scoutldr

Eric, ya done good! I consider this type of thing among Scouts (all under 18) to be "guy talk". I am now approaching 55 and am still waiting for "the talk". My parents (now gone on to their reward) never had it with me for some reason. My mother, however, was an OB/GYN registered nurse, and she strategically stored all of her nursing textbooks on the bottom shelf of the bookcase. I remember spending HOURS reading them (I was a voracious reader from age 4 on). By the time I reached first grade, I new the complete female anatomy (by the Latin names!), human embryology, and how to deliver a baby and do a C-section! Of course, the books started with the woman already "in the family way" and it took awhile before I figured out how they got that way. The rest of my sex education came from my buddies! I laugh now at some of the things we assumed to be true! Even more funny is to read some of B-P's writings on the subject. Anyway, I thought there were classes in school now that taught that kind of thing (called "Family Life" around here).

Ditto what Eagle92 said. That is mostly what I see. Print out the digital photos on separate pages and insert the extra pages into a binder. I've also seen one entirely written out by hand...perfectly acceptable.

I can see Norfolk General Hospital from my office window across the river. Prayers being said now.

Being "just a dad", I would be in the guy's face and say, "if you EVER lay a hand on my son or anyone else's again, you will be charged with assault." Then I would report the YP violation to the Scout Executive, as the training directs you to do.

The OP says "he'd LIKE to be SM"...I take that to mean he is NOT YET the SM, but would like to be. As the others said...NO WAY. Selecting leadership is the job of the CO/COR. Just say "no, thanks".

June 16, 1858 See today's Wikipedia main article.

The others are correct...HIPAA only applies to "covered entities" as defined in the law. (see the DHHS website). That does NOT include scouters OR councils OR camps. However, I believe that if I provide private information in good faith, and suffer harm because of the negligence of those entrusted with it (e.g. identity theft), I do have cause for legal action. It's just not a HIPAA violation. Disclaimer: I'm NOT a lawyer. But I do have to take HIPAA training every year for my job.

My opinion...it's today's culture and the way kids are being raised...no, that's not the right term...they are being LED into adulthood...and beyond. Kids are no longer allowed to experience the world and, God forbid, make mistakes. Parents give them an agenda...get your ticket punched and move on. Just spending a week, or even just a weekend in the woods with your buddies doing "guy stuff" is no longer considered a constructive use of one's limited time, unless it results in a ticket punch. Once they make Eagle, check it off the list and move on...the sooner the better. Remaining active and going to summer camp in order to mentor and teach the younger guys won't make that resume or college app look any better. Yes, it is sad. We are producing a narcissistic generation that can't think for themselves and can't function without someone telling them what to do and when to do it. Whatever happened to "to help other people at all times"? Now it's "what are you doing to help me make Eagle?" Sad, indeed. Perhaps we...and the BSA...are anachronisms that have outlived our perceived usefulness.

Bayport has all new facilities, which is nice. We were impressed with the contracted-out dining hall (A/C), real bathrooms and private showers in each site. If your older guys are aquatic-minded, the Rivah Base is a great program.

;-)

I have been blessed...the parents of the scouts I have served have been very accomodating and trusting. They were just happy that I was taking their son away for the weekend and didn't much care what we did with him! That was best for all concerned! Looks like I am wrapping up my Scouting career just in time!

Sorry...I had answered, then thought maybe it's something we shouldn't discuss in open forum?(This message has been edited by scoutldr)

First things first. Your troop committee needs to file a Unit Money Earning approval form with your Council Scout Executive and go from there. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34427.pdf

Welcome to the circle, Brother.

When all else fails, look at your Pack roster printout from Council. If you don't have one, ask the Council secretary to print one out for you. In addition to yourself and the boys, you should see names listed for Committee Chair, Chartered Organization Rep., and at least one Den Leader. Call them and request a meeting. Then lay out your request. Being a good Cubmaster is a full time job. So is being a good Den Leader. Rarely can you do both well, much less the Committee's job too. The others are correct. If there are no functioning Den Leaders, then there's nothing to fold...you don't have a Pack. And another note...YOU do not make the decision to fold or not fold...that's the Chartering Organization's decision. All you can do is transfer your membership to another unit, or quit. So don't feel guilty about something you are not responsible for. Yes, the DE will talk a blue streak to get you to stay, but don't listen to him/her. Their goal is to meet their job goals to stay employed or promoted.

In my day, all we had was Playboy magazine hidden in a knapsack. And back then, Playboy was no worse than today's "17", Cosmopolitan or Maxim. Then our Explorer Post went co-ed, and we didn't need magazines ;-). I am against policies for everything. Then you send a message that those issues without policies are OK. How about inviting a Police Officer or attorney to a meeting to explain the ramifications.

How about a foil dinner or Dutch Oven Throwdown with Bobby Flay? Now we're talkin'... Or an "Aluminum Chef" competition, judged by Cat Cora, Bobby Flay and Mario Batali! It would be more impressive if the kids got to watch Wolfie's "Chefography" on the food network...talk about a "rags to riches" story of hard work and perseverance.

Committee member is usually "MC" not to be confused with Cubmaster (CM). DD= District Director (paid pro supervising junior DEs) FD= Field Director (paid pro supervising the DDs) ASE= Asst Scout Executive (in larger Councils) YP or YPT= Youth Protection Training TDC= Trainer Development Conference NYLT= National Youth Leadership Training WB = Wood Badge training (adults) TG= Troop Guide PL= Patrol Leader SPL= Senior Patrol Leader GSUSA= Girl Scouts WAGGGS= World Association of Girl Guides and Girl Scouts IOLS= Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills WOE= Webelos Outdoor Experience (title varies by Council) TCC= Troop Committee Challenge PT = Pack Trainer BOR = Board of Review EBOR = Eagle BOR SMC= Scoutmaster Conference BALOO= Basic Adult Leader Outdoor Orientation Whew....that oughta hold ya for awhile. Welcome to the Forum!

From the BSA national website: Question: Rank advancement requires a Scout to demonstrate Scout spirit. How is Scout spirit defined and determined? Answer: Scout spirit applies to how a Scout lives and conducts his daily life. He shows Scout spirit by being a role model to his peers, living by the Scout Oath and Law. The concept of Scout spirit is not based on how many Scouting events or outings a Scout attends, but rather by how he helps bring out the best in others as a reflection of his own character and attitude in his daily life. Question: For the Star, Life, and Eagle Scout ranks, how is "Be active in your troop and patrol" defined? Answer: A Scout is considered to be active in his unit if: 1. He is registered in his unit (registration fees are current). 2. He has not been dismissed from his unit for disciplinary reasons. 3. He is engaged by his unit leadership on a regular basis (Scoutmaster conference, informs the Scout of upcoming unit activities, through personal contact, and so on). The unit leaders are responsible for maintaining contact with the Scout on a regular basis. The Scout is not required to attend any certain percentage of activities or outings. However, unit leaders must ensure that he is fulfilling the obligations of his assigned leadership position. If he is not, then they should remove the Scout from that position. So, in the absence of a SM attesting to Scout Spirit (and no evidence to the contrary), as an EBOR member, I would go with the Letters of Recommendation to satisfy this requirement. As to being "active"...I see no evidence to the contrary, either, based on what was provided to us by Ms. Summer.

Thanks, Beav. But I was referring to the version put out by National to us common folk... Active = Registered. If they are not meeting the SM's definition of Scout Spirit by way of "actively serving", then WHY keep them on the roster? We pass them up the ranks, then wait for them to submit their Eagle app, then slam-dunk 'em? Sorry, but that stinks.

What the Merck manual says is irrelevant. The BSA has defined "adult" as age 18 or over for the Boy Scout program. And adult leaders have a prescribed uniform which does not include youth rank badges. NOw if the BSA changed the rule, I would be more than happy to sew the Eagle patch (that I never got to wear as an Explorer) on my left pocket. But until that day, I will wear the knot and expect all other "adults" to suck it up and do the same. I gotta wonder what other "absurd" BSA policies we encourage our Scouts to ignore if they don't agree with them....is that the example we want to provide?

It was just trying to lead you to God's country!

Jet is correct. In my experience, most Scouts get this signed off when they complete their swim check at summer camp, although it can be completed any time. Once the SM sees the buddy tag, it's signed.

Not to sound snippy, but how does this help the 99% of BSA members who WON'T be able to go to Jambo? And how much is their appearance fee? (call me cynical...) I believe it's Guy Fieri...I've never heard of Torres and Bayless...and I'm a Food Network junkie....and a Foodie! Now if Giada or Rachael were showing up...

Pardon me if I misunderstood, but I thought National had defined "active" for us. Not to everyone's liking, but defined nonetheless. So the only "subjectivity" left in the equation to me is the "Scout Spirit" requirement, and mdsummer assured us there were no huge skeletons in the closet. I have seen "SS" interpreted widely and it would have to be something pretty egregious, if not felonious, to preclude a Scout from even sitting for an EBOR. Missing meetings and outings doesn't rise to the level of seriousness that I would expect. So, either this SM is one of the movers and shakers (and deep FOS pockets) of the Council, or, as others have suggested, we don't have the whole picture. Only the Scout and the SM know the real deal here.