scoutldr

Jeez, what a love-fest! I am a Navy civilian, prev med and safety type....and a WWII submariner's brat. My dad always used to say, "you think bubbleheads are bad, them jarheads is crazy, but I sure am glad we got 'em". Ditto and Semper Fi. "Corpsman up!" PS: We are losing more Marines to motorcycles than we do to enemy fire. "Safety first, Mission always!"

"Only prodding, cajoling, threats by their parents will get them to Eagle. They just don't show the initiative to do it themselves. IMHO, I don't think they should get it." If that's what it takes to "earn" the Eagle, then perhaps they're not Eagle material. There's a reason that the term "Eagle Scout" is held in such high regard. It denotes someone who has initiative and leadership qualities, not someone who can only get things done because someone else is nagging them.

I would venture to say that most kids are already addicted to caffeine...through sodas. Agree with what Dan said. I am addicted to caffeine...if I don't get my morning dose, I get a crushing headache. But everything I've read says that caffeine may even be mildly beneficial, and as far as I know, my addiction will not harm or annoy others. On the other hand, I am living first hand, the effects of tobacco addiction. I have never smoked, however I lost my Dad to lung cancer in 1995 after a year of pain and suffering, and my MIL is now living with us due to COPD and chronic bronchitis and pneumonia. She can't go anywhere without her wheelchair, oxygen apparatus and 3-4 spare tanks. My wife has used up all her leave taking her to Dr appointments every week, and building a HC accessible room with bath has cost me over 80 grand. But it's "her life and she had a right to smoke" (according to her). Smoking is the most selfish, dirty habit I can think of, with a LOT of "collateral damage". It's not friendly, courteous, kind, thrifty, clean, physically strong, or morally straight, IMHO.

HVSR is our "winter camp"...we travel there in January to camp in the cabins and go skiing and to Gettysburg...both easy day trips. I can picture in my mind that Totem Pole and the Health Lodge...right near the "Cub World" ... I sure hope God explains all this to me one day...I don't get it.

If you are looking for a standard curriculum, there isn't one. Each Council makes up their own. You might try Google for "University of Scouting" and see what other councils are doing. In the council here, UOS has replaced the CS PowWow and the Commissioner's College has been folded in, as well.

SOunds like fun. Our camp would never have anything called a "death march". It might scare the little darlings and their helicopter parents and inhibit attendance. We had to change the name of our morning swims from "Polar Bear" to "Early Bird". It seems "polar bears" are too scary. I'm being totally serious here.

I don't think anyone will dispute the value of an AED. But I have to agree with the others. An event such as a Camporee should be a "break even" proposition, not a fundraiser, unless it is billed as such up front. If everyone thought they were contributing to buy an AED then the Council has an obligation to buy it. If not, then they deserve a rebate.

The above advice is spot on. I would have a conversation with the PLC and explain to them the meaning of "commitment". "Trustworthy" and "courteous" are also appropriate. Ask the PLC to decide on a "rule" that would be considerate of everyone involved. For instance, take a final firm headcount 2 weeks before the activity and make a "go/no go" decision. All fees are due by then and anyone cancelling after that time forfeits the fees. If they don't have anything invested in it, they won't value it. Things come up, and are not always within their control (parents change plans, etc), but 3 out of 25 is a deal breaker. Things come up for adults, too. While I would expect the SM and ASMs to attend most functions, we have families and jobs, too.

In the council in which I am registered, they require nothing, other than a tour permit and normal due diligence as for any outing. G2SS, Safety Afloat, Safe Swim Defense, Climb on Safely. THat's about it.

They are a BSA catalog item...I ordered through the Scout Shop.

Just a dumb question...if you are "Ex-LDS" why are you in an LDS unit? Sounds like you have some "irreconcilable differences" and you need to move on and perhaps start a unit that is more "ecumenical". You are right...it's not fair to the non-LDS scouts to inhibit their constitutional right of freedom to express their own religion.

Another metric is the Quality Council award.

In my experience, it is left up to the Eagle Candidate if they want their SM/ASM in the room or not. Some do, some don't. If they do, the SM sits in the room, but does NOT sit on the board. They speak only if asked a question by a board member. It is also true that other board members can be selected by the Candidate, in addition to troop committee members. Frequently, we have the scout's Priest, neighbor, coach, teacher, or other significant adult in the scout's life also sit on the board. After a brief introduction on how a BOR works, they all do really well.

Maybe the guys in Irving DO read scouter.com...thanks!

Your best bet is to talk to your District Executive. It's my understanding that NESA chapters are attached to the Council. Not sure if you can have more than one per council. About 10 years ago, I went to an "organizational meeting" of our local NESA chapter, and that's the last I heard about it. Something else I didn't realize, apparently to be eligible for NESA membership, one must also be a member in good standing of the BSA. I think that's a change since I joined. www.nesa.org

Council checks everything...that's impressive! Just out of curiosity, what would be the fix for that? Take E Prep over again?

I appreciate your frustration, as it is well founded. Let me make some assumptions...if you are the SM, you are a member of the LDS stake. As I learned while on the training staff, your position was "assigned" to you and you don't have the option of resigningm since it is your assigned "mission"? LDS units are a separate breed...if the stake isn't large enough to supply you with a steady supply of 11 year olds, then this troop will never function properly. Does your stake also have a Pack/Team/Crew? What condition are they in?

At first I thought the same thing...recruit the girls for Venturing. But it specifically says "fifth through seventh grade". That's Boy Scout age, not Venturing. So what do they tell the girls? Had fun? Good, come back in 3 years and you can join. I agree, it's worth a try and certainly innovative. I'll bet the Girl Scout Council is ticked, though.

http://www.angelfire.com/wy/gilwell/plates.html

Our camp is another which registers all "youth" staff members as a Venturing Crew. The crew number is the Council number. Keeps the membership numbers up dont'cha know (although most are already registered in other units). They do wear the complete venturing uniform down to the overpriced shorts and socks, with silver tabs. Class "A" for flags and dinner, class "B" all other times.

Anyone else find this odd? We are beat over the heads to get application fees turned in as soon as they are received, "so they're covered by the insurance in case anything happens." Now we're running summer camps for non-members? And GIRLS, no less!!!

Odd that your council office is requiring a form, but can't provide you one or direct you where to find it online. What happened to customer service?

Agree. This amounts to sensationalism by an overzealous reporter. $6.50 per person for alcohol? I spent that for one beer at a ball game last week (and at that price, I only had one!). At my son's restaurant, one 3 oz. glass of wine will set you back $7-10. $20 for a prime rib dinner? A bargain. Our District dinners cost more than that, and the food is pretty bad. And since the alcohol was reimbursed, it's a non-issue.

In Virginia, groups interested in getting special plates must collect a minimum of 350 prepaid applications before a plate will be produced. A group has been trying for years to get a "BSA" plate, but cannot raise the required number of commitments. Sad, that we can get plates for "Tobacco Heritage" and "Parrotheads"...but not Scouting.

I believe the manual cited above is the "District Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures", which is available on the shelf of many Scout Shops. Boards of Review is a function of the Troop Committee...SM and ASM are not members of the Committee, and therefore should not participate actively. In our local council, Eagle boards are conducted by the troop committee with a District Rep present as a participating member of the board. If the Eagle is not awarded, the scout can appeal to the District Advancement Chair. That being said, it sounds like there's more information you're not telling us???