scoutldr

Welcome! I wasn't aware there were fraternities other than Alpha Phi Omega. There are several former professionals on the forum and they can give you the straight scoop about the BSA as an employer. I once looked into it with the idea that "wow I love Scouting so much, and I could get paid for it too!"...however the job of the Pro is much different than that of the Volunteer. It's considered an "outside sales" job, but who knows, you could be great at it!

I am on the fence. As a manager and supervisor, if I tell an employee NOT to do something and they do it anyway, I am not doing my job if I let it pass. On the other hand, it is my responsibility to know or find out what the right thing to do is. It is NOT appropriate for a staff member to "jump the chain" and contact authorities directly if they don't like the answer I gave them. At the very least, this scout reservation now has the opportunity to clarify in no uncertain terms what the policy is.

Yes, "Canadian Canoes"...which we got from the indigenous Natives. Canoeing teaches different strokes for one and two man configurations. How to properly stroke, turn, stop, maneuver, change positions with your partner, swamp the canoe and de-water it. Rowing is much the same, only with rowboats. As Ian said, you sit facing the rear of the boat, how to stroke, feather your oars, change positions, swamp and de-water, and the hardest for some, row in a straight line! If he likes fishing have him sign up for Fishing MB. Much of that is done on his own time...catch a fish, clean and cook it.

We try to leave the world better than we found it. RIP, brothers.

Cybersecurity risk.

http://pilotonline.com/news/nation-world/boy-scout-camp-employees-fired-after-trying-to-rescue-an/article_8f09957e-d1a5-574a-8fcb-bb4fc2bc31a3.html Camp Marriott, Goshen Scout Reservation

"First class/first year (FC/FY)" was an emphasis program of the BSA 10-15 years ago...not sure if it still is. The theory was that most scouts drop out before they make First Class, so if we got that patch on their shirts as quick as we could, they would be locked in. Not sure if that was the case or not. My advice with a new troop is to get them to Summer Camp and enrolled in the first year camper program, where they will work on T-2-1 advancements. Let the fire ignite naturally, and not on a set schedule.

Most Eagle Ceremonies are Courts of Honor put on by the Scout's troop. however there are no rules other than to be in line with Scouting's values. The nice thing about it is that it can be whatever is meaningful to the Scout.

I met my wife at church, not at scouts, but she was a "First Class" Girl Scout (equivalent to Eagle SCout back then). Those who share the same values have a much better chance at "making it" IMHO. When my Explorer Post went co-ed, she refused to join...probably a good decision. We've been together for more than 51 years, married for 41 as of tomorrow!

I DO think the "wenches" should be left to the adults, though.

You "just happen to carry" albuterol (a controlled prescription drug) and a nebulizer?

Ok, this will probably result in a flaming. I am a VOLUNTEER doing a job that nobody else wanted because it's a hassle. If I say I need the forms by a certain reasonable date in order to get them turned in and meet all my other responsibilities of work, family, etc., then I get to make the rules. THAT is the real deadline. Don't think my deadline is reasonable, find someone else to do it. It's really as simple as that. Parents will find the time to get things done if it's something THEY are interested in.

Dontcha just love it when Council decides what is best for your unit? I hope they offered to also find the scout a provisional troop?

He will do fine. Scout on!

"It's been said here before. Have a good program, spread the word and be welcoming. That's the best you can do. It's not our fault if most millenials/minorities/whatever aren't interested. Let's just take care of the boys that want to be scouts." I agree in theory. In reality, it takes a certain level of continued revenue to deliver the same program. Professional salaries and benefits (6 figure minimums for SE), camp maintenance and operation, overhead, Scout Shops, service centers, program materials...all takes money. Each scout that is not recruited represents dollars lost in registration fees, popcorn sales, camp fees, scout shop sales, etc. You will reach a point where it is no longer sustainable. We may already be beyond that point.

NO WAY should an adult "friend" a youth on social media. The den or Pack can start a FB Group page, for the dissemination of information, however the BSA rules on social media must be followed. I would remind all scouts and parents that lying about one's age to join FB ... or just lying in general...is NOT a scout-like behavior and is not condoned. Reminds me of the days when my own sons were teens and the rage was "P2P" file sharing of music. I think Napster was the popular one. They just could not see that it was no better than going to a record store and shoplifting a CD.

I agree..."dress appropriately for the occasion" should be common sense. It is a policy at most summer camps. Sandals and flip-flops allowed only IN the showers...to and from must be closed shoes.

Seems to me the only purpose for NESA/Alumni registration is to provide a pool of names/addresses to BSA for fundraising and adult recruiting. I am a Life member of NESA (gift from my wife), but have never been to a meeting or had any other communication with them, other than the "Eagletter" magazine, which is an interesting, 10 minute read, then it goes in the trash. Does anyone know of an active NESA chapter? What do they do?

When I was doing unit level scouting, "day of departure" was indeed the "no-s**t" deadline. No one left the parking lot of the church if the paperwork wasn't complete, because it was a 2 hr ride to camp. We had cases where we had to delay for an hour or so while Mom ran home to get the forms. BUT...if the physical had not been completed, little Johnnie went back home, because the Camp was not going to let him past the check in point. At that point, the camp will not issue a refund, and a few times the scout joined us on Monday or Tuesday when the physical got done at the Urgent Care. As pointed out before, camp physicals are not rocket science, and if the lad plays sports, that physical will suffice. It just has to be on the BSA form. My wife is an elementary school nurse, and she goes through the same pain every September. Kids show up for the first day of school, with no physical or without the required shots. There is no lee-way for tolerance. The kid is sent back home until the parent finds the time to fulfill the legal requirement. As my wife says, "you've known for 5 years this day (Kindergarten) was coming...don't tell me you can't get a Dr appointment until November." Young parents these days are so self-absorbed and "busy" and they think everyone else needs to bend to accommodate them, because that's how their parents raised them. Don't get me started.

This young man NEEDS Scouting more than I can tell you. He is where I was at that age. My Dad was a career military man, and I was the fat little bookworm who preferred to be curled up with a book than playing outside. Scouting changed my life. ABSOLUTELY YES, go to summer camp. As mentioned above, enroll him in the "First Year Camper" program (goes by various names at different camps). That will take up half his day. At the end of the week, he can have most of the requirements for T-2-1 completed. Let him take one merit badge of substance...the "craft" MB are more for the first year camper, basketry, leatherwork, metalwork, etc. I took Rowing, because I was a fish in the water. If he's not a strong swimmer, (which will become evident at swim check), let him sign up for the instructional swim class (which MAY be part of the T-2-1 program). You must be classified as a "Swimmer" to take any of the aquatics MB at most camps. First Aid and/or the Nature MB group is another one that is good for first-years. I would stay away from the MB that can be earned at home. Thank you again for taking a special interest in this young man. It sounds like he needs you.

Put the responsibility where it belongs...on the scouts. Remind them at every meeting...if YOU don't get your forms turned in, YOU are not going to camp. Period. Then stick to your guns. The day after the deadline, turn over whatever forms you have, then your job is done. Tell the Scoutmaster that if he wants to accept more forms, it's on him to process them. People procrastinate and ignore you because they can.

"Weimar Republic"..does that count for Godwin's rule?

When you consider ALL of the expenses of operating a vehicle (gas, oil, tires, depreciation, insurance, licensing) you will NEVER come out ahead. I always preferred to drive my own vehicle, because with elderly parents (at the time), I never knew when I would get the "phone call" and have to drop everything and go home. So I figured that was my choice, and didn't charge for gas for the passengers who wanted to ride with me.

@, I've found the poles on each corner of the cot work best. The tennis ball on the end of each pole is a good idea to prevent poking through the net. I usually found there is nothing on the inside of the tent to tie off to, since the flap tie-back straps get ripped off early in the tent's life. Also, make sure the net reaches all the way to the floor, and you are correct, if you are up against the net, the little suckers will find you.

Standard mileage rate for charity has been 14 cents/mile since 1998. It would be up to the unit whether they wanted to reimburse cents per mile, or submit gas receipts. What you claim for tax purposes is between you and the IRS. And don't forget the 14 cents is a tax "deduction" not a tax credit, so the value of the deduction depends on your taxable income. For those like us older folks who are nearing "standard deduction" territory, the 14 cents per mile deduction is worthless and it would be better to be reimbursed for gas directly.