ScoutingEMT

I'm having to play with this, too... I'm setting up a skit for the "science camp" week at the Boy Scout camp... We've got some thoughts... and haven't quite decided what to do. One idea that has been talked about, but I'm not fully sure is the "brightest" - Sodium (element form) on the top of the fire... add WATER... get fire. I've also seen Model rocket engines and other pyrotechnics used... it looks cool, but I'm sure my copy of the G2SS has large, bold type warnings against that....

I would suggest speaking with all "listed" parents - giving them the option to have both parents put on the contact information and troop email newsletter. If a parent approches me and asks to be put on the email contact lists, I'd check with the "listed" parent... so long as they agreed to it, I don't see a problem.

Our council camps have "Polar Bear" swimming -this is a before breakfast "swim" - You've got to get wet hair, but you don't have to stay in. Every scout who does this gets a segment for their camp patch. This gives every scout some time is a chlorinated pool every morning. Not perfect, but not horrible. It also gets the scouts going in the morning. If a youth hasn't actually showered all week, and NEEDS to shower - the other youth will usually "gang up" on the scout until they shower - this is usually wedensday or thursday (Not perfect, but it is coming from the boys, not the leaders). Going to camp as a youth leader, I made an effort to shower multiple times during the week (at least every other day) and will make the same effort and example when in camp for 2 seperate weeks this summer.

The troop I am now affiliated with (ASM) is a small troop. We have 1 patrol with 5 or 6 members, a PL, an ASPL and an SPL. I've not camped with them yet (other than staff at district events) but I wouldn't be suprised to see it go either way. My old troop (when I was a scout) had at least 3 patrols on every trip, and the adults always ate seperatly... There was also "extra" adult food for scouts with religious issues when the patrol failed to plan for them (Jewish scouts with pork products, etc). The adults also would usually cook the evening snack/dessert (The SM made a mean peach cobbler) and, as was said, had coffee and hot water at hand almost any time of the day/night. The adults were also VERY good at MAKING SURE that dishes got CLEANED correctly. Also - if Webelos are along - the adults will often cook for the Webelos and parents.

My bridging ceromony (10 years ago) was from 2 or 3 weblos dens in 1 pack, going into 2 major local troops and 1 scout into a smaller local troop. The pack was "affilaited" with 1 of the troops, but was a pack that fed all 3 troops. The cermonly was put on at another troops' propertly with fire circle, etc. We bridged and "our" new scoutmaster and troop gave us our neckerchief, book, etc.... very nice ceremony, with appropriate involvement from all troops... Even if you just had an ASM and PL from the other troop(s) - someone to "accept" the scout bridging into that troop... it shouldn't upset the bridging ceremony that much...

Great comment - I'd heard the same thing - that, if someone appeals as far as National, they usually get their Eagle, but THEY HAVE TO APPEAL... Anyone else heard or seen this?

I've sat in on 3 Eagle BoR's recently, and the District Advancement Coordinator would like to see me start to sit on the BoR's. I get to see the whole BoR, start to finish, and never leave the room. I don't participate in the discussion or interview process, just observe. The Coordinator often schedules multiple scouts for a BoR (does them 1 at a time) - this appears to be a convience factor to a point... easier to find volunteers for 1 longer meeting than 2 or 3 seperate dates... We had an incident at the last BoR (3 Scouts) where the last scout was denyed his Eagle (I'm not going to get into "why" he was denied, at least not in this thread. I wonder... how do you explain what happened to the Scout? Do you acutually tell the scout WHY he was denied, or just say that the BoR feels he shouldn't be promoted to the rank of Eagle. Also, if there are multiple scouts... how do you handle the announcement that "they got it" - espicially if 1 of (2/3/4) didn't get it??? I get the impression that my district usually just tells all the scouts, together, "This BoR... recomends to National...... congratulations" Do you tell the Boys who got Eagle that XXXX Scout who they sat with earlier, and was in the room at the opening, didn't make it, or do you let them "figure that out on their own" Also, is there any expectation of Privacy about the descision of a BoR (pass/fail... not the discussion)?????? I'm basically trying to get a "crash course" in Eagle Boards, espicially "what do you do when something goes wrong" Thanks, Jon

Funscout.... great points. I'm 20, my brother is 16. I still live at home (joys of going to school locally) To prove how "uncool" I am... I just got a MySpace account 2 months ago so I could participate in 1 group... I've played with it a little, not much. I've been on AIM since I was 16. In that time I've gotten a few "spam" IM's referring to "adult" sites, etc, not too much, and nothing I couldn't just close... I only have dial-up internet at home, so most of my On-line time is from work, school, etc... places where I could get into REAL serious trouble if I was visiting the "wrong" sites. So I don't. Occasionally, I get pop-ups that are "blocked" or find a link that is blocked for something silly (VERY strict internet police at work) ...I've not gotten in trouble yet, but know that it is possible... so I try to avoid "unsafe" sites for down-time visits at work. Anyway.... FunScout... you raise a great point about the computer being in a public place... my parents are the same way. My father is a GNURD (proper spelling of Nerd), and knows more about computers than my brother and I do put together. I know that if he is motivated, my father could track whatever I do... so I am careful. Anyway... When I was under 18, I didn't have any problem with my parents looking at computer usage, etc.... I couldn't password encrypt any files on the computer except for a journal with a unique title that was pre-argeed to. My father would "shoulder surf" my email to make sure there wasn't anything inapropriate going on. Also, Yahoo has a mechanism for Adult supervision of a child's account... not sure how, but they do. Jon

I am on staff for a Week-long Merit Badge camp held Opening week at one of our scout camps. As this is an intense program, we have the SM sign off that A: the scout is able to do an intense week of merit badges (this "should" weed out scouts who don't want to go) also the SM signs off that the scout is a "good" scout. In addition, many badges have prerequisites.... mostly the "read and explain" as a written paper... these are REQUIRED at Check-In.... no prerequisites, no check-in. You can sit and work on the prerequisites, but if they aren't "there" we won't check you in (not saying they have to be correct, just something that looks right). This is so the "basic" info is done, and the counselors can use the 4 classes to assure that every scout is taught the merit badge material and understands it, and if every scout walks in with the written work done, they ever scout should have SOME understanding of the material. The MBC can also check the prerequisites during the first few days and counsel the scouts to correct problems early on, assuring that fewer scouts get partials. As for the New Scout program - Our Camps have a GREAT "trailblazer" program. The troops I've been in have always steered the "open merit badge slot" towards a required badge... usually swimming, sometimes First Aid. The Swimming badge completes some of the more "logistically challenging" requirements for Tenderfoot/2nd class/1st class.... the swimming requirements. Jon

I've had the fun of being "the First Aid guy" at District and council events. I've seen 1 troop with a similar organized binder as SemperParatus has... and it was very nice to have. I've also seen "the worst" - Webelos / young scouts without permission slips or parent contact #'s. It is very nice to have an organized binder that makes finding medical forms easy, even in times of high stress. Also - a few concerns. The information is private, and needs to be secure. If you are camping "near" your vehicle, locking it in a vehicle might not be a bad idea. Also, because of the confidential nature, there should probably be a "sign out" procedure for getting the book, so that the SM/CC know who has the book, and the trip leader has agreed to protect the book and keep the records confidential. Jon

I've been getting the "your estimated delay is" screen too. It is annoying -espicially when I'm using high-speed internet. Jon

a few troops locally wear them. The troop I might be joining soon as an ASM is the "reincarnation" of one of the troops that wore them, and everyone stills has them. I'm trying to get one, and an "overseas cap" off of Ebay - just to be different. As for "baseball caps" - my first troop had the logo on a troop neckerchief, and the same logo on the hat... looked really sharp. Oh, as for the beret's being introduced to look "less military" - what is the trademark of US Special Forces troops? a Green Beret. Many, many, armed forces wear berets, and they do look VERY impresive. Jon

Acco44 wrote: "For example, I have a Scout who attends troop meetings fairly regularly but does not attend outings. His position of responsibility is Patrol Leader. He does attend PLC meetings too. His patrol doesn't attend outings much either (total patrol has attended only two outings all year, one Scout attended summer camp and three Scouts for our May outing. We have an outing every month.) Now is he active? Should it depend on why he has not attended outings or is that irrelevant?" Better question..... WHY isn't he going on outings? Perhaps SM needs to sit down with the scout and discuss this.... perhaps the scout isn't the right choice for PL... sounds like he is leading by example.... just not the example you want to see. As for 16/17 y/o life scouts.... let me jus say "Girls and Gasoline" - at that age, scouting starts to compete with too many things, and it is difficult to stay involved. Jon

Just a comment. A troop I was a member of had a "1 car garage" attached to the scout hut. That was the equipment storage area. We installed some boards with hooks attached, so that, after a campout, tents could be hung in the garage to dry, rather than go home and never return. Tents would dry, and then be rolled at the next troop meeting. It worked out great for us.... occasionally tents still went home to be washed, but we didn't have to worry about "jonnie scout" forgetting the tent in his garage for a year. Jon

I heard of an intresting concept run by a local troop.... a "merit badge morning" held over 6 saturday mornings in January and Febuary.... they offer about 15-20 badges, with each scout being able to do 3 MB's (3 sessions of class eack Sat. Morning over 7 weeks) It seemed like a neat way for a troop with a large number of boys and involved adults to present badges, and a way to present some "oddball" badges that some scouts might not have thought about. I'm also involved in a Council project for a summer "science camp" that offers some "oddball" badges to scouts as a summer camp program. Jon

"It's true, there does seem to be little middle ground on Napoleon Dynamite--either you love it or despise it. What I like about it is that it shows a real outsider having a positive influence on his community, basically as a result of an act of kindness he performs for a friend." Well said. I've watched the movie once. I scratched my head through some of it, and also remembered a kid from Middle and High school who not only acted, but almost looked like Napoleon.... Personally - I'd stay away from it with a young audeince, but with an older audience, it could make a really good movie to watch and have a discussion over. Jon

I've got some feelings on this. First, as for the scout who went through NYLT after just being taken off the med that helped him through school - THAT IS STUPID (just a little rant - I've also seen it before with psychiatric medications - can be a real disaster) From my perspective as a "medical type" - I've got a BIG problem with scouts being on medications, and WHY, and it not being on their Medical form, same as having a medical condition and it not being mentioned. I need to be able to look at the form to get information to treat a scout having a medical issue, and I will pass that information along to any other healthcare provider treating the scout (Ambulance crew, ER staff, etc.). This can be VERY important to know, even if just "later down the line." For example - it sounds like the one scout was getting *Benadryl* every night. What if he gets stung by a bee? How much has he had recently, and what is the max dose??? this could be a problem. Also, the scout leaders (at least the SM and 1st ASM) need to know about any medical "conditions" that might present, and have spoken with parents of the "problem" scouts, to try to work out what ways to help the scout with his ADD, ODD, Autism, Depression, Bipolar or whatever the issue is. Many of these scouts can be intergrated in the troop with very little trouble, if it is determined ahead of time as to "what works." My $.02 YIS Jon

I'm spinning this off - I think that Aspergers deserves its own thread. I was looking at the last couple of posts, and a lot of this rings true. My younger brother had been diagnosed with Aspergers, and I seem to have a lot of the same "qualities" found in those with Aspergers, but have never actually gotten diagnosed, because we didnt realize what my problem was until my Senior Year of high school, when by brother was diagnosed in his learning differences private school. Im now 21, my brother is 16. Im an at-large of the district committee, and am likely to become an ASM in the troop my brother is currently in, in the near future. My brother has many issues some of the more notable is that he has some sensory problems for example, he has to wash and store his socks by pairs, because if they wear unevenly, it feels wrong. He also has a lot of problems with the uniform, but it isnt really clear to either me or his scoutmaster that the uniform issue is really Aspergers, or just him rebelling. Ive heard my brother say that scouts is stupid and that he doesnt want to be a scout anymore. He is currently Star rank. Oh, and my brother has recently decided that he doesnt want to cut his hair ever. Some of the scouts are getting annoyed with him, because he refuses to wear full Class A (like the rest of the troop), and likes to let his hair cover his eyes Im not sure if this is him not wanting to make eye contact or not. My father (an ASM) seems convinced that my brothers problem is all Aspergers, and not at all rebellion. Ive seen my brother enjoy scouting, especially when he is teaching scouts things like first aid. But he HATES going to meetings, and Im starting to feel that my dad is dragging him through, and trying to get him to Eagle (which neither my father nor I did in our youth time). My brother is a troop instructor, because he seems to like teaching skills, especially First Aid and Pioneering, to scouts (when he isnt saying scouting is stupid or I dont want to be a scout). Right now, they are in a standoff with the SM, over my brother calling the SM some unscoutlike things at the camporee last month. The SM wont let him back into the troop without an apology, and my father is saying that the SM brought it on herself by trying to hold my brother to the troops uniform standard when ALL members of the troop were on Camporee staff (small, single patrol troop). So any suggestions, either on how to integrate my brother back into the troop, or how to get my father to accept my brother saying he doesnt want to be in scouts??? Also, Id love to see some more discussion on Aspergers specific scout issues, as it seems several folks here are experts at this. YIS Jon

I remember many years ago, in Elemrntary school (Early 1990's)... It was still "Cool" for cub scouts to wear there uniforms to school. I remember one scout getting sent home for WEARING HIS KNIFE TO SCHOOL, before a den meeting. Scout was sent home, and lucky that he wasn't expelled. I mention this as a warning, if scouts still wear uniforms to school, it must be re-inforced that Knives are Bad at school. Jon

Thanks!

I've done Gettysburg 3x... great trip, and don't forget to visit the Eisenhower Farm. As for other trip suggestions.... Ben Franklin's 300th birthday is in January... many, many intresting tributes to him being planned in the city of Philadelphia. And you can always do DC again, because there is always more to see. Jon

I'm looking for something that will look "class b" with a troop shirt, or that I can wear with a class A shirt for a retreat ceremony. Again, I know the "uniform police" will get upset, but my pants seen to take a beating, and I'm a student on a limited income. I want something that looks a little better than jeans. Thanks, Jon

I'm looking for a Chester County Council CSP that is the old white on red patch. I've got 2, my brother had stolen 1, and the other is falling apart. Thanks, Jon

I think it could be a real neat activity, but must be done with proper respect for the tool, as well as proper supervision, also with a "don't try this at home" speech. As for the BB shooting.... This has occured on weekend troop trips to established camps.... one that is usually a "day" camp, and the other one a resident summer camp. Both BSA, and both supervised appropriatly. Jon

Perhaps have him camp with "his age group" - the "Senior Patrol." As for smoking, that is a No-No. Next time he is smoking, throw water at him, because you must assume he is on fire . Have you sat down with the ASM and ask WHY this, umm, 'youth' is in scouting right now??? There might be a story behind it. Jon