LPC_Thumper

All this talk about paper eagles got me to thinking... As I was finishing up my Eagle, my troop fell apart. I didn't realize it at the time, but as the changes that were introduced in the 70's came about, there were people that were upset because they viewed them as "destroying the program". I was a boy with all his merit badges done, his project completed, the write up just about finished and a SM that had declared he was done with Scouts and wasn't heading back. He did sign my paperwork, and took me to my board of review. After that, I didn't do any scouting, until my son was on his way

WHAT AN INTERESTING QUESTION... I've enjoyed the opinions, thanks for sharing. In my case I'm the Committee Chair for my son's former troop (he aged out, and is temporarily out of the area). I had served for many years as an ASM (while my son was in the program). I was the High Adventure Leader, and arranged trips to Philmont, Northern Tier, and The Sea Base. Our older boys loved it. Now all of our ASMs didn't do the training for the Trips, we didn't do the advancement camp outs. We tried to do Camporee and activities like that. We run 3 programs, new scout, experienced scout, and ol

Some of the medic folks I've seen have gotten fairly creative with what they did. I know one that gave a weather report after examining the camp weather station (a large bolder near the flag assembly area) "Let's see the rock is hot to the touch, I think it's going to be clear today", "The rock is wet, I think it's rainy", or the ever popular "The rock is dark... it's after sundown!" Once this gets started and you get the campers attention, try these sage bits of wisdom... "Never put your hand down a hole", "If you aren't thinking about the bathroom, you obviously haven't had enough

I have seen several boys take the objectives like: 1 - launch to an estimated elevation of X feet 2 - Try to land with a certain circle 3 - Hold a second successful flight (in other words be ready for a 3rd flight) Since skills vary among scouts, the requirement is vague so it can be a stretch for each of the scouts.

In an old course that shall remain nameless (but let's just say, "I used to be a Beaver...") I heard that we spend all this time trying to open the boy's mailbox of interest. When it is finally open one should throw as much of the proper kind of mail as one can until that box is closed. If a scout is willing to come to you, the box is open, get your mailbag and let's go!!

I feel fairly safe posting my comments about BoRs... I don't remember your name before, so let me just start by saying I'm a District Eagle Board of Review Chair (this is one of about 5 BSA hats I wear, not counting my "smokey") The Council Advancement Chair invited me to handle this position after he learned that EAGLE BoRs were taking about 2 hours each. The former chair had lost sight of his role. What can you possibly talk about for 2 hours? How do you keep from retesting, and certifying the Scoutmaster conference if you talk to a Scout that long? After review of the District Com

There are more than one way to do things. Speaking as an Eagle Board of Review Chair, let me share with you what my district does. There will be something similar in your district, just don't say that you read this on Scouter.com, and so your district is wrong... deal? The application has all the signatures, down to where it says District Representative (on the back of the form)? You have the completed Eagle Leadership Service Project folder down? (In my district we encourage the boys to build their own pamphlet, using the National Supplied one as a guide. For those that like to spli

My first exposure to a dutch oven was when my college roommate got married. His fiance was from a very rural area of the California Central Valley. Her father made dutch of chicken for us that he browned the outside of the chicken and then dug a pit layed a fire in the pit, put the DO in and then buried. He left it for about 8 hours. You want to talk about slow coooking. The chicken just feel off the bones, and was just about PERFECT. We sat around and ate until we couldn't stand up. It was one of those wonderful memories, I still think of that night as I use DOs with my scouts. You might want

Hi Dan, Welcome... I would like to help you a tad with your uniform statements. According to several National Publications the Venture uniform is whatever the Ventures want it to be. I appreciate the differences between a Crew and a Patrol. My point is that the Crew can decide ANYTHING/EVERYTHING in regards to their uniform. Now they should pick out pieces of the uniforms of other groups (for example they shouldn't pick a Boy Scout Shirt with green loops, and Cub Scout pants) but they can design their own tee-shirt and wear it with shorts, and flip flops. While this might not be dressy en

I would echo what you have heard, but as I do that I think I can add a bit... I'm the Eagle Advancement chair for my district. I don't ask the Scouts "Now tell me, when did you start working on this project?" He KNOWS when he should do that, and to ask that question is to lecture to him (imo). I've had scouts call me to ask if this project would be a good idea or not because thier adult leaders were stumped, and then it takes YEARS to hear from them again... Sometimes they have the same project sometimes they don't. I wouldn't worry about them looking, I'd worry about them making a rock s

I'm going to side with BSmom on this... come one guys we've got new parents here, let's help some. My comments are coming from a former Scoutmaster/former Camp Inspection Staff Member/Current Troop Committee Chair. If you can't read my smile, and my occasional wink, rest assured they are both functional, and available. Also understand that I'm seated, not standing and shouting. It has been my experience that many camps have communal showers for the boys. And since we are dealing with new boys that are either 11 or have just finished 5th grade and PE shower rooms are yet to be discovered.

Thanks John, over-looked those. Should have listed Religious knot, and I'm with you the West awards are not that common... Thanks for getting that correct.

We have our Committee Meeting the same night and in the same hall as our CO. It is not uncommon for each group to visit with each other before/after their respective meetings. We have done things for them, and they have provided a yearly donation. When we use that money, we thank them for the new (whatever we spent the money on). They raise money for lots of groups, and they have gotten to the point with us that they tell us how much to ask for. I mean if someone told you to ask for $2,000, would you? And then what happens when you ask, and they GIVE it to you. Then they next year they tell yo

Also don't be discouraged, or think your troop is bad, or anything like that if you don't get an answer you like. Since this is a local question, and FRANKLY SINCE THIS DOESN'T COME UP VERY OFTEN, don't be too surprised if you get deer in the headlight looks as you ask. But you do need to ask, and see what they think. I also agree that when your nephew starts in his troop even though it is week 53 with no break, it really appears as being week 1. Remember there are only a few badges you carry with you from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts (those badges are Arrow of Light, and the Heroism Awards)

In my troop we do a couple of things that many locals have commented on, so here goes... Every year we hold 3 "Advancement Campouts". The campout schedule reflects the idea that this campout will help accomplish either Tenderfoot, 2nd Class, or 1st Class. Of course, if you miss the campout, you can arrange with an adult to have them help a young scout get those skills. If you're on a campout before the associated campout, and you already know the skill, you can have an adult sign you off for that as well. It works for us, and we find that our first year guys are finishing up 1st Cla

Too busy to do scouts? Well here is what we do... We have 2 ASPLs, this started when one boy (whose parents are divorced) was voted in as the SPL, and knew he was going to have to spend many long weekends, and in fact would miss summer camp because his absent parent insisted on their parental rights, and would not allow this scout to attend outings. He was smart enough to ask for a second ASPL rather than hang his only ASPL out. It worked. Then with our troop of 50 scouts, it just got easier to have these three run the meetings. We have had California state champions in individual sp

What do you do now? It's a matter of safety... come on guys you're sharper than this... What do we do now? Simple, whenever there's an event that is going to require water exposure aren't you supposed to have swim checks? I can't quote chapter and verse from G2SS, but isn't that what Safety Afloat says? Let's see, if you don't pass swim check, what do you do? Now that you've pointed this out to the young man, you hold to the rule. No pass the swim test, no canoeing, no sailing, no whatever. You don't run him up the flag pole, you just let him know when the swim checks are and that to

Let's take this one step further... The CO provides a place to meet. I'd say that mattered. The CO provides a resource for leaders. Either financial, or with a list of volunteers. Again, I'd say that mattered. The CO may reflect a voice in the District & Council. The COR/IH get to tell the SE what they want done, the SE tries to balance all their demands. Again, I'd say that mattered. The sad part is that many times these resources go untapped, and therefor their role can be viewed as not mattering...

Both of those jobs (and we're only talking those jobs, rather than "What does a Commissioner do?") is easy to write on paper, but hard to actually do. They coordinate the work of the Commissioners. Obiviously the Council Comm works through the District Comm to ensure that each unit in the Council gets what they need. The District Comm then works with the Unit Comm to ensure that the data actually gets to those that need it. Don't mean to be glib, just trying to not be too verbose.

Sorry we do this the old fashioned way, everything is on paper. There is a picture of our opeing assembly on the district website, in case you want to check up on me (not that you doubt me, but hey...) www.liveoakbsa.org (check in the Gallery, the rest should be easy. I'm the funny looking guy in the front) Any other questions about what we do? Good Luck! They do a GREAT service, and are actually as much fun as camp.

Thanks all... I guess the 14 by the first day of Jambo is our council? That's interesting! I can check for him with the neighboring councils since there are 3... I guess our council to the west would be from Hawaii? I really thought there was going to be a Jambo in 2010. It'll be interesting to see if that really hits. I do remember the talk about having one in 2000. Sure would help a bunch if they really did hold it again in 4 years. I was just curious if others were facing this problem, sounds like they aren't. It's going to be interesting to see how the "good old boy" club at

Yes we run 3 consecutive 1/2 day Saturdays. It works best trying to get the adults together. This year we offered: American Heritage Astronomy Aviation Cit in the Community Cit in the Nation Cit in the World Communications Computers Cooking Crime Prevention Dentistry Emergency Prep Family Life Fingerprinting & Law (we run FP 1 wk, & L for 2) Fire Safety First Aid Fishing Fly Fishing Genealogy Graphic Arts Home Repairs Indian Lore Insect Study Journalism Music Personal Fitness Personal Management Photography Reptile Study Sp

Not sure where to put this, so I thought this would be a good place. If not just shoot me... Last night after our meeting, a 13 year old scout came up to me and asked a question. I had no idea how to respond, but told him I have friends that I talk to about all sorts of scout things, so I'd ask them... here's the question. Since he is too young to go to Jamboree this year, and the next one will be in five years, when will he get a chance to go to Jamboree as a youth? He understands that not everyone goes to Jambo, BUT everyone should be given the chance. Has anyone heard if National

Let me run over the schedule for you, you'll see why we do what do (I think)... 8:45 Opening (Last minute announcements (there will always be those), flag salute, and we offer a prayer) 9:00 Session 1 10:00 Session 2 11:00 Session 3 12:00 Session 4 Now here's a few more things we do. Each class is 50 minutes. We provide snacks for the scouts. Set them out at 8:30, and have them during passing times. We close up shop at 12:50. They are on their own for lunch. Each session is a different class (merit badge), except for First Aide. We run that as a two hour block. We give t

What works for us is to have each individual District Advancement Committee (this really ends up being a group of 4 or 5 UCs, and some district folk, nobody other than Advancement Chair does this every year, just the way it works out)uses the back cover of the requirements book, and contacts all counselors. The checklist of questions is: 1 - Are you willing and able to help this next year? 2 - Are you current on YPT? 3 - Did you have any problems we should be aware of? 4 - (If applies) We noticed that the requirement book lists your merit badge as one that has changed. Are you aware