jhankins

My birthday was during PD-L1... Let's just say that I was quite shocked at what some people think a birthday should entail!

He's human after all.

I can personally vouch that professionals are quite the party animals.

And yes, sometimes the tab goes to the scouts.

Do you do a Distinguished Citizens Dinner? They are the staple of fund raising in most councils, and this is a skill taught at basic pro training -- to put on these dinners.

Basically, you honor on behalf of the district and council a local citizen who embodies the scout oath and law. It's not a celebrity dinner, it's honoring a citizen. This year, we honored a county supervisor who is a great leader, good guy, veteran, and helper of every cause that promotes good morals and good citizenship. Using his mailing list and his benefactors, we raised $15,000 in one night.

In years past, we've used local realtors, mayors, fire chiefs, and distinguished eagles. Each dinner has made over $10k without only 3 months prep time.

No, that wasn't him, unless he dropped 30 pounds and found it at the bottom of the tower

That's why we need the American "Bear Grylls" to be Chief Scout!

Yes, I mean Mike Rowe.(This message has been edited by jhankins)

You pay for the privilege, do you not?

It depends on the boy and his maturity level. At twelve not every boy is going to be able to hack something so life changing and huge in scope. Should there be screening? Sure, for maturity issues and scout spirit.

As a bugling MBC, this is an answer to prayer

Contingent, staff -- they're both working hard to get there.

Honestly, so what if he didn't give a scout the shirt? We don't know what happened in the back where the shirt was launched. Do we know what the guy did with the iPad. Y'all are assuming the worst.

Last year, The CSE job changed completely. Mazzuca handed over all control of the organization to the ACSEs, promoted 2 or 3 guys (most of them good guys) to new ACSE positions, and now he's just the touring spokesman of the BSA.

He should have let Mike Rowe do that job.

I'm assuming it's going to be similar to Philmont in some ways, with a splash of more modern sports added.

For now, the ArrowSummit will have to do.

Well done. I love the new technology being employed. It was great to get updates, listen to the radio show, and feel some of the excitement, even if I'm 3,000 miles away!

Oops, apologies, I assumed everyone does split weekends

Ya, sweets help. Do you have to pack your food for the outdoor experience, or are they providing it all? Having some fun treats for your patrol to share over the campfire/propane tank is always nice for the end of the day.

Some people bring 2 chairs. One for your campsite, one for Gilwell Hall use.

Supplies to make your patrol flag look amazing help -- markers and feathers and doodads (only if you have them lying around in your scout-filled garage).

Very cool course logo! We're using a variation on the 100th theme. That, and our course director plays bagpipes and can be seen in a kilt on a regular basis, so the highland games and all things scottish are present on our course!

The others have covered almost everything. Packing is really more important the 2nd weekend.

Candy to suck on, something salty too. Some of the days get pretty long and the extra sugar and salt will help keep you alert for the fun!

Gifts given from patrols to Troop Guides -- we like to call those qualifications for the Mother Hen Award :-)

I think the biggest change in price in the last few years is the beloved National BSA licensing scheme. Companies are now having to pay thousands of dollars to become current with BSA to make products, and the production lines are passing on that annual cost to the consumer.

Wow, our CSP has been $6.50 and up since 2006...

My favorite question to ask a Life Scout at his BOR: How did you find the experience of leading adults during your project planning and its execution?

I love hearing these answers, and it forces the boy to consider what's happening under his nose. Some said it sucked to lead adults who still saw them as kids, other said the adults appreciated the take charge behavior, and others took charge and put some adults in their places.

I think that's all part of the learning experience, and I don't think in any way should it inhibit a boy from getting Eagle-- we live and learn and that's a large part of the idea of the project.

In my dealings with my TGs this year (as ASM-TG), I stress the time and efforts needed to be a great TG. All eight are amazing Scouters with lots of leadership experience. For the two weekends, the time in between, and the time that they're assigned as ticket counselor, they are the heart and sole of Troop 1. All of our efforts as staff support their efforts as Troop Guide. If they take the time to prepare, absorb the material, use all the skills taught in the syllabus, be patient, and concentrate on doing their best (especially the first weekend), the troop with perform and surprise us all!

There's a few issues here.

The Guide to Safe Scouting states there are two power tools that Boy Scouts can not use. Pop Quiz -- which two?

Secondly, The title of the workbook Life Scouts use is "The Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project." By just walking by and seeing an adult going through the mechanics of a project does a "fail" on a Eagle Board make. We don't know what the boy did to organize the project, recruit the adults, solicit the supplies, recruit the helpers, find the site, etc...

A wise man once said that "leadership is the art of getting people to do something they don't want to do, and like it."

Remember your Wood Badge training, leaders lead best by first serving -- living the golden rule.

In that case, I would think that this boy did some of that.

In almost every way, I firmly believe that you should always ask yourself this question: Where in the syllabus does it say to do this?

For me, Wood Badge is expensive. Even adding "little" gifts can add up. It already costs to be on staff, the gas money to and from for Staff Developments, the stuff you need for your job (Sheet protectors, folders, etc...), and then to ask Troop Guides to buy extra stuff on top of all their extra work? Not in my neck of the woods. We stick to what's in the syllabus.

Some thing else to consider: We try to let every patrol have the same experience possible on each course. This way friends in other patrols and others have a way to compare notes. Continuity of the program is very important, and it lends itself to a better quality training as it's a uniform experience for everyone. If one patrol does something cool (like a Troop Guide using a sponge to represent how receptive to information we are), then every patrol gets to do it.

Now, that being said -- on our course we let the SPL give out danglies for when things happen, but that's part of the SPL's job to provide spirit and fun. Danglies are handed out for totems, yells, patrol flags, rocket competition awards, etc...

Me: Hey, Mr. Scoutmaster, what's that purple and white knot?

SM: That's my International Service Award.

Me: Cool! Tell me about your experiences earning that one?

SM: It all started when I got to lead boys to an international camporee in Mexico-- scouts from 7 different nations were there!

Me: That's cool! I had no idea we had that so close to us!

---

A knot started this conversation, and we were able to send 3 troops to an international event on our side of the Mexican border this past year. It was amazing and the boys had a great time (despite a few hiccups of course).

What's wrong with sharing stories of our involvement? It can serve to inspire others!

If you don't like knots, then don't wear them. I wear a Tiger Cub Den leader knot on my venturing uniform. It's the only knot I wear on it. It serves to remind ME that everything I have learned and get to share started with a den of boys no older than 7 years old. The journey we took TOGETHER is a constant reminder to me that we're all about the boys.

You don't know what those knots personally mean to someone unless you ask. If it's about ego, then let them handle that with their Id. If it's not, something can be learned.

Welcome!

Thanks for your contributions so far, and what you'll bring to the table!

VigilEagle04, I'm glad you mentioned this. I know that COG has created materials and is now just waiting to form the scouting units required to become recognized by the BSA formally.

I was just addressing this concern and a similar situation you mentioned with a member of the wood badge staff for this year that's Wiccan. This person's family is an asset to scouting and the boys "get" the program. Many have attempted to drive them out of scouting because of their beliefs, but in the end they look like fools for not being tolerant and following the Scout Law.

Thanks for sharing.

Thanks for all the insight in this thread. It's obvious the Scout Law is still lost on many of the adults and BP's vision of world peace is still a long way off.

Regardless of what religion you are a part of, The 12th point of the Scout Law still holds true. By asserting publicly that your religion is the one true way and you won't comingle, educate yourself and be firm enough in your own beliefs to know that by hearing others you aren't going to be converted -- you're condemning your fellow scouts who believe differently and consider then 2nd class citizens.

Loving your neighbor seems a concept lost on many Christians these days. Being a part of your neighbor's life, understanding his beliefs and being a friend is so much a part of that.

If you're not firm enough in your own faith to listen and learn about your fellow scouts and their religion -- a way to better understand and minister to them -- then I really feel sorry for you.

I was going through my WB21 syllabus (oh noes! I said WB21!), and was reading the interfaith worship information.

Taoism is one of the largest religions in the world -- one of the big 8. BSA recognizes Taoism as a religion, however they haven't met the qualifications to have a religious award.

The qualifications:

1) Write your own material for each age group of Scouting, have it approved by the religious relations committee at National.

2) Charter 25 units (country wide)