oldsm

Perhaps this has been discussed elsewhere, but I haven't seen it. So here goes... I understand that list of MB counselors needs to be kept current, but I have not seen any written policy as to HOW that is to be done. My district, supposedly at the direction of the local council, is requiring all MB counselors to complete a new Adult Application every year, complete with references, etc., in order to "renew" their status as a counselor. Interestingly, they DO NOT have to fill out a new MB Counselor Application (where they list the merit badges and their qualifications). As registered

My council has 3 boy scout camps and one cub scout camp. The CS camp runs summer-long programs of varying lengths. Some are 5 days/4 nights, some are 4-days/3 nights. There are Cub-Parent Weekends, and a Family Camping Weekend. In all cases, the tentage is the same as that used at the BS camps. Staffing at the CS camps is both adult and boy scouts (paid, of course). For the resident camps (5- and 4- days), each pack provides 2 leaders (at least one trained). Basically they are responsible for shepherding the boys around, but they don't have to provide the program. I did 5 years

anndeedee, thank you so much for seeing the difference in maturity level and slowing down on the web2 program. I remember from my days as a den leader that I saw way too many Web leaders compressing the Webelos program. It is designed to be a 2-year program. When it's compressed in to 18 months or less, the boys are the ones who get cheated. Then they often get crossed into a troop that they're not mature enough to join, and most of them drop out within a relatively short time. I believe that the troop/den interaction during the Web2 year serves two purposes: 1) to entice the boys so

You mentioned little exposure to the boy scout troop. I know firsthand that there is often a "disconnect" between different units. In my town there are 2 packs and 2 troops. It used to be that each pack "fed" one troop, although that seems not to be the case now. Where the disconnect comes in is that pack leadership seems to change very frequently (every year), so it's unclear as to who to contact in a pack. I've also seen pack leadership that reaches the burnout point and can't wait not to have anything more to do with scouting - just as soon as AOL is out of the way. That makes it diff

In my experience (and that's all it is), membership drives don't work very well. We've tried school communication, newspaper presence...a lot of work for almost no result. I think a lot of the reason is that by the time boys reach 6th grade, they're too well established in organized sports: baseball, soccer, basketball, track, cross-country, karate, tennis, you name it. So many of these boys and their parents are caught up in the sports-is-everything mentality. Oh, a few kids manage to do both scouting and a sport, but they're few and far between. They quickly find out that scouting is mo

I guess we'll have to agree to disagree on this one, scoutldr. Maybe I didn't express myself clearly, but I agree that it is very important that scouts learn to earn the means to pay their own way in life - certainly in scouting. But I don't think that it out-ranks so many of the other things that scouting tries to achieve. Yes, a scout is thrifty, but that also means that he learns not to waste what he has, to care for personal and community equipment, etc. With a half-dozen fundraisers a year, and without the distinction that I mentioned, a boy conceivably could be considered "acti

Just found this thread, even though it's a little old... My troop distinguishes between "fund raisers" and so-called "scouting outings". For advancement purposes, being "active" means participating in troop/patrol hikes, camping trips, service projects, and the like. However, when the primary objective of an activity is to fund the troop's operation or enable the boys to earn money for summer camp, that doesn't count as an "outing". The entire troop understands that in this case the benefit is the financial reward, which is different from the primary objectives of scouting. Examples:

One of my pet peeves has to do with the extremely common use of the expression "Oh, my God" or one of its derivatives. I have heard this expression used by youth, by parents, by scouters - just about everyone, it seems. Even clergy. I was brought up to understand that using these words comprised actually addressing God, as in a prayer or supplication. Any other use was considered blasphemous: "Do not take the name of God your Lord in vain. God will not allow the one who takes His name in vain to go unpunished." (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ten_Commandments#Text_of_the_commandments)

These comments are right on target. My troop had its problems when we first came into it a number of years ago, very much like KSscoutmom's. Today it's a vibrant troop that I would hold up against just about any other. What changed? 1. The troop brought back a former SM who understood the program. He worked with the PLC and reestablished a sense of value and the importance of applying the Oath and Law. 2. Enough parents were "on board" with the need for change that the message got through to the boys via multiple channels. Even after that, we still had a couple of boys who

Short a tent? Whatever happened to the Scout motto? I do know that neither of my sons ever wanted to share a tent with me in Scouts. They'd much rather be with their patrols. Then again, I'm usually exiled to the next county(!) to dissipate the somnolent nasal music.

The wall chart is an excellent vehicle to use for several reasons: 1. Posted in a conspicuous place, it engenders a bit of subtle competition among the boys. For example, if one scout sees that another scout has completed a lot more requirements than he himself has, he might get a little more focused on his own advancement. 2. My troop lets each boy add his own advancement to the chart as soon as it has been signed off in his scout handbook. This is a great bit of incentive for the boys. It gives them a sense of ownership in their advancement by providing immediate recognition.

Soccer, schmoccer. Where's the future in that? Probably about the same place as is is for all those "stars" that think they're going to win a full scholarship to play NCAA basketball in college and become a 1st-round draft pick in the NBA. Ha! An Eagle will look a lot better on college applications than a select soccer team membership. So, to Its Me: I think you see where those of us who believe in the program AND ARE WILLING TO MAKE IT WORK stand on the issue. But ultimately, you AND YOUR SON need do decide. To everyone else: I think we all know that Scouting just isn't "r

OK, we all get tired from trying to do too much. In my case: Son #1: Started with Tigers, is now 17 1/2 and working on Eagle. Plays varsity tennis, hangs with friends, gets involved in some extra-curricular school activities from time to time, goofs off, and is a darned good Scout. Has served as Patrol Leader (more than once, beginning at age 11 right after crossover) and is presently Historian. Very knowledgeable and responsible (although a little less time on computer games would be fine with me). Active in OA, also works summers at Council camp. Attended 2001 Jambo; 2005 Jambo as staff

Our RT isn't until the 1st Monday in May, so I haven't had a chance to ask yet. I know our Council doesn't do anything like this, nor does our District. But I might be able to get something going by making the need known. The oldest won't age out until late October. Scheduling is a problem because our troop goes to summer camp the 1st week of July, and two of the boys are on staff at 2 different Council camps, which means they have to report at least a week before; that also kills most of the summer. And, of course, school isn't over here until mid-late June, thanks to too many vacation

Vigil-Hiker, BP MB requirement 11a states: "Write a plan for a backpacking trek of at least five days using at least three different campsites and covering at least 30 miles. Your plan must include a description of and route to the trek area, schedule (including a daily time control plan), list of food and equipment needs, safety and emergency plan, and budget." Requirement 9a says to "Write a plan for a patrol backpacking hike that includes a time control plan", and 9e says "While carrying your pack, complete a hike of at least 2 miles" -- hardly the same scope as 11a. There is nothing t

There's an alternative to having a troop do the crossover. Why not ask/invite the local Order of the Arrow to conduct it? I've seen this done frequently in our District, and it works well, as there's a "disinterested party" crossing the boys into any one of several local troops. And to be politically correct, they sometimes "bridge" boys into "life" - meaning that they're dropping out of scouting. (PC is one of my pet peeves.) The OA will benefit: they like pageantry and likely have regalia, etc. They're always looking for service opportunities. The burden doesn't fall on the boys in

I've never seen this, either. I just tried Googling for it, with questionable results. Other than a handful of BSA COUNCIL websites, the hits seem to be personal ones. There was one that appeared to be Girl Scouts, but the link didn't work. I certainly did not see any "hits" from BSA national. Do BSA Councils have the leeway to create "official" awards that can be worn on the uniform as insignia (temporary or otherwise)?

I really, really like the idea of having the troop scribe update TroopMaster. I haven't actually used the new 2005 on-line version (Troomaster DotNet 2005), but it is structured to address the privacy issues. From their website (http://www.troopmaster.com/products/troopmaster/dotnet.html): For each Data Access Password, simple checkbox options allow you to block users with that password from even being able to see sensitive data items, such as social security numbers and driver's licenses. There's a separate checkbox for each sensitive data item, so you have full control. Perhap

VinceC, Relationships are everything. From what I'm gleaning, your pack has been operating a vacuum, which Nature abhors. Although it will take some consistent effort over time, I believe that the situation could be salvaged. But it will take time, persistence, and graciousness. Essentially, what you need to do is create and deliver a "marketing campaign" aimed at "selling" the church on the advantages TO THEM of being the chartering organization for your pack. A one-shot attempt won't do anything. That said, if I were in your shoes, I would find someone in the pack who is a mem

orennoah, What a great idea with the naming game. Wish I'd thought of that. I do have to chuckle at your definition of "classical", because it's so different from mine. My definition is basically the old long-hairs: Beethoven, Bach, Mozart, and earlier - generally composers pre-1900. It also includes "contemporary" or "modern" music composed in similar styles. This is probably because I was raised on that style of music, and my education concentrated on "serious" composers. The composers/artists you mentioned fall into what I would classify as "classic rock", but certainly

I suspect that most scoutmasters have experienced from time to time the same challenge that I do: coming up with a meaningful Scoutmaster Minute every week. I've been through these forums and others, and often find something that I can use. Sometimes, the more effective ones are those that are completely extemporaneous, based on something that might have transpired during that very meeting. It's always awkward, I think, to use someone else's Minute, because no matter how well thought-out they are, the words are not my own. I refuse to read Minutes at a closing: it seems insincere. So I pa

At this point, GPS receivers have not been an issue. Due to cost, no one has had any inclination to get one. That said, I believe a GPS unit would be acceptable under the clause "unless they are needed for some specific outing activity" as stated in my opening paragraph. Obviously it would not be used for "entertainment" or chatting with a friend back home, IMing, etc. Frankly, for the kind of hiking and backpacking scouts do, I would prefer that the boys use topo maps and good old-fashioned compasses. They learn skills more thoroughly, can still navigate when the batteries die, carr

I don't envy your situation with the CO. Congratulations, though, on stepping up to the CM position and your success in turning around the program. Your situation could be sticky. I'm guessing that there has been a relatively poor relationship for some time between the Pack and the church. It might be worthwhile to put some time and effort into repairing the situation. Regular communication on a personal level usually works much better than an "official" request on a formal level. Oh, sure, you might have to do that, but finding sympathetic people in the church (not always the ones in pos

My troop has a "no electronics" policy, which is endorsed by the troop committee and understood by all scouts and parents. This means no ipods, mp3 players, discman, etc. It also means no cell phones (for boys) and no 2-way radios or walkie-talkies (unless they are needed for some specific outing activity). Adults can carry a cell phone, but it's to be used only for emergency purposes (in reality, out of sight/hearing range of boys, or for the return-alert call to parents on the way home). Reasons: 1. Electronics detract from the total scouting experience. Boys get enough electronic ent

Thanks, folks, for the quick and thoughtful responses. Scoutingagain, thank you for the detailed itinerary. The boys have already done several sections of the AT. They were looking primarily at doing another section in southwestern Massachusetts (south of the Mass Tpk). I'm pretty sure they were totally unaware of the other trails in the area. I'll pass this information along to them. Vigil-Hiker, the issue is the amount of time modern-day adults have available to take off from work, balancing scouting against organized sports, family vacations, religious obligations, etc. A high-adv