Joni4TA

I am sort of confused as to why the Troop hasn't actively been seeking new members/boys as they have watched their numbers dwindling. There have to be schools in the area of this Troop. You can assume that the Troop should try to recruit about 10% of the local high school's total available youth and about 5% of the local 6th graders in grade school. So did they not conduct a Fall Roundup? Where are the Webelos II going after they crossover in a few months? As far as the equipment, your District/Council may be able to answer better but the nearby Troop that absorbs this Troop should most probably also absorb the equipment, monies and/or debts. Do you have a District Membership Chairman? Perhaps they can help you, also. I would seek the advice of the Unit Commissioner, District Commisioner, Chartered Org. Rep., Scout Executive, etc. Involve people around you so that the ship doesn't sink for that Troop. It's not too late to revive it if you act fast. I assume your recharter is right around the corner?

They're allowed... but what's the general opinion? I have a Venture Crew Advisor that doesn't want girls to be involved, especially when it comes to overnighters, camping and high adventure stuff... how would you work with this to allow some girl participation?

Well, I am 12points' wife... and I am a stay-at-home-mom now, with 4 children in the home ages 14, 11, 2 and newborn, but I have always been some type of retail manager, most recently a Parts Sales Manager for AutoZone in 29 Palms, CA, prior to coming to Okinawa, Japan with 12points' military orders. Also, I work with MiG-19 on our Great Okinawa District Staff as our Membership Chairman. I LOVE SCOUTING! Always have, always will...

My husband is about to collect a Veteran Service Award and I would like to get him the CSP from the Council where it all began for him. Thanks! YIS, Joni

I am sorry I didn't see this post earlier. I would have sent that out for you. I have not been on here to check the forums lately. Sorry :-(

I kind of like what NJCubScouter has had to say about it being a collective responsibility. In reality, no one owns a Troop, it's all voluntary.

Thanks KS! Wasn't sure if there was a different Chapter or something, Korea being a different country. CR- would love to trade with you. We have two flaps right now, one pre-anniversary and one from this year to signify our 50yr anniv. I think both are $10. Let me know what you want to do! Joni

Hi captainron, Doubt if our OA flap is the same as Korea and I am guessing they have their own lodge in Korea, maybe KoreaScouter can be of more assistance there. Hope that helps! :-)

KoreaScouter, The mother of that 12yr old boy that is paying the price for his mother's ignorance is either some ultra liberal freak, she's bi-sexual, confused about her own sexuality or has a family member that is gay. Either way, I agree with the rest that have said it, the woman makes no sense!

Try this link, it may help if the lodge you're looking for is in Germany: http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/3525/Blackeagle.html

Would love to help; ours is OA Lodge 498 - Achpateuny, Great Okinawa District, Far East Council. Let me know! Joni

Not looking for anything particular, unless someone has something from say... the year 1969... LOL :-)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of resources I found to be immensely useful while I was a Den leader: *Program Helps *New Leader/Den Leader Essentials Training (probably offered on a monthy basis within your District or Council, look into it. *Youth Protection Training *Safe Swim Defense Training *BALOO's outdoor training *Roundtables (attend them whenever and as often as you can!) *Monthly Pack Leader/Parent meetings *Monthly Pack Meetings *Other Den Leaders, Pack Administration, District and Council Scouters *Your Pack's Cub or Asst. Cub Master *Boy's Life Magazine *Scouter Magazine *The Bear Handbook *Some form of tracking advancements Some helpful websites: www.usscouts.org www.scouter.com www.cubmaster.org http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/home.html http://www.cub-roundtable.com/ National BSA: http://www.scouting.org/ www.angelfire.com/oh/claremansfield/cubscoutsongs/.html www.riherds.com www.scoutorama.com www.scoutxing.com www.powwow-online.com www.macscouter.com www.netcommish.com www.ssww.com www.praypub.org

The Troop I was just with was more than a "car camping" Troop, they were several cars and a trailer camping Troop.. and they're about to add even MORE stuff to probably another trailer, I don't know... lol I haven't been camping with the new Troop yet. On a more personal family level, my husband definitely prefers backpacking to the car camping. He complains every time we do family camping because if I go, that ensures lots more "stuff." He just forgets that when I go, it means the 2yr old goes, too and of course she needs more "stuff!"

That is so cool! See, there are still good folks out there aren't there? That story is inspiring. There is hope for society after all! :-) Joni

First, I gotta say dsteele and Bob White, you two are great. I learn more from these forums than anywhere, my home included, when it comes to Scouting. I am spoiled when it comes to my husband because he's the one that's been involved in Scouting for nearly 15 years (me only 6) and I draw from his experience as much as I can but in the hum-drum of our daily family life we rarely get an opportunity to sit down and kibitz about the BSA. The career, the kids, the activities, we just don't have the time. Sctmom, I would never say to a boy, "Not my problem, get out of my Troop," if he approached me saying he thought he might be gay. I would encourage him to find someone to talk to if he were having these feelings, especially his parents and clergy and kindly explain that I can't help him with those issues. I would probably tell him that while I appreciate his confiding in me, I regret that I am not able to assist him in working out his issues with his sexuality. I also probably would not offer advice either. Unless the boy exhibited disturbing behavior or acted out sexually within the unit, I seriously doubt I would excommunicate him. But I also would not encourage continued talks about the issue, at least not with me, being a BSA leader. I may be wrong on this, but that's my common sense and moral feeling on what I would do in that particular scenario. I pretty much like the way the military deals with this issue- Don't Ask, Don't Tell! And this should apply to adult leaders. If I thought any adult leader was trying to "recruit" a scout into his lifestyle in any way, shape or form, encouraging homosexuality in a Unit, sorry, do not pass GO, do not collect $200, you're OUTA THERE! As dsteele said, that's a crime and will not go unreported. However, if a leader is gay, his personal life is none of my business and if I don't know now, I don't need to know ever. The only thing that would make me have to act is like I said above, if THE LEADER ACTED on his homosexuality within the unit, in the presence of the boys, etc. Whether homosexuality is morally straight or not is definitely not my call, but I will adhere to the BSA policy, which I too happen to agree with. For those that don't agree with the BSA policy, it's certainly not their right to make up their own policies and use the BSA name to forward their cause and beliefs. Those scouts and leaders that feel the BSA policy on homosexuality infringes on their personal rights are free to form, organize and recruit in their own organization, separate from the BSA and make up their own set of rules for THEIR beliefs but they have no right to try and reformat the BSA policies to match their beliefs on any issue. On the same note, the parents that dressed their boy up in a scout uniform and went door to door collecting money for themselves in the BSA name, most Scouts and Scouters were appalled by this action as it goes against BSA policy. It's called FRAUD and is a crime. Standing behind the BSA means adhering to the policies the organization has set forth, not using the organization to forward your own cause, even if that cause is the desire for the acceptance of homosexuality in a program you enjoy. In choosing to be a BSA member, a person agrees to give up certain things. If they are not willing to give up those things won't, or can't, the BSA is not for them and they aren't for the BSA. That's pretty clear cut. If an Alcoholics Anonymous sponsor isn't able to give up his drinking, he certainly can't remain an AA sponsor. He has to choose between drinking and helping to lead others who have a desire to stop drinking. There is no fine line there and there isn't in the BSA either, when it comes to homosexuality. A Marriage works much in the same way. Do we marry our spouses to change them or do we marry them because we accept them for who they are? If we marry our spouses to change them, we should have never married them because changing them is not our job. We don't get to control another human being. If you accept your spouse and marry them as is, without a warranty.. lol, you got involved for the right reasons, because you enjoy them the way they are, not the way you want them to be. I hope some of that made sense! Joni

Hi dsteele, you're so right about our sole SE being stretched thin! As far as I know we only have one SE on this island (Okinawa) and he's always flying to Thailand, the Phillipines, Zama, etc. In fact, he came in from Thailand just this past Friday night and we opened our Jamborette and International Pinewood Derby bright and early on Saturday morning with the SAJ (Scouting Assoc. of Japan). Aside from him there is one District Commisioner and mainly between these two guys, our District survives somehow! :-) Of course there are others, myself included, I do District Membership and am a Troop Committee member. You may remember on a separate thread some issues I had with a local Pack where I was the Advancement Chair, which I am no longer with also. But those two (the SE and DC) deserve the spark plug award for the District, definitely! They keep us running! And this is a District Day Camp I am dealing with instead of a Council Camp so I do have some leeway in gathering "volunteers." As far as I know it is not open to the SAJ, just the Military Scouts. I pitched to the local Senior Girl Scout Troop tonight, as well as the boys in my son's Troop and neighboring Troops and Packs. Like I said, I am meeting with the SE on Wed. to try and see where he might be able to assist the staffing. I have faith it will all come together, just trying to bring as many people as I can into the loop. The registration deadline is June 9 so typically by then I should know if I have enough staffers to make this baby fly. Staffers have to attend staff training though it's severely shortened due to not being a resident camp and only basically a 14 hour camp split in two days. I believe they are still required to turn in a Class 2 physical and our Den Guides (on the 1:6 ratio) also have to attend Den Guide training. Packs that don't provide and register Den Guides don't get to participate and that's the way the cookie crumbles! I do find it harder to get Scout things done here, not sure if it's because we're military, on an island, or what. But... it seems we're out here several hundred miles from the Council, separated by an ocean.... we're sort of out of sight, out of mind! And we're nowhere near the other Districts within the council either, we're ALL ON DIFFERENT ISLANDS.. lol The majority of our military personnel on the island are single Marines, Sailors and Airmen, some are here for 6 months and some for a year. Even some/most of the families that are here on accompanied tours for 3 years experience the service member (usually the Dad) getting deployed frequently which puts a dampner on Scouting activities. It's mostly the Dads that are our Cub and Boy Scout volunteer leaders. We don't get the FOS support or Corporate sponsors like is possible in the states so fundraisers are difficult but totally necessary. Our fundraisers are not allowed to compete with AAFES (Army Air Force Exchange Service) or MCCS (Marine Corps Community Services) either, so that means anything that can be bought in a military store, Scouts can't use for fundraisers ie; candy, etc. It's got it's downfalls, being here and Scouting but the upswing to that is more leaniancy when it comes to events such as District Summer Day Camp! WOO HOO! :-) Welp, gotta go, thanks for the reply!

Hey thanks all of you for the responses! Twocub... you're right on the money, I DO need help! :-) We do have a 1:6 ratio Den Guide requirement this year. And I should probably clarify that this is not an overnighter camp either, it's 8-5 on Sat. and 12-6 on Sunday. So, this makes it a little easier on me, too. I am visiting a Senior Girl Scout Troop tonight to pitch to them. Hopefully they'll want to help out at the "Tot Lot", kind of an astro jumper I'll have for Den Guide and Staffers' kids over 2yrs old. I am hoping to have the Tot Lot because that's the main reason I get no volunteerism out here. Military spouses are reluctant to volunteer because their other halves are deployed (usually it's the men deployed, and they are the registered leaders) and they have other children, younger Scout siblings to take care of. And I'll be frank, too.. I have a 2yr old that I need to do something with both days at the Camp because my husband (a registered ASM) is going to be helping run a booth. Unfortunately my 11yr old Boy Scout isn't old enough to run a booth or trust me, he'd be signed up, too.. lol I am going to meet with the Senior SE probably Wednesday to see what he can do to help staff us. The registration deadline is June 9 and believe me, if I am not totally staffed by June 9, I am not going to beat myself up about it, I will have no choice but to retreat and cancel the camp! And I told the Camp Director for the Central camp that if that happens, I will be more than happy to do ANYTHING she needs at that camp to help! What irks me is how the northerners (Packs) on the island complained about having to drive to the central and southern camps all the time for events and when we (The District) offer a camp in their neck o' the woods, I get one freaking volunteer and that's it! Granted some of these guys are staffing the resident summer camp in June, and maybe they feel that's enough for them to do or their kids won't be attending my (THE) July Day Camp but that's a pretty selfish outlook on Scouting don't ya'll think? Oh well, I"ll keep ya posted! Thanks for everything! Joni

Okay, let me explain a little further- I am on an island in the Pacific Ocean and so far I can tell ya, this District/Council does things totally different than I am used to in the states. We used to have only one centrally located Cub Day Camp, but everyone on the northern part of the island complained they had to drive.. and same with the southern part. So, this year they decided to split up the camp into 3 camps, a south, central and northern camp. Well, the south camp couldn't find volunteers so they dropped out. The central camp has a committee, has a plan and is almost ready to roll in August. I am doing the northern camp, have no committee, only one volunteer to staff and am more lost than I know what to do with. My camp is supposed to go in mid JULY!!!!!!! We do have a theme, our Council is 50 yrs old this year so we are doing "All things GOlden" The central camp is doing a SUrf's up theme and I am doing a GOld Rush theme. I have gone through the Tiger, Wolf, Bear and Webelo books and pretty much figured out what the program is going to be through those and the combination of the Gold Rush theme. I've got the sessions and stations per day worked out, the rotation worked out, etc. The District will provide the Archery and BBs (as always). I have been in constant contact with the Program Director for the Central camp and she's doing what she can to help me and I am ever grateful but she won't be here (going on vacation) mid July to REALLY HELP! The Deputy Camp Commander (I am on a military base) is also a local Pack Wolf Leader and I was dealing with him on an informal level to secure an area for the camp, some canopies, chairs, stuff like that and get some things set up. Unfortunately he's leaving this June/July for Virginia or somewhere statebound and now I am even more lost because MANY PEOPLE are leaving Okinawa this summer thanks to the Armed Services lifting the Stop-Loss, Stop-Move policy that was mandated due to the war with Iraq. Anyway, I can't seem to get volunteers fast enough! Between that, being 6 months pregnant and losing my contacts, I really feel overwhelmed. I have our Unit Commissioner trying to recruit Marines and Sailors from neighboring camps to try and help and I have started a major campaign to enlist people. Like I said, I only got a Pack Coordinator to volunteer so far and someone else to assist the District Rep. doing the BBs!!! Needless to say I am still short about 8 people, at LEAST for arts, crafts, sports, games, nutrition and first aid, etc! Wish me luck!!!!

Hey, thanks for all the info on this. Someone sent me a link to a site that has maternity olive shorts but they weren't plus size :-( That kind of hinders my progress, hard enough trying to find normal size maternity clothes on an island in the Pacific Ocean, let alone plus size! But, my District Scout Center was selling old XXL Scout Shirts for $6 so I got a few of those and I found a pair of size 2X olive shorts. Those should keep me going for 3 more months. I also picked up a men's size 3X tan uniform shirt just in case there is a formal thing going on. We just did our Jamborette with the SAJ (Scouting Association of Japan) and I wore a 2001 Jamborette T-Shirt so I was alright! THAT WAS AWESOME, TOO! Thank you, thank you everyone!

Don't know if this will help but here ya go! Boy Scout Troop 467 - Troop Position Description SCOUTMASTER (Revised: 10/18/02) Job Description: The Scoutmaster is the adult leader of the troop and is dedicated to bringing learning, adventure, and oportunity to the Scouts within the troop. The Scoutmaster attends most troop meetings and goes on most hikes and camping trips. The Senior Patrol Leader and other troop leaders look to the Scoutmaster for advice and direction. A Scoutmaster must be at least 21 years of age, be an American Citizen, be approved by the troop's chartered organization, and must agree to live by the Scout Oath and Law. Job Obligations: Work with the Chartered Organization Representative, Troop Committee Chair, and other Scout leaders to ensure that the troop is run in accordance with the policies of the Boy Scouts of America and the chartered organization. Guide the Senior Patrol Leader in planning for and conducting meetings, campouts, and other troop activities. Recruit other adults as leaders to assist with the organization and supervision of the troop. Attend position-specific training and actively encourage the other adult leaders as well as the youth leaders to attend position-specific training. Wear full uniform to every troop meeting and activity, where a uniform is required. Be a good role model for the Scouts in the troop, and live by the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. Boy Scout Troop 467 - Troop Position Description ASSISTANT SCOUTMASTER (Revised: 10/18/02) Job Description: Assistant Scoutmasters serve as assistants to the Scoutmaster and may take his place when he is absent. They attend many troop meetings and go on many hikes and camping trips. The Senior Patrol Leader and other troop leaders look to the Assistant Scoutmasters, along with the Scoutmaster for advice and direction. Assistant Scoutmasters may be given specific areas of responsibility within the troop, however their job is to guide and supervise the Scouts in carrying out tasks, as much as possible. An Assistant Scoutmaster must be at least 18 years of age, be an American Citizen, be approved by the troop's chartered organization, and must agree to live by the Scout Oath and Law. Job Obligations: Work with the Scoutmaster and other adult leaders to ensure that the troop is run in accordance with the policies of the Boy Scouts of America and the chartered organization. Carryout assignments, as given by the Scoutmaster. Attend position-specific training. Wear full uniform to every troop meeting and activity, where a uniform is required. Be a good role model for the Scouts in the troop, and live by the Scout Oath, Law, Motto, and Slogan. BSA Troop 321: http://troop321.ocbsa.org/Leadership/CommitteeLeadership.htm Committee Chair Job Description: Serve as the Chief Executive Officer of the Troop Committee. The Committee Chair votes only in the event of a tie vote. The Committee Chair is elected by the Troop Committee and shall hold that office at the pleasure of the Committee until he/she resigns or a replacement is voted into office. Committee Chair duties: Organize the committee to see that all functions are delegated, coordinated, and completed Authority to appoint and remove all other persons holding committee positions Accountable for the performance of all persons holding committee positions in completing their appointed functions Call, preside over, and promote attendance at monthly Troop committee meetings Prepare Troop committee meeting agenda Maintain a close relationship with the chartered organization representative and the Scoutmaster Appoint the selection committee members and serve as the chair with regard to the selection of candidates for the position of Scoutmaster Interpret national and local policies to the Troop Ensure Troop representation at monthly District Roundtable Secure top-notch, trained individuals for camp leadership Arrange for charter review and re-charter annually Plan the Charter presentation http://troop321.ocbsa.org/Leadership/AdultLeadership.htm Scoutmaster Job Description: The Scoutmaster is the adult leader responsible for the image and program of the troop. The Scoutmaster works directly with the Scouts. The importance of the Scoutmaster's job is reflected in the fact that the quality of guidance will affect every youth and adult involved in the troop. Scoutmaster Duties: Train and guide junior leaders Use the Methods of Scouting to achieve the Aims of Scouting Work with responsible adults to bring Scouting to boys Meet regularly with the Patrol Leaders' Council (PLC) for training and coordination in planning troop activities Attend all troop meetings or when necessary arrange for a qualified adult substitute Attend troop committee meetings Conduct periodic parent meetings to share the program and encourage parent participation and cooperation Take part in annual membership inventory and uniform inspection, charter review meeting, and charter presentation, and annual troop budget planning Conduct Scoutmaster conferences for all rank advancements Provide a systematic recruiting plan for new members and see that they are promptly registered Delegate responsibility to other adults and groups (assistants, troop committee) so that they have a real part in troop operations Supervise troop elections Make it possible for each Scout to experience at least 10 days and nights of camping each year Participate in Council and District events Build a strong program by using proven methods presented in Scouting literature Conduct all activities under qualified leadership, safe conditions, and policies of the chartered organization and the Boy Scouts of America Assistant Scoutmaster Job Description: Each assistant Scoutmaster is assigned specific program duties. They also provide the required two-deep leadership standards set by the Boy Scouts of America. Assistant Scoutmaster reports to the Scoutmaster. Assistant Scoutmaster Duties: Will support the Scoutmaster in all his/her activities and actions Carry out assigned program duties Other duties assigned by the Scoutmaster may include any of the Scoutmaster duties Assistant Scoutmaster for First Class Emphasis (FCE) duties: Propose an FCE calendar to the Scoutmaster and Junior Leadership for Troop Program Planning Conference and approval Coordinate with Scoutmaster, Junior Leadership, and FCE Adult Leadership the FCE Skills Days, Campouts, Hikes and other outings and activities Conduct weekly scheduled FCE meetings Keep track of each Scout's advancement towards First Class Welcome FCE Scout parents and actively encourage their participation

ANd here's what's worse than this simple topic forum: http://www.scoutingforall.org/aaic/wycd1.shtml Scouting For All's National Campaign These people are throwing protest signs in the hands of Cub Scouts that aren't even old enough to understand what "GAY" means and marching down streets in national localities talking about how the BSA are biggots! If you ask me, they are doing more harm to the scouts than the heterosexual leaders they claim are the ones that discriminate!

Just a question.... who ever said a homosexual needs "help" with anything? Homosexuality isn't a "treatable disease" for crying out loud, it's a lifestyle. And so is Scouting a lifestyle. I find it hard to believe that any Boy Scout is going to turn to a Scouter and ask for a counseling referral becausae he thinks he's gay. And I am sorry but Bob White is absolutely correct when he basically says, "Not our job!" We aren't trained to handle that kind of thing. It's our responsibility to look after the Scouts in our care, but not to direct them to a lifestyle clinic!

I think I bit off more than I can chew on this one. I volunteered for the Summer Day Camp program director, figuring I wouldn't be the only one in my Pack that wanted to help put one together. Well, not only am I the only one, I am also no longer with the Pack. (That's another story altogether.) Anyway, just trying to get ideas for what other districts/packs/councils DO for their summer camp. Mine is only two days, a full day Saturday and a half day Sunday. I've got some activity ideas lined up but something tells me I am missing the big picture here! I am new at this kind of thing, mainly been a Den Leader and Advancement Chair, so any ideas, web links, etc. I would be totally grateful for! Thanks, Joni

Forgive my ignorance but is this normal for summer camp that they offer this many merit badges and so many required ones? I have been all around the Cubbie program but this is the first year my son is a Boy Scout. My Stepson is an Eagle Scout, but was 16 when I started dating his father so I am not sure what he earned in previous summer camps to compare to now. Thanks, Joni