mikecummings157

Has anyone used Kudu's suggestion, or something similiar? Our Cub Packs are struggling locally, so we're very interested in trying to recruit 6th grade boys. I'm anticipating problems asking to pull all 6th grade boys out of class for a presentation. What about the girls? Do they sit in the classroom idly while this is going on?

I had the privilege of attending as 1st ASM of one of our councils contingent troops. As other folks mentioned, the really important part is to shake the troop down before you get there. We were able to go into the Jamboree with our eyes wide open on some of the issues that the kids had and were better able to deal with them. Its a real growth experience for these boys to learn to work together with scouts from other units. I would hope as a parent if my son was one of the boys who needed extra attention to succeed at the Jamboree, he would get it. Our group of Scoutmasters took the

Scout Vespers followed immediately by Taps

Our troop, with district concurrence, has waived this requirement for a few boys in the last several years. Having the boy wait or otherwise not be a full member of the troop with his buddies is taking a big risk that he will lose interest in scouting. As long as the boy's maturity level is reasonable, bring him in and get him going. The AOL is good preperation, but we end up going through all of the basic scout skills with all new boys anyway.

Has anyone else on the board been contacted by NESA to participate in the preparation of "Eagle Scout Stories: Tales from the trails of Scouting's Highest Rank"? I received several postcards requesting that I call in to verify my information to be included in this publication, coinciding with the 100th anniversary of BSA. I finally called and went through the info with a very polite gentlemen, who then tried to sell me a copy of the hardcover version for $100! He seemed aghast that I wouldn't and then tried to sell me the softcover for $80. Is this just another thinly vailed fund

Maybe I missed it, but does anyone know how this will be handled for the Jamboree? Our contingent leadership has been stressing the BMI since sign-up with the boys and adults. There will be a lot of walking, as well as high heat index. However, there are several 1st Aid centers and a base hospital.

Our boys like this one. "Just Add Water Backpacking Feast" In a small sandwich bag combine: cup instant potatoes cup dry stuffing Dried cranberries Beef or turkey jerky pieces Powdered gravy mix At camp, stir in boiling water and let stand before eating.

I'm in the same council as CNYScouter. It would help if this wasn't scheduled over the top of the "Scout-O" orienteering competition, which is attended by many Crews, Troop, and packs in a camporee style event. Our council knew the events were the same day, as they posted both on the website.

I've used the TLT Modules followed up by monthly PLC's. The TLT only sets the tone for the year. The training is ongoing.

If you have the time and passion for both programs, go for it! I have 2 sons who are several years apart in age, so I spent several years wearing 2 hats. I don't regret a minute of it. Don't let the moms drive you away from spending time with your daughter in Girl Scouts either. I've heard of a lot of dads who don't feel welcome in the program. I also have 2 daughters and pitch in to help my wife and her co-leader periodically with the "Scout Skills" type of activities. Girls like fire, knives, and camping too!

Wow, a lot of great feedback. In response to some of the questions, my thought on getting parents to come along is to start the process of exposing them to what we do and get more buy in, with the goal of recruiting the good ones into a position fitting their talents. We do have an active coomittee, but there aren't a lot of members who actually have boys in the troop anymore. The fresh blood and ideas would be great. I have also observed a direct corrleation between parent involvement and boy involvement/retention.

How do other troops handle parents who are non-registered leaders attending troop campouts? It's our desire this year to get more parents involved with the program, including coming on campouts. The benefit of the extra hands and the added involvement in what their son is doing is tangible. On the downside, these folks have not been background screened or trained in how BSA does things. Is it as simple as briefing them ahead of time on some of the behaviors to avoid (smoking in front of the boys, one-on-one contact, not cutting their sons meat for him, etc)? We've never had a

Looks like Eagle732 is doing the right things. As other posters pointed out, keep working it. I recently took over as SM of our troop and we're continuing to work back towards a boy led, patrol method troop after drifting from it . All of the discussion points are very helpful.

The summer camp our troop attends offers the SM Specific and OLS during the week. We just need to make sure we have enough other adults staying with the troop while the trainees are in attendance. This has worked out very well for some of the ASM's who have a hard time getting away during the year. The camp also offers various other training opportunities, Youth Protection, Safe Swim, Climbing Safely, etc.

Our most successful fundraiser is collectiong redeemable bottles & cans. There is a 5 cent deposit in New York. We leave flyers in the target neighborhoods several days ahead of time and go through door to door on a Saturday and collect.

Right or wrong, I received credit for my Hiking MB concurrently with my 50 miler award as a Youth.

As other folks noted, I have seen Woodbadgers who were strictly in it for the beads. We had 2 in our troop and this turned me off to the course for some time. I recently took over as SM of our troop after 8 years as an ASM. Our Asst SE highly recommended it and my wife actually encouraged me to give it a try. I went in with an open mind and decided that I would get out of the course what I put into it. I just completed the 1st 3 day weekend and I can't wait to go back for the rest. If there is anyone out there who's on the fence about going, give it a shot. You and the bo

I put off taking WB for a long time, as I wasn't impressed with the graduates I saw in our troop. They disrupted our program in the quest for beads and as soon as they got them we never saw them again. With that said, I recently took over as SM of my troop after 8 years as an ASM. Our Asst SE strongly recommended it to me and I decided to take the plunge. My thought was I will get out of it what I put into it. I just finished the 1st 3 days and am really looking forward to the rest of the course! I wish I had done it sooner, but I do agree with some of the other posts that the benefi

Eagle Patch 2- 50 miler awards 1981 Jambo Patch

I agree that a combination of dues and accounts will work. We have monthly dues and an annual spaghetti dinner that go to the troop. The profits from all other fundraisers go to the boys. The more they participate, the more they get. This allows boys to raise funds for some big trips (Jambo, Philmont. etc). As mentioned in another post, no matter how you do it, they key is having a budget process and regular review of the finances.

I would ask the parent what he/she wanted their son to get out of the program. The Patrol Method is the only way for him to get an opportunity to develop leadership skills. A discussion of the difference between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts might also. As Boy Scout leaders, we often have to let the boys fail by doing something their way, rather than our way, so they learn from it. However, I have found they often surprise me and succeed doing it their way by working together. I'm assuming from your user name that you are an Eagle Scout. As an Eagle Scout, you can speak from some authori

I'm part of our council contigent and the only thing we've been told to communicate on this subjetc is that vistors will only be allowed to visit the static displays and one of the arena shows (I forget which one). They will not be allowed to participate in any of the activities (shooting, climbing, scuba, biking, etc).

Our troop typically has the Chaplains Aide conduct a Scouts Own Service.

Set the raingutters up on a table, preferably outside. If inside, bring a mop! Good Luck.

Two of the biggest fundraisers we have every year are Bottle-n-Can Drives and Candy Bar Sales. Folks are very willing to donate their returnable containers, especially if you get the word out ahead of time. We sell Gertrude Hawk Candybars for a buck and keep 50%. There is an upfrint investment, but they sell very well. We have sold Nestle/Hershey in the past, but they don't sell quite as well.