nldscout

National rule says adequate supervision. Each webelos responsible to an adult. Does not say 1to1 or any ratio. But ask your council, they may have stricter limits

We just had this discussion on the USSCOUTS foram a while back. I have included part of a response from Mike Walton which explains the flag patch issue. If you want to read the whole thing go to USSCOUTS Discuss-it page.

Quoted from Mike Walton below:

>Here's the bottom line:

*The Boy Scouts of America makes wearing of the U.S. Flag insignia an OPTIONAL ITEM. It has been this way since 1957, when the U.S. flag emblem was first added as a piece of BSA insignia in advance of the World Jamboree in Idaho in the early 60s.

*The Boy Scouts of America's National Uniform and Insignia Committee established HOW and WHERE the U.S. Flag insignia would be worn IF a Scout or Scouter chose to wear it on the official uniforms. It is worn on ALL UNIFORMS as the top-most piece of insignia on the RIGHT SHOULDER and no other location on an official BSA uniform, to include the red or blue jac-shirt and their lighter weight jackets. The Committee determined that since the U.S. Flag Code does NOT specifically address the direction the flag should be worn on an article of clothing, that the flag would be worn as if you are looking at that flag from afar, with the stars *to the rear*.

*The Boy Scouts of America has NO PLANS to alter that flag emblem; and Scouts and Scouters should wear the U.S. Flag emblem as displayed in the BSA's Insignia Guide.

*With regard to "who's right," since the U.S. Flag Code does not place *in writing* how our national flag would be worn on a uniform, both the military and the BSA (and other organizations) are absolutely correct. Each organization sets their own uniforming policies and it is NOT dictated by "congress" nor by anyone else other than that organization. Note that while the BSA is chartered through an act of Congress, that the BSA is free to provide their own policies concerning uniform and insignia wear without Congress' input (and this is a GOOD THING)!!

*Finally, Scouts and Scouters should be proud to wear our nation's flag on the uniform, but not all Scouts and Scouters *can do this*. So let's not be forcing kids and adults to do something which is against their moral or religious upbringing, okay?? There are several religious organizations and faiths who do NOT allow their members to wear anything which symbolizes an alliegence toward. These faiths and organizations believe that "God" or "Allah" is more important than "country" -- and this is EXACTLY WHY the BSA does NOT and WILL NOT make the wearing of the U.S. Flag emblem MANDATORY.

Hope that all of these points helps you and your Scouts in coming to grips with "why do the military wear the flag "backwards" and we in Scouting wear the flag "forwards".

You need to read the back of the form closely when you talk about under 18yr old drivers. A 16 yr old cannot drive to local events, only area, regional, or national Boy Scout activity. If he is in Venturing then the 3 rules apply.

1. Six months' driving experience as a licensed driver (time on a learner's permit or equivalent is not to be counted)

2. No record of accidents or moving violations

3. Parental permission granted to the leader, driver, and riders.

This is one of those things that are hard to explain to a scout who drives to a lot of things.

its a council by council policy unless its a national event as to when it expires.

well lets see.

1. Its not in the G2SS.

2. Its not mentioned anywhere in Youth Protection.

3. Its not listed on Tour Permit Info

I would say, 3 stikes for the negative, that means in my book its another Urban Legand.

Chaulk one more up to the Rumor Mill.

Paul

No one had a problem with those that truly VISITED for a couple of days. The problem I and a great many others had were with those that come expecting to do everything that the paid participants did. Things like Meritbadges, scuba, snorkeling, and the list goes on. There is nothing wrong with visiting and experiancing the Jamboree. But don't go there expecting to be a participant without paying.

Yes the Jamboree is expensive, but for most scouts its a once in a lifetime event. I beleive that any scout that wants to can go, all it takes it the will and drive to earn the money.

We had a scout that a few yrs ago wanted to attend Philmont, almost same cost, but his parents could not afford it. So he started collecting bottles and cans for the deposits. Took him 18 months but he earned the $1200 fee, plus enough for his gear and spending money. All by a little inititive and hard work.

It is these troops that are "VISITING" the Jamboree that has caused a lot or resentment and hard feelings on the part of those that have paid the full fee to attend.

According to National rules in 01 you could not camp within 50 or 75 miles of the Jamboree and could not visit for more than 3 days, yet there were troops that stayed outside the Jamboree site and tried to participate everyday, including doing things that only paid participants were allowed to do. Worse was we heard a scouter complaining his troop could not do some of the Meritbadges that they wanted to do because they didn't pay the Fees that the particpants did. I guess they wanted a free ride. Although National did a better job of policing that last time I hope they get better at it in 05. If you want the Jamboree experiance, Pay the Fee, and get it all.

BW,

Whats wrong with Bowl-a-Thon's? Troops, districts and councils do them all the time.

The big problem I see with this skit if the unprepared adult takes offense to this. I had this one played on me and although I normally am good natured about skits, I did not like the idea that I had to finish the rest of the evenings program in a wet scout shirt. If I had been told I would have taken of my shirt.

If your going to do a skit like this, then you better make sure the person on the receiving end knows whats in store and won't object.

The only wrong with this ides is that it is prohibited in the G2SS. Cub Scouts cannot boat or Raft on Moving water, Only flat water ponds or lakes.

If this is a council Camp they should no better than run an event such as this

We had a scout just like this. Got busy with collage and other things. Was a great scout, always there and always helpful. But after we got eagle award back from national he was gone to collage and just seemed to not want to bother with it. We held it for a while then sent it to his parents.

Like I said before, You need to say thanks for your intrest, but here is the other troops available in the area. Don't allow them to damage your troop by doing this, cause thats what would happen. Does Grandmother understand the difference in programs? is she going to camp in Tent when your doing that? What about Canoeing or boating activities, Backpacking, Hiking, climbing, Camporee's, Klondikes, summer camp, and the list goes on and on. Cubs can not do 90% or the thinks Boy Scouts do.

You don't need tis guy, Eagle Scout or not. Besides, I would Question his judgement if a leader gave me an ultimatum like this, not exactly eagle scout standards.

As a scoutmaster let me answer # 2 and 3, You already have answers for # 1.

#2 BSA is not a baby sitting service, thats what it appears she wants. She need to understand older brothers need time from younger brothers. The younger one needs to stay with cubsand then join troop when its time. Younger brothers do not belong at meetings and outings. It only distracts from the program for the Boys. A family weekend is different but the focus then is not on the boys but on the family as a whole.

#3 We were confronted by a dad that wanted to involve the younger brother all the time, we had to stop it because it was causing lots of problems in the troop with distractions.

My advice would be DO NOT do this. Do not let her try and blackmail you into allowing this. Explain the differences and tell her younger brother is not allowed as a matter of rule and for safety reasons. Cubs are not allowed to do a lot of the things Boy Scouts can do. After explaining this to her if she won't change her mind, furnish her a list of other troops and wish her and her son well and tell them you are sorry he won't be joining.

We were told by our registrar that the official date is when he is entered into scoutnet system and it could not be backdated. We found out the hard way when 2 applications never got entered for 6 months. Boys went to summercamp and earned rank, when advancement reports were filed they were sent back as not registered. Now we are trying to unsquirrel the mess.

The worst thing is no matter what is said to people like Merlyn, you are always wrong and they are always right. Public grants go to all kinds of activities everyday that I don't like. So Whats the point here Merlyn? One thing about this group, no matter your view's no one is outright insulting you or cussing you out like some of the groups that you belong to.

Can you explain what this has to do with scouting? Maybe this is a valid subject for other lists.

le Voyageur,

Is it wrote somewhere that you cannot use military surplus for COPE or Climbing? What about if its New military surplus?

We used Eureka Timberline 4man tents, and BSA wall tents for Leaders. BSA standard Dining Fly's, but I am pushing council for metal framed tarps. Make things much easier. 2 burner propane stoves. Electic lanterns eat batteries so quick and you have no way to charge them. We had some of the Yard lights that recharge from the sun to give us a little light to get around the troop area at night.

Eisley,

That sound exactly like the ones we have, except they are mad with 2X6 10ft long. They work good if the scouts get the coordination part down.

I have a large ALICE that I use from time ti time for different things. I would not use it for serious backpacking. They are just not that comfortable.

I bet if you ask the scouts they already know anyway that this kid has AIDS. I mean it was in the paper. The Boys know more then some give them credit for.

Eaglefoot,

Who at national did you speak to? When we asked our CE about this we got the same wishy washy answers that everyone has gotten, There is nothing hard and fast that talks about it in R&R or bylaws. Like everything else with national, GREY is better, that way they can shift opinions with the time of month they are asked

The title and registration is made out to BSA TROOP 21, From DMV state of New york. 1 cargo trailer, 4 campers, 2 canoe trailers, 12 canoes.

All are registered to Troop, no where does it say Methodist Church on it who is our sponsor.

This has been beat around and around and you will find no straight answer to your question. The area is as grey as can be. One opinion is the CO owns it and your money in your account, but no one in our charter has access to our troop bank accounts.

Our trailers and Canoe's are registered to our troop, not the CO. So our answer is its owned by the Troop, not the CO. Everyone points to the Clause in the Bylaws that says what happens if a unit is disolved, but there is nothing in the Bylaws about ownership of equipment of a functioning unit, just a lot of opinions.

But then again this is our opinion.

Note in the origonal message, this dad that wants to do this is a committee member and he wants to do this for the troop. This is one event that needs to be nipped in the thinking stage. But I do like OGE suggestion.