asm 411

We let the Scouts handle waking the Scouts up.

The Scoutmaster and I do things like make several courses of a hot breakfast, pack up our gear, work on Scoutcraft, read books and generally have a good time.

The Scoutmaster typically talks to the SPL the night before and finds out what time he is planning on getting up just in case his alarm fails. The same as you would do for anyone you are working with. If the SPL does not get up at the agreed upon time the Scoutmaster goes over to his tent and gives him exactly one wake up call.

It is then up to them. If we are going to be getting back late the Scouts have to call their parents and let them know when we will be arriving.

So far that has worked for us. After ever camp out we have a pros and cons session. If there was anyone who really stayed in the bag too long I am sure it would be put in the cons category. Nobody likes waiting on someone who is doing nothing.

That's it! All you Scouts hand in your Official Boy Scout Handbooks, Youth Leader Handbooks and Merit Badge pamphlets. They are no longer allowed! You may not look at them. You are in extra big trouble if you even think about reading the information inside. Period. Any Scout or Scouter caught with a Boy Scout publication of any kind or vintage will have it confiscated. You will have to sing at the end of the campout or meeting to get it back and it will only be returned to your parents ( Scouters included ) with a written letter from them stating that you will not ever bring it back to any Boy Scout event no matter what. If you violate this rule twice I will be forced to take a corner off your current rank patch. And I mean it.

This is officially posted by the Scoutmister Misterscout!

Yep, I think that will do it. I will email it, post in the meeting place and read it word for word at the start of every meeting. That should get them sneaking the books everywhere and reading them in their sleeping bags and not getting any sleep for several months on campouts.

Special note: mmhardy I hope you take this in the vein it was intend. I hope I have not offended you in anyway and if so I would like to apologize in advance. The idea struck me as funny and I you get chuckle out of it too. In truth I agree with you 100% that banning an item just makes it more interesting to the Scouts.

How odd Beavah ...

You say -

" The only issue around the 18th Birthday is if a BOR discovers something missing, or has to say 'not yet' for some reason. If the lad is under 18, he can go back and finish whatever is missing or work hard on improving whatever wasn't up to snuff. If he's over 18, he can't."

but according to Zathras -

"Cannot run out of time, there is infinite time."

I know this is absolutely of no help but I could not help myself after seeing the Zathras quote below.

In truth I would rather pitch my cell phone in the lake. Most times I leave it in the van once we get to camp and check it once in the morning and evening discreetly.

You go in with what you got, you come out with is much as you want to carry.

I believe I am a better Scouter because I went to Wood Badge. I am also a better Scouter every time I read new or old Handbooks for the Scouts, Scoutmasters and Patrol Leaders. I am a better Scouter every time I time I take any other BSA training courses.

I was very lucky I was put in a patrol in which 6 out my 7 patrol members were Eagle Scouts. The one who was not an Eagle was not and Eagle only because SHE was did not meet the first requirement. She certainly had the heart.

None of us needed to prove anything and all of us were willing to step up right away when it was time to get something done. Best bunch of Scouters I ever got to work with.

I would not trade my WB for 21st experience for anything.

How would I change Wood Badge if anyone asked my opinion. I think teaching Scouters how to inject the Patrol Method into our troops and how to let the scouts plan and execute those plans needs to be added.

I have read the merit badge books for the ones I counsel. What I like to do when a Scout asks me a question is work with them to find the answer. I usually send them off to look it up in the merit badge book or say something like "Let's check to see what the merit badge pamphlet says." depending on how old the Scout is.

Some of them get it in time that the books are helpful. Others find the answers in other places. I like when Scouts are on the ball enough to use several sources. I just wish they would use the obvious one first.

Nothing formal came out of the discussion just an understanding that Scouts could bring cell phones to campouts at their own risk and that using them except in the case of an emergency was not necessary. The most important part is that the PLs would police the situation.

As far as I can tell this has been very effective. I see the occasional cell phone used to take pictures or as a watch/alarm clock but that is it.

There is probably texting going on when there is no one looking on but it is no longer my worry. The PLs have either taught their Scouts that there is better things in life than texting or how to be good and sneaky about it.

I earned all twelve Skill Awards.

The truth is they were just mini-milestones in the first three ranks. Another way to to give recognition for work done a long the way. It did provide and excellent excuse for the Scouts to wear their official BSA belt.

In my opinion I am glad they are gone. Too much recognition diminishes all recognition.

Just before summer camp last year the SM and I had got tired of be being detectives and policemen so we asked the PLC what they wanted to do.

They came up with some guidelines which are very reasonable. One point is the PLs would be the policemen. It has worked well so far.

Are there Scouts that come on camp outs with cell phones? Yep. I have yet to see one being used for a phone call. Mostly taking pictures and as a watch and alarm clock.

Is there texting going on when I am not looking? Probably. If we had an adult rule would it still be happening? Yep. The difference is that the Scouts make and enforce the rules and therefore it is no longer a game of hide the cell phone from the Scouters.

Are the Scouts missing out on the outdoor experience? Nope.

The real question is are we teaching responsible and appropriate actions or how to bully others into doing things our way?

My beading happened at a church.

Here is the amazing thing there were about 15 of us who were presented our beads at the same time. The CD arranged for a BP look a like so show up and had a smoke machine while BP talked to us about the importance of Wood Badge. It was great to be there with so many Scouters and Staff from the course including several of my brother Bears.

Eamonn first I would like to say thanks for sharing this observation with us.

I think this just goes to show that the new coarse is not as radical departure as some would lead us to be. Additionally it seems there is more of the Patrol Method embedded in the new course than what the syllabus indicates.

Does anyone know how many incarnation there have been of the Wood Badge course and what the differences have been?(This message has been edited by ASM 411)

"A website will provide in-depth information on many subjects."

Perhaps the in depth leadership will be online and the backwoods stuff will be in detail in the book.

If not maybe we should make a collaborative effort to write a book called the "The Missing Boy Scout Handbook" with a subtitle of "Boy Scouting in Patrols" with the warning label "To be used in the outdoors only". Of course it would be dimensioned to fit in a pocket.

(This message has been edited by ASM 411)

"Vehicles are filled by patrol. Dash radio only, driver's choice."

Absolutely by patrol and the SPL rides shotgun for the SM.

The Scouts can listen to any of my CDs or the radio or their iPods (an personal music device). The funny thing is about 9 months ago we put the control of the electronic devices policing on the PLs. Since then the desire to bring and use an iPods while traveling has dropped way down. The Scouts prefer to pick from the CDs they and don't use their iPods. Since they are picking from my collection it is always something I like.

Why is it that when you attend a Wood Badge course you are separated from your friends?

I thought the best way to align patrols was putting all the Scouts in a room and letting them form their own gangs as boys do?

It seems to me that this is an example of dividing a troop into patrols; instead of having patrols that make up a troop.

FWIW - During my Wood Badge course we were far enough apart that no patrol knew where the other patrol was camping. We could not see or hear them.

C-32-05(This message has been edited by ASM 411)

Hmmm ...

I thought that adults were not required on planned, SM approved patrol outings.

About a week and half ago the SM and I dropped two patrols 10 miles from base camp with their packs and brought our vehicles back to camp. The SPL sent the patrols out 30 minutes apart.

The SM and I like backpacking as well so we headed toward the boys on the same trail starting from the base camp. We met them at the 1/2 way point for lunch. Then they head out as patrols again with us bringing up the rear. Far enough behind that we did not see them and did not see them until we were back in camp.

One patrol missed a turn and got some extra miles in. Two Scouts had sore feet and one had to have his backpack adjusted at lunch and had sore shoulders.

What if their was a horrible accident? We have a Red Cross instructor run a First Aid Merit Badge class every spring for the new Scouts and we strongly encourage all Scouts to take e-prep at their first summer camp. In addition to the fact that every outdoor merit badge requires a first aid review leaves me little doubt that they Scouts could handle most any situation as well as any of our adults and better than most.

The PLC decided last summer that the PLs would be responsible for policing electronic devices. I don't know the actual count but I know there were several cell phones in each patrol.

For what it is worth Ole' Green Bar Bill said "Train 'em. Trust 'em. Let 'em led." and I believe him.

PS - Since the PL's took over the electronic device policing I have not seen a Scout use a cell phone for anything but checking the time, taking pictures and calling their parents on the way home from a campout when we are running early or late.

I believe the first requirement for Emergency Preparation says:

1. Earn the First Aid Merit Badge

That does not make it a prerequisite. Merit badge requirements can be done in any order unless a requirement specifically states otherwise. For instance in cycling merit badge"

9 After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50-mile trip.

Hope this helps.

If I were counseling a Scout for E-prep I would strongly recommend that he do this requirement first though. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

The Dilgar. I had forgot about them. The Vorlon's put an end to Death Walker.

It has been years but how many of you remember

http://www.midwinter.com/lurk/lurker.html

I used to read it after ever new episode so I could find out about all the subtle things I missed.

I took the advice of someone here and got the 3rd Edition of the Handbook for Scoutmasters. Mine is the 1945 printing. As I am reading along on page 521 of the second volume (not to worry the second volume's numbering starts where the first one left off)I read

"But like everything else, it stands or falls with the Scoutmaster's personality and enthusiasm - and with his willingness to provide for a BOY-PLANNED and BOY-EXECUTED program."

So BOY-PLANNED and BOY-EXECUTED sounds a lot like boy led, boy run but yet it seems to be clearer and more well defined to me.

Coupling this with a post earlier this week where someone stated that they never call the members of their troop boys but always Scouts. I too do this for the same reason; a Scout is more than a boy. A Scout is a boy with special experience and special training who has the power of the Scout Oath and Law woven into his being.

Which led me to Scout-planned and Scout-executed. I like this so much I am going to work these words into my everyday deals with the Scouts.

"National and Council are teaching scoutmasters to get the new scouts through the trail to 1st class within a year to keep them in scouting (so the stats say) ..."

I wonder if the Scouts who are more enthusiastic about Scouting earn First Class in the first year. Since they were more enthusiastic in the first place they are more likely to stay in.

Which is the chicken here?

I don't think force feeding all Scouts to First Class is really gaining us anything.

I do believe on the other hand that if the PLC is aware of creating opportunities every month that pertain to the foundation rank requirements more Scouts will be First Class sooner. I guess that is pretty obvious.

Why do we have this hoop?

Seriously has there ever been a Scout who could not obtain Eagle because he could not find several people to write nice things about him?

Does anyone know the purpose behind this requirement?

I am disappointed to see the new pants don't have zippers at the end of the legs.

Fgoodwin - mine never pilled and the belt never gave me grief. Makes you wonder if the had made several runs of the original switch backs.

The Red Cross certified First Aid and CPR instructor that assists our troop with First Aid training has a sheet with the rank and merit badge requirements on it. She covers the rank requirements first then works into the Merit badge requirements.

She is really good. It is an all day session and she keeps the boys active through out the day so it is not just a classroom experience.

"1) focus on the outing in Scouting, not just advancement. not only create the monthly programs, but organize a few high adventure events like Philmont, Sea Base, Northern Tier, AT, etc. "

Perhaps a reminder of why we are here:

Aims of Scouting -

1. Character Development: Building personal qualities: reverence, sense of honor, self discipline, unselfishness, self reliance, intelligence, enjoyment of life/sense of humor and enthusiasm.

2. Citizenship Training: Teaching scouts their obligations to other people, society and the government that presides over society.

3. Personal Fitness: Including the body (well-tuned and healthy), the mind (able to think and solve problems), and the emotions (self-control, courage, and self-respect).

And a reminder of the tools we have to reach those goals:

Methods of Scouting -

1. Ideals (Scout Oath and Scout Law)

2. Patrol Method (Boy planned, boy executed by the PLC driven by SPL with adult guidance)

3. Advancement (Putting forth challenges; the Scouts confidence is built by overcoming them)

4. The Outdoors (the chance to associate with nature and learn self reliance and cooperation)

5. Uniforms (level playing field - troop, patrol and individual identification)

6. Association with Adults (As many positive role models to learn from as possible)

7. Personal Growth (service to others and self )

8. Leadership (Individual opportunities to be an important member of scouting)

Notice that the outdoors and advancement are only two parts of the methods of Scouting. The eight combined make a strong web. Focusing only on one or two parts makes a week web to support our goals.

BSEE 1991

I have been wearing one pair of switchback pants since before my son crossed over a little more than two years ago. I have worn them to every troop meeting and campout and I have only missed three campouts. I also wear them to district and council training. They have been to two summer camps.

There are holding up great. No complaints. Fortunately, I am going to have to get new pair because I have lost quite a few pounds since Thanksgiving and they are getting too big.

Last night we had a couple come in to do Canoe training for the Crew that is going on a high adventure trip to Tinnerman Canoe Base this summer.

The couple had two boys in our troop about 15 years ago. During the training session they were talking about appropriate clothing material for canoeing in. They both stopped walked over to me and asked if the pants I was wearing were Scout issue. I said yes and they said it was about time we had functional pants. I told them the shirt was wicking material too. They were dumb founded. They proceeded to go on about how terrible cotton was and how that is what their boys had.

I remember the old uniforms all too well myself.