scoutldr

In my district, there are usually more Cub SCout awards than anything else. Sounds like a local problem. Having sat on the awards committee, the real problem is that we can't award someone if they are not nominated. Nominations have to come from individuals...there is no "nominating" committee. Every year, we have awards that do not get awarded, simply because no one took the time to submit a nomination. Frequently, all we get is a name and unit number, and the rest of the form is blank. Sorry, but we can't do anything with that. So if you know of a deserving leader, YOU need to take the time to submit a complete write up detailing the person's accomplishments. The same applies to Silver Beaver and Vigil honor in the OA. I like the idea of a unit volunteering to provide a child care service.

If I were an aquatics director, I would be VERY careful about swim checks not done under my (or my staff's) supervision. I would have to personally know who conducted the checks and be confident that they were following the same strict standards. Unfortunately, the most subjective criterion, "in a strong manner" is the one most widely interpreted. I have seen swim checks done where, if the scout can cover the distance by thrashing long enough, he will pass. "Thrashing" is not a recognized stroke. The swim check requirement comes from the G2SS: . Ability Groups Divide into three ability groups: Nonswimmers, beginners, and swimmers. Keep each group in its own area. Nonswimmers have not passed a swimming test. Beginners must pass this test: jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, swim 25 feet on the surface. Stop, turn sharply, resume swimming as before and return to the starting place. Swimmers must pass this test: jump feet first into water over the head in depth. Level off and swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl; then swim 25 yards using an easy resting backstroke. The 100 yards must be completed in one swim without stops and must include at least one sharp turn. After completing the swim, rest by floating. These classification tests should be renewed annually, preferably at the beginning of the season.

I've had the opposite happen. When checking in for U of SCouting this year, they told me I was "Faculty" and did I need any help carrying my materials in. I said, "Sorry, nobody told me I was faculty and have nothing prepared." So the UofS Dean of Boy Scouting showed up in the class and said, "well, you all probably know more about this subject than I do, so just talk among yourselves for the next hour." Unfortunately, we are all volunteers doing the best we can(most of the time), and sometimes communication is not what it should be.

Scouts using inhalers must bring at least 2. One to carry and one back-up in the health lodge. I would not send my son to a camp that did not allow them to carry an inhaler. We also have new forms to fill out. Must be a new camp certification standard. A form must be filled out and signed by the parent for EACH DOSE to be given. No form - no meds. Adults are also supposed to turn in all meds to the Health lodge, which I think is excessive. Our ASM refuses. I guess the down side is that if we find him unconscious somewhere, none of us knows where he keeps his meds and 911 is at least an hour away.

Caldesene powder also works well, without the "tingling" effect. Another "must" is not to walk around all day in a wet bathing suit. I have been getting my generic "Gold Bond" at the local Dollar store. Just look for the orange bottle. I usually buy 3 or 4 at a time and pour them all together.

"If our mission is to help young people make ethical choices over their lifetimes, how can we do that if as adults we make decisions based on a past precedent, or the fear of setting a new one?" I don't have a fear of precedents. Precedents are good. My fear is of unethical precedents, because then everyone expects the same unethical consideration. Presumably troop funds are raised for a purpose. Does the Unit Budget Plan have a line item for "Eagle Project Donations"? If not, then you're done. All you have to tell the parents is that "there is nothing designated for that purpose in our budget." If the committee decides this is something that should be funded, by all means put it in the budget and raise funds for it...for future projects. An alternative is that funds in the Eagle candidate's "Scout Account" can be used for funding their projects. Your Eagle project doubled in price? Then sell more popcorn, or scale back the project. Probably the most important lesson of an Eagle project is that planning and leading includes "funding".

Has he tried steroids? (Just kidding!!!!) Wearing a belt loop "bandolier" like the Frito Bandito (is that still politically correct?) would just look silly and would send the Uniform Police to shove him up against the wall to "assume the position". Perhaps the answer should be that belt loops are like temporary pocket patches...much as we'd like to we can't posssibly wear them all and he just needs to decide which are his favorites. Another option might be drill small holes in the back of the beltloop and sew them onto his red patch vest for display.

Don't know the "book answer" but I would recommend a "spotter" (think gymnastics) who can immediately step in and "rescue" or break the fall of a scout who becomes entangled. Two feet of water is not enough to break a fall if they land head first. "Fun without paraplegia" is my motto.

IF it's the same 45 people attending every year, then rotating the location isn't working. I would prefer to have the same location (centerpoint of your District) every year. If it's 2 hours from north to south, that means the longest drive for anyone would be an hour one-way. With events of this type, I think you have to assume the 80-20 rule. The same 20% of the people will attend 80% of the events. I have observed the same thing with RT and OA meetings.

Shrimp are usually caught from a boat by casting nets. Think Forrest Gump! I like to steam them in beer...one 12 oz can in the bottom of a stockpot with a liberal sprinkling of Old Bay seasoning...stir occasionally until they have turned pink...about 10 minutes. Cooking too long will make them tough. Your crew may find it odd that a shrimp in the wild comes with a head and long antennae!

Down south, squid is usually considered bait unless you're in a Japanese restaurant. Perhaps some fried fish to go along with the grits, biscuits and sausage gravy? Iced tea will always come sweetened with sugar (mixed in while still hot so it will melt) unless you specify otherwise. Adult females you are not related to are addressed as "ma'am" regardless of age. Referring to one as "peach" may get you slapped (or worse!). Be sure to try the Brunswick stew (still unknown whether it was originated in Brunswick, GA or Brunswick County VA), collard greens, spoonbread, peanut soup and pecan pralines.

At the next PLC meeting, inform the troop leadership that there will be no more camping until all the gear is accounted for. Then let them figure it out. For the future, hold each patrol leader responsible for the gear his patrol uses. That way you don't have to keep track of who's responsible...it's always the PL. If they "lose" gear, then the next campout that patrol does without...or doesn't go. Peer pressure can be a very effective tool if used properly. But as long as the adults "cover" for them or bail them out, they will not be motivated to take ownership of the problem.

Part of "providing leadership" to the project is planning how to raise the funds. I don't believe that the troop donating funds is appropriate...that's not the purpose for which those funds were raised. I agree with OGE...it's going to set a precedent that will be hard to maintain. Usually, the Eagle candidate is expected to visit local businesses to solicit "in kind" donations (such as lumber from the local hardware store", or to organize fundraisers (car washes, spaghetti dinners, etc) which are planned and led by the scout with the assistance of his troopmates, who can in turn earn service hours.

After spending the entire day at my niece's high school graduation and subsequent party, my 2 sons surpised me with an iPod nano. Pretty neat gizmo. Does anyone know where I can get B-P's speeches and the BS Songbook in mp3 format? :-)

I've been full of radical proposals lately. Here's another one. I would like the DOT to mandate that cars be built so that cell phone reception is impossible while the motor is running. A simple $5 electronic gizmo in the ignition circuit should do the trick. We also need an Etiquette Merit Badge...Eagle required. Yes, your scouts should be taught that is rude to carry on a phone conversation while in the company of others. That's been rude since Alexander Graham Bell's day.

I thought polygynous was being married to two gynecologists at once.

From the Army: Lightning Safety Awareness Week is 18 - 24 June. Read the National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration pamphlet, "NOAA's National Weather Service Lightning Safety Outdoors" Lightning Kills, ensure Soldiers are not unnecessarily exposed. See the NOAA's web page "When Thunder Roars, Go Indoors!" for tips on avoiding lightning. Soldiers are encouraged to view the NOAA's Power Point presentation on lightning, "Safe or Not Safe Game" and use it during unit safety training. http://www.noaa.gov http://struckbylightning.org/(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

POint taken, Neil. But if the SM does not sign off on "SCout Spirit", then he has not met the requirements. You are correct, a BOR can occur any time without resulting in advancement. But these "progress checks" need to occur well in advance of his 18th birthday do he has time to rectify any deficiencies.

Where and when in Virginia, Eamonn?

If I'm not mistaken, the position of BSA President is a volunteer position. The Chief SCout Executive is the big bucks guy. 20 years was not that long ago. I don't see that much has changed.

Point taken, Counsellor. But even you have to admit the justice system could be run a lot more efficiently. One idea would be to severely penalize frivolous suits that force settlements in the absence of a finding of guilt. This case presumably has cost the BSA and/or Council thousands of dollars that could otherwise be spent for programming...for an event that could not have been prevented (IMHO). Money will not bring the scout back, nor will it make camping in the summertime any safer. Again, I am truly sorry that a family lost their son.

I have to disagree with dhendron. If the SM does not recommend the Scout for Eagle, the BOR never happens. Signing the boy's application, having an SM conference, scheduling a BOR, then appearing at the BOR to say he's not Eagle material doesn't make sense. When BOR night arrives, the SM has only one function...to introduce the Scout to the Board and, with the scout's permission, remain as an observer (keeping mouth shut). I also have to agree with the others...the BOR is not the place and time to surprise the scout with the news that he has not met expectations. If that's the case, then the SM has not done his job. At the Life SM conference, the SM should lay out the expectations for the coming year, and then provide constant feedback.

That's my point, Fuzzy. If you can't support a child, then it should be a crime to produce one. And I agree with your solution. Parents should be responsible for the actions of their minor children, including supporting the children of their minor children. That's the way it is in "less civilized" countries. Confiscating the money of taxpayers to pay for their lack of self-control is abhorrent.

Can he be denied? Yes. Will he be? Who knows? And if he is, it could be overturned on appeal. The Eagle application has several filters. First, he needs a SM conference, and the SM and CC must approve his Eagle application before it goes to Council. Then the BOR, which in my council is run by the unit committee with a District rep present, must review his record, including letters of recommendation. Based on what they know of the scout and see in his record, they vote. The vote to approve must be unanimous. If the SM and troop committee do not think the young man is worthy, then they should not schedule a BOR until they are satisfied he has become worthy. I once sat on an Eagle board as the district rep. The young man who had just turned 18, had a baby out of wedlock and was "living in sin" with the girl under her parents' roof. This fact was revealed in a Letter of Reference the night of the BOR. The unit committee was livid that the SM and CC knew about it and didn't tell them before hand. They "didn't think it was relevant". The board vote was not unanimous and the Eagle was denied. He appealed to Council, another Board was held, and they gave it to him. Like I said, what appears to be a no-brainer, seldom is. One of my deepest regrets about todays BSA is that the Eagle has been cheapened. 21 MB and a project and you're good to go. Nothing else seems to matter. It's come to be expected if you put your time in.

"However...you'll remember in the future that he dragged his feet on getting you a timely answer, too." Is that supposed to be some kind of threat? How, exactly will that affect the DE? Sorry, but this is not the DE's problem to solve. This is a unit matter, which is why he's probably ignoring it. And push comes to shove, the original unit is not doing anything illegal or against policy, they're just being nasty. The moneys went into the Unit's account and belong to the CO. They are the ones who decide....not the DE. If they want to keep the money, you're all done. Chalk it up to a lesson in life. Even Scouters don't always play fair. Get the kids to camp and move on.