matuawarrior

Eamonn It seems that it has gotten to the point to relieve the current District Commissioner of his duties. He is appointed by the nominating committee so they can remove him if they feel that he's not doing his job. Some leaders jump into a position believing that they can do the job. Even with all the training, nothing is for certain until they are actually in position. It's best to replace him now then wait when all the esprit de corps is gone. I pray things goes well. Matua

Our patrols campout on private property. Most of the time it's at one of two places. My family ranch or a friend of the troop's ranch. Everything must be in order before they even go solo as a patrol. The patrol must have the following: 2 First Class Scouts and/or above. parent permission forms for each member. Cooking menu. Duty roster. Camp Program. First Aid Kit. and then my approval. As leaders, we look for accessiblity and safety. Some of my older Scouts in the Venture Patrol also go spearfishing on their own. as long as they follow the troop guidelines. It was hard at first but once the patrols started doing more campng on their own and becoming more independent from the troop, I knew I can fully trust them with the skills they have. We try to stress that our patrols campout once a month aside from the troop monthly outing. Matua

Congratulations! It's a Great Honor to be chosen for Woodbadge and to lead a Troop to the 2005 National Jamboree. It is well deserved. Have Fun, Matua

We had our Camporee two weeks ago in hard driving rain. Three units braved the rain on Friday and camped out. Many of the designated campsites were under ankle deep water. The Patrol competitions still went ahead as planned. We couldn't do Constellations on Friday night so we went to pre-drawn constellations on index cards. Orienteering was done on a nice grassy field that turned to ankle deep mud after the Scouts and Venturers were done with it. Many Scouts and Venturers enjoyed the rain and gale force winds. By 3:00 pm Saturday the Rain and Wind got harder. I thought a typhoon was brewing out at sea and started making landfall but the weather guys just kept predicting Heavy Rains. The unit competition was on cooking. It was a challenge for the scouts to keep the tarps from breaking away and spoiling their cooking fires. But the two units struggled and finished. The food was great and both charters tied for first place. The Scouts and Venturers had a great time even in the pouring Rain. Even, I had great fun. Matua

Our youths are exposed to the media everyday. With the internet, they receive so much more information than when I was their age. I don't know how they can manage the information overload. I somewhat feel that the media is a big part of the shift in Values per se. I, myself, am more conservative than my parents. But that also falls into each of our cultural backgrounds. I don't think that Scouting's Values have changed. It seems more like the interpretation on the parts of the Scout Oath or the points of the Scout Law are decided on a slide rule on what may pertain to different Scouters at a particular time in their lives. There are Scouters among us that pick and choose what will work for them. They see gray areas in the Scout Oath and Law. Then there are those of us who only see black and white. It's either you do or you don't. Some of us may see the Scouting Movement as an extracurricular activity. Just to keep their sons busy through the week or their just there to have Fun and nothing more. I see it as my way of life. To me Scouting is a Life Style not a Label. When was the last time many of us shook hands on a major deal based on our Honor? Many will say, not in this life time. And Why not? THEN, there is one aspect of our Scouting Values that I see many Scouters look the other way or they feel that they should not get involved in. Our Duty to God and the 12th point of the Scout Law--A Scout is Reverent. All we have to do is Encourage our Youths to learn more about their Faith. Encourage Prayer before meals and at the start and end of each day. It's boils down to how we were raised and the key people that influenced us in our lives, and how they managed to train us to think and do, what we are today. That's the great thing about Scouting because we are so diverse and each of us brings so much to the table to learn from each other. I may not agree with some but I also agree with many. That's a good thing. Who knows I maybe wrong. Matua

I didn't know DE's can wear a Trained Patch. I thought that was for volunteers. If so, then . . . My guess would be when they completed and received their Professional Black Square Knot. Matua

Go For It! I attended the 15th World Jamboree in Alberta, Canada as a youth. I had a great time. I visited the National Jamboree when I was a Commo Grunt stationed at Ft. Bragg, NC. in the late 80's. Saw many young Scouts having fun. Your son will gain from the experience. Plus, you'll receive more returns on your "Investment". I heard that same rumor for the 100th BSA Annivesary. Does anyone here know anything about that? Having Fun, Matua

Dave and Eamonn, Thanks for the support. I've printed both your posts. I'll let you all know how it turns out. Matua

Coming in as the District Commissioner, the DE and I have to sit down and actually find a District Chair. The DE months ago, with the approval from Council, started a nominating committee that fell apart after two months. Now months later we sorta have a District Committee. The District Advancement and Training Chairs are filled by long time Scouters. But we don't have anyone for the other positions. Some of the long time Scouters, say the District Chair should have some Scouting Experience. I'm not sure of where to head on this. Our Scout Center Office Manager has told me that their is a list of candidates the nominating committee has listed but has no idea of where it's at. My feeling is that the DE and myself should go down the list and visit these candidates. What is the proper way of recruting a District Chair? Should I let the DE handle this or help him to fill this needed position? Since we have two positions filled in the District Committee, The District Chair is now the one that needs to be filled to get the Committee on its feet and working. The three then can work to fill the other empty positions. Matua

It's sad to see adults use thier children as pawns for their ego trips. I feel for Cubmaster Dad. Scouting is a great way for a Dad and son to invest Quality and Quantity Time together. But, BW is right. Focus on the Pack. 10 Wolves in a Den is to big. I normally like the dens in my Pack to be 5 scouts max. Also, CubsRgr8 mentioned that Cubmaster Dad may have an opportunity to serve long term and still have time to work along side his son. If by adding two more dens would help, place the son and cousin in a new den and ask mom and step-dad to be its leaders. You'll see where their hearts are at if they can't step up. Cubmaster Dad may have an opportunity to step in. But that's just me. Seems to me that mom doesn't like dad to be involved with thier son. I pray that it all works out. Matua

Hello Terry, Just wanted to say Hi, anyway since your here. I've noticed a couple of times that I'll get 47+ notices on the same topic on email. Is there a bug in the system? Also, there are times that I posted but it didn't appear on the thread. I'm not sure if other posters are experiencing the same thing. Just thought I'd let you know. Matua

Great posts. First off to OGE, Congratulations on Finishing. You'll have Fun at your Beading ceremony. I know I did. Being a couple of thousand of miles from council, I had the opportunity to receive my beads during the Districts Annual Banquet. Since my beads, neckerchief, woggle, and certificate did not arrive on time, I was presented the beads and gear from a fellow woodbadger, our former District Commissioner. This was a total Surprise. Last September's RT, Our Former District Executive and our new and current DE called me to the front. I thought I was being ambushed for a skit or song. I was caught off guard on being presented my Own Beads, neckerchief, and woggle that finally arrived from council. It turned out to be a great evening and Fun all over again. Matua . . .

Hello DS, It's seems were on the same wavelength but your a step ahead of us here. We were actually thinking of the same thing with variable differences. I have Venturers in the local high school and my Chartered Organization is thinking of purchasing competition .22 rifles for the crew. We announced this to our venturers a month ago and word somehow spread to their JROTC at school. Their Senior Army Instructor is interested in a collaboration between his unit and our Venturing Crew. We have the range. I would rather do this from a Council/District level though. Even if it means getting more units and members in. I'll keep a keen interest on this thread. Matua

Wow, It's been along time since I've seen one. I remember it being 6 ft long. and with bells. Matua

Hello Everyone, Thanks for the input. It does look like it will be a three year committment. We have alot of work to get Scouting rolling again over here but it looks like we have had a good start. It'll be Fun. Matua

Hello Outdoor Thinker May I suggest an Open House. It has worked many times for my crew. You invite potential candidates to a fun filled night of activities. It is one big show and tell with all your pictures of most exciting events displayed. You could even do a powerpoint presentation or a slide show. Another one is inviting a guest to an outdoor activity with expenses picked up by the crew or Charter Organization. This is only good for really interested candidates. We used to do School Night but that has us competing with many school clubs. If your at a university, you may want to check out the Recreation or Physical ED Majors and see if they will be interested. Put up Crew Posters or flyers at teen associated businesses and churches. Just some thoughts, Matua

Thanks BW, It's a whole new challenge. I'll have a new Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, and Advisor for my troop, pack and crew ready next charter, so I may concentrate more as the District Commissioner. I promised the DE to a two-year committment starting next charter year. having fun, Matua

SPL T15, I agree with OGE on the uniform issue. If your crew doesn't plan on wearing the Venturing green then you shouldn't wear the Khaki shirt w/green loops. That is specified in the Uniform guide. Your crew can opt to wear t-shirts and field pants for your activities. Now as for females: If you really believe that you "young men" will decide to let girls in or not. I suggest that you highly think twice about that. Once the young ladies are in the crew. They will be the majority and if not, they are more skilled in debates than many of my male venturers. I have more females venturers in my crew than males. In fact the is a 3-1 ratio. Most of the young ladies are ahead of their male peers in the gold and ranger awards. They have more determination than the guys who came from the troop. If you do plan on "allowing girls to join", the crew will need a female adult leader over 21 to go on activities. Another thing, is the young ladies are more skilled in recruiting one of their own than the guys. So in no time will you be outnumbered. Just as OGE and Outdoor Thinker, My crew has had always female leaders (Presidents and officers) since we were an Explorer Post before becoming a Venturing Crew and the tradition carried over. Many of the guys would run for office but none would get elected. AND my crew is not the only crew like that on this island. The two other Venturing Crews here are the same: female youth led and strong. I suggest that you sit down with your cohorts and really think about what your doing. Female venturers do not join crews because male scouts look "sexy" in uniform. They join because of the outdoor experience. One of these days, a well organized female-led crew will put your crew in its place unless you change your way of thinking. There is no room in Scouting for that way of thought. Matua

Well, last night at our District Roundtable, after weeks of deliberating about it, I decided to step up into the District Commissioner position. I announced to the Scout and Venturing Leaders present at last night's RT that as the Boy Scout/Venturing Roundtable Commissioner, that November and December will be the last time for me to host the Roundtables. I will be completing my one year committment. I feel a challenge stepping into the District Commissioner position. The District has been without one for many months after the last one changed duty stations. Looking back, I inherited the Roundtable commissioner position with many obstacles. I came on board after a devastating SuperTyphoon hit the island in December 2002. The RT attendance was LOW, only 3 Scouters for the next 5-6 months. So it was a challenge getting Scouters to attend RT. Our last minute District Banquet in April netted over 200 attendees. I'm proud of that. Attendance for RT started to pickup from 3 to 8 to 12 regulars. Last night we had 28 Scouters in attendance. All three programs: Venturing, Boy Scouts, and Cub Scouts were well represented. I actually helped our DE bring in three new units and two more potential charter organizations are still deciding. AND for the first time in MANY years, our District not only made its FOS goal but more. In fact, we beat out many districts in our Council. We are a few Venturers and Scouts short in membership but I believe we will hit that goal this month or next month before December. Today is the start of our Cub Scout Day Camp. The Cub Roundtable Commissioner has done a tremendous job in her capacity. There will be 130+ Cubs/Webelos participating in the three day event. That's alot for a small island district. Normally we would have 40 attendees. WE must be doing something right. Next Weekend, We will be having our first District Camporee since 9/11. We have 5 units committed and about 8 patrols competing. Our Council is nervously keeping an eye from a distance. Not much of a choice since their over 6,000 miles away. I've told my DE that even if we have one troop attend were still going for it. Our two Scout camps and camporees last year and this year were cancelled due to Typhoons. But you know what, WE survived and We are back in business. I'm looking forward to being the district's new District Commissioner. I'll be working closely with the DE and our top Volunteer on getting the Seabase and our long awaited permanent Scout Camp going, along with other programs that are in the planning stages to enhance our Venturing and Scouting programs. Having Fun, Matua

TrailPounder, DS, Alot of the stuff we have is old from the Exploring side fo the house. We are trying to add to the Venturing program for our Venturers out here. Any resource will help us out.] thanks, Matua

We use duct tape to secure all the pipes together. Legs in one group, center poles in another, and the top poles as the last group. It takes two people to carry each group of poles. Matua

As with untis being different from each other so are our Chartered Organzations. Each one runs its programs differently. I am an Institutional Head for my Chartered Organization. We have one (1) committee for all out Scout units. This saves us time with the parents who are involved and the use of facilities that are not owned by us. Yes, there are drawbacks to what we are doing but in the last 4 years. Our parents are more active now than when we had three separate committees. Since each Scouting program has different committments from the committee, that determines how long we spend in each program area doing our committee meetings. Now as for My units. We have a Webelos-only Pack. We do not recruit Tigers, Wolves, and Bears as traditional packs do. We have a traditional Scout Troop, and a High Adventure Co-ed Venturing Crew. Becuase of the way we have set up the organziation. Our Parents and Friends Committee enjoys the program as the Venturers and Scouts have planned it. Each of our units are different. Having Fun, Matua

During our troop's last campout, a couple of us leaders wondered if there was any National Scout Associations in Iraq or Afghanistan. I mentioned to the other leaders that if there is, the group may have gone under ground just like those few scout units that survived the iron curtain up to the late 80's. Just curious out here in the wide Pacific. Matua

Hello DS, Peru is a nice country. Although, I visited it under different circumstances in the late 80's from the Columbia side. I hear Lima is a beautiful city and is slowly trying to make its mark with the rest of the world. Anne gave a great link to the State Department. It is updated regularly. I know what you mean about revisiting a place that you've been to when you were in your youth. I would love to revisit Salzburg, Austria; Venice, Italy; and Panama. I say follow your heart. Matua

NJ, You are correct. The issue is really up to the parents. I have talked to the parents of the Scout in question last night during our troop meeting and suggested that they talk to the School Officials to let them know their feelings regarding their son's choice. I'll know more about it when they call me regarding their son's status. DS, I don't have an actual copy with me but I know I saw one in our district office. I hope it's still there and didn't become typhoon debris. Thanks for the info. - - - - I believe all extracurricular activities should be by choice and not forced on the students or thier families. I'm not sure when the school policy changed regarding their Scouting program but it wasn't like that when they first started it years ago. they must have a new sheriff in town. Matua