matuawarrior

Been there during Desert Shield/Storm. WILCO, pass it on. Matua

Sorry for the mix up on going to recruiting stations. I meant to say local reserve or guard armories that may have deployed members. I get the two mixed up for some reason. Matua

I agree. Through experience my troop learned that older boys rarely listen to younger patrol leaders in the same patrol. They are better off in Venture Patrols with their peers. It takes trial and error to find out what best fits for each patrol and troop. We too have gone through reorganization using the age/ability patrols. I like the plan that OGE's PLC used. We may use that in the future if we find a need to reorganize. Matua

My Charter Organization is highly supportive. They really have no choice in the matter, especially when I own the business. Matua

I'm the new Boy Scout Roundtable Commissioner for my district. Since last year, we've been inviting Crew Presidents and SPLs to our roundtable. At first they were quiet but later they started giving us their perspectives to what they would want at our big events. Yes, pizza, buffalo wings,and other goodies will always bring them back. but most of the jr. leaders return because we gave them that opportunity to be involved at the district level. Some older Scouters believed that RT was only for the Big boys and girls. I beg to differ. Giving these scouts and venture jr. leaders the chance to voice their concerns helps the program. It breaks down the "us versus them" perception. Plus, they, the jr. leaders, see us Scouters have the same fun they do. All I can say it has helped our program at the district level.

KS: That sounds like a real good service project. I'll bring it up to my troop/crew at the next meeting. But, its not only Father, husbands and sons. It's also Mothers, wives, and daughters that are now members of the guard and reserves. Matua

One way to support our troops in the field is to have our young boys and girls get together and send "Care Packages." During my tour of duty in Desert Shield and Storm" receiving these packages not only brought up my moral but also those of my squad and platoon. There were so much stuff in the packages: disposable razor blades socks sun tan lotion sun glasses writing material reading books pictures of who sent the package foot powder It was great to receive these, I put the suggestion to my Troop and Crew last night. the SPL and Crew President believes its a great idea. You can get names of service members who have deployed in your area from the local paper or recruiting office. I'm not sure if the military accepts "Dear Any Soldier or Sailor" letters or packages anymore due to the high security measures. I could be wrong. We found out that sending packages to someone from the island that's deployed anywhere usually receives the items. It's a suggestion, Matua

Good to hear your son enjoyed his first campout. I always tell my junior leaders if they invite anyone to any of our events, invite them to a campout. With one campout, I know they'll bite and join the unit. Parents who are invited to help out at a campout usually make it to all our outdoor events. Matua

Ditto to all the great advice for Chucklehead. Scout Troops and Venture Crews are Youth Led. As a Scoumaster and Crew Advisor if I wanted to have the adults run the program. I'd pack my bags and start a sports team. Matua

I see both sides to the question. One is you would like to get your Troop to go to participate in the experience. I would say "Yes" you could do that but your troop will not be official particpants of the jamboree. I attended the 1983 World Jamboree in Alberta, Canada. It was a great experience but the one thing I remember that allowed me and others who were official participants to standout from Scout Units that visited was the Jamboree Passport. That little book allows you to join in the games and other activities. National already has this down to a science. I was told at woodbadge that if a scout wanted to go they can start saving Now and by the time the applications came out they would have enough to make thier first down payment. You could look at it both ways. You could take your troop with the low cost savings and observe the jamboree or you could save now pay the set fees and have FUN. Let the Youth decide, you'll be surprised at the decisions they come up with. Matua

I don't have any children yet but when I do find the right lady to share them with. I pray that my boys or girls are just like the scouts and venturers I helped guide the last 8 years. Thanks for the reflection, Matua

Lost Items MB 1. Lose 1 sock to a pair. Make sure your name or troop # is not written on it. 2. Leave the following at water front. a. towel b. goggles c. swim trunks or water socks 3. Discreetly leave soiled underwear at latrine after service patrols cleans up. 4. Leave Scout Handbook at Dining Facility and claim it's not yours even with your name and troop number written inside it. 5. Leave your camp bag at camp after your troop leaves for home. 6. Have mom call the Camp Director to see if any of the above items were found at camp. Matua

Our crew sports the official venture shirt and black BDU or EMT pants. This is due to our program change from high adventure to SAR. Both pants can carry alot in thier pockets. Matua

A CAR -- Naw, I gotta a Scout TRUCK. It's 4x4 Dodge Clubcab. It used to be ugly but now its a work of outdoor art. My older Scouts call it the "Mud Hopper" while my new scouts call it the "tank". I've got woodtools, rope, water hose, scout manuals, canned goods on the back bench. My girlfriend prefers my truck to her nissan car. I wonder why? My first outing was three days, after I bought the truck 7 yrs ago, to a remote family beach. Family, friends, and scouts all freaked out when I drove up in a brand new truck. Part of the road to get there goes thru three feet of salt water. Adventures with Mud Hopper could make a good book. Matua

Know how you feel. We're south of you by 3 hours plane ride. My brother, is with the CAV, and my bestfriend, she works in logistics, are up on the line. We had the nice AF planes here for awhile not like what was mentioned in the news. The AF base is 2 miles from my family's compound so we here them revving up their engines. You're all in our prayers. Matua

Our crew also meets with the Troop and Pack on the same day each week. The Venturers know that their only required to meet twice a month but they choose to meet every week. We use the trickle down effect for Leadership. The Venturers instuct certain skills to the Troop and likewise for the Pack. Each unit has its own distinct program but with the crew involved, it makes things alot easier. Plus, my parents love the current setup because all their scouts meet on the same night. It's also a recruiting incentive for the younger scouts to see what's available to them at the next older programs. It's really their program. As a Scoutmaster and Advisor, I find myself working with the Pack more than my Crew and Troop. These guys and of course gals do a tremendous job in planning, coordinating, and implementing their program. Matua

I agree with OGE. I've been involved with my Crew first as a Explorer Post since '97. I remember when I first saw the Silver Award at our district office. My Crew President looked at it andexclaimed that "girls can get their Eagle in venturing". She called the Silver Award the "Silver Eagle". If were teaching character to our youths then we need to make advancements fair to all youths. BSA needs to market all the areas of venturing and not just the High Adventure side. Here we have 3 High Adventure Venture Units and 1 Religious Unit. My Venturer's voted to change our specialty to SAR, this was after the accidentally stumbled acto. Starting up a Venturing Crew is alot easier than starting a pack or troop. Matua

The Life Scout did the project after the typhoon in January 2003. He has not turned in an Eagle Application at this time. The only thing that was turned in was his Eagle Service Project Workbook. The project was vague for me to even consider as an Eagle Project. He did not have much to go on. As a member of the Eagle BOR here, his project would not get my vote but now that I'm "technically" his Eagle Advisor. I would have to recuse myself from the Eagle BOR. I believe the Typhoon was a major factor The Scout is now registered with a unit from 1 January 2003. He may have to redo a project that will satisfy the requirement. Matua

If they passed him, then he's an Eagle Scout. The Board messed up by not properly reviewing his paperwork. It's only a recommendation. It would have brought up many questions for me to ask if I noticed he didn't have any of the recommendations. The only thing that goes to Council and National are the Eagle Scout's Bio and Application. Congrats to the New Eagle Scout. Matua

I had an interesting situation a couple of weeks ago and I want to throw it out to get various responses. A Life Scout was trying transfer from one unit to another in October, 2002. The Life Scout walks into our district office in November. He is given names of Scoutmasters, Units, and meeting times. In early December, the district office manager gives me a heads up to expect this Life Scout because he maybe heading my way. A Supertyphoon with winds up to 180 mph devastates the island on Dec. 8, 2002. There is no communications, no power, limited water, and our district office was heavily damaged. The office was closed until late January 2003. The Office manager receives an Eagle Project Workbook in the mailbox from the Life Scout. The only signatures are the Life Scouts and a town mayor dated January 2003. There was no unit leader, no unit committee Chairperson, and No District/Council Advancement Signatures. I was asked by certain Council Scouters to see if I can "Fix" the situation. I met with the Life Scout regarding his Eagle Project Workbook. I pointed out the signature discrepancies. I,also, pointed out that after Dec.31, 2002, many of us on island were not current members of the BSA until we rechartered. Which many units here did not do until the end of last month due to continuing recovery efforts from the disaster. The Life Scout has already turned 18 years old since January 2003. I informed the Scout that an Eagle Project could not be done without the proper signatures,that he was not a member of a unit, and that his membership expired since the end of December. He admitted that he knew of the requirements but went ahead anyway w/o the proper signatures because he was running out of time. Now his father who was attending the conference with him got upset that his son was being penalized for going ahead and doing a project and may not be getting the Eagle Award. I informed the Scout that he may have to write to Council or the National Adavancement Committee to request for an extension. That even if he did write to National, they may not approve it. So What do you think of this? Did he complete his Eagle? Can National grant him an extension? Matua

I believe its doing great in my district. I retain a majority of my older scouts. It was hard to start at first but that was due to fears of operating a coed unit. Once we started it took off like a rocket. Our Crew actually outnumbered our troop in membership(We have the same Charter Organization). My crew president's have all been female jr. leaders. The boys have little interest in leadership positions or crew awards. That's probably due to earning awards and holding positions in the troop. My district currently has 4 venture crews. We may a new crew chartered on the Southern side of the island. Like any new program it'll take time to catch on. Just like the Tiger Cub Program in the early 80's. Look where its at now. Matua

I'm working on a new project for our area. As a suggestion to our new DE in January, I asked if we can retain an island off Guam for a Sea Base and permanent Camp Ground for area Scouts. A week later, the DE told me the territorial agency responsible for that property loves the idea(Something about Budget Cost cutting measures). Our Council is sending out a rep to look over the site. We're gonna recon the area later this month. Our goal is to market this Sea Base/Camp to the Scout Associations in Japan, Korea, and Australia as a year long training site. We already have sister unit's camping here annually. It's summer here all year. PLUS, we have some great dive sites here and throughout Micronesia. Any suggestions from the forum that may help us. Matua

Just thought I thank everyone for giving me insight on "Council Charters". I had a talk with the TOP volunteer in our District on Thursday Morning. He gave me quite an insight on financial responsibilites of a council. There is so much. Alot of grievances were brought up. I was assured that will be repaired. The biggest factor to the dissension between our district and council was and is communication. It's the same in any organization when communication is not dessimated both ways. As per my meeting with the other volunteers on Thursday Evening, We're going to stick with the program, help OUR district, and work with council to make the program for our youth better. One point that was brought up to Help council is bring the outer islands under our district to help cut costs. The main decision will be the council board and region. Again thanks, Matua

WoodBadge was a blast! The tickets are FUN. The staff will help GUIDE you on your tickets. Watch out for those Bob Whites. Coming from an island, I thought a Bob White was a mountain cat. Talk about disappointment when I found out I'm a Quail. I was in a GREAT PATROL. Had a blast, willing to go back as Staff this year.

If the Eagle Candidate has majority of his req's. signed off by the previous scoutmaster except for his: Scout Spirit, Eagle Project and Board. Not much can be done but to ENCOURAGE him to HELP with the unit while he is working on his project. Scout Spirit is about living the Oath and Law. As a Scoutmaster, I make it a point to network with the Scout's parents, teachers, friends, and minister. Is it hard? NO, because I enjoy doing it. Yes, I have had and continue to have Life Scouts who leave the troop and come back before their 18 birthday to finish thier Eagle. Do I get frustrated? Yes, I do BUT the Handbook states I can not add to or take away from any requirements for any awards. I have yet to have heard any of my younger Scouts complain about a scout coming back to finish his Eagle Award. They are more than happy to see thier older peers come back. Matuawarrior