qwazse

All boys are different, but given the way the COs in your stake have been managing the program, your candidate DC's may not know what to expect in your den. The troop's SM and SPL should recommend the boys who would make good DC's (typically most 1st class scouts -- in the true sense of the word -- who also have demonstrated some ability to nurture younger scouts). They probably already know that DC could be used as a POR, but in all likelihood, there are plenty of other PORs available to them. What a candidate DC needs to know: When and where the den meets, usually. When and where the

I understand what you are saying. I think rather than 1 & 2 I might go with Red Wolves & Grey Wolves. This way they can make a Den Flag, etc. and have something visible to relate to instead of just a number. As for competition causing resentment, I disagree with that. I'm of the belief that competition is healthy for growth. (Just my humble opinion) I like the idea of the den flag. Something the boys can rally around -- especially if they are sharing facilities on the same night. I'd still use the #s so they can put something on their uniforms. Pin the # to the flag just to mak

Agree with Papaddy below You need to sort out with your CD if he approves of your team distinguishing yourselves on a BSA field uniform AT ALL. Then, if he/she approves that, ask how you could go about doing that given the restriction on camp patches. (Personally, I really like the idea of converting BSA guard patches to slides. But, some camps' staff don't do neckers. ) The other option to consider is a special sticker on your name tag.

I think you just answered your question. Reason with reasonable people. They may appreciate that someone else is not only making up for lost ground, but willing to help their boy succeed.

A rose by any other name, I suppose. In our troop only CC's and MC's sit on BOR's, so that's what you could call our procedure. We simply tell the boys (and parent, if needed), "You'll be taking this up with the committee." SPLs and PLs handle most discipline problems just fine. They come to us when they're stymied. At that point CC might offer us an opinion and, as an ASM, I may offer to implement his suggestion, but we let the SM decide. When a BOR is needed, all of those avenues are past being spent. It's time for the boy to decide if he really wants to be a scout (i.e., not a name

Oh, and by way of our troop's procedure ... as of the night of the infarction this would have been out of the SM's or ASMs' hands. The CC would be contacting the mom and the committee would be explaining the terms of suspension/expulsion (possibly waiting to meet the two at the door the next meeting night). The council's director of field service would have been called in case there were any services that could be tapped for both this family and that of the kids who were harmed. There have been times when things were sort of grey that the CC might ask the SM about if he was willing to wor

No surprise there. Venturer's are best used for logistics and muscle. Nothing like the "cute factor" of a cub to actually draw the donations. "Please, sir may I have some more?" Our older boys have figured this out, and at our grocery store location, they train the first-years to make the "first contact." Especially to the ladies. The big guys make a better impression on the collection side, when a mom-of-preschoolers might need help getting her shopping to the car!

I'm still siding with BD on this one, and our unit deserved the banner "Troop XXX: we take bad kids." Yes, we've had a few thugs. Some of them had their own "personal adult attendants." I've been one of those at times. But we're not talking an indoor basketball league here. In our game, every boy can carry a knife or axe and every rock and stick can be an instant bludgeon or missile. We're pretty clear to our boys. If you can't instantly apologize when you've heated things up, or say you need to step away so you don't heat things up, if a unit that needs to be constantly "on edge" becau

I'd vote, but "The poll is expired." Patrols mean more than just groupings, there is a sense/expectation of independence. Unless your den leaders are willing to step back and your den chiefs willing to step up, you have nothing close to a "real patrol." Patrolling is not really competing (although in a troop, patrol leaders should be reporting about their patrols exploits -- and sometimes foibles -- with a little personal pride) but accomplishing the task of exploring our nation with modest supervision. For the sake of mere competitions, different den numbers should do. Then the b

Yep, big insecurity issues here. They want their little fiefdom, and you came on strong offering a whole new world. If you are interested in serving elsewhere besides MBC, talk to your DE or District Commissioner. He might have a suggestion or two of troops who need you. If he asks about this troop, just say "personality conflicts, I guess", shrug, and move on.

DC can be used to fulfill the position of responsibility (POR) requirements for Star, Life, or Eagle ranks. In other words, on the trail to Eagle, there are about 16 months of time where a boy is required to hold a POR.

"A scout is kind." Sometimes the best way to help a person is to tell them they don't belong.

Is it worth trying? If you don't like confrontation, it's not worth it. If you like helping a boy (and maybe parent) get the most out of scouting, it's probably worth it. I would ask the cubmaster point blank if there's anything I've done to not be worthy of the privilege of going over the boy's book with him.

Why don't you all consider an optional patch for your right pocket? Maybe an insert to go over a corner of your camp patch?

Our CO operates the community food pantry, pack and troop do their drives on different months. The boys have a hand in stocking and keeping things tidy. When times are tough, they will have an additional drive.

You gotta take your boys as they come to you. But there are things you can do to encourage behavior in a particular direction. One thing is at the end of each achievement have the boys vote on whose project they like the best. Have a "most popular project" sticker. Or, have the winner pick the snack that will be served at the next meeting (if you do that sort of thing).

This has always mystified me. One GS troop in my community is extremely active, great organizers, girls I've repeatedly invited to my crew (either directly or through their friends who were venturers). Problem is: plumbing. They know outings with us may be closer to latrine than shower-house. Home to me is where cellphones show zero bars, and I try to get back there as often as I can. Could I dumb things down? Yes, but that would do a disservice to the girls who were brought up in troops (like my co-advisor's) who learned to tough it out.

For what it's worth, Venturing awards and recognition program may move to a more personal growth model. I really don't know what that means because the requirements (especially gold and silver award requirements) sound an aweful lot like personal growth.

My friend whose son just joined a pack as a Webelos is a good example of this. They are spiritual but not religious and do not belong to an church. The den leader is insisting that every scout earn the religious medal for requirement 8 because 'that is how we do it in our pack.' So the family has a choice, pull out of scouting or join a church to fulfill the requirement. Neither accomplishes the goal of the requirement. I see it as just another way BSA is used to support discrimination. DL's have insisted all manner of things upon me and my kids -- from having planning meetings during s

SSScout, how is particular kerfuffle any different than our threads about knots or catapults? Helping youth get their heads around religion (first their parents', then their own, then others') is part of the program.

Knowing your boys also comes into play here. If they are science/mechanic types, maybe you want to do that catapult with no-nonsense materials and standard weights so the boys can test the effect of longer vs. shorter arms, stationary vs. mounted on wheels, cup vs. sling. In which case, there's little room for art and craftsmanship. The thought of waiting to fire their product while the paint dries will drive them nuts! You'd best do the other requirements with a different project on a different night. With son #1's den we hustled up and built rockets to launch in one day. Nobody tho

Note to Randy the OP, if you're in the middle of a Country Western song like JP describes, just dusting your hands of the entire affair may be the way to go. JP, hate to say it, but big ego's don't easily deflate. Never heard of an SM picking the board. We only let MCs and community leaders sit on BORs (no ASMs). But, this kind of thing can go on a long time if the unit likes their apple cart. You're better off dusting of your boots and serving elsewhere. They'll call you when they need someone to cook up them prickly pears proper.

Yes, you can overlap, but you really need to be sure you're following the spirit of the requirements. If the catapult beam was sanded and stained, mounted with with a dowel jigged fulcrum, bearing a coat of arms, and the missiles were hand carved from granite, then yes, credit the boy for all three (engineering, craftsman, and art). This kind of thing works well for units that have a scout house where boys can keep their projects and pull them out every week to refine them. If the boys aren't picking up the skills intended in the requirements, then a DL is short-changing them. But, sometimes

I don't think retention is the issue. (By the percentages venturing is the fastest declining division.) I do think there is a lot to be learned about the female side of Indian lore. Many of the tribes around here were/are matriarchal. So much so, that European women, when captured in raids, often retained their new-found Native American identity. But, because lodges don't recruit from girl scouts or venturing, they miss out on young people discovering that aspect of our indigenous cultures.

A) Not because any given couple is "good", but because the institution is worth upholding. B) there is (was) such a thing as common law. But if parents are making a mockery of marriage, why should they expect accommodation? C) Jake and Dan can't be leaders.