ASM59

(sorry, this is a long post...) The past year or so has been very disappointing. Weve had in-fighting on the Troop Committee and a SM and ASM who have superseded the authority of the boy-leadership (at summer camp and another outing) to the point of making the boys wonder why they even try. The Troop has done well from the standpoint of the boys and their development, growth, and advancement. We have many Scouts who are Star and Life rank and eagerly looking toward getting their Eagle rank. One of the Committee members and I have tried to keep things moving along, but my j

Ours are typically handed out at the end of the meeting to the boys, two meetings before the outing. The permission slip is due at the meeting before the outing. No permission slip, no go. It's the Scout's responsibility. For those of you who hand out a yearly permission slip or get permission slips signed when the Scout is dropped off for the outing; how do your patrols plan for the amount of food that is purchased? How do you track who is planning to go? We usually have 80-90% of the Scouts on any given outing, but we have been surprised on some outings and had only half of the

OGE, It states in your Council's training requirements, "Limited exceptions may be considered by the Council Training Chairman based on individual circumstances". Hopefully, they are taking into consideration situations like our Troop is in and making exceptions. It is great that they are experiencing growth. But could it be that we could experience even better growth by following a "mentoring" path like Beavah mentioned. I really think that Beavah is correct that a training requirement will, in many cases, produce "the adult version of advancement mills" with meaningless, yet time consu

Hello, We just purchased 6 new Meramac 5 tents with the "ZF" option (heavier flooring and larger zipper size). We opted not to get the aluminum poles, due to price and fear that if the aluminum poles get stepped on they might crimp and not be usable. We don't know for sure if this was a real concern, but we are very happy with the tents, and have had good luck with the fiberglass poles in the past. We figured that the fiberglass poles should last the life of the tent, and if not, we can replace them for less than the extra cost of the aluminum pole upgrade. As you mentioned, we were n

scoutldr, Point well taken. It is important that there be "standardized training". Perhaps there could be a standard "indoor training" video and testing at a Council or District camporee for those who have acquired up to first class skills while participating in Troop activities. This whole idea that there be mandatory training is scary. You see, currently our Troop in a crisis. Trust me, we are currently utilizing every possible adult that we can. We have 4 committee members, a Scoutmaster, and 3 ASM's. Two of our leaders (SM & ASM) work every weekend. All four leaders

Good Day, I was an ASM for 8 months before I had my Scoutmaster Specific "Training" (indoor and outdoor). In those 8 months I learned more about the Boy Scout program from the Troops Scoutmaster than what was presented in the "training". Basically, I only went to get the card and the patch. I was told by the Scoutmaster that I already knew what I needed to know. If training is going to be mandatory, then why not let a trained Scoutmaster (or ASM) train the other ASM's as they come on board? Watching the program in action and getting "on the job" training/experience is much more eff

Eamonn, I like your ideas about introducing "the unexpected" and "random acts of complete silliness" into your program. We have also cut back by one meeting a month - last Monday of the month is now PLC meeting not a regular Troop/Patrol meeting night. This has really helped the boys on the PLC to get down to business and do some planning. I have had some opposition to doing this from other adult leaders, but I think it works well. Barry, You are correct, nice post. The whole role model concept can be powerful. I've seen it in action where an older boy (15 years old) became a ro

Like others, our boys have expressed interest in going somewhere other than the local Council camp next year for summer camp. We are located about 60 miles SSW of Chicago, IL and are looking for a camp within 250 miles for next year. Does anyone know of a camp with a great program for both younger and older Scouts (11-17 years old). Please, if you know of a camp that you'd recommend, let me know. Thanks, ASM59

Welcome Home to all, We arrived back from summer camp on July 1st. Overall, I'd say it was a good week despite the problems that I noted in another thread. (http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=136032) The boys were very well behaved and I saw very encouraging signs that they are really getting the whole "boy lead" concept. On the FYC topic, I'll interject that we typically steer clear of that program except for certain Scouts that we really think will benefit from it. I definitely agree that putting an older Scout (even if he just joined) in that program

Hello, Nice response Eamonn... I just wanted to add a few thoughts. First, with regard to a Senior Patrol, I have seen mention of Senior Patrols in these forums over the past couple of years. My understanding was that a Senior Patrol was a patrol made up of the SPL, ASPL(s), and possibly Junior ASM(s). We have a Senior Patrol that is made up of the boys holding these offices and they function as their own independent patrol. And every election, this patrol changes dependant on who is elected SPL. As Eamonn says, just because a Scout is shy doesn't mean he cannot make a go

Thanks again for the replies; Regarding where the SM was and having him step into address these issues: The SM was the third adult at camp. He was actually there when this happened and he was the "other adult" that interfered in the second incident that I mentioned. At the time of the first incident the SM is the one who told me what happened. I told him that we (the adults) should stand back when one of the boy leaders handles a problem. If correction is required in the way the incident was handled, we need to gently correct the boy leader and instruct him how he could have better h

Thanks again for the replies: acco40, You are correct, I never judge a scout by what he wears or how he wears it. This boy (the one who missed Lunch, aka "the punk") is one of the best scouts I have had in the 7 years that I've been in Boy Scouting. I have renamed him "Mr. Someone". If a leader says, "Someone needs to pick this up" he is the first one to stand up to do it. He goes over and above what any other Scout in the Troop does to be polite, kind, and helpful. Basically this Scout exemplifies what a Scout is. MaScout, I agree with what you say... The problem is this AS

Thanks Semper... The other Leader is a "trained" Assistant Scoutmaster. ASM59

Thanks for the feedback. Barry you are so correct about the fatigue that hits about Tuesday evening and seems to last through Wednesday. I have tried the last couple of years to get a Wednesday nap in sometime in the afternoon. In this case, this was more than a "cranky attack". This seems to go to the core of not only how the Troop should operate, but what constitutes disrespect from a youth. I really believe that this Adult Leader thinks that a youth can never say anything in his defense without it being disrespectful. It not only happened to both the Scout that missed lunc

Good Day, We had a similar situation with Scouts that were always being accused of bullying but there was no evidence of it other than the accusations. We finally decided to change our disciplinary tactics. We called a meeting of all boys and parents. We announced that our Troop was taking a zero tolerance approach to bullying. We also stated that false accusations of bullying would be dealt with just as severely. Our approach was that on the first incident, the Scout would receive a 3 month suspension from outings and a parent must accompany them to meetings. A second inciden

Good Day, I witnessed a couple of disturbing things at Summer Camp last week and need a "head check" to see if I am off base on this or if I have reason for concern. We took 20 boys to camp, one of whom is a "Junior Assistant ScoutMaster" (nearly 17 y.o.). He planned to stay with the Troop as an adult leader when he turns 18, and we felt making him a Junior Assistant SM was a way to get his feet wet in the Assistant ScoutMaster role. Now for the first incident: Two Scouts (13y.o. and 14y.o.) missed Tuesday Lunch. Later, I found that the reason they missed was that they thought l

Good Day, Here is the breakdown of how our local Council Camp is set-up: Campsites: Campsites without tents, cabins, or adirondacks; Troops generally supply their own tents. I believe Council will provide wall tents if you are short on tents. Each campsite has two latrines (out houses) and a basin for washing hands with running water (each basin also has a lower spicket for refilling drinking water or making more "bug juice"). Aquatics: We have one lake for aquatic activities; swimming, canoeing, kayaking, motor boating, polar bear swim, mile swim, etc. Meals: Mea

Yes, Alps Mountaineering offers a 45% discount to Scouts all the time on their tents and sleeping bags as well as some other camping items and packs. Like 'Loping Okie' stated, sign up for their scout direct program and in addition to getting the standard 45% off, they'll send occasional e-mails with discontinued or over-stocked items. Last year I ordered new sleeping bags for 12 boys in our Troop because the parents could not pass up the offer. They were 0 degree mummy bags that normally sold for $100.00 each, on sale to reduce inventory for I think $35.00. The only catch was you ha

Eagle, Yes, stick to the high road. Remember our situation that I posted about several weeks ago: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=124180 Last year we received no Scouts from the Pack that we have always worked with. This year it looked like it would be almost as bad, but in the end all is well. Keep up the good work and stick to the program as it is to be delivered and they will come. And by all means look to other recruitment ideas, that sounds great. ASM59

Barry, Thanks for your post. You've really nailed down the whole "Guardian with a vision" concept. Thank you for your words of encouragement, so much of what you said, I'd like to comment on, but suffice it to say, "I agree". Some of what you said reminds me of an article posted in Scouting Magazine in October of 1950; text to follow... ------------------------------------------- Within My Power by Forest Witcraft Scouting, October 1950 I am not a Very Important Man, as importance is commonly rated, I do not have great weal

Yes, nice definition. We have also been involved in moving from a formerly adult lead Troop into a boy lead Troop; it can be a lot of work. We've made lots of progress, but it still seems to be a struggle sometimes. By the way, how big is your Troop. You say it is small, but that is a relative term. We started with 6-7 Scouts 3 years ago and have grown to 24 Scouts this year. Unfortunately the pool of adult volunteers has not grown. I'm looking forward to not only having a comfy chair, but I'm hoping that my one hour per week can be knocked down to about 45 minutes. ASM59

This is a continuation about the Scout who has been accused of being a bully. Hopefully, we are on the way to a happy ending. In the same time frame as my posts in the original thread "Who's Telling the Truth?", I was called by the Scout's mother. She wanted me to talk to her son as he is hanging out with the "wrong crowd" outside of Scouts. The next meeting I had to be out of town and did not get to talk to him. The next day, one of our other Scouts called me to let me know that the Police pulled this Scout out of Lunch to talk to him. He returned to class later, and would only sa

JustAsking, You state that this Scout's mother makes him attend Scouts as a punishment. I am not sure how we know this, but perhaps a Scoutmaster conference is in order. Really talk to this Scout to find out what is going on in his head. Find out if he is at all interested in the Scouting program and continuing in it. If you find that he is not interested, then perhaps a talk with Mom is in order. You can explain that because of the recent behavior and his not really wanting to be there that it seems too risky to the others for him to continue. If he is not interested, he won't

Eamonn, I agree with your comments, now. I cannot explain a policy that doesn't exist. I cannot explain a policy that has multiple interpretations. I cannot assign a quantifiable amount to the term "active" so that everyone understands what is expected to meet that requirement within our Troop. So why should I even try to explain this to our parents? It has been a difficult process to understand the process surrounding all this. I'm not even sure I fully understand all the implications of what I've learned. One thing I do know, is that we cannot set a standard for what Active m

Proud Eagle replied: "Use good judgment in these things. Set out clearly, up front, what you expect of your Scouts and your youth leaders. Hold them to those expectations. I don't think anyone would fault you for that, even if they disagree with you." This is basically what started this whole discussion. My Power Point presentation that I was going to use to help our Scouts and their parents understand what is expected stated that the PLC and Troop has set guidelines for what is expected to meet these requirements. This statement is exactly what has come under critisism from the Counc