ScoutBox

I'd like to get my hands on a couple of the ODL Short sleeve shirts in XL.

I got Activity shirts for my troop a couple of years ago before SUmmer Camp. Since then some of the boys have the strange idea that this is THE uniform for all events. I stopped getting t-shirts and still see them at meetings. SOme boys just don't get it no matter how many times you tell them. We are going to get a new t-shirt for activities, but I require all of the Scouts and leaders to wear the full uniform with patches at all meetings, and campouts. they can take off the shirt and just wear a t-shirt during work around camp, but must wear the full shirt to flags, and camp fire.

I have seven uniforms. I have two Green Venturer shirts. one older model and one of the new stretch models. Also have one pair of the new stretch pants. I have 5 Scouting shirt, long and short sleeve. I have one set with Troop patches, and one set with ADC Patches. I have 5 pants, and short too. I have staffed WB and will be staffing WB and NYLT this summer, so I need several uniforms.

Basementdweller, you should stop dragging this out so long. You've gotten your point across. Everyone understands, your situation, and that your course wasn't up to scratch. I hope you finish this,and move on. get beaded. You've finished your Ticket. Now get beaded. you've earned it.

Mike B.

@Eagle92.. Wow! You guys have a conversation with this guy afterwards.. is he still in the unit? Might want to make sure he's an Eagle Scout too..

The WOSM Emblem is one of those badges that places us in the World Scouting Organization. This is the common Badge that every scout in the world associated with. If the Unit is part of WOSM then they were that Badge somewhere on their uniform. But never in the same place. We wear it where we do, many wear it on the left pocket, loads also wear it on the sleeve or the right pocket or just above. But we all wear it. Wood Badge Beads is the only other emblem that is the same throughout WOSM. Over hear I have meet loads of Scouters who've earned their Beads in other countries. Swiss, Austrian, English..

Again as for wearing the WOSM Emblem. I think the ring, shows that were have been part of WOSM for 100 years now. So I can understand why someone came up with the ring. Doesn't look bad, and I can also understand, that if someone is wearing it then they are showing that we celebrate being a part of WOSM for over 100 years. But yea, there have been too many thinks made up, and it will not end. There are always those who love this stuff. If you don't then don't wear it.. simple. It's like the WOSM Emblem I've seen with WOod Badge beads on it.. OTT!

That's a good one E92!

@emb021: I am at this second looking in the new Scout Handbook and the WOSM isn't on the picture. The service star is the at the top. To confirm this is the new scout hand book with the wire binding. I too am an XL, and wear XL size shirts. I can say that someone smaller may not be able to fit more then a couple of rows of knots under the WOSM, and it look good. OR better yet still fit middle to the pocket and shoulder seam. I did the measurements myself and know that more can fit, in fact even more can fit on a size XXL or 3XL shirt. But not everyone wears those sizes. So I am using a Small/ Medium size shirt for my remarks. I know several people who are smaller sizes with loads of knots, and have the WOSM almost touching the shoulder seam. Then add that Centinnial Loop around the WOSM??? Anyway, here's the link to the picture of the Conclave Staff with the bad sew job. http://www.ne6a.org/

I need a banner that says that? But better yet, one that asks, "Have you asked your Patrol Leader?"

I saw a bad sewing job on the NE6 region OA Conclave staff pictures.. anyway, I think that it is clear. Center the pocket and the shoulder seam. This will also limit the number of knots one should wear. If the color hides the patch then so be it. I have to explain to every parent a hundred times that there is a uniform measurement and placement guide in the covers of the Scout Handbook. And of course the only patch missing is the WOSM patch. So I just tell them to sew it center the shoulder and the top of the pocket. If an adult limits his collection of knots to 5, then the position of the WOSM Emblem should be fine.

I do have one uniform with my WB Critter on it. But due to Staffing WB, I don't wear it unless to unit meetings and other functions. I have seen adults wearing "OLd Goat" Patrol and other patches, and most Cub Leaders wear Patrol Patches. I am not a Uniform Police, but do get on to the boys about wearing theirs correctly. I try to lead by example when it comes to wearing my uniform. I only wear 100% Scout uniform on any scouting event. That includes campouts. I do take off any dangling patches and pins like my name tag. Others wear different colored trousers, and shorts, but I prefer to wear the uniform. I find it easier to ID who's the leaders that way.

RB

I also think that there is a % of the monies for each WC that goes to Would Scouting Organization.

I bought some at the HQ here in Geneva, Switzerland once. But they cost more then they usually do through the Scout Shop. I needed two urgently, or I would have ordered them.

I earned my WOSM Emblem when I was first an ASM back in the early 90's while stationed in Germany.. They we got it for going camping with foreign scouting units.

BTW, Mike Walton is on Facebook.

It is a required emblem on the uniform. the BSA is a member of WOSM. So each member should wear the emblem. The International Knot is the award that can be awarded for International experience.

On another Note. I just spent 3 days with Mike Walton. He's a member of our Council. And on our Executive Board.

Has your committee nominated you to the OA? When you send in your election packet for the boys in my Council you add can add one adult to the list. The Lodge approves this of course, and will then call out the adult. But there is a process.

Have to agree with the above statement of WHere's the SM?? His job is to Mentor and Coach the SPL. The SPL will rely more on the SM the younger or less experienced he is. YOur troop now has 24 Scouts. SOunds like three patrols to me. And with Three patrols there should be an SPL. The Scouts should all have a vote. If they mess up then they will learn quick. What I have seen with my troop is the Scout that has stepped up the most the year before will be known better and trusted more by all of the scouts. I would cut the periods of Leadership Positions to 6 months. Have the SM do his job, and before a Scout runs for any position he should not only know what it entails, but what will be the result if he doesn't make results. Example 75% of the meetings and outings, or NO Advancement for leadership to be signed off. We at this time have a Very good SPL, but school time, parents are taking their toll of the fella, and he is now more in the back ground, but the ASPL is picking up the job and doing well. Not his fault, his parents want something else for him, and they changed in the middle of the game. But he's only serving a 6 month stint, so he can decide not to run again. But we adults are helping the ASPL to do his job, we stand back, and mentor him. I think that only the PLC voting in the SPL isn't a bad idea, but I feel it isn't as democratic as I'd like. I think the boys voting will figure it out. If they make a mistake with a boy, the next time it'll be different. You should be talking to the SM/ASMs about the problem..

AJ, I like your idea concerning the SM Books. I have binders of nooks, I hate it. I would prefer no more then two bounded copies in a smaller pocket size book I can carry in my pack. Like it is, I have to have a bag only for books. At this moment, I have a box full of manuals, and books.. too much. Need it more in a compact form, and the CD idea is perfect..

Would like to see a full square necker brought back. And a light weight jacket for spring or summer to be brought into the system for the SM/ASMs. We have several ASMs who wear light jackets int eh field or outside over their uniforms, and they are all mixed up. I love my wool jac shirts. but something lighter would be nice. The idea of a heavy cordora Yucca pack would be great. in tan with BSA emblem on it.

BTW, I just bought my troop 7 sets of the Cook sets for Patrol Cooking. And they worked great this past weekend. cleaned up great, and sore great in the Patrol Boxes. Need to get away from the teflon covered pots, they can cause health problems and toxic when over heated.

Would also like to see the company who makes the Troop Flags to make Troop Banners also sold through the BSA. I did buy a red troop flag we use in the field. Our Full colored troop flag has all of the ribbons on it, so bringing to the field isn't a good idea.

Mike B.

I can still remember the SPL on my Course stating that the Announcement song was NOT Allowed!

He would ask for presentations, or (a word he replaced for announcement??)

I think that you can do what ever you want. Don't worry too much about how long you do things. Because you are limited in time anyway. I think Gilwell is about 30ms.

Weather

New Patrol Leaders

Service patrol

Kudu Horn (We were not allowed to ever blow the Kudu Horn. Only the ASM-P was allowed.

Thought of the day

To hear some of the commits about how long this time was taking and being a waste of time.. i wonder what kind of CD/SM where out there not following the course schedule. I always enjoyed Gilwell, never had a problem, in the course or on Staff.

thanks moximan!

eaglescout, no we still have them, we also have one for geneva BSA. But I always suggest to eh scouts to not sew them on. But sew them on a jacket to blanket.

Tawhawk: I totally agree. I have several firearms, and knives at home. It is legal to buy, but not to carry most. But the rule for knives here is that the youth must be 16 or older to buy. Now, all Scouts have knives. I teach Bushcraft and outdoor skills, and use a fix blade knife. I carry it with me too all campouts. and wear it under my wool jac shirt on my belt. But I don't use it in front of the boys. BTW, I find a fix blade to be safer then a folder. You learn how to use it, and you'll not cut yourself. Same with any knife. But if your using a folder, and trying to clean an animal or fish, then you could easily cut yourself. I have to live by the rules over here, so I do. The scouts can have folding knives, but no fix blades in camp.

SeattleP, that might be what you need to do. I am holding a Training weekend in April, IOLS, BALLO and OLWS. Only a few people have offered to come. I have only received one application. And no one from Council or district will be there that I know of for sure. I may be doing ti all alone. I have posted it on out Council FB site. Got people telling me they can't make it. but no one saying they will make it.. So I understand. I think that if I was offering a knot, t-shirt or a patch, maybe people would come???

-Organize Skills Sessions at Troop Meeting, Training up to 1st Class requirements.

-Hold TLT for Boy Leadership (This wasn't happening in the past)

-Promote OA in the Troop and encourage OA Elections.(Hadn't happened in 10 years.)

-Invite a local International Scout Troop to an Activities day or Camp out. (Although we are in Switzerland, never worked with other scouts)

-Plan and initiate during the scout year, patrol management of Patrol equipment.(adult Lead in the past)

One thing I can say and that is all of my goals are still in practice, and working.

I look back at them now, and find them a bit too easy, but my troop wasn't doing any of these things until I started it.And now th eScouts are running it.

I am hoping to attend the PLC next year. If I don't get asked to Staff anything again.

I plan to fly in the closest I can (from Europe) and get there the best I can. Is there a bus that drives out there from Santa Fe?

Mike B.

The new super light weight shirt is comfy, and wrinkle free, but very delicate. My son's shirt has abrasion marks from his Den Chief Cords on the shoulder. The trouser are very poorly designed, pocket are poorly places, and the quality isn't that good. I prefer the Switchbacks.

I like the layout, don't mind the shoulder loops, and as long as the shoulder pocket is good great. Would prefer a Name tag that can be sewn on better. The pin and clutch back pins aren't very comfortable, nor easy to place.

I have seen more and more people using velcro for some patch placement. That would be a good idea for the Temp Pocket patch.

I think that the Necker should be brought back as a must have part of the uniform. This is one of the marks of Scouting. Every International Scouting Organization in the world wears them. The BSA Should also wear them.

Redesign the Venturing uniform to be the same design as the Scout uniform, but in the Venturing colors. I got myself the Venturing pants, not too bacd, but too much velcro. And the shirt makes too much noise when you walk around in it. also too stiff. The pocket flaps aren't that great either. And they should develop a long sleeve shirt.

We just had out Scouter's Annual Conference, and I got the chance to see the new Dress Uniform, with jacket, trousers, tie etc.. looks great. But I don't need anything like that. I'm too low on the totem pole to wear something like that. But it does look nice.

Mike B.