scoutldr

My wife is a nurse, and she taught me a trick. Always carry a tube of cake frosting...in the squeeze tube. Someone who is unconscious cannot swallow liquids or take a glucose tablet. Squeeze the frosting "between the cheek and gum" and massage it in. The sugar will absorb through the mucous membranes. Keep it in your Troop first aid kit and another in your pack. The advice to teach others the signs and symptoms of hyper- and hypoglycemia, so that they will know how to react is valuable. And wear a Medic-Alert bracelet or necklace.

Hi Aqua, and welcome to the campfire! Don't get too close and drip on it! I am a Lifeguard Counselor. The BSA Lifeguard Counselor Guide has all the lesson plans in it. You should not deviate from it. My biggest complaint is that Scouts show up with Swimming and Lifesaving MB on their sash, but can't swim the length of the pool with any semblance of a "strong manner". Too many camps are Merit Badge mills and all the scout has to do is show up for a majority of the sessions and he gets the badge, then he's disappointed when he finds that BSALG is not a "gimme". There was another thread on this forum several months ago (do a search on "Lifeguard" which discussed these issues. BSA Lifeguard, properly taught, is a rigorous course, both physically and mentally. I firmly believe this is one course where shortcuts should not be allowed, because the skills not learned can cost a life one day. You should also make sure that the potential candidates understand that CPR certification is required and/or arrange to have it taught along with the BSALG course. I hate spending a week teaching a course and having to give them a partial. Sorry for the soapbox. I probably didn't answer your question.

An interesting historical tidbit: The Delaware tribe were indigenous to the southeastern Pennsylvania area (home of Treasure Island Scout Reservation where OA was founded). The German settlers of Pennsylvania (my ancestors) were the first to write down the language of the Delaware, or "Lenni Lenape", and they spelled the words phonetically...in German. If you have a scout taking German, ask him to pronounce the Lenni Lenape word as if it were a German word...and it will be pretty close. FWIW

I didn't say "opt out" of IOLS. I just said there's now an alternate way of completing the requirement rather than going to a scheduled, formal course. Our professional advisor to the Training Committee initiated it, and there was, predictably, lots of grousing from the "silverbacks."...but we're doing it and it's apparently "legal". Further clarification: the "mandatory requirement" has been clarified to apply to "Unit Leaders", but it was emphasized that the meaning is "anyone whose primary registration is with a Unit." This excludes MB counsellors, Commissioners, etc. ONe thing I predict is there will be a lot of switching of primary registrations.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

We are doing that now, sort of. The new Intro to Outdoor Leader Skills allows for an experienced person to "test out" of the course by demonstrating to (or learning from) a "Mentor" that they have an adequate knowledge of Scoutcraft (requirements through First Class level) to train their Junior Leaders. The formal weekend outdoor course is no longer required. I had planned to introduce this as a new thread, but I am curious if others are using this method? Do you accept the signed check off list from anyone, or do you have lists of approved "Mentors" at the District level (a la the MB Counselor concept)? (We are doing the latter, and it was proposed today that we use knowledgeable Venturers to serve as Mentors).

OGE, I agree with the concept...as a goal, not a requirement. If a leader is functioning adequately, but hasn't earned the "Trained" strip for some reason, are you going to strip him/her of membership anyway? Some will quit, rather than comply simply because they don't like being dictated to by Council. Some trainers may quit, simply because they are already maxed out on the amount of time their spouse or job will abide. "Ready, fire, aim."

I frequently serve as the District rep at Eagle Boards. Your BOR should have been 24 hours ago. We're all waiting ... what did you think?

In another thread, someone (I can't find it now) alluded to their Council's new policy of making Leader training mandatory in the coming year. The council in which I serve has also drafted a policy which we are now discussing in the Training Committee. In essence, the draft states that any "Leader" (not further defined) who was on the rolls prior to November 1, 2004 will NOT be eligible to continue their membership if they have not been basic trained in their registered position. All of our units recharter in December. To facilitate this, training fees will not be charged. It's been factored into the Council budget. Before I solidify and voice my opinions, I would like to know if this is a Nation-wide initiative? What is driving this? What are your thoughts?

Dave, if you know a member of NESA, the quarterly Eagletter always has order forms for replacement Eagle "credentials". They now have plastic wallet cards, too. I think you'll have to settle for current signatures, tho.

Control of rank patches is to prevent "stockpiling" by units. The Councils want to make sure the advancement reports get filed properly, thus preventing embarrassing problems when a scout files his Eagle application. If anyone wants to impersonate an Eagle Scout, by wearing a medal, rank patch or square knot, he can get whatever he needs on Ebay.

As I post this, there are 757 active users. I have seen twice that number. I would hope that some of those are professionals (other than Dave and commando), and those who work in Irving. I know of nowhere else where you can get honest opinions and guage the climate of the program nationwide. I also hope that some good potential Scouters, both volunteer and pro, are not put off by the childish bickering.

Stretch goal: if you make it, you can claim credit for it. If you don't make it, it must not have been realistic, and it's not your fault.

A good indicator might come from the supply division. How many AOL patches get sold each year?

Yep...I could buy the knots without question. Rank patches are more controlled...they won't sell any without an advancement report...but I think it depends on who is behind the counter.

Go to the Scout Shop and buy one. I just did this to "decorate" a new shirt I got on eBay. Bought an Eagle knot, too, among others, ... no questions asked, other than "cash or charge?"

Oh, geeez...here we go again. Eamonn, as a Cuban friend of mine says..."sometimes it's better to let lying dogs sleep."

Here is a link to a typical QD worksheet: http://www.dacbsa.org/DAC-SS/ss-goals.htm#National%20Quality%20District%20Worksheet:

The local GS council was highlighted in the newspaper a few years ago. The council camp has been "transformed" with air conditioned cabins, because "today's girls don't like sweat, dirt and bugs." That's the image I have. That could also be why girl scouts are lining up to be Venturers.

The quoted description is pretty clear to me. As far as I know, "Den Aide" is not a registered position, but has been used unofficially, e.g., a Girl Scout daughter of a Den Leader who helps out with den meetings.

You're late for work in the morning because your sleeping bag zipper got stuck. You can do all of your Christmas shopping on eBay in the "Scout" section. You laugh at all the people who spent $30 on a "S'Mores Maker" (a fancy Sterno holder) for Christmas...and think "why didn't I think of that?" You're considered the "go to" guy at work when they need to know which side of the stage the flag should go for retirement ceremonies. (They also look at you funny when you suggest the "watermelon cheer" should be added to the program.)

Suffice it to say that Eammon's council is not the only one offering free registration as an enticement to grow numbers at the end of the year. Nothing sneaky about it, though...it's advertised on our website. Just the normal recruiting methods...no herding them into the corral and locking the gate.

The best thing I received (1970)was the Eagle medal, and the lifetime of honor and obligation that came with it. Your son will appreciate that more in 30 years than he does now. Don't recall receiving anything else, other than cards of congratulations from out of town relatives.

I am curious about your statement on "on-line training" records. The only online training I am aware of is Youth Protection and Fast Start. And not all councils are participating in those. Is there other online training available somewhere? Also, I've been told that training that occurred prior to the implementation of ScoutNet will not be listed in the computer. I have Scouters with 35 years of tenure, who wear the Silver Beaver and Woodbadge beads...but the "official" printout lists them as "untrained". Go figure. I realize that it takes time and effort to input historical records, but why have a database if the reports it generates are not accurate? The other point Dave makes is that the Scout's handbook/blue card IS the official record, should there be a disagreement, so I've been taught. Problem is that when a scout's book gets trashed or lost and he gets a new one, all of the advancement information needs to be transcribed into the new book. Seldom does this happen, in my experience. Good Luck. I think the best advice is to contact the scout's prior unit leader and keep track of your own training documentation.

If your kits are the official BSA Trail Chef kits, replacement parts are available at www.scoutstuff.org. The large fry pan is $13.60

The problem, Dan is that most COs and CORs don't want to be involved more than they are. They will sign the charter and provide a meeting place, and, providing your scouts don't trash the place, it's a commensal relationship. Heck, we even have to pay our own charter fee out of troop funds. In my experience, how many CORs attend District Committee meetings? Zero. How many attend the Council annual meeting? Zero. Do they WANT to be voting members of the BSA? Probably not. My sense is that they are ignorant of their role in the BSA organizational structure...and they are content in their ignorance. I'll grant there are exceptions...but few and far between.