LeCastor

I remember one time, when I was about 14 years old, being asked to lead a Christian religious service at at district camporee. There was absolutely no guidance and I had no help at all. Basically, I took what I knew of my Lutheran upbringing and the liturgy that I was familiar with and ran with it. Man, it was awful and I ended up just talking about how we should be good people and live like Jesus taught us. I was so embarrassed and humiliated that there were so many people there waiting for me to give them a church service and there I was completely unprepared. So....I agree that Scouts need to be shown how to deliver a Scout's Own if they are asked to do it. As far making one that fits everyone, I think we're better off sticking to the Scout Law and sharing inspirational talks about those 12 points...

Yes, these are great posts! I enjoy seening us talk about how to make Scouting better for the Scouts. Personally, I don't like the emphasis on merit badges at summer camp. I would much prefer what SSScout suggests. (Rick, I hear you about the iPhone as multi-tool but I still brought the analogue versions with me )

Hey, Seattle. Here in Wisconsin we tend to partner up with other councils for programming. University of Scouting, Pow Wow training sessions, etc. but that's mostly for adult volunteers. Scout programming is typically council-centric. I don't think my Troop has taken advantage of an out-of-council program other that going down to Woodruff this summer.

Hedgehog, thanks for the post. However, I never told you how I phrased my questions. Also, I am an advocate for this young Scout and want him to advance. For the record, I did ask him the very questions you suggest in your reply. As for the responses I desire, I'm not trying to be overly philosophical as much as attempting to have the Scout relate the Ideals with Advancement. It's all good, Hedgehog. I'm sorry if I offended you in some way.

Q, wait, YOU disagree with something?! No way! . Yes, I jest. I do look forward to reading this forum everyday and, yes, we are fortunate to have a code of conduct so succint and useful as the Scout Law to guide us. I do agree, though, that a small handful of members shape the conversations. Is that good or bad?

DuctTape! I was just going to quote you from the advancement thread concerning merit badges and their linkage with rank advancement: "...prohibit scouts from being MB "counselors" at summer camp, to name a few." So I'll ask a secondary question. If summer camp weren't about merit badges what would be the purpose of the staff?

Thanks, Desertrat, for the kind words. As for the Grinchy bit, I understand.

I have fond memories of summer camp in Georgia and Tennessee. There was canoeing, camping in big canvas wall tents, hiking, etc. I also earned my first merit badges at summer camp, Environmental Science and First Aid. While I felt very proud of my accomplishment, I now wonder if merit badges are the true purpose of summer camp. If not, what is it all about?

It's interesting that you bring up this point. Despite the studies that have been done, suggesting that if a Scout earns 1st Class in the first year he'll stay longer in a given Troop, I don't like the emphasis on potentially rushing a young man to 1st Class. I'm conflicted, too, because I've been asked to present "1st Year Scout Skills" at a winter training gathering. This a broad topic for a 60-minute "class", no doubt. I don't plan to advocated for FCFY. Rather, I intend to discuss the Methods of Scouting and how advancement and the Patrol System are linked. I might even mention that merit badges can wait until after 1st Class...

Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, and 1st Class are where Scouts learn the basis of outdoor skills and learn to live the ideals of Scouting. This is where they have a lot of fun and get the foundation of Scouting, both at the same time. My opinion would be to return to the days where Scouts were encouraged to focus on advancement to 1st Class before earning merit badges. Summer camp for the younger guys need not be about merit badges but we know that it's become so focused on advancement rather than on fellowship and adventure. Now, for Star, Life, and Eagle I'd advocate for keeping the merit badge requirement. Once a Scout has earned 1st Class he's ready to move on to honing his leadership skills, his attitude of service to the community/fellow Scouts, and his desire to learn about the world around him. Done correctly, merit badges can lead to some life-long interests! Correct me if I'm wrong, but I think earning Eagle used to be about having 21 merit badges and a few other things. The service project was added much later in the game.

LOL...I like that line, Stosh. We are starting to split hairs, though, I think. The reason I started this thread is because I see a lot of finger-pointing on this forum. Some of it leads to resolution but most of it just causes a lot of negativity and, quite frankly, makes my blood boil. I'm fairly certain we are all in Scouting because we believe that it's the best program for our youth, and I believe we all hold the Scout Oath and Law dear to our hearts. We don't always follow the Law and slip from time to time, myself included. However, we do our best to abide by those 12 points. Someone recently stated, we're like a family on this forum, complete with sibling shouting matches. I, on the other hand, am an only child and I don't know what it's like to have a brother or sister. My outlook on life was formed by my Lutheran pastor mother and my Scout buddies. As you have probably noticed, I tend to give people the benefit of the doubt. This sometimes leads to my getting walked on and spit on. But, hey, I don't regret the decisions I've made in life. If I've helped give a Scout a positive experience in a life that is normally less-than-stellar, I think it's okay if the boy's mother took advantage of my money or my time. Maybe she's a single mom who wants the best for her boy but can't make ends meet. I don't know and I don't care. The problem, as I see it, is the boy needs Scouting and can't afford it. I can fix that with the help of my friends, fellow Scouters, and the chartering organization. I'm not going to blame the mother for not being able to afford Scouting for her son. Some of you will be quick to jump back with words like "enabling" and "entitlements". I hear you and I understand where you're coming from. However, I choose to address the issue with the Scout and the mother at a time that is right for all involved. That's just my approach to problem-solving. Some have called me "warm and fuzzy" and that made my heart sing. Yes, I do approach Scouting from a warm and fuzzy angle. There's enough cold and prickly stuff going on in life and my Troop provides a safe-haven for a lot of young men who need a warm and fuzzy place to go. There's a safe place for them to go and fail, learn, and become better men. I don't expect most of you will agree with me and that's fine. Scouting is my passion and I enjoy working with the boys in my Troop and the Scouters at the district and council level. Is there finger-pointing going on there? Duh. Is it helpful? No. We have "toxic Scouters" at every level but we can't let them ruin Scouting for us. Let's take roundtable, for example. It can be a great place to learn new things, meet new people, and keep up-to-date on the news of the district/council. If you let it become a waste of time, complaining-session, "Latin American General" [cringe] greet-and-greet, then you're going to hate it and become all jaded and cynical. So I'll stop rambling and wish everyone a Merry Christmas--if you celebrate Christmas. Otherwise, just know that I enjoy reading your posts and look forward to opening Scouter.com every day. We don't always agree with each other but we're united by Scouting and that's pretty darn cool. LeCastor

Merry Christmas, Cambridge! Thanks for the beautiful video.

Thanks for the replies, everyone! The common theme I see is that these cards are a hit. I think this could possibly replace popcorn for our Troop, and I see that as a good thing because the Scouts are losing steam with that dang popcorn anyway...

Hmmm, suspicious...J'ACCUSE!

Q, hence the need to "confront the issue and then seek to forgive" down the road.

Stosh and Huey, I like your attitude vis-à-vis the continued adventure! One of my questions to the Scout was based on his post-Eagle goals. He said he's planning to stick around and earn some palms. And, heck, he might be ready for Sea Base or BWCA by then!

Hey, Eagle! Yeah, he's definitely goal-oriented which I think is a byproduct of his particular school environment. But I've asked him about his gung-ho-ness and he legitimately likes earning merit badges and advancing at his present pace. As far as knowing his stuff, he is on that continual path of learning, as I mentioned earlier. He might be lacking on some basic Scout skills but he's always happy to review that, especially with his patrol mates. (He knows that's important to me, too.) For the most part, I think he enjoys the learning aspect of Scouting but not necessarily the camping part. Without a doubt, he's got his eyes set on earning Eagle in a year and I believe he'll do it.

Just to be clear, Oddball, I'm pulling for this Scout and don't agree with the "too young" mentality.

Totally, DC! Daped01, you'll want to go into Wood Badge knowing that you'll have to rewrite your ticket a few times. As I was a Troop Guide this past fall, my patrol gave me the cold stare more than a few times.

Does anyone have experience selling "camp cards"? I've seen this done in high schools. The idea is you sell a wallet-sized card that gives you discounts at various participating stores. They're inexpensive and I hear they sell fairly well. Our council is suggesting them again this year.

So I decided that it would be nice to have one of those poly-wool uniforms (pants and shirt) to look a bit more crisp for formal occasions. My wife thought it would be nice to buy it for me as a Christmas present. But after I ordered it the pants were way too small (not true to size) and the epaulets were, as stated above, off-center and the American flag patch was about 3 centimeters too far back on the sleeve. I guess I'm not surprised they are discontinuing this uniform, though, because the quality just isn't that great for the high price tag. Needless to say, I sent both pieces back. I like those nice wool serge (dark green) uniforms that Scouters wore in the 60s/70s. It'd be nice to have something like that again.

qwazse: "Well, it sounds like you didn't tell the boy to "stop and smell the roses," and I consider that a good thing" Quite the opposite, in fact. I told him that, in reality, he could be an Eagle in 12 months and that he'd have five years of adventure ahead of him after Eagle. Also, wouldn't it be great if we had more Scouts sharing their thoughts on Scouting??

As many have mentioned before--and I agree 100%--a Scoutmaster Conference need not happen just before a Board of Review. In fact, we have SM conferences fairly frequently whether or not we call them that. I do it all the time with my patrol leaders. At any rate, I sat down with a young Scout last night for an "on the books" type SM conference just prior to his Star board of review. I asked him what the core ideas were for the Star requirements. (I was hoping to hear 1) active time commitment, 2) service, 3) leadership, and 4) merit badges.) He struggled quite a bit and couldn't get past the "requirements'. What do I mean by that, you might ask? Well, I'm not really concerned that you have to be a Patrol Leader for 4 months to become Star or that you have to do service hours to become Star. I'd like to know how being a patrol leader for four months and doing service to others helps you become a better Scout. I asked this young Scout many questions and hoped to prepare him for the BoR. He had done so well in the previous (T-2-1) BoR, but I knew that Star, Life, and Eagle wouldn't necessarily be so easy for him. He is very driven by merit badges but the concepts of leadership and service aren't totally there yet. Of course, I'll be the first to remind the boys that Scouting is a journey and that we are constantly learning. But my Scout struggled to explain how leadership and service help the others and himself grow as as Scout and as a person. I'm pleased to announce that he did pass the BoR and is a Star Scout. Though, he did tell the Troop Committee that the SM Conference was a little longer than usual. The committee approached me afterwards and said he might be a little too young (12) to be advancing at his current pace. I've never been one to say you have to be such-and-such age to be an Eagle, but there is a certain level of maturity and understanding that we expect of our Eagles. I told the committee that you can't really put an age requirement on Star, Life, or Eagle, but I understand their sentiment. Some young men are more mature at 12 than others...

Our council has a designated shooting sports coordinator who cares for and stores all rifles and shotguns throughout the year. I believe we are allowed to request usage of these guns throughout the year, provided a capable rangemaster is available to oversee the event. It does seem pretty ridiculous that the story above happen once much less several times.