Mike F

Our SM was just directed by our Committee Chairman to sign off on a 1st Class scout's leadership requirement for advancement to Star. The term of office is over but the SM didn't think the scout had come close to meeting expectations and wanted him to further develop and show his skills by accomplishing an additional leadership project. This signature block is the SM's. Can he be forced to sign it against his will? Background: Position - Scribe. Scout has some minor mental disabilities. He was put into his position with consultation of previous SM who departed after new leadership

Thanks, Dan. I'll verify. -mike

DSteele, We have a family in same circumstances (their church requires them to be registered in their troop). I don't know how they do it, but father and multiple sons are all in our troop and (I've been told by them) do not participate in anything with their church troop. This has been going on for a number of years. Since they're only active in one, there's no issue with advancement requirements getting tangled. So far, so good. Oldest is approaching Eagle -- could something happen to cause him trouble at this point? Thanks in advance!

Here's the link I was looking for (thanks to Eagledad!). http://www.daltonlp.com/scouts/pnames.html It's the best compilation of patrol names on the web -- trust me -- I've looked everywhere. If you back up to the "scouts" page, there's a ton of other VERY good stuff, too! Happy surfing and thanks (again), Barry!! -mike

I saw a couple of great lists on-line a month or so ago, but didn't grab them at the time. After searching with no luck for an hour, I seek your help. Any links to share? Thanks in advance! YIS -mike f

This reply is mostly to LauraT7's last note. You mentioned PL's usually being elected based on popularity. I've seen a TON of something else that I think is even more damaging - who hasn't been PL yet? At least with popularity, the other kids like him and want him to be their leader. When the boys sit in a circle and debate whose turn it is to be "stuck with the job" of PL, it can really go downhill. The others don't really respect and want him as their leader -- they just don't want the job themselves. As for periodic training, a portion of each PLC can be used to present one a

This one is new to me too, but there's an important word in the "chapter and verse" from DSteele: CELEBRATION. I would consider modeling it after a regular Eagle ceremony, adapting lines as required. Make it a celebration of the joys and victories the young man had in Scouting. Recognize the difference he made in the lives of others in his too-short time on this Earth. And best to wait -- this is going to be hard on his buddies and leaders, too, but a great life lesson. Our days are numbered, but we know not the tally. My prayers are with Troop 91 and his family, too. Mi

My two Scouts used to cringe at the BSA stickers on the back of my van -- especially when I was picking them up at school in front of their friends. Then one day I explained to them that Boy Scouts represented some of the finest of America's ideals. Those stickers are my way of publicly saying I share some ideals that won't be swayed by the changing winds of political correctness. No more problems with the van stickers and the boys have recently been "caught" wearing Boy Scout t-shirts to school. The little radicals!!

The guys did GREAT in speaking up! Most of the offenders probably knew it was wrong and were shamed into knocking it off. All it took was for one new guy to speak up. No big deal - no federal case - no screaming and yelling. Just a minor course correction. That's worth more than a dozen hours of mandatory sensitivity training. Brings to mind a favorite quote: "All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing." -- Edmund Burke In addition to doing good, I suspect your son and his friend will have gained confidence from this experience and will be ready

Beav, You'll be hearing from lots of folks about building relationship with local Packs. Another idea is to encourage Scouts to invite friends - we haven't had a lot join that way, but they have all been really good scouts. Consider having events where guys can bring non-scout friends. Maybe lock-in at Rock Gym or Troop Movie night (watch one of the great movies mentioned in another thread in here somewhere). After they have the opportunity to get to know some of the guys, invite them on a special campout which is open to prospective members. (Make it a good one.) The best wa

I appreciated all of your input on this one and thought I'd give an update on how we finally did it. Formed panel consisting of myself, SM, CC and one CM. We met and rank-ordered Adults based on these criteria: 1. Philmont is NOT a father-son activity. Selections will be based on who can best support and enhance the program for the boys. 2. Priority given to adults who have been actively supporting troop high-adventure program. (This did generate some controversy - we have one active young adult with no son in the troop, but he has lots of high-adventure experience and a GRE

scoutdad, Take another look at the money your troop has sent Philmont. We're going in '04, too, and have only sent $50 per person. Next payment ($212.50 each) is due on 1 Oct (next week). It's possible that your troop was collecting money in small chunks before it was due. If so, the only money actually on the hook right now is the $50 that has already been sent to Philmont, unless they sent the next payment early. Money for first boy - Idea of approaching parents is a good one. Hopefully they'll see the value. Boy can also make money mowing lawns, etc. - my son earned about $400

OGE, Good point. The data for our council came from Tour Permits on file. With over 1500 units, they couldnt consider specific demographics or circumstances. Nor could they judge the high-adventure quotient of a normal summer camps add-on High-A program, so they ignored them all. The 5% number they came up with was quick and dirty, no doubt, but illustrative. This isnt meant to slam anybody especially if theyre in a recovery/rebuilding stage. I just thought it was interesting to note that only 1 out of 20 troops in the Houston area went on a hard-core high adventure trip this year. I

Rusty, Sorry I wasn't more clear. I don't think a boy can (or should) belong to two formal patrols. We basically have two different kinds of high adventure activities: 1. Venture Patrol activities (like weekend or Spring Break backpacking trips) that are conducted separate from the rest of the troop. Only Ventures invited. They plan and run these activities just for the older Venture patrol members. (Yes - younger guys want to come along - gives them something to look forward to.) Venture PL (or his delegate) takes the lead for these. Actually, we have 3 Venture Patrols, s

I was hit with a really depressing statistic in our local council last week -- only 5% of the troops in our area participated in a major high adventure activity last summer (2003). This number does not include the optional activities offered at many summer camps (mountain man, outback, etc.) in addition to the merit badge programs. We supported a Council High Adventure Rally on Saturday by setting up a table with slide show and video of our Boundary Waters canoe trip. We had handouts with a summary of how we organized, planned, and conducted our trip. When I counted the leftovers, ther

Rusty, Sorry to muddy the waters, but you can still operate with all of your older guys as part of the regular patrols and still go do separate high adventure activities. Most of the time the guys work in their regular patrols (weekly meetings, campouts, etc.). The high adventure stuff is worked outside the patrol structure by forming temporary "crews" with a boy "Crew Chief" leader. The guys going on the trip will have some extra meetings to plan and usually some extra activities as "shake downs." Do your best to schedule these so they don't conflict with other troop activities so

LV, After getting down the basics, might try climbing stadium or, better yet, a stair well, so can practice tight turns. And maybe an obstacle course of fallen trees and rocks hidden beneath muddy pools. And don't forget the swarm of mosquitos so can practice one-handed balancing and swatting while maintaining balance on greased rocks. You're absolutely nuts, buddy! I look forward to meeting you someday, even though I'm not sure I could measure up for a crew. Keep 'em coming!!

When our guys get a POR, part of the training includes going over a form specifying what it will take to successfully complete the tour of duty. The Scout reviews the form with the SM and both sign it at the beginning of the term. In essence, its a contract. It includes space for the Scout to write down examples of things he did to meet each requirement. At PLCs and other tag-ups, their progress at meeting the requirements is discussed. Coaching and additional training is applied as required. At the end of the term, the Scout signs the completed form and turns it into the SM at an end-of

SagerScout, Interesting observation! I know what you mean about feeling of energy, but for me that's only for "normal" activities like office work or working around the house. I've never tried it for prolonged heavy physical exertion, like a day (or 10 of 'em) on the trail. A 10-mile run definitely has me dragging worse than normal if low-carb -- I'm extrapolating that experience into assumption about the trail, but could be off target. -mike

I would personally NOT go high-protein during the day while on a trek. The metabolic by-products of turning protein into energy -- what it takes to get over that ridgeline, etc. -- are much harder for the body to handle and lead to early fatigue. Under these conditions, not all calories are equivalent. Carbs and fats are easiest to burn during the exercise. Balanced evening meal restocks the glycogen reserves for next day and rebuilds muscle so you're ready to go again. I've used Atkins a few months before a trip to get down to fighting weight, so I'm familiar with it, but gotta be ca

Trail Pounder - I've used the Western Omlet breakfast recently - sure a lot better than they used to be! Need a little oil, and a Teflon pan will be worth the weight, although in a pinch I've cooked them right in the packet (add water, mix, suspend in pot of boiling water -- it's odd, but it's protein and a lot easier to clean up). Still kinda bland -- a pinch of dried peppers or splash of Tobasco (after cooking) helps a lot. Salt & pepper a must. Good idea to use in the evening! eisely - concur. During the day, heavier on the carbs is the way to go (complex carbs best for slower

Along the lines of "Your favorite comedy movie", which movies would you recommend before departing on an expedition? The night before catching a VERY early airplane to Minneapolis for Boundary Waters canoe trip, we watched "Jeremiah Johnson". The boys groaned at the beginning, but were quoting from the movie throughout the trip. (Considered "Deliverance" - but only for a nanosecond...)

Our cross-over rate is terrible, too, but I don't have the numbers. I've talked to a number of parents and potential scouts, but they feel like they've "already done scouts" or "it's boring." One idea we're trying to get off the ground is to put together a slide show of scouts from the local area in action. Summer camp, high-adventure trips, campouts, etc. This will be composed of pictures from many different troops. Important that they all be local troops. Then we'll take this slide show to Pack Meetings to show the Cubs & Webelos the fun with emphasis that this is all going on

packsaddle, Falling out of canoe ain't nuthin' -- you win!

Dan - RE: Weight limits -- at the risk of derailing this thread, I happened to have the official word right here: You're right - weight limits are based on height, with one small exception for youth. For adults (over 21) - will not be allowed on trail if exceed max weight based on height. For youth -- Philmont doctors will assess fitness and may provide an exception of up to 20 lbs on max weight, but still cannot exceed an absolute max of 295 lbs. (This must be discussed with Philmont BEFORE you get there.) (My guess - this is to make allowance for very muscular football players, etc.,