ScouterPaul

Ceremonies are an importmant part of Scouting. I believe that ceremonies such as AOL and Crossover are not only important for the Scouts receiving the award or crossing over but for the younger Scouts. My advice is to make the crossover ceremony one of the most memorable one for all your Scouts. I would also include all of the Webelos, whether they are AOL or not, give the boys who say they are not going into Boy Scouting a chance to change their mind. Also you need to include and make an important part of the ceremony the Scoutmasters from all the Troops involved. Good Luck! Remember the younger Scouts and give them a "cool" goal.

YIS

Paul

Abraiu

Couple of thoughts. Why didn't they merge the two Packs? What about letting the two Packs feed into the Troop. You have a great start with 18 Scouts but you probably have room for more? I think you need to have a chat with your COR.

Good Luck

Paul

Ed

There is no requirement, to my knowledge, requiring indoor plumbing for Cub Scout Camping. I've not been through the new BALOO traing, I'm taking it on June 1, there may be some new requirement there.

I agree with you on this issue. We all have limited resources whether it is at the Unit, District, Council or National level. If the building is not being used by Cub Scouts on a particular date then it is a waste of resources to not let a Boy Scout Troop use it.

Now having said that I also think that is is a good idea to have buildings, camps ect. that are geared to Cub Scouts or Boy Scouts and that they should have first right to reserve the facility. The question would be how long in advance?

On page 123 of The Scoutmasters Handbook it states the following: "Along with another Scout, a relative, or a friend, the Scout sets up and attends his first appointment with the merit badge counselor. (No one-on-one contact is permited. A Scout must have a buddy with him at each meeting with a merit badge counselor.)" On page 24 it states: "Merit badge counselor sessions must meet the same two-deep leadership requiremnts expected in all Scouting activities."

Are these statements saying that there must be 4 people at every merit badge session (assuming that the Scouts buddy is a minor and not his parent?

Thanks Mike

I've been reviewing the Summer Camp info. concerning merit badges. We will be taking 7 first year Scouts to summer camp and I've been reviewing the merit badges being offered in order to present the Scouts with a list that they would be eligable for. The Camp guide has the following statement for the Hiking Merit Badge:

"Scouts must complete requirement 5 (one 10 mile hike) before camp." My copy of the Boy Scout Reqirements 2002 has the following for requirement 5 of the Hiking Merit Badge: "Take five hikes, each on a different day, and each of 10 continuous miles. I read this as 5 10 mile hikes." Is this correct?

They are only boring if you let them be. Get involved and they will get better.

We just started our troop so I'm very interested in questions regarding Merit Badge Councelors. Our District is working on an updated counselor list, hopefully they will have one soon. We plan on spending our first year getting all of our Scouts to First Class.

I'm curious what are the Troop Policies concerning Neckerchiefs being worn over or under the collar?

Scouting "is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training." this is directly from the Declaration of Religious Principle. That would make this question moot wouldn't it?

I tend to agree with TJ. However, I think that it an individuals choice regarding the Bible.

Bob

I think I see where Ed is coming from on the campout "testing". If you can assign a task to an adult that requires some teaching, even if the task isn't related to their expertise, we as leaders can observe and make judgements on their ability to teach. Ed is this what you were saying?

Bob

You got me thinking. Our summer camp is also offering Space Exploration. Would you consider an Aerospace Engineer employed by GE who worked on the Shuttle Program for 10 years to be qualified? I'm asking because I happen to know one.

Ed

I'm new to the Boy Scout program, Cub Scout experience. How do you know if the parent/counselor is qualified for the badge they are wanting to teach?

Paul

Our Council has two camps. There is not a formal rule but they attempt to get the Packs to use the smaller of the two camps. The larger reservation is where the Boy Scout Summer Camp is held.

It seems to work okay for us.

ScoutParent

Our Policy is the same as Bob Whites - the money goes with the Scout if he transferes and goes into the Troop General Fund if he leaves scouting.

Also the scout funds from the Cub Scout Pack goes with the boy into Boy Scouting.

Sounds like the SM is upset about your son transferring.

Tim

Our Pack has planned at least 2 activities each month. This provides all the families an opportunity to attend at least one. We do not have Pack meetins and it is up to the Dens whether or not they want to meet. Our Webelos and Wolves are planning on meeting every other week during the summer.

In my opinion by having a bunch of fun stuff for the boys to do they will stay connected and also get to know boys that are not in their dens.

Paul

SagerScout

Thanks for the great post! We also have two boys,one fairly severe, with ADHD and I'll try your suggestions.

Paul

Everyone has given you good info so far. Terms are one year and it is up the the CO who they want as leaders.

I would be interested to hear if the overall program in the troop is good or as I suspect rather inadaquate.

Roundtable attendance I believe is a good indicator of the leaders belief in the program.

Having completed the intial phase of my Wood Badge course and have started working my ticket I can definitely say that all aspects of Scouting is covered. We started out as Cub Scouts the first day then crossed over to Boy Scouts. We were inducted as Venturers during the second (outdoor) weekend. One of the really cool things during the second weekend was the use of actual Venture Scouts as instructors. Each patrol was assigned a Venturer as a resourse person. Out of the 8 (coed) Ventureres there were 5 Eagle Scouts and one young lady who had earned the Ranger Award.

Paul

Owl Patrol

SR - 438

sctmom hit it right on the head. They were not Boy Scouts.

Bob White

Rooster wrote

Also, once the SM refuses to sign off on Scout Spirit, does anyone else have authority to do so? Can someone else come behind the SM and sign off a Scout for Scout Spirit? If so, wouldn't this circumvent the authority of the SM?

Are we teaching the boys that it is okay to go behind the back of your leader, your boss, your parent ect. to get what you want. If you will not sign off I'll find someone who is not as informed as you to sign off. I need to give it more thought but is appears to be an unhealthy situation to me.

sctmom

Include me in the ranks of the confused. Isn't it Scoutmaster Conference and then BOR? If the Scoutmaster doesn't sign off on requirement #2 then the Scout hasn't completed the requirments for the Rank and thus wouldn't go to the BOR?

Congratulations!!

Tell him to keep working hard and he will continue to reach his life goals.

yarrow

I can only imagine what the Scout is going through. I will put him and his family in my thoughts and prayers. I'm not an expert but my gut tells me that going to the funeral and wearing a uniform will mean quite a bit to the family. I would personally go with Field Uniform Shirt, Pants, Necerchief and Slide.

YIS

Paul