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MattR

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Everything posted by MattR

  1. Okay, I replaced two sections Number of scouts in patrol at end of 6 months. (25pts): (Best: have 6-8 active scouts, Better: 5 active scouts, Good: 4 active scouts. The PLC defines what an active scout is. Treasurer: (25 pts) The patrol has a treasurer. Good: The patrol treasurer ensurers that expenses are handled for at least 50% of the campouts. Better: The patrol treasurer ensurers that expenses are handled for at least 80% of the campouts. Best: Same as Better but there is also a budget that has been approved within the first month. Eagle94-A1, I've had a few patrols earn the nati
  2. Thanks blw2 and NJ. The point of the patrol size is to get the patrols to take on some responsibility to help recruit scouts. I agree it is sometimes out of the scout's control. I would not count a scout that has only gone on one campout in 6 months as active. What I'm trying to get at is that there are 6-8 scouts that are interested in scouts. We seem to have one or two scouts every year that are officially on the books but not the least bit interested and it just screws things up. Maybe a better way is to let each troop define what active means and leave it at that. About the bud
  3. Here's my idea for Patrol JTE. I'm sticking with the Troop JTE Bronze, Silver, and Gold. My apologies. The scoring is a bit confusing but it's similar to the Troop JTE and not worth the words to explain it. Please be constructive. I'm going to have my patrols do this. Patrol JTE: done over six months, (twice within the year for Troop JTE) Number of scouts in patrol at end of 6 months. (25pts): (Best: have 6-8 active scouts, Better: 5 active scouts, Good: 4 active scouts. An active scout is one that has gone on at least one campout. Camping (250pts) -Long term camping: same as
  4. You don't think everyone doesn't already tell them what's about to happen? Tell them all you want, make charts and graphs and all sorts of wonderful aides, and it won't make a difference. A lot of scouts have to learn the hard way. This is likely the first time they've ever had to figure out a schedule so they really don't understand what it means to fall behind. Think of it this way, once they go through this they will better understand the next time, which will likely be much more expensive if they're late. The best quote I heard related to this: A project becomes months or even years la
  5. Hmmm, all I knew was our patrols were week. I had no idea how to change that or what it might look like. The adults were happy doing a lot for the boys so it didn't help. The SM handbook was a complete bust. My commissioner was of no help either. Not that he was bad, just that he didn't know. Interestingly enough, there were two adults that also wanted to make the patrols stronger, but they didn't know how to say that. Simply put, we were all clueless. @@blw2, I might have been in the same place as you. My patrols would cook on their own, but that was it. I think the biggest challenge is c
  6. @blw2: Yep. The training is fine as an introduction for someone that knows nothing about scouts. It would be much better if there was a follow on course related to the things you mention. Focusing on the patrol method for a whole day and how to transform a troop to using it would be great. That's what I was looking for and never found it. Philmont might have something useful but that's not practical.
  7. My point was that if there's enough snow to go snow shoeing then there's enough snow to call it snow camping and too much for most scouts to do anything else on that list. So I'd say their definition of snow camping is that there's enough to need snow shoes when you go for a hike. I don't think they're interested in extreme weather as they just want scouts to try something other than what they're used to. They picked water, snow, biking, and mountains. Camp and enjoy one of those. That's the choice. This is a requirement where the scouts have to do something as opposed to describe, exp
  8. This is why I preferred the space ship, wind up the prop, let it fly, watch it crash, rebuild it, and repeat event. It was all for the boys and they enjoyed it because they got to do it over and over and over. It was pure fun. The pinewood derby will always bring out the worst in adults. I saw it nearly 20 years ago with parents using CNC machines to hollow out the wheels so I don't think it has changed. Fortunately it's just the pinewood derby. It sort of reminded me of the win all you can game at wood badge.
  9. It's all relative. The goal is to try something different. Look at the list and notice that you have to do two things and, if you don't have a mountain nearby, nothing else matches going snow shoeing or skiing. The list really is do one of go on the water, go biking, go in the mountains, or go in the snow.
  10. I think the Constitution is beautifully written. It's all cursive. I write in cursive because it's easier on my hands. Printing is carpal tunnel just waiting to happen with my hand going up and down so much. It is slower and requires more concentration, but it helps me think before I write.
  11. Hi @@Ryota, The morse code idea is clever. Do you have a set of English words? Lemonade I know, Pertolangan I can't even guess.
  12. sorry, but no. I guess that's what the :'s are for. Good luck.
  13. ... when a father, who knew he was going to die from ALS, asked that our troop be a part of his memorial service. ... when a scout told me that although he loved his father very much, he was very thankful for the adults in the troop. ... when my son, at age 20, told me "now I get it" (so jjlash, you were doing well to get a response at 17) ... when I see scouts having honest, pure, fun, without a care in the world. ... when a parent told me he has two sons, one in scouts and one not, and the one in scouts is a much more well rounded person. ... when I see an older scout telling stories or
  14. In a situation like this where everything is getting out of hand and plans are failing left and right, stand back and remember you're not getting paid for this and it's all about the scouts. So, ignore the adults, what do the scouts need? As others have said, make it simple and put some really loud cheer or something in there to make it fun. In this case they should be recognized for completing cub scouts and joining a troop, and they should have fun doing it. They don't care about the content of the ceremony, only that there is one. I've gotten to the point that adults not helping out or
  15. Unfortunately, I have. I've asked for time for patrols and my troop at several camps. We've brought our own climbing gear only to be told we can't use it on camp property. Last year we went to a camp with what I thought was the best staff I've ever seen. The camp director didn't understand why I wanted to find time for patrols but when I talked to the camp counselors they thought it was great. They are told they must complete MBs but they'd much rather make MBs a by product of having fun. This camp does, however, have a separate camp that is patrol based and everything, including MBs is do
  16. I agree with most things you say except for this. At least at the camps I've been at most resources a fun activity might include are booked for merit badges. Rock climbing, shooting, anything on the water. Another problem is camps are getting away from letting scouts schedule their own merit badges. You tell them what merit badges you want and they tell you your schedule. So if you want your troop, or patrol better yet, free in the afternoons it's just luck of the draw. Next year we're going to a camp on a big lake that is all about water. The following week we're going backpacking. So, M
  17. I thought this was nice. http://www.kktv.com/content/news/Refugee-youths-find-safe-haven-in-Boy-Scouts-of-America-409302415.html
  18. Agreed Agreed. As to your math, NJ is right, don't design planes. But as to a metaphor describing people it's okay. Maybe a better version is everyone's glass is half full. Nobody's is full, nobody's is empty, but everyone's is half full. Look for the goodness and accept the problems. Not really related, but remember when Clinton, the Bill, said "It's the economy, stupid." Again, the BSA is pulled off its message. Well, I guess we don't know what its message is so any incident will do just that.
  19. The idea of adding a 4th level, the patrol, is good. Grade each patrol and the troop score is based on that. The patrol method seems to hinge on whether the scouts look out for each other. I just don't know how to score that. Asking the patrols to come up with their own calendars seems to be the default but if they don't much care about the others, or just don't have much enthusiasm on their own, their calendars will be junk and then bad things happen. Anything that would help with this would be worth a lot. It doesn't need to be JTE-like.
  20. Some random thoughts, because the family is around: What about something to encourage feedback within the patrol? Not sure how but it seems boys just stew over problems rather than bring them out. This might not be the place to teach it, but if there were a simple metric it might be useful to teach the scouts and the adults that the scouts can and should solve their problems rather than the adults. How about borrowing the troop membership metric and applying it to the patrol. Keep 6-8 members in your patrol. Actively recruit for your patrol. Many of the troop wide metrics might work at
  21. It sure sounds like you're volunteering to write one up. Thank you. I look forward to seeing the first version. I'd use it not only to score my troop but also to teach my scouts and parents. One of the things the official one does is make it obvious to score. So, there isn't much subjectivity. If you could keep that it would be good. Starting with some subjective measurements might not be a bad way to start a discussion, though. Anyway, now is a good time to do this and you'd be great at making this happen. let us know what help you need. Thanks again for helping out with this.
  22. What about it? I agree with Stosh, human dignity applies to everyone. And a corollary might be that dignity requires empathy.
  23. +1 for qwazse. He helped a young man learn from his mistakes and from the mistakes of others -- a useful life skill. End of story.
  24. Unfortunately, they laughed at this quote. Again, the image is that Boy Scouts are quaint. It seems that character is about as important as hair color.
  25. Not sure about Bass in particular, but scouts that have gone to hardware big box stores all get the same bit of advice. Each store has a fixed amount of money they donate per month or fiscal quarter, so be there asking at the start of that period with an explicit list of needs. Good luck. It sounds exciting.
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