baden

Hear, hear!! I agree totally with what DanKroh had to say. Civility is the key. You may not respect the opinions of a poster, but we should all try to respond in a civil manner. People should be able to disagree without being disagreeable.

I am seeking the wisdom of the forum again. Our Troop was moved to a new District last spring. I have attempted to get an Election Team from our new District to come and conduct an election for our Troop. Lots of reasons why this has not been accomplished, Chapter Advisor resigned, Team already scheduled for that night, yada yada yada. I was talking to the Chapter Advisor from our old District and expressed my frustration. He offered to bring his Election Team and do our election and I immediately accepted. They are coming next week. Our D.E. called last night (about FOS naturally) and as an aside he asked if we had had our Election yet. I told him the story and he seems to think this is a huge problem. Not the nonperformance of the District's OA Chapter, the old Chapter helping us out. Whadda ya think?

John-in-KC and I seem to be in mind-meld. I too would like to see the Cooking MB return to the mandatory list for Eagle.

More importantly, I have long advocated that it be mandatory for an Eagle Scout to have earned the Religious Award for his Faith. The American Legion has an excellent scholarship program for Eagle Scouts. They select an Eagle Scout of the Year for each state. The scholarship award varies for each state. They then select regional award winners and finally a National Eagle Scout of the Year. I believe the National winner receives a $20,000 scholarship. The requirements to apply are to be an Eagle Scout, be a member of a Troop chartered to an American Legion Post or be the Son on or Grandson of a Legionaaire, and have earned the Religious Award for his Faith at the Boy Scout level. Every year the 3rd requirement disqualifies many deserving applicants.

Amen to what John-in-KC said. I recently talked to a parent that told me he was counting heavily on his son receiving an athletic scholarship for his sons college education. He is dreaming. I've seen the kid play (football). He's good, but not that good. I asked the Dad if he ever thought about the idea that every Div. 1 scholarship football player in the country was probably the best player (and probably athlete) in his conference let alone his team. At that level you are slicing your bread pretty thin. I told him that I knew far more students receiving scholarships for Scouting and 4-H than for athletics. Perhaps not full rides, but substantial aid. I am constantly amazed at what parents will pay to further the sports careers of their children. Equipment, special camps, traveling elite teams, etc. Scouting is a screaming bargain in comparison.

Whoa folks!!! Lets all take a deep breath and think kind thoughts. I have seen professional Scouters do some questionable things and I have asked the questions. These have been rare instances and in the main I have known Scouting Professionals to be people of integrity.

I would also like to say that I have read a number of CalicoPenn's postings and find him to be positive in his comments about Scouting.

I don't think we need to worry about a mass burning of red coats. Have you priced these things lately? A Scout is Thrifty.

Welcome KSscoutmom. Boys are active and sometimes reckless. In 15 yrs. as a Scoutmaster I have taken boys to Philmont, backpacking in Wyoming and Colorado, canoeing in Mn. and Canada, National Jamboree, and dozens and dozens of Troop campouts, camporees, and Summer Camp. In all these outings we have had one serious injury, a broken arm. Serious but not life threatening. It happened in a city park playing a compass game.

Amy-

Welcome to the forum. I've been a Scout Leader for a number of years and I learn something everytime I read the posts. Hope you enjoy.

Webelos Leader huh? I was one once myself when dinosaurs roamed the earth. I think it was one of the best times I have had in Scouting. The boys are so excited to try new things and normally haven't hit the Jr. High cool phase yet.

At our Troop Committee meeting last night there was discussion about what to do with the Webelos that are transitioning to our Troop next week. We are a small Troop with 16 boys, 12-13 active, in 2 patrols. We are greeting 7 or 8 Webelos. I assumed we would have them form a new patrol under the guidance of a Troop Guide and an ASM. Some on the committee are for scattering them in the 2 existing patrols to bolster their numbers. We have one patrol of 7 that are all Scout, Tenderfoot, and 2nd Class. All 11 and 12. The other patrol is 5 boys all 1st Class and Star 12 to 14. The rest of the boys are Life and Eagle and have a Patrol in name only as two are Eagles and fairly inactive (both 17) and the other 2 are Life and concerned with making Eagle (both 16). What say the group?

Wildbill has asked for some help with this one.

7B - Tell how to properly prepare for and deal with the human and environmental hazards you may encounter on a backpacking trek.

Anyone have any clear and lucid thoughts on this one?

OK Wildbill. Requirement 7b of the Backpacking Merit Badge states -

Tell how to properly prepare for and deal with the human and environmental hazards you may encounter on a backpacking trek.

I would recommend a careful reading of the merit badge book. I don't have a copy of the most recent pub. and the requirements have changed from the one I have. My best guess is how to deal with hostile people you may meet in the backcountry. Perhaps accusing you of trespass. Perhaps drunk or high and think harassing a group of Scouts might be fun. Think Deliverance.

Environmental hazards. You might stumble on a meth lab. An illegal dump site.

Generally you prepare by studying the current MB booklet and discussing with the Scouts. In general you would probably best deal with them by giving a wide berth to such problems. When challenged, back away. Tough on the ego, but for the safety of the group.

I see this is your first post. Welcome. You have come to a good place for information. I have gained a lot from this forum. The depth and breadth of knowledge in this group is humbling. You may be better served to take questions of this nature to the Camping and High Adventure portion of the forum, but Eamons topic was Help amd you asked for help.

Again welcome.

Great story!!!

I love this painting, it is my favorite by Rockwell. I saw the original a couple of years ago on an endowment tour stop. Reproductions don't quite do it justice. The color of the night sky and the stars are breathtaking in the original work. I think about this painting almost every time our Troop camps. This captures the most golden moment for a Scoutmaster (when they finally shut up and go to sleep). Seriously, I am always struck by the responsibility of the Scoutmaster standing watch.

John stated it better than I. The risk is credibility with the existing crew members, rather than breaking the "rules".

I also agree that a discussion with the boy about his sexuality by an adult is way inappropriate as is asking a sixteen year old girl to take point on this. I think if he is asked to join the ball really is in his court.

Wow. It sure isn't Leave It To Beaver out there anymore. I don't know how you as an adult can determine if a 16 year old boy is gay. The problem I see however is that if he is gay and the members of your crew know it, if you accept him, the crew members know you are breaking the rules. Not a good way to go. If he truly is gay, I suspect he knows it. If he's not gay, how do you know it. All you have is heresay from your crew. The fact that he is a cheerleader and a little effeminate is not evidence. I would say if your girl wants to invite him to join she has that right. Tough call, but if he submits an app. I would accept him.

I got as much out of Wood Badge as a Staffer if not more than as a participant. The time commitment is formidable. I would say at least 5 week-ends between Staff Dev., facilities prep., and the actual course. In any position, but especially Troop Guide, you will hone your teaching and presentation skill. In our council, and I suspect most others, the Troop Guides do their presentations numerous times in Staff Developement for the rest of the Staff. You need a hide like a rhino the first time you do it. The criticism can be overwhelming. I have always found it to be positive and constructive, but I thought after years of Training I was pretty sharp. I'm better now. Don't forget, one of the qualifications to serve on Staff is completion of the Trainer Developement Conference. TDC.

In our council we used to have an SME (Sustaining Membership Enrollment) campaign. It changed to FOS in the late 80's I think.

I think Lisabob is right, you won't find a written policy against serving in both positions at once. This may be because no one ever invisioned that anyone would be nuts enough to do it.

If there is any position in Scouting that should be filled by someone wearing one hat it is Scoutmaster. I have served in many Council District and Unit positions, but have declined all such positions since becoming SM. I feel any time I have to put into Scouting belongs to the boys in my Troop. Any time I put in somewhere else is stealing from them. Just my opinion

Lisabob-

I am not certain if there is a formal set of rules to wearing WB paraphenalia. The only formal restriction I recall is that it is to be worn with the Field Uniform (aka Class A). I believe you are not to wear the beads with the activity uniform (aka Class B).

I normally wear the neckerchief that our Troop wears to Troop functions such as meetings, COH, etc.

I wear my WB necker, woggle and beads to Roundtable, District & Council events, anytime I am acting as a Trainer and any Wood Badge function.

Your mileage may vary.

We don't have a declared policy. The smallest number we have gone with is 2, but if 1 kid showed up, my ASM and I would probably go.

We currently have 15 in the Troop. We have a campout this weekend and 8 have signed up.

Congratulations to you and your Troop Guide. I'm sure you feel a real sense of accomplishment.

My Vigil name is Achgiguwen, interpreted as Jocular One.

My Mic-O-Say name is Big River Mallard.

I think one thing we lost in the transition to 21st Century Wood Badge is the wonderful Trainers that came out of Cub Scout WB. When I was District Training Chair, my best Trainers were grads of this course. My understanding of the Cub WB course was that the emphasis was on training presentation. I took the old TTT (Train the Trainer) and chaired the new TDC (Trainer Developrment Conference) and do not think this is enough to develop really great Trainers. It is a fine intro, but no substitute for standing up and doing it.

A good Trainer is a gem and to tell one they have had their turn is a disservice to the program. When you find one, do all in your power to get them in front of New Leaders.

Eamonn-

I meant no disrespect to you or any recipient of the Silver Beaver. I was awarded the Silver Beaver 6 years ago and was deeply touched to be so honored. I think the tie tack being referred to is a silver beaver on a square of blue and white stripes like the ribbon from the award. In our council this is not presented to the recipient. I was under the assumption that the tack came from a presentation kit from some years back, hence my reference to old-timers. My "metallic rodent" crack is what we silver beavers in my district call ourselves.

Again, no disrespect intended. My feeble attempts at humor are not always clear.

SueM

I am not a member of the uniform police, but I would advise against wearing the Silver Beaver tie tac as a pin. You don't see these too often anymore, but some old timer may ask when you were awarded the "Metallic Rodent" and this could be embarassing to you. In the worst case, someone could suggest you are trying to pass yourself off as a recipient of the award.

We typically transition 5-6 Webelos. This year it will be 9. We always put them in a Patrol together under the tutelage of an ASM who is charged with working directly with them. We hold a special camp-out for the new guys as soon as possible with them and introduce them to Scouting. It is just the ASM, the new Scout Patrol, and myself. We teach them how to put up the Troop tents, show them where things are stowed in the Troop trailer, work on Totin' Chip and Fireman Chit. They plan their own menus and cook everything. The whole idea, which is not original with us, is to get them working as a unit and learn some basics without the pressure of the experienced boys critiquing their every move. We normally retain all the boys who get off to a fast start. Our losses in the Troop are usually in the 10th and 11th grades with sports and jobs being the main conflicts. Girls seems to run a distant 3rd.

Scoutnut-

I am in total agreement with you. I attended a Pack Committee meeting last week to talk about Webelos transitioning to our Troop. The agenda for the meeting included discussion about the Blue & Gold they are having in March. I asked why it was March and was told the 2nd yr. Webelos wanted to be in the Pinewood Derby so they moved that to Feb. and scheduled B&G for Mar. When I was Cubmaster (when dinosaurs roamed the earth) we always had the B&G on Scout Sunday. The Pack went to church together and then had a potluck dinner at noon with a big Birthday cake.

We used to transition Webelos in April. I think that was the recommendation by National then, but I could be wrong.