scoutldr

Is it that kids are less well-behaved, or that adults are less interested in exerting control and discipline, lest some kid's self-esteem get bruised? Your basic 8 year old boy has changed little over the years...if allowed to run amuck, they will. If that energy is properly corralled and their hands kept busy with firm and consistent expectations, they will respond. We had an entire Webelos den join our small Troop this year. The same phenomenon is happening...parents bring their sons and then pull up a chair and sit for 90 minutes around the edge of the room. It definitely changes the dynamics of the meeting, however we can't tell them they can't stay. One thing I did was sign them up as Committee Members, and we have BORs almost every week now. Another parent is doing duty as a MB counsellor.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Most of us have had sexual harassment training at work...this is analogous. An insult is whatever the receiver decides it is. Therefore, the only proper thing to do is to treat others with respect at all times.

That someONE would be the Pack Trainer, formerly known as "Den Leader Coach"...this is a resource that many Districts and Council Training Committees are ignoring, and a lot of Packs still don't recognize. Their role is to deliver the basic training to new leaders in their Packs and then to provide ongoing support. I am experiencing resistance in my own Council...seems like the other Trainers don't want to "let go" of the training and entrust it to people at the unit level. "How can we ensure quality control?"... So, instead we plod along with a 20-30% training rate, but at least we know it's good training. Or at least as good as the syllabus, which I agree is not very good and does not meet the customer's expectations. To pile on the analogies...if I want to learn how to ride a bike, don't bore me with the organization and financial status of the Schwinn Corporation.

Not sure I understand your question, Dan.

Most of this is covered in SM-specific training. If you haven't had it, it should be next on your agenda.

My council has an "Eagle Log"...a register of all the Eagles ... it is open to anyone who cares to look at it...I found my own name listed. Your council may have something similar. What you do with the information is up to you...I would just file it away in the back of my mind and recognize that the person has some problems. You may want to verify all of the names on the plaque...just to be sure you have everyone.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

At least the CVC is planning a new camp, provided their capital campaign is successful. I can't help but wonder how many years it will take...

The one in Irving is by R. Tait Mackenzie, and was presented by the Philadelphia Council when the BSA was located in New Brunswick, NJ. You might try contacting the curator at the National Scouting Museum.

Sorry about that. Try cutting and pasting the whole link into your browser.

Colonial Virginia Council http://www.dailypress.com/news/local/williamsburg/dp-00424sy0oct20,0,4849841.story

Depending on what you have and how old they are, some could be quite valuable to a collector. Suggest the first step should be to catalog them and look them up in a Scout Collectibles price guide to get an idea of what you have. Another suggestion...at our OA Fall Fellowship every year, we have a patch auction of donated memorabilia.

Hocky-tocky oombah!

TP says his butt is triangular.

If that's what the crew wants, it's fine.

Dear Troop 53, September 21, 2004 I am writing to thank you for your most generous gift of a "Pocket American Flag". Unfortunately, in the deserts of Afghanistan where I am stationed it is often very hot, which causes us to sweat through our uniforms. Because of this, I decided not to keep the flag in my pocket, but instead hung it on the wall in my room in our new barracks. I tell you, when you are so far from those beautiful seas of Iowa corn, when there is nothing around for miles but grey desert wasteland, when you haven't seen your wife or family for 8 months, there is nothing, NOTHING more beautiful than our American flag. She's like a small piece of home - a large piece of hope. Thank you for the kind gift. In the card that came with the flag you wrote: "Thank you for defending our country and our freedom." What I am about to write I wish I could share with every American like you who supports the war and our soldiers. Please remember that the war against terrorism, the war to protect our home and our very lives is not fought by soldiers alone. But rather, we are all in this fight together. And you , with your gifts to soldiers, are every bit as important in this fight as we soldiers are. You keep us going and you remind us that America is every bit worth defending as she ever was. So I thank you all again, and I will remember your kindness for years to come. God bless you all! Sincerely, Corporal Brent S. Reedy Iowa Army National Guard

The DE's serving the same council as I wear "business clothes" (shirt and tie) to meetings as often or more so than I see them in uniform. At camp, they are always in uniform. Doesn't seem to be any rhyme or reason...I just thought that was what they did. I have NEVER seen the SE in uniform. In fact, we very rarely see him at all.

Yeah, I know the "book version", too. That's the same thing the book says about the Training Committee. In reality, it didn't work that way, and yours' truly got stuck doing ALL the training. That's the main reason I'm looking to change jobs after 2 years. Being in a military community with highly transient people, it's rare to be able to find a "staff" who will be around long enough to actually learn the job and be useful. So, I'm looking at this with an eye toward, "would I be willing to do it myself if I have to?" Being Day Camp director is a definite "no way." Just heard from a fellow Training Chair in a neighboring district...their Fall Camporee didn't happen due to lack of a volunteer to be Campmaster. Is it my imagination, or are people becoming more selfish with their time? NOTE to OGE: Salary for a District Day Camp Director???? Must be nice!

As I recall, the discussion got quite heated. IMHO, the reason for the rule is that the killing of other humans, even though simulated, violates several points of the Scout Oath and Law. Somehow 12 year olds never see it that way.

Hmmmm...Cub Day Camp. That could be a deal-breaker. We traditionally have a heck of a time finding Day Camp Directors and staff. One of the districts had to cancel Day Camp last year as a last resort. You have to find not only someone willing and eager, but who also doesn't have a day job. That narrows the field significantly.

I have been asked to consider becoming chair of our District Camping Committee. Our District is only 2 years old, and we have never had a Camping Committee. What little I know tells me the committee works closely with the OA chapter, promotes camping among the units, and supports the Council Camping Committee dealing with camp properties. Is there a more complete job description? Anything else I should know? I've been told that planning Camporees comes under the Activities Committee, not Camping.

What is your location? Your method sounds a bit different from what the BSA normal methods are in the US. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

Well, the federal minimum wage is 5.15 per hour. The pay for staff should start there and go up based on skills required and experience. (not age...that's illegal). I have had many young scouts whom I have encouraged to apply for camp staff. The first year, they are expected to work for free as a CIT. Then they get paid peanuts. The excuse is they get free room and board (a tent and a corn dog at the dining hall), too, so that equates to minimum wage or better. The kids laugh at me. Even MacDonalds can do better than that, and these kids need money for cars and college. "It's the economy, stupid." Love of scouting won't pay for tuition.

http://www.as-e.com/products_solutions/z_backscatter.asp Similar to the unit used to x-ray your briefcase at the airport, only on a much larger scale.

I turned 18 just as the red berets, skill award belt loops and sissyfied Handbook were introduced...luckily. My current profession is at the beginning of this thread, but since we are going back in history... Greeting card sales (those ads in Boys' Life, c1962) Shoe Salesman (Kinney, Thom McAn) Finer Mens' Clothing sales Substitute High School Teacher VD Clinic Manager and Field Investigator (State Health Dept) Shipyard Industrial Hygienist College Adjunct Instructor Asbestos Worker Instructor - Laborers' Intl Union Training Center Partner in consulting firm

You don't say what denomination you are, but in the Lutheran Church, and probably other Liturgical denominations, the Pastor can use the "Order for the Installation of New Officers", which can be modified on the fly to suit the particular flavor of position that is being filled (ushers, acolytes, SS teachers, scout leaders, etc). Oh, and by the way, the word is "litany". P.S.: Welcome to the campfire! Stay awhile!(This message has been edited by scoutldr)