jr56

Obviously, you would like an experienced scout with some rank advancement under their belt to hold this position, but if you are starting a new troop from scratch, and all the scouts are brand new, that is obviously not possible. Hence, no official age or rank requirements for the position.

Unfortunately, there are a few people out there that have 2 things in common (as stated previously), a PC, and an opinion.

Your unit's COR (chartered organizational representative) has the authority to approach the council and find out what is going on. Have them do so, if you want this individual to have any interaction with your unit.

Excellent point, I had never thought of it like that. Do the requirements that can be done at camp, and save the paperwork for later.

This counselor is being a total jerk. Get rid of him immediately, and have the scout go to another counselor. This should have been done months ago.

No job is complete until the paperwork is done.

True, nothing quite like a good quality neckerchief.

Sounds like a really good deal for youth programs.

I wear them. I combine all my tenure into the blue backgrounds. The units I am with don't bother with them. My troop used to do them when I was a kid. Guess that's how I got in the habit of wearing them. They can be a pain at times to take off and put back on. I have had one come off occasionally to. The way kids are always running around, I can see how they would lose them quickly. I heard that way back in the dark ages they had service "bars"? that were sewn on the uniform. That creates a whole different set of pros and cons.

I have to admit, I have never been considered for a 3rd bead either.

If the kids refuse sunscreen, not alot you can do. Not something you can force on them. You told them the consequences (getting a bad burn), possible skin cancer later. It is correct the youth leaders should be forcing the issue. As to the ignorant parents, you can't fix stupid.

The scout catalog used to have all sorts of trinkets in it that could be ordered as appreciation gifts.

Glad to hear about it, hope they have a great time.

My District Commissioner is really pushing all of the BSA computer programs. All of us other Commissioners in the district are very reluctant to comply because of massive foul ups such as you have described. Good luck, hope you get your mess straightened out.

The only time I let the boys "police themselves" is when the troop is camping off by themselves in a forest preserve, and no one will hear them. I tell them they can be reasonably quiet as late as they want, but they had better not complain about getting up in the morning. At Summer camp, when there are other campers around, the camp policys are strictly enforced. Not usually an issue, after a full day of scouting activities, most boys are ready to fall asleep.

Any Boy Scout troop that is doing anything even close to what a scouting program should be, should be doing at least 8-10 short term camps per year, plus a long term summer camp/ high adventure outing. What a pathetic example of a Boy Scout Troop. Plus, any scout who is only interested in earning his Eagle in the shortest time possible, is missing out on so much fun and life changing learning experiences. The scouts goals (if they are indeed his goals, and not the parents), and this troops program need a complete overhaul.

While on Jamboree staff in 2001, we decided to respect all wishes and fly an Amercian flag, and a Confederate flag from the tent. We looked all over Fredericksburg and coouldn't find a confederate flag anywhere. Oh well........

Maybe the fact that many scouters had to leave for WWII had something to do with allowing adult advancement to continue. It is interesting that it was discontinued after being in place for such a long period of time.

A really good story to hear.

Eagle rank, and any time in the BSA is something to be proud of, not ashamed of. Dedication to voluntarily serving youth should always be looked upon favorably.

I had a son with Asperger's in a troop years ago. The troop leadership spread lies all around the troop that my son was too stupid to earn a Merit Badge, and accused me of giving him every advancement he had ever earned. Those types of people are worth nothing in the big picture. In my son's case, he finished his scouting youth experience in another troop. That is what you need to do also, find another troop that "gets it" and leave these jerks in your rearview mirror. As was previously posted, the SE is the only person that can remove your son from scouting.

My guess is if you required all that training, your available pool of registered scout leaders would diminish to the vanishing point. As to the incidents, sometimes you can't fix stupid.

Sounds like you made the right decision, hope things get better for you folks.

I have applied for 2017 staff. Waiting to see what happens.

Always liked reading GBB's articles. He also wrote a good book on the life of Baden Powell.