www.ctyankee.org/fs/page/001478/introoutdoorskillssignoffse20080420.pdf We also developed a Sign Off Sheet, again from the syllabus: http://www.ctyankee.org/fs/page/001478/introoutdoorskillssignoffpr20080420.pdf We also offer IOLS at summer camp, although soliciting instructors is sometimes a challenge.

Wood Badge course numbering was previously manged by each area and region. With the regional infrastructure effectively pulled back to Irving, the decision was made to no longer manage the numbering system but rather number each Wood Badge course based on the region, area, council, and year. So our council's next Wood Badge course is N2-72-11-1, which translates into: Northeast Region (N) Area 2 (2) Council 72 (72) held in 2011 (11) and it will be the first course held by our council in 2011 (1)

Yes, wear the uniform that is appropriate for your currently registered Scouting positions(s). When you are given a patrol patch, it will hopefully come with a safety pin. Since your Wood Badge patrol patch is temporary, pinning it on your uniform should be more than adequate. Of course, your Wood Badge Course Director may have other ideas, which you should follow. Your MacLaren tartan Troop 1 neckerchief IS an official part of the uniform. Participants should be encouraged to wear their tartan neckerchief, in the same manner that Wood Badgers who have completed their ticket are encourage

A few thoughts. Invite the youth to join the troop, just as you would any other boy. Then I would sit down with the Venture Patrol and guide them in some detailed planning for the upcoming trip, including fund-raising needs, whether uniforms are appropriate for the trip, what type and number of shakedown trips are needed, how often the Venture Patrol needs to meet for additional planning, and what are the responsibilities of each member of the Patrol. In other words, guide them in planning as they should for ANY boy run event. If the Patrol decides that certain first aid rank requir

An Eagle Project should have a definite start date and a definite completion date. The Scout needs to know when he is done with the project and the benefiting organization must also know when the project is completed. How else would the Scout get a final sign-off? If the completion date is open-ended due to the maintenance requirements of the benefiting organization, then it is a poor choice for an Eagle Project. Were I the Scoutmaster, the project proposal would never make it to the District Advancement Chair - I would reject the project.

The IOLS Syllabus is an official BSA publication. Your District Training Chair might be able to get you a copy. Otherwise, you can order it through your Scout Shop or directly from BSA National Supply: http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=BOOKS_LIT&c3=LDRS_TRAINING&c4=&lv=3&item=33640 I also found this with a quick Google search: http://www.bacarrowhead.org/training/IntroductionToOutdoorLeaderSkills.pdf Good luck.

TnST, Just to be perfectly clear, the purpose of IOLS is to teach a leader the skills needed to help Scouts attain the ranks up through First Class. The syllabus is geared to the each outdoor skill listing in the Scout Handbook. IOLS is not designed to teach a leader how to camp, per se. And by its nature and title, IOLS is an introductory course. Although your Council may have its own requirements (and yes, your Council is allowed to have its own requirements), IOLS is not required to take a unit (troop or pack) camping, but IOLS is required for a SM/ASM to be defined as "trained" f

One observation on "troop tents" versus "personal tents". The use of personal tents can become problematic if some of your scouts cannot afford a tent. Peer pressure may push a scout to purchase a tent that he or his family can't otherwise afford. Our troop has opted for 100% "troop tents", to the point of not permitting any personal tents - even for adult leaders. Every scout gets to sleep in the same tent - no tent is fancier than any other and family economics do not enter into the equation. Just an observation.

leader1118 - there are plenty of opportunities to volunteer besides at the unit level. Your District Program Committee could always use your help, running camporees or cuborees or the District Pinewood Derby. Or join the District Membership Committee and help recruit scouts and start new units. Become an FOS presenter and help raise money for the Council. You could join the District Training Committee to help train other cub scout leaders. And the Commissioner staff can put your skills to use, as a Unit Commissioner or Cub Roundtable Staff. Contact your District Chair and District Commissioner

Leader1118, To get rid of the materials from your former pack, contact the Unit Commissioner and see if he will intercede on your behalf with the new leadership in the pack. If the UC won't help, go over his head to the District Commissioner. The DC gets paid the "big bucks" to solve these types of problems. Otherwise, send a letter to the President of the Chartered Org and make this HIS problem. Give him a deadline to solve the problem. Technically, the Chartered Org "owns" the Pack, and therefore owns the materials. Good luck. And thank you for all you have done and (hopefully

Our Council presents the awards at the annual Council Recognition Dinner (AKA Silver Beaver Dinner). Award recommendations / nominations are reviewed by a selection committee of volunteers appointed by the Council President (with input from the Council Venturing Chair and Scout Executive). The professional advisor to the Council Venturing Committee typically serves as the advisor to the selection committee. I would strongly recommend that the selection process be formalized - notify all Venturers (youth and adults) that the selection committee has been formed (web site - email blast

pbiner - as part of the Wood Badge course presentation, there is a handout of a sample 360 Degree Assessment Survey. I'd recommend asking your Troop Guide or Course Director for a copy of the handout if you weren't given it during the course (weekend 2 - day 5). Good luck - hope this helps.

Yes, we all stand on the shoulders of Baden-Powell, but we also stand on the shoulders of Seton and Beard and West and Hillcourt and others. Scouting in the United States was always different from Baden-Powell's Scouting. For example, Baden Powell's Scout Law contained 10 points. The BSA version has 12 points. http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/scout_law/chart.htm There are plenty of other differences. Some differences stem from the fact that society in the United States differs from society in Great Britain. Remember - we are two countries separated by a common language. My p

An important part of the Wood Badge course is the Patrol Method. Patrols are the primary organizational structure of the course. Patrol leaders are responsible to leading their Wood Badge patrols. The Wood Badge Senior Patrol Leader runs the program. The Scoutmaster stands in the background. Some elements of BSA may have pushed aside the Patrol Method, but that is not true for Wood Badge.

As with most things in life, you get out of Wood Badge what you put into it. If you come into the program with an open mind, you'll probably learn a great deal about yourself and the other Scouters who are taking the course along side of you, as well as the Staffers. Taking the course with a closed mind or a desire to debate the fine points of the EDGE method, or the role of interfaith services, or managing conflict, then you will likely not learn much. I spent 30 years in the Navy and retired as an O-6. I've participated in more management development programs, with both big and small c

You could look to Baden Powell's original description of the Scout Law: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Scout_Law or http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/law.htm

TtT = Train the Trainer, which was the formal name of the course that predated TDC. Fact - Trainers EDGE is the REQUIRED course for staffers of Wood Badge and NYLT. Fact - TDC was the PREVIOUSLY REQUIRED course for Staffers of Wood Badge and NLYT. Fact - National did not do away with TDC, yet. Our Council no longer offers TDC. Instead, we only offer Trainers EDGE. We permit Pack Trainer's to use Trainers EDGE to fulfill the requirements for completing trainer development conference.

Most Councils publish an annual report with financial statements. Perhaps that information is posted on your Council's web site. I'd recommend calling or sending an e-mail to your Scout Executive, or Council Director of Finance, asking for an Annual Report. Even if your Council does not publish its financials, that information is reported, usually in great detail, to the Council Executive Board. Contact the Board President or Treasurer. Since your District Chair is a member of the Board, they should be able to get you the information. Absent an annual report, your Council must

Regarding smoking - if your two leaders contend they are fully trained, then they should be very familiar with the Guide to Safe Scouting, Section IV, Drug, Alcohol, and Tobacco Use and Abuse: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss04.aspx QUOTE The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are bet

Various BSA publications provide guidance on this important issue. For example, Administration of Commissioner Service (page 32): http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34501.pdf Also, Selecting District People (page 25): http://www.tidewaterbsa.com/forms/district%20council%20operations%20manuals/SelectingDistrictPeople.pdf I trust this is helpful.