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The article you quote could have been written here sctmom. Our latest drive to get the 'cool' back involves a big uniform change and an update to the program rotates through every three years or so. But there is no drive to change our market base, increase leader numbers or get 'oomph' into meetings. To me the uniform is a down point but not a huge obstacle - once kids attend most couldn't care less. The thing is to get them to come the first time.

Try http://www.scoutingmilestones.freeserve.co.uk/

Yes. We have had women as Cub Leaders for decades and as Venturer/ Rover Leaders since 1973 but only since about 1988 for other Sections when girls were allowed at all levels. Obviously there are pro's and con's but on the whole I think that it is a better preparation for society which is after all about 50% female. Actually the main problem is that girls are often much better organised and therefor basically run the Troop even when they are in even or less numbers.

Hell! what happened to the paragraphs? I suggest you copy to a word processing pack and edit. That looks awful!

Handbook: our own but in my opinion needs a rewrite. Ages: 6-8 Joeys 8-11 Cub Scouts 10.5 -15 Scouts 14.5-18 Venturers 17-25 Rovers 18 - ? (60 I think) Scouter The overlap allows us to progress individuals as it suits them. We do not progress our scouts as a group unless by coincidence. Last Going Up from the Cub Pack to my Scout Troop was for two girls. I expect about 5 boys and girls about mid year. Obviously we are coed. Joeys is a one hour weekly program without rank or badges. Cubs is weekly 1.5 to 2 hours and a camp each term (quarter) approx. Cubs pr

OGE I'm not really sure about the leadership approach. It certainly is not in our national charter - might be in yours. Regardless I find that some scouts thrive on the leadership side and others on the field skills. Others want socialising and for a few they progress form one to another of these every now and then. It depends on the boy and his progression on the boy - adult line. I agree that we cannot be all things to all boys at Troop level. However at one level up I can see that there could be activities that focus on socialising, skills, adventure, leadership. This would

Yep, I'm Australian. What would you like to know?

NJCubScouter - I vetoe what is illegal, is way outside parental income or our own fundraising and things that are unsafe. Usually I give boundaries or 'before you go there firstly you need to...' statements that the Scouts use to create workable plans and modifications. My Scouts (remember our oldest are 14) wanted to: go hang-gliding. Vetoed - not a Scout approved activity. go overseas. Accepted and are we working hard! form a third patrol. Accepted with advice that they were short of adequate numbers - now some Patrols are finding camps very hard as one drop out makes

CubsRgr8 - I have found that the Patrol system is best understood by going to the original source documents. They were written for lay people and once you get used to the old style language there is a lot of good stuff. I don't know where you can get it now but I downloaded an entire copy of'Aids to Scoutmastership' and have my own copies of 'Scouting for Boys' from Scout Shops. Maybe try: http://pinetreeweb.com/homepage.htm Although it is a bit clunky.

Same as sctmom I cannot edit immediately after sending as it doesn't recognise my password. Also the edit doesn't give access to the check box requesting notification of replies to my post.

I've been reading this and other similar posts with much interest. Eagle90 - Some of this topic seems to be similar an earlier initiated by Bob White: http://www.scouter.com/forums/viewThread.asp?threadID=6942. By following a similar process to the one Bob suggests might help define jobs, roles and boundaries for these people. For my own benefit pls - is there a list of adult positions within or attached to Scout Troops that includes job descriptions? I ask because we DO NOT have a tradition of parents being involved as you do. You seem to have 120 000 different recog

Grey Fox, Maybe...but what's a banner exactly. Over here that is a cloth or plastic wall hanging. Little wooden plaques we might have but I'm not sure that there are banners available. Thought I should check as words don't always translate exactly.

Happy to do both. We have a fieldbook and some Leaders manuals. How would a fieldbook each (plus other stuff if you are interested)and you can divide the response so that I get a set? Details direct through emu@lis.net.au Cripes you blokes are quick off the mark!

I have lots of trouble trying to figure out exactly what you people are doing and how to convert your ideas into something I can use. If I could see for myself where you are coming from it would help lots. I have found the MB and advancement requirements at Scouter.org. Particularly I am after: The BSA handbook - I last saw a copy 15 years ago. Same handbook for venturers, explorers etc OA requirements - yes I know it is secret and everything but I have tried to do a similar thing locally here and could use some info. Again my last view was 15 years ago.

You went all night??? Struth. I think I'll give it a go!

No worries here. However as I went through the process I saw reference to editing my backpack and something else. Can't find it now. Anyone know what that is all about and how to access?

Hi Merrit, We have some rough ideas for months out to one year and a major annual focus. We plan in detail only three months ahead. We do not plan in detail any earlier because too many things change...including my work! I work around sporting carnivals and thus must wait for them to come out. The other sections (webelos etc I think you have) get our draft programs so that we can link at least once each program and so that my older scouts can help the cub leader for specific events. This has been excellent in encouraging kids to progress up to the scout troop. We camp loca

Great info everyone. I've just sent this thread to our other leaders. It will help heaps I'm sure. Keep it coming. For info - to compare your system to ours. Cub Leader training is an initial meeting (2 hrs), and three weekends. Add activity specific days and weekends which are optional. Wood beads is another 3 weekends and project. This is a great hurdle to our prospective leaders.

well done mom. Foot-loose and guiltless!

Momscouter.....WALK. Get going and leave the SM to play his games. You seem to have two options. 1. Deal with the matter (stress) and end up with a small Troop, an uninterested Charter Org, no SM, no gear, no money etc and a long (years) struggle to get things right - which you may lose. 2. Walk.. straight to a good Troop who will welcome your son and yourself, provide gear, provide leadership, friendship, has reasonable financials etc. And your son will have up to 3 old friends from the existing Troop with him....and the old Troop will fold or go to 1 above and may, after a long

Our oldest Scouts are under 15 y/o. I still have patrol activities without adults. The Patrols are more limited than Bob's in that I have them camp within three minutes run when in a flat out panic of responsible adults who are briefed by me. I also visit as often as I think I should given the activity and personality combinations - almost always only the once at evening meal time (over night camps are the longest event possible). For more isolated Scout only camps I make an ad hoc grouping of the most experienced. At this point the requirments are pretty much the same as Bob's.

Bob - re: six monthly reviews. I keep forgetting that you blokes have P/L's for short periods. Seems fair enough your way. Still prefer not to write policies though regardless of whether it is a moral, leadership or interpersonal relationship lesson to be learned. This has been an interesting thread. Some good stuff here everybody.

I agree with jmcquilan on the oath and law. In fact I would fight tooth and nail against any written policy for the Troop internally. How can we conduct reasonable discussions based on oath and law if we are following someone else's procedures? This can be messy, emotional and a long and rocky road but it is an excellant learning tool. Every disagreement then goes back to our reading of the oath and law for guidance about what is reasonable for us to do. I could accept bob whites six monthly revisions for large Troops simply so that things can get done instead of endless mediati

Stan, being from the other side of the world I may be a bit off track here so bare with me pls. I would think you need Hispanic and Anglo Assistant leaders. There may be a way of recruiting Hispanic leaders from other paid and unpaid community organisations. As there sounds like there is a need other orgs may be very helpful. The USA way of having boys in patrols according to age may or may not be useful. I've tried both methods here for different reasons and both work yet one is usually more suitable for given circumstances. I encourage you to think 'outside the square' rather t

Couldn't see ref to 'be prepared' but this is best site I've seen on early scouting history, how it formed etc. I've mailed the author and he is very helpful. If there is a 'proveable' answer Colin will have it I'm sure. http://www.scoutingmilestones.freeserve.co.uk/