scoutldr

Took my troop up to the Blue Ridge mts last weekend...which happened to be the last weekend of deer season. Had to make them wear blaze orange the whole time because of all the "sportsmen" roaming the woods, desperate for a trophy. I was scared to death the whole time. Sunday morning, a hunting dog wandered into camp to visit with the boys. The dog was a sweet female beagle, maybe a year old. She enjoyed all the attention and the meal of leftover hot dogs that she devoured. She was freezing and emaciated...obviously neglected and abused. Every bone and rib was clearly visible, and the pleading look in her eyes was heartbreaking. I almost took her home with me, but I don't have a proper yard for a dog. On the way home, I passed many a pickup truck with a "dog box" in the back, doing 60 down the highway at 28 degrees...the wind chill on the poor dogs must have been 20 below zero. It should be illegal to hunt with dogs.

For a charter to expire unnoticed, a lot of people need to be asleep at the wheel. Usually, it is a top priority of the District Exec to keep a unit alive for another year. Sounds like, in a nutshell, if there was property/money involved, then it's simple theft. The CC stole from the CO. The CO needs to call the police and file charges. Or at least threaten to. I don't think Council will get involved...it's between the CO and the CC.

I tuned out the LNT instructor when he said that "human waste" (as if it's worse than "animal waste") had to be placed in a section of PVC pipe, capped off, and slung over your shoulder to be carried around with you. If that's not bidegradable, I don't know what is. If it's good enough for bears, it's good enough for me.

"...any campout longer than 4 days is considerd a long term camp. It then falls under the same regulations as council summer camps. They had to get a camp director and aquatics director certified through National Camp School." That would eliminate many 50 milers done at the unit level (I completed 3 as a scout). Since when is summer camp supposed to be a "money-making venture"? I thought if we covered expenses, that was doing extremely well.

From SM Specific Training, the primary job of the SM is to train junior leaders to run the troop. Has he ever conducted Junior Leader Training (JLT) within the troop? As a parent, your concerns should be voiced to the Committee Chair and/or the Chartered Org Rep (COR). If they need help dealing with the issue, their resource is the Unit Commissioner assigned to the unit.

Ok, I'll start: Publish a "Where to Go Camping Guide" Publish a camping promotion video and web site Provide dance teams for COH and Webs cross-over ceremonies Visit units to do camp promotion presentations Conduct inspections of cub camping locations Serve as staff assistants for adult outdoor skills training (BALOO,etc) Serve as staff for JLT training For more ideas, see http://www.oa-bsa.org/resources/spideas.htm

These can be commonly found on ebay, usually from the UK.

I have a picture of my girlfriend admiring my new Eagle badge at my Eagle COH in 1970 when we were both 16...she was a Sr Girl Scout (First Class) at the time. We first met in Lutheran confirmation class at age 12. This past summer, we celebrated our 30th anniversary with our two sons, aged 27 and 23 and an intimate group of about 200 friends and family. Also in attendance were several of my scouting buddies and the wife of my late Explorer Post advisor, who is in her 70s. She was forced into service as an associate advisor when the Post went co-ed in 1971, and they both were awarded the Silver Beaver. My wife got into PTA, then went back to work as a nurse, and I stayed with scouting. I proudly wear 31 years' worth of yellow, green, red and blue service stars.

Welcome to the forums, Mike! This is, I think, a local Council decision, however in my neck of the woods, Commissioners don't "Commission" for their own units. You are correct, it is an awkward situation to be in, especially if there are unit disputes that you may be called upon to mediate. Go with your gut and ask to be reassigned. Also, if you are going to be SM, my opinion is that you will not have time to do both jobs well. In fact, I recently heard through the grapevine that our Council Executive Board has decreed that Unit Commissioners may not also be dual registered with a Unit, which is going to put our meager Commissioner Corps in the "hurt locker".(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

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SueM: Alternative advancement requirements must be approved by your local Scout Executive. Medical documentation will be required, in most cases. There are lots of guys with disabilities who earn Eagle, so don't give up on this! Contact your District Advancement chair for more info on how to proceed.

From the Guide to Safe Scouting: Swimmer Test The swimmer test demonstrates the minimum level of swimming ability required for safe deep-water swimming. The various components of the test evaluate the several skills essential to this minimum level of swimming ability: Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming. 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. The test administrator must objectively evaluate the individual performance of the test, and in so doing should keep in mind the purpose of each test element. "Jump feetfirst into water over the head in depth, level off, and begin swimming... The swimmer must be able to make an abrupt entry into deep water and begin swimming without any aids. Walking in from shallow water, easing in from the edge or down a ladder, pushing off from side or bottom, or gaining forward momentum by diving do not satisfy this requirement. "...Swim 75 yards in a strong manner using one or more of the following strokes: sidestroke, breaststroke, trudgen, or crawl..." The swimmer must be able to cover distance with a strong, confident stroke. The 75 yards must not be the outer limit of the swimmer's ability; completion of the distance should give evidence of sufficient stamina to avoid undue risks. Dog-paddling and strokes repeatedly interrupted and restarted are not sufficient; underwater swimming is not permitted. The itemized strokes are inclusive. Any strong side or breaststroke or any strong overarm stroke (including the back crawl) is acceptable. "...swim 25 yards using an easy, resting backstroke..." The swimmer must indicate the ability to execute a restful, free-breathing backstroke that can be used to avoid exhaustion during swimming activity. This element of the test necessarily follows the more strenuous swimming activity to show that the swimmer is, in fact, able to use the backstroke as a relief from exertion. The change of stroke must be accomplished in deep water without any push-off or other aid. Any variation of the elementary may suffice if it clearly provides opportunity for the swimmer to rest and regain wind. "...The 100 yards must be swum continuously and include at least one sharp turn..." The total distance is to be covered without rest stops. The sharp turn simply demonstrates the swimmer's ability to reverse direction in deep water without assistance or push-off from side or bottom. "...After completing the swim, rest by floating." This critically important component of the test evaluates the swimmer's ability to maintain in the water indefinitely even though exhausted or otherwise unable to continue swimming. Treading water or swimming in place will further tire the swimmer and are therefore unacceptable. The duration of the float test is not significant, except that it must be long enough for the test administrator to determine that the swimmer is, in fact, resting and could likely continue to do so for a prolonged time. The drownproofing technique may be sufficient if clearly restful, but it is not preferred. If the test is completed except for the floating requirement, the swimmer may be retested on the floating only (after instruction) provided that the test administrator is confident that the swimmer can initiate the float when exhausted. Reference: Swimming and Lifesaving merit badge pamphlets

We have a web site, but it is not very dynamic. Case in point, I had to survey all units to see where they were registered for summer camp. You'd think I was asking for their personal bank account numbers. The only e-mail I (or anyone else from District) sends is scout-related (no jokes or spam). Either time sensitive info, or a request for information. It would take less than a minute to read and respond.

Serving on the District Committee, part of my job is to communicate with unit leaders on a regular basis to get information or to pass information. My communication method of choice is e-mail, mainly because I find it the most efficient use of my time. I can get a message out to 85 unit leaders with the click of a mouse. Unfortunately, the response is dismal. My last communication resulted in 3 responses, one of which was 2 months later. When I mentioned this at the Dist Committee mtg, I was soundly trounced by those around the table who hate e-mail. They "get too much spam", "do it all day at work and refuse to do it at home", "never check their e-mail at home", etc. Well, the one or two nights a week that I am home, I don't have the time to spend every evening on the phone, playing phone tag with answering machines, or waiting for people to relay messages and return my call (and I'm never at home to receive them, either). Trying to get this info at Roundtable is useless, also, since only the same 6-7 units are represented. I tried phoning for FOS...spent an entire Sat afternoon on the phone and only actually reached 2 people. Any solutions? How do you prefer to receive communications from District/Council that is fair and efficient to all?

As Freud allegedly said.."sometimes a cigar is just a cigar." Could be the guy just likes Scouting. My own kids have aged out, as have the kids of my two Scouter buddies who are keeping the troop afloat. I would hate to think that people were reading too much into that. I don't know if it's written anywhere, but anyone with "direct contact" should be either a parent or a registered leader. To assuage the concerns, ask the guy to fill out a leader application, check the references, and get him to YP and other training. And strictly observe the YP guidelines (2-deep, no 1 on 1 contact, etc). If he has evil intent, threatening him with training should do it.

EagleinKY posted, "Webelos should not participate in Winter Camping" While I don't disagree that this is BSA/G2SS policy, what is the definition of "winter"? Does it go by calendar or by temperature? Winter in Miami is not the same as winter in Duluth. In my area, if we schedule a "Freezoree" in January, we are just as likely to have 70 degree weather as we are 30 degrees. There for a while, the "Freezoree" was a joke as it was warmer than the Spring Camporee in April. What with global warming and all, maybe we need to reconsider.

THat's assuming that the MBC is registered with the District...many are not, and seldom are signatures checked against the approved list. Does your district conduct MBC training? Based on what was said, the SM can just refuse to refer any more Scouts to her. THis troop needs the services of a Unit COmmissioner...do you have one?

I just read the list that Kudu posted, and I think we're all better off for that guy's leaving the program. I should add that, in this area, things are compounded by the fact that leaders here are highly transient due to military transfers. Once or twice, I found a good trainer only to have them say, "sorry, I'm transferring in 6 months." It's rare that a leader, who in this area tends to be military, is around for more than 2-3 years. Not to turn this into a training thread, but the materials leave a lot to be desired, and are sorely outdated. Leaders are frustrated when they are told they need to be "retrained" every year as they advance through the program, and most don't bother. I think the old "Cub Scout Basic Leader Training" program was superior.

When the PT role was announced, the idea was that Cub training (Fast start, NLE, Leader Specific) would occur at the unit level. The District Trainers would "train the trainers". To be "Trained" as a PT, you have to take the BSA Trainer Development, which in my opinion is pretty useless in it's current form. I agree that PTs do not need to attend Training Committee meetings, but they should attend Cub Roundtable where perhaps they could have their own breakout session. In our area, we have Packs with 15 dens...with that many parents, there's no excuse not to have a PT. Smaller units could share PTs, much like Unit Commissioners, that other mythical creature. For various reasons, the PT never caught on in this area. I have also heard "pushback" from District trainers, who don't want to "give up" their jobs to "amateurs who won't do it right."

Burnout has to be at the top of the list. When I was District Training Chair, I was also the entire training staff. Efforts to recruit new trainers, including Pack Trainers, was fruitless. Those who did volunteer I never asked back again, because they presented "their view" of scouting and ignored the syllabus. Being a 30-year SM doesn't mean they know the program well enough to teach others. I used to teach new leaders that "Everyone can do something". But unfortunately, the truth is that "a few do everything", and the rest are content to watch from the sidelines.

As I understand it, "prospective members" may be invited to unit activities, and are covered by BSA insurance.

At a recent Disrict meeting, we had a discussion about terminal Life scouts (the "Life for Life" syndrome). One opinion was that "we simply don't PUSH them enough...everyone, SM, ASM, and parents need to PUSH them and NAG them to complete their Eagles." I, for one, disagree. If a young man can't make Eagle without having someone PUSH him, or having his SM manage his blue cards for him, then perhaps he's not Eagle material. This is the same discussion I had with my own sons, neither of whom chose to complete their Eagle on time. Their decision, not mine.

mom, My opinions were meant to be honest feedback, not criticism. Hope you took it as such. Good luck and as Semper said, keep us updated. Don't give up on Scouting. The boys need it. scoutldr

It's just not the same entertainment without the bickering.

Unfortunately, people do judge by what they see. An employer will have to make a judgment as to "who do I want to represent me and by business?" Someone who is 5 feet tall and 360 pounds should not expect to get a job selling health club memberships. Someone who cannot write a complete sentence in proper English should not expect to get a job where writing and communicating is a valued skill. At one time not too long ago, IBM had a dress code...conservative blue or gray suit, clean shaven, white long sleeved shirt and conservative tie. Your suit coat would be worn at all times, except when seated at your desk. "Fair"? Maybe not, but how bad do you want a job? The lesson is, rebel, explore and be "unique" all you want...it's a free country...just be aware that you may be severely limiting your opportunities by being "nonconforming" or appearing to be illiterate. Be prepared to accept the consequences of your choices, whether you view it as "fair" or not. It's not "right" or "wrong"...it just "is".(This message has been edited by scoutldr)