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bbng

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Everything posted by bbng

  1. Michelle, try making a call to the training chair in your district. Let him/her know that your pack would like to have some den chiefs and that you also know of boys who would like the training. One thing that I learned about this area is that courses tend to have low turnout. However, if one or more people at the unit level begin to ask for this, that is when a training that might otherwise not be held can be put together. If not the training, the interest at least is made known. (This message has been edited by bbng)
  2. Den chief is an excellent opportunity for the Scout and for the Cubs. There are pros and cons, though mostly pros. I've not met many SMs who are in support of den chiefs, though I honestly do not know why. Those who are in support of them, though, are very much so in support of them, and they have troops with the most trained and active den chiefs. Let me get some negatives out of the way first: if a leader does not want help, the Scout will not have a good experience (not all den leaders want help). If a Scout is still close in age to the Cubs and knows them, that could be a negative, bu
  3. I have learned that up to 3 background checks per year have been made on me in just the past few years as each time a transfer is made or a change in position takes place, a new app is needed. So, the background checks are being made and have, as Neil pointed out, been done so for some time now. I would avoid discussing this person with the committee or other leaders; it is simply gossip at that point, though I understand that this is not your intent.
  4. I placed an order using the Scout Stuff online store, and the first try was unsuccessful (some sort of error), so I e-mailed customer service. I received a fast response, the problem was fixed, and the order placed all within 24 hours. 3 days later I had my order. I would order online again and just wanted to report on the good service.
  5. Some news articles are now in print about Jamboree in many states; I put links to a few below. http://www.canoncitydailyrecord.com/community/community-story.asp?ID=1056 http://www.picayuneitem.com/articles/2005/08/10/lifestyles/01boyscout.txt http://www.duluthsuperior.com/mld/duluthsuperior/news/local/12349613.htm http://www.twincities.com/mld/pioneerpress/news/local/12343413.htm http://www.dicksonherald.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20050810/MTCN0203/308100058/1300/MTCN02 I enjoy reading the editorials and articles about the Jamboree. Scouts from the troop my s
  6. I see that you're in PA. Have you looked into the high-adventure camps offered by Cradle of Liberty Council? They are online at: http://www.doubleknot.com/openrosters/ViewOrgPageLink.asp?LinkKey=2350&orgkey=541 I know of troops in PA that go to Philmont and Sea Base. Also, in the mountain regions of PA, there are whitewater rafting opportunities, canoing, and backpacking.
  7. That's super! This is one of those things that demonstrates a good program to me; the Scouts remember and come back. My sons are in a troop in which this often happens. COHs are held on the same night as troop meetings; in fact, only camping trips are held on other than the troop meeting night. The SM and SAs have been around long enough that one will recognize a visitor, and the visiting Scout is always welcomed before the troop. I'm personally very impressed by that, and I'm glad you had that experience.
  8. "(and I personally don't think a Scout is a Scout only during specific hours)." All members of the Boy Scout of America means adults too. I take it that you neither smoke or drink even outside of scouting activities? Does that matter? What I posted was one paragraph taken from the Youth Protection that relates to youth behavior and posted it to help give the BSA perspective rather than opinion only. My opinion that Scouting isn't just during Scouting hours stands, but isn't the goal to teach good citizenship and character and fitness? Wouldn't that include at least having a conve
  9. Directly from YP Training: Youth Member Responsibilities All members of the Boy Scouts of America are expected to conduct themselves in accordance with the principles set forth in the Scout Oath and Law. Physical violence, hazing, bullying, theft, verbal insults, and drugs and alcohol have no place in the Scouting program and may result in the revocation of a Scout membership in the unit. Units should consult with the parents of members who fail to meet behavior standards. Hope that helps to give a perspective on alcohol in Scouts (and I personally don't think a Scout is a Scout
  10. OGE, it sure does apply to leaders, though the reporting requirements varies from state to state. T216, I'm not sure I'd bring this up at roundtable; please use caution when discussing this Scout. Perhaps you could ask the RT commissioner to work something relating to alcohol use into RT, for you are surely not the only SM to be confronted with this. What you might find helpful is the YP reporting guidelines. They are online, if not through your council, then through national council's site: www.scouting.org . Edit: Sorry about that--the YP is not online for reference any lo
  11. Something from these pages on national's site might help: http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/resources/18-075/index.html http://www.scouting.org/activities/highadventure/index.html http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/directory/index.html I thought the definition provided in Language of Scouting sounded rather dull, and your post seems to indicate that you may be trying to make a pitch for it, so that's why I added the links above. I tend to think of high adventure as the more challenging activities and trips planned out by Boys Scouts as they grow in skills and maturity.
  12. I am so saddened for the family, troop, and surgeon who tried so hard. Ronvo, you are right, it's unbelievable that this has happened again, and there's no blame to place, just such sadness that another Scout is lost.
  13. I just got a note from one of the families in this troop, and the Scouts just returned this afternoon and are now catching up on family time and sleep. They promised me an update soon, and I'd love to hear what our forum members who went thought of Jamboree. Please post when you can.
  14. Michelle, my son was very afraid of the water until he became a Boy Scout. Once a Scout, he learned that many activities included water, and that meant learning to swim. It was a huge accomplishment for him to learn enough swimming to earn Second Class. It has been a hard road to learn, and to overcome fears associated with learning, the swimming skills needed for First Class. I am not sure how long it will take, but I am certain he will make it, and for him the measure of success is two-fold: he has earned a rank that he wants and has also overcome a personal fear.
  15. The thought that came immediately to my mind was: the most important rank to achieve is the one that the Scout sets a goal to earn. Why? Because he has then set and met a goal, learned how to do so, and most likely will continue to do so once he realizes he can do it.
  16. And I'd like to be the second to say thank you, and I agree with Jerry. First thing I thought of as I read through your post was to take a deep breath My condolences on the passing of the den leader. Are you registered as DL or MC? If not registered, be sure to become registered, something your CC can help with and in the hurry and possibly emotional time may not have thought of. I've not heard of cub express either. However, the handbook for the den you work with is the first thing I'd read to get a feel for what it is. Fast start for all Cub Scouter positions is online at: h
  17. Has this actually happened? My immediate thought was that this is an adult error issue, not something the Scout did incorrectly, which to me means that everything possible should be done to protect the interests of the Scout who thought he was doing everything by the book. This is why I personally do all I can to know and use policies as well as encourage others to do so. I'm afraid I can't answer your question, but I'm sure someone here will have more help for you.
  18. Thanks ConnCM. I figured not all would have an opportunity to hear the remarks, so I looked up the transcript too, which is here: http://biz.yahoo.com/prnews/050731/nysu017.html?.v=18
  19. Just in case you were interested -- it's a nice speech so far.
  20. Yes, this is a tragedy, and how saddened I am that so many deaths have taken place in such a short time. One thing said of this particular incident is that the Scouts and Scouters did just what they should have done in this incident (I don't have the url handy, but this was a quote within articles). As for Jamboree, I read the profiles provided in one article; these Scouters were all devoted to Scouting and had a great deal of experience in outdoors and camping. It is a sad week for Scouting, and I agree that a review of safety practices may be in order, but the thought also came to mind of
  21. Thank you for sharing your reasons. It's good to hear from a Scout what his goals are and the reasons for them. I commend you for setting a goal that you have clearly thought through and wish you well as you continue to follow the trail.
  22. One thing that hasn't yet been touched on is that each boy is very different in his abilities, motivations, interests. Some need to be pushed all the way for the badge alone; others just are ready to go for it all--every possible item they can get. It seems to me that more need a little nudge, but there are those (we have one) who just go for it all without any nudging at all. Also, the family is supposed to be involved with Cubs. That means it is possible for a boy to advance without being at all, or even most, meetings. I did a double-take at 28 field trips. That is something t
  23. http://www.unamilodge.org/index.shtml According to the site, link above, the celebration is still on.
  24. The BSA has a resource that helps to answer this, and as far as the name goes, this comes directly from that resource: Boy Scouts of America The legal name of the organization is singular. Example: "In 2010 the Boy Scouts of America will celebrate its 100th anniversary." The abbreviation is BSA (without periods) and is used with the article ("the BSA") when used as a noun. See "National Council" and "national office." The resources is The Language of Scouting: http://www.scouting.org/identity/los/index.html
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