ntrog8r

"...the two articles should not have appeared in the same issue." I don't see a problem with having both articles in the same issue; after all, DO cooking isn't inherently bad for your health anymore than electric oven cooking is. Hopefully there is room in the Scouting program for health and fitness AND DO cooking - even the occasional desert! For recipes besides desert, try http://papadutch.home.comcast.net/~papadutch/dutch-oven-recipes.htm , this site has recipes for poultry, sides, even vegetarian dishes! I would like to see, and expect they are coming, more articles on fitness and health in future issues - including Boy's Life. It's good to see the BSA bringing additional focus this health issue. Maybe we volunteers can encourage the Scouts to earn the BSA Fitness Award! http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/Publications/PhysicalFitness.aspx

I'd have to say we're DO heretical traditionalists. Our DO cooking goes back and forth depending on what we're doing. We've followed recipes religiously (especially when baking or competing) but we also just pile food stuff in and coals on the DOs and see what happens. Now, there have been some mighty fine meals, and some mighty bad clean-ups come from both. One Scout cooks a family recipe for every DO demo we do - and it always fantastic. But I've never seen him prepare it the same way twice! Since our (family's) first DO experience, we've managed to see some mighty old ovens get cleaned and seasoned put back to use in a few Troops. Honestly, just seeing them used and the Scouts eating their "creations" is good enough for me.

There's a GS policy that prevents pregnant girls from joining/participating in outings? I don't know of such a policy. Is this YOUR policy? Scouting guidelines for membership are pretty clear. We don't all agree on every one of them, but they are clear. What GSUSA policy is your decision based on?

We just replaced our Life Scout's uniform with the new "centennial". He likes the socks, belt, belt buckle, darker green pants, and the toned down buttons. He chose the cotton blendover the supplex because it "looks better". He still doesn't like the hat. Definitely need to add a buttonhole on the pocket to save the temp patches.

I'm with you. If you are a registered Boy Scout, you a not also a registered Cub Scout. Since the AOL can only be earned by Cubs, they can not earn it after bridging.

from11to46, I'm not sure what qualifies as "visually the same". If you mean green, there are cheaper green pants out there. If you mean green and have cargo pockets there are cheaper pants out there. If you mean BSA forest green, zip-off leg, cargo pocket, belt loops sized to the BSA belt, etc. there is no cheaper pant available. Of course, I'm also intriqued by the attempt to enforcce uniform policy and simultaneously LOOK for a way out of wearing the correct uniform. I have always wondered why we, parents and Scouters, think its too much to expect Scouts to wear a complete and proper uniform but will drop money without hesitation for the uniform for football, soccer, basketball, baseball, etc. Do those programs have more value than Scouting? I understand the unifrom is expensive. If cost is preventing a family from full uniforming, maybe the Troop can get together to find a solution. Our Council allowed campership money to be used for uniforms if the Troop also pitched in, our Troop maintained a "veteran" closet of used uniforms, we also paid for and provided at sign-up all patches, shoulder loops to new Scouts. Now uniforms are not REQUIRED as many here are sure to point out. It is a METHOD of the program, not the program. I guess parents and leaders need to decide which METHODS they are going to use and which ones they aren't. My suggestion is 100% uniforming is the standard to shoot for, leaders (adult and Scout) set the example here, but no Scout should be left out of the program because of the uniform.

Nicely put; I'll join in that request.

Ninja, Why is your goal to "get" Eagle "as soon a s possible"? You become an Eagle through time invested, energy spent, skills developed, knowledge learned, people helped, and leadership given. I applaud your efforts and "goal setting" but believe you may have missed the point. If you are so far ahead of your peers, you need to reach back and bring them with you. "To help other people" is part of the Cub Scout Promise. Perhaps you can take this time to help your fellows Webelos move ahead. After all, a Pack isn't in a race against itself. I wish you the best of luck in Scouting and hope you are able to ENJOY yourself and the fellowship of your fellow Scouts on ya'lls (plural your) Trail to Eagle.

Are they planning their activities? Our older Scouts planned trips to pro sports games (for the entire Troop). They looked a t calendars, costs, trnsportation, lodging, etc and put together trips for the whole trip to do. We held a monthly camp-out - Star and above only - at a site just for them. They did pioneering projects, dutch oven cooking, wilderness survival, direction finding/navigation, etc. Then THEY went back to the troop to incorporate it into the patrols or next Troop campout. We appointed "Special Outings" functions to our senior Scouts, whitewater rafting once, trip to Grand Canyon another, horsemanship at a nearby ranch, another, etc. The outings were from the PLC but we had the senior Scouts go out and get details and plan. They briefed the SPL and SM. This was difficult at first but with guidance and froms to make sure everything was covered, before lon they were very successful and felt like they owned the program - SUCCESS! Three of our Scouts went to NOAC, two went to National Jambo, one worked staff at Summer Camp,we moved Summer Camp out of Council to one that offered a range of activities for the younger and older Scouts, etc. It can be difficult. What do your older Scouts WANT to do? Maybe there's an interest in auto mechanics or rappeling or aviation or...

Tough place to start as DL! Things my son (who is now 17) remembers: > Going to the archaeology lab (on an Army base) and helping wash and sort artifiacts > NBA game (had to drive four hours) > "Spelunking" in a cave at the Natl Park > Wild foods walk led by a Park Ranger > Kite Derby > Building a catapult we drove around in the back of my jeep > Our Hikes > Building a den "totem" > Ceremonies > Adopting a wolf at the local zoo I would try contacting the "lost" Bears and ask them and their parents why they didn't transition an what would make them reconsider. Good luck with you new Den!

First let me say I too have suffered through some pretty bad training sessions - and not just limited to Scouting. For those that haven't, congratulations to your Councils and Districts on a job perfectly done. I do believe that in-person training is the best, after all isn't that what we do in Scouting? I also think online training is valuable, available, and consistent. As a baseline to provide the basics, common vocabulary, etc it is a very useful training tool. For those wondering about whether or not training will be required, just check the BSA website: http://www.scouting.org/Training/TrainingUpdates.aspx An excerpt from the update: Twenty selected councils will pilot required training for top leaders in 2010. Top leaders are Cubmasters, Scoutmasters, Varsity Coaches, and Venturing crew Advisors. Plans are to require training for all top leaders in 2011 and all direct-contact leaders in 2012. Direct-contact leaders include assistant leaders and den leaders. Council training teams should begin to update training records by conducting training inventories of their leaders and prepare to make training more readily available and to expand their training teams.

I had never heard of this program. As Citizenship MB counselor, I think I'll provide these requirements to the Scouts as well if they're interested and pass this on to my my son's American Government teacher at school. Thanks for the post, cartercamping!

skeptic, Are you referring to the "Ignore this User" link on the left under the name? I'm pretty sure this only blocks them from PMing you, not their responses on the Forums. Or do you mean you're getting PMs from users you've "ignored"?

Our troops have: 1. Run a carnival section for kids at the local OktoberFest 2. Erected and taken down tarps for city activities in the park 3. Provided clean-up services after city events 4. Vied for cash prizes in parades (best float, etc) 5. Just asked local businesses 6. Asked national chain stores (there is usually a "procedure" for doing this - just ask the local manager)

No idea whaat the title means; just call your council office and ask - they should know. Rotating Roundtables? Hmm, sounds interesting. Of course Roundtable Staff would have rotating schedules, regular attendees would have rotating schedules, the meeting place would now have a rotating schedule, etc. If it made the Roundtable available to more Scouters then it might be worth working through the issues. When I was SM we had the same issue. I just asked the CC to attend. On nights with specific info (popcorn) we sent the appropriate MC as well. Of course the one thing I've seen that spikes Roundtable attendance is not the schedule but making it worth going to. Planned out, with prepared leaders/presenters that keep it interesting, fun, and informative Roundtables always seem to increase attendance over the boring, poorly planned and executed Roundtables. A good Roundtable program seems to open many people's schedules.

I remember oyur frustrations trying to get traning. And then they went made me a trainer! How many trainers does your Council have? How many SMs are there that need the training? Try to get a session scheduled based on what works for these SMs. I have seen the training done at Camporees in other districts and it seemed to work fine. I haven't done it as a trainer or a leader so can't say much more than that. I have participated in the training (as a trainer) being given at Summer Camp. This worked out really well for us. The major complaint was from SMs who were not able to attend Sumemr Camp during the two sessions it was offered; no one complained they were not able to recruit an extra adult to attend camp while the trainees were away. Alas, the schedules of volunteers will not always line up, but it probably can line up more than once a year!

RD, If you send me your e-mail I can send you some stuff we've used for new leaders. If your Scouts have "lost their books", they need to replace them. Responsibility is a first step to leadership. Have you contacted your OA chapter? They may have some TL training to provide OR some older, experienced Scouts to come and observe a meeting and give some advice to your leaders. An OA sash or two might impress your Scouts the kind leaders they CAN be.

Nice post, thank you for sharing this. Sounds like a great Scoutmaster Minute!

LisaBob, We used TuffTotes (footlockers) for the '05 Jambo for ease in packing the trailer (same size, etc) AND because they could be locked when not in camp. They are waterproof, can be left on the ground, allow the Scout to see more of his stuff without throwing the contents on the ground, and can be used as seats. Duffles lack these additional advantages.

Wow, LisaBob! News I would have loved to hear in '05!

Only Staff patches have arrived in our Council so far. The first Jamboree meetings have not been held yet for the Troop, they start next week, so the patches will probably be arriving shortly. Council should be able to provide a time estimate for you.

>This young man approached our SM and got his blessing to do this. The SPL was not approached and when he was told about it he did not like it, But feels since the SM said it was OK he can not do anything about it.< Im not sure Im tracking why he needs ANYones permission or backing to visit any troop, or any other organization. >The young man in question also sent out an e-mail stateing that he would be gone for a month and that when he came back he would get together with the SM and SPL and then e-mail everybody what he learned at the other meeting.< So, assuming the best, he wants to share what he learns this is a great thing. Assuming the worse, he wants to share what he learns - but for the wrong reason? What is the fear here that he will like the other Troop better and pull other Scouts out with him? Thats a risk at every Camporee, Summer Camp, etc. where Scouts can see and decide for themselves if they like the way another Troop operates better. >Here is the crux. The other main leaders in the troop the main ASM, the SPL and the CC, who happens to be me, do not feel that this is something our troop needs right now. < What does this mean not something our Troop needs right now? Is there a problem within the Troop, is something else going on? >If he then comes back and wants to share with us his experiences with the other troop, thats ok. But him going for the explicit purpose of "Spying" is not Scout like. < When did it change from wanting to share with us his experiences to him going for the explicit purpose of "Spying"? I missed the transition. >The SM is a good man, I just think that he did not think this out.< Why do you think that? Have you spoken to the SM? What has he said about it? > If you found out a Scout was 'Spying" on your troop, what would you think? < Im still not sure what spying means in this context. Weve had Scouts from other units come to our meetings. Ive had Scouts visit other units. My own son and his best friend in the Troop visited other Troops a couple of times. Please dont think Im trying to say you dont have a valid concern Im just not sure where your concern is coming from, i.e. why is the Scribe a spy instead of a Scout who wants to see another Troop.

In our last council, the board was mostly "Alumni". Nearly every member had been a Scout or involved in Scouting when their son(s) were Scouts. One member was especially generous and spent TONS of money to support Scouting. FOS problems resulted in the districts outside of the population center from the council. The wealthier districts (more people, higher wages, etc) received nearly all the money raised in the Council (FOS, popcorn, etc). This resulted in the districts with the most need receiving the least support. FOS donations dwindled to almost nothing, from the Scouters in the district and the businesses that contributed. On the other hand, one district took matters into its own hands. Donors were sought for individual units and specific events within the district. The volunteers felt united enough to come together and provide their own expertise and recruit from outside of Scouts for more expertise to make some truly quality events for the Scouts. This went pretty well for a while, until council issued a cease and desist order for the "unapproved" unit and district fundraising. So I guess I support the idea of FOS but like the idea of local business and community leaders supporting the movement more. However, shouldn't this be the same thing?

What are the skills your leaders are in need of? I may have some stuff I can provide depending on what they're looking for.

Maybe I'm being naive... What is the COs reason for NOT removing them? What is the reaction of the other parents? What is the reaction of the Scouts? Seems to me this would be a fast-sinking ship unless the CO stepped up to make repairs. The Council's hands are not entirel "tied". Leadership is influence more than orders. Has the UC, DE or other council rep met with the CO about this? Council can not force a Charter to replace a leader in most cases; they can refuse a unit charter.