scoutldr

If they are at least First Class when they join the Crew, they may continue to work on Scout ranks up to Eagle until they turn 18. Perhaps OGE can address the "double dipping" question.

I just did a quick search on www.summercamps.com. Prices there range from $500 - $2000 per week, and I'll bet they have no problem filling their bunks. Our summer camp will be $165 per week this year, and we wonder why we can't attract qualified staff, maintain state of the art facilities, and serve quality meals. Go figure. Some parents pay more than that for a pair of shoes or a couple of video games for their little darlings. Expecting the best youth to essentially work for pennies per hour is naive at best.

The tiger service star used to be orange, but I think I read that they've been discontinued. In that case, I think he would wear a yellow "5".

I think the OA team is correct. You don't get a "do-over". The lesson here is "you get the results you earned -- as a group." If someone voted for Mickey and thus someone got screwed, the boys will sort it out. Everyone will know who the offender was sooner or later. If the troop did not understand the solemnity and honor associated with being elected to OA, then the troop PLC (including OA representative) need to do a better job in preparing the troop for the election process. Once the OA team shows up, it's too late. There's also a "Scout Spirit" aspect that I hope will be addressed at all BORs and SM conferences in the foreseeable future.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Don't know how big your unit is or how much historical data is at stake, but one extreme solution would be to purchase another copy of TM and start over. Then just feed the Adv person the data she needs to do her job and you maintain the rest. Quit feeding the beast, and maybe it'll go away. (although that didn't work with my grown kids!!!)

As you know, only the CO can appoint and approve unit leaders. One cannot "self-appoint" to a position. One can only volunteer to serve. How is the person registered on the charter? There's your answer. If the CO/COR has approved his continuance as an SA, then you're stuck. If the SA is undermining the SM's authority, then the SM and CC need to have a private meeting and set the boundaries. If he refuses to change, then the only recourse is for the CC to recommend to the COR that his membership not be renewed. Also, the SPL needs to be told that the authority is the SM, not the SA...if the SA tries to undermine, then the SPL can politely say, "I'm sorry but Mr. SM told me this and he's the one who decides." Hard for a youth to do, but that's part of the learning process.

The reason, IMHO that "nominatable" awards are so rare is not because the standards are so high, but because few people will take the time and effort to write up a nomination. There could be several reasons for this; many don't know enough about the candidate to provide all of the information required, without coming out and asking the person to help you fill out the paperwork. I was asked to serve on the District Awards selection committee this year and was saddened by both the number of nominations submitted and the quality of those submitted. Some nominations were merely a name and unit number without any supporting information. Needless to say, many available awards will not be presented this year, due to lack of interest. This includes the District Award of Merit, in addition to many other unit level awards that we offer (SM of the year, CM of the year, etc).

It's probably already too late... the collectors are out there scarfing them up as we speak. I think the Scout Shops should take them off the shelves now and only sell them on request with a completed blue card and advancement report.

If you have a strong CC and Pack Committee, the job of CM can be easy and fun. If not, and you have to do the job of CC too, that's way too much. A good annual planning meeting of the Pack Committee is the key. Then assign responsibilities for each task and just sit back and watch it run!

Sounds like a good candidate for Unit Commissioner. That way he can serve several units and attend all District events such as camporees.

THey worship a car?

Summer Camp 2004: Our "first year" boys dump their gear at the site and we hustle off to medical check-in and swim checks. When we return "Johnnie's" mom had his gear all unpacked and stowed and his bunk all made with his favorite sheets and pillow. The other boys whose moms did not come along razzed him unmercifully, in front of Mom. Peer pressure can be a wonderful thing.

HOV is not "new". It was renamed from "Robert E. Lee Council". Here's another one: UPDATE ON MERGER DISCUSSIONS: JANUARY 5, 2005 At a specially convened meeting held on January 4, 2005, the Keystone Area Council (KAC) Executive Board voted 30-6, with two abstentions, to accept the proposal of the Council Executive Committee to recommend that the KAC membership approve a merger with the Juniata Valley Council (JVC). The only change made to the plan submitted by the Merger Task Force was to recommend that, if the JVC membership agrees, the name of the new Council be the Keystone Juniata Council. The plan proposed by the Merger Task Force was to have a contest to adopt a name.

If this is the case, then why does the BSA: Allow a troop chartered to a fundamentalist christian church adopt a troop neckerchief with the cross of Jesus as the central point of their troop logo. Allow the same troop to begin and end every activity with a prayer in the name of Jesus Christ. Allow a District Chairman to begin and end every District meeting with a Christian prayer. Allow LDS churches to charter troops that must adhere to their dietary restrictions, restrictions against female leaders and against camping on Sunday and other rules that seem arbitrary and non-inclusionary to the rest of us. Allow a Venture crew composed of nothing but black muslim youth who pray to Allah 5 times a day. I have read and fully understand the DRP and agree with it. But that ain't what's happening out here in the trenches, folks! My personal belief is that religion should be taught in the church and in the home. In a Scouting environment, we should be tolerant of those diverse beliefs, but not actively promote ANY of them, either by inclusion OR exclusion.

As I understand it, the DD directly supervises one or more DEs. The DD reports to the Field Director who reports to the Scout Executive.

You should write a letter to the Scout Executive of the Council you were registered in when the medal was awarded. They should still have a record of it, since they had to endorse the nomination and forward it to the National Council. With proper documentation they should be able to order you a replacement.

For most of us, it's not a question of whether we can "afford" it or not. But, "A Scout is Thrifty". That means not paying inflated prices for poor quality junk. Hopefully National lurks on this forum and takes on board what is being said. They'd be fools not to. Early on in this thread, LeVoyageur suggested a boycott (personcott?). My last 3 uniforms have come from eBay...brand new goods for about half price. And if I need an Aloha (sorry, I mean "camp" shirt), I'll go to Wal-Mart.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

We allow electronics with the following conditions: headphones must be used at all times, allowed while traveling in vehicles, and "in your bunk" only. If an adult leader hears it or it is seen outside a tent being used, it will be locked in the car and returned when we reach home. This applies to cell phones as well.

Buy more binders.

Just received my 2005 Scout Catalog in the mail yesterday. Some observations: In order to be "properly uniformed", a Cub scout parent will have to buy 4 neckerchiefs, 3 slides, 4 caps, 3 belt buckles, 3 socks, at least two different uniforms (blue and khaki), by the time a tiger cub bridges over to a scout troop. The red wool jac-shirt is now $152-$157 ... well out of reach of most scouts and scouters. Adult BSA shorts are $40-$45. Venturing shorts are $48. Venturing trousers are $66. If you think the uniform is "uncool", you can buy an "Aloha" shirt. It must be official, 'cause it's in the catalog, right? Now for you who like "Class B" uniforms, you can choose between an "Activity shirt" or a "Boy Scout Action Shirt". All of our dutch ovens are now obsolete. We need to throw them out and buy "official BSA" dutch ovens with the FDL cast into the lid (at about twice the price, it appears). My point to this rant is this...the BSA suppply division should concentrate on providing high quality uniforms and specialized progam items at an affordable price. All other stuff we can get from WalMart or the retailer of our choice.

Just received my new 2005 catalog yesterday. It appears the Tiger Cub belt is the same as the Cub Scout belt, except for the logo stamped on it. (military style web belt with brass buckle)

Why would anyone want to do this? Because that's what their parents subconsciously teach them. Their view of "achievement" is to make sure their little "Johnnie" gets more merit badges and makes Eagle as early as possible. Then they can move on to the next goal...soccer, football, drama, Tae Kwon Do, etc. From their earliest days, kids today are on a schedule. Both parents work, so the "after school" hours need to be tightly structured in order to "get it all in". Kids have no time to just be kids and "go outside and play". They don't have time to smell the roses along the scouting trail...they need to participate in too many different activities before they go off to college. The parents bring them to meetings on Monday night - that's our window of opportunity. Don't expect them to think Scouting on Tuesday or Thursday too...don't have time. IMHO, this leads to the mentality that "I just need the badge, I don't have time to work at it. I don't have time to do it over. I don't have time to meet with a counsellor on Saturday because that's soccer practice." So, I'll show up one hour a week and stay awake ... and at the end I expect a badge. If I don't get it the first time, forget it. I'm already on to the next "achievement."

I was having my feelings hurt...I posted this 24 hrs ago and it says "Read 0 times". Don't people like me??? Then I noticed that ALL the threads now say "Read 0 times"...even the ones with a whole string of replies. Anyway, here it is for another 24 hrs.

Any unit that would "die" if one person leaves is in serious trouble. It is the Unit Commissioner's job to anticipate and diagnose problems like this and work with the Committee to implement change. Call your District Commissioner and get him/her involved....soon.

The difference between Candid Camera and camp hazing is that the "victims" on CC have to sign a release agreeing to their humiliation being made public. That's not to say that I consider snipe hunts, smoke shifters and bacon stretchers to be "hazing". In my mind, they are cherished Scouting memories of a good time.