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Can't speak for other towns, but prolonged outages are routine around here. They may be isolated to a couple of blocks (sometimes more), but we can usually count on needed to check on elderly neighbors who are too stubborn to spend a couple of days outside of their home. Starting to hear of landslides now that the ground is saturated.

I did not know about the temporary insignia. I think that's a great use of the sash. It keeps the momento box from being cluttered. I got nothing against a boy choosing his favorite activities to promote on his uniform. I agree with Dean that it's a distraction on a lot of activities. But, I feel that the boys showing their tracks is definitely meaningful for CoH's. Moreover, the sash goes in the drawer when you're an adult, right? Make's it clear that we're talking about the boy's story. But, I'm still trying to get son #2 to sew his new POR patch on. Anybody got a video g

Have you done Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops with your leaders? Frankly, if you get a more complete calendar, you'll be way ahead of the game. This might also be a good time to fit in SM conferences. Rather than focus on advancement, focus on hobbies, academic interests, their favorite teacher, girlfriends, siblings. Stuff that doesn't always come up in "business" meetings. Maybe meet with two boys at a time for a change. I often ask the boys (and girls in my crew) "Two summers from now, where do you see yourself?" You can ask it in terms of what rank they w

For one of our winter camps, we usually do trash can turkey. (Maybe in your parts that would be an oil barrel.) this is obviously a plop camping kind of thing, but the boys like helping to set it up. (Minding the fire, not so much.) This is all dependent on burn bans being lifted, but teaching boys how to manage an old fashioned barbecue is a skill in itself. Converting mama's favorite recipes to outdoor treats is often a great challenge. Start with what you really want to eat. Figure out the equipment you need and plan what you will have to set up. Some things, like ground meat patties

I think POTUS was demonstrating all the things the agent could buy with the money they can no longer spend on escorts.

E92, sounds like your taking the right tack in not charging in to a particular position thinking you'll be the "fix-it" man. You need other adults to buy into a new vision, and courteously work it into the program. This is also where a UC comes in. He's the guy who should be "gently nudging" the ASMs to training, encouraging the committee to underwrite youth leadership training, etc ... Of course it's important for the CM to communicate how the troop made the Webelos and their parents feel unwelcome. But, until he's trained as an ASM, his credibility as an agent of change is no be

Fred, just creating drama. Of course, references to EDGE are hot-button with me. I bet none of our older boys (most of our troop now) even carry their chits. Like any tool, it can be used to train and discipline or bludgeon and demean. If it's doing the latter, definitely stop using it. If it's not doing the former, then maybe it's not worth your effort. Anybody know the origins? Totin' Chip was definitely in practice when I was a scout. Never heard of Firem'n Chit until my son joined.

Actually, I kind of like the juxtaposition. Maybe that's the venturing kool-aid coursing through my veins. It reminds me that scouting is very much about defining life for a youth in terms that will become part of his/her essential character. It makes me think that many of the boys who attended the first jamboree were probably great men by the time the statue was unveiled. (Plus it was the sixties, so one or two of those men may very well have been roaming a commune dressed like that!)

EBOR's may happen after the boy's 18th b.d., so I don't see how taking a little longer to chase down references could be an issue. It might bog down the board if they have a number of candidates whose references haven't replied. But that's not the worst problem to have!

Way to make the easy hard, Fred. First of all adults don't tear off corners. At least I've never bothered. I just point out to a boy that he's behaving hazardously and let him know that, by rights, his PL should have a look at his chit. I'll leave it up to the PL to decide if immediate action needs to be taken. The practice is a teaching method in itself. Older scouts re-enforce their knowledge by recognizing hazards. The perpetrators get immediate guidance on the importance of discipline. It's usually just one kid who loses all of his corners. (I think it's a corollary to "There

Northeaster on Lake Erie. I've heard old-timers talk about this sort of thing. Not sure how often it lasts for 48+ hours. Whatever wasn't tied down in Canada will wash up along my in-law's boat ramp. Hear's hoping Flagship Niagara is dry-docked. As far as Pittsburgh goes, I figure a lot of our linemen are getting ready to head east once they take care of micro-burst damage here.

We cover everything in Second Class for both cards but some boys want to earn these right out of the gate, even before Tenderfoot. I think you answered your question. The young boys want to earn them. It's fine to earn a second class requirement before getting Tenderfoot. (Sometimes it's a good idea. E.g., the non-swimmers!) It's also fine to show the new boys your program calendar and when there will be instruction so they won't nag you at inappropriate times. So if a boy wants to proceed in order of interest (rather than order of requirements), let him as long as your program c

I confront someone immediately if harm is likely. That may also include if morale might slip because of too much "grey area" discussion. Other stuff, I wait and talk to someone with more authority or experience than me. It's pretty rare that I pull out a guide and throw the book at someone. I usually find the rules defend my actions against folks who would put up barriers.

Paper half of the equation. And sometimes PDA may be the other half. When a friend was going through a rough patch, I could recall that just a month ago on an outing I saw the two give each other a morning kiss. That little bit of "data" helped to remind them that there was something worth working for. I suppose we all need positive accountability of that sort. Just like we need negative accountability when we're out of line. As for spouses "getting busy" behind thin walls. I try to warn them that if my Mrs. isn't around to stop me, I will applaud after a good audio play! N

What do they boys think is the most fun? Ask your PLs to think back on when they were working on their knife and ax requirements. How much of a big deal were they to get those? What if you have a boy who just wont swim, but keeps your axe yard spotless and has the campfire in perfect order? How do you recognize his skills without doling out cards?

I'm sorry that your worst fears were realized. The PM is not that messy. No excuses. This is a dysfunctional troop, and until they decide to fix themselves, er's nothing you can do about it.

Outdoor, It's flat at p

Okay, I'll bite and toss out a few unfounded perceptions. Average age at first adult leadership position is usually 6 + age of firstborn son for pack leaders, 11 + age of firstborn son for troop leaders, 14 + age of first born son/daughter for crew leaders. Entry into distric/councilt leadership is usually 15 + age of youngest child. In general, the National Parks service claims that they have more visitors than ever before, so I'm skeptical of any trend that suggest older leaders are more likely to be outdoor type. I know here in PA few families have a member who goes hunting or fishi

Is your boy a First Class scout? Not does he have the patch, but has he integrated all of those basic scouting skills? Is he grasping things like first aid, camp cooking, land navigation, and safe swim at a fairly decent clip? What does safe swim defense have to do with hiking? Well you may set up an aquatics area at a swimming hole on the trail, but that's not my point. Discipline is one of the key things that makes backpacking a success. A scout who knows there are boundaries for different types of activities will take what he's doing seriously enough to enjoy himself. You asked

My last post didn't take. But 'Rat put it better anyway. The boys are looking to you all for leadership. This isn't a grand tribunal thing, it's a CC or COR pointing out a series of improprieties and one YPT violation. You should expect a "We won't let it happen again." (Maybe even an apology to the SPL from the gentleman. After all, a troop is trying to model behavior for their boys. And being man enough to admit when you're out of line is a hallmark of maturity.) If that's not forthcoming, then only one of them should be welcome on the same outing.

The other take is that engagements are family-based relationships. But, if someone my age had made a proposals to a 19 year old, I'd probably not to have him/her on the roster!

IMHO, if the boys think it will be fun, they should do it for a charity they like. Our boys go caroling and they proudly collect money for a local nursing home. All the money yor boys collect should go to something of the sort. For the winning patrol? I suggest a signature Dutch oven desert on the next campout. Courtesy of your old fart's patrol.

Look, if I can get yelled at for running off geocaching in the middle of a hike, they can get yelled at for inordinate affections. As far as rules that apply, Guide to Safe Scouting is very clear. They need a certificate of marriage to sleep together. It's that simple. Some of those boys will turn 18 find themselves engaged to a venturer. Same rules apply. There are plenty of outdoor clubs that will allow that sort of thing. They can shack up and not worry about the example to the boys or how they are representing their CO. I wouldn't throw them out just yet. But let them k

All of the above, plus a cautionary tale: Had a 12/13 y.o. younger brother along on an early spring weekend in back-country once. I really started regretting it when a winter storm stalled over the Chesapeake and started pulling hurricane force winds across the mountain we were on. (We got nothing that compares to what DesertRat's had in AK, but that day we sure could have used those crampons!) If it weren't for an ASM who anchored his legs, the kid's nickname would have become "kite." That was one of my personal motivations for starting a venturing crew: to make a clear distincti

First, no mention of references in the project workbook. Second, no mention of method of collecting references on the application. Not even a citation to the advancement guide on the eagle app. The guide suggests a closed process, but -- although nothing on the application suggests that the boy should collect open references -- nothing suggests that council will collect closed references. So, I chalk it up to folks treating Oak Tree's quotes as guidelines, no mandates. In general, I write open references. I've never been in a position of having to say something extremely negative,