saltheart

We started using the new scout patrol thing back in the 80's. I'm not sure the BSA even had it as an official policy back then, but we found a lot of advantage to it. Originally, we used the new scout patrol as a temporary haven in which the new scouts could learn about the troop and all the other scouts in it. The SPL would assign another senior scout to be what the Troop Guide position is now...a mentor for the new scout patrol leader...thus having an interface with another scout for introductions to the troop (rather than an adult). Even though the SPL was 'the' guy to see, the assigne

Interesting visit to the council office yesterday. When the question was posed, the common response seemed to be... "Ummmmm....gee, never been asked that before..." Sooo...I asked what their individual thoughts would be. Pretty much a 50-50 split. Those on the positive side based their opinion on the knowledge that the BSA has, for along time, held patrol camping as a positive learning experience and reinforcement of the values and skills presented by the program. Those on the negative side based their opinion on the lack of adult supervision. And even only about half of that group (

We've been pretty fortunate, I guess. Our troop, through hard work and fund raising, has been able to stock the shelves with tents in sufficient numbers that we have enough 2 man Timberline Outfitter tents for backpacking, 4 man Timberline tents and 6 man LLBean tents for other trips for the entire troop...including adults. That being the case, we do not allow for personal tents on troop trips. There seems to be a little more equality in conditions and such when everyone uses the same equipment.

Eamonn, Do I read your commentary to mean that those who work to establish rules regarding behavior within the troop, such as the carrying of cell phones and other potentially distracting devices, are nothing but "tyrannical rule makers"?

The decisions made by our troop, preemptive as I've described them, were made with past history of electronic distractions,like GameBoy, becoming far too much of a nuisance distraction taking the boys attention away from where it should be in Scouting activities. Experiences of nearby troops with cell phones becoming the same distraction were also considered. The policy was agreed to unanimously in the committee and among adult leaders. It was also fairly well supported by parents. Such as it is, there is room for accomodation on an individual basis, but as I indicated, there are more than suf

Well, Bob...I think it's probably fair to say that you really don't know why the BSA will not allow patrol camping on BSA property, correct? You've made a statement, and apparently can not support it. And yes, it is indeed a curiosity for adult leaders to learn that the BSA may have that policy. I say 'may have' for your inability to provide more information about the policy and the reasons behind it makes me think you know only that it exists, but not why, like the rest of us. And now that we hear this, we are, at least I am, very curious as to why the BSA says one thing, and apparently pract

With all due respect, I think an answer to the question is in order, and you simply seem to be trying to avoid answering it by telling us not to seek an answer. Your statement was... "BSA properties, State, and National parks all require that youth be under the supervision of adults." Exactly why is that? Why does the BSA expound on the good things about patrol camping, yet not allow it on their own properties? The BSA requires adult supervision on their own properties but tells us all that the Scouts should be allowed to camp on their own without adult supervision? That, if it is BS

Perhaps I'm missing something here. Perhaps others are still scratching their heads, too. But I still don't see a good crystal clear answer to the question 'why the BSA will not allow Patrol camping on their own property' as BW has indicated is their policy, while BSA publications promote that very thing - patrol camping. If that is, indeed, the policy, it would seem to smack of a double speak and double standard.

Cell phones really haven't become an overbearing problem...yet. But as a preemptive measure in answer to a similar question about a year ago, the troop committee established the following guidelines: Meetings: Cell phones are not welcome and should be left at home unless there are extenuating circumstances, and then the SM must be made aware. The Scouthouse has a phone, and the number is available to all members and families. Outings: Again, cell phones are discouraged and those that must have them on a trip must inform the SM or trip leader(s). The trip leader(s) always have at leas

There seems to be a lot of information on the web regarding "Conservative Alert", but only one site that I could find relative to an organization by a similar name..."Conservative Alerts" (conservativealerts .com). And as staunchly conservative as I am, I have a pratice of staying well away from any website asking for money...for any purpose. The only reference on this particular website to the BSA was one to Philadelphia.

I seem to remember that those Marine DI's all had heads specially form fitted to the hat...not the other way around. 'Marine tradition'...I think that's what I was told.

Incredible as you may find this, Bob, children do, in fact, learn in a variety of ways, one of which might be the way you seem to be insisting is the one and only. The scenarios presented by others here, all of which seem to be nearly diametrically opposed to your way of thinking, actually do work, and have worked for years untold, long before you and I were even a thought to those who bore us. Each and every one who has presented a different opinion here likely has positive experience with the methods they've posted. And no one seems to be preaching that their way is the one and only. So

What a show that was last night. Clear sky, not too cold, moved the adirondack chairs out into the middle of the yard, and just sat and watched the show. The early results are showing that many in the troop did just the same. The idiot boxes (TV) were turned off, and Mother Nature provided the evening entertainment. Once again, the common opinion among the troop leaders so far is that many times, the best Scouting events are those that are totally and completely unplanned and spur of the moment. There was a lot of talk about space oriented MB's last night. We'll see what the follow-up is.

My goodness...I'm finally getting to see the Northern Lights...even as we speak!! I've been on the portable phone starting the troop telephone tree to get everyone away from the darn boobtube and out in the yard to see what I'm seeing. It's absolutely fantastic! Reds and whites...moving all across the northern sky...the migrating to the western sky...then slowly disappearing... No, wait...it's back! A little dimmer now, then brighter! Wow...I feel like a kid again watching the July 4th fireworks, but this ain't man-made. It's even better. Never thought I'd ever see this within 30 mil

Wouldn't the good ol' insignia guide offer and answer to this? Or the uniform police? I and one other fool from our troop, both of whom have been around for a while, took to poking fun at the 'insignia' police many years ago after being told, on numerous occasions, that some of the award patches we donned were out of place with 'official' patchwearing rules. Irked and somewhat humored by the wealth of 'officialness' and lack of humor with which these folks approached the subject, we plotted against them...in secret. And for months, we gathered additional copies of every patch we had ever

"Are your values different then those of your parents?" No. My values are the same as theirs. And my sons hold true to the same. And all of us base our values on the same thing....common sense. And, of course, common sense is nothing less than.... ....genius....in working clothes. (Aaarrrgh...if only that 'genius' could spell...)(This message has been edited by saltheart)

"The answers you seek are best found in the resources of the BSA than in the opinions of forum posters." That's tantamount to saying that these forums serve no purpose, you should go home, read the books, and not participate here. Begging to differ, the question(s) posted here are exactly to obtain others opinions. Read the books, yes, by all means. But don't point the finger from the Ivory Tower and suggest that opinions here have no value.

One minor point of clarification here. While it is up to the Scout(s) to make the appointments for follow-up and completion of the work not yet completed and signed, there is no requirement that the original counselor be the one to whom they go. If troop level or district level merit badge counselors exist for the subject badge, the wise Scoutmaster, Troop Advancement Chair, and/or Troop Committee would make certain that the list of those counselors is readily available to the Scout(s) so they know where to begin the trail to completion.(This message has been edited by saltheart)

"Just why BSA chose to use this term for the training syllabus, I do not know." eisely, Not everything that the BSA publishes and distributes, and not every name or caption is dead on the mark sometimes, and it leaves us to wonder. I remember years ago the cover on an old Riflery Merit Badge Pamphlet. The character in the picture wore a Scout uniform with a First Class Patch, plain as day, for all to see... ...the character was male...and sported a full beard...looked every bit like he was 35 years old. LOL...still wondering... Powder Horn? Quaint and ringing of y

"...the "Oldtimers" will soon be vacating due to old age and death." Hey...I resemble that remark! I still have (most of) my own teeth and can still stand upright. But I do agree with the observation that more and more adult volunteers/leaders in Scouting tend to end their participation upon Juniors departure. That's not all that new. Adults have come and gone with their sons for as long as Scouting has been around. Today it seems more prevalent. The adult leader who comes and stays out of enjoyment and commitment is by far more the exception than the rule. And it never ceases to ama

You've pretty much set it all out for yourself already... Learn what levels of training those registered adults in your troop already have. What positions do they serve in... Learn and keep abreast of any and all training opportunities scheduled by both your District and Council, and any and all training that is published and provided by the BSA. Make those schedules available to all registered adults continuously, but don't try to be the training 'enforcer'... If you're not keeping the records, make sure that things you know about the people you work with, (i.e; who is taking w

Timm, Much too late to edit my post, and attempting to steer discussion back to your OP, I must clarify my response to your query (in reference to the point made about troop vs. patrol outings)...we've never had patrol outings, so if your question stems from that POV, I can't offer anything. All activities our troop involves itself with are troop activities...at least 2 a month, so the offering in the plan set out at the beginning of the year are such that patrols don't have to try things on their own. That's their decision...or should I say 'was their decision' some 20 years ago or more,

Great explanation! Never bothered to look it up myself. Gotta wonder, though...what if those ol' timers had done their business at the General Store across a beer keg instead?

Sounds like we're approaching a recommendation for both Scout Dress Uniform (for which the current designs are best suited) and something approaching Scout BDU's (which, of course, the current designs and fabrics fall far short in satisfaction for anything). No camo, please...... An' ay laddie...the kilt being good'nuff for me fathers long er' gone, t'would be a fair sight bettar than that which is offered up in the catalog of fashion these days....ay....but nay, ner' could we git away with the undergarments of ol' which me father might have found most agreeable....none at all, laddi

A half mile away? Lord of the Flies, indeed! I think what you've presented are the extremes, but perhaps that's what you're faced with. The policy of our troop has always been that the adults will camp separately, but still within view of the patrol sites. Simplisticly, and not meant to be flip but perhaps it will come across as such, we approach the situation with the 'eyes in the back of our heads that Mom always had when we were kids' ideal. We do not hover over the Scouts, nor do we leave them totally to their own devices. We're not in their face, and we're not on the other side of th