scoutldr

I respect anyone who spent 5 years as a DL. Toughest job in Scouting, IMHO.

Most people I know are put off by the fact that it's not been shifted to a Monday like all the other holidays to enable a long weekend.

"An advancement example is jumping feet 1st into water over your head and swimming 25 feet, it does not say you can't have a flotation device on." Oh, come on, seriously? I am a former aquatics instructor and WSI certified. The intent of the requirement is to determine who can SAFELY participate in aquatics activities. This particular requirement demonstrates that IF a scout falls into the water, he can safely come back to the surface and make it to safety WITHOUT having to wear a PFD all the time. WHen you start parsing the requirements that affect health and safety, I have to object.

So sorry for your loss...and our loss. Scout Salute for her service to youth.

I have to disagree with Fred. "Do Your Best" is the Cub scout motto. In Boy Scouting it is "do the requirement"...no more, no less.

My understanding was that any deviation from requirements due to medical reasons had to be approved by the Council Advancement Committee who would agree on an "alternate" set of requirements with the unit leaders and parents. Many times, I have had cases where the parents (and scout) wanted a "pass" on certain requirements and when push came to shove, the scout was able to complete it as written with extra effort and perseverance. Believe me, you would not have seen a prouder scout when he finally achieved the goal.

So, Hedgehog, you don't use the Buddy System in your troop? I would be worried, too.

Copying this from a Facebook post. CVC is my neighboring council and Bayport is a relatively new camp which replaced Camp Chickahominy which became surrounded by residential development. Located on a river, Bayport had one of the finest aquatics programs in the region. Last year we were informed that our council camp, Bayport Scout Reservation (http://www.bayportsr.org) was in in jeopardy of being closed due to its financial burden to the council. Since this time, the situation has only grown worse, now not only is the camp in serious peril but the council, our family, operations are also at an all-time low. Yes Bayport is the camp, the home, for CVC and that home is in danger – but more importantly the family is in danger. The family is the core, a home can be relocated – the family must be saved or a home is useless. The problem has become so dire that we had to turn the deed to the camp and council office building over to the lien holder. Furthermore the National leadership is considering dissolving our council, our family, and splitting us into other groups. The bank has not decided what they are going to do with the deed; they too do not want to see the family fall apart. So we still have a chance to save the family and also maybe, with enough support also save the house our camp. We earnestly need donors that will help us to not lose our scouting family and if possible our scouting family’s home. After a careful review of the books, our goals are; 1. Raise a minimum of $60,000 by the end of November 2015 for the operating costs of providing our scouting program – to keep the family strong. 2. Attempt to raise $380,000 by the end of November 2015 to go to the operating costs with the hope that National will recognize this effort and save the family. 3. Attempt to ultimately raise $6 million as quickly as possible to save not only the family but to pay off the capital loan, thus saving the camp – our home. All reading this can help in a couple of ways; 1) Donate, whatever you can $1, $10, $100 to the CVC Friends of Scouting (FOS) campaign. Every dollar gets us “one†step closer. To donate, you can send a check to Colonial Virginia Council at 11721 Jefferson Ave, Newport News Va. 23606 or on line at,https://cvcboyscouts.doubleknot.com/event/1538149. But more importantly, 2) Raise awareness of our situation. Use your social networks to get this word and request for assistance to as many as possible. Place a post on your social pages and reach out to those in your circles that would help if they knew the severity of the problem. But if you are a Scout/Scouter in the CVC I am asking for each of you to “Do a Good Turn†today and be that Scout/Scouter that “helps other people at all timesâ€. There are some simple ways that we can solve this crisis from the grass roots level; 1) Support and actively engage in youth recruitment – the youth is what this is about. 2) Support the Popcorn Sale; it is to us what cookies are to Girls Scouts. 3) Individual Scout Units, BE CREATIVE, it is what we as Scouts/Scouters do best, heck have your unit do a carwash with the proceeds going to FOS or talk to charter organization about sponsoring a fund raising event such as a spaghetti dinner, oyster roast, barbeque, etc. with them furnishing the fixings and you furnishing the labor. 4) Family Friends of Scouting is a great way to support local Scouting; consideration should be given to conducting a presentation in your unit for this year. Contact your District Executive or our Acting Scout Executive to schedule a presentation. Remember that all DONATIONS ARE TAX DEDUCTIBLE by using our id number of 54-0505994 which is in good standing with the IRS. The goal remains firm, to serve a growing number of youth in our community with an incredible Scouting program and Scouting experience. On behalf of the 7,000+ scouts just in our Colonial Virginia Council family that you are helping – I want THANK YOU. If you have any questions please do not hesitate to ask. Remember the “Power of Oneâ€, one person, one church, one business, one group, one action… it all starts with one. Please help by being part of the “One that Saves the CVC and Bayport Scout Reservationâ€. With my deepest gratitude, Tommy Volunteer Scouter – Venturing Crew #595

I guess it is their right to do it that way, since all funds and equipment technically belong to them. But then why have a Unit Treasurer?

If you sell popcorn, make sure and do it when the buses are loading...they still have all their money then.

The requirement is pretty clear, as written.

The bottom line is, the unit leaders are responsible for the safety of your scouts. I would discuss this with your District Executive as a "youth protection" matter. They may have some ideas. But be prepared to find another location to conduct activities if city council is not receptive to your concerns.

FIrst of all, are you a registered leader of this unit? It's not stated in your post, but you appear to be. If so, what is your registered position? This is a matter for the Pack Committee Chairman and the Chartered Organization Rep (COR). They should a) conduct an audit of all Pack accounts. b)make sure all boys and leaders are properly registered before conducting activities. These are liability issues. Also, I'm not aware of any "assistance" programs, except camp scholarships that you would have to apply for. Sounds like "one hot mess" as we say in the South. Good luck.

I'm still a Certified Industrial Hygienist (CIH) working as a Navy civilian. Target retirement date is 12/31/16...if the stock market cooperates.

It's been awhile and we have a whole new crew on board, so I thought I'd bump this topic back to the top! So what do y'all do for your day job?

Well, this takes the cake, in my opinion. Wife told me last night about a friend's grandaugter who has started "Elite Competitive Travel Cheerleading". She's 3 years old.

Sounds like the SM is administratively challenged! You could volunteer to be a Committee Member and help out....like Advancement Chairman. WHen I was a struggling Cubmaster with a pack of 150 (15 dens and 5 Webelos Dens). I had a few moms take pity on me. Things ran a lot smoother after that.

Agree with Calico. I have the same reaction when I see military wives wearing miniature insignia of their husband's awards. Pilot's wings, officer crests, submarine dolphins, SEAL trident, etc. "YOU didn't do that. Someone ELSE did that." (to use a now famous quote.)

My dad was buried in his Navy Chief's uniform, with my Eagle rank badge in his hand. As an Explorer, I never got to wear it.

Did my first EBOR as a District Rep for the first time in a long time last night. I always get more out of them than the Scout does, and this one was no disappointment. What an amazing young man. Smart, articulate, a lot of horse sense for a young man of 18. Proud that I had some small part in the program that produces that, but I also realize it takes a village...strong parents, strong teachers, strong peers, and a strong faith. He's only been a scout for 4 years, never a Cub Scout, but was enticed by a friend to go skiing with the troop and never looked back. Honor graduate from MY high school, 43 years later. Now a freshman in college. THAT's why I keep doing this. Once in awile I need reassurance that the world will be ok after I'm gone.

Sorry to see anyone leave in frustration over a forum. I remember the days when Ed Mori and Bob White used to duke it out. It could get bloody...and embarrassing when you realized that there are hundreds of "lurkers" (youth and adults) getting their impression of Scouting from the comments here. BD, thank you for toiling in the trenches, where the rubber meets the road. That's where Scouting takes place, after all. Not here, Not in Irving, Not at the Council office full of overpaid Executives. You may never know the impact that you made on impressionable young men, but if you have saved just one, it was worth it. Scout on, brother.

Personally, I never notice what "section" I am reading. I just click on "new posts since my last visit". Matters not to me if it is in I&P or something else. People who are unhappy with the forum should have seen it 5-6 years ago. A few of us who are still around know what I mean. It could get downright nasty. Scout on!

The parents in the troops that I served were never a bother, in fact they were very supportive. That being said, I get that things have changed for the worse in the past 20 years. In this case, I would meet with the parent the first time and hear her concerns. Then I would "educate" her in the methods of Scouting and explain that advancement is the Scout's responsibility, not mine, not hers. When he meets the standard, he will be signed off. Period. There are no "gimmes", except maybe at MB fairs or summer camp. I have heard the horror stories of how these "helicopter moms" will even call their "child's" college professor and complain about this and that. The professors usually refuse to talk to them...and rightly so. Parents need to cut the umbilical cords. They are not doing them any favors.

Bump. The deadline is nigh...

How challenging can it be with 30 secret service agents within arm's length? This is nothing more than another narcissistic publicity stunt.