oldsm

Scoutnut, Unless it's changed, Trails End requires case-lot orders for online ordering. That's too bad, because most people don't want to buy 4 or 6 or 12 units of a product. For us, it's wasted effort to even mention it. I understand that Trails End has to do this because of the high cost of handling and shipping smaller quantities. Do any of your scouts have customers who actually buy directly from Trails end?

My CS days are dim as far as recalling popcorn sales. I know we did them, and for the most part everyone participated. But I don't recall how funds were divided among pack/den. For context, in my Troop, sales are entirely voluntary. All of the profit earned by a boy's popcorn sales go into his troop account to pay for his summer camp, personal scouting equipment, etc. Some boys really make an effort (this year I had one over $1500 and two over $1000, and last year had two over $1500). One of these boys takes the initiative to "hit" a different neighborhood on his bike after school - almos

The trick to getting the word out to SMs is to communicate with them. I know: easier said than done. I don't know your area, but in my district, we have about 40 or so troops. Most of the counseling seems to be with MBCs who are in close proximity to a scout's home or troop - most won't want to drive more than 15 or 20 minutes, which limits the number of units I'm likely to "draw" from. It's a simple matter to get on the phone with the SMs of the various troops and have a pleasant chat with them. I find that they are usually in complete agreement and are glad that I've taken the time

For several years my troop has prided itself on wearing the complete uniform. The boys have been involved in so many district and council events that they noticed the name plates that many adults wore over the right pocket. The boys decided that they wanted to make that name plate a part of their uniform too. Once they got them, everyone stood just a little taller. At summer camp, my troop usually is the only one in complete Class A for evening flag and dinner (including socks and belts). Almost always the other units are in waist-up uniform. Friday evening, one of my scouts asked me

I think part of what is missing is the opportunity for the MBC to share his knowledge/insights/love of the subject with the Scout. The purpose of the initial meeting is so that the MBC can explain HOW he wants the scout to do the WHAT (requirements). There is a lot of leeway here. I think that the unstated intent of merit badges is to expose young people to activities that they otherwise might never have any knowledge of, and possibly help the find an interest that might someday develop into a career or serious avocation. Many requirements says DISCUSS {insert topic) with your counselor.

My recommendation is Camp Mattatuck, just north of Waterbury CT. It's one of the Connecticut Rivers Council camps and, in my view, has the best program and facilities of the three. It's also only about 100 miles from Albany - a little over 2 hours drive. You can see my comments under the thread "And How Was Your Summer Camp Experience?" http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=135864&p=2. Feel free to PM me if you'd like more information. We keep going back and back and back...

I have always been under the impression that an Eagle can only wear the Eagle Badge on his left pocket until he turns 18, and that after that he wears the Eagle knot. I am now hearing that an Eagle can wear the badge until he turns 21. This is of interest because I have two boys who made Eagle JUST under the wire (by days), but the ECOHs have not been held yet. What is correct?

I had a new scout once who was so proud of his MBs. He showed up at the next COH with them all neatly sewn to his sash, which was worn over his LEFT shoulder. So...the badges were sewn to the back, but they were in front. But they were only TEMPORARY! He got to do some more sewing to make them "permanent".

I agree. The BSA blue card is item 34124, which has only 3-parts.

So far, we've had "personal preference" answers. Where are the U.P.?

Evmori, I'm not certain if you're referring to my troop "wanting to keep everything in-house". Let me explain. It's not that we don't want Council to verify signatures. Virtually every troop in my district had BIG PROBLEMS with Council not returning the blue cards to the local units. That left the troops without their own records. The problem is that the Council registration staff is way too small (only 2 people) and overworked. Checking blue cards was just another low-priority task form them that quickly snowballed into a much larger problem. The solution was for Council to not requ

Gern, What you describe is the way it's done now, and I believe it is the correct process. We USED TO have to turn in blue cards along with the advancement report - then the blue cards were SUPPOSED TO be returned to the unit. Problem was that the blue cards often didn't get returned. The only potential drawback is that Council cannot easily check the validity of MBC signatures on the cards (I wonder if they ever did!). Oh, well. A scout(er) is supposed to be trustworthy.

OK, a few suggestions. 1. Be sure that everyone speaking is aware of the tenor of the event. You don't want any one speaker to start doing a rah-rah incantation or exhortation. Slow, calm, distinct speech wins the day. 2. Squelch any inappropriate behavior from students or staff immediately, before it spreads like wildfire. 3. Rehearse the color guard ahead of time. Make sure they know how they're going to place the flag(s) on the fire. Is anyone ready with a stick to "help" when part of a flag doesn't burn? 4. When it is time to present the flag(s) for retirment, have ever

My District maintains a list of MBCs, all of whom must be properly registered (adult application and MBC app). My District also requires a new adult app every year to maintain registration as an MBC (a pain), even if we're also registered as Scouters. Within my troop, I as SM do most of the MBC recruiting among parent ranks, based on what I learn of parent interests and skills, and what our needs are. Of course, they also get registered. We also sign a few people who are not parents, but who have specific interest or skills and maybe some past affiliation with scouting. My scouts do

Eamonn, Why a food service? The camp my troop attends has its own cook (just like waterfront director, shooting range director, etc.) who oversees youth staff members. The leaders at camp discussed food service with our Camp Director at the end of the week. The food was always hot when it should be, cold when it should be, and there was plenty to eat. You want seconds? They're available. Everything is served family style except for a fantastic outdoor barbeque picnic on Picture Nite. Nothing ran out. The Camp Director told us that he is able to provide the quality and quant

MaScout, Thanks for the update. It appears that you are in a smallish town where shared values are probably more evident than in some of our larger communities. My previous comments still stand. As for the younger set, some advance in-class preparation from their teachers would help. I would try to help them see that the retirement ceremony is something very special that they will understand more as they grow older. Maybe the approach would be for them to observe closely what goes on during the ceremony and then ask the teachers to follow up in class with them. 5th-6th graders could

First off, MaScout, what grade level is your school? Middle School? High School? How many students are there? I think the dynamics would be quite different with different age groups and whether you have 400 or 1200 students My biggest concern with a large gathering like that - especially with kids who can be so hard-pressed to restrain themselves anytime there's a spectacle - would be making certain that the occasion is extremely dignified. Pageantry can be useful, but it can be overblown to the point that the symbolism of the retirement is lost and it risks becoming a celebration (r

I'm sure everyone will have their own take on what makes a good camp. Here's my 3 cents. WELL-TRAINED STAFF. The staff delivers the program, from instructional boating and swimming to merit badges and everything else. A quality camp makes sure that all of the staff knows what their jobs are, how their jobs serve the troops who camp there, and hold the staff accountable for delivering the program that the scouts expect. Most of this stems from the attitude at the top - the camp director and his deputies. COMMUNICATION. Establishing a relationship with a camp should not be like making

What I recall from researching flag retirements is that there is no one correct way to do it. While burning may be the preferred method, burial is also acceptable. (Aside: How many just get tossed in the trash with all the other detritus of daily life?) Another misconception is that only the military or the Boy Scouts can retire a flag properly. That is untrue. ANYONE can do it, even in their own backyard or fireplace, or wherever. The key is dignity. We prefer to retire flags in a private troop setting rather than making it a public spectacle. I recall reading somewhere that if a l

For the past 2 years or so I have been having SM/SA meetings for exactly the reasons so many others do. We call them ALCs (Adult Leader Councils). They're held at a regular time (3rd Monday of each month) so they don't conflict with troop or committe meeting, and they are published on on troop calendar. These meetings are especially important since I can't seem to get anyone other than my CC to attend roundtables. If you're not holding meetings like this, I encourage you do to so. It is time well spent.

My two sons have both been on camp staffs. Son #1 was a CIT the first year and loved it. He worked kitchen last year. His kitchen day typically began at 6:00 a.m. so that "early" breakfast was ready for staff, followed by "everyone else" breakfast, then ended after clean-up from staff snack around 10:00 p.m. He slept in a canvas tent just like almost everyone else. He did have an hour break in the morning and one in the afternoon - chance to roam, relax, or get a shower(!). This year he decided to work maintenance at a nearby resort. It pays more and he gets his own bed every ni

I just got back a week ago from what was probably the BEST WEEK of summer camp I've had in the 5 or 6 years I've been doing the Boy Scout thing (as opposed to Cubs). My troop always goes to Camp Mattatuck, one of three BS camps our council operates, and all of which are within about a 1.5-hour drive. Mattatuck is consistently our choice. One of the others is too small and has civilization encroaching - no "wilderness" feel at all. The other has the reputation of being a merit badge factory, which the boys resent. Mattatuck emphasizes quality and fun. The camp director flat out tells leade

Hear! Hear! Gray areas are only an opinion and not official Policy? That's some of the best news I've heard in a while. Even the boys are complaining about the prohibitions on so-called gray areas and political correctness. EveryBODY uses TP, goes "wee", etc. To all the PC crowd, I say "Get over it. Let the boys have some fun. After all, I'll bet that every one of you chuckled or, more likely, guffawed at nearly identical scenarios when you were scout age. Don't deprive today's youth of this important part of being boys and growing up." I can't wait for the next camporee.

"I must say that the reason I steered clear of the OA is because it's dominated by haughty arrogant people" Gee, that's what I've often felt about people who've taken woodbadge.

I'm told by our OA that they can't even tap (lightly touch) a person on the shoulder anymore - no touching permitted. So now it's a "call-out" ceremony. What a shame. How pathetic. I refuse to be PC just for the sake of being CP.