qwazse

Eng, I have a friend who did just that. Cubs was fine, but when weekends were gonna be impinged upon, and she wasn't about to trade any of hers. He felt like giving up even one of the precious few he had with his boys was too much. Making matters worse, he didn't have strong friendships with any of the leaders.

1 Tan shirt ASM (same patch that I was awarded when I turned 18)! Kakhi shorts. Olive hiking socks. (Got sick of wearing out the standard issues.) I have the Jambo patch from my youth, and a patch from the first 50miler I hike, for the memories, on my right pocket. I hang whatever most recent patch I've acquired there as well. 1 Green shirt for this awkward in-between position of Advisor to VOA VP-Program. It also doubles as my Crew advisor uniform when I'm someplace were folks are expecting a field uni. Anyway the shirt was on clearance so I decided to bite the bullet. My one pair of grey pants bleached out in the wash. The Mrs was going to get a replacement pair for Father's day. She got a puppy instead. I was temped to name the thing Greypants. I finally acquired some lightweight grey shorts and wear grey socks with them as needed.

Our crew has effectively two tracks: a HA track, and a skills acquisition track -- my terms not the youth's. The HA track is "activated" whenever a couple of kids with means want to pursue it. The skills acquisition track is ongoing and consists of all of the outings and low-budget super-activities that we do. Officers are challenged to work out a balance between the two. From the youth's perspective it's just different committees planning different activities. There is no fat in our budget, no discretionary fund. So some kids do wind up bowing out of an HA track because of finances. That said, most of those kids have made dating or hobbies or travel with a school club a priority, so no hard feelings.

KC, Agreed, to a point. The SE may have two resources: 1. the scouter's track record, and 2. CYS on speed dial. If this is the first call ever, the SE may call the COR and raise a concern. If this is the 5th in as many different units, the SE might demand an investigation. That action would be hard on everybody, but if there was no abuse it is the best way to stop the rumor mill. It is impossible to judge this situation from a distance. But sounds like Mom has a plan that will serve her. In my case, I had to summarize facts in evidence in a letter to my DE. That put an end to false accusations that were fomenting while folks were trying "sweep everything under the rug." Anyone who dared bring up the subject was informed that the matter had been discussed with HQ, we are proceeding according to their recommendation, and you should fill free to call them if you have any evidence requiring further action. And, best of all, I have a smooth running unit again! I only wish folks would have taken the matter to HQ three years earlier.

Of course it's harder, you have until 21! I've also challenged Eagle scouts to go for the Hornaday award. No takers yet. Age appropriate challenges are important for all of us. For example I'm in a club where the guys throw down challenges to one guy to entertain the group at the next quarterly meeting by presenting something interesting on a seemingly mundane topic. (The topic is usually chosen by the last guy who presented.) You need to be prepared to be interrupted and cross-examined as you present. It's all in good fun. But, it's not something you'd ask a young kid to do. Woodbadge is a challenge, for some folks. Starting a new BSA unit? Huge challenge! But, the hardest thing about all of these challenges? Setting aside the time to do them!

The code does not specify one way or the other. Obviously keeping the poles vertical guarantees that a flag is at its highest point. And, if you have a cub, his adult leader may block the view from a particular angle, so maintaining that height may be a good idea. Otherwise, it's just a matter of style.

Have them present their hike plan in writing, give them the tour plan to fill out. (One of the scouts might be willing to do this on his computer, so give them a paper copy and send them the link to the pdf in an E-mail.) This will help them make sure the adults are trained, transportation is accounted for, etc ... If the plan is solid, support it. Judge the plan based on what you've seen of the boys' abilities. (E.g., if it involves stopping at a water hole for a swim, and the 2nd class scouts have never swim tested, and neither of the adults is qualified to supervise aquatics, send the boys back to the drawing board.) Also, if the boys plan to have the adults as guests for dinner, you might want to give the adults a hint to pack their own stash of jerky or whatever. If the patrol has not demonstrated a lot of skill cooking, supper might come on a little late -- especially after a full day of hiking!

We don't always have that 300' and even if we did, first-years would roam. The important thing is that the adults use the same budget constraints as the boys.

When I get a chance I'll talk to the USMC recruiters I know. But, I'm pretty sure the word is out among the boys. (Not so sure about GS, I'll ask the one gold awardee I know if she was aware of the perk, and if so when she first learned of it.) I also wonder if more uncommon awards get researched by recruiters. Although frankly, the point of the venturing awards is to direct youth to the appropriate national certifications that stand on their own. The bling, once earned, is largely superfluous.

This is ABSOLUTELY NOT the work of a troll or April Fool's Day joke. I am a REAL mother of a new Venture scout with a REAL problem. ... I believe you're a real mom. You make new-mom mistakes like not calling him a "venturer" and calling his unit a "troop"! This weekend is the start of spring break for lots of youth, so it's the perfect time for a 4 day trip. (Kinda wish my crew had pulled something together.) But, even if you are a very clever troll, the issue isn't that far off the beaten path, and if it saves somebody else grief by us mulling it over here, then of trolls, you would have been of the most helpful variety!

brings up the dilemma -- Scouts will definitely be eye-balling our food. And we will most definitely NOT be cooking for the entire troop. No dilemma, our boys have had to eyeball my shrimp scampi on fettuccine Alfredo. No samples that weekend because each patrol had plenty of opportunity to set their menu, and my son knew what the "old farts" were planning to cook. Plus, that group of dads were a cracker-jack patrol. The ones who didn't like to cook were more than happy to clean up. Our dishes were dry before the youth patrols' dinners were even served. Now, it is nice to share samples. Just don't make it a routine until the boys are proud enough to have you come and sample their cooking.

BD, I'll do you one better. With the boy I described above, Bio Dad shows up to visitor night with home-wrecker. (Did I tell you how much I hate visitor night?) She tries to make nice to us, and I think we all take things in stride. Let's face it, we've had step-parents do a lot of good for our boys. But as dinner progresses she's more withdrawn. Next day, CC tells us the lady was a co-worker from his old job. Following day, BioMom, comes to pick up homesick Jr. Escorting her back to camp I spilled the beans about BioDad bringing the GF, she was really livid until I said, "Don't worry, CC __ knew her from way back, and he told us everything we need to know." You should have seen the look of relief on her face. Point is, you can ask two people to get it together so their kid will get the most out of scouting. But when they are still in the throes of adultery (or whatever), it's unlikely that you're going to succeed in doing anything but preaching to the wall. Set advancement aside. Welcome the boy to every meeting he attends, and hopefully you'll see a sea change someday.

c21, You've been scammed! I have never had to pay for a youth in my crew who also wanted to be an ASM in a troop! We usually primary them with the troop and multiple them with the crew.

or if I go with him, which I really don't want to do as he is ready to be independent of mama and daddy tagging along. This is a common misconception among parents of adolescents. It's true we don't want a parent to be an imposing figure in the boy's age-appropriate interactions with his crew or troop. But we absolutely do need caring adults who will get to know us and the other youth in the unit and be physically present to help us think through situations like this. Having already contributed lots of time and money to an organization does not mean that I can go it alone, even though I have tremendous faith in myself and know I could go it alone. Even for a day. So if you conclude this guy is worth sticking with, let him know that you want to help him avoid this situation in the future. Why? Because you won't be the only mother of a 14 y.o. who needs to be sure their kids are in good hands!

VMom may be well within her rights to call council headquarters directly. "Units are responsible for enforcing Youth Protection policies. The head of the chartered organization or chartered organization representative and the local council must approve the registration of the units adult leader. Adult leaders of Scouting units are responsible for monitoring the behavior of youth members and interceding when necessary. Parents of youth members who misbehave should be informed and asked for assistance. Any violations of the BSAs Youth Protection policies must immediately be reported to the Scout executive." My interpretation of how this should happen is: - Advisor informs committee chair and charter org. rep. of change in plans. - COR scrambles to get the crew the adult leadership they need, or gets everyone transported back to home. - COR informs SE of the violation. At that time he/she should be able to give his or her confidential assessment of any threat of abuse. (This is assuming there was no actual evidence of abuse. But, there may be related incidents that might raise or allay the SE's concern.) If I were the advisor in this situation, my first call may very well have been directly to the SE. My point is, a parent should be able to call up the chain of accountability and discover that everyone is aware of the situation.

This kind of planning could kill a unit. Yes, we've had to fall back on plans B, C, and D. Yes, we've had cost overruns. Sometimes, the "separate quarters" rule requires a little creativity. That's okay as long as communication is clear. But ... I've canceled outings over an inability to provide adequate coverage of adult leaders. I'd expect any other crew advisor to do the same. At the same time, the youth may be perfectly safe. But, talk to the Crew's committee chairman or the charter org. rep. If this is a common occurrence you don't want your boy in this crew. If this is a one-off occurence and the advisor was just trying to manage a very fluid situation, then smooth things over and offer to chaperon the next time.

Then he's on the right track, regardless. The things he records for advancement purposes, IMHO, should be those that he is most proud of. If the SM/ASM is having issues signing of on the boy's favorite project, make sure he's recorded a list of five or so "pinch hitters" that he can call up. I'm a huge fan of "double-dipping" by the way. You can find why in other threads. But that's not the case here.

Nice rant 5yr. Honestly, it will take years to clean up this mess for all the reasons you describe. There should be a simple online registration for MBCs who are active members of BSA units and whose YPT is up to date.(This message has been edited by Qwazse)

Actually, her father asked the question. "Would you like to be a venture scout someday?" (No, I didn't correct the guy. He was recruiting for me!) The awards that a Venturer could earn we're on a poster on the wall. I don't know if she made the connection at the time, but she never did ask if she could earn Eagle. There were plenty of GS patches to be earned at the time! When we were kids, I had no clue what the Exploring awards were. So yes, I'm sure our girlfriends felt they deserved access to Eagle. Some of them certainly did the same caliber of service and activity. I'm sure 10 year old scout sisters who don't have knowledge of venturing feel the same way. But BSA is promoting the program far more than it did Exploring, and that is clearly letting steam off of the co-Ed eagle pressure cooker!

Because scouts serve without seeking reward. If every good turn counted for some advancement, they wouldn't be good turns!

BP, Maybe the notion of AHG leaders going to WB and getting lectured on interfaith services bothers you. But as far as I can tell it's the only way to begin to address your concerns. What you really should be worried about is there's one more document out there that calls them "Venture Crews" instead of "Venturing Crews"

BP, Maybe the notion of AHG leaders going to WB and getting lectured on interfaith services bothers you. But as far as I can tell it's the only way to begin to address your concerns. What you really should be worried about is there's one more document out there that calls them "Venture Crews" instead of "Venturing Crews"

BP, Maybe the notion of AHG leaders going to WB and getting lectured on interfaith services bothers you. But as far as I can tell it's the only way to begin to address your concerns. What you really should be worried about is there's one more document out there that calls them "Venture Crews" instead of "Venturing Crews"

Chazz:If you are ever at a Pack meeting where WEBELOS are crossing over to troops and you see sisterly siblings there, ask them if they would be interested in doing the camping, hiking, swimming, etc. and maybe becoming Eagle Scouts like the boys. Just maybe you will hear the demand. Been there, done that four years ago. The girl's now in my crew working on her first bronze award. Her older brother is chipping away at those last few Eagle MB's. I'm just not seeing the demand from girls for Eagle as long as Sliver (which has a the bird on it and the same color ribbon) is available. The fact that one award has been around 90 years longer than the other doesn't factor into their calculus. In fact I can see the more "obscure award" being the conversation starter: Employer: "I see Venturing Silver on your resume`. What's that?" C21: But I sincerely hope that is secondary to having fun and becoming a model citizen and building their character. That is the bait-and-switch, isn't it? For some, the "bling" is more important than adventure, I think. Either can be fun. So, I encourage youth to pursue both. (Although by the numbers it would seem we're all about the adventure.) But, regardless, the end game is honing one's character.

Trustworthy - to me is that people can count on you to do the right thing. Not just what you say. The lady in your life may or may not get the verbal approval she's looking for (because even after all these years, it's hard to tell what the right answer is ), but she'd darn well better know that you're not going off giving approval to someone else who doesn't deserve it!