scoutldr

That's not exactly what I intended to convey... Every unit should use the Unit Budget Plan. If you want to have opportunities for scouts to "earn their way", then plan that into the budget. By the way, that's the preferred method...for scouts to earn their way, rather than just asking Mom and Dad to stroke a check whenever they need to go somewhere. The percentage to go into the scout accounts is up to the unit, recognizing that the balance of the troop operating funds will need to be made up somewhere else. You can tell the scouts up front..."if you want to go to summer camp, you need to sell $X worth of popcorn." Now, I have had some parents tell me, "just tell me how much you want and I'll stroke a check as long as we don't have to sell anything." They get tired of being bombarded every fall having to do fund raising for PTA, SCA, Band, French Club, Girl Scouts, etc, etc. Their time is worth more to them.

Aug. 26, 2004 SALT LAKE CITY (AP) -- Search and rescue crews hope to find a missing 12-year-old Boy Scout in the Uinta Mountains after finding his sock near where he was last seen. Trained personnel today will focus their search on a boulder field and nearby areas where they found the sock belonging to Garrett Bardsley Tuesday. Summit County deputies say the sock was found about a half-mile away from where he was last seen on Friday. Garrett vanished after he went back to camp to change his clothes that got wet while he was fishing with his father. Investigators remain hopeful, but say there's little chance that Garrett is still alive. They say he may have taken shelter from bad weather, where he may have succumbed to the elements. (Copyright 2004 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)

You can probably figure this out by using the Unit Budget Plan. Figure out what you need to operate the unit, then figure out how much you will receive from various sources. The amount that goes to the Scout's account will depend on how much you can count on from other sources. We manage the Scout's accounts just by keeping track of it in a ledger book. In reality all of the money is in the Troop checking account. Then when summer camp comes around, we tell the scout how much is in his account and what else he needs to come up with, if any.

IF the helipad was already in use, then "painting the H" is routine maintenance. Doesn't qualify.

Because another BSA publication contradicts that. And it is equally clear.

Here's an outta the box thought... We are the BSA...not the BSUSA. Why not export our program to those more frozen brothers who crave it? Let them put the Maple Leaf on the right sleeve instead of the Stars and Stripes and let's go Scouting! It's not like there's a huge language barrier, eh?

Prior to Exploring going co-ed, circa 1971, our Post would often do things with the local Senior Girl Scout troops. Dances, Christmas parties, roller skating, spelunking, etc. When the membership opened up, many of them joined and quickly became officers in the Post. It was a natural transition for them, and since they already knew us, there was no uncertainty. You might try it...

You're "co-ed" but not "truly co-ed"...please ... my imagination is running rampant here.

Bump...just to keep this little guy and his family in our prayers...we need a miracle here.

Second what Eammonn says. Being the SM for a brand new troop of 11 year olds is a full time job. Been there. This is the most important job in Scouting, IMHO, and if the SM has all these other hats to wear, maybe you need a new SM. Smells suspiciously like someone needed to form a new unit desperately.

Well, we'll just have to agree to disagree until someone calls National for an interpretation. Until then, it's just opinions and one is just as correct as the other. When two BSA publications have conflicting information, what is the Scout to do? In most cases, the District Advancement Chair will make a decision and everyone gets on with their lives. In my mind, yes the Scout Handbook is the Scout's reference, until he makes Life, then he is given amplifying information, to wit, the "Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook" which he is supposed to use in planning and fleshing out his project. On page two, it quotes the requirement from the Handbook...omitting the word "any" before "school". It clearly states "no businesses". It has a 2003 copyright date. If I were a DAC, the reference with the latest copyright date would win.

Well said, twocub. WE are the BSA. If I ever felt that, as a volunteer, my suggestions to improve the program were either unwelcomed or ignored, I would walk. Without the volunteers, there would be no BSA and "they" would be unemployed.

I don't want to get into a battle of semantics, but "non-profit" is very different from "charitable" organization, which I believe is more in line with the intent of an Eagle project. Some non-profits are very definitely "big business." One assisted living facility here is owned and operated by Marriott Corp and the residents are charged $3600 a month rent. You can't get much more "big business" than that. Building that nature trail may benefit the residents, but it's also benefiting the business by providing free landscaping work and adding to their bottom line. It's a tough call, and I can see it both ways, however I think the requirement is unambiguous. If it's a "business" (whether "non-profit" or not) it's not eligible to receive an Eagle project. I think we need a lawyer to untangle this. NJ you out there? To answer Noah's original question, I think he answered it himself. The school is operated as a "for-profit business". There should be no question. The fact that it's a school is irrelevant. Sorry to be a hard-liner, but them's the requirements and the Scout needs to go back and re-read them.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Anything that burns fuel (propane, Coleman fuel, etc) will produce carbon monoxide and should only be used in well ventilated areas. Today's nylon tents with zippers, floors and rain flys do not meet that criteria.

I think it's customary that another Eagle give the "Eagle Charge", however I'm not aware of any "rules". The ceremony is pretty much what the Troop, the Eagle, and his family decide it should be.

(trying to get the thread back on track) Thanks for the explanation, Eammonn. It's a nice idea that I will take back to the District Committee.

From the "Eagle Scout Leadership Service Project Workbook": "...The project also may not be performed for a business or an individual, be of a commercial nature, or be a fund raiser." A strict interpretation of this is that, if the organization is incorporated as a business, even a "non-profit", it is not allowed. Although in this council, projects have been approved for a local Assisted-Living facility, such as landscaping of a "nature trail". Even though it benefits old folks who are paying a pretty penny to live there, it is clearly being operated as a business. We may neither add nor subtract requirements.

Camp Hidden Valley, Loysville, PA Keystone Area Council. We camp there in the winter (cabins) and make Gettysburg a day trip. Also a day trip to Ski Roundtop.

Just curious...if the West Fellowship award is presented by the District, where does the thousand bucks come from? As far as I can tell, the award can be "donated" to honor an individual, but the money must still go into the Endowment fund.

I hope he wasn't abducted by aliens or something...

For Scoutmasters, there is the Scoutmaster's Award of Merit and the Scoutmaster's Key. All other Scouters, including ASMs earn the Scouter's Training Award.

You're breaking up, boleta. Wave your arms around and try to get a better signal!

No, actually I wasn't kidding. This being a free country, Scouters are free NOT to wear any knot that they feel is a "joke". That's what I feel about the James E. West Fellowship knot that can be purchased for $1001.25. The side-effect of my suggestion is that youth would also be eligible to wear those knots, in addition to the Religious Award knot that is currently authorized. More recognition can only be a good thing.

A few years ago, we invited the local Astronomy club to work with our troop on Astronomy MB. They registered as MBC, as required. At the COH where the badge was awarded, we invited them and also recognized them with a BSA "Thanks" pin and a Certificate of Appreciation. One of the counselors also asked me for a MB that she could sew on her ball cap, but Council wouldn't sell me one without an Advancement report. :-( With a little searching, I found one on eBay. I don't disagree with establishing a knot for registered Scouters who do outstanding MBC service. I would also like to see knots for things of major accomplishment, such as BSA Lifeguard, 50 Miler Award, Historic Trails Award, etc.

What do adults do at your OA chapter meetings? Around here, we frequently have more adults show up than youth. Some are parents of the youth members attending, but most are not. They are the ones with tons of square knots, WB beads, a coffee cup hanging from the belt...you know the type. Mostly, they just sit around the edge of the room and chit-chat with each other, which I find distracting. I think they just come for the socializing. I have suggested to the chapter advisor that, perhaps the adults should have a separate meeting (same time, different room) and discuss "adult stuff", like how they can be of "cheerful service" at an adult level. I tried to use the opportunity to recruit training staff, but with OA meetings and such, they're "way too busy already." I'd be interested in other opinions. My observation is that only about 10% (or less) of our registered membership are actually active (attend meetings and other functions). The rest just enjoy wearing the flap. Is this the norm?