RememberSchiff

I don't know why the troop was unable to recruit new scouts, be they Cubs or not. But if you have to close down a troop, I think it is great that the scouts fly out as Eagles.

Four members of Boy Scout Troop 438 of Coshocton,OH earned the Eagle rank. "After the ceremony, Brendan Dickson, Drew Everhart, Michael Foster and Corey Johnson folded the troop flag one last time and retired it along with the troop to a representative of the Muskingum Valley Boy Scout Council." http://www.coshoctontribune.com/article/20140504/NEWS01/305040014/Scouts-earn-top-rank-troop-dissolves Scout salute and farewell to Troop 438

Maybe a review of Youth Protection, particularly the 3 R's would help. There is no conflict with the Scout Oath and Law in insuring safety for a scout activity, in fact, just the opposite. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/ypt/pdf/46-015.pdf ... "trust your gut..if the situation feels uncomfortable,..." convicted, sexual predator at a scout activity, my gut says he is stalking. I am entrusted with the safety of my scouts and I hope to remain worthy of that trust. From what I read in this post, this incident should be included and discussed in YP training. There is much that is uncomfortable about this story. That's my $0.02,

does any one even know the circumstances of his conviction? It could be a he said she said thing......and It could be 40 years old... 1998 - 4 counts of sexual battery on a child, sentenced to 9 years, the maximum sentence. http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1998-10-16/news/9810160192_1_boy-scouts-boy-s-family-sexual-battery http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1999-05-07/news/9905070308_1_troop-lewd-assault-molested

Sorry Stosh, if I know someone is a registered sex offender and it is a youth event - scouts, school, sports, ... I would remove that person. I'm not waiting for council to write him a letter.

Scout troop advertises lobster fest, clam bake, silent auction fundraiser at local church. Public invited. Scouts are working the event. Sixty year old, former scoutmaster James Dundas, a registered sexual predator (served 9 years in prison) attends with wife. Wife works at the Council Boy Scout store. Parents upset, but apparently he was not told to leave and certainly not forcibly removed without regard to his personal safety. According to police, no laws were broken as James Dundas is not on probation. This is totally unbelievable to me. If I recognized a sexual predator around kids/scouts, that person would be gone! http://www.cbs12.com/news/top-storie...id_15503.shtml

When Do-it-right is replaced by Do-it-quick, the eventual result is Why-bother. My $0.02

I have no problem with a scout(s) decision to leave a scout activity that turns non-scout. Rock band? Sounds like something the Summit would do, not a local Council camporee. My $0.02

Do you think that Scouting will exist in next 50 years? Considering that the scouts of today will be my age in 50 years, that can be a scary thought . My scouts will carry the fire, my Spirit will guide them. My $0.02

Thanks for the feedback. Somehow the insurance issue has not surfaced locally, though there was a discussion about the YP training in non-scout groups that use our scout camps.

Should other boy youth groups be allowed to attend scout summer camp (on a space available basis) with BSA troops?

Online Registration http://www.scouting.org/worldjamboree.aspx

Good news report from Denver, watch video. http://www.9news.com/story/news/heal...utism/8021857/ "The reason Jack and I (his Dad) told our story, is because of the role Scouting has played for the past 15 years with Jack's development. His autism is profound, and interferes with many of the everyday activities the rest of us take for granted: Driving a car. Having interactive conversations with people throughout the day. Jobs. Relationships Pretty much everything. But for Jack, Scouting offered an opportunity to be around kids his own age while learning how to camp, fish and hike. Pretty much everything."

patrol leader, and he said "that's what the boys wanted." Fail. This is not leadership and it is a serious misconception of "scout-run" to allow scouts to get anything and everything they want. The scout program and we adults set expectations such as My Plate (replaced food pyramid) guidelines. Sorry no Red Bull rather juice, bug juice, hot chocolate,... Weight and resulting trash are other considerations. My $0.02

Some thoughts from my experiences Group safety among youth is a misnomer as overall safety is a function of the least safety-minded member, not the group size. And yes we train them in the buddy system, look out for each other, safety, leadership but still they are youth. Before they go off on an "adventure", I remind them that safety is everyone's job and the scout leaders that it is their job to make sure everyone does that job, but still they are youth. Potential unsafe situations seem to draw boys like moths to a flame: staff-sized sticks (if they bring a walking staff usually no problem, it they find one it is suddenly Robin Hood/Little John time) a Tarzan swing over a water, slope, or ground opening (good for a broken collarbone) a boulder, long, anything that will role (abandoned car) on top of a hill any remote building or car they might encounter a gun, bow, sword, knife or other found weapon. (How a hunter could leave behind a loaded firearm...) a ladder step-stone rocks across a stream, (any activity where a slip could cause a head hitting something hard) water-filled quarry knives fires My $0.02,

Very tragic story. His father and 14yr old brother were also attending this campout. "On Saturday morning four of the scouts went exploring away from camp and found a large log (2 ft diameter) laying on a sloping boulder field, according to Joe Nole, Jefferson County Sheriff Office chief criminal deputy. The boys began to roll the log down the slope and into the lake when it became attached to the 12-year-old victim's jacket. The log rolled over the victim, and he died at the scene," http://www.ptleader.com/news/kitsap-...a4bcf6878.html Scout salute and farewell.

Well we rate higher in favorably than Obama, Romney, and Congress, but equal to Hillary, so go figure. http://www.upi.com/Top_News/US/2014/02/21/Americans-view-Hillary-Clinton-as-favorable-opinion-of-Biden-is-mixed/UPI-79451392997784/

Money issues. A year ago, National took away Tri-State's full charter and put them on a conditional one. No mention of camps being sold. http://www.herald-dispatch.com/news/...cils-in-region

Are these credits transferable to Whatsamatter U ? I thought we dropped the silliness of beaded noobs claiming to have a Phd in Scouting years ago?

I stand corrected, luckily by you and not by Kudu . Other than distance, this requirement seems low on scout content. I mean could you walk 7 miles down Rt 1 to an ice cream stand and back and report "I saw a '36 Packard and a Jeep."? My 1959 handout - Second Class Test Hike "After you have done the above (requirements 1-5), prove yourself a Scout Hiker by taking a hike, properly clothed and equipped , with your patrol (or at least one companion approved by your Scoutmaster). One this hike, cover a route of a total distance of not less than five miles indicated on a map or map sketch, show correct hike style and highway safety, cook a meal, clean up, and return in good condition."

A 14 mile hike or any hike requirement for FC pre-dates me. I joined in time to receive the 50th anniversary strip. Second Class was about planning and completing a hike. First Class was about planning and executing a campout. Seems an unlikely requirement as the starting hike for Hiking merit badge was 10 miles. Trick question? The Radioactive Boy Scout was more like 20 years ago. I definitely remember him, a sad story all around. A good morning mental exercise.

For those who like to hold back scouts from earning Eagle until they approach age 18, you will want to skip this. 15 year old California teenager, who already has two associate degrees, has earned his Eagle. He is currently working on his third associate degree while still attending a charter high school. He plans to transfer to UCLA to complete his Bachelor's degree and do graduate work at MIT! What no palms? http://www.vvdailypress.com/articles/scout-46025-degree-teenager.html Wow!

http://www.fayettetribune.com/local/...re-base?zc_p=0 April 2, 2014 "...Starting in June, the BSA plans to run an estimated 5,000 Scouts through The Summit’s high adventure base over a 10-week period. The BSA hopes to see that number grow to 50,000 in future summers, but Christen High Adventure Base Director Dave Kopsa said the inaugural year of the high adventure base is being launched on a smaller scale. Within the Boy Scouts, high adventure programming is designed to be exciting, challenging camping outings for ages 13 years and up. ... Kopsa said that manpower is necessary to operate all of the Summit’s adventure venues, and applications for seasonal employment are currently being accepted. Applicants should anticipate working from late May to mid August, Kopsa said. The lowest salary range starts at $1,090 a month. (As I understand, minimum wage in WV is $7.25/hr) Positions include managers and operators of each of various adventure sports venues as well as support positions, Kopsa said. Individuals do not need to have been Scouts to apply, but applicants must be at least 18 years of age. For more on The Summit’s high adventure base or to apply for a seasonal position, visit wwwsummithighadventure.org."

As a SM this is not your call. As a MBC, you can require that scouts read available material before class. Then in class, you discuss the assigned readng and teach subject material in class. Next,you challenge scouts to do the corresponding requirements (possibly worksheets). The old Show, Tell, Do method. Completing a worksheet before the first merit badge class makes no sense to me, as the material has not been taught yet by the MBC. Some merit badge pamphlets are well done, some are not, and others seem totally unnecessary. I have yet to observe any scout actually read the Swimming merit badge book. Consequently, some MBC's use pamphlets, some don't. All scouts learn by hands-on doing (FUN), few learn by reading or copying answers onto a worksheet (boring schoolwork). My $0.02