red feather

scoutldr, ditto. Same time frame. I am honored to be with a troop that has been the 'flagship' troop. (Things are changing but that is a rock that I have to roll) We don't always follow the district program but we are succesful in scouting. Father of two eagles and desperate sponsor ( at times) of many others. yis

Anyone contact the parent(s), guardian(s), about this scout that has the problem? Just a thought. Yes, Safety first. That is one of the reasons we tip the canoe ( under a controlled situation) first without a PFD and then with a PFD. yis

We say no to laser tag. High tech version of paintball. Boys don't miss it and find other things to do. yis

The more I follow this campfire the more I learn. We do 20 nights easily in 1 to 1 and half years. (some years 20 is easy) Sounds like your troop is about to have a change in focus. To younger boys not just older scouts, hope the leadership is ready for it. Been there. Hang in there. yis

Advancement requirements are neither the min or are they max. They are THE requirements. Admittedly some scouts show scout spirit in an open way for all to see and some show the spirit in a very personal way. Both ways are correct... they have the spirit. The scouts that I am involved with I see both in the scouting arena and out of the scout arena. If a scout is not active in the meetings but is holding the scout spirit close in the public arena, scout spirit is there and part of thier lives whether they recognize it or not. If this hypothetical scout has shown the spirit in the public arena then the requirement is fulfilled. Some Eagles soar, some flap. But they are all Eagles. yis

Congtats also!!! Think about finding a length of colored nylon rope, seal the ends (you do one and teach him how to seal the other) and get him started on knots. Be a good time to engender the interest. congrats again. yis

Ahh, that would be like cheating. The great mysterious ticket. So much fun. Enjoy and good luck yis

Sorry, forgot that each patrol has two coolers, one for cold storage and the other for dry goods storage. yis

Dutch oven, two cast iron skillets, griddle, basic pot and pan set. Some condiments, soap, scrubber,spatula, cook spoon (slotted and unslotted), ladle, couple different styles of cooking knifes. Trash bags and paper towels (if they remember to restock, borrowing usually means doing a chore for the patrol that they borrowed from). matches, tongs, leather gloves, and whatever they forget to take out or is special to that patrol. Cutting board and alum foil. Eating utensils, plate, and cups are the responsibility of each scout. ( the leaders usually have something the scout can borrow if necessary) Patrol box is of a size and weight that two scouts can carry it and has 4 detachable metal legs to stand it on. Drop front and top work area. Leaders box is same size and has same components. yis

Most all of our TGs are star or life. These are the scouts that have fulfilled their leadership requirments and are members of our older scout patrol.(various names over the years) These scouts are normally assigned to mentor other patrols to verify skills are being taught and advancement is documented. This gives them more leadership opportunity and fall under the direction of the SPL. Also gives the PL another source of help and info if needed. yis

Welcome to the campfire. Looking forward to you throwing more wood into it. yis

Ditto OGE, if the scout has fulfilled the published requirements he has earned his Eagle. Not perfect, yes, but who in scouting is? Go with the flow and ensure that the scout gets as much out of the program as possible. Be a hand up if possible not a roadblock. Who knows whether or not that this might be the turn around point in a young mans life. I don't want to take the chance that it might be the thing that might turn them down a bad path. yis

BW, in many ways we say the same thing. Any adult leader or scout leader starts with my respect, it is their actions that maintains that. That is what I try to teach the young scouts in the troop and that is how I live my life. I try to reach scouts that have preconcieved ideas about people who are differentis that the scout that appears different is the same as all others until proven otherwise then they deserve respect (again untill proven otherwise) I respond to all scouts as 'sir' or as a group 'gentlemen', they address me as Mr.___ as asign of respect of who they are and expected to be. (or in some cases required to be) Same song, different melody I think. yis

sst3rd, had one of those. Made the scout a Troop Guide assisting a ASM as mentor and coordinator of a first year patrol. Responsibilities included tracking advancement and ensuring the proper skills were being taught. Helping train the PL and APL in leadership skills. It was neat to watch the young man grow into his position while finishing his Eagle. Luck yis

One of the saddest things is scouting is to talk to an adult ( of any age) and hear them say that they wish that they could of finished their Eagle. But were not allowed to because of the troop they were in. Cannot deny a young man the opportunity to earn a once in a lifetime award. His Eagle. If the scout is showing interest in coming back to earn his Eagle and has fulfilled all published requirements, he cannot be denied. yis

Not fear, but respect. A scout in a leadership position deserves respect, just as an adult in a leadership position deserves respect. Once the scouts learn this controversy usually ends. Youth leaders do not speak for the SM. Their instructions carry the same authority. Scouts who try to take the road of speaking for the SM are taken aside and the meaning of their leadership position reexplained to them. Usually not a problem. yis

ooops. Second sentence should read....but when we have one that does NOT follow instructions well... Sorry about that. Fingers don't always work as fast as they should. yis

Scouts not only learn how to be leaders but also how to be one of the led. Most scouts learn how to be led fairly well but when we have one that does follow leadership instructions well are reminded that when they are disrespectful to their PL or SPL they are also being disrespectful to the Troop and the adult leaders. Once they learn that an instruction from their PL or SPL is the same as coming from an adult leader the problem usually goes away. Of course, they are taught that if they have a legitimate problem with the instruction, they have the opportunity to bring it to the attention of the next level of leadership. Chain is something like this PL, SPL, TG, ASM, SM. Works well for us. yis

sctmom, you might be surprised when you join a troop with a history of being a advancement mill. Use those efforts with yours and turn them to the light. It will be slow and can be frustrating but it can be done. My own troop is going into a change of adult leadership that is into the 'ticket punch' part of scouting. We have had some of the old guard leaders leave the troop because of it. I have not because the scouts are important, not the aspirations of the new 'leaders'. I won't let them win if I can help it. 'nough about my rock to roll. Work from within and then sit back and watch the neat things that will happen. Keep the faith of what we are here for and that is the scouts. yis

I am the troop 'knot nut'. A rope is always hanging on my belt or in my hands at meetings. As I go around monitoring the boys activities I am usually tying knots, there is always one or more scouts that want help with a knot. If you show interest in something eventually the scouts will pick up on it. Also, the scouts know that if I am part of their BOR knots will be required to be shown. This is true for all ranks through and including Eagle. Quite interesting to watch some of the scouts stare at the rope sitting in front of me during the BOR, almost as if they think it will bite them. But they do learn because of raised expectations. Scouts will rise to these raised expectations. The scouts learn scout skills because it is required of them not just asked for. Many times they do not realize what they are learning until sometime later, but they do learn. Just make it fun and required. yis

Much congralations and happiness for you. I have survived two Eagles who cut it very close. Remember the times to get to this point and they will carry who through many things. yis

Feel good. feel good, feel good. Thank you yis

ditto to OGE and Evmori. Yis

Rock on!!! Good luck with the TC. Remember the 4 C's. Camping, Cooking, Cordage (knots) and Care (first aid) yis

Not a pro, except in some of the skills. Wonder how many in Irving would go to work in scout short and socks?? The shorts expecially don't work. UGLY!! Socks? a joke as far as wicking, endurance and color holding. I prefer the over-calf socks, cuts down on my exposure to the sun. (melanoma ya know) Shirts, why do so many troops go to 'class B's'. they hold up better thats why. Head gear, scouts in the troop that I am with sew bandannas into the back for a sun shield. Go figure. Maybe they know something. Make the uniform that is useful in the 4 C's: Camping, Cooking, Cordage (knots),and Care (first aid), then you will have something. yis