scoutldr

I think philosophies have changed over the years (even if your long-term scouters haven't). I think the preferred practice now is that the rank patch is presented immediately following the BOR (same night). The COH is where he gets the formal recognition, card and parent's pin. Instant recognition...

One thing I never really thought about, but realized during our recent lake vacation, is that two GPS units are not necessarily calibrated to each other. We were renting a house on the lake, and a visitor launched his boat about 5 miles away. To find our location by water, I gave him my exact coordinates, which he then tried to navigate using his GPS. It got him to within about a quarter of a mile, when he called by cell phone and said "I'm right on the coordinates, where are you?" Due to the numerous coves and tree lined shore, line of sight was not possible. He eventually found us, but it wasn't as cut and dried as I expected.

I should know better than to try to quote uniform regulations, but I'll try again... Service stars are awarded for each year of registered membership in the BSA. The plastic backings indicate the program...yellow for Cubs, Green for Boy Scouts, Blue for adults, etc. You wear only ONE star of each color (with the appropriate number on them), until you get into the 20's and 30's, then you can wear, as I do, a 30 and a 2 to indicate 32 years of membership. Adults may combine all their years of membership into a blue star, or they may wear stars of each color, as appropriate. Sometimes, I will wear a yellow, green, red (Explorers) and blue to signify that I went through those programs. Another pet peeve of mine is when I see someone wearing three yellow or green or blue stars...when they get a new one, they just add it to the one already there. That's not really correct, because the stars are additive.

As a scout, I wore the approved uniform (CS, BS, Exp) without fail. As an adult Cub Scouter, i wore the shirt with blue jeans, which was the Pack custom. As a Boy Scouter, I continued to wear the shirt and blue jeans for field wear, and the official pants for "formal" wear. When I went on District Committee (Training), I wore nothing but the complete, approved field uniform, to set a good example. Now, as a mere unit scouter again, I usually attend troop meetings in my civilian clothes, since I usually go straight from work. When I do wear a uniform, it is correct and complete. I don't wear any insignia or patches that are not approved and I did not earn. One thing to consider...in B-P's time things were different. Often, the Scout uniform was the best clothes a boy had and he was proud to be able to wear clothes that were clean, untattered and unpatched. It was even cooler to look just like an Army soldier. As my Dad used to say when I asked him why he always got up at 5 am when he didn't have to, "because when I was a kid, the first one up got to wear the shoes to school!" (he was one of 5 kids) Nowadays, most boys get whatever they want, so if they have a choice, it won't be a dorky scout uniform.

Well, what can I say...sorry for the bum scoop. Perhaps I am recalling past insignia guides...or perhaps I made it up. My sincere apologies to those who I besmirched. 30 Lashes with a wet woggle for me.

At least they acknowledged the RSVP. That's more manners than most people have these days...

Looks like the Uniform Police haven't caught up with our Council Professional staff yet...they are wearing Southern Region patches on the right sleeve. On Lisa's original question, please refer to the Insignia Guide. Some of the responses above are not quite correct (i.e., wrong!) Position 1 is the CSP (touching the shoulder seam). Position 2 is EITHER unit numerals OR district/council position patch, not both (touches the bottom of the CSP) Position 3 is the unit position patch (touches the bottom of the unit numerals). The TRAINED strip touches the bottom of the position patch regardless of whether it's in Position 2 or 3. On the right sleeve for adults, only the Flag and the Quality Unit/District/Council patches (current year only)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

OGE, I'm in your backyard! Took my bride to see Leon Redbone at the Roxy Theater in Northampton Thursday night. Combined the trip to see my octogenarian aunts and uncles in Easton/Bethlehem. As we were exiting the theater, we saw a crowd in back of the theater where the parking lot is...and Leon was there mixing with the crowd...he was gracious and signed an autographed and took a picture with us. Listening to Musikfest on the TV live as I type this in my hotel room...

I see no reason to inform those with whom he was not directly involved. This might be a good time, however to discuss the disease of depression as part of Personal Fitness.

Used to be even worse when Family Night was on Wednesday...we had a heck of a time getting them to stay the rest of the week...they didn't care that they wouldn't get their merit badges or OA qualification for a long-term camp. Now it's Friday and most scouts leave with their parents after the campfire (or sooner if they don't want to stay). Saturday morning is just continental breakfast, camp inspection and leave. We make sure that all tents are inspected by the SPL before they leave, the latrine is cleaned, and all we have to do Sat morning is pack our own gear and leave. It's easier than fighting the fight, since there's really no good reason for them to stay. Camp is 90 minutes from home, so transportation is usually not an issue. As you all know, we went to a new camp this year for the first time. The camp staff actually told us that their responsibility for the scouts ended at 5 pm Friday night. Whether they left camp or not was up to the SM and the staff didn't care and didn't want to know.

Around here, Camporees are the responsibility of the District Program Committee. Dates are set...April and October...every year (avoiding Easter Sunday). Other set dates on the Council calendar are OA Ordeals (3), Fall Fellowship, Conclave, Freezoree/Klondike, Beaver Days (camp work weekends), Summer Camp, Scouting for Food, etc. Units plan their calendars around those dates. The District Program Chair recruits a Campmaster at least a year in advance, who then decides the theme and location, recruiting other adults and youth to help as needed. Venture crews and the OA are usually in prime support roles. Troops can volunteer to be the "service troop", responsible for feeding the staff, crackerbarrels, parking control, etc. Average attendance is ~400. (Used to be 1,000+ before we split into 3 districts). There's a lot to be done, often beyond the capability of a single unit...patches and awards need designing and ordering, events planned, campfires planned, locations secured, porta-johns ordered, etc. Recently, we have tried alternate activities to the traditional Camporee, but there is a District-wide activity on that weekend.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Ummmm, how about because most areas of Scouting are in dire need of more parental involvement, not less. We are asking them to donate their time (and money), why in the world would we attach more conditions on that? Lest we forget, there are many reasons why someone would be considered not "physically fit". It's not always because we are just lazy slobs who are unable to control our food intake.

Den meeting time and place is usually up to the Den Leader, with consensus of the parents of the den. That's one of the perks of volunteering...you get to decide what's convenient for you.

Let's see...the only hole left is "mentally awake"...minimum IQ of 100? Submit college transcripts? Voting record?

I agree this is ridiculous. I see no reason why both events can't continue... 1. Scouting is for the boys...to cancel a youth-centered event because of an adult training event is just wrong. 2. Just based on numbers, say a District Camporee would attract 500 people (youth and adult). How does that compare to WB which may involve, say, 5% of that number from the district (all adults)? 3. Any unit that can't attend a camporee because one or two of its adults is attending WB is a unit in trouble. 4. To force a unit to cancel an event that they volunteered to plan and host is wrong. If the dates had been agreed upon in advance by the district committee, then it needs to continue. 5. If this happened to me, it would be a cold day in Irving before I ever volunteered to do anything for the district or council again.

From a Troop perspective, it's even harder to sell...dressing up a 6 year old in a blue suit and have him sit outside the supermarket begging is hare to turn down... The council pushes popcorn, because they get a cut of every unit sold...that's why a $4.99 three way tin sells for $30. In our troop, any profit made from popcorn is credited to the "Scout account" of the scout who sold it. They can then apply that money to any scout function...summer camp, ski trips, dues, whatever. Don't sell popcorn, then write a check for the full amount (which some parents prefer). That may work to some extent for the Pack...come up with a Pack Budget to cover all expenses for the year and establish a per capita cost...which can be paid either by check or by popcorn sales. I see no problem with small prizes...maybe a pizza party for the high-selling den? Make sure and take lots of party pictures and show them at the following pack meeting. Nothing like peer pressure to increase sales! Cubs won't care that they saved Mom $100 in day camp fees...they will care about a new football or a pizza party.

Wow, do I feel better! Now we can get back to important stuff like... like....uhhh...help me out here... ;-).... (Nice job...looks good!)

I ordered at the Scout Shop counter...they were in within 10 days or less. Simple and painless.

The MB program, when used properly, is designed to do several things...reinforce the method of Adult Association, teach the scout planning and initiative, get outside his comfort zone by contacting a stranger to make an appointment, and to introduce him to a wide range of "experts" who can share the passion for their chosen vocation or hobby. Very seldom do you get that when "Joey's Mom" (or Dad) is the counsellor for 13 merit badges, all spoonfed by the troop. Sorry for the bluntness, but this is one of my pet peeves.

I would impress upon the young man that this is when continued service to others (and the troop) is expected. Too many Eagles grab their medal and say "thanks, it was great, see ya!". Eagle is not the destination, just another step along the journey....

My religion allows me to eat pork and shrimp. So, where's the accomodation for me and my beliefs?

How about sending them to NYLT?

"to a spear point made of Spanish steel, just in case I'm forced to kill a wild pig to feed the tribe." Just curious as to how one would get that past the TSA x-ray machine?

Mr. Maynard, The other thing you may consider is that this is exactly the type of situation that your Unit Commissioner is there for. If you don't know who it is, contact your District Commissioner. If your COR is "name only" or doesn't want to get involved, your UC or DC can help advocate the proper response. Bottom line is that, from the facts you have presented us, this "parent" has no vote and no power over the unit to compel any sort of "Board". If he is unhappy, he can vote with his feet and find another unit. While you may have made some minor mistakes, such as Beavah pointed out, stay strong and don't let them bully you.

Thanks, Beav for helping to make my point. In the parents' and scouts' simplistic view, if all you want is to make Eagle, then you need merit badges. If all you need is merit badges, you can get them at any camp. So, all other things being equal, they'll vote for the comfort. For older scouts, I can't get them to go at all any more...after 4-5 years at a camp, what else is there to see or do? Which gets back to Hops' comment on patrol method. If the older troop leaders won't attend, there is no patrol method. SOmeone mentioned in another thread that we should go ahead and adopt the LDS model...segregate by age levels at age 14. Perhaps not a bad idea...