scoutldr

"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).

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.

;-)