KoreaScouter

I'm with Compass and CaptKirk on this one, for all the same reasons. - SPL appoints his assistant, and those guys aren't dumb, ours generally appoint someone who has offsetting strengths and commitments (different sports, activities, and so on). - Some of our Scouts who didn't vote for the current SPL have the date of the next election circled on their calendars; 6 months out is palatable for them -- a year isn't. - Big human dynamic: ASPL to SPL: "They voted for me, not you, so...". I suppose if you have a stable troop with minimal transfers in/out, it might work. But

ASM1: One of your comments got my attention. You said ASMs don't conduct uniform inspections, the SPL does it. Is that your troop policy, or do you have something from BSA that drives it? I don't see anything about uniform inspections in the JL handbook duties for the SPL; is it in the new SPL handbook? My SM handbook says the uniform inspections (recommends 2 per year) are conducted by the unit commish and an "inspection team". We do monthly inspections, first meeting of the month, always conducted by ASMs; I lay one against each patrol. Using a checklist, it only takes about

I think we need to talk ourselves off the ledge here. Over the months, I've discovered there are several "hot button" issues that will guarantee agitated responses, all heartfelt. They are, in no particular order: - Athiests in Scouting - military BDUs with the Scout uniform - Homosexuals in Scouting - Are aluminum dutch ovens just as good as cast iron - Women in Boy Scouting - Should we salute in the activity shirt? - You're not using the patrol method, you !@#$%^& Maybe it'll help if we acknowledge that any posts on these topics will guarantee a rise out of everyb

Agree that many catalog items are guilty of some or all of the shortcomings you mention. Having said that, except for the uniforms, where we have no choice, I say "let the buyer beware". I think it's incumbent on all of us to know what we want, and to know what the marketplace offers. For example, I steer Scouts away from the BSA hand axe (over $20), and toward the coleman (about $6). Many other examples, too. On the other side, the Silva starter compass in the catalog is the best deal going, and the only compass most of us will ever need. Underscores my point. Funny thing is, thoug

You gotta love that "send private message" option! OGE and I went direct; he sent me several, and I sent him patches and a Troop coin. Frankly, it was the only way I would have gotten them this far from Irving... KS

Not only is it a fairness issue, but if you look at the unit money earning application you have to file with your local council, there's no check box on it for "patrol" or "den", only "troop" or "pack". Troops do fund raisers, patrols don't. Troops have committees with treasurers, events/activities chairs, secretaries, etc., patrols don't. I don't mean to be overly critical, but it seems as if you want to "grandfather" your original patrol as the auction patrol. Well, what's the difference between allowing another patrol to share in that, and allowing a new patrol member in the "auct

Hang on, Bob. I'm not going to do what some do and pick your post apart, but I do want to pick your brain. You said we're "more than welcome to share our thoughts" on uniform improvements. Great. With who? My DE, who will immediately draft a strongly worded letter to the Chief Scout Executive? You seem to have been involved in more than one national-level forum, and may have these guys' numbers in your rolodex (or PDA if you're a digital type), but most of us don't. How do we communicate this, and more importantly, how do we get feedback? Many posters come back to military uniforms

Well, we all seem to be in violent agreement here. Now, how do we "unwashed volunteers" get a concern like this in front of whoever's got the authority to do something about it? I'm a long way from Irving, and the way BSA National makes decisions seems just a little more mysterious than electing a Pope... KS

I didn't know HA staffs mixed commercial outfitter/technical clothing with official BSA items. What more of a wakeup call do they need? I'm a traditional guy who believes in uniformity. But how about official options that include real cargo pockets, zip off legs, quick-drying material, and so on? Anything from Columbia's a good bet. Listen, being halfway around the world and frustrated by BSA's refusal to allow online ordering, I'd be content at this point to be allowed to order the existing stuff on the internet and get it in two weeks!

Agree wholeheartedly, and anyone who's smart enough to find and log onto this forum is also smart enough to re-do their Troop JLT. However, this is a little more complicated than merely "tailoring" the existing BSA Troop JLT lesson plan. Because the video and the games/activities are linked to each other, it's kind of "all or nothing". It would be almost like skipping the bridge building in New Leader Essentials -- the bridge building is all over the slides, so you have to do it. I guess my question's getting lost in the flood of great ideas to enhance Troop JLT (many of which I'm go

I have the supertool also. The locks work well, but on my model (may not be the 2000), you have to pull up another blade to "unlock" the one you have out. Have you looked at the Gerber Multi-Plier at all. I have one of those too, and you don't have to "butterfly" it to get the pliers out, and the locks on the Gerber are sliding things that involve less drama than the leatherman, in my opinion. And frankly, I'm no swordsmith, but I think the quality and workmanship of the Gerber is a little better than the Leatherman. KS

Great ideas all, and I appreciate them. What I hear you saying, though, is that you came up with these on your own. Unlike the progressive leadership training for adults (Fast Start, NLE, Fundamentals, Wood Badge), there is but a single national-level curriculum for youth at the unit level, and they're going to get the same one from age 11 to 17 unless we unit level Scouters make up advanced JLT curriculum on personal initiative. Can this be true? As a career military guy, I've had enough leadership classes, training, and practical lessons to design a JLT course as a follow-on to the B

Amen to Bugle344! I have several Scouts who've been through JLT at various levels multiple times. They've figured out the 9 magazine trick, they can lip-sync along with the video, and I can't fool them with the lunch-bag trick any more. I'd do backflips if I could get a "next level" Troop JLT. I could always come up with speakers, tours, and whatnot, but I've always got the ghost of Bob White whispering in my ear: "...follow the program or else...". Just kidding, Bob. I've got to do JLT again in March after troop elections, and I'm wide open to suggestions, too... KS

As defined by BSA, the APL does not have to attend JLT, is not a default member of the PLC, does not have to attend PLC meetings, and his main role is similar to that of the backup quarterback...except when his team wins the super bowl, the backup gets the ring, too, even if he never took a snap. The requirement gives leaders some flexibility, though, in that it allows consideration for leadership projects the Scoutmaster selects. In the troop I server, the APLs are required to attend JLT, both at troop and District levels, they are PLC members, they are expected to attend PLC meetings,

When I was Cub Committee Chair a couple years ago, we bought the Piantadosi 4-lane track, and it was fabulous. The workmanship was out of this world, it was pre-drilled for "the Judge" race timer, and "the Judge" came with links installed to plug into a notebook...can't remember what software we used though. My $.02: If you're in a humid area where warping may be a problem, consider aluminum. My son's raced on them at District, and I don't like aluminum tracks -- they just don't feel, sound or "look" right to this old-fashioned dad. As an alternative, seal the wooden track very well.

AnnaLisa; At the risk of being excommunicated by the rest of the good ole' boys, I'll be happy to answer your question... Frankly, I don't care if a Scouter is a woman or a man. What I do care about is if Scouters are dedicated, open to learning, properly motivated, and willing to follow the rules. I've seen good and bad, both genders. Any awkwardness or "issues" with women on outings, at meetings, whatever, are in my experience red herrings thrown up by people who don't want them there -- if you follow the GTSS, there are no issues. My DE in Virginia happened to be a woman,

Many posters have wondered how someone could have slipped through so many BORs, SM conferences, etc., without this "issue" coming to a head. Look at the original article again, and it appears that his mom was his Scoutmaster for at least part of his time as a Scout. If you read it the same way I do, that can explain a lot of this. I wonder if anyone in a position to do so is considering revoking her membership...after all, she gave him a pass on Scout Spirit, right? KS

I'm with Bob 100% on this one. Before I became SM, our troop had done group MB instruction at troop meetings, apparently as a substitute for boy-led program planning using Troop Resources. Not all the time, but fairly often. What we had was some of the Scouts interested in the topic, some not, some attentive and taking notes, some not. Result: lots of partials and a lot of wheel-spinning. Using program planning and monthly themes, there is always a direct relationship between the theme and some MB. And, we do use MB pamphlets to assist with the skill instruction and interpatrol activ

It's been an evolutionary thing for us. When I became SM for our troop, we were using a giant chuck box that took three men and a boy to lift; everything was in there. No patrol boxes, so all the patrols were trying to cook around the same box at the same time using the same gear -- chaos. We built smaller, lighter patrol boxes, outfitted each one with stove, lantern, cook gear/utensils, mallet, etc., etc. Each patrol has a patrol QM, primarily responsible for patrol gear. He reports shortfalls to troop QM, whose dad happens to be our committee facilities/equipment chair. Much bett

The charcoal powered water heater looks awesome, but is a little complicated to make for the typical bloke. My DE had something that was much simpler to put together, although it wouldn't keep water hot as long. He took one of those square 3-gallon restaurant-size containers (metal) that oil or something comes in. Two holes in the top...one that it came with, and one 1/2 inch or so that you poke in the top at the "neutral corner" from the built-in hole. In one hole, stick in a PVC pipe that fits snug in the hole until it's about 1/2 inch from touching the inside bottom of the can. In

Lessee, right now, a Gerber folding knife with a rubberized tacky grip like those football receivers' gloves (very nice, too, I must say) on my belt here at work. Two feet away from my right calf, firmly attached to my rig, is an M9 Phrobis III bayonet (definitely not for Scouting), a beautiful piece of kit. At home on my Scout belt, a Leatherman Super Tool. At home in the closet, a Gerber boot knife (a gift), and a multi-blade Dutch Army knife (not as well known but every bit as good as the much-touted Swiss Army knife). I'm not freakish about knives, but seem to gather them and don't get

Thanks for the info. I guess any lessons from a national jambo in the US would be applicable too...appreciate any other feedback... KS

When I was Cubmaster, we bought our new one from Piantadosi Oar Co (other poster mentioned them, may have spelled the name wrong). Absolutely first rate workmanship, quality, etc. I'm telling you, these people really care about wht they're doing. Beautiful track. I know the rental advocates make a strong argument, but I like having your own track if you have storage room. We've set ours up at Scout shows, Roundups, loaned it to Awana, let Scouts use it for science projects, etc. All tough to do if you rent... KS

6 months for a badge? I'd like to see how many Scouts in that troop complete the requirements for Camping in 6 months... KS

The absolute best cardboard for a box oven is the military MRE box. The cardboard is almost like wood, but still light and malleable. Check a military surplus store -- they may give you the box without buying the MREs! On your Dutch oven, if you have a 12" or smaller oven, you can use one of those round Weber "smokey joe" type grills...gets it off the ground and keeps the heat in very good. A 14" won't let enough air flow through to keep the bottom coals glowing. Kills 2 birds with one stone, too, 'cuz you can cook dinner on the grill, pull the wire part off the top, and drop your ove