KoreaScouter

It's kinda dangerous to re-enact things like this on an internet forum. I don't know OGE, his son, and wasn't there when it happened...very reluctant to pass judgement. We've all said and done things we regretted afterward; my guess is that this was one of those times for this Scout. The "shared leadership" model we're supposed to be teaching them should give them, among other things, a method of solving problems that they can use in any setting, for the rest of their lives. Not sure I'd want every PL using the same method to get his Scouts to go to sleep. I wouldn't crucify him ove

In "The Wealth of Nations", Adam Smith called it "enlightened self-interest". In other words, by investing my capital to build this factory, I certainly hope to earn a substantial return on investment, with the understanding and desire that those who work in the factory will also prosper enough to be able to purchase what they build. Entirely altruistic, which seems to be the standard some would hold an industrialist to? Of course not, but who is motivated solely by altruism (except maybe we Scouters)? Let's not fall into the trap of completely judging people's activities a hundred years a

Kevin Eikenberry's Powerquotes are another good source, e-mailed to your computer every day. I cut and paste the good ones into a Word document that squirts into my Palm pilot whenever I sync it up. Do a google search and you'll find the site... "Never be afraid to try something new. Remember, amateurs built the Ark; professionals built the Titanic." KS

We're in a military retreat ceremony with the 51st Fighter Wing (Mustangs, "Tip of the Spear") on the 11th, then right over to our troop meeting. Actually, not a big deal for us here, since we do a lot of this commemorative-type activity, especially with Korean War 50th anniversary stuff going on until next summer, and our chartered organization is a VFW post... For a SM minute, you may consider telling your Scouts what I told mine last year. To paraphrase: "Millions of families are wondering what they can do, and we're seeing new outpourings of patriotism, helpfulness, compassion, and

How about updating Photography MB requirements to include digital photography? Right now, requirements are all film. Digital's legit, growing in popularity, and comarable in cost. Scouts can also operate their own digital "darkroom/studio" with software that's just impractical with film... KS

ScoutPro's got a point. The bottom line, I think is that "you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink". Here's a recent case in point for us: August is a tough month for Scouting here. Monsoon season to begin with, so some very horrendous weather -- I'm not just talking rain, but torrential downpours with localized flooding that kills scores every year; not the safest time to be out in the backcountry. Also, most of our leaders participate in a 2-week training exercise in August that takes us completely out of the loop. Nonetheless, we have a monthly activity policy (c

My WB patrol had one female; the other two had two each. When we overnighted, she tented in our patrol site, in her own tent, by herself (she was fine with it). There were two females on staff, too, and they tented together. At my WB course, the staff campsite was both a physical and professional distance from ours -- can't be sure, but don't think they would have gone for an all-girl site away from all the men... Methinks your staff flatters themselves. Perhaps I'm naive, but after 14 years of marriage, I haven't met a woman other than my wife who tickles my fancy, especially out in

I just conducted Troop JLT for the 3rd time today. Your SM sounds like the "big boss" model BSA warns us away from. We've all seen the type, and you've got one. Do you have a unit commissioner? If not, ask your District to assign one. With your luck though, it'll probably be your SM's brother-in-law... KS

When I was a Cub leader, our committee had it set up so that the fund raisers were "apportioned" for advancements and other collective expenses, and the den dues were apportioned right back to the dens for their specific program requirements. As I recall, the Webelos den dues were somewhat higher because of the higher cost of the advancements and the more robust program they had... KS

We reinforce self-reliance, teamwork, leadership, and character in the program. To me, it's no wonder most boys thrive and have a great time in a well-run Scouting program. It can be such a departure from the stand-in-line, no-talking, I'm-in-charge atmosphere in many of their classrooms, at least for the younger Scouts. I talked with my wife about this (she grew up here), and she said that these diagnoses are virtually unheard of here, and she doesn't know of any Korean kids who are on these medications. I don't remember any such discussion with our Dutch friends and neighbors when

Thanks for the replies; sounds like a heapin' helpin' of attention to detail and rule following is always in order. On the cooking, I've personally become smitten with Dutch Ovens, and always encourage the Scouts to plan at least one Dutch Oven menu item we've never had before. Most popular (besides cobbler, of course): lasagna, pizza, cinnamon rolls. Double Eagle: I lived in the Netherlands for 3 years, so I know all about getting a bill from the Hague if you wipe out a tree skidding on black ice, having 7 different trash cans, and not being able change your oil in your driveway.

Okay, that was one I never heard of. This 'biz may be getting too complicated for me or maybe we're spoiled. In the troop I serve, we have one Scout with an athsma inhaler and one who takes allergy medicine in the summer time. No other meds, and I've got all the class 1/2/3's. I wonder how much of this is just kids being kids (you know, sometimes ill mannered, unruly, argumentative, etc.) and being portrayed as some kind of sickness? I'm not trying to trivialize anyone's challenges with their kids, so please don't attack me, but the definition of ODD sounds a lot like "teenager".

Bob; Amen to your disclaimer to the casual "drop-in" who reads some of the doomsday stuff in here. In a previous "life", I commanded a military training center. I was continuously perplexed and frustrated why, when my students (all military) returned to their home stations, the feedback rolled in about the overly tough schedule, the sadistic PT, the prison-like accomodations, the difficulty of the field exercise, blah, blah, blah. Ultimately, I realized that they earned zero "bragging rights" if the schedule was manageable, the PT reasonable, the accomodations comfortable, and so o

I've heard this forum referred to as an "online cracker barrel". Well, I gotta tell you, I've never seen Scouters say to each other at a cracker barrel some of the things we say to each other in this "online version". I've seen the same thing with e-mail usage at work. Not really facing someone when you want to insult them reduces inhibitions better than a six-pack. Don't get me wrong, I'm not trying to play Miss Manners here (or Mr. Manners, I guess), but Yaworski and NJ, if you two were sitting across from each other at a campfire, would you be talking to each other like you are he

Let me quote the story with the above headline from Pacific Stars and Stripes: "If the Boy Scuots are blamed for starting the blaze that blackened 14,200 acres in the Uinta Mountains area in Utah this summer, it will not be the first time they have had trouble with fires. Utah fire officials say they received more complaints about illegal campfires at the Boy Scouts' camp than at any other spot in the region. Although fire restriction notices are posted along roads leading to the camp and camp staff are notified of the ban, officials say the message often does not filter down to

What in the world is "Oppositonal diviant disorder"? Unless I was napping, they didn't cover that at Wood Badge! KS

We all know that a real Scouting program provides life skills they probably couldn't get anywhere else at their age -- Sctmom, your son is a case in point. All kids are different in their maturity rates and in environments where some thrive, others feel held back. I would assert that our Scouts, with their exposure to outdoor skills, leadership, teamwork, responsibility, etc., at a young age, are better able to handle freedom and personal responsibility than many of their chronological peers. Last year, his last in elementary school, my son did not enjoy what I would characterize as

On Star Trek, Capt Kirk, as any good leader does, solicited opinions from many of his officers. Mr Spock always gave the unemotional, logical input. That's Bob, and I've used him as an AI system or human encyclopedia in the past, as we all have. The key is knowing his world view, and also coming from an experienced-enough position so you know the bold-type policies from the normal-type recommendations... KS

In another thread, Le Voyageur mentioned the Jackie Cooper "Scouts to the Rescue" movies from the '30s (never saw any of them). I know that on those rare occasions when a copy of Disney's "Follow Me Boys" is offered on e-bay, the bidding goes over $100 easy. Who has any movies with Scouts in them, including the ones I mentioned above? Have any of you found Follow Me Boys at any of the internet download sites where you can burn a movie onto a CD? KS

The "social Darwinism" described here is, in my opinion, less prevalent in a well-run Scout troop than it is in a typical school, sports team, neighborhood, family, etc. And, when I've seen it pervasive enough that it gets my attention, it's almost always based on age and/or size rather than a rank or position. Older/larger boys will often feel entitled to order younger/smaller ones about. Watch a playground for an hour and you'll see. In a Scout troop, however, authority is derived from position, and it's a position the Scout was elected to by his Troop/patrol members -- extra legitim

Well, it sounds like two different roads to the same destination to me. All leaders have standards; problems arise, in my experience, when they're not articulated clearly. The standards (like your 80%) can be a double-edged sword -- they can help define what's acceptable vs. what's not, but they can also hoist a leader on his own petard. For example, using the same example, what if the Scout attended 79% and all other indicators were positive? Obviously an application of discretion is in order, but you did say 80%... BTW, I liked your suggestions on rewarding uniform wear...we've gott

paper clips hold things together, as do all dedicated Scouters. I'm thinking of changing my username to "Swingline"...then again, someone may take it the wrong way. KS

Hey Bob; Here's a hypothetical. If, as you suggest, you couled expect a prospective PL to commit to 80% meeting attendance, and he falls short of that (slightly or considerably), would you as SM still sign off the leadership advancement requirement for Star, Life, or Eagle? If not, isn't that the same as an attendance requirement for advancement, which some of us think is reasonable but you do not? If so, aren't you concerned about the example set for those in the troop who will follow (i.e., "...the 80% was a requirement/standard/ commitment, but Joe didn't make 80% and Mr. X sign

We don't permit electronics at troop meetings, but they're not an issue anyway, 'cuz we keep it moving. On outings, they're okay on the bus/in the car with headphones. Once we get where we're going, they're stowed away. Although I discourage cell phone use by the Scouts, I will not overrule a parent who wants them to carry one. I have to remember we're in an overseas high threat area and despite our experience and caution, parents will worry and quick check-ins are the norm vs. calling girlfriends, etc. I don't try to restrict leaders at all. They're grownups, and almost all have to

We apply a FC emphasis, but without the individual tracking sheets. We use the large, plastic laminated, BSA graphic chart that lets you "X" off all requirements through Eagle palms. It's on the wall in our Scout hut, it's kept up to date, and everybody can see the "X's" marching across from left to right. Moreover, we follow the Troop Program Resources pretty closely, and the built-in troop meeting plans steer you toward activities designed to fit new/experienced/older Scouts. I think if your PLC focuses on the right monthly themes at their program planning conference, the adults support