jtswestark

Yeah, youre right Calico - to a point. I don't have a problem with First Aid, Camping, E Prep, Wild Surv, and some others though. A camp environment is as good as any to teach these with the right program and staffers. I would hear about some monumental battles on the camping committee each year over this. We got stuck with alternating Cit Nation and World each year as a compromise for a long time. They added Communications this year, which really bothered me. I could half buy Personal Fitness a couple years ago, but even that was a stretch. Four required for Star (Camping, Swimming, Fi

Again, only speaking for my own experiences at my past Councils camp, Ive only seen the staff directors sign off on cards who have to be over 18, most are over 21 in fact. Not saying it never has happened, but it is something they were aware of and had a policy in place for over the past 10 years or so. The teaching staffer (typically are 16 to 18, yes) does keep a checklist of requirements completed which hangs in the Scoutmasters lounge.

My past councils camp always has a list of all pre-reqs for every MB in the leaders guide. If they dont have those pre-req items on Monday at the first class, the counselor excuses them from the class. Some re-reqs can be finagled and done at camp to get back in, but others eliminate them right off the bat. Its crystal clear in the leaders guide what requirements are to be done before hand and how they are to be done. The only ones that get confused over it are the boys that neglect to do it or their leader didnt inform them of the pre-reqs. I lay into the Scouts pretty hard that 'forget'

All councils are supposed to follow the mandatory requirements set out in BSA advancement policies, which include, without exception, individual testing by adults merit badge counselors. No council is entitled to change that. Ahhh, I get it now. Let me summarize the complaint you've been trying to make through this whole thread, Tahawk you expect there to be an expert adult counselor for every merit badge at Scout Camps. So does that mean that you arent going to accept anymore signed blue cards from any Scout camp by anyone involved with teaching or testing that is under 18 and not

BP First of all, threatening to boycott camps will do nothing to cause change. Action will. Actually boycotting camps will do one thing = make them close. Getting involved by participating in making them better, will make them better. Second of all, Im not a good enough student of history to know what the real intention of summer camp was whenever it started, at Brownsea I presume I thought it was for growth of the boy and patrols. Honestly, I got more out of my patrol and troop events than I ever did MBs. That said, Im not in anyway going to defend the five to ten MBs in one

Thanks for the kind words, Eric! Those were tough but gratifying days. Keep looking for alternative ways to get the message out! Nice job as always Brother. I'll get my dues in soon, before I return for either Ordeal or Vigil. I registered with my new council's lodge ... Very different up here! In Service, Jack

I dont understand what you mean by expediency is a value. Theres only so many hours, so many dollars, so many resources to do so much and to some its still not enough. I cant go along with that perspective. Boys are constantly growing through the process every year, every week, as ugly as it may be. If you want perfection, youre not going to find it. Dont like it, dont participate. Roll your own camp, many units do that every year. Or keep looking for that perfect camp that is going to meet every expectation you want met. Good luck. Well, the trend seems to be councils a

Ok BP and others, how do you do it? Ranting and raving at the council and program director will only get you so far. Then what? Because thats exactly what theyll ask you Let me start about November of a typical year. The Camp and Program directors are identified for the following summer camp. These guys are usually college students, maybe theyre pausing after college to start their professional careers, maybe theyre on leave from the military, or even teachers (less and less of those anymore). They usually start right away identifying their directors and building the theme and prog

I think you missed the point here. Yes, you are right, I did miss it. I guess 'I' was still pissed about the OP and it clouded my reading. Apologies to Basement.

Its not easy. Its not fair. But you have to balance it by not letting him always be your slave labor. As you did, give him some special rewards so he doesnt grow to resent it. It would be tough on mine when he was tired, bored and ready to go home after meetings and Im still there a half an hour or even hour talking to committee members, ASMs, parents waiting for all to leave so I could lock up and we could get back for his bedtime. I recognized that I had to ask other adults to alternate with me so I could leave after closing and get him home. He was so glad when the day arrived t

my first exposure to this young man was several years ago If you can find an a kid that either became or already was an Eagle that has never said or done anything that someone wouldnt find unacceptable at one time or another then you definitely have a unique brand of kids. Ive had Scouts come to my unit that needed a fresh start. I wouldnt want to hear about the baggage from his prior leaders and their biases. We adults make mistakes. Boys make mistakes. Part of growing up is recognizing that and improving ourselves. Have you seen behavior from this Eagle recently to verify he hasnt

I was at the 81 as a ASPL and the 05 as an ASM. I was impressed of course with all the military support. As a vet, its always neat to see these things. What I didnt care for was a little of the crowd control mentality that I saw from a few soldiers, and very few at that. It was a little too abrasive at times where it didnt seem needed to me; but I know I wasnt in their shoes so I give them the benefit of the doubt. Most military present were very friendly and open. It was cool to see many were wearing the rank they earned themselves in Scouts, some would track down their home councils un

ugh... sewing, cutting, altering neckerchiefs just kills us collectors. Please think twice before doing that. I know they are Cub Scout neckers in this discussion, but Boy Scout neckers can become heirlooms and very valuable themselves.

Well said SR! When I returned to the lodge and became chapter advisor there was definitely a negative light on the OA in our District. One unit at a time, one event at a time, one Scoutmaster at a time, we had to work on re-establishing the lodge in the District as a positive part of it. It wasnt easy. We rounded up Arrowmen to help out with popcorn distribution, staffing the Klondike, and so forth to increase visibility in the District that we were doing good things and not playing games of the past. We spent a lot of time polishing the election teams presentation at units during

Right on Jeff! Keep this stuff in perspective and have some fun.

Interesting perspectives and comments. How much is rose colored glasses of our childhood; I wonder how well many of us would do as a youth in todays Scouting and society that these kids have to deal with. I was a 14 year old Eagle in 1979, and readily admit I wasnt a strong Eagle. I am glad to say I did stick around for a few more years and learned more about what an Eagle is after I actually earned it Who cant say that they learned more about what an Eagle is as they grew up and faced many of the challenges a young man experiences in his life? Thats what we are truly trying to prepare the

I was lucky to grow up in a canoeing troop. Not many made it to Eagle, I was the 5th in about 10 years. Luckily we always had SMs that let the journey be the adventure and advancement just wasn't the goal. I tried to do the same when I was in that role. I think it takes a special person that can fight that encroachment from pushy parents. It's so easy to cave in, constantly being tested. Some still got by me and eventually had to deal with it. I wouldn't hesitate to point them towards the mega eagle mill unit up the street. Some left, but most didn't and we continue to have a thr

Back in the day. Summer camps campsite we used annually had about eight open front adirondacks. We would hang two simple kerosene lanterns on either end. Plus one or two for the dining flies and latrine/wash basin. They were great no gas or mantles, simple and easy to clean. They burned all night, gave a dim light where needed just right. The PIA though, was cleaning the soot off the globes each morning. But that was an inspection point for the campsite, so you learned all about kero and these simple lanterns. Kero is easy to learn about, fairly safe for kids to handle, not a bad thing

Great to read! Love your enthusiasm! Wonderful to see the OA pull off another great service event. More fodder to show the naysayers how great the OA is. Question - you said others were saying it wasn't AC5. Was it better or worse in their opinion? edited typos(This message has been edited by jtswestark)

I always do a bit** list at the end of an event to remember the things that you need to do better next time. Reflect on it a couple times through the year, and definately next spring. 1. Bring 2 swim suits. One for lake and one for pool. Interesting why? 2. At pickup, parents to 'checkout' with leader for potential discussion regarding summer camp performance. You really want to do this? The last thing I wanted to do when getting back and unloading was to deal with the parents. I was tired, hot, and cranky, just wanted to get home to my easy chair not deal with a helicopter

Others have pretty well covered my answers to the questions. But before we start whining about another form, this is one that is greatly needed. Its not an actual form, just a paragraph or two from the SPL candidate to explain why he wants to be SPL with a parent signature on it. There is no right or wrong answer, in fact it usually becomes the outline for his election speech (we use closed ballots). Three reasons we do this - 1.) To get the kid to stop for a minute and consider what and who he is about to commit to. 2.) Make sure the parent knows what hes about to commit himself

First two points are dealing with very important transitions. Those take time and patience. Patrols seem a little on the large size - right sized means all boys are engaged and aren't able to sit around without having any roles. If you arent already, try to work in some more activities on a frequent basis that dont require a campout. During meeting nights meet at the local pool for swim night; local trailhead for a hike and end with some ice cream; ice skating rink for an open skate night; meet at a local gun or archery club for some fun shooting; local climbing club?; meet at

Youve got plenty of fantastic opportunities in the area. Im from just south of you and have canvassed many of the same areas for our Troop. Just a few off the top of my head - Hocking Hills State Park in southern Ohio affords a great weekend with great trails and scenery that is remarkable for Ohio. http://www.dnr.state.oh.us/parks/tabid/743/Default.aspx - Ohiopyle state park in Laurel Highlands, PA. has some whitewater rafting / canoeing /kayaking programs for all ages. - Put-In-Bay Camporee in September, units camp at Commodore Perry War of 1812 Victory and International Peace

For SPL elections Id accept self nominations up to the night of the election with the letter and parent signature. In weeks leading up to the election at closing I'd announce anyone interested should see me right away so I could remind if they didnt know I wanted to see the parental signed letter. For PL elections wed wait until the following week in case there were any patrol re-alignments done to have PL elections during their Patrol Meeting time. The patrols would handle it on their own in whatever manner they wanted as long as a PLC member recognized it as legitimate. In a

The Scout rank should be pretty automatic, if theyre coming to the first four to six meetings after crossover, they should have it all done. This will be reflected by the ability of your Troop Guide to teach the requirements and test them. Thats the only structure Id give the TG when I was SM Make sure they have an exposure at least once to each requirement for Scout rank within the first month of meetings. After that, they were subject to the Patrol leaders schedule. I like to encourage FCFY, but only as a goal. Another goal is I give them to get well into (my subjective call) 2nd