jhankins

Even if things are properly run, there are still things that are different. They just aren't big deals to most people (Although I still think Scouting functions and travel on Sundays should be a go).

Professional Development -- Level 1

In 2008, President Neider of the General YM Presidency instructed the church leaders here and all the pros that all youth members to age 17 will be registered in Scouting, active or not. 17-18 was optional, only if the boy was actively pursuing rank or wanted to be (Our stakes register them anyway). He said this was two-fold -- one to cover the youth if they did start to participate, and the second reason to fulfill the obligations to Scouting itself. That was a great discussion with a great man with a passion for Scouting. I sure do miss him!

I was told the same at PD-L1 -- Varsity Scouting was created to support the middle ranks of the young men's program. That being said, I ran a report by award for my council in 2008, and not one boy in my council has a recorded Denali Award. It's a shame, really. I should add that most LDS units in my district have 3-4 boys. To even get the units chartered with the minimum-with-signature from our SE, we had to ask for the MLS by age group for each ward. It was a pain to get, as the leaders of the church felt it wrong to release the personal data of church members to scouting.... as if we didn't need their DOB, parent information and address anyway. This is why I stated in the other thread that an LDS church that recruits community members is thriving -- because there are more boys, and boys who are hungry for program and not just worrying about Mutual night, priesthood meetings and getting services planned for Sunday. It's added a new element to the troop and the Scoutmaster is rising to the occasion and feels honored to have so many community boys motivating the church members!

I believe this attitude will teach a harmful lesson to the boys: If we don't like something, we don't have to do it. As we prepare these boys to make ethical and moral decisions over their lifetimes, teaching them to be intolerant of others' choices is a bad call. So when their kids want to go to the park and Dad doesn't want to, too bad, kid. When they have a responsibility at work or to a friend, and they don't like what the friend needs -- too bad, friend. I can see rebellion in a troop that way. I don't like Camp Emerald Bay, so my patrol's not going..." Telling the youth "I don't like the Everglades, ergo, I refuse to go," isn't very Loyal, and that's one of the things we're trying to teach them.

As a DE with 4 LDS stakes in my district, I spent a lot of my unit service time trying to better the units in those stakes. Out of around 25 wards, only 3 had functioning scout troops, and only 4 had cub packs with trained leaders actually advancing their boys. In one stake, two of the wards had boys in community troops and packs because the leaders didn't have time to be trained, but the parents wanted their boys in Scouting. When I would meet with the Stake Young Men's president, he would show me the literature that BadenP is talking about. The blue book and the green book and the materials on LDS-BSA Relations from National. As a dedicated Scouter, it was difficult for him to see "callings" issued and then the program not being worked. Training is difficult in my council, especially with LDS leaders. I've had LDS leaders tell me "The church does a Little Philmont that's all the training I need." Well, Little Philmont talks Cub Scouting specifically for 45 minutes in my council -- Hardly enough time to do basic training. Now that direct contact leader training will be mandatory, and the YM Presidents are pushing the Duty to God program for adults, we have scout leaders surfacing every week begging for training to avoid the crunch next year to get everyone trained. The place my district finds the most strife is during Eagle Boards. On several occasions we've asked a boy what his POR was during Life Scout, and he would say "Quorum President." He had no idea what a Senior Patrol Leader was and how to work the program! Boys have come to boards unable to recite the Scout Law or tell us about which points mean the most to them, but they could quote the D&C all day. What was mentioned above is the most accurate way for LDS troops to function -- have a Stake President who understands the program, is fully trained, and is willing to promote Scouting. It makes a world of difference to have everything roll downhill (in a good way!) for Scouting's sake. We've had 3 stake presidents, 2 primary presidents and 3 YM presidents go through WB in the past year, and it's done wonders for training, camping, advancement, and Round Table attendance. More than half the units in my district are LDS, so it makes a big mark on advancement, tour permit, and training reports when those units choose to do their own thing because proper guidance from the stake leadership isn't happening.

We do photos, but we do it after everyone has gathered for the fire drill on day 2-- everyone is in one spot and it's right before lunch.

First, thanks for all you're doing for the boys! It's okay to be small. Usually when a small pack starts, everyone has the same goals, and the boys are the focus. In many of the bigger packs I work with, everything becomes a dog and pony show, making big events just because they can. As a pack committee, and a chartered organization, there should be a sense of vision to what you're trying to accomplish. Are you getting this small group of boys ready for Boy Scouts, or are you just providing an after school environment? Do you want more members? Once you've decided where you're going, and if it involves more boys, it's time to start inviting new boys! Some packs recruit before summer so the new boys can join any Summertime activities (which I recommend for small packs, stay busy through the summer with things like swim parties, bowling, park visits, picnics for Independence Day fireworks, day camp, resident camp, etc...). Other packs recruit 2-4 weeks after school begins. Talk to your district membership chair for ideas on recruiting new kids. Since you only have six boys, you can combine some of the go-see-its and achievements as a pack so that the same amount of effort is expended for all the boys rather than dividing up. Go through the books and compare what the boys can do together and then head out as a pack on a field trip! Fire stations, police stations, picnics in the park are all fun. Then you can combine field trips to work on things like photography, hiking, and other belt loops as part of your outdoor activities. I hope this helps.

The leader should be noting that on the right side of his application. The COR should then decide what to do-- sign it or not. Then, the professional can look at it, and choose to sign it or not. Then if it's signed, then the background check goes through. The COR will be notified if National will allow him to lead or not based on that information.

So video game tournaments at NOAC are a waste of time?

1) Arrive and check-in -- medications, health forms 2) Guide to Pool for swim checks 3) Set up camp 4) Parent/leader meeting in Dining Hall 4b) Youth on tour of camp with area directors at each area giving an introduction to the activities 5) Dinner 5b) Safety Afloat, Safe Swim during dinner for leaders

On the whole, I don't prefer how LDS troops are run for a variety of reasons, but a dedicated committee and Scoutmaster will change my mind, and one has. We have one LDS troop in my district that's 75% community members, and the committee is only 10% LDS because the parents are allowed to take a role in the decisions made (unless church policy is involved). My area of California is strongly LDS because of the migration of Mormons down the Mormon Trail in the 1840s. Sure, the numbers could be better. The Total Youth Population met in my district several years ago was only 3.5%. Thanks to a lot of hard work, educating the district committee and finding a membership chairman who understood the job, we're up to 5%. Still, that doesn't change the base of funding and core population of the council. The numbers are sadly accurate, especially now during a recession that has brought 15-19% unemployment to much of our council. I've sat in on the field staff meetings on how to approach Bishop's meetings, stake young men's presidencies and how to handle youth membership issues from the church. I've sat through a dozen LDS Relations meetings that specifically are focused to providing the stake presidents with reassurances on how the council is functioning. The numbers are accurate, and will be for some time.

As a DE, I would get one of the Eagle coins engraved for every ECOH I was invited to. The council rep in charge of recording the info would give me the boy's BOR date, and I'd have that engraved on the coin with "Once an Eagle Always an Eagle, [Date], from the XX District" The best story I've heard so far -- one young man took his coin with him to boot camp, and he wrote a letter home for the Scoutmaster to pass on a thank you -- he was the only recruit to have a challenge coin already!

I'm just passing the word along... but a quick look at Disney World's website shows their youth program: http://disneyyouthgroups.disney.go.com/wdyp/detail/detailPage?page=YESLeadershipAndCareersDetailPage

I don't know about your council, Engineer61, but in mine, The LDS Church is responsible for 70% of the units, 80% of the volunteers, and 80% of the Friends of Scouting. We wouldn't have a council for two of the largest counties in Southern California without the church's support.

A Wiki may be more useful than a FAQ

Calling all Scout Leaders! The Disney Youth Education Series (Y.E.S.) would like to invite you and an Adult Guest to join us at the Disneyland Resort in the morning on Tuesday, June 1st. The Disneyland Y.E.S. Team will be showcasing 5 different educational programs covering the topics of leadership, animation, science, physics, and California history. You will get to explore and experience these hands-on programs which are available year-round for you and your Scouts. At the conclusion of your journey you will receive a complimentary Y.E.S 1-Day Park Hopper Ticket to enjoy the rest of the day in the parks. This ticket must be used on the same day and may not be transferred to a different date. Please R.S.V.P. by Friday, May 21st by email to dl.youth.education.series@disney.com or by phone to 714-817-2433 and include your name as well as the name of your Guest. Event time will be provided when you R.S.V.P. Feel free to forward this invitation to your fellow Boy Scout Masters & Leaders. We look forward to celebrating the Boy Scouts of America, 100 Years of Scouting! Sincerely, Norma Alicia Ramirez Disney Youth Education Series Disneyland Resort www.disneylandyes.com

We're not privvy to all the facts, but I have to agree -- if the BSA knew this guy was an issue and didn't pull him from the ranks of leaders, that's negligent. I'm dealing with something similar in my own council right now, not anywhere near this bad, but in the case of a leader not being pulled after a flagged background check? I would tend to err on the side of caution to protect the boys.

Oh, gotcha! Sorry I read that wrong.

As a den leader, I would go around the table with the boys, asking them each to share one cool thing from the week between our meetings. Some boys showed off their belt loop and pin work, others told about family trips, and some about playing with their friends/dogs/family, etc... It was a great time for the boys to develop common ground and get a chance to share their A&S work if they wanted to.

Have you emailed the SL Scout Association? srilankascouts@sltnet.lk

Well, the judgement was rendered: http://www.foxnews.com/us/2010/04/23/scouts-pay-man-m-punitive-damages/ 18.5 million dollars. 60% to the Oregon victim's fund, 40% of what's left to the lawyers. Here's the kicker: "In determining the award, the jury was allowed to consider the wealth of the Boy Scouts to decide the amount of punitive damages."

You gotta be careful with the requirements on the A&S program. Sometimes it says "Share with your pack or den" and others it explicitly says "Share with your pack, den, or family." Thanks for all the insight into how you run the program. I like limiting the amount purchased per year.

You definitely have to read between the line with some professionals. What is not said is sometimes more important that what is spoken aloud. The gold standard for unit-serving executives is 1 DE to every 80-90 units. This isn't always the case, but that's what was preferred when I went through training. In my former district, we had two DEs for 160 units, but mostly we had two because of the distance between the units. We covered 20,000 square miles. In regards to the units being lone units, that's really not the case because even if districts are chartered entities, the units are chartered by the council and not the district itself. Scouting will go on in the units, and rank will be achieved. In reality, if you ask a Tiger Cub which council he's in, he may just tell you he's in Mrs. Smith's Den 10. That's where the action is for him, and that's where the rubber hits the roads for what we do. What I'm really trying to say is: What matters most is the boys, if the council sees fit to make 10 new districts are get rid of 10 -- the boys won't really be affected.

I and two other ladies were nominated from the district level. While it's not an honor for adults per se, it still felt like one. When I inquired to the chapter chief about my service to the lodge, well, it's a humbling experience to hear all the good people see in what you do and you weren't even looking for a thank you.