perdidochas
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Posts posted by perdidochas
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On 3/9/2019 at 3:02 AM, Tatung42 said:
Lets say a patrol leader wants to have a patrol meeting at his house. The patrol's fully trained ASM adviser will be there as well as the patrol leader's mother. The patrol leader's mother has taken youth protection, but she is not a registered member of the BSA. This is a youth protection violation right?
Now lets say that nothing changes, expect that the patrol leader's mother pays national $33 to become a committee member. Now this is perfectly ok?
I just want to insure that I am understanding how the rules work correctly. (yes that is a snarky tone that you detect in my question)
Has YPT changed since this summer?
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On 2/26/2019 at 11:36 AM, MikeS72 said:
We were way ahead of the culinary trends when I was a young scout in the 60's. Many were the mornings that we enjoyed Cajun Blackened Pancakes.
The kids in by boy's troop would call them pancakes with flavor crystals. They were most famous for making scrambled pancakes, though.
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43 minutes ago, Treflienne said:
In my experience, pancakes are a terrible choice for beginner campfire cooking. Too hard to keep the heat really uniform. Too many memories (as a high school girl scout) of being offered scrambled burnt pancakes by brownies I was accompanying.
I agree. Pancakes are hard enough to do right on a stove.
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43 minutes ago, MattR said:
Just my two cents:
Leadership is part of personal growth in scouts. It was never an aim, until recently.
Maybe responsibility rather than leadership. That too could be part of personal growth.
An important method that's missing is fun. No calendar works without it.
In all honesty, reducing the entire program to 8 or 9 bullets is tough. What could really help would be a better way to explain them and how they are used in day to day scenarios.
Most of us involved think that the outdoors is fun.
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On 2/11/2019 at 9:51 PM, Ranman328 said:
So I was asked for some advice by a "new" unit Commissioner of a new Girl Scout Unit about Advancement. It appears that an entire Troop earned the Scout Rank Badge the first day they were in existence. I find it hard to believe that an entire Troop were able to complete ALL the Scout requirements in one day. Am I behind the times or being too naive about signing off on requirements. I am a Scoutmaster and can't for the life of me see how anyone can earn the Scout Rank in one day.
Well, if they were Webelos, it could be simple.
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Scouts
- 1a. Repeat from memory the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan. In your own words, explain their meaning.
- 1b. Explain what Scout spirit is. Describe some ways you have shown Scout spirit by practicing the Scout Oath, Scout Law, Scout motto, and Scout slogan.
- 1c. Demonstrate the Scout sign, salute, and handshake. Explain when they should be used.
- 1d. Describe the First Class Scout badge and tell what each part stands for. Explain the significance of the First Class Scout badge.
- 1e. Repeat from memory the Outdoor Code. In your own words, explain what the Outdoor Code means to you.
- 1f. Repeat from memory the Pledge of Allegiance. In your own words, explain its meaning.
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After attending at least one Scout troop meeting, do the following:
- 2a. Describe how the Scouts in the troop provide its leadership.
- 2b. Describe the four steps of Scout advancement.
- 2c. Describe the Scouts BSA ranks and how they are earned.
- 2d. Describe what merit badges are and how they are earned.
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Patrol
- 3a. Explain the patrol method. Describe the types of patrols that are used in your troop.
- 3b. Become familiar with your patrol name, emblem, flag, and yell. Explain how these items create patrol spirit.
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Knots & ropes
- 4a. Show how to tie a square knot, two half-hitches, and a taut-line hitch. Explain how each knot is used.
- 4b. Show the proper care of a rope by learning how to whip and fuse the ends of different kinds of rope.
- Tell what you need to know about pocketknife safety.
- With your parent or guardian, complete the exercises in the pamphlet How to Protect Your Children from Child Abuse: A Parent’s Guide and earn the Cyber Chip Award for your grade.[1]
- Since joining the troop and while working on Scout rank, participate in a Scoutmaster conference.
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Scouts
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On 12/15/2018 at 12:16 AM, MTroop said:
Hello,
There are three adult leaders in our son's troop. One of the scout is one of the troop leader's son. Since the new troop leader joined the group, most of his son rank's requirement have been signed by him. One of the leaders also has a son in the troop but his son's rank requirements have always been signed by the other leader. We parents wouldn't notice or be curious if the new troop leader's son didn't advance two ranks in the same amount other scouts advanced to one. And we know that his son is not lazy but not extremely motivated either. Is there a rule or restriction on unit leader sign off on his/her own son's rank requirements.
It's allowed, but not recommended. IIRC, my sons' old troop had bylaws that didn't allow for this, except for requirements that were just record keeping--number of camping nights, etc.
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On 2/12/2019 at 11:13 PM, NickWeaver said:
I did scouts in 3rd through 4th grade and sadly wasn’t able to do it in 5th due to My pack (117) not getting funding from my school. I’m now in 9th grade and wanting to join back into the scouts. Is it possible and if so who and what do I join/Go to?
Find a troop and join it. You can start whenever you want.
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1 hour ago, David CO said:
Let them quit. Scouting isn't like school. If they don't enjoy it anymore, they should try something else.
I agree. When they were cubs, I would ask my boys at the beginning of every school year if they wanted to continue with Scouts. When they were Boy Scouts, I would ask them in November (just before rechartering). They both are Eagles.
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On 2/1/2019 at 9:28 AM, Terasec said:
a good alternative to candles and flashlights is solar powered lights,
I use a luci solar light all the time,
full charge lasts me for a week of camping, only time it ran low is when I left it on during the day, still wasn't a problem just left it out in the sun and was charged when I got back.
on a rainy trip once we also used the lantern as a makeshift campfire, where scouts did skits around the lantern, worked great.
also works better than a flashlight when out doing tasks as it lights up an area, not just spot its pointed to.
solar light should be part of everyones gear kit
I agree with the luci solar light. I think every Scout leader (and most scouts) should have one in their backpack.
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On 1/31/2019 at 3:46 PM, mrkstvns said:
Another advantage of candle lanterns is their low cost to use.
A typical flashlight uses 2 D cell batteries. They last as little as 6 hours or as long as 24 hours. A pack of 2 batteries costs $6.99 at Wal-Mart. Cost per hour of light: 29 cents
A typical propane lantern can burn for up to 9 hours if set on low. A propane bottle costs $3.47 at Target. Cost per hour of light: 38 cents
The standard wax candles used in a UCO candle lantern burn 9 hours. A pack of 3 candles costs $4.95. Cost per hour of light: 18 cents
I think you're a little behind the times in terms of flashlights. I've been using LED flashlights since my oldest was a Wolf Scout, and he's a 20 year old college sophomore now. The flashlights I use (usually headlamps) take 3 AAA batteries ($0.63 each), and they last at least 24 hours. I don't know for sure, since I only change batteries every year or so. That's about 8 cents per hour.
Our troop uses the propane lanterns on trees, attached to our 20 lb propane tanks. Not nearly as expensive as the disposable bottles.
I like the idea of candle lanterns, but I would be a bit afraid to use them with younger Scouts.
Also, your calculation (and mine) doesn't take into account the amount of light produced.
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The southern alternative to this is grits. (although you shouldn't put freeze-dried fruits in it).
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On 1/22/2019 at 9:36 AM, WisconsinMomma said:
I'm just curious. Thank you!
Here at the Gulf Coast Council, we had a female DE for a few years.
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28 minutes ago, mrkstvns said:
A very reasonable policy. That's why it strikes me as ridiculously dangerous that sporting goods stores sell compact propane tank-top heaters. What sane person actually WANTS a hot flame burning inside their tent?? If it's that cold out, I'll just plan ahead and bring my sub-zero mummy bag. Fortunately, I live in south Texas so I rarely have a need for the real cold weather gear (unless I'm camping in the frozen tundra of the north, which I think is somewhere around Dallas).
The propane heaters are for heating up shacks and duck blinds, not just tents.
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1 hour ago, JoeBob said:
I'm a big fan of candle lanterns. Especially in the winter. A single candle can add an amazing amount of warmth to a small tent. You can dry out gear, sit around comfortably, read (remember books?) and just be cozy in your tent while the weather storms outside.
If you suspend a candle lantern inside, you need to use a carabiner or metal clip to isolate the hot candle lantern hanger from your cord. Don't want to melt through your suspending line and have the candle drop.
Unfortunately, every Scouter that I've ever run into says that candle lanterns are an 'open flame' and barred from scouting as such. Hope I'm wrong.
It's against G2SS for using in a tent. It's pretty clear:
https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/gss/gss12/#a
Burning. Never use flames in tents, teepees, or snow shelters. This includes burning any solid, liquid, gel, or gas fuel; using features of tents or teepees that support stoves or fires; and use of chemical-fueled equipment and catalytic heaters.
44 minutes ago, MikeS72 said:Our council camp forbids them in tents, and while I have not had a scout bring one on a troop outing, we would also forbid them in a tent.
I have seen on more than one occasion how quickly a tent can become engulfed in flames; thankfully never with a scout inside the tent.
It's not just a council rule. It's national rule, and is in the winter camping section of G2ss.
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1 hour ago, mrkstvns said:
A couple years ago I learned about using candle lanterns as a replacement for propane lanterns, bulky battery lighting, and even camp fires. It's an LNT-friendly device to have and surprisingly practical.
As a lighting source, it's great to have at night because it's not excessively bright --- no glaring white light to disturb people who want to bask in the beauty of a clear night sky. (LNT Principle 7: "Be considerate of other visitors"). It also doesn't generate any waste (LNT Principle 3: "Dispose of waste properly") and you don't have to carry the bulk of metal canisters or heavy batteries (LNT Principle 1: "Plan ahead and prepare").
As a campfire replacement, it's not really going to work for big troop campfire programs, but it's a great replacement when you're dealing with small groups in the backcountry. Let's face it, we don't really need campfires for light, heat, or cooking, like our pioneering ancestors might have, but the soft glow of natural flame is a great gathering point for evening cameraderie, and a candle lantern (especially those with 3 candles) can provide more than ample light for a decent small group "campfire". (LNT Principle 5: "Minimize campfire impacts" --- and the BEST minimization is NO campfire impact!)
REI is one reliable place to get candle lanterns: https://www.rei.com/c/candle-lanterns
REI's lanterns are made by UCO (which also sells citronella candles --- environmentally friendly AND drives away bugs --- awesome!): https://www.ucogear.com/citronella-candles-3-pack-l--can3pk--c
Great idea, provided you don't use them in tents, which is against G2SS.
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On 1/20/2019 at 10:18 AM, RememberSchiff said:
Might be kind for Scouts to send notes of appreciation to Elder Nathan Philips. Let him know those youth are not representative of American youth.
My $0.02
Don't think so. I think the story is that Phillips was the disrespectful one.
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On 6/15/2010 at 8:43 PM, BrotherhoodWWW said:
If Skill Awards are so awesome why is it that it seems to be such a poorly used feature in Cub Scouting?
Well, the Pack my boys were in up until 2010 (when they aged out) used the belt loops extensively.
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On 1/14/2019 at 5:28 AM, qwazse said:
With regard to camping nights for O/A, not much has changed since the 90s. Several stipulations that existed solely to exclude girls have been lifted. But, the quandary about boys who volunteer to camp with a pack would still be there.
With regard to rank advancement, several requirements have been added. When you earned Eagle, Cooking wasn't required, you didn't have to explain pedagogy to anyone, and workbooks weren't nearly the leviathan contracts that they are today.
What did change? More adults are advancement experts, and fewer boys are joining just for reasons other than advancement.
The cooking requirement is a good one.
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On 10/23/2018 at 9:58 PM, qwazse said:
If you aren't worried about time, you can maximize your glide time off of each flip turn to the point you only need a few strokes to the end of the lane. (I had a lot of pool time in phys Ed class to figure this stuff out -- a couple of years after I swam my first mile.) But that's not very sporting.
That's just what we need, one more adjective to ward off the one in ten thousand slackers who would try to pass off 17 100 yard swims as a mile. As anyone here heard of a scout pulling such shenanigans?
Well, when I did my mile swim practices, one of the scouts thought that the mile swim was done that way--that you could swim the mile a few hundred yards at a time. He quit when told he had to do it in a single swim.
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On 1/13/2019 at 11:01 AM, Devotedautismadhdmom said:
I am the Committee Chair for my unit. Background, my unit is 4 years old. The last 15 months, I have worked massive hours restructuring our broken unit. Starting from ground zero. We just got into our new charter. Have a parent interested in being cubmaster. He spend his days googling cub scouts and tgings to do. We have explained, being we are the unit for the 2 low income schools, we do things that require little to no money, aka low income unit.
I came into last meeting, starting give parents upcoming dates and need to knows. He keeps interrupting me telling me I am wrong and arguing with me. Then he gets up and says I need to leave, I have no business there (my son is a bear), I am not running anything right. I stop him and yell him he needs to meet me upstairs to talk with our COR. He proceeded to verbally attack me, say I am being investigated, my only role is to shut my mouth and do things as he says, etc. I have worked along side our district executive to restart our unit. Had I done anything wrong, they would have not aloud us to just sign up with a new charter, that they were there for.
The COR informed him that he was not to be doing some of the things he is doing, as at this time, he is not an approved leader. He chose not to sign on the religious principles requirement, or fill out the background check authorization. We attempted to ask about his previous possession charge and he got more irate. He had the COR shaking, as well as myself with his actions. He then went down and individually spoke to each parent, aside from the ones that has been there the prior year, smearing myself and the COR.
Myself, 2 veteran DLs, and the COR are not comfortable having our next meeting tomorrow with him there.
Myself and the COR set up a meeting with our DE, which later he cancelled. Said our committee chair would be calling me the next day. I wasn't happy with that, as he was not in any of the talks with the potential CM, had never met or talked with him. We wanted the conversation between the DE and CM to be discussed. The DE now says he will be out for the week.
My COR is first, saying he needs to apologize first and foremost to me. Second, we are both not comfortable with his actions in front of children. Also, she is concerned with his possession charge. As am I. We can only take his word, but have no way of knowing if that is still his lifestyle. We are unsure of what to do at this point. My anxiety is up so high about our meeting tomorrow night, not having been able to talk to anyone yet. Do we contact our field services person? He know sone of what is happening, and is the one that helped me get out of our Charter and into a new, along with all the transitions. But haven't had much contact since we got our new home.
Well, per the rules, he's never been the CM. I would say that the COR needs to tell him he's not welcome and I go with what DuctTape said.
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On 12/31/2018 at 4:34 PM, Scoutmom707 said:
Hi, I was just wondering if anyone knows where I can find in writing who is supposed to step up if there is no one to replace a committee chair who is leaving after 6 years?
Thanks in advance
Whoever the COR wants to be CC.
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On 12/27/2018 at 1:20 PM, skeptic said:
So, on a FB group I had made a comment about the theoretical 13th point of the Law generally being accepted as Hungry, though Punctual was noted as well. One poster indicated, politely I must note, that there were 12 laws, not one. Now, I have always read it as "The Scout Law", singular, which seems to say it is one Law. The twelve points work in conjunction with each other to guide the Spirit of the Scout or Scouter in everyday life. Trustworthy and Reverent are like the bookends, tying it all together as one. So, while I have found no specific interpretation in literature, there may be some as there is much to review. Any comments or discussion?
I agree with you. One law, 12 points to the law.
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On 12/22/2018 at 6:56 PM, davemetrano said:
Does anybody have any suggestions on starting a leadership course for SPL's, ASPL and PL's. I'm not talking about Brownsea or NYLT. My council has both of these
fine courses;but, many troops do not take advantage of them. I would like to offer basic scout leadership training on a troop level, at the troops meeting location, etc.
I would appreciate any information that is out there.
That's what ILST is for. It's for Troops to conduct their own leadership training.
Our troop did that for a while (not sure they still do). It seemed to work.
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/training/pdf/ILST FINALS 2011 - Item Number 511-016.pdf
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41 minutes ago, CherokeeScouter said:
One of our Scouts is turning 18 on Dec. 26. He is having his SM conference tonight Dec. 20, which is his last requirement.
If he gets the application in to Council after Dec. 26, is he still OK?
The rule says you must complete all the requirements by 18. Doesn't really address the application, although I'm aware that there is a clock ticking on that Eagle BOR.
We once had a Scout who finished his last Merit Badge for Eagle at 11 pm on the night before his 18th birthday. The requirement is that all requirements be done, that does not include the application.
Privacy of Health Forms
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
We never had any problems with that. We had a binder with health forms in it. Nobody ever had privacy concerns. I think the main thing is the parents wanted their kids problems to be known to the adult leaders.