qwazse

Advancement has a different meaning in Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts. If you want to really see different, check out Venturing's awards and recognition system (the term "advancement" is only used by folks outside of the program), which most Venturers across the country completely ignore -- so much so, that BSA is attempting to completely re-vamp it.

This warms my heart on so many levels! Let me point out that our Czech counterparts would have zero adults (maybe one SM, but unlikely) on such a hike. The 17-19 y.o. den leaders (at least one young man and one young lady -- remember the organization is co-ed from grade-school up) would be guiding the cubs. They will have submitted their plan to their SPL equivalent, who in turn would have asked the SM to review it. The SM may suggest other scouts be at key points on the trail and/or contact him if anyone misses check-in times. At least that's what I've inferred from the description

This is how I'm solving the problem ... I encourage qualified youth to hike and camp with a small group of buddies independent of adults. That way, from when they are in their twenties, they will have built the confidence they need to lead other youth through serious terrain for days on end. That way, when my flesh diminishes (in just a few decades ) there will be a massive movement of youth to carry on, while I sit back with the BSA perpetual new scout patrols and show them how to use a hatchet to fabricate tent pegs. I might even market the concept (how does "Qwazse contingent" sound

We are already down to 2 trout/week due to these streams filled with stock spawned in Mercury laden waters.

A good denner will help you assign duties (who leads pledge, who does color guard, etc ...) No, you don't have to buy the denner's chord. If other dens aren't using them there's no reason for you to. No it's not required for Webelos. Here's the wiki... http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Denner

It's not so much the weight for an 11 y.o. as it is the comfort with the gear and cohesiveness of the patrol. You don't buy a pack on Monday for a major hike on Friday, unless your team is very good at spotting when that bottle is about to fall out, or a strap is coming undone, etc ... A good backpacking contingent has at least two mechanics, two navigators, two cooks, and two really good story tellers. We tend not to do more than 6 miles with crossovers unless they've been hiking with their gear a mile or so for a couple different weekends. BUT, if we see an exceptional patrol of boys w

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