qwazse

Keep in mind I last did this two years ago, but I doubt things have changed all that much. I was able add/remove crew members up until a couple months before setting sail. We wound up recruiting four crew from across the Eastern Seaboard. The last two didn't sign on until 5 months prior to casting off. Also, one thing that a lot of folks don't understand: the sailboats don't stay close together. It's a big ocean, and each captain sets his own course! You'll cross paths from time to time. You may or may not anchor in the same location for the night. Often that depends on the day and the tides and the mechanics of the boat. If your boys have been working the patrol method, and get the notion of camping some distance apart, that shouldn't be a problem. If they are a tight knit group, you can put a bid on a larger 10-12 person adventure. That's what I wanted to do for our last trip, but lost the lottery. We got our two boats in the second round. (Basically, we got offered the adventures of units who won but passed on their bid when it came time to pony up $$ for the down-payment.)

Guy, my crew CC does next to nothing. We're a bit dysfunctional that way. But in general crew committees do little more than rally adults to support the youth based on the youth's requests for support. The crew youth are much more responsible for it's workings. The adults that come to chaperon activities don't see it as much of a chore. I think most of us would agree that the most time consumed is the Advisor's. So if you don't have a person willing to clock the hours (and given your set-up a lot of those hours will be coordinating with your SM), it's a non-starter. Anyway, you can browse some of the old post on the venturing thread to see how things get going. But usually it is a group of driven youth, and we adults just try to keep up and channel that energy -- a wild ride indeed.

Monthly payments starting in January!!! Start at $100/month until you've nailed down your budget. If someone falls behind it is a good indication they can't afford the trip without some help. Contracts! Make it very clear that you (the troop) are not responsible for finding a replacement. If someone cancels, they are responsible for finding their replacement, and it's up to them to negotiate return of payments. If they don't, the money they put in stays with the crew unless the replacement actually pays full fare. Really, times are tough and you may need to bail somebody out before the thing is through. Let your committee know that they should increase fundraising goals. Definitely shoot for recruiting four more youth. A 50:50 split between adult and youth is not optimal. Are your adults trained to a direct-contact position? Make this a requirement before signing them on. If the boys blab about this to their sisters/girlfriends, brace yourself. There may be a venturing crew in someone's future.

It's amazing how we take the boys who work well with younger scouts for granted until you have a bunch who don't! Our troop has gone through a period where the older scouts were just not into mentoring. (No offense to him, but son #1 was part of that.) The younger scouts had fun, but they didn't start advancing until much later. 50% tenderfoot by 8 months sounds about our speed. Yes, we lost a few parents in this process. On the flip side, our next generation of leaders (son #2 being one of them) sincerely care for our younger scouts. I just sat with them last week, and we went over the rules and responsibilities regrading signing off on trail to first class. (One hint, we let any PL sign off on any boy's requirements. They are still pretty strict. Thus the complete abandoning of 1st class in 1st year.) 13 is not too young for a PL, but he needs the coaching to know that when he's in a jam he should call for back-up. Some boys simply don't know how to do this. Teach him some key phrases. "Mr. APL, could you cover tomorrow's meeting." or "Mr. Dean, I'm a little weak on this skill, could you help me present it?" When he fails to do that kindly let him know he dropped the ball. If he starts doing that, recognize him for his improvement. Then, you can start talking about making more solid plans. Finally, to the frustrated boys, point out that elections will be in just a few months.

It is really hard for boys to "let go" of the idea of SPL. Your problem is that 12 is not really "senior" in most cases. That SPL of yours is effectively doing APL. Not a problem, really, but you want the boys to know they would be challenged if 3 patrols were dropped on your doorstep. That doesn't look like it's gonna happen, so why not think about simplifying things? Give your boys the two options. If you are one of those picture types call them organizational charts A & B. One will be the usual SM - SPL - ASPL and multiple PLs, etc ... Except you have to put question marks over all but one of the patrol branches. The other is an SM - PL - APL and boys in one column. Ask them to decide what will work best for them for now. Explain that there will be enough positions in either structure for anyone who wants to work on advancement. Emphasize that nobody will hold any position that they are not working. Be clear that if you're not good at one position there are two options: improve or take a break for a couple of weeks then try something else. That brings us to your scribe. Ask him if he thinks he can improve. This may mean setting a goal to do one thing a little better, or making something about his job a little easier. Also, maybe he doesn't see his notes as being all that important. Maybe he's right. Ask him if he'd be okay talking with the rest of the boys about fixing things. You get the idea. You don't want to cancel elections. You want the boys to figure out what they need to get work done better.

We don't do much with cabins, but when we do, we add it to the individual cost. Now, if this weekend was something that you all said that your fundraisers were for, you may want to underwrite some of the cost. But your committee needs to look at your budget for the rest of the year to see how much you can afford to put to this weekend. Most packs make a big production of pinewood derbies and Blue & Gold banquets, you want to make sure everybody agrees on what they'll spend towards those big ticket items so you'll have an idea of what's left for these activities.

In addition to the teacher who didn't want a "rap" for arranging baccalaureate service in accordance with the law, I have one other experience of someone wanting to give up without a fight. On a family weekend, some of us, instead of going to church, opted to just gather the kids and lawn-chairs and have a little prayer service on the beach. This really wrankled the home-owners because their association by-laws prohibited the use of the property for the establishment of a church. I made it clear that I was not about to trade the Constitution in for anybody's set of by-laws, which, for he record, can't be enforced on Commonwealth waters. What's become of us?

Yep, that's where we'd have a discussion. I think I would offer two options. Either: 1. Always be prepared with a summary of what you've done in the last month for your council/region, and do something (even for just one minute) to represent council/region by way of sharing information, recruiting, asking for assistance, etc ...., or 2. Shed the pretty colors until you do. P.S. - That also applies, IMHO, to a dual-registered boy who shows up at troop meetings in his crew uniform or vice-verse. That I have had some experience with, and the boys seem to have figured it out on their own just fine. (Adults on the other hand ...)(This message has been edited by qwazse)

rj - welcome to the hike-a-month club. (It's okay if a few of those are day excursions.) I suspect you'll be coming our direction or to parts south to hike some verticals. Won't be enough to prep anyone for altitude sickness, but will start getting those legs in shape. One former ASM routinely did morning jogs on some steep land near home at 5 in the morning to shape up. My brother (a hiking guide for YMCA of the Rockies) lives in Lorain and befriended a farmer with a few steep slopes (in 80ft ravines) where he can do reps to stay in shape. I suggest you go and do likewise.

The caveat I always go with, is these youth should NOT be wearing silver or gold loops UNLESS they are doing stuff in those positions. If that OA youth leader (or Venturing leader) is doing stuff as a 'regular' troop/crew member, they shouldn't be wearing the loops (or the office patches). I might go with EMB's take if our crew used the national uniform for its unit uniform. As it is, the only youth who have green shirts are/were VOA officers, and they only pull them out for multi-unit activities. Even if my crew were "kelly greeners," I wouldn't be bothered with seeing silver or yellow epaulets at a unit meeting or public activity. It would remind everyone of the different levels at which they may serve. Same thing with troop ware. Lot's of parents don't have a grasp of how much responsibility a boy may take on. So, if there's something about the uniform of one or two boys that may cause a parent to ask a question, I consider that a good thing. Obviously, if someone seems to be having a power complex because of the patches they are carrying, I'd take issue with them. If it was a youth, we'd be having a conference. Still, I'd rather ask for a change in behavior than ask for a change in uniform.

Yep, Pere. I believe that an accommodation of this sort would require removing "duty to God" and "reverent" from oath and law. It would be an admission that religion is not a necessary foundation for one's character. That's precisely what many folks believe, and they aren't all atheists. Lots of scouters would not be willing to concede that view. On the other hand, my church is more accommodating to atheists than the BSA is.

S97, There is a clash of world views on this one. But, it's not so much not seeing it as living, but seeing the imposition on an unwilling or inept mother as the greater evil. Abortion advocates see it as the ultimate cruelty to let a child even have have one breath in that context of "unwantedness." I know a few folks who are children of such moms, and their life is hard. They *do* suffer. That said, to my knowledge, not a one of them has asked to be terminated.

"But Mr. Stosh, I don't know migh knots, I was taught once-and-done using edge!" Interesting how folks have brought up the ambiguities of war and criminal execution, but nobody mentioned abortion. Causing a woman to terminate a pregnancy is punishable in the Torah, but there is some debate if "the penalty" is the same that for causing both mother and child to die. Also, the desire of the mother to have the child is assumed. (Exodus 21:22) Our problem is that science has revealed how unique a fetus is from even the embryonic stage, and reckoning with that knowledge is the source of our mourn tumult over the issue.

What does the dual registered boy do? Does he camp with his patrol which depends on him as part of the team or does he camp with his crew that has a more individual flare? I've found that the youth are quite capable of sorting this out by themselves. All you have to do is let them know before the event that they have responsibilities and need to work things out so everyone is taken care of. Generally, it's the SPL who has it the toughest. The younger one's tend to realize too late that they would rather be with one group or another, but haven't communicated clearly to make it happen. The older one's make arrangements for when they might be away from the troop, communicate to the PLC, and delegate accordingly. The real problem with joint outings is that there tend to be more adults than there need to be. For me, that means I find myself coaching adults in keeping their distance -- more from the troop (where boys are just learning to work independently) than from the crew (where some of the older youth are looking for that adult partnership).

No, you believe in cussing with impunity. So do many nominally religious that cuss at atheists or anyone else whose lives have been imposed upon because of their rantings. It might be chalked up as antipathy, but really it's the plain old: "I got mine. I don't care if something is important to them." -- with a little profanity ordered up in a wasted attempt to elevate yourself above whatever wreckage lies around us. ... set her straight. ... So have you? Or is that "not your problem"? It's nice that you care. Well I guess I won't know if my reminding her of her 1st amendment rights will have helped until it's time for next year's graduation festivities.

Blame his crew officers. Great idea!

reduce the three citizenships to one MB Hmmm ... Globalization at work ... How does that improve the "cool" factor? How does requiring more outdoor MBs (or any mix of patches that accumulate on a sash) make things cool? (Although, I agree that it's sad the historic MBs were only that.) IMHO here's what makes things cool: Setting up a campfire ring for you and your dates to hang out at after the homecoming dance. Being able to name the constellations they're seeing while the cobbler finishes cooking. Attending a friend's naturalization ceremony because your Cit World MB counselor told you how significant it was. Being sure enough of your own faith ( or lack thereof) to visit a friend's house of worship. Getting in the newspaper for speaking at a town meeting. Setting up an orienteering course around the school for your classmates. Trebuchets -- built from scratch in 15 minutes any day of the week. Eye splices -- blindfolded. Demonstrate, dare your classmates to beat your time. Looking at a community project and saying "I built that." Seeing a homeless guy in the blanket you and your buddies gave him.

Also, consider group projects that may take up a Saturday or several evenings. Things like building/ refurbishing a Klondike derby sled or other equipment. Our boys planned and baked cookies at our CO. Lots of team-building over a two week period. (Week 1, pick recipes from mom's cookbooks and order ingredients. Week 2 cook and eat.)

Also girlfriends with little brothers.? Anyway, make a flyer that describes your troop. Circulate it to your neighbors and classmates.

Sorry Meryl, I have never been cussed at by Jews when I've brought up matters of Palestine. Never by Catholics when I've brought up the counter-reformation. Women? Well, two out of three ain't bad. And, I probably deserved it anyway. And the apathy towards someone seeking to express religious sentiment often is framed in profanity. Moreover when you reference the Abyss, I know you don't really mean it. So spare the hollow vanities. Of course it's not your fault that suit-weary educators want to steer cleaned clear of secular (per S947's reference) improprieties. Even when within legal rights, the cost of defending a "walk up to, but not over, the fence" becomes prohibative. But your insisting that their "invisible muzzle" is not your problem serves to affirm that the "constraints of Oath and Law" upon your felllows need not be a concern of scouters.

That is at the discretion of the Crew President and Troop SPL. We encourage them to work together, but ask them to use judgement as to when and how. I do show them the chart of appropriate activities for each age range. It gives them an idea of what allowed activities might be common to both groups, but also gives them a vision of things they can do that they might not have considered. Boys who are members of both units may use both mailing lists for announcing their service projects. Practically, about 1/3 of the activities are shared. Typically, that's the backpacking and service projects and the occasional council/area camporee. (It's interesting that given the choice, our VOA officers with ties to a troop have asked to share a campsite with their partner troop rather than a campsite exclusive to crews.) We haven't met on the same night, but that's been a failure on the crew's end and a waste of my time. I'm thinking of us meeting on the same night with slight overlap for shared announcements. The crew meets every other week, so on the off-weeks that time-slot could be reserved for the PLC.

I've gotten away from the term High Adventure. Because I'm with a crew and HS kids have broadening interests, I prefer "super-activity". I think of it as something that will challenge you to extend your skill-set. So: If you serve at soup-kitchen, maybe next year you'd spend a week helping with famine relief. If you visit historical sights, maybe next year you'd travel someplace to participate in a large re-enactment. If you do wilderness survival weekends: maybe you'd go try an "outward bound" experience. If you run cross-country: maybe you'd plan a travel itinerary to various orienteering courses. Just a few brainstorms ... but generally since most troops hike and camp, we bring up places like the ones mentioned in the earlier posts. For some folks, those targets don't sound too ambitious, but for others it would require substantial effort and preparation. It would set the agenda for the upcoming year. And for others, just building up to a 1 weekend a month camping routine is its own adventure.

I agree that SM plays a huge part. The unit leader puts more hours in than anybody, and those hours translate into the tone for the troop. But the boys are also putting in time. The SPL who confiscates the smut mag and walks it the 100 yards to the SM (without looking at it) is going to set a different tone than the one who reads it with the boys or tells them to put it at bottom of their pack. The PL who says grace before lunch sets a different tone then the "Good food, good meat, good God, let's eat!" guy. The instructor who comes to the PLC with an idea of what the new scouts need to work on for the next campout sets a different tone than the one who waits 'till everyone's unpacked and tells them to stop by with their books at his hammock! The unit leader might catch some of these, and might actually care about them. On the other hand he/she might not. But it's entirely up to the youth to care to change enough to get out of whatever rut they're in. So if your unit is humming along the way you want, don't just pat yourself on the back. Thank the youth for their hard work in establishing the troop culture.

Wife's line to me at Seabase Bahamas: "You bring me sailing on the most beautiful calmest sea, to the most beautiful island in that Sea, to walk along the best beach in the world .... WITH TEN KIDS????" Actually our captain said the most difficult crews were the ones with a disproportionate number of adults.

assuming it's being held in a church, my guess would be that it has nothing to do with their teaching position .... But why **** don't you ask THEM Don't cuss. It betrays the dismissive and repressive behavior of the common secularist. Held in a church in accordance with all statues as far as I can tell. This person I talked to said that, because of her position as a teacher, she wasn't supposed to be organizing baccalaureate.