scoutldr

"What if the scout and the parents say we never knew or The SM has it in for us?" Are the requirements not written in the scout's Handbook? One solution to this, if the scout doesn't show up and participate, don't recharter him at the end of the year. You have offered him a custom POR and he refused. That would be it for me. If he wants a POR now, he has to be elected, just like everyone else. If he has merit badges left to earn, provide him a copy of the Counselor list and wish him luck. No troop outings in the past 3 years? The first step to success is to show up. I'd be willing to help any scout who asks for it...but they gotta meet me half way.

Gutterbird, YOu already know the right answer. Stick to your guns! ALL of the requirements must be met...including Scout spirit, which it seems is lacking here.

If being a smart-aleck in the 8th grade is a legitimate reason to deny the Eagle, none of us would have received it.

Sorry...my mouse finger had a spasm.(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

First thing, you would hear a collective CHEER from scouts and parents alike. Secondly, we'd probably have to dispense with Advancement, since there would be no use for rank badges. Watching the TODAY show Saturday (or was it Sunday?) morning, they quickly panned on a troop in the courtyard outside the studio. Not a pair of Scout pants or shorts in the whole group. And the First Class Scout in the very front had a pair of plaid shorts on. Looked pretty tacky on national TV (especially considering they probably KNEW in ADVANCE they would be on national TV!). Didn't catch where they were from and couldn't see the CSP, so they shall remain nameless.

This gets more bizarre by the day...how can a District hold an EBOR without the Scout's (and parent's) knowledge and consent? All I can say is, if this were my troop and District, your son would be an Eagle Scout now, taking all that you have said at face value. Your only mistake was in not transferring to another troop/District when you had the chance. As an Eagle Scout and 30 year Scouter, I too, am embarrassed.

I think it depends on the Chartering Organization (a concept that the GSUSA does not use). I have read about units in Scouting Magazine for Hmong boys and we once had a Sea Scout Ship consisting of muslims. If a CO desires to "target" (or "limit", depending on your POV) their unit, they are free to do so.

Thanks, "white eats". That's what I said back on Page 1.

Uniform Police here. We've discussed this ad nauseam on this forum in the uniform section. The BSA does not use the terms "Class A" and "Class B". Those are military terms. Even in the Army, when the uniform of the day is "Class A", that doesn't mean "just wear the shirt and whatever pants or shorts you want with it"...that would look pretty ridiculous, no? In my opinion, if your Troop is not going to wear the "Official Uniform" (including all its parts), then they are NOT in uniform and it doesn't matter "how strict" you are. You're either in proper uniform...or not. The best thing to do is "lead by example" and try to get your youth leaders to do the same. Cost is a cop=out. Parents don't want to buy pants, but won't think twice about dropping $50 for a video game or a trip to the movies. THere are ways around that...get a parent to start a uniform closet...cruise the yard sales, thrift stores, eBay and Craigslist. Have unit fundraisers so scouts can earn money for uniforms. WHen scouts outgrow the uniforms, recycle them to younger scouts. Have regular uniform inspections and reward expected behaviour. If scouts don't think it's expected, you'll never get there.

What should we do? We welcome him back and help him in his quest. Having a job is part of character development, too.

"Can the SM remove a parent because that parent makes the other parents uncomfortable, or would that be a committee action (delivered by the CC)? Do we need any sort of Council approval or intervention should we decide to invite the offending parent to leave our Troop?" Adult applications are approved/denied by the Chartered Organization Representative and Committee Chair. Council will generally not get involved unless there are reasons that would preclude BSA membership (avowed gay, atheist or failed the background check). They don't have to give a reason, and there is no appeal, to my knowledge.

No problem...the Democratic Party will accept him with open arms, like Bill Clinton. I'm ordering my "Ron Paul 2012" bumper stickers today. There ain't a Democrat OR Republican out there worth my vote any more.

My dad used to tell me that swimming at the YMCA pool was always in the nude...this was the 20s/30s when girls weren't allowed at the yMca. The locker room at camp and the pool was always open with zero privacy. We had a shower in each campsite...picture an outhouse with a shower attached to it (60s). 2-3 of us would get in there at a time to save time. We didn't linger, since the well water was not heated! Showering in high school was mandatory following PE and the teacher was in there watching to make sure you did. The shower was a large room with 4-6 poles in it with 4 shower heads on each pole. Our community rec center is the same, and it makes me nervous because they don't have any YP rules...I can be showering and in walks a couple of kids. Our pool house at camp still has open showers for the boys and men (separated), but when they added a women's shower, they got individual stalls. Wassup with that? When my son's best friend joined the Army and went to Afghanistan, he wrote back that their biggest complaint was that they had to take communal showers! If I were to go skinny dipping at the beach or lake, they would call the Stranding Team to save the great white whale that had beached itself! When did we instill such prudish modesty in our kids? And to what purpose?

(I'd have an issue with someone who hasn't practiced in 20 years filling out a medical form. Medicine has changed a lot in 20 years.) Maybe so...but I'm not stupid enough to accuse (or imply) that someone is incomptent and not qualified to sign a camp form. Not my job, nor am I qualified to stand in judgment. I'm glad that you feel that you are. At least we know what the issues are. In this state, the parent has no duty to disclose the disabilities or diseases of their children, not even to the school that they attend. Take my word for it...assume that EVERYONE around you is HIV positive...even the kids at summer camp. My wife, the school nurse can vouch for that. They are being mainstreamed and may be bumping heads with your kids on the playground, and they don't have to tell.

C'mon Ed, you're being a little ridiculous. A good friend of ours is a stay at home mom. She is also a Pediatrician (MD) who hasn't practiced in the 20 years that we've known her. If she signed a camp form, would I question her? Absolutely not! That's none of my business. If something happens to her child while on a trip, I will simply present the form that SHE provided to us. I have no duty to ensure it's correct, or that's it's signed my a licensed provider. That's between her and the BSA. I operated in good faith, and had no evidence she was being fraudulent, IF that's what you call it. Sue away! Take your best shot. SHE certified that the form was true and correct...not me. If a parent volunteers to go to camp and do electrical work for the Ranger, are YOU going to step in and demand to verify his licenses? Of course not. IT's between him and the Ranger and you have no liability. Sheesh.

Yes, I would hate for that to happen, too. But I think we are jumping to conclusions here. I would insist that the form be legible. That's the limit of your responsibility. Are you also checking the medical licenses of the doctors who signed all the other forms??? Let's get real here. A parent-physician who treats their own family may not be too smart...but I don't think it's illegal or unethical. Perhaps ask her to accompany the unit to camp for check-in (ask her to help drive). Then if there are any questions, she's right there. The original question was "are there any legal issues with his medical signed only by his mom?" The answer is "not for the unit." The "legal issues" belong to the mom. Volscouter, you out there?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

Since this is a summer camp physical, I would let the Camp Medical Director worry about it. This is not a unit leader problem.

Just not in skeeter or black fly country!

Correction, Ed. They will never "grow up". But they get older and then WE have to deal with them in the workplace. I'm already seeing it. They just sit and wait for direction....one direction at a time. "Why didn't you turn in your time sheet?" "It's not my fault, nobody reminded me." GRrrrrr. Then they wonder why they ALL don't get awards and bonuses...like they did in T-Ball. And when you have to tell them "NO", they are really shocked.

Welcome to the forum and thanks for bringing your concerns. I take it you were never a Scout as a boy. I was, so I am admittedly biased. I was a fat bookworm, much to my Dad's dismay. Never interested in sports or outdoor stuff. Dad spent a lot of time at sea, and I was a Momma's boy. I joined as a Cub Scout at age 9 and have been at it ever since. I'm now almost 55, my own boys are 31 and 27. But I'm still at it. Why? Because it's one of the few things I've done in my life that I think mattered. IN Scouting, I blossomed...gained lifelong friendships and confidence, and did things that I (or my Dad) ever thought I could. Swimming, Lifesaving, Hiking (three 50 milers), survival skills and leadership skills that i still use on the job today. It was a different time, but I was really "into" the uniform. WHen I came home from a COurt of Honor, I sat up late sewing that new badge on the pocket, then I hung it on the doorknob where it would be the first thing I saw in the morning. Hokey? Maybe. But that was me. I earned Eagle at age 16, and it wasn't easy for me. I still have a picture of my 16 yo girlfriend admiring my new Eagle medal. We've been married 34 years next week. She blessed me with 2 boys, who became Scouts. The time I spent with them in the woods was priceless. Neither one made Eagle...they both had other interests as well. But they learned how to do for themselves, lead others. And more importantly made lifelong friendships and had fun. When my oldest went away to college, he called me one night and said "I just want to thank you, Dad. These kids here don't know how to do ANYTHING for themselves!" In the troop and Pack I've served, we have always had "steps"...it never mattered to me or anyone else that I know of. Perhaps your uneasiness is more in your head than in reality. Having a step-parent is pretty much the norm these days. As long as you're "legal"...i.e., a legal guardian or adoptive parent, there shouldn't be any issues. Otherwise, there may be some "youth protection" policies that need to be addressed. I have looked at the Masonic Rite and think some of their stuff is "hokey". They have strange rituals, dress funny, but do good works and enjoy each others' company. But those who are Masons are just as passionate about it as I am about Scouting. So be it. Who am I to judge? To me Scouting is a fraternity...a Worldwide Brotherhood, and I am proud to be a member. Whenever I meet someone socially or professionally and we discover we are fellow Scouts (or Scouters), there is an instant bond and trust. We are immediately on the same page, and I am confident that the business we conduct will have the subtle influence of the Scout oath and law underpinning it. Can you get that from playing soccer or tae kwon do? I doubt it. Scouting isn't for everyone. But I hope it's for you and your family.

That's like asking if the same political party should be allowed to control all three branches of Government...no, wait...bad example. Sorry.

These are not metrics...just wishful thinking. Where are the SMART goals? Accountability? Specific tasks assigned to specific people? (I realize there's probably more than what you posted...)

I'll be 55 in Sept, and officially a "codger". Right now, I'm just "crotchety", I guess. When I was a young Arrowman (circa 1968-70), it was up to me and my parents to get me to OA events, which were considered "extracurricular". They couldn't wait till I turned 16 and could drive myself. We had WAY better participation then (same Lodge). When did it become a Unit responsibility to make sure OA members get to OA events?

My wife, the elementary school nurse, still has girls come to her panicked thinking they are dying from hemorrhage when they reach menarche. (see, I still remember the proper words!)

Amazing! Thanks for the update. Tell him I'm beaming him good thoughts from across the river (Naval Hospital).