Second Class

AND WE HAVE A WINNER!!!!!!!

You bet we do. We don't recommend mess kits per se, but a kit of stuff purpose bought and stored in a gallon sized freezer bag. A metal plate; aluminum, stainless or titanium, whichever they can afford, a plastic cup, a metal bowl for boiling water and eating out of, a long handled metal spoon, pot holder and small green scrub pad. Use it for plop camping and hiking. It will last a lifetime, for just a few dollars more.

This sure is a reality check on why those names on the charter are important. One way you can force his hand is by checking into insurance for your gear and trailer. You will soon find out that you can't get it, and your CO is responsible for providing the insurance coverage. In this case, it's your IH/COR. He's on the hook, personally, for any claims. When he discovers this he may change his turn, and help you all find a real Chartered Organization. This is a mess.

We have done this three years running now. The scouts really have a fun time with it. This past year the SPL and his staff ran the entire show, planning the secret ingredient, the rules and judging. Lots of fun. (The adults still cook for themselves out of self preservation).

If the I.H. is not interested in what is going on, there isn't much chance for improvement here. If that is the case, find another pack.

This is a pale merit badge compared to ES. I hope we don't see a precipitous drop in the number do ES being earned in the next few years.

We submitted for this two years ago and got it. It takes the place of another similar award. I didn't turn us in for it last year. The requirement to earn one merit badge relating to outdoors per scout is a hurdle when you have 1/3 16 and 17 year olds. I spoke to our UC about this, and he confirmed with National that that requirement is a cumulative count. We camp ten times per year. It's pretty hard to camp more than we do. I don't think this award means anything to our scouts. It didn't take long to fill out the form, so why not.

"Laid out" Gurrr auto spell

Little more than two years ago, we had a 15 year old join us on a hiking weekend, he loved it and joined the next week. He was on fire for scouting. He decided then he wanted to make it to Eagle. I and the COR met with him, and laced out the difficult road in front of him. He charged into it. PL and SPL duties he did, summer camp twice, National Jamboree, and 30+ merit badges. He has his Eagle BOR tomorrow night. He's crammed more scouting in 2.5years than some scouts do in 7. Good kid. Proud of him.

LeCastor, I have done that same thing, collect "stuff" and hold it until somebody asks me for it. We write the names on the edge of the handbook as well. As an aside, the quality of these current handbooks is abysmal. By First Class the pages are falling out. We encourage our scouts to keep it in. A zip lock bag with pen and pad. Most do. I've met with this boy twice. He brought a printout of the T-1st Class requirements from MeritBadge dot org. No book. I told him he had to replace his book before we'd start the rebuild process. I asked him about a few of the requirements, and as expected he had clear memory of some and "I can't remember" on others. This is going to be a root canal process, I can see.

All good stuff. Most close to what I had thought about; have the scout recreate what he did, where, with who, and discuss it with me. If he can't remember, then do it over. Thanks, from the outgoing SM.

Absolutely. I credit WB with saving my troop. We spun off from another unit, and were in the death spiral of losing older scouts and no replacements. By implementing the patrol method, a PLC with authority, we were able to survive, grow, then thrive. It is a great resource, and the people you will meet are assets for future use. Go in with a closed mind, and you'll receive nothing.

I think, too, it might depend on what the felony was. Domestic violence? Animal abuse? Worth looking into.

We are taking a big hit on departing scouts this year, so our non sellers are 40% of the troop. We were expecting a down year, but end of the day have sold 3k more than last year. Might be top troop and in the top five of all units. Had to beat the 100 kid cub units. It was a hard year though. Lots of bruised kidneys from sharp elbows.

How do you handle this situation: scout loses his book, and expects SM to "just re-sign" everything that the scout says he's completed. We allow older scouts to sign off, and we've no way of knowing for sure what had been earned. We do not record advancement in our troop until a rank or badge is earned. Keeping up with their paperwork and book is their responsibility.