matuawarrior

Our Venture Crew changed over this year from High Adventure to SAR. We're just learning the process of becoming an actual SAR unit. Most of our training at the moment is First Responder Training. We're slowly building up. Since it's the first time this concept is being used here, we have to get legislation to allow the crew to participate in call outs, and fall under the jurisdiction of the local EMS or Law Enforcement Agency. I doubt if the crew will get any calls any time soon because we have a long way to go. The Local Fire Department loves the idea since it will free up t

As a Notary Public for my territory, I would suggest that you have an attorney draw up your paperwork. You can check with your district or council to network for a lawyer who is involved with Scouting through them or NESA. Many Lawyers who are Eagles are willing to help out the Scouts but check with them first. Some may even take your unit on as a "Pro Bono Case", if not then they'll usually charge a small fee. eisley is correct that the language of the instrument must comply with your state. The instrument you're looking for is basically a special power of attorney that pr

When the time comes for my scouts or venturers to play their chosen sport. I always tell them to go for the gold and be the best you can be on the field or the court. They are only gone for a short time not forever. If the Scout/Venturer is a Leader. Then his/her assistant takes over for the period their gone. Some of them even make it to camps after their games, even if it's for one night. The rest of the troopies and jr. leaders don't mind. They're happy to see their peers make it out to camp. I even go the extra mile by trying to attend their home games. Mind you, I don'

We tried talking with the Scout Leader. Apparently, if it's not in the rules then they can do it. As a Camp Director, I now have to expend more energy to insure the rules are detailed. This to me is a waste of my and my staff's time and resources, that can be used in more important areas of the camp program. I thank you for your suggestions. It is just sad that we have to take extra measures to discourage untrustworthy individuals from unscoutlike behavior in a Scout Camp Environment. Matua

Thanks to all for the compliments. KS, congratulations to you too. Marty and KWC57, you will have so much FUN at Woodbadge. The staff is very helpful. God Bless, Matua

acco40, I didn't even think of that angle on this, But you are right! My church does the same thing but only once a month. I'm still LOL. Anyway, I'm gonna follow OGE's example. I can't hibernate so I'm gonna get my fishing net and speargun and go fishing at my family's beach. I'll Catch some rock lobster and parrot fish and have BBQ . I'm gonna enjoy the sunshine since that typhoon missed us yesterday. What a perspective. Have Fun, Matua

I would have a tropical quickdry uniform for island scouts. That's with matching Teva sandals, Cool Shades with headwrap, and matching lavalava. This way we can jump in the water without changing. Patches in the correct places of course. Have Fun, Matua

I stand corrected. I meant to say that a "Majority" of us are in agreement. I'm sorry about that. Yes, I have been to many a wine tasting events. I even helped sponsor one when I was a member of an Outrigger Canoe Paddling Club 100 lbs. ago. The money that came in was well over 10K dollars, But it was an adult function. The event was well organized and the club flew in a wine expert from Hong Kong. It was a black tie affair. Imagine an island boy trying to find a tux when all I'm used to is island stylin quickdries. I'm also a drink an occasional glass of wine once in a blue

Congratulations to your daughter and the family. God Bless you, Matua

It was a long winding road but it was FUN. I received my WoodBadge Beads at our District Banquet last Saturday. Our district didn't get my packet in time for the banquet so my friend (He's also our Dist. Commish) decided, without me knowing, to have a spontaneous beading ceremony during the award ceremony. That was the BEST ceremony that I had, short, simple, and to the point, It felt really good to finally finish. But this is not the end, it's the beggining of a new adventure. I looking forward to serving on staff. I used to be a Bob White a good ole' Bob White too. Ma

After reading everyone's posts in the thread, I'm glad that we're all in agreement that alcohol, spirits, or beer is not appropriate even though it isn't really specified in BSA's fundraising guidlines. " The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members." That may have to be amended and the only way to do that is send it up the chain. I have to agree also with BW its how the money is u

Cheating is . . . . . using sterno or white fuel to presoak wood used for fire competitions. This looks really off base when other patrols are huffing and puffing to get their fires going but two patrols from the same unit have thier "Blue" fires going right after they light their tinder. . . using radios to help patrols in your troop find points in an orienteering competition. This was used as a guise for safety. In case a scout got injured they can call for help. . . building pioneering projects at summercamp before competition starts. This tower laid on its side for th

Here a survival skill from the Chamorro Scouts from Guam. We have a delicacy here called "Kelaguen". You could use beef, deer, chicken, or fish. I'll have to get you the actual recipe later but here is what I have from memory. It's basically cutting up beef or deer meat into bite size strips. Get the meat to soak in a mixture of vinegar, and lemon juice with your favorite spices. The Chamorros use local peppers which are really hot. We usually cut up some whole or green onions and put into the mix. You'll have to mix everything and then let it sit for a couple of hours. The lemon

Okay BW, I knew I could count on you. LOL Do you keep your scout resource library next to you? ;-) I've always wanted to ask you that. Matua

BW, Are you alright? Your reply really threw me in a loop. So are you implying that, as you know it, with the current BSA regs or policy on fundraising, it maybe okay to do wine tasting as a fundraiser depending on our locality? I remember reading "No Alcohol allowed at any Scout Event" somewhere in one of my Scout resources. Now I really have to dig it up. If the Fundraiser is a Scout Event doesn't that go against policy. Matua

No, it's not our local BSA district or council. It was the local GSUSA council. Maybe their standards are way different then ours. Matua

We started Off-Site Patrols within our Troop. Due to our economy and rising gas prices, our committee and Chartered Org. agreed to follow the local LDS church and thier Scout units in starting 0ff-site patrols. These are patrols that meet at other locations closer to the Scout's homes other than the regular troop meeting site. Each patrol must have the following in order to qualify as an Off-Site Patrol: 1-ASM 4-8 Scouts An approved meeting place i.e. home of one of the Scouts. We have our committee members,JASM's, parents, and myself rotate in evaluating the patr

dan, I am sorry but I do agree with you. Yes, a den leader would know what his son has done. Yes,it is silly for a den to be redundant in doing a work that was done in school. I was basing my reply on an experience where a den leader approved requirements without looking into the Scouts handbook, without talking to the parents who were present and just writing the awards on the advancement form. Four cub scouts crossed over to my troop three years later from that den (this happened 4 years ago). The only way we discoverd what happened was when one of the four scouts tried to

I mentioned this in another thread but once I get started on this subject. I just get going. How do you deal with Leaders who cheat so that their boys can have the advantage in district competitions? What is sad is that they don't see that they are cheating and neither do their Scouts. They bend the rules to so that when we question it. Their reply is that the rules didn't say how many lashes or what kind of raft. It makes my job harder as a Camp Director where I now have to spell out and be precise in all the rules for every competition at camps. That time could be used som

I too have seen this done in our district by a couple of troops. Scouts are told that they can get credit for work done in school. I do not agree with this practice. I can see if the Scouts have asked the teacher to be thier MB counselors but for Scouts to have their MB cards pencil whipped for past work, I don't agree. To me there is no accountability. In your situation I see it that the leaders don't have the time to manage the program properly. It's easier to ask boys if they done this or that and just sign away. But what are we really teaching them? Maybe its me h

Here are some examples my Rangers have done in the past: Erosion Control Tree planting Turtle Watch Setting up snake traps by ports of entries (We have the brown tree snake problem) Trail Maintenance Water or Soil testing I have a Venturer who wants to count birds at the Air Base. The best thing to do is invite a conservation officer to your Crew meetings to give examples for your area. I'm pretty sure they may have projects planned but have yet to do them. The BSA has a conservation book that may help. I can't think of the name at the moment but I'll get back to

It's the small things that count. Thanks for sharing. Matua

The local GSUSA council here has just sponsored a wine tasting fundraiser. I realize that fundraising requirements are different between the BSA and GSUSA. I know that BSA Unit Fundraisers have to provide a service or product in exchange for receiving funds. However, with the high turnout and capital recieved at the GSUSA event, a very small minority of our district unit scouters are asking if its appropriate for BSA units to sponsor the same type event. I have told them "No". I believe we are sending the wrong message to our scouting youths even if the event is managed by adul

I would have informed the Scoutmaster and SPL of what went on. The SPL would talk to the boys while the SM talks to the parents. Both basically saying "if you continue to behave this way. We'll have to let you go". If and when the boys decide to push a little on the SPL, then the SM will give his final warning with the parents of the boy at a SM conference. Boys will test the limits. Let the SPL and PL's do thier jobs by correcting the boys first. When that fails the SM gets involved with the parents. Matua

Been there 12 years ago, lets Finish it. Matua Airborne, All the Way . . .