ASM7

It seems you can actually become a member of Clan MacLaren Society of North America for $10 if you have earned your Woodbadge Beads. Check out this site:

http://members.aol.com/Rapmack/how.htm

I've always thought kilts were great looking in a formal setting. I don't know where you can order MacLaren tartan from, but it would be great to start a traditional formal woodbadge kilt uniform.

Well, I thought I'd get my feet a little wet on this one. Sorry about being away for awhile but I had a week at Philmont training center and a week sick and a week trying to catch up with work.

I think that both the Gold Award and Eagle Award are the highest awards each scout can achieve and each should be revered.

If you earned a religious award as a youth, you can wear the knot as an adult. It's an award of the Church and not BSA, GSUSA, Campfire, or 4-H.

I had a Eagle scout and Venturer on staff at Philmont tell me that Silver was always a higher rank in the military because when all the ranks were developed, the world was on the silver standard.

I agree with some of you that both the Gold Award and the Eagle Award should not be compared, but the two awards have similarities if you look at just the requirements for each separately. But from what I have learned is that a girl can start and complete the Gold Award with only maybe a year in GSUSA. The Eagle Award cannot be obtained without Tenderfoot,Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, 21 merit badges, a lot of service projects and leadership positions. That's probably the only difference that you can tell those who just have to compare.

OXCOPS

If what you have described in your mind is sexual abuse, and it is happening in the local council, then the the proper response would be to report it to the Council Executive. From my recent youth protection training, that's what we were told. We were also told that it's not our job to investigate, only to report it. This definitely does not need to continue. Report it and you have fulfilled your responsibility.

Our scouts help out in emergencies. During catastrophies where there are widespread power outages, our scouts help the Red Cross set up their relief stations. We mobilize and take supplies to these stations at various schools around the county. All of our scouts are CPR trained. Three of our leaders, including myself, are licensed amateur radio operators and keep in communication and also help out the local ARES (Amateur Radio Emergency Service) with county comms. By the way, I have that BellSouth message service with all my scouts in a group. Great way to get a message out to everyone in a hurry.

I got a civil engineering degree back in the early eighties. Recession forced me out of that line o work. Then I went to work for a major airline where I stayed for 20 years until a guy ran a red light and tore up my truck and my lower back. Midlife career change, received my Life and Health insurance licence and am now selling supplemental insurance. Do you like our duck commercials? Before al of that, I started at age thirteen in a grocery store, worked construction, auto shop at Sears. The most fun has been in volunteer work. President, Lt Governor, Governor for Optimist International, CM, DL, ASM in Scouting, and President of local chapter of National Association of United Methodist Scouters. Two trips to Haiti for missions.

Mike

I just received my new Dana Terraframe, based on your terraplane w/external frame. It came on reccommendation from a friend. I couldn't pass up getting a $315 pack for $99 at Northernmountain.com . I haven't used it yet but it is really built tough, has lots of storage and load carrying capability, plus a removable top that acts as a fanny pack where I will keep my essentials. I've always used an external because here in the south, the pack against my back is terribly hot. I finally had to give up my 30 year old Jansport. I now let new scouts borrow it until they get their own. Check out the site above because they offer smaller packs also.

Doug

Chadman

If you are sponsored by a church, contact churches in that area of the same denomination. Most are willing to let you stay there. Scouts are usually welcome at military bases also. But the one that most troops forget about are college dorms that aren't being used in the summer. I stayed at Camp Daniel Boone in January with 0 degree temps. They have a great new dining hall and first aid station. Most campsites have aderondikes (sp) and platform tents. Beautiful mountain stream going through camp feeding the lake. The lake I hear is very cold in the summer. Your scouts and leaders may want to pre-qualify for swimming instead of doing the test there. Excellent high adventure programs with a two trails going into the Shining Rock Wilderness area. Our summer camp is Camp Bud Schiele in the foothills. Welcome to the forum and to North Carolina.

Doug

92_SPL

I think from reading a former thread that you are a SPL. Woodbadge is a advanced leadership training for Adult Scout leaders. If you have been through JLTC, that's the Scout version of Woodbadge. It would be easier for you to go to this site to find out all you want to know.

http://www.pinetreeweb.com/woodbadg.htm

I hope this helps,

Doug, Kodiak Bear SR-389-37

EagleSPL

Welcome aboard. Sorry about your problem. Little brothers can be irritating. I think it's their job. I'm sure he looks up to you and probably feels special that his brother is the SPL. He also may feel like he needs to act this way to get as much attention as you do. Remember to always keep an even temper and lead by example. Don't do anything about your brother in public, but try to talk to him in private. Your parents and your Scoutmaster should be able to help you also. Show him positive ways to get attention like showing leadership himself. There is a place for fun and cutting up, but the troop meeting is not the place. A class clown is not a leader but a hinderance to leadership. How much younger is your brother? Make sure you have a definate plan for your meetings with fun times scheduled. ie; pre-opening activities and inter-patrol activities. After sitting in class all day, scouts need activity. Use your Scout sign to quiet the room and don't show anger while waiting for the quiet. Good luck and keep us posted.

Doug

ozemu

I just wanted you to know that your contributions are very helpful also. I always enjoy hearing how things are done down under. Keep the posts coming.

Doug

Sorry, I was only going by the Troop Committee Guidebook.

Wher are my manners? Welcome to the forum Rainbodove.

Doug

The CC is appointed by the Chartering Organization Rep. The Rep is chosen by the Chartering Organization. The rep should be looking at people within the organization who has an interest in the program and has good organizational and people skills. The CC chosen should then make sure all of his people are trained. Doing the Committee Challenge as a committee will help meld the group together.

Doug

Bob, that was a great post. If you don't mind I would like to use it. I will credit it to a friend.

Doug

Ed

I glad that this thread came up again and reminded me about Mike. I had been praying for him and his family, but had not thought about it for a while. I will continue those prayers

It is always very hard to understand why these kinds of things happen. This young man is an example of the kind that needs our help the most. And Mike would have probably helped him if he could. It gives me more reason to keep going. One good thing about this is that it brings good light on a great program and the kind of people who are involved in it. Hopefully this young man will turn his life around. My prayers will continue for Mike and his family. I will include this young man.

Doug

I'm not sure of the design you are referring to, but this site may help you in the construction. Go to the "build your own" section.

http://www.backpacking.net/

Troop_358_potlatch

Everyone going into Woodbadge who has posted on this forum about it has been preoccupied with the ticket. I didn't know much about the ticket before starting the course and I think I was better off for it.

But because you and others are thinking about it I'll mention some of my feelings.

OGE mentioned that he was told about the ticket on Saturday and the ticket was due on Sunday. I attended the old course and we were instructed about writing our tickets all through the course. It wasn't due until the last day of the course. The ticket involves items that put into practice the skills that you learn throughout the course. It involves items that will improve yourself and your unit, so talk with your fellow unit leaders and your family. Be very honest with yourself. You will benefit very much from this experience.

Now about completing the ticket:

I personally think that the bead ceremony does not end your Woodbadge experience. Continue to help yourself and your unit with these learned skills. Adapt these skills into your workplace and everyday life. This training is for you and everyone around you should benefit because you will be a better person. Keep in touch with your Patrol. My patrol members are very close and communicate regularly. We care about each other and we know every member can count on the other.

Would I trade this experience for another? Heck NO!

The previous Scoutmaster Handbook (revised 1997) had two pages with pictures of square knots and shows 31 knots. However it doesn't give the award requirements. It also states that the square knot is representative of the metal pin-on awards or around the neck awards and are worn for convenience. I've learned that some metal medals are being phased out and only the sqare knot is available. Does anyone know anything about this? The uniform and insignia guide describe how the square knot is worn. The knot bite that is on top is worn to the wearers right.

For info on all religious emblems programs, go to www.praypub.org . It has links to all faiths and denominations. Good to see an interest in the duty to God part of scouting.

Welcome Sparkie

Our Scoutmaster has set attendance requirements for advancement because he also believes it is related to Scout Spirit. I have to agree with Bob about this. There are lots of good reasons for a scout to miss meetings. Maybe he's out doing some of the things you have taught him. We are probably at the stage that we need to get back to the basics of scouting. Sometimes we need to look in the mirror at how we run the troop. See! I said how we run the troop. The boys run the troop. Regular scoutmaster conferences can clear up a lot about what this scout is involved in.

The ten essentials are listed in the Boy Scout Handbook in the hiking section pgs 207-210 and are the essentials for any outing. Our boys are required to carry these items on all trips. These are especially recommended for day hikes, because short trips are when most emegencies arise. When taking longer trips, you would more than likely have these items anyway.

The items are pocketknife, first aid kit, extra clothing, rain gear, water bottle, flashlight, trail food, matches and firestarters, sun protection, map and compass.

For raingear, our boys use the military poncho because they can make a shelter out of them. We also include 50 ft of parachute chord. Two boys can snap the ponchos together to form a nice shelter from the weather. Make sure they are prepared.

One of my ticket items was to put together a book of weekly lessons for the scouts to use right after opening ceremony. Like Ed, it included the knot of the week. It starts with simple knots and advances to pioneering knots. Seems to work well. The best way for them to retain the knowledge though is to use them for practical purposes. Try letting them pitch philmont style tarps instead of tents. My scouts seem to want the tarps now instead of the tents because they have more room and access. Worth a try.

Bob

It's always hard to make decisions like this. About the Scout Spirit issue, has the requirement already been signed off? If it has, you can't undo that, however you may talk to the family and describe your concerns about it and maybe he will return to give leadership to the younger Scouts. It will also get him ready for the upcoming Eagle Board of Review. Some Scoutmasters interpret attendance as part of the Scout Spirit requirement. Baden-Powell said something to the effect that, you don't really know a boy and what he goes through unless you know about his home life. Communications between Scoutmaster and the whole family is always helpful in maintaining Scoutmaster relationships. By the way, does your committee do the Eagle BOR or does the Council or District? In the end it has to go through the District Advancement Committee. When thay ask about is recent involvement with the troop, he won't have a very good answer. Getting back to the troop would be the best bet for him all the way around.

Sounds like a great lesson in culture, history, and respect. A real "Do unto others" unselfish Eagle project. Daniel should be proud.

Just curious, what is the remaining merit badge? I sort of keep mental stats on what MB is last one earned.

Doug

Check out the Killer Deals on www.northernmountain.com

I personally like the Terraframe Large

Doug