SemperParatus

I'm no scouting professional, but I would think the impetus behind unit growth is to expand scouting's reach in an area through greater opportunities for affiliation with more institutional partners. While pure membership growth is enough of a belt to hold up the pants, growth in partnering relationships are the suspenders needed over the long haul to make sure we never, ever expose ourselves.

John, I suppose our troop is a few years older and has grown a bit faster, but we certainly share the same problem. We have tried the log and sign-out and patrol control and quartermaster check and no one leaves until its all packed away methods...but still tents find their way to the forgotten corners of basements and garages for months. I am sure the great methods suggested in the prior posts are workable, as long as they are consistently and slavishly followed. Unfortunately, people forget or are rushed or claim ignornace or have a special situation or whatever other excuse to cause process malfunction. Since our inception, we have done the troop tent thing, but for the past couple of years I really have come to believe that having scouts provide their own tenting is the way to go. While I sincerely hope that you can execute on better processes and controls, I expect that as your troop continues to grow this problem will likely continue. Understanding that a $50-$75 investment could be significant for some scouts, I would keep the supply of tents you have now for use by the new scout patrol and as loaners to those that cannot provide their own tent. I would suspect that most of your experienced scouts have access to a tent or are in a position to invest in one. Perhaps consider earmarking a portion of future fundraising dollars to 'tent grants' for scouts rather than troop tent purchases. Grants could be for 25-50% of tent costs for all scouts or just those in need. Good luck.

The most terrible fight is not when there is one opinion against another, the most terrible is when two men say the same thing -- and fight about the interpretation, and this interpretation involves a difference of quality. ~ Soren Kierkegaard

Lately, I've given the book Scout Law - Quotes for Life by Patrick Flaherty...only $11.01 at Scouter.com.

Maybe its just me, but your post leaves me thinking that the persistent problem is not entirely with the scout, but mostly within yourself. Your post comes across as overly judgemental of the boy and his family, a willingness to revoke his decisions without knowing his rationale for them and play games to watch him fail, and a sense that this boy's personality does not fit with your imagination's concoction of what 'your' SPL should be like.

Ed, I don't know whether to offer my congratulations or condolences. So, I'll offer both with some whipped cream and a cherry on top.

Fscouter gave you the advice you need. I would just add that if I were in your shoes, I would not be too concerned about 'singling this boy out'. I think that has already been done by his parents by delivering him a happy meal at breakfast, lunch and dinner.

Ed, Ice cream! Now your talking. This thread has certainly hit a patch of rocky road. While I certainly don't conedone hijacking a thread, sometimes posters can get a little nuts and a bit saucey. This topic has been milked to death on this forum, so I doubt anyone will have a big new scoop on this topic. Just more swirl of the same old. Even though its not Sundae, its a sherbet that I would have a bowl with you this morning. My favorite flavors...this week... Pistachio Dutch Chocolate Almond Strawberry

Anyone out there wearing the very stylish Rainbow colored loops?

Here's an idea off the top of my head... How about the local OA chapter put on a PowWow (similar to a Camporee), inviting all packs in district to participate - could include dance competitions, native american games, story telling, skills, foods, etc. etc.

Except for a few articles termed as 'satire' dealing with the Jambo deaths, I find most of Fred's news postings to be worthwhile for a quick read. Since I am too lazy to go out looking for Scouting news, I for one am happy to have Fred do the work for me.

Whitewater, caving and climbing at Ohiopyle SP (PA) and Gettysburg are two of the trips we redo every other year. Every fall we hold a Wacky Olympiad patrol competition that includes 30 or so very odd events that challenge knowledge, skills, teamwork and bravery in unusual and fun ways.

I'll vouch for CustomInk - great quality, service, and the on-line design tool is very easy to use.

OGE, wood yew be so kind as to keep a log of these articles so that we can get to the root of this issue.

After running around the barn that many times, you must be tired. You can share my log. Welcome.

Mostly tasteless jokes about Ted Kennedy with a few witty ones thrown in (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

For mature audiences only... I have a sad story to tell you, It may hurt your feelings a bit. Last night when I walked into my bathroom, I stepped in a big pile of ... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean, shave every day and you'll always look keen. A baby fell out of the window, You'd think that her head would be split, But good luck was with her that morning, she fell in a barrel of... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean shave every day and you'll always look keen. An old lady died in the bath tub. She died from a terrible fit. In order to fulfill her wishes, She was buried in six feet of... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean Shave every day and you'll always look keen. When I was in France with the army, On day I looked into my kit, I thought I would find me a sandwich, But the darned thing was loaded with... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean Shave every day and you'll always look keen. While watching a game at Fenway, Nomar got a nice hit. While sliding into second base, He ended up with a mouthful of ... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean Shave every day and you'll always look keen. Our baby got into some peaches, We thought he had swallowed a pit. Next morning we looked in his diaper, But the darned thing was loaded with... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean shave every day and you'll always look keen. And now my story is ended, I think it is time I should quit, If any of you feel offended, Stick your head in a bucket of... Shhhhhaving cream, be nice and clean Shave every day and you'll always look keen.

Five years ago, our troop did summercamp week at Hawk Mountain Scout Reservation. The First Aid MB Counselor (a big kid) carried around a big stick that he referred to as his 'persuasion stick' with the inferred threat that its presence would ensure that all participants would be attentive and answer his questions. The Camp Director was kind enough to 'reassign' him to different duties by Tuesday. I wonder if its the same stick?

Happy Cinco de Mayo! For anyone that cares, here is the Mexico National Anthem (in English thank you)...adopted a few years after the US-Mexican war...talk about a bloody song! Mexicans, at the cry of battle prepare your swords and bridle; and let the earth tremble at its center at the roar of the cannon. Oh fatherland Your forehead shall be girded with olive garlands, by the divine archangel of peace For in heaven your eternal destiny has been written by the hand of God. But should a foreign enemy dale to profane your land with his sole, Think, beloved fatherland, that heaven gave you a soldier in each son. War, war without truce against who would attempt to blemish the honor of the fatherland! War, war! The patriotic banners drench in waves of blood. War, war! On the mount, in the valley The terrifying thunder of the cannon And the echoes nobly resound to the cries of Union! Liberty! Fatherland, before your children Become unarmed beneath the yoke their necks in sway, And your countryside be watered with blood, On blood their feet trample. And may your temples, palaces and towers crumble in horrid crash, and ruins remain saying: The fatherland was made of one thousand heroes. Fatherland, fatherland, your children swear to exhale their breath in your cause, If the bugle in its belligerent tone should call upon them to struggle with bravery. For you the olive garlands! For them a memory of glory! For you a laurel of victory! For them a tomb of honor! (This message has been edited by SemperParatus)

We have done mirror battles, combined with capture the flag. Each scout is issued a 4" round mirror. Deflecting a sun beam that shines into the eyes of an opponent, renders the opponent incapicitated (dead) for a long count before they can reenter the game. A 'hit' is easily identified by the immediate wince and squint facial expression, so its very hard to cheat. Disagreements can usually be settled by a duel at 20 paces...very entertaining. I suppose a sunbeam is not a laser, and a mirror is not a weapon-like implement. So we should be okay as best as I can tell. Plus its some of the cheapest fun a group of boys can have.

Investment A couple of hundred bucks and hours a year. Less than a month of smokes or gasoline Less than the time spent watching TV Less than the time most people spend commuting Return Unlimited opportunities for fellowship Unlimited opportunities for exploration Unlimited opportunities for service Unlimited opportunities for personal development Unlimited opportunities for leadership/followship Unlimited opportunities for learning Unlimited opportunities for self discovery Unlimited opportunities for great memories I think the return is there, if you are open to looking for it.

I would have a meeting with his parents to discuss some of the specific issues that have arisen and seek their counsel on how to best manage his behavior in the future. I would be looking for ways to help this boy, rather than ideas for meting out discipline.

'Our favorite holding period is forever.' ~ Warren Buffet

A Pinewood Derby Trophy's Lament I sit here all bright and gleaming As the boys laugh and play And the parents connive and scheming Who will take me home today Little Johnny has one ugly ride Made it all by myself he says Every race, its on the losing side Who will take me home today Big Red looks like a brick Its wheels wobble and sway Someone must not have shared the trick Who will take me home today In the corner, men talk about thrust To the bitter end they will stay Underneath a cloud of graphite dust Who will take me home today Oh uh, a little mixup on the line Sleek Blue was in the wrong lane But Dad is there, to make sure all's fine Who will take me home today Sleek Blue wins with a great roar Its scout had to leave, couldn't stay But Dad is here, watching the score Who will take me home today Dad jumps on the victory stand Knocking second and third out of the way He clutches me so tight in his hand I guess he takes me home today Aglow, he takes me for a victory lap All around the room we stray Beaming over all the losing saps Oh please don't take me home today Wishing all better luck next year Dad heads out after a long delay Leaving behind a room of tears Oh please don't take me home today In the car, he wipes off my smudge And gently places me beside in the tray Checking to make sure I don't budge Oh please don't take me home today He tells me how great we are At every stop, I catch his loving gaze 'But just wait until next year's car' Oh please don't take me home today Brushing aside a second place plaque Dad gently places me in a glass display 'Next year we'll cut them no slack' As he turns and walks away I guess I am now home today cajuncody, I am sorry that you have been treated this way by people that value a piece of plastic more than a fellow human being. Please accept this lament as a small token of scouting fellowship.

I think they are trying... http://www.boyslife.org/