Mike F

I don't have my SM HB with me, but I'm almost certain Troop Guides are an exception -- they are appointed by SM. Success in my son's troop last night -- After electing all positions for years, they actually followed the book!

Proud Eagle and others, We think alike -- grouping by skill and interest, and giving the scouts a major input, has always worked well in the past. What we have going on now is a push within troop to get wider ranges of ages grouped together in patrols and creating an understanding that part of the responsibility of the older guys is to help out the younger. This philosophy is being transferred to the Philmont crew selection. I'm strongly inclined to give the guys a break and let them group up as they'd like. This is clearly what the older guys want to do, but the younger/smaller ones (a

Hi, gang! I always get such great ideas and insights from y'all, so here's another one without a clear right or wrong answer. I'm leading group of 3 crews to Philmont this summer. About 1/3 are age 16-17, a 1/3 age 15, and a 1/3 age 14. About 7 of the guys have high-adventure experience from our Boundary Waters trip last summer. I see several options for splitting the guys into crews: 1. Observe how they naturally group up during our first shakedown hiking campout this weekend and let the crews form on their own - adjusting numbers as needed. 2. Try to group them by

eisely, Where did you get this excellent piece? I can hear fighters from Ellington Field's 147th (still in operation today) taking off over my house as I type (really). This one should definitely be in the local papers, if not national! -mike

I helped out with an AOL/Crossover ceremony a couple of years ago with a lot of undecided/no Webelos and I think we made it a success. About half the Webelos had selected a troop and were definitely joining one of 3 local troops. The SM, SPL, and another scout or two from each troop were at the other side to greet them. The undecided/no Webelos were greeted by a collection of ASMs and scouts from different troops and they got a heart-felt, warm greeting with loud and clear invitation to come back for another visit to see how much fun we're having. The guys were having so much fun talking

Great ideas! Thanks to all!! Good comment about adults wanting to support the troop -- that is the case, although we have a fair number active at District, too. Our Troop Committee is somewhat understaffed. We'll be trying to convince some to move over, but most want to be Assistant Scoutmasters and work with the program. -mike

One of the troops I serve has an interesting problem what to do with too many willing adults. Were a very large troop and recently embarked on a major overhaul of the program to get the scouts back in the role of actually running things. After a lot of hard work and training, its starting to really take off. It has actually reached the point where the scout leaders will ask us disruptive adults to leave the meeting room. (Lets hear a rousing chorus of hip-hip-hoorays!) The problem now is what to do with all the extra adults. Until about 5 months ago, adults ran everything from the 1YR p

I dropped out after 6 months - primarily because of some out-of-control bullys in the troop. Troop was at a tough time with temporary acting SM. My former Webelos leader, who had become SM of another troop, wouldn't let me go. He was always on the lookout for me at the neighborhood swimming pool, etc., and talked to me about going back to give it another try - he had heard it was getting better. What I didn't find out until many years later was that he had numerous discussions with other people, too. He spent time with my troop leadership to help them see the problems and fix them. H

Welcome, T65! I'm with FB. In short, something doesn't smell right. I'd invite him to participate in the troop program, but no way would I talk about his next rank advancement until HE arranged to get a copy of his records sent from his old troop. I would also request a point of contact with the old troop -- preferably the SM. (I hope Im wrong, but I wouldnt be surprised if he found another new troop to join. And Id give the other local SMs a heads up.)

Sorry for fanning the flames in an old discussion, but I'm confused. When we discussed a Winter Camp that awarded MBs that we know for a fact were not completely earned (they skipped some requirements), I was told that the troop couldn't overturn the signature of the approved, certified MB counselor. (There was other discussion about how the troop could work with the guys to help them complete everything for their own conscience and integrity, and how we should go about reporting the discrepancy up through the chain, but the bottom line was if the MB counselor signed it, it was done.)

We have done indoor, "lock-in" style TJLTs for a number of years and planned a TJLT campout a couple of weeks ago - to do something different. We were unfortunately hammered by some monsoon rains and our campsite was flooded, so we were indoors again. The guys were looking forward to camping with just the older troop leadership and have asked if we can have a leadership campout sometime in the near future to make up for the one we missed. I must say I was pretty disappointed in the wash-out. There's nothing like the quiet conversation around a campfire late in the evening to reflect on the

Kevin, This sounds like a GREAT idea!! Consider putting out the word locally that you're collecting digital photos for the project. The display will communicate your message even better if you can tell the viewers that all of these pictures were taken of local units (and scouts) in action within the last few years. Although the pictures may not all be the high quality you seek, the local relevance will make up for it. Then you can tell the kids that these scouts live right here in your neighborhood and go to your schools -- look at the fun they're having -- you could be with them. Good

Maybe a good introduction to the family participation idea might be to have "Family Night" on a campout. Invite the families to come out for dinner and the campfire. They eat with their son's patrol and get to hear the tales of adventure while there's still smoke in the air and before the grime is showered away. My troop had a lot of fun doing this 30 years ago.

Mike, I cannot imagine the horror. Our prayers are with Alex's family and all who knew and loved him. -mike f

SA, You're on the right track. When we planned our Boundary Waters canoe trip last summer the adults also did most of the detailed planning, but we did get the scouts involved in the following ways: 1. We presented them a range of options and they decided on Canadian canoe trip. 2. Scout researched area and decided on the specific area they wanted to visit and came up with a list of priorities -- for them, number 1 was good fishing. 3. Several Scouts researched fishing in the area and gave us a training session on the different fish, habitats, best equipment/lures, etc. 4. Wh

In answer to Eamonn's original post, the need for dedicated meetings for adult leaders may depend partly on the size of the troop. One of the troops I serve is very large (some would say too large and I wouldn't argue). We were having difficulty being consistent in our approach with the scouts and are doing much better since we started having monthly Scoutmaster Staff tagups. These are part brainstorming new ideas/solutions to problems and part training. As we are working hard to move to a more scout-run troop, it is necessary to keep reminding the adults about our approach and expecta

I just got back from Troop Committee meeting. Sounds like some of our guys got credit for Metallurgy MB at Winter Camp, but our resident counselor in Metallurgy MB says theres no way that they could have really met all of the new (and more stringent) requirements the camp simply doesnt have the equipment. I recommended our counselor check into it, ask the scouts how they met each requirement. Then if it becomes clear there were too many corners cut, the troop in essence tell the guys they really got a partial and need to do some more work to complete requirements A & B. Some com

I just returned from a trip back home visiting family. Whenever I'm there, I always get together with a few of my best friends from scouting days, but this time I did something extra -- I went to visit my old Scoutmaster with my two Scouts. We had a great time laughing about old stories and my sons enjoyed telling him about some of their adventures. That incredible man changed my life in a hundred different ways and I'm glad I took the time to let him know his work continues today through me. If you get the opportunity, this is a great way to once again say thanks.

Eagle90, Say Hi to John at North Country Canoe Outfitters. He treated us right last summer. A sister troop is taking two crews up to see him this summer and my son is trying to figure out how to sneak in - he can't wait to go back. But most of this spring/summer is going to be getting ready for Philmont in late July. We're considering a trip down to Laguna Station on South Padre Island for the guys not going to Philmont, but still just talk. It's run by Rio Grande Council and was started by a couple of my best friends from youth scouting days. I've never been, but others in the

Eagle Foot, Do you have a son in the troop? (It didn't sound like it, but wanted to be clear.) If so - I recommend finding another troop. If not, and you like the guys and just want to help where you can, it is possible to help them change over time. It sounds like the SM might be interested in accepting changes when you can show him why they need to do so. It probably won't work to sit him down with the handbooks and show him all the things they're doing wrong. It MIGHT work to observe the problems that are the fallout of not following the program and making subtle recommendation

Dittos to what Bob White said. I can't influence things at the National level -- don't know where to start and don't have the time & energy to attempt to engage. But I can influence the Scouting program we deliver in my little corner with the hope, nay, belief, that the positive experiences will spread like ripples on a pond. As for storm clouds on the horizon - so what? We've all seen them before. Do what you always do - secure the camp and howl back at the wind.

Hey, Dave! Happy Birthday to BOTH of us! Mike "If I had known I would live this long, I would have taken better care of myself" F

saltheart, I didn't see yours while I was taking too long to write. Right on! -m

Chippewa, By the book, I think your former SM is right. In SM Handbook, pg 157, it says TC selects quality leaders for the troop. (It also says on pg 156 that the CO has final approval of any adult leaders.) I'm not sure it's written, but the SM should also have a say in his ASM staff, for obvious reasons - you must be able to work closely with these people. I don't think your honorary ASMs necessarily cause you any problem, but you do need to get some active ones on board. Start by talking to CC. See if there are any TC members who might better serve as ASMs. If you

Part of it is also the level of commitment from parents and leaders to make it work. My two Boy Scouts are active in sports and one's in band. Fortunately their leaders encourage the boys to come when they can and praise their dedication when they show up in sweaty practice clothes for the last half of a meeting. With that kind of support, the boys feel good about what they're doing and usually even remember to put their uniform in the van so they can change on the way over. Last Saturday was a good example. #2 son's troop was on a campout, but his school basketball team was play