LeCastor

The Gipper! Yes, you can't expect that all Webelos-aged boys will be capable of lugging all the gear out to the deserted island. Just last night I was reading a little paperback book I inherited from my grandpa. It's called Campcraft and it's obviously aimed at the young boys and girls of the late-50s/early-60s who wanted to taste the adventure of the outdoors. It works through campcraft skills slowly and gradually so you build up that confidence with bedrolls, jackknives, fires, and eventually cooking some meals on your own--without adult supervision! In fact, there are levels of achievement listed when you begin as a campcrafter and then progress to a pioneer, a woodsman, and finally a frontiersman. The "requirements" pretty much match those of the Boy and Girl Scouts of the era. The key that I saw in that book was the gradual introduction of outdoor adventure. Once you mastered the basic campcraft skills you then moved into a new category where you felt more comfortable. If you went out and did these activities with your dad, grandpa, mom, grandma, aunt, uncle or whatever, you'd be set for those Tenderfoot-First Class requirements. If anyone is interested I can scan the "requirements" section of the various skill levels.

I've been itching to go out to the Philmont Training Center but I have a quick question. Do you take just one of the courses listed on a particular week or do you take multiple courses? Like one or two conferences? Thanks to anyone who has been out there and done that.

I'm happy to know this SM minute struck a chord with so many of you! The reason I shared this is because I was seeing too much emphasis placed on the the I-need-Eagle-right-away attitude at the expense of the Scouting ideals. We have enough one-up-man-ship going on in society and, as Scouters, I feel we need to remind our Scouts to be kind. Plato said, "Be kind, for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."

Yes, bl dubs. There was a recent thread on Patrol chuck boxes where we discussed the merits of light-weight cookery vs. the whole shebang. It's nice to have a variety there between a fixed camp and a traveling camp where sometimes you bring the kitchen sink and sometimes you bring the collapsible canvas wash basin.

Hey, Mike. I don't know of any official policy regarding this issue. However, I'm of the opinion that since your CO asked you to include a Papal flag--at their church--it would be a nice gesture. An Eagle CoH isn't necessarily a public display like a parade. If your Troop were to march in the Thanksgiving parade with a Papal flag I'm sure many would wonder 1) 'what is that flag?' or 2) 'are the Boy Scouts a Catholic organization?' OR they might not even notice and it'd be a non-issue. How far are you willing to go at the risk of ticking off your CO?

I figured someone would get that reference. Thanks, Eagle94.

I grew up camping with my grandpa and mom and one of the best memories I have of Cub Scouts is of the time when my Webelos Den went car camping at Lake Allatoona in North Georgia. My grandpa was asked to come along and help our Den Leader, who wasn't necessarily a camper, get the hang of the outdoors thing. It was a total success and prepped us for Boy Scouts. Perdidochas, is right. The adventure will come eventually in a Troop. Car Camping is probably the best thing for the group as a whole right now. But you and your son can go out now and try some of the adventuring stuff you are looking for. How cool would it be to start a culture of camping in your own family? Then, when your son crosses over he'll be doubly prepared--he'll know and knowing is half the battle!

This weekend I participated in the Central Region Area 7 commissioner conference in Oak Brook, IL and it was an eye-opening experience for me. It was certainly interesting to see all the white-haired, be-knotted, and beaded commissioners of the area. (I'm poking fun about the white hair, of course. But I was probably at least a decade younger than the 2nd youngest person there.) What I learned, besides unit commissioner basic training, was that membership is pretty much down all over the dang place. Being located in Northern Illinois, the conference was a good place to hear about the recent merger and creation of the Pathway to Adventure Council. Walking around in the hallways between presentations, I couldn't help but over hear the myriad discussions about which councils were next to merge. "Is it Blackhawk and Glacier's Edge? Or will it be Potowatomi and Glacier's Edge? What will happen to Chicago?" I guess mergers aren't anything new. But with the continual downhill slide I've seen with membership in my council, I have to wonder what the plan is. We continually talk about decline in membership but I don't see any real concrete plan. Also, our first instinct is to ask, 'well, why is this happening?' and I honestly don't think you can pinpoint one single reason. Sure, the membership policy debate ruffles feathers on both sides. STEM programs, too, make some uncomfortable. One attempt at recruitment that was mentioned at the conference was interesting from an urban viewpoint. There is now a storefront discovery zone at a large shopping mall in Schaumberg, IL which is aimed at interested youth...those who might not be Scouts yet. So what's the plan? Just keep on keepin' on?

How dare you, Chai! ;-) Just kidding. But that is an interesting thought. If Venturing has awards but not rank, are the Sea Scout recognitions also awards and not "ranks", as it were? It seems that the Quartermaster is a rank, or as I mistaken?

Welcome, JLM! Well, I applaud you for wanting the best for your Troop's patrols. However, I wonder if each member of the patrol shouldn't just bring his own plate and cup. As a youth, my patrol had a nesting set of pots, pans, and lids, but the plates/cups were our own responsibility. Currently, my Troop's patrols operate this same way. Each tote contains the needed patrol cookware but each patrol member provides his individual mess kit. I think this might alleviate your problem. Have you asked the Patrol Leaders what they think? They might poll their Scouts and find out what they'd prefer. In fact, it might be cheaper than trying to find kits with 6-8 plates/cups. If/when you build those totes, don't forget to encourage the PLs to have their patrolmates paint their patrol totem!

I have a photo of me with my grandparents at Court of Honor. My Scoutmaster is handing me my Second Class rank badge and hanging from his belt...is his Vigil Honor sash. From the forum and the Bryan on Scouting blog comments, I know ppl get all worked up about that AND when Scouts put their merit badge sash in their pants/belt area. Honestly, it doesn't really matter in the long run. If your Scoutmaster wants to wear his OA sash at the Court of Honor to promote the OA then he should just do it. E. Urner Goodman probably wouldn't be offended. But I still think having current Arrowmen in attendance would be best.

Hey, KDD! Long time now see. Good to have you back. I think Columbus is in the Simon Kenton Council. I have two Eagle Scout co-workers from the Heart of Ohio Council and they have nothing but goods things to say about Scouting in the area. As with anything, I think Scouting is what you make of it and with your attitude I think you'll be fine anywhere.

Well, it might sound strange to call it a "success" but I really do see as such. Earlier this summer I mentioned that one of my long-time Scouts decided to quit the Troop. His patrol mates had just chosen him to take over as Patrol Leader and he came to me, the Scoutmaster, with a heavy heart. As he was trying to tell me he was leaving he couldn't hold back the tears and the shaky voice. I asked him if he wasn't having fun and he kept saying that, no, he liked camping and being with the guys but that his family needed him more now. He explained how Scouting had helped teach him values and basic skills. As he poured his heart out I realized we really had impacted his life in a positive way. And even though he was leaving us physically he would always be a part of our Scouting family...dues be damned.

I mentioned on another thread that a parent took me to task for not giving her son--who rarely shows up for anything--a bunch of badges like the other Scouts. Well, if you're not having fun with your patrol mates, camping and hiking, you're probably not going to earn Tenderfoot, 2nd or 1st Class... There's nothing quite like seeing a Scout's face when he realizes he has completed a requirement while out camping...when he wasn't even trying to check the boxes.

You're correct. Some do favor a "slick" uniform. However, I personally think the OA lodge flap is important and shows the youth that you, too, are involved as an Arrowman--assuming you pay your dues and are, well, active. P-B-Dubs, I think you're onto something there vis-à-vis letting the parents know you are knowledgeable. But I still think the OA sash should be reserved for OA events.

Yes, welcome Carolinfornia! I bought one of those super light aluminum(?)--or "al-ewe-min-ee-um"--plyers with the fleur-de-lys on it. Garbage. Then I bought one of those Lodge-branded lid lifters. That works find for me. But heavy gloves work just as well.

Wow, flat feet AND "only" made it to 2nd Class. I can't believe they let you be a Scoutmaster, Stosh!

The sash should be worn at Order of the Arrow functions or when one needs to be identifiable as an Arrowman. I think it's nice that your Scoutmaster wants to promote the OA. However, I think inviting a few Arrowmen from the local Lodge might be a better idea. That way the young Scouts can see what the older guys are doing and look forward to potentially being Arrowmen themselves. Then, after these invitees do their thing your Scoutmaster could then show off his sash and explain that he, too, is an Arromwan and was chosen by his fellow Scouts back in the day. Since the OA is a youth-run organization, I think it's always best to have the youth come by and share their experiences. That being said, I know that lots of folks wear their sashes at courts of honor. I personally think it's best to reserve the sash for OA events.

Love it!

Jason, I think Stosh and Ken are on the right track here. My Troop, too, typically organizes our own BWCA trips rather than go with Northern Tier. Sure, you don't get the cool patch but you still get a killer experience in the Boundary Waters! It's cheaper to do it on your own and probably just as fun. Many Troops in MN and WI organize their own trips to BWCA, actually. Not really sure but I would guess that FL Troops probably don't go to Sea Base as much as Troops from other regions of the US. You and your son might be able to hook onto a contingent from "up Nort".

Barry, I think you'll agree that we all were for keeping a handbook and fieldbook in the hands of the Scouts. It's just the format that is in question these days. Digital vs. paper. You are onto something there with the cellphone idea. Twocubdad, I had a similar situation with a parent following a court of honor earlier this summer. After the active Scouts had all earned their awards, a parent approached me and asked why her son didn't earn anything. Well, I told the parent that the majority of the badges had been earned independently of the Troop and that the rank advancements had happened through active participation in summer camp, regular patrol outings, etc. The parent couldn't understand why her son--who hadn't even been around except for one campout and a handfull of meetings--hadn't advanced or earned any merit badges. We've started a mentoring program in our Troop where veteran parents team up with parents of new Scouts. That way the new parents can learn to take a step back and let the PL guide the new Scouts. Over the past three years, I've really encouraged the older Scouts to mentor the new guys and sign off for completed requirements. That was a procedure that was taboo before I was SM...Can you imagine that? Only adults can sign off on requirements? GBB is shaking his head. Perhaps the SPL/PL/Troop Guide/Instructor, etc need a quick refresher on mentoring the new dudes? Maybe an Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops is in order? Perhaps a parent night where the SM/ASMs put on a welcome-to-the-Troop-this-is-how-it-works talk? At any rate, Twocubdad, I feel your pain. It wasn't fun talking to that irate parent about her son.

Two important questions: 1. Was it snowing and 7 degrees out? 2. Were they skinny hipster jeans?

Yeah, if you are close enough to an animal that it changes its behavior to react to you, then you are too close: http://www.lostateminor.com/2014/09/09/watch-angry-ram-takes-drone-chases-owner-path/

Yes, Kettle Moraine South is a nice place to do a 10-mile+ hike and there is a camping area. What is cool about the Ice Age Trail is that it incorporates civilization with the wild places. I bet you could start in the Southern unit and hike to the Northern unit over a period of a few days and learn quite a bit about WI along the way. http://dnr.wi.gov/topic/parks/name/kms/pdfs/kmsforestmap.pdf Check it out! Good idea, Eagle90.

Yeah, having read quite a bit about West and his involvement in Scouting, I doubt he had any writing responsibility with regards to the Scout Field Book. Despite what the credits say, I'm pretty sure this was Hillcourt's baby.