schleining

Lynda... Don't pin this rose on the military... Most of the folks I know that serve or have served, would not wear anything CAMO unless they had too (ie. on duty) I have been in the Army for 20 years and do not know one person that wears any uniform item off duty.. Not even hunting. They opt for the better hunting gear sold at Cabelas and the like. I own EXACTLY 8 sets of BDUs and 4 Sets of DCUs. They are for duty wear only. None of my kids wear CAMO clothing.. heck they don't even play Army... its old hat. I think people associate CAMO with the outdoors, I think too many Ra

I am not sure if it is a rural or urban thing... we are kinda in between... not really urban, but not really rural either... Either way.. you wont find BDUs in my Troop.. They have no place in Scouting. Jerry

We ban: Gameboys and electronics in general. There are enough cell phones on the leaders that if an emergency call needs to be made, the Scout can use ours. We also ban those things that are gererally unacceptable in Scouting, Tobacco products, porn, beer.. Fixed blade knives are also a no no... there is no need for an 11 year old Rambo in the woods.. speaking of which, NO BDUs or camo clothing either. We are not a para military org. And we are not hunting deer... so there is no need to be hidden. That and BDUs are not the best camping clothes anyway. (20 years in BDUs I know

FCFY is a highly attainable goal.. and goals that are attainable are good goals for the Scouts. It assists in the success of the advancment METHOD. We just had 3 of our Scouts earn First Class. They did it in 1 year and another will earn it next month (1 year and 1 month). The point is the program our Troop offers (which is in line with the BSA) moves a Scout along the trail to First Class so he does complete it in 1 year. Nothing is given to the Scout, but if he is active and participates and stays on top of HIS advancement than he will finish FC in FY. It is a natural thing. I agree

The Safe Swim Defense analogy does not hold water. That is to say do not start a fire even if you do not have a Fire N chit card, yet your buddy is going into hypothermia... Common sense is the rule there and that would not violate the BSA policies.... in fact you'd get a medal for it. The rules are there for a purpose. We live in a world of rules. If we want not to follow them, then get them changed, vote, become a member of the Board of Directors etc.. but until then set a good example and abid by the rules. Bending and changing only send a message that rules can be broken an

That is the one of the worst things I have heard a Scout leader say... Seattle... you would actually teach your Scouts that it is OK to ignore Rules... So were do you draw that line? Its ok to run a red light... its only a rule. Its ok to lie to your buddy.. its only a rule (Trustworthy) You have got to be kidding .... ot just trying to get Bobwhites goat... Please tell us it is the latter.... You are a Scout leader and your obligation is to deliver the program for the boys. Do not mistake your personal agenda with that of the Boy Scouts of America. My goodness...

The leaving a legacy presentation during our course was real neat... I thought it was particularly cool when they did the "it's in everyone of us" song and they put our picture on the slide as the music played. It was real touching. Our course director did a great job with the presentation. I might just still be on the Gilwell High... but it was very powerful. Our staff did a great job. This was the best training I have done in Scouting as a leader. Jerry I used to be a BEAVER... and a good 'ol BEAVER too...

Well, I have been reflecting for the past 12 hours... Just completed the final weekend. #1. GREAT COURSE!!! #2. The movies... I thought they were very good, the movie reenforced the point that was being presented. October Sky, At first I did not think it would be relevant...but then it all became clear. (I am going to show that one to the Troop). The snipits of Remember the Titans and Mr. Holland Opus... good stuff. Reenforced the lessons well. #3. The Patrol... Possibly the best part. I am a memeber of a High performance team that got to stage 4 quickly and stayed there. Oh

JUST FINISHED UP THE SECOND WEEKEND.... MAN AM I PUMPED!!! Yes we had a Venture Crew with us on day 4 and 5. They did all the fun stuff... problem solving events and hung out with each Patrol.. ate with us etc. Went home after lunch on Day 5. It was a great opportunity for us and them. I for one learned alot about the Ventureing Program and they got to see how dedicated Scouters are about delivering a great Program. At any rate... we all learned and had fun doing it. It certainly helped those youngsters with their own leadership and Adult interaction. Back to Gilwell

Hunt- This is probably a new topic.... But why are the new Scouts Not motivated? It sounds to me, and I have only read your posts, have not attended a meeting at your Troop or gone on an outing... But I would say (generally) that if your New Scouts are not motivated, than the leadership has not done anything to motivate them or given them a program to be motivated about. This is a blunt statement...but I have seen this in our area and the proof is in the pudding as they say. If you are having trouble in your Troop with new Scouts... I would hate to see your Jr. Leaders and the a

I will hold them any time...anywhere. Typically they are held after the Troop meeting. I have a table in the back of the meeting hall, while the Scouts are cleaning up, I get the SM Conference in. The typical senario is the parents sitting at one end of the room, usually by the door waiting for us to get finished. I do like to do them on campouts though, there is something very relaxing about that setting. The best one yet was on a hike. Walking with a Scout.. just pulled back a bit, still in view on the group. Jerry

11. The Scouts should should all get First Class in the First year. IN the first year, I have seen (not in my new Troop) Scouts reach it in about 6 months. In our Troop we do not push it, we let it come, but the activity level of the Troop is such that the boys should all be First Class in a year. They will have plenty of Camping experience, and plenty of opportunity to advance, Scoutmaster Conferences, BOR, swim tests, and demonstrated scouting skills. So if they join at 11 they could have First Class before their next Birthday or a year. Jerry I used to be a BEAVER... And

Burning Trash gone LNT.. So I guess we are in the habot of splitting hairs... well as with everything else we do in Scouting we try to Do our Best... Training the Scouts to leave no trace is of particular importance now. Most BSA Camping happens in approved campgrounds. These camp grounds are established. So to leave no trace seems alittle over the top... NO... I think with a review of leave no trace we will find that we are not to make it worse... or even make it better.. after all LNT combined with the outdoor code we can (if done correctly) make things better. So here are

I think that unit commissioners are as good as you want them to be... It all depends on how and what you need them for. If you are expecting them to be the pearls of wisdom and know it alls, then I think your expectation is too high. My unit commissioner is a good one. She is there when I need her and gets to the bottom of issues that I bring to her. She is a go between to the District staff. She is not old, not bored, and not looking for a social outlet. She is a dedicated Scouter that really wants to help. My perspective on this comes from a Scoutmaster that had the plea

No I did not say that the Troop uses the Lensatic Compass.. I said that the Army still uses the Lensatic Compass and Map in addition to the GPS system. We encourage the Scouts to use a good Orienteering compass. My preference is SUUNTO. They make some really good compasses and they are inexpensive. SILVA too makes a great product and has some good stuff on their web site to assist the new compass owner. Jerry

Here, Here.. A peeve of mine too... Jerry

BW- You did it again... BINGO... great list. First Class in First year. A good measuring stick as to the activity level of the Troop and committment of your Adult leaders. It is completely do-able to have your new Scouts achieve FCFY. Merit Badge comment... While we do "work on" merit badges during the meeting, it is a part of an Troop activity, not a merit badge class. For example- Camping Merit badge, need to discuss different types of tents, stoves etc. BW, nicely done. Jerry I used to be a BEAVER.. and a good 'ol Beaver too..

A good tool is the Unit resource survey... I gave one to all the parents, immediatly you know if there is interest and who you can count on. To a certain degree I agree with FScouter... What do you want the parents to do? I don't want them "Hanging around" being a distraction during a meeting, and I certainly do not want them to tag along on campouts, it typically becomes a family camp and full of distractions. I have enough adult leaders and plenty of interested parents, the ones that are not interested I do not push. I would rather keep and eye on their kid for an hour and half tha

Ok.. I almost I have ticket written, but then there is the Diversity question... I have all the hand outs and listened to our Troop guide talk about it, but what kinds of goals are attainable in this area. I have thought about recruiting "Diverse" leaders, but that pretty much comes when we get the new Scouts.. I do not want to make it a race issue and target that in recruiting. Our area is pretty much white and hispanic, we do what we can in that regard. Does anyone have any ideas for Diversity as it applies to the ticket? Jerry "...and a Good 'Ol Beaver too!"

Last week I completed the first weekend of my Wood Badge Course... This question came up and our Course Director/ Scoutmaster stood in front of the whole Troop and said that the "Official" policy on the wear of the Troop 1 Neckerchief is that we as Wood Badge Participants are allowed to wear it whenever we are in the Field Uniform until we are awarded our Wood Badge regalia (Neckerchief, woggle, and beads). He said that we should check with our Troop committees if a Troop neckerchief is worn, but other than that, until next year when we complete our tickets... we can wear it whenever and

I never said it was ok to bury trash. I said it was ok to bury the burned trash.. also known as ash. Ash does not hurt the ground... but the more important issue is that animals will not eat it. That is the reason we do not want to bury garbage, animals get used to eating it. I think a review of LNT is in order. Jerry

Don't be dismayed... He was not talking about Scouting... he was making the comparison between what we do away from Scouting and how we have to follow the rules when we are Scouting. He did suggest that we just call it a "Friends Trip"... in fact he was very specific about not doing that... It was not important to post so I did not at the time, but now I see there is a need to spell everything out. Jerry

G2SS does allow 1 adult to be with multiple Scouts, in a car for example, as a Merit badge Counselor etc. Here is the bottom line... and I agree with "lets not go nuts" BUT... (and this is real life stuff)... You have got to manage the risk of ANYTHING going wrong. We had a situation were we were staying in a Cabin as a Troop. we had a sleeping area for the Boys and a Sleeping area for the adults.... But we had a female adult leader..just one... According to the G2SS we had to provide seperate sleeping arrangments for her. So we put up a blanket barrier. I had a talk

My first post on this subject was last week... prior to my 1st weekend at Wood Badge... Now I completely see or at least have a vision of what Eamonn is saying. My vision and Mission have been approved for my ticket and my first three goals... And as luck would have it... Eamonn... you just helped my a ton with that post. The patrols right now are in fact doing my will... not theirs. PLC meetings are not really Boy led. The SPL is doing what he is told, not what he knows. Thats all going to change... "I'm going to work my ticket if I can...." Jerry

I USED TO BE A BEAVER... AND A GOOD 'OL BEAVER TOO... Finished the first weekend!!! Man I am PUMPED UP!!! For anyone that has not taken Wood Badge... Don't worry about anything but signing up! DO IT NOW... GO! Jerry BEAVER WE1-492-1-05