ASM59

Our Troop had a major changing of the guard this past December/January. Our Scoutmaster and about two-thirds of the committee left (including Committee Chair and Treasurer). There were no real problems; the SM just felt it was time to move on and the committee that has worked with him just followed. Our new Committee Chair who has only 6 months experience in Scouting, seems to be having what can only be called a power-grabbing problem. He makes decisions about outings, fundraisers, the purchase of a new trailer and more without input from the rest of the committee or the Scoutmasters.

Our Troop had a major changing of the guard this past December/January. Our Scoutmaster and about two-thirds of the committee left (including Committee Chair and Treasurer). There were no real problems; the SM just felt it was time to move on and the committee that has worked with him just followed. Up till that time, our Scoutmaster ran the whole show; from planning the meetings to deciding where we would go on trips. His wife was Treasurer on the Committee and all money issues were handled between the two of them and our Committee Chair who always 'green-lighted' the SM's wishes.

Some of the most memorable campouts have had bad weather associated with them. We've endured many a campout with rain (from a non-stop drizzle to absolute downpours with tornado warnings) and had our share of colder than expected winter campouts. These are the campouts that the boys remember and continue to talk about... One such campout was in a state park in early May. The assigned campsite was in a low lying area surrounded on all sides by higher ground. Just after arrival, it began to rain. All of our gear was wet, the tents were wet inside and it continued to rain all night. This

Touch, FOG! I was waiting for someone to mention this. Mothers usually take care of most of the discipline in the home and also help their children with homework and providing meals (motherly type things). These tendencies can carry over to an outing such as a campout for some mothers. Our Troop has several Mothers who do will not register as ASM or go on campouts because they know that they will do exactly as you pointed out. These wise women know that they would disrupt a campout by being overly worried about relatively minor things. They would tend to jump in and do things for

Good thoughts BW & FOG. I do intend to take a path along a river (about 12 miles) for one of the rides. Lots of character and history that we can discuss and not just flat, lots of ups and downs on hills that can be challenging. Another of the rides will take us through a conservation area on roads. Again, there are places to stop off where we can discuss some history, conservation, and wildlife. I like your thoughts about how interesting it can be taking roads and about making the experience meaningful and interesting. You are speaking my language and that is exactly what I

Yes, I am YPT'ed And yes, I think this will be a lot of fun! Actually, half the fun is watching the faces of the other adults in our unit when I tell them that I need someone to ride 50 miles with us. As of now, I have volunteers to ride on the shorter treks, and they are considering setting up meeting places along our routes on the other treks to trade off riders (they don't think they can make a 25 or 50 mile ride). Thanks for the info. . . ASM 59

I am preparing to start instruction for the Cycling M.B. I have a couple of questions and I'd like to get some feedback. The "Boy Scout Requirements 2004" handbook states in requirement 8 & 9 under Cycling: 8. Avoiding main highways, take two rides of 10 miles each, two rides of 15 miles each, and two rides of 25 miles each. You must make a report of the rides taken. List dates, routes traveled, and interesting things seen. 9. After fulfilling requirement 8, lay out on a road map a 50 mile trip. Stay away from main highways. Using your map, make this ride in eight hours.

NJ: I suppose if you assume that homosexuality is immoral, then the "policy" makes sense -- at least within a unit that shares that opinion. this nation is divided over the issue of homosexuality. I don't think the BSA should impose a national solution on its members when there is no consensus either way, either inside or outside the organization. Based on the text at the link NJ posted; http://www.scouting.org/media/press/020206/index.html The BSA reaffirmed its view that an avowed homosexual cannot serve as a role model for the traditional moral values espoused in the Scout Oat

BW - No one HAS to belong to scouting. If you share scoutings values then you GET to be a member. NJ - That assumes that the people currently making the rules are correct as to what "Scouting's values" are, and in this one case, I don't think that's true. With all due respect, and as has already been posted, the BSA is a private organization. I agree with the position taken on these issues by the BSA, therefore I feel comfortable in the organization as a leader. You (NJ & pdunbar) are free to leave and form a new private scouting organization whose membership guidelines includ

Here are a couple of ways that we keep the meaning(s) fresh in the minds of our Scouts: 1) During Scoutmaster Conferences I (and other of our Scoutmasters) will ask a question like, "What part of the Scout Law have you found hard to live lately?" or "What part of the Scout Law is most important to you?" This opens us up to discuss parts of the Scout law as we respond to his answer. We are not asking him to give us the Scout Law or to define anything, but it makes him think and gives us the opportunity to comment and perhaps even tell him what part of the Law is most important to us. 2) W

I have a question for you all. We are conducting a Court of Honor for one of our boys who has earned his Eagle rank. For several of the ASM's of our troop (including myself) this is the first Eagle Court of Honor that we've attended. We were wondering: Is it customary to get a gift for the new Eagle Scout? If so, what sort of gift would be appropriate? Thanks, Doug - ASM T.59