OldGrayOwl

Another thought on the play is that the Scouts involved could be working toward Theatre Merit Badge. Everyone benefits. The community gets to see a theatre production and the Scouts gets to earn a merit badge, as well as raise needed funds for their troop.

I was just a bit upset (I got over it), when he said that. On outings, we do not have any problem getting adults to help out and yes, he does have a 8-4 job, 5 days a week. For our COH, he doesn't even come to those. I can see the feelings in the eyes of the Scouts that have parents that don't come to those, while their buddies are showing off their accomplishments to their parents. We are going on a campout that is in a location that has some history in it that,(according to his son), his dad would like to see and talk about to the troop. When I asked him about joining us for that weekend trip is when I got the response from him. His son was standing nearby and when his dad said that, the son turned away and left the building. I do not think he can't come because he is busy, or that he might have "stage fright" from talking to a small group in the field (he is a Sunday school teacher), he just can't seem to be bothered with his son on a campout. For those that responded with comments like "too many mommies and daddies on a campout undercut the program", I agree, but when the son comes to me and asks if it would be OK for his dad to join us on a camping trip, is how this got started in the first place.

I was talking to one of the dad's in my troop over this past weekend and I asked him how come he doesn't go camping with his son and the troop. His response was "I Have More Important Things to Do, and I do have a full time job, you know". I tried to explain to him that I have other things to do besides Scouting, and he said that he just cannot ignore his responsibilities at home or at work. I went on to explain to him that if it wasn't for the adults in the troop, there wouldn't be any Scout troop, but that did not sway him from his position. I decided to stop talking to him and walk away before I said some rather unlike Scout comments.

1Vilge, True, you "could" use one of them, but for backpacking, where weight is a factor, those charcoal starters tend to weigh a bit more than the trail stove. Good idea for car camping or canoe camping, though. John

We do ours on an as needed basis, after all, we are there for the Scouts, not the other way around. Why shoul a Scout be penalized by waiting for rank advancement on a certain date? Suppose he can't make it on that date, or there aren't enough committee members for that time? Is he going to be delayed again? (edited for spelling)(This message has been edited by OldGrayOwl)

SMC = Scoutmaster Conference. You don't sound dumb if you have a question that you don't know the answer to. This is the same thing that I tell the Scouts in the troop. I HAVE talked to him and told him of my expectations, and he still doesn't seem to care. He finished his POR before I took over. He had said to some of his friends that he wanted to become SPL and then get his Eagle and then quit Scouting since it was becoming boring and lame. He wasn't elected, and that made him a bit on the upset side. He knows what I expect of him ever since I became scoutmaster. I hadn't had much contact with him BEFORE I took over as SM, and he says that it isn't fair that I should expect him to act like a scout since a couple of his friends before him really didn't. The CC and I talked with him in September and he said that he would improve, but he hasn't. If anything, he has gotten worse.

What do you do when a scout has finished everything, but just isn't "there" as far as getting the highest rank BSA has to offer. I have a scout in my troop that has gone downhill very fast and far concerning leadership quality AND scout spirit. He is the type of person right now that you would not want in your troop. He won't help out the younger scouts, is a real determent to the troop and adult leaders at meetings and on campouts. Some have told me to give him his SMC, just to get him out of the troop, but I just can't do that. (I have been SM at this troop for just over a year, I have not had much contact with the boy at all. He doesn't come to meetings or go on campouts very regularly. I gave him other responsibilities to do, but he doesn't do them unless he is really pushed by either me or by one of my ASM's. He makes fun of any and all boy leaders in the troop as well. What do you suggest?

Would be a much better song if they had included some bagpipes.

Could you give more info about the "Roses + Thorns" that you reffered to? This idea came to me from a parent. i told them that I would give it some consideration and let them know. Pete, Thanks, but it isn't my idea. Thanks

Have you ever passed out a form to the members of the troop asking for their evaluation of how their elected officials in the Troop are doing? This would be from the Patrol leaders to the Senior Patrol leader. This would be for the Scoutmaster's eyes only, so he could help out the low performers in the troop to be able to better themselves. It is just a thought, for discussion.

I'll just wear my 1970's vintage Explorer uniform (they musta made it out of better material than the Scout stuff. It didn't shrink from non-use, hanging in the closet for 40 years )

Yes. There is a one year time limit from the time the election was. You have to do the Ordeal within that year or you will have to be re-elected.

Lisa, Here is a web site that you would find interesting: http://www.inquiry.net/adult/trainer/urban_legends.htm It deals with Scouting Urban Legends.

OGE, Maybe he"s SHOUTING because he knows that we are HARD OF HEARING??? My WB Course gave everyone a film canister (now that"s soon to be a term for an old person), with ashes in it dating back to the first B-P campfire. Now it has ashes in it from a few of my own troop"s fires. Do a search on this site and you will find more info about the ash tradition. John(This message has been edited by OldGrayOwl)

WOW!!! What a Story. I will share it with my Troop at my next Scoutmaster's Minute. John

YEPPERS

Eagle Class of 1972, Baltimore Area Council. Now a Scoutmaster.

My troop did 64 miles biking on the C + O Canal between Hancock, MD and Antietam Aqueduct (52 miles)and shared a campsite with a Troop from south of Ritchmond, VA. Had a great time. The weather was perfect. We then continued on to Harpers Ferry, WV.

I don''t have a situation like that just now, it just seemed like a good spot in the orginial thread to spin this one off to come up with a discussion thread on the subject.

How do you remove a Scout that isn''t doing his duties in his Position of Responsibility?

LongHaul, No I didn''t miss that one. The PARENTS are REQUIRED by law to make sure that their kids are going to school. It is not a volunteer group. You are correct in that Scouting is very important, but if the Scout decides not to come anymore for what ever the reason, it is the Scouts responsibility. We ALL make decisions every day that we all have to live with. In the wayward Scout''s case, we contact him by the Patrol method: PL, SPL and then the SM. If he STILL doesn''t attend any function of the Troop, then he is on our inactive list.

Exactly

--->>>He is engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (Scoutmaster conference, informs the Scout of upcoming unit activities, through personal contact, and so on). Isnt the "Leadership" also considered to be the SPL or PL, in addition to the SM?

John, That "might" be true, butt nothing can compare to the amout of Far...., er, methane gas from our fine, upstanding elected officials and their wannabe''s. OGO NE-IV-183

Quote -->>When dark goes into a dark-sucker, friction from the mass generates heat. Therefore, it is not wise to touch an operating dark-sucker.