mdutch

I only got 14. Elsewhere on the page it says the meuseums oldest artifact is 125 years old. Any idea what that is (125 years is older than BSA)

Why not ask your son which he would rather go to?

you have one too many "w". try http://www.scouting.org/

BobWhite said: "As far as who makes the judgement, if you recall the BSA Scoutmaster/assistant scoutmaster training, then adult leader has that responsibility."

What percentage of your scouts have taken that class? If you don't have a troop policy, how are scouts expected to know that violating the scout oath or law will get them sent home. If you tell them verbally, what harm is there in writting it down. If you write it down, they can't use the excuse of "oh, I guess I wasn't at that meeting".

Bobwhite,

If I interpereted your statements correctly you said that any scout violating the scout oath and law should be sent home. So if a scout uses the "f word" once (not clean) you will send him home? You would treat this the same way as a scout bringing alchohol on a campout? I know I wouldn't.

Also, just because it is in the training manual doesn't mean everyone will know it. Parents of scouts (who are often not at the meetings to be trained) should have some way of finding out about the expectations that the troop has, as well.

Back to the original question of having "bylaws", I think that they can be a good thing, so long as they are used properly. BobWhite is correct in that just about everything you need to know is in some BSA publication. However, it is not reasonable to expect every parent and scout to go out and buy, and read, every single thing that BSA has put out. In our troop we have a "troop guidebook and reference" which acts as both by-laws and a parents handbook. It contains a code of conduct, explaining what behavior is acceptable, and what isn't. For example it says that foul language is not acceptable, and that if you use it you will be warned by a leader to stop. It also says that if you have/use any illegal substances (drugs, alchohol, fireworks) your parents will be required to pick you up immediatly. This is to prevent any confusion over what behavior is acceptable, and what isn't.

The Guidebook also discusses our policies on scout accounts (many given to individual scouts after fundraisers) including how to retrieve money from them, as this info is not contained in any BSA publication.

So, I see troop by-laws as being a way of clarifing BSA policies in a way that ALL troop members will have them avalible to them. How else is a scout supposed to know that if they drink they will be sent home? You can't expect every scout to take Scoutmaster fundimentals, can you?

All I could find from the Guide to Safe Scouting about this is"Avoid large sheath knives." I have always been told that it shouldn't be much bigger than the width of your palm, but I don't know if that is written anywhere.

Is there something ironic about me reading this topic when, in reality, I should be working on the Emergency Prepardnece merit badge, so that I can get to eagle?

Eric

957 Days left to get eagle

Although I own a pair of pants I almost never wear them. I can't imagine wearing them on campouts. I would be afraid of ruining them, and the pockets are way too small to fit my compass, pocket knife, box of matches, and keys to the trailer that I usually carry.

I also don't wear them to meetings. This is mostly due to lazyness. You can't put on the Scout pants in the three minute car ride to the school (but you can put on the uniform shirt/neckerchief in that time). Our SM is the only one who consitantly wears them. The rest of us only wear them for COH.

1024X768

This question was asked in the NE Region FAQ.

"Q: Why is it that in a program that places so much emphasis on youth leadership, it is only the adult advisers in the Order that wear badges of office? Sunday 21st of September 2003

A: The Youth of the Order of the Arrow's primary responsibility should always be serving his unit. Therefore, the badge he should wear is of his troop or team. Adult OA Scouters are recognized because they are on council or district committees. The Lodge Adviser sits on the council's camping committee, as chapter advisers sit on the district committees. This is also the case with associate lodge/chapter advisers, though, the exact committees with them might vary. Friday 31st of October 2003"

From the Insigna Guidebook "As part of the First Class EMphasis, the large senadard metal pin, No. 00017, has been reinstates as an option to the cloth First Class rank badge. The large pin also may be worn only by boys on the front of the campaign hat, No. 501, and the expedition hat, No. 637. Adults may wear the adult universal hat pin, No. 50150, on the campaign hat and the expedition hat. No other pins may be worn on official headger of the BSA."

In other words, the only pin youths can wear on the campaign hat is the First Class pin

Okay, I am going to come at this from a completly different angle. Would it be such a bad thing if he quit...atleast tempereraly? See what his life is like without it. If he isn't enjoying it, why make him do it? In many cases, scouts who don't want to be there ruin things for other scouts. He has plenty of time to get to eagle, so a break might be just right. He could always find himself with another activity that is just as worthwhile.

Eric

ASPL

For activities, make sure there is always something to do, besides working on Merit Badges. Also, make as few activites as possible be required. Let them be optional.

For food, make sure that whatever you have, there is enough of it for everone.

Eric

ASPL

No, a scout could lead a group made up completly of non-scouts if he wanted.

Vegas,

Almost. At not time should anyone be wearing two of the same knot. Instead, they should wear one silver knot (purple background); and, if they want, put devise pins in it. Anyone who has ever earned a youth religious award, regardless of when, or what they are now, can do this, or atleast that is my understanding of the rules(This message has been edited by meamemg)

FScouter,

Thanks, I missed that part.

FScouter,

The top of page 5 of the 11th Edition is what I believe Oak Tree was refering to. The word "most" does not appear there. It simply says "A graduating Weblos Scout who has earned the Arrow of Ligh Award has completed the Boy Scout joining requirements. With the approval of his scoutmaster, he will receive the Boy Scout badge upon joining the troop".(page 5, very top, 11th ed. 2nd printing)

So, while yes, it is up to the Scoutmaster, it does say that they have met all the requirments, so the SM could just give them the badge.

Bob White,

That is what I figured, but I couldn't find anything in the Insignia Guide saying so. All I found on the subject was page 5-6 where it said that the only place for temporary insignia was the right pocket. Where does it say that it is allowed on the MB sash?

Thanks,

Eric

Are temporary Insignias allowed on the back of the merit badge sash? The section on this in the Insignia and Uniform guid seem to indicate that they are not (ie. it says that they are only allowed on the right pocket). However, the uniform inspection sheet (http://www.scouting.org/forms/34283.pdf) clearly says that they are allowed. Anyone know what the real answer is?

Thanks,

Eric

Talk to the SPL. Him, along with the PLC, should be setting the calendar, and can schedule in service projects as often as they would like.

FScouter Wrote: If it helps, the 4th adult need not be a registered adult. It could be any mom or dad or any other adult.

I thought that you had to either be registered OR be a parent, not just some random adult (ie. older brother)

If you look at the progression of the obligation in the ceremonies, I would place it after 1936, and before 1948.

What is the diference between a district executive and a district director? I have heard the person in charge of my distric be called by both titles

My troop is concidering letting the scouts form there own patrols for this comming year (having the 20 2nd year scouts rearange themselves, into patrols that will last for the rest of eternity). Any advise on how to do this without making the less popular scouts feel left out?