ntrog8r

Trying to stay under two hours and maintain their interest can be a challenge! Older but shorter films: Drums Along the Mohawk (104 minutes) Young Mr Lincoln (100 minutes) Longer, but perhaps able to hold their attention: The Right Stuff (193 minutes) Glory (122 minutes) Last of the Mohicans (117 minutes) Rudy (116 minutes) For the Scouters: Follow Me Boys! (131 minutes)

For the official BSA position, check the following links: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide.aspx (Insignia Guide, Intro and Table of contents) http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/01.aspx (Official Policy) http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/02.aspx (you may be interested in Clause 4 and 6) The official stuff is there for any who may be interested. Opinions in how to implement the policy and this METHOD of Scouting vary greatly. I try to set the example and "...promote the wearing of the correct complete uniform on a

Arrow of Light Requirements (a different question, but raised above): 1. Be active in your Webelos den for at least 6 months since completing the fourth grade (or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old), and earn the Webelos badge. This is one of seven requirements and the one that seems to get the most attention since it relates to when a Webelos can transition.

The requirements for joining a BS Troop (this is one of ten): 1. Meet age requirements. Be a boy who is 11 years old, or one who has completed the fifth grade or earned the Arrow of Light Award and is at least 10 years old, but is not yet 18 years old. This, and the other requiremnts, can be found at: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/boyscouts/advancementandawards/joining.aspx Hope this clears this up.

Generally speaking, do NOT remove the internal frame! The Internal Frame is either two aluminium, plastic, fibreglass, or composite staves that run vertically from the top to the bottom of the pack. In some internal backpacks a ridged HDPE frame sheet is incorporated in the design for extra stability and back protection. These frames are NOT removeable. Fill your tub with lukewarm water, add Woolite, agitate for suds. place the entire backpack in the water and get it wet, inside and out. Let it sit for 15 minutes or so. Go back and scrub, mash, palpate, etc. If there is ground in food, st

Beavah, Well said as always. I don't care for the "Keepers of the Flame" concept. Eagle is what you become - not what you are presented by a board of adults based on forms and paperwork. Nothing galls me more than seeing adults decide a young man's fate, so to speak, by trying to tear apart his paperwork. If there are questions about the paperwork, get them answered outside of the EBOR and outside the hearing of the Scout. If there is a problem within the district of Scouts showing up wihtout the development of achieving Eagle, address that at the units, roundtables, advancement committee

We've had no pilling on our Switchback pants. We put'em in the dryer. Knee highs? I wear them under my 9" boots in long pants, but with shorts? Not since the '70s has this been a good idea. Now maybe in the deep wilderness there is some merit (ticks, burs, etc) but I know of no youth who would wear them! But I still miss them. (This message has been edited by ntrog8r)

As a former CM?SM, there are a couple of incidents that come to mind... First goes back to CS days. We had a 5th grade Webelo who was a trouble-maker. All kinds of trouble, most way too advanced a young boy. Obvious problems at home, etc. Scouting was a safe place for him, where he could be accepted as part of a group. I didn't realize how fragile that acceptance was, or how fragile his control was until after the incident. We were having a Pack Committee meeting after the Den meetings, Cubs all released back to parents, MCs kids outside on the grounds with two parents to supervise. Unfo

I'm talking to Records again on Monday. I'll see what they have and ask how they'd like this. I suspect they'll let me pm you the appropriate contact info.

WOW! Top notch research, dew! Can you provide sources with this? I bet the National Museum would love this.

Though I have always heard and used the "towel" version, a Google search (pronounce baden powell) bings a myriad sites, not related to Scouting, that say it is "POE' l". This should be in the Handbook!

Beavah, I like the partnership idea; maybe that's something that could be woked at the Council level in a given area. But I have to hope you're wrong about not having enough time wtih an hour a week. After all, we're trying to develop life habits in a lot of other areas in that hour and if it won't work we're just spinning our wheels, right? Certainly, one hour will not undo the choices they make during the rest of the week. But the hour may help mold those choices. Maybe we don't know what to do ourselves? Maybe National should push info through the magazine division - not ju

I talked to Records at National today; all they had at hand was two copies of the article. They are going to look some more on Monday and let me know what they can find. Hope to have some good news for you then!

Forest E. Witcraft (1894 - 1967), a scholar, teacher, and Boy Scout administrator. It appears what he left behind was a great essay in Scouting magazine, a grainy photo, and an inspiration to countless folks to serve youth by the liberal use of his quote. Other than that, there's nothing to be found. I imagine National/Scouting magazine may have more if you contact them. Interesting the impact a single thing you say can make in the world, even if you're otherwise relatively anonymous. There's probably a Scoutmaster Minute in that somewhere...

I've never heard of an "Advancement Camp", camps where Scouts demonstrated / completed items for advancement - yes. I heard once, at a training long ago, that BP said, "Advancement should be like a tan, something earned effortlessly while out of doors." Now, I don't know if BP really said that or not, but it sure rings well with me... As for signing the book, that's the SM's choice. If there is any question about the LEVEL OF SKILL learned by the Scout, have him demonstrate. If his dad wants to involved in advancement methods and procedures, recruit him to a spot where you can use his ent

skeptic, Thanks for sharing this piece of Scouting history. Sometimes we all need a SM Minute to stay inspired and on track.

The purpose of WB as described in the course curriculem: As a result of attending Wood Badge, participants will be able to View Scouting globally, as a family of interrelated, values-based programs that provide age-appropriate activities for youth. Recognize the contemporary leadership concepts utilized in corporate America and leading government organizations that are relevant to our values-based movement. Apply the skills they learn from their participation as a member of a successful working team. Revitalize their commitment by sharing in an overall inspirational experienc

Nick, Great job and my heartfelt congratulations on your accomplishment. I'm sure this is one of many along the way and one of many yet to come. Young men, ethically led and purpose driven, will change our world. Thank you for being one of them. Tsutla

The cost to JOIN is prorated based on when you enroll. The full fee covers 12 months ($10), so if the unit recharters in DEC and you enroll before the end of SEP that's 4 months ($3.40). If you OPT to subscribe to Boy's Life (highly recommended) that's a seperate subscription fee - 12 months = $10; 4 months = $4. As mentioned above, there may be Troop dues to pay as well. The info above is found on the Youth Application form Page 3) which you can download here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/28-406.pdf

You're right about adviser selection, shortridge. The OA pedigree does not always mean the person will be a good YOUTH adviser. Although they'd probably make a good trainer or adult adviser, at least.

I agree Beaver. I see the MBC list grow shorter ever year as troop seem to have an amazing talent pool, even though with less than 12 Scouts. I've never really understood the Troop-only MBC idea. How does it take more time to counsel Scouts from a different Troop? The community experts are usually more than happy to join in, if someone justs asks them. Archaeology, Ham Radio, Rocketry clubs, etc are filled with people with a passion who will usually jump at the chance to pass on their excitement. Museum staffs, Chamber of Commerce, local pools, outdoor stores, etc are another great recruitment

It costs as much as you have. What I mean by that is whatever money you earn you spend on the program - as much or as little as that is. When we started earning some major popcorn money, our spending went way up. Your minimum costs can just be recharter fees, depending on what the Pack does for the program. Even this can be paid for by the chartered organization - which is how we've always managed to do it with the units we've been affiliated with.

We had our Webelos pick a name for their Den - kind of like a "patrol" and that was the basis for their yell. They also would make a flag or ownership staff.

Welcome to the forums, fighterpilot! All commitee members are allowed to wear the uniform so the easy answer to your question is yes. The Scoutmaster, as John mentions, IS a (non-voting) member of the commitee. If a Scouter is ASM then they are not a member of the commitee, but can attend. Of course you may have an ASM that is also the "outdoor activies chair" or something on the commitee as well. If this is a CS Pack, just sub CM for the SM and Den Leaders for the ASMs above.

For the meetings with no obvious plan or direction I wonder where the Advisers were BEFORE the meeting. "What is your focus this time?", "What decisions have to be made/communicated at the meeting?", "What's coming up on the calendar?", etc. Just like the meeting plan happens before the meeting so should most advice, I think. If something is derailed, certainly the Adviser should step in, gently asTwocubdad suggests, to get things rolling again. Those guiding questions are great tools. I spoke to the Chapter Adviser after the meeting, trying to use guiding questions, and then he