John-in-KC

What BrentAllen said. We recruit MB Counselors because they self-assign special expertise to one or more hobbies/skills/employments where we have a MB. The training literature emphasizes MBs are as much about Adult Association as they are about Advancement. I do know young people who quickly develop hobbies and get good early. Yes, they can provide help and resources for a Scout earning a MB. At the end of the day, though, ACP&P #33088 governs. It's a SCOUTER (18+) who can do the testing and sign off on a MB App.

Eagle92 outlines a good procedure. My only comment is if Dad was on the Council signature card for unit funds or for the Scout Shop, change that immediately. To re-emphasize: The IH/COR are players here. If they do not buy into removal of the Scouts and the parents, you've got a big problem! Get the IH/COR to buy in before you start the removal action. Get all the administration done before you notify the parent and the youth.

I've got a few moments to write today. Our Venturing camp is targeted at HS kids who have had a long school year. It's been designed to give them room to blow off some steam in constructive environments. Of course, the camp is open, to include COPE and climbing, ranges, pool and lakefront, hikes and bike rides. The first day of camp, there are big sign-up boards in the dining hall. Youth figure out what they want to do, then build their own schedules to make it happen. The schedule is real simple: There are all-morning activities, all-afternoon activities, or all-day activities. Evening activities include pool parties, a dance, and a talent show. HTH

Now, to tie both of these thread together, To Gunny, Soldiers will render honors indoors ... when formally reporting to a Commander (personage, vice rank). Also, if I am a battery commander, and I visit my Battalion Commander's office, I (I believe by custom and tradition) will render honors when I leave. If I'm under arms with the service rifle, honors will either be Present Arms or the hand salute whilst slung weapon. If a pistol, simply the hand salute. If I'm not under arms, simply the hand salute. That make sense?

Your own time with your own child is precious. Guard it very carefully. You'll know in your own heart, as SR540Beaver said, if this is a time for the two of you to take forks on the trail. May I offer a compromise: Is there another WB course in a neighboring Council or Council cluster that would allow you to "do it all?" Might be worth the research.

What my District Activities Chair told us, whenever GTFA was rolled out: National, and our Council, no longer run a coordinated Scouting For Food. Your units may do it if you like. Scouting instead has this new program which supports all service projects... it's called Good Turn for America. Perception in my neck of the woods was it's gone. I'm really, really glad to hear other councils didn't drop it!

IMNSHO, National really bolo'd it when we left the signature service project "Scouting For Food" behind. BSA WAS KNOWN for helping stock pantries and shelters Nationwide. We were a major source, along with the big regional food banks. Now the economy is in the tank, food is needed by many, and it's simply units randomly volunteering to do this. What a crock.

At least the UG says MAY, vice shall. My sainted grandmother would not be happy if I wore a hat indoors. The First Sergeants and Sergeants Major I've known these past 30 years would be downright livid if I wore a hat indoors and was not under arms. Mom always said: Take your hat off in the house!! (usually not in her nice voice)

I'm also FB friends with several of the young people in EagleSon's crew. I wholeheartedly endorse what Lisa and Ed said.

You missed my point. Not everything you do has to "fit" into the advancement plan. Go to the Scout Shop (or online), pick out a little doo-dad that says "you done good", and give it to the kids. Remember, you're supporting 10 Purposes and 7 Methods in Cub Scouting. To me, what the kids did is worthy of recognition under the Personal Achievement purpose ... because of what they did in the Activities Method.

Get them a Good Turn for America patch and a Leave No Trace patch from your friendly Scout Shop. We in the field have no authority in any BSA program to modify requirements. There are procedures for Special Needs Scouts, but those require a permanent disability be in place (physical, emotional, or learning).

Heart of America Council runs a pretty good Venturing camp. It's designed to support a co-ed environment for teens approaching adulthood. PM me and I'll give you contact data for key players.

While I agree with all the posters before me, there is nothing to prevent a Scoutmaster from helping his Chartered Partner organize and support a blood drive as a unit service project! I'm actually rather sensitive to blood drives these days. When you look at a Cold War era veteran, he may well be permanently out of the donor pool. This is all the more true if he/she was stationed in Europe in the 80s or 90s. It's a variant Jakob-Cruezfeld's Disease thing (vJCD) thing. FDA says we're permanently deferred. So, if your unit can sponsor a blood drive, DO SO.

There are a couple campgrounds in my neck of the woods where the Ranger has set limits on the number of folk in any one campsite. The causing factor for the limits didn't come from actions/conduct of BSA/GSUSA units, but the impact does hit some of them.

What are folks actually seeing on the ground as regards Scouting activities, especially beyond the Troop? - I just saw the going rate from my Council for 2010 Jambo: 2100. - NOAC is 650 a pop. - Philmont costs over and above the trek itself? - Sea Base? - Northern Tier? How much tap-in to Scoutreach $$ are you seeing for youth? How many new requests for camperships? I guess the question I'm asking is what are your youth being told by their families, even if the Scout can do his own fundraising? Is that money needed for family and school, or are the youth being allowed some choice by families?

Last fall at PTC there was a pilot of a "beyond WB" advanced field leadership course. One of my friends in the district went on it. Sounds to me like an upper tier of skills intertied to leadership courses are being tried Too bad too many folks are hoarding their pennies right now as the economy continues to suck discretionary dollars out of family budgets.

Los Angeles!

TheScout, The first thing I learned in leadership in the Army was never ask my men to do a job I wasn't willing to do myself. I trust you were out working from 5AM to 11PM while your staff kids were working 9-9. We pay Scouts a bloody pittance for the work we get out of them. If a Camp Director/PD are thoughtful enough to give them a bit of time to have some fun, well... from all my experience as a customer and as an adult commish, our staff youth deserve more than we can ever pay them.

Barry's idea make a lot of sense to me Lisa. Remember that by any number of BSA program documents, patrols can operate on their own without adult supervision. Give them some help in finding those places, then it sounds like this batch is ready to try their wings a little. If you want to be absolutely sure, you and another adult can always pre-walk the route for sanity. FWIW, almost 40 years ago, our Troop was out on the John Muir Trail. We'd kinda separated into 3 elements as we came down from our high elevation point to a canyon meadow for our layover day. Most of the boys were in the very front group. Dad and I thought we were taking a leisurely hike in the middle, the rest of the adults were 45 min to an hour behind us. When we got to base camp, Tom, the oldest on the trail (he was 16 that year), said we'd had to have been hauling... we got in barely 10 minutes behind them. Dad and I looked at each other; we'd taken time for water from the creek, some photography, and we thought we'd done our walk fairly slow.

One other option to what Neil said: Ask the gaining unit to get a ScoutNet download on your son. Be sure that what the old unit said is what they actually sent to the Registrar.

To answer one question, To buy rank awards, whoever buys them MUST turn in an advancement report to the Scout Shop. I'm not sure if that's in Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures #33088, but it's certainly been an operating practice in every Scout Shop (National Supply Corporation OR local Council operated) I've seen. The only program person authorized to sign an Advancement Report is the principal program officer (Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisor). My Scout Shop checks the current Council roster! So, this DL cannot run off and get her own awards, unless she goes to ...eBay. I'd suggest a friendly cup of coffee with the DL, the COR, and you.

I'm with Beavah!

Lots of great advice here. Absolutely concur with a good footlocker. If you're living in a tent, is it a tentmate situation or do you have a tent to yourself? Look at the tent the instant you get there. If it's going to leak, arrange with your folks to make a rainfly. As far as daily Class B uniform, ask if your contract includes a discount at the Scout Shop for shorts/socks/belts. Our Council offers 25% off. 1st year staffers are issued 5 staff T-shirts, and buy 5 more for their part of camp at $10 apiece, then can buy older staff shirts at $5 apiece. Have fun, and remember to get that sleep at night!

What Lisa said ... and all the more so if he wants to be a direct contact leader. Caution is always OK when you're talking new leaders. Get to know them. If you aren't the CC, have a quiet cup of coffee with the CC. If you're not the CM (for program side folk), have a quiet cup of coffee with the CM.

Pool party. The Pack goes to (insert whatever activity (museum, ballgame, whatever) here)... The Pack does the town 4th of July Parade The Pack has an evening weenie roast in the park...