NIscouter

The following is from Owassippe Staff Association web site(http://www.owasippe.net/). "CONSERVATION DISTRICT SAYS "NO" TO CHANGES! Blue Lake Township received huge support of their current zoning as the Muskegon Conservation District passed a formal Resolution to not change the zoning of Owasippe. In light of the drastic rezoning that the Chicago Area Council, Boy Scouts of America has asked for, this Resolution clearly puts the Council proposal at odds with the nature of Owasippe. The Owasippe Outdoor Education Center proposal preserves the current zoning and includes the ultima

I sometimes wish that I could open my communicator and say "Scotty, beam me up. There is no intellegent life down her" :>

CNYScouter - I would use the knoweldge of the patrol to help you move your troop forward. I have been trying to look at events in my troop from a "patrol point of view". A strengthening of the patrols will positively effect the troop. Good Luck!

We do a service project at a former scout campground every year, and they provide our boys free camping for a few nights. We also count the time spent toward service hours. Not meaninig to hijack this thread, but a quick question my son asked me and I can't answer - do serivce hours not used for the requirements of a lower rank carry over to the next rank?

OneHour You should look into the software offered by Troopmaster for your finances. It has an easy way to handle the scout accounts and is a great way to keep your books. Just to chime in on the costs, our troop usually charges $15 to $20 per scout per outing, and the adults go free. We have the boys earn the recharter fee as part of the fall popcorn sale (1 case per boy for recharter), and our summer camp fees are $165 this year. The scouts get money in thier scout accounts from our fundraisers to be used for summer camp and scout related equipment.

Old ASM New SM - I hope you will keep us informed on the progress you have made, the challenges you have faced, and the success that I fully expect to happen. I think we can all learn from your experience!

Welcome to the forum. Pull up a log and join in the fun!

The above course (I hope I remembered the number from Sat) has a few openings left. I am taking this course and it is my understanding we are within 3 or 4 Scouters for a full troop. The course is being sponsored through the LaSalle Council of Northern IN/Southern MI and will be conducted on the weekends of April 16th and May 13th in Jones, MI, just northeast of South Bend, IN. If you are looking to take Wood Badge and are near to southwest MI, help us fill the last spots!

I agree on the need to rotate the leadership in the New Scout Patrol. Our troop had as NSP that had one boy as the PL for a year-it was tough on him, it did not provide the other scouts an opportunity to experience the PL position and the PLC. After being part of this forum, I have championed the idea of rotating the PL in our NSP. It welcomed by all involved, both adults and the PLC. Kind of nice to see the things I'm learning here do apply to real life :>

You as a MBC do not need to be there for everything. The use of a signed note (documetation) by an adult who witnessed an event should be fine. A scout should be expected to be trustworthy and we need to start at that point. My son visited a "local weather person" as part of his weather merit badge and had him sign a short note to verify this. I would say that if you have any doubt that an event occurred, call the person who signed the note to verify.

GB - I recommend you try to attend the Adult Outdoors Training - it will get you ready for your move up to Boy Scouts :> This training should provide you with the tools for setting up the Webelos outdoor work and give those boys a foot up on campling skills.

I would recommend that you start by making sure the boys know what a successful PLC is all about, give the boys the tools to succeed. You could have the adults stage a PLC meeting. I would also have the SM work closly with the SPL on planning the PLCs, and have the SM sit in on the PLCs for a few months. You should also get the SPL and PLs involved in a troop level JLT and get your adult leaders trained ASAP. Also, read the patrol method forum, lots of good stuff to help you there.

I think SP got it right! Most of these "adults" probably feel they have "too much to do already" and do not want to take on any more responsibility. We have this happen all the time - adults whine about the way an event or fundraiser is ran, but try to get them to do it next time and they turn tail and run!

I gave a copy of the documents to the leaders last night at our troop meeting. Now to convince the rest of the adults to do the training.

I would follw the reccomendations of SP in a different order - find a new troop first, forget about reporting it to the CM as they must be in it as deep as the SM, and report this SM/troop situation to the district executive. Our troop welcomes all to our camp outs and events, and even actively encourage the "Moms" to attend. We don't get many takers but feel this provides a positive role model for the boys as they are forming their views and opinions of how to treat women.

meamemg - I would say the only way to deal with a large group is using the patrol method. You need the structure that the patrol method provides (that is why we use it!). I am not sure if having 2 troop guides per patrol (new scout I assume) will provide you any advantage and may be a disadvantage if the TGs clash. Be caustious of having too many "chiefs" - a few good leaders are much better. I would also review the progran you offer for the older guys. Make sure it gives them a reason to come to the meeting other than acting as trainers for the younger guys. You have a great chance to impact

Just wanted to bump this up again. I just completed both the Safe Swim and Safety Afloat training and am set for 2 years. One question - does it need to be forwarded to the council for any reason or is completing it and getting the "card" sufficient?

Old ASM New SM - I would start by reading the threads in this section of the forum to get a basis to introduce the boys to the patrol method. You also need to get yourself to your adult training ASAP. This will be a multi year effort on your part to instill the patrol method into the troop. You will be directing the group for a large part at first, but if you keep your eye on goal of making it a boy led troop, you should soon see your boys moving into the leadership roles and taking control. Good luck!

This discussion really ties together what a good troop may be doing. I plan on bringing up some of the items noted here to my troop. I would note one thing - if a troop has a weak or indifferent SPL elected, it is very difficult for the SM and ASMs not to get involved at some level to keep the meetings going. I think a troop is very fluid entity, and a change in leadership (both adult and scout)can change the way a troop is run virtually overnight. The challange appears to be recognizing this change and helping the boys find a way back to running the troop.

The sleeping bag you are refering to indicates the fill (Quallofil) and the rating on the temp by whoever manufactured it, which should be pretty close to the actual. I would also think about summer camping when buying a sleeping bag - a 0 degree bag is useless above 60 F. You might consider a 20 degree bag or higer rated bag that you can put a blanket or insert into in real cold weather. I recommend that you have your SON ask the SM or ASMs of your troop for recommendations on sleeping bags. They should be a great source of info on this. You can also look at the REI website or other siml

anarchist - That is the path I hope to follow, that is if I can convince my troop committee that growth is good (another thread, I guess). Once again, thanks to all for the advice.

Welcome to the forum! Look for the threads referencing the usscouts.org sites - I am fairly sure these sites are part of that group. I have read they will be up again soon.(This message has been edited by NIscouter)

Thought I would report back on the B/G event. The CM and the CC for the pack ran a great event for the boys, and my son and I were the only troop reps that were present for the food. The cross over ceremony had three troops involved, but the ceremony was set by the pack. We were there to welcome the boy after he went through a tunnel comprised of Tiger, Bear, and 1st yr Webelos. The event was a good time for me to talk to the 1st yr webelos about our troop.

I use Delorme's topo program - I am using a version from a few years ago but it is petty solid most of the time. I really enjoy the 3-D, like SemperParatus. If you do get the troop a program, you need a good color printer - it is necessary for the details to come out properly. I must say that there is nothing like holding a 1:24,000 scale map from the USGS in your hands - you can really visualize the terrian with those big boys. And the ink won't run when it gets wet!

"I am New" also - so welcome to the forums from another newbie. Lots to see and comment on. Have fun and don't be shy about posting.