SemperParatus

Something is going on. Anyone else notice that this site has gotten incredibly slow the past two days. Yesterday, in the Welcome Back Name! in the upper right hand corner, it showed a different name for me - very strange.

NCD, When I was CM (sooo long ago), once we checked a car in, the scout did not have access to it until his car was no longer in a pack sanctioned race. We did this basically to avoid secret modifications (e.g., adding weights). A team of adults would man the staging table and track placement and starting. With 100 boys in the pack, it was important to gain efficiencies by having the next racers staged and ready to be set up while the current race was being run. The adults would make sure the cars were handled with the utmost car (scouts grabbing at cars during my first year as a spectator resulted in several cars falling off the table), and ensure proper placement on the lane at the starting gate (many scouts are in such excitement that there placement was bad resulting in their car not even moving when the gate was lifted). That first year when I just watched, once a scout in such excitement to grab his car to get it on the track, tripped over the track resulting in a 30 minute race delay as the track had to be fixed. With 100 boys + parent/sibling races and pack finals and each car running down the track at least a half dozen times, we finished in 6-7 hours. That could not have been done without the adults working the staging/setup area. I think the scouts appreciated because they did not have to deal with other kids touching their cars, breaking the track and the like. Once a scout was done with his races (den race but not moving onto pack finals) he could play with his car all day on the short track set up for fun in the other room. enable a team of adults to stage the racers to have cars ready to run before being placed on the track (we had 100 boys in pack), ensure good track placement at the gate,

Here is the link to the official BSA trademark identity rights etc. - don't know if it helps any. http://www.scouting.org/identity/ The fact that BSA puts out downloadable files, tells me that there are no problems -they just want them used correctly and appropriately. (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

To get anyone to do anything, you must make them want to do it. If they are not coming to training, its because they think they have something better to do. 1. Eliminate obstacles - reduce costs, units pay for training fees, ensure frequency and convenience of location, take the training to the unit, if appropriate. 2. Promote and clearly explain the benefits - doing this at Roundtable is preaching to the choir. Training Chairs should visit units on occasion to promote training - maybe tag along with the Friends of Scouting guy to a B&G or COH. When you explain it - focus on the good that comes from being trained and come up with a little hook that plants in someone's mind "hey, sounds like a fun and worthwhile thing." 3. Recognize the trained - Go way out of the way to recognize the trained at the district and unit level. Put their name in print in the local publication, congratulate them on the district-wide e-mail, offer special incentives only for the trained. 4. Make the Training Relevant and Worthwhile - eliminate the corny even though you think it is great 'modeling'. 5. When all else fails...make it mandatory.

Welcome...and best of luck to your son. What software do you use for keeping track of the molah? or do you do it the old-fashioned and reliable way?

Boy, have I been there and done that... Lessons learned - 1. Scoutmaster must make changes incrementally, immediate and far-reaching changes almost always cause division. He may have forced too much too soon (I can see that more clearly in hindsight). 2. Scoutmaster must have a strong working relationship with the CC who will support him 100%. If this is not the case, then the SM has no chance at all. 3. Scoutmaster and CC must present their plans to the Committee (which currently holds all the power) and gently push the changes focusing on the benefits that will accrue to their boys - greater leadership development and self-confidence. 4. Scoutmaster must select his own ASMs that will support him in his changes. He can keep some of the 'old guard' around but not rely on them for much - more so just so that they are close by to be watched. 5. Scoutmaster must model and teach leadership skills to the scouts - constant follow-up and questioning, PLC meetings, JLT course, etc etc. This will be the hardest part of all. 6. Power must be wrestled from the Committee. The CC must control that - he must be willing and able to say 'no the parents will not do that anymore...the scouts will." A weak CC will not work if change is to be effected. 7. Training, training, and more training for the adults. Make it easy so that they do not have an excuse. Maybe schedule special sessions during troop meeting time, so that the adults are away from the action and are getting what they need most. 8. Training, training and more training for the scouts. Troop JLT is a must and the first order of business. Consider getting the oldest boys to council JLT this summer. 9. Get the adult complainers doing something else...hospitatlity committee, merit badge counselors, district involvement, equipment repair, paperwork. Anything to keep them away from planning trips and meetings and complaining. 10. Recognize that time heals all wounds. Those that are really upset will leave...good riddance. After 2-3 years it will only be a bad, distant memory as the changeover occurs. Recruit heavily to tip the scales from the old to the new. 11. For the immediate time, negotiate a merit badge solution. Not during troop meeting time, but maybe counselors can come in for the hour period prior to a meeting. Forcing scouts (and parents) to go 'cold turkey' is not the best way to wean someone off a bad drug. Do it gradually. 12. A word from the retired SM to the parents, showing his utmost confidence in the new SM can not hurt. 13. Be a slave to the Patrol Method. Sounds like things are spiraling out of control and are about to reach a crescendo. CC and SM should take immediate action to seek reconciliation. Parent Meeting time. The SM and CC need to present their goals in a reasoned and compassionate manner focusing on making the troop a model BSA program. They cannot come across as know-it-alls, they really need to show some humility to get the parents off their backs. In the end, the really bad apples that are causing significant troubles must be told to either get in line or leave. Harsh?...yes. Necessary?...yes...for the good of the Troop and the rest of the boys.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

And Henson has the best food of any summercamp in the country...did you enjoy the apple pies?

If you are going to do the burning neckerchief, it is best to check with the CO first. Our pack CO would not allow fire in their building. We did that one outside once - better at night then in the day. I had a buddy CM who accidentally caught his headdress on fire with the flame though. As Eagledad says...practice makes perfect.

"Scouting is the best thing a parent can do for their children,and themselves"...amen to that. Welcome to you and the lil' beasties.

Sounds like a good place for both. Organized events in am - flag ceremony, fishing derby, some games/relays, etc. Leave after lunch for hangout time - swimming and fort playing should be big hits. Finish with a semi-organized campfire, maybe have dens prep skits in afternoon too. Possibly cap with a night hike.

ItsMe, Maybe kill two birds with one stone (oops...sorry PETA), schedule a Red Cross Blood drive the same night as your pack whittlin' chip event.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Poker definitely seems to be the game of choice today. Some of our guys are really into it. They have those really nice heavy chips. The kind I would never buy. They have asked me to play, but I have declined...something doesn't feel right about an adult playing poker with minors. Am I wrong?

You may want to talk this over with the troop they are crossing into. The best ceremonies are ones where there is a collaborative effort on the part of the pack and the troop. Here's an indoor "show stopper" we did - Lights out, fog machine on, spot light on opening into meeting room. Indian dude comes through the fog - from the tribe of Webelos - talks about following the trail of the wolf and bear and then webelos. But there is a fork ahead - one leads to a summit of greater adventure, the other does not. Who is join him on the trail to the summit. CM joins him and calls out names of the boys to crossover - Indian dude gives them some words of advice about the summit having a tribe of older boys doing cool stuff. Asks if they are willing to follow him on this trail. They agree. They give CM final cub scout salute, returned by CM. CM removes their webelos neckerchiefs, folds them and hands them back to boys. Indian dude leads them back through the fog. All the while a drum is beating, it keeps beating during the absence in the fog. After a minute or so, boy scouts lead the crossovers out of the fog and to the front where the SM and boy leaders are waiting (they sneak up to the front while people are looking the other way). Once up front, the SM welcomes them to the summit of boy scouting. Says a few words about how they are so happy to have them join them, etc. etc. Boy scouts then induct them with troop neckerchief, red loops, etc. Sorry about being short on the words...it is more a visual thing - the words will come to you. Best of luck!

OGE, What were you saying the other day about troop's adding to the requirements...or does that only apply to uniforms?

I don't think it is in print. I think it is a unit decision.

Probably the best five plus years of your life too(except for that immaturity thing)...welcome. PS - got any cookies left? I'm on my last box of Thin Mints!

It dawned on me this weekend while cabin camping that there was not a Yu-Gi-Oh card in site. In fact, I think its been at least 6 months since I have seen them on a trip. Can we pronounce this fad dead or is there still life in other pockets of the country? For those in California, what are you seeing as the next scourge from Japan that I can expect to invade our camping trips? (insert Smiley thingee)

Did you go through the links that are on this website for some good ideas?I think the BSA Camporee Guide you are looking for is the first link. http://www.scouter.com/compass/Leaders_Resource/Large_Event_Planning/Camporees/ (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Absolutely okay. Eagle Scout projects can be used for the BSA Hornaday Award, the Congressional Awards, Prudential Spirit of America Award, etc. Religious emblem awards are given by both your church and scouts for the same work. For the Hiking merit badge, we do a lot of Historical Trails with award components. Being awarded by scouting and other groups for the same work is entirely appropriate.(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

Ed's is correct. When I have to counsel my own son, I make sure his work is extremely well documented (more so than I would require of other scouts), just in case there is ever a question. It is probably adding to the requirements for him, but he understands the reasons.

And Happy Scouting to you...enjoy the ride.

Nice to meet you...welcome.

Since he posted here last month, why don't you try the e-mail link on the website link he posted. http://www.eagle-scout.com/ or private message him on the thread titled...Eagle Scout Song started on 10-9-04(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)(This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

OGE, it was a summer trip so no risk of frostbite in our area. I remember the nighttime temperatures were low 80s. Just about perfect. A zip-lock bag!?!...in the winter!?!...now that's hardcore!

A hammock would never fit, unless you are okay with fasting. The hot sleep set-up was the ground...there were a lot of those silver emergency blankets that fold down to 3"x3"x1/2" used for ground cover. And the shoebox itself makes a decent pillow, by the second night.