Sentinel947

I'm sure he used the search function. I'd never read this thread having joined only a year of two ago. I was in my 3rd year as a Scout when this thread was active. O_o

As long as you clearly communicate an attendance policy and it isn't used a "gotcha" after no coaching from the SM I'm in favor of attendance policies. BD I trust you to implement an attendance policy fairly, because you do your job correctly. The same can't be said for every Scoutmaster, some of who use attendance policies as weapons to guard Eagle from "unworthy" Scouts.

What years where the changes implemented? When did it to coed? When do they plan to change the terminology back?

Whoa... that wasn't charitable at all.

NYLT was a fine experience for me. I attended in 2009. Since then, in my council they've allowed it to be Coed with Venturers to attend. It's changed the format of the week considerably, to the point where it's just "Leadership Training" not specific to Boy Scouts. I'm not a fan of how NYLT is ran in my council. Hopefully yours will be different. I think you will have a good time at NYLT.

Perdidochas, where did you find the in guide to safe Scouting that what you did was wrong. At least as far as hiking or backpacking goes, what ya'll did is completely ok. Is there different rules for water activities?

I was worried how that scene looked to people that had never read the book. The movie made Ender look psychopathic and violent, when he really is a very reluctant killer.

So I just bought Ender's Game on DVD, and the movie still gets me. I have so much appreciation for how the director owned this movie, while keeping the core of the book intact. Did he change things? yes, but honestly, it didn't hurt the movie much. The ending, the final 2 minutes or so, was arguably stronger than the books ending.

In my opinion, the first example is far and away worse than the second one. There is no place for hazing in Scouting , and your first example was hazing. Your nephew was hazed. Some other people might object to the use of the word, but that is hazing and a shoddy attempt to cover it up. Where was the Advisor???? The second example isn't as clear. There is more nuance. Children do not like to be deceived by adults, regardless of whatever reason. Ultimately as Adults and ethical human beings we learn that just because the ends are good, it doesn't justify that we use unethical means to achieve them. The ASM should know this and adjust his behavior. I try to foster with my Scouts as open and honest relationship as possible. I want them to be open and honest with me, so I try my hardest to be clear and truthful to them. A Scout is trustworthy and so should Scout leaders.

I've used a compass outside of training scenarios while a Scout. I certainly think one can argue about the necessity of a sheath knife in a survival situation, especially while back packing. I carry a sheath knife only while backpacking, mainly for shelter construction where a folding knife is too small, but a hachet or ax is too heavy for backpacking.

I think the quality of projects depends on the Scout and his unit. Packsaddle, what would you replace The project with? If anything?

I wrote to Scouter Terry. He said a developer will be looking at the site next week. I'll have the developer scan this thread. Thanks for your help!

Why would he be deprived of an Eagle COH? Normally an Eagle COH is planned by the Scout and ran by people who are close to the Scout. Not the Scoutmaster.

Troops are not banned per say from allowing their Scouts to use Sheath Knives, however in the guide to safe scouting, it is strongly discouraged. (Page 34). http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34416.pdf In my time as a Scout and Scouter, I've never needed anything more than a Swiss Army Knife for any of the Trips I've taken. I probably use the tweezer function to remove Ticks more than the actual blade itself. Doing some research on the topic I discovered a very nice blog post. http://scoutingaround.com/boy-scouts...uidelines.html In conclusion, there is no fixed blade length, and each Troop is free to decide their own acceptable knife policies. You will have to convince the Scouts and Adult volunteers as to why a policy allowing fixed blade knives is wiser than whatever your units current policy is.

ScouterJoe, I contacted Scouter Terry (the owner of the site). He is going to schedule some time for the developer to look at the site and this issue next week. I'll be in contact with Terry and the Developer and will update you when I have more information. Sorry about the lack of website access.

I'm pretty sure if a Scout or Parent called them out on that practice they'd be getting a slap on the wrist from the district or council.

I don't think Perdidochas is arguing to get Eagle and be done as early as possible. Earning Eagle later can just as easily be a get Life Scout at 13, disappear till 17, grab the bird and go. TwoCub: I think the path I took to Eagle is fine and its surprisingly similar to your sons (Although I think I was closer to the deadline..). I think how Perdidochas Son is earning it is great. Twocubdad I think how your sons earned it is excellent as well. The point is that the Scout earning Eagle spends time in the program, gets the experiences out of it and gives back a bit. I don't like the "What age is best to earn Eagle" discussion, because that question is very dependent on the Scout in question. I've been involved with Boy Scouting for 6 years as a youth, and I'm closing in on my third year as an Adult leader far more rapidly than I'd like to be... I've seen Young Eagles grab the Bird and Run. I've seen young Eagles stay involved in the program till they aged out. I've seen Scouts earn life at 13, leave till 17, then come back to get Eagle and disappear. (I'm absolutely not a fan of this, but it's very common.) I've seen Scouts earn Life at 13 and stay active with the Troop up until earning their Eagles at the last possible moment. It depends on the Scout. We as Scoutmasters/Assistant Scoutmasters/Parents need to encourage Scouts to stay involved with the program regardless of whether they are are young and on the fast track to Eagle at 14 or on track to earn Eagle at 17. When they earn Eagle isn't nearly as important as what they are doing in the program. At least that's how I view it. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel947

ScouterJoe, I've contacted the developer about the issues you are experiencing. I'll post updates here when I have them.

I didn't either

More Holy than Thou.

"Baloney! Scouting has always been a game for city boys who spend too much time indoors. 20th century parents were indoor adults that spent most of their life at a desk, same as now. So Baden-Powell designed Wood Badge as a week-long immersion course to teach desk riders how to think like woodsmen." Aye, the truth, couldn't have written it any better myself. I've noticed recently that NYLT in my area has really started to de emphasize the Patrol Method as they've allowed Venture Scouts to start participating. Just curious Kudu, have you read "Baden Powell: The Two Lives of a Hero" by William Hillcourt? http://www.amazon.com/Baden-Powell-The-Two-Lives-Hero/dp/0963432001

In our Troop, after the Troop Elections, whatever positions are left are assigned by the SM to whomever wants them. The SPL assigning everything besides Patrol Leaders is how it's supposed to be. I just don't understand her last post. "After the Election, the positions that aren't filled are given by the SM to those who want them" Why didn't they run for the position in the election? Then after the election they go to the Scoutmaster and ask for a empty position they could already have by running for it.... I don't understand that system.

Aye. 4 years is a long time to figure that out. It's starting to become a trend in my unit where former ASMs or former Scoutmasters take a small volunteer role with the district after their sons leave Scouting.

I understand your point. I agree. You keep pointing to Pope Benedict XVI as an especially political pope, but you don't provide any evidence to back your claim.

Forum ate my first reply..... Darn. My unit has a crop of Eagles that have earned the rank since 2011. One is SPL, two are JASM, one ASM. 6 more volunteer when they are available from college. That's not all of the Eagles since 2011, but roughly 3/4ths of the Eagles. However when I grew up in my Troop, Eagle Scouts never stayed with the unit. Most of us currently involved earned it close to turning 18. (Except the SPL and JASMs) We all recommend Scouts earn it earlier. It's not rushing to get done, but moving aggressively before High School Committments, Jobs and other issues steal a Scouts free time. Perdidochas, encourage your son to stay active, even if later in High School he can't make everything. The Scouts will value his experience and guidance. He also helps set a precedent that earning Eagle isn't the end of Scouting.