mdutch

Thanks for your replies. Yes, I did fill out another apllication (noting the duel membership). If I decide to call the council about this (don't know if it is worth it), would the registrar be the correct person to talk to?

Wierd. When our newly chartered crew got the membership cards, only those who weren't in a troop got them.

"By the way, a girl member of a Venturing crew may now be a den chief. "

Really!!! Where was that announced/written? (I'm just suprised, not doubting that it is true)

If a boy scout were to duel register with a Venturing Crew (keeping his primary registration with the troop), should he recieve a crew membership card aswell?

According to the insignia guide the webelos colors "covers den emblem and quality unit insignia". I can't help you with the point of having the emblem if itis covered except to suggest that it might not be covered fully (would need to actually try it to find out how it looks).

Does anyone know of a good online resource for non-sectarian graces (troop is a mixture of jewish, catholic, and protistant). I want to provide PLs with a variaty of options on what to say.

In my opinion, under BSA rules, it would be a MINIMUM requirment for a scout to pass the swim test. If he were to jump into water a few inches over his head, then I would say BSA policy would allow a leader to let him come on the trip. However, the leader of a trip can decide to increase the minimum requirments. I would recomend and encourage a leader not to allow as scout who can only meet this literal interpritation of the requirments to come on a trip. But if they decided to let him come, I would say he would still be operating under proper procedures (not violating G2SS, except maybe the use common sense part)

It does not matter what rank a person is to be allowed access to swimming areas or boats. It matters whether or not they can pass the first class swim test. If you cannot pass the swim test you cannot go in the "swimmers" area at a waterfront or go in a canoe (unless you are with and adult lifegaurd). This applies equally to someone who hasn't earned the Scout Rank yet as it does to an eagle scout.

I can only speak to the Yahoo Groups, but from what I hear MSN is very similar.

It can be a very useful tool. It serves as an e-mail list, calendar, database, file storage, and chat room. Assuming everyone in your troop has a Yahoo! Account (or is willing to get one for free) it can be very useful.

Two words of warning:

1. If you don't have a Yahoo Account you only have access to the e-mail list. You can't access the calander or database (or any of the other features)

2. It will occassionaly get delayed by up to a couple of hours. You get what you pay for in terms of customer service.

Still, I recomend that you give it a try.

Den Chiefs do not need their SM's permission to take training, unless your council/district has decided to create a rule to that effect. They do, however, need to have their SM's approval to become a DC, although I can't imagine a SM outright refusing to let someone be a den chief (unless he felt they weren't quialified). Den Chiefs do not NEED to be trained, but it is highly recomended.

Though I don't remember where I read this, I am almost positive that Tiger Den's can not have den chiefs. Bear and Wolf dens, however, can.

Wow. I always just assumed Semper Paratus was in the coast gaurd.

Eagle,

Is that the same advise you would give to your SPL if they were concerned with this problem?

So what can be done to make the PLC more interesting? IT is always the same old thing of figuring out what to do at the next 4 meetings, and planning for the next campout. I can't really blame the PL's in my troop who don't want to attend.

First I say that you should let the youth decide. Have either the PLC or the troop as a whole vote on what THEY want.

To answer your question more completly, if I were in your troop I would vote for 1 year, for both the reasons you stated and because troops tend to operate on a yearly cycle, having anual trips.

Thank you all for your replies. A slightly different question I have is, what do you see as the advantages and disadvantages of wearing a neckercheif with the uniform? For us, almost nobody wears the neckerchief, even though we have it as part of our uniform.

A seperate but related question that I have is is the decision about wearing the hat also made by the troop? The Boy Scout Hanbook mentions that the hat is optional (in the same sentance as the neckerchief) but the Insignia Guide makes no reference to this.

Thanks,

Eric

But for those who realy want an out of this world experience, you need to go to moon.google.com . And remember, the moon is made of cheese.

Though I'll probably regret drawing myself into this, I feel the need to provide the following quote from http://www.seascout.org/

"The content of these pages is unofficial and may not reflect the official position of the National Sea Scouting Committee of the Boy Scouts of America"

Got one question about the stew- how much gravy do I need?

IS it clear that it is the youths decision on whether or not to wear the neckerchief? I could imagine many in my troop saying that it is the decision of the troop committee, just as easily as it is a decision of the troop's youth. Any ideas on how I could counter this argument?

Do you actually need to believe in God to be a scout? Many Buddists would answer "No" (Buddism, technicly speaking is by many not concidered a religion, but a belief system). Do you feel Buddists should not be allowed in scouting?

Just a few ideas:

What is a patrol

What equptment do I need to buy (vs. what the troop provides)

What are all thos positions youth have (SPL,ASPL,PL ect)

What can I do to help the troop

The insignia guide (2003-2005, I assume this hasn't changed) says, with regard to if you should wear a neckerchief in a troop, "Boy Scouts neckerchiefs are optional. The troop decides by a vote, and all members abide by the decision." Has anyones troop ever actually done a vote on this? Is the vote of the troop committee, troop youth, troop PLC...? Also, do you have a new vote every year (This year you need a neckerchief, next year you don't, following year you do...)?

I would remind him about the patrol method. Patrols should be ENCOURAGED to have there own activities to build up their ability to work as a team. According to the Patrol LEader Handbook, patrols should have thir own activities. It should be the SPL and the PLC who are responsible for planning campouts and troop activities. Patrols should plan their own things.

Yes. Just remember that all patrol activities need to be approved by the SM.