KenDavis500

What does the Troop budget say? You should have enough for equipment maintenance/replacement, awards, etc., plus some reserve. After that, subsidize the camp outs, give to local charities, or ask the Scouts what should be done with the "extra" money.

Concur. Patrols should be a group of friends. The Scouts can typically sort it out themselves.

We're using google sites. It is free. The Scouts made their own website using the templates and some html. It's possible to pay via Paypal but we don't have that set up currently.

Regarding committee voting - I explained it to my new CC this way- you don't have to have a vote but you might end up without a committee if you don't at least take other opinions into consideration. She understood.

Regarding the Unit Treasurer - the BSA says very little. A checking account and a savings account are recommended. With dual signatures. A petty cash fund for the SM is recommended. Individual Scout Accounts are allowed BUT only for payments from a Scout or his parents. Unit fundraisers are for the unit.

Transparency, transparency, transparency.

LeCastor - it's all good. I've got a thick skin and know it's the internet -sometimes tones don't come across. I always assume we're operating under the Scout Oath & Law here and being helpful.

That said - we're rebuilding a dying Troop and trying to make our own traditions. The first COH is coming up. The experienced Scouts have only seen it done one way. I'm trying to push them into trying new things. And I want some ceremony "magic" not just the same old, same old.

The only time I've seen the BSA transfer form used (not a Troop generated form) is going from one Council to another.

Aids to Scoutmastership, Robert Baden-Powell, 1908 (2008 reprint)

What ceremonies do you use for your Troop's Court of Honors?

KDD - my son had a similar issue - super skinny. The Alps Mountaineering Red Rock fit him from 12 yo to 14 yo. It comes with a super small waist belt and adjustable frame. When he out grew it, it was due to length. The belt still fit great. And if you go thru Hiker Direct (formerly Scout Direct) it's pretty reasonably priced. He just sold it to a new cross-over.

Thanks to this thread, our newly revived Troop is going down the "Lightweight Patrol" path. I found this thread when searching for Patrol equipment recommendations. The Scouts are fully onboard as they don't like hauling the plastic tubs. Link to "Lightweight Patrol" gear list - http://inquiry.net/outdoor/skills/cooking/lightweight.htm

Back story - we're reviving an old Troop that was being left to die. Currently 5 Scouts - 3 from another Troop and 2 crossed-over this past spring. The 3 experienced Scouts have both backpacked and "plop" camped (huge patrol boxes, trailers, the works). Right now we're using my equipment. Just had our first fundraiser and have bought some Troop equipment - 1st aid kit, water carrier, backpacking stove, 8" fry pan, 4 qt pot & 2 qt pot.

I also just found an Outback Oven on eBay which I purchased for myself. I wanted to try it out before recommending it to the Patrol.

Our first backpacking camp out is in a few weeks. We'll try the new gear out and report back.

Talk to him. In a friendly manner.

http://www.myfoxhouston.com/story/25244917/2014/04/14/mourning-father-files-lawsuit-against

Not enough details here but it should be interesting to follow.

Nothing in the GTSS.

In the Boy Scout Handbook:

Safe Work area - you must have plenty of room to swing an ax. .... Be certain other people stay at least 10 feet away while you are cutting.

In a long-term camp where you will be using lots of firewood, rope off an ax yard...

I read that as no, you don't need to rope off the area to use the ax for cleanup.

How many Scouts per tent? Typically, more Scouts in a tent = more chit chat at lights out.

While reading about the Troop Annual Planning, I keep seeing reference to the "troop goals for the coming year". Besides the aims of the BSA, what goals does your Troop have?

So how is that gonna work??

 

Who gets the gear or where does the other unit get gear from?

 

How about the Charter org. Who are they gonna sponsor???

 

How about Friends of the troop?? Who gets to work the local fundraising oppurtunities?

 

 

I get smaller troops, it sounds like you need to spin 2 troops.

- that's what we're exploring now

Who gets the gear or where does the other unit get gear from?

-undetermined at this point. But probably the new troop gets the older, unused gear.

How about the Charter org. Who are they gonna sponsor???

-a new Chart Org. would be found for the new troop.

How about Friends of the troop?? Who gets to work the local fundraising opportunities?

-in this area, there are ample local fund raising opportunities.

Sentinel - almost 90 Scouts currently. Project cross overs of 20-40.

Has anyone had a successful and amicable seeding of a new troop from a larger troop? Or maybe not so amicable? What would you do differently and why?

Backstory - large troop, getting larger. Exploring options. One option is to seed another troop. Need to determine if it can be done amicably.

James needs to use his powers for good. Personal interest from the SM in the form of informal SM conferences to deal with the immediate issue. But then encourage him to be PL.

Update - I kept the prep for the Scouts to backpack shake downs (pack & inventory inspections) with no required tune up hikes. 34 total people going with 11 being adults. We've split it up into the ~5 mile group, the ~8 mile group & the ~12 mile group based on physical ability/size. They will all shoot for 2-3 miles on the last day to return. The place we're going has a lot of loops which makes this possible.

Personally, I'm getting excited for the weekend.

My Scout son was just taking the BSA survey regarding potential new merit badges. One that caught my eye was "Life Skills". It would include sewing, cooking, & I didn't see the rest of it.

It struck me as kinda different as the parts of the merit badge (potential) are already covered in other merit badges. Seemed like really a "fluff" mb.

What's your opinion?

If your Troop goes on weekend backpacking trips, are "tune-up" hikes required?

We just came back from our monthly camp out. I had the Scouts all bring a bed sheet and their para-cord. We made hammocks with that and basic knots. I provided the webbing to protect the trees from damage. 17 Scouts in attendance; 2 already hammock; 15 made hammocks; 13 started the night in them; 8 slept thru the night in their hammock.

Our Troop bought a used 72 passenger school bus ~4 years ago. The ISD had received money to replace their fleet. Our bus cost between $3500-5000 (depending on who you talk to). A local paint manufacturer donated paint and a tire company donated a set of tires. Insurance is <$1000/yr (it's lumped in with the insurance for the trailers). In the last 3 years we've had to spend $600 in maintenance. We normally get 7 mpg. The troop pays for adults to get their license. We currently have 5 drivers.

72 passenger is only if there are 3 to a seat which never happens. We've had it pretty stuffed going to summer camp with 40 Scouts, 4 adults & 1 driver. The Scout enjoy the experience as the camp out "starts" when we get on the bus - they get to hang out with their friends. Typically pretty loud on the way to a camp out and dead quiet (everyone asleep) on the way back. It is a drawing point to our troop. We've had 2 LONG trips in it. One to Palo Duro canyon (9 hrs) and the other to Galveston (8 hrs). It does get uncomfortable after a while.

My advice - run the numbers - purchase cost, insurance, reasonable maintenance cost, fuel, etc., throw in the intangibles - ease of tour plans, Scout camaraderie, etc. Then decide.

Our patrols are: Dutch Ovens, Fainting Goats, Duct Tape, 5, Cobras, & Snow. The Scouts got creative.