John-in-KC

Bill, Having grown up in Southern California (Valley Boy), I have to agree: World class terrain and scenery were at hand, making the price of high adventure far more manageable. As I recall, our HA's had "cookbooks" in the form of the Leaders' Guides, which our SM passed down to older youth. We learned planning by doing the first year, coached the second year, and watched the third. Personally, if I were still living in CA (or Northern NV), I would not be recommending Philmont at all ... too much to do right at hand.

The best training I had in FIELDCRAFT was the first 10 years of active duty in the Army, practicing outdoor skills as part of my living. The best Scouting training I've had was Wood Badge, where I met some of the world's best resource people: My patrol buddies! Yet again, what an old friend said came to mind: "It's not about the skills, it's about the people."

Mr ScoutNut, First, I am SCANDALIZED you would insult Mark and Debbie Hazelwood in the callous way you just did. Have you been to Relationships Week at PTC? Have you taken their workshop on the Religious Awards Program (new this year) or their class on the Protestant God and Country curriculum? If you have, then I trust you know they are dedicated Christians who work tirelessly in support of youth serving organizations. To all, PRAY works with the Religious Relationships Committee of the National Council Relationships Committee. They have the resources to help determine the

Two seasons of day camp ago, I used wood instead of charcoal for the Cub Grub cooking fires. Advantage: Cost. One of the Scout Reservations had harvested some serious cordage the previous fall. Seasoned oak is a good thing. A great fire ring is a 55 gallon drum, cut lengthwise, possibly with one end removed. Two simple X fames made from angle iron (and bolts) or re-bar (and a spot weld) put the barrel above ground. As far as the content of foil dinners goes, experiment. Easy to roast chicken, sausage, beef. A bit harder is pork, because of the high temps needed to kill chances

Four comments: I find it repulsive and repugnant that, when our Constitution gives us the benefit of trials by jury for both criminal and common pleas ... that folks will try the case in public. This case has a proper place and time, involving a trial court in Ohio. I for one am willing to let the case work what it needs to do there. Second, as a Scouter, I find that keeping youth at camp too busy for mischief a key element of "youth on youth" youth protection. I also find that two-deep leadership remaining in the campsite (while other leaders are out discreetly checking on how yo

Pardon me, but where did your SM get THAT idea? From BSA Requirements: "While a First Class Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster." Sounds to me like the Troop Committee needs to give a little GUIDANCE to the Scoutmaster. We've used: Bikes n Trikes for Tykes (local charity) Scouting for Food Service work during LT camp Work at Church J-Staff at Cub Day camp Service work at the local domestic violence shelter What we don't use: Paid work (STAFF at camp) Fundraising for

As an adult leader, I'm not a doc, nor do I play one on TV. I am, however, a caring adult, who may see a sign of trouble. It's the parents responsibility to provide, including medical or psychologic/psychiatric care for their child. We as leaders can only recommend they consider a subsequent stage. That is why, Mr Scoutldr, I do not put DSM names to behavioral quirks. Unless we're licensed practicioners, and have the youth in hand for diagnosis, we just do not have that right, imo. I like Ms SueM's option ... but I like it as part of a whole.(This message has been edited by John-

Someone will cite a court decision where the ACLU was plaintiff mandating either: The bulb not be changed. OR The bulb be changed.

Have to agree with FScouter. Unit serving leaders need to serve their units. There is nothing wrong with asking for HELP and describing where help will be needed. Having been activity head for cooking and wood project I know for a fact they need substantial help). Help is different than primary responsibility to design, resource, and execute the activity. As someone mentioned above, look at OA youth to provide J-staff support. Amazing how many of these things they can do on their own.

Congratulations Eamonn!!!! John

SM conference with him and his parents is in order. I laud his comments and attitude, but I'd want to be sure they are true. There may be something lurking deeper.

First and foremost, the active/voting membership of the Order is the under-21 membership. All us grown-ups are ADVISORS, not ACTORS. Usually, the Ceremonies Team is responsible for executing the TapOut. The Lodge Advisor and the C-Team Advisor are the right folk to help figure out what is right to do. That said, one option is for Grandpa to be the leader marking the young man for tapping. That's appropriate. Grandpa might also like to attend the boy's Ordeal as a leader. There are options for him to recognize the Lad as part of the ceremony.

Three patrol yells done by our Buffalo" "THE FEW...THE PROUD...THE BUFFALO" (This was the first time this course site had EVER had a Buffalo patrol) "HOT WINGS!!!" "WE'RE VEGETARIAN" Have fun on the intersession work and the campout. John ... a good old Owl

Do not worry. Concentrate on getting to know your fellow Scouters. They will be one of the best resources you'll have the rest of your life. Although the syllabus is the same, each application of it is slightly different. If you've had leadership psych or soc before, the academics are ground you've plowed already. Useful review. Just remember: Wear your Class A uniform. Of course now that it's cooling off (38F in Kansas City area this morning) your red Scout jacket may be a good thing to have. Enjoy. John I used to be an Owl... C-40-05 Just starting

Ok, tough comments and questions to CNY and NLD. Recommend they become a hard discussion around the crackerbarrel before your Council goes forward with this proposal: 1) If the training is required, then - there is a reward for doing - there is a consequence for failing to do. To my mind, both the reward and the consequence need to be strong enough to get undivided attention. - Reward can be something significant (free LT camp for 3 years for the trained leader mebbe). - To my mind, the consequence needs to be as severe as revoking registration ... otherwise the leaders are

Having watched Napoleon Dynamite with my Crew at a Council VOA allnighter mixer, and having had them, as a group, BREAK THE DVD (with the VOA Advisor leading the charge), I think that movie might not go over so well...

As anyone in the military will tell you, there are MANY opportunities for "mandatory training" in the Armed Forces. I derive my observations from nearly 30 years of participating, accepting and/or suffering through said training. My observations have to do with the quality of the presentation itself... - IF the speaker is rousing and engaging, and the topic is interesting, a majority will likely participate. - IF the speaker is making an effort, and the subject is so/so, a few "springbutts" will participate, but a few will be "gathering wool." - IF the speaker is dull, and the

October Sky... Challenges to be overcome in the nuclear family and in the community.

The BobWhites, for their patrol yell, behaved like birds in the field for our last day Gilwell Field assembly. Eagles huddled, got together, and unlimbered their shotguns... BOOM!!! No more BobWhites. Eagle Patrols yell that morning: BOBWHITES: TASTE LIKE CHICKEN!!! John A good old Owl (another predator species)(This message has been edited by John-in-KC)

As a CC, I've held long (nearly and hour) BORs at Star and Life, but they are because I want to see what makes the young man tick. A 2 hour BOR is simply unacceptable: At a bare minimum, the Advancement person is being disrespectful of the Scouts' time! At an extreme, the time alone pushes the G2SS rules on hazing (as an aside, the BOR mentioned by Lynda, IMNSHO, is hazing: I would not keep my SOLDIERS at attention for an hour and a half, let alone 11-15 year olds).

SWScouter, CONGRATULATIONS!!! John I used to be an Owl... C-40-05

Private message sent your way Scouter Mom.

Here's my favorite. I ask the candidate to lay his MB sash out for us to see: "Is there any one of these merit badges you've earned that you think should go on the Eagle required list and why?" No right or wrong answer, but it's amazing how many of them have genuinely good ideas.

Tomorrow morning is back up the road to camp, and onto weekend 2. The display is done; we need to rehearse our presentation. I think ours will run 14-16 minutes. The intersession patrol meetings have been a good thing. We've found each other to be reliable and able to carry our share of the load. Cross-communication has been pretty good, which is a good thing since half of us live 50+ miles from the central site (in different directions). The most valuable aspect so far? The relationships. Each leader in my patrol has a different perspective on Scouting. It really is worth

Like BW and others here, I suspect the time is near to change troops. Expect to re-start the 6 months for leadership and Scout spirit. Some SMs will accept prior service; others will say "I want to work with your son and see him in action. I want to do my job of being a mentor." Some questions the parent should ask SMs of troops they are looking at for this transfer: "How does the PLC and you get a boy active and involved? Are there holes in the leadership structure needing filling?" -- The point of this question is large troops often have all positions filled. There IS the