resqman

Age based patrols. Lose one patrol every year. Recruitment has been such we have been able to add one new patrol each year. Net is the same number of patrols. Boys who join the troop other than as rising Webelos are placed in the patrol of their age. Membership about 40-50 with 5-6 patrols. The oldest patrols tend to dwindle down and participation drops off as most members reach Life. The two oldest patrols usually merge permanently around year 5-6 due to numbers. Patrols commonly rename themselves about every other year.

Son's patrol is made up of 16/17 yr olds. Half are Eagles, other half are Life scouts. Half went to Northern Tier 2 years ago, all went to Philmont last summer, and most are headed to Bahammas for scuba trip this summer. Five started as Wolf cubs and are still together. 6th cub scout earned Eagle a year ago and left the program. Still have 8 in the patrol. This patrol has an unsually high participation level. May be in part to six of the dads are either ASMs or Committee members.

Gun Control is hitting what you are aiming at.

Gun control would not have any effect on the CT shooting.

Troop allows $4 per person per meal for boy scouts cooking as a patrol.

As already mentioned, Breakfast is the cheapest so you borrow money from the breakfast budget and apply to other meals. Group cooking is cheaper than individual cooking due to economics of scale.

You can offer grits and oatmeal, breakfast bars, fruit, scrambled eggs for breakfast. One person can cook a dozen eggs at one time in a fry pan. Feeds 5-6 people at once. You might be a $1 per person for above menu.

Lunch of bulk packs of sliced sandwich meat, bulk pack of sliced cheese, loafs of bread, large squeeze bottles of mayo & mustard, couple heads of lettuce, couple maters sliced, a few bags of chips. Lay it out on a table and state everyone gets 3 slices of meat, 1 slice of cheese and 2 slices of bread on first pass thru line. After everyone has been thru the line once, let them eat for a while. After 10 minutes then you allow anyone to pass thru line a second time with same limits. If anything left over, open the line to unlimited consumption. 5 gallon cooler of bug juice. Sometimes you can buy bulk packages of cookies. Everyone gets 2 or 3 whatever magic number the math works out. BUT ONLY after all the sandwhiches have been eaten. Make it a seperate trip to the buffet line to get desserts.

"I still have my Eagle on my CV, even though these days it's buried on my page 23. It's never gotten me a job or a contract, but people have told me it speaks to character."

Page 23! I thought a resume was supposed to be highlight of your career not to exceed 2 pages. If it is buried on page 23, I doubt anyone has seen it. I cant imagine any recruiter who would take the time to wade thru 23 pages. Maybe the first 3-4 but unless you have a immensely entertaining CV, I would think they would maybe skim the rest at best.

A person is fine up to a point and then they just loose it. They rant, scream, stomp around, etc. Someone asked me, who is in charge? The person ranting, screaming and stomping is doing those actions. They may feel or express they are out of control, but who is really in control? They are the ones acting that way.

When I heard this, I had to stop and take a moment. When I "loose it", I am doing the looseing. I am acting a particular way. I am in charge of my out of control actions. Somehow I must feel that this is Ok behavior for the situation.

I am working on my reactions to stress and stimuli. For me it is often too many people expecting more of me than I am willing to give. So I am workin on saying No to more people earlier in the process.

Forums are a limited communciation medium as already discussed. Some are better writer and some take more time to express their veiwpoints. I also spent much time in a DOD job in a secure environment where you learned that anything you said, wrote or did would be anaylzed by someone at sometime. I trained myself to make sure anything I expressed would be within the limits of tolerance.

Not everyone who surfs the web realizes that they can never take it back.

Not to downplay having Eagle on your resume is good...

Had you been a member of a faternity or some other organization and you saw the applicant is or had been a member of the same organization, you would likely look more favorably upon that applicant. If you saw that the applicant had been an officer or leader of any organization, you would more likely look more favorably upon that applicant.

Being an Eagle is a quick way of saying, I have led others and I have toiled for years to earn an award/accomplishment. Both good traits in an employee. We in scouting usually have a high opinion of Eagle Scouts. People outside of scouting often have been told to have a high opinion of Eagle Scouts because it is a difficult award to earn. Many "civilians" have no idea what a scout must do or endure to become an Eagle.

I encourage all scouts to earn the rank of Eagle. Not because it is good on the resume, but because it makes the scout a better person who should make a better employee.

Is you son likely to ever attend a high adventure base? Philmont, Northern Tier, Sea Base, Bethel.

Each of those require you to pare down your gear to small, lightweight, essential. A good knife, a good water bottle, a good compass, a lightweight sleeping bag that compresses significantly, a thermorest, a good rain jacket, a small LED headlight, sock liners, wicking T-shirts, 50 ft of 1/8 braided nylon cord.

I have and use the backpack I took to Philmont in 1976. Still have the water bottle. My son went to Philmont last summer and the only thing he bought was a new thermorest and new boots. All the other gear he had been graduly upgrading over the last 5 years. Sure helped lower the total overall cost.

Similarly went he went to Northern Tier he had to buy differnt boots and a waterproof stuff sack.

Buy good quality essential gear. It makes camping so much easier and lasts for years.

Thanks for the well wishing regarding the divorce. Something I never planned for or expected but now that it is underway I feel so much better to away from her. Feel sorry for the kids.

I plan on joining a troop once I get settled. Just in limbo for the next couple months until new job settles down and can start making more permanent plans.

Just felt a bit blue when I posted. Like I mentioned, no questions, no great insights, just missing scouting. Thought posters here would be able to understand what NOT scouting might mean to someone.

Looking forward to being active again.

I am in the middle of a divorce and recently moved to a new state. One son is an Eagle and a sophore in college, while the other is a project and 1 requirement each for 3 merit badges away from Eagle. He stayed behind to finish up last year of high school. He is in a great troop with teriffic adult leadership. He has his project picked out and most of the submission paperwork filled out. A few signatures and he will be scheduling dates for the project. Should be an Eagle within the next 2-4 months. He is currently fundraising to attend his 3rd national high adventure base this coming summer.

I have deep resume in scouting. Started as a Cub, moved on to Boy, and finished as an Explorer. Earned most every award as a lad and have been a participant four times to three national high adventure bases. Been an BSA adult leader for the past 9 years. Seems weird not going on a campout monthly or attending a meeting weekly. Visited my nephews troop just to do something. A little too far to travel weekly.

Haven't got permanent living quarters settled just yet so no sense in visiting and interviewing for troops until that becomes concrete.

Work with people who think watching sports on TV is the highest and best possible thing in the world. They can't fathon why anyone would want to go rappeling, whitewater rafting, or sleep on the ground.

No questions, no deep insights. Just missing Scouting after being so involved for so long. Just looking forward to finding a troop where I can help out.

My sons don't know or care about the "whys". They enjoyed hanging out with they friends, going camping and all the other fun activites. Along the way they learned citizenship, service to the community, leadership and a host of other skills. Not because that was what drew them to scouting, but it is inherent in the program.

Just like all the Dads who volunteer to be the team coach because they played ball as a lad. So do many boy scouts become fathers and teach their sons the joys of scouting.

The why for me is first fun. Then it is to help my sons troop provide a good program for my son. By ensuring the troop provides a good program for my sons, I also ensure a good program for lots of sons. It is selfish and self serving but also helps "the village" raise the next generation.

Yeah it is for the boys. But I can assure you that hiking the trail, paddling the canoe or rappeling that cliff is just as much fun for me as it is for the lads.

East coaster here. Most adults around here wear a Philmont belt/buckle. A few wear the arrowhead patch. I mix it up. I wear my Philmont buckle with my Northern Tier belt. Then I wear my Triple Crown patch on my pocket.

You have not filled in your location in your profile and you failed to mention your location in your post. Kinda hard to offer suggestions of sources in your area...

Around age 30 I joined the local volunteer fire department. We held weekly general business meetings. One weekend a month we had training. During the training, the members were either teaching the other members or being taught. Sometimes we would run specific drills. The state had a certification program of specific courses and tasks that had to be completed. Members progressed at their own pace. We wore matching uniforms and provided service to the community. Sound familiar?

Moved and joined a technicial rescue squad. One weekend a month we met to train and complete requirements towards certifications. The state had at least two certifications that each required about 200-240 hours of classroom and practical training. When all the requirements were met, you got a patch and a paper certificate. There are/were also national certifications in dedicated areas. You could be a Hazardous Materials Responder. Or a Swiftwater Rescue Technician, levels I and II. Others included building collapse technician (think 9/11), trench collapse tech, confined space tech, and several others. Each time you completed the requirements, you got a certificate. Senior members of the rescue squad had a book of certifications. Some of us had so many certifications, we started taking and completeing instructor certifications. So not only did we hold training for our own team but traveled to surrounding fire departments and rescue squads holding training sessions for them.

We had matching uniforms. We had intermittent levels of designated leaders. We had members who were cross trained on a wide variety of skills and new members were coming along.

For about 10 years I was a member of an organization that was basically scouting for adults. The chief of my particular rescue squad also happened to be an Eagle scout. I can tell you that when the squad trained for wilderness SAR, there was quite a competition between the members to display our outdoor skills.

But back on topic... I think adults do get a lot from the BSA program. If they didn't why would anyone spend the amount of time, money and effort to make the program work. I was scout before my sons and will likely be a scout after they age out of the program. Because it is something I enjoy and get a joy from.

I moved out of state about 2 weeks ago. My final meeting with the troop just happened to be a COH. They made a special presentation to me. A day later I recieved a hand written note by an 11 yr old who said I was the best and he was going to miss me.

My troop has an active program. The scouts reguarly use scout skills during camping and outings. Scouts regualarly are teaching other scouts skills. Ropes and knots are used not just talked about. Most of the Eagles the troop generates are 15+ years old. They have stuck with program. I would like to see more real leadership from some of the canidates but they have met the POR requirements.

I think the rank of Eagle will mean more for them as they age. Once they leave the troop and have to deal with the rest of the culture, they will find that they have skills in planning, leadership, teamwork, follow thru, being held to a standard, and expecting conseqencse for their actions.

My oldest earned Eagle about 18 months ago. He is more proud of being an Eagle than he was about earning it. Like all true accomplishments, the road to success is difficult. He is seeing a real reward now with respect from others.

I expect him to continue to live the ideals of scouting the rest of his life even when he is not wearing a uniform or activiely registered. I hope he has internalized the teachings and walks the walk.

I have been fortunate to have been a member of a drama free Pack and Troop.

In both cases the CM and SM were most interested in the boys having fun and a vibrant program. The DLs and ASMs followed the example. Occasionally an adult leader would get a burr under their saddle about some minor issue. The CM/SM addressed the issue and insulated the rest of the leadership team from the disrupter. Usually the disrupter is a committee person who is very good at keeping records but not very tolerant of "field decisions" that make exceptions to ensure a scout is able to participate.

The DLs and ASMs also had strong outdoor skills. They were able to perform all tasks for all ranks without the need to refer to a book. They were very familiar with the offical BSA method and reinforced the BSA methods. We also have more than 5 Woodbadge trained adults including the CC and SM.

I am moving out state next month and will be looking for a new troop. Hope I can be as lucky as I have in the past in finding a drama free troop.

Our 19 yr old had an "opportunity to participate" in a number of activities while in high schoool that were rather stupid.

As parents we explained to him that while he was a minor, he was quickly coming to the age when he did something stupid, he would go to jail. And there was nothing his parents could or would do about that. When he would leave the house we would remind him to "make good choices".

As a youg man of 18-25, I made a number of decisions that seemed like a good idea at that time knowing it was pushing the limits. Fortunately I was able to get thru without getting a police record or injuring anyone.

Watching my son go thru the transition from young man to adult, I have seen times when he was very adult that day. He made good decisions, planned for the future, and made the tough choice. There were times when he was a dumb teenager and did what seemed like the most fun at the time. Like most kids he believes he is getting away with a number of small indiscretions and his parents dont know. Every so often I send him a text reminding him that I saw the evidence of his experients and his parents aren't as dumb or ignorant of what is happening as he may think. No lecture, just something along the lines of make sure you throw your empties away. LNT.

We remind him that he is legally an adult and what he does can affect the rest of his life. Friends and school mates have died, gone to jail, got kicked out of school, and lost scholarships. Fortunatley my son was able to dodge those but learned a few lessons being very close to these boys and seeing the consequences.

We moved him into an apartment last week off campus last week. He is learning to be an adult every day.

Ditto. What a huge disappointment.

12 years as part of SAR team. This could be accomplished in an hour of talking to a SAR team member. Lets get them in the field and do some of the real stuff. Orienteering, litter packaging & carrying, wilderness survival, how to stay found, etc.

NASAR offers a 40 hr Fundatmetals of SAR. Bascially Wilderness Survival and First Aid beefed up a bit.

Would like to see more about Mantracking, Air Scent vs. Tracking, Map & Compass, Tracking, Clue identification, patient packaging, patient/victim removal, self preservation, personal gear/ready pack, radio protocol and so much more they have completely overlooked and left out.

What a huge disappointment. Could have been a really neat MB.

My son presented a itemized list of supplies he needed for his Eagle project to the store manager while wearing his uniform. The manager said he would knock off %50 of the total bill. In this case it was about $125.

We have 3 similar flys with poles 10x20. The lads set up two flys, one for the lads and one for the adults. We typically have 15+ scouts on a campout. With all 15 helping it should not take more than 15 minutes to set up. They do it every campout, 11 times a year. The flys are the same ones and the task should be easier after you have done it more than once. Seems to take forever. Too many chiefs, not enough indians, stick throwing, nose picking etc.

The adults are busy doing other things. We do not sit and watch the entertanment, we find ways to be active and give the lads a chance to work it out. The adults do not set up their tents before the lads. Most of the adults can pitch their individual tent is less time than it takes an entire patrol to pitch one tent.

The SM and all the active ASMs do every task the lads do except pitch and lower the dining flys. We go on every hike, paddling, backpacking, cooking, climbing, or any other task. I personally believe I should not ask any boy to do anything I can not or will not do. The only exception seems to be a troop tradition of having the boys set up the dining fly.

I agree that I spend money out of my pocket to buy fuel and maintain my vehicle to shuttle around the lads. I spend time driving, taking and teaching training for adults, as well as be available for the individual lads. Adults are providing a service that the boys cannot, and they payback by setting a dining fly once a month.

First Responder, 40Hr

If you are going backpacking, then you change your water usage patterns. Every soul carries at least 2 liters of water. Cooking and cleaning radicaly change to account the for the amount of water available.

For instance, a one pot meal instead of lots of dirty dishes. Line the single pot with a plastic turkey roasting bag first. When all is eaten, the bag is closed tight and packed out. All the mess is inside the bag and the pot is still clean. Personal eating gear is litterally licked clean first. Then a splash of drink is put into the plate/bowl. Use your finger to deglaze the leftover film into the liquid. Drink the liquid. Put in another splash of clean water, rub the bowl, drink the liquid. Good to go.

Of course everyone only has a single plastic bowl and plastic spoon for personal eating gear. Some people cheat and a plastic bag over their personal gear and then add the dirty bag to the turkey roasting bag to packed out. We consider that cheating and poor LNT. It generates unneeded trash. Lick the bowl.

We commonly have tortillas with meals. Line the bowl with the tortilla. Ladle in one pot meal. Eat the "filling". Pick up tortilla and eat it. Tortilla acts as liner for personal eating gear. No personal gear clean up.

Let's see if I got this straight. Your son doesn't bring home a tent for 7 months and its "Boy Scouts" fault? Your son and you have no responsibility in this matter? It is all the organizations fault that a single member doesn't care about his personal gear.

Our troop holds a "garage sale" about every 6 months. All "lost and found" or left behind gear is sold off. If you haven't claimed it in 6 months, you must not need it or miss it. Money is used to buy new troop gear.

Rich is a relative term. Anyone with more money than me is rich. Anyone with less money than me is poor.

The troop I serve is based in a suburban neighborhood in an area with the highest level of education in the country. Meaning more people have degrees and advanced degrees than any other area. As a result, saleries tend to be higher and the standard of living nicer.

The lads need just as much leadership training, self confidence building, and challange as any other 11-17 yr old, regardless of their financial situation. Bratty kids mature during their time in scouts. Shy reserved kids learn they can be confident and accomplish more than they thought.

Helping the needy is always seen as worthy. Helping the poor and downstricken seems somehow more worthy than helping a "normal" person. I joined scouts because I enjoy scouting. I wanted a good program for my sons. In the process I am able to help other peoples sons develop into better adults. If I lived in a lesser situation, I would still volunteer with the local troop. It is not about those who are more or less deserving, it is about helping those in my community.

Several years ago a neighboring troop started a venture crew. The active and driving adults of the troop left to form the venture crew. The adults left behind floundered. The troop floundered. We picked up several scouts from that troop.

We have had a couple of scouts leave the troop because there was too much language and typical teenage boy discussions in the tents at night. They wanted the adults to intervene and control the conversations of scouts in the tents after lights out. SM has a policy that "officers do not go below decks to the enlisted quarters". Adults stay out of the scouts tents. The scouts need to police themselves. Discussions were held with the other tent mates to explain that a scout follows all of the 12 points of the scout law. Saw one 6 months later and he found a troop he was more happy with. Happy that he could stay in scouting