Jump to content

Shell in WA- USA

Members
  • Content Count

    155
  • Joined

  • Last visited

Posts posted by Shell in WA- USA

  1. This may not help your situation but I wanted to tell what we did when we had a leader swearing really bad if front of the boys. HE was a trucker and was around it all the time. When we asked him to tone downt he language, he was truely appolgetic but he still had a real hard time remembering not to use those choice words.

     

    But he had a great attitude and a great sense of humor. At one den meeting, he brought a big jar of those hotel soaps with him and an empty jar. He explained to the boys that swearing was inappropiate and that he had a real problem with it too and he was trying to stop. He went on to explain to the boys the whys and whats of not swearing. Then he talked about why there were rules and why it was important for everyone to show consideration for all around them.

     

    Then he challenged the boys that every time they caught him swearing, they could put a bar of soap in the empty jar. And for every correction he had to make with the boys (per their set den rules) he got to put a bar of soap back into the first jar. At the end of the year if the "empty jar" was more full then the "first" jar, he would buy pizza for the den, but if it was opposite, then the boys would have to buy him pizza.

     

    It became a game for the den. By the end of the year, it was the best mannered den in the pack and the leader toned his swearing WAY down! But he still had to buy them all pizza! ;)

     

    I thought it was SO BIG of him to do. I greatly admired that leader for the effort!...Wish your problem could be so easy. ;)

  2. Oh, and what I meant to add to my last post is that an Eagle project isn't really for doing the project itself but to demonstrate your leadership skills. Why can't you organize a service to the community with your troop as the laborers and collect donations? It can be something as simple as a carwash or something like a dinner drive. A local scout just had put on a Pancake Breakfast for all the scouts doing the Scouting for food and took donations for the breakfast. The local businesses donated the food and kicked in money for his project as well. I know of any scout that helped organize blocks of time and labor with his troop and friends as laborers at a concession stand at a ball field and the concessioner paid him money for the time and effort in trade to go towards the Eagle project.

  3. EagleInKY, just wanted you to know that I stole, I mean borrowed your idea about the scout law and gave it to our SM. He used this witht he boys and it was so great! HE had them going for four weeks until he finally told them it was the word "is" and why.

     

    But for four weeks of meetings, the boys were trying to guess certain laws and the SM would have them explain why they thought that. Then it would open up convesation about that with the rest of the troop.

     

    But the fourth week, one of the boys finally caught on and asked if this was a trick question because they had listed all the scout laws. That's when the SM went into your list of what the scout laws dont say and why the word "is" is the most important to a Scout.

     

    Thanks so much for the idea, it really taught a great lesson with our troop boys! ;)

  4. Well, I wouldn't say that there is "no" adult input. When the boys come to us for advise, we'll help them out. Sometimes it's a questions with a question, sometimes it's alist of possiblilities, and sometimes it's a direct answer. The whole point is that Adults should be a resource of infomation but not the ones to do it. And if you can get the kids to think it out on their own, they definately will retain something!

     

    My motto when getting parents along on the trips, especially the new ones, is " Your not going as Mom or Dad but rather a BS Leader." OF course a little training helps!

     

    And I won't cut down on Moms, I'm a single Mom myself!

  5. If you meant me, FOG, (I'm Shell) yes, I agree. That was my unstated point. And what was amazing to me was that he was 16 at the time and he came to that conclusion on his own. And he sought guidance from the SM. ....I want a son like that! ;)

     

    Needless to say now, but he was an Eagle Scout with 2 palms before he left the program at 18 for college. He vows to return someday. I think he just might!

  6. Sounds like you've got a good list going. I was trying to remember some of the courses I've taken at our Commissioners and District Service College (Your University of Scouting) over the years. Here's what I've got in mind...

     

    Training for RT Staff both Cub and BS and Venturing- How to run a good District RT(2-parter for us)

     

    Issues and Concerns - Our SE will come and the group will discuss current issues in Scouting (both Council wide and nationally)

     

    Individual courses for each of the District Positions and how to best serve that position (ie. Training, Advancement, Activities, Camping, etc).

     

    High Adventure and how to introduce new boys to the idea and get tehm in the planning process. Also giving ideas locally as to wheat to doa nd where to go. Where to get training (ie. learn how to canoe, climb, etc)

     

    How to find volunteers, how to approach and get the "yes" from people.

     

    Understanding the inner relationship between Commissioner, Professional and unit.

     

    Using Computer Software for your units. How to get hooked up witht he Council, if available.

     

    Coordinated Charter Renewal

     

    A practional course on "where do I go from here?" Discussions on common unit needs and where to go for solutions and resources.

     

    Understanding the importance of training for the unit and the different opportunities they have in the council and district.

     

    Getting beyond the "Quality Unit" standard. Find resources to measure unit success and help a unit move beyond the Min. of QU Award and enhance their success.

     

    What is Venturing? How does it relate to other district and council programs? How to we provide unit service to them?

     

    Special Needs and Scouting - Providing a good experience for Scouts with special needs, challenges and abilities.

     

    Good Communication - it's not just emails and flyers!

     

    Scouting and religion, belief in God or a Higher Power, religious awards, and diversity of beliefs. We say it is an essential part of Scouting, but what does that mean in practice?

     

    Scouting and LDS - The structure and organization

     

    Creating web pages and sites for units - the ins and outs.

     

    Risk Managment - Hot topics and great answers about High Adventure exposure, Youth Protection, untrained or uneducated adult leaders, the use of tour permits, incident documentation, and proper registration of merit badge counselors.

     

    Keeping the older Scouts - Tips to help your units to use the high adventure and leadership of the Venturing program to maintain enthusiasm in older scouts.

     

    Conflict Resolution - What causes conflicts in units? How can it be avoided? Tips for Unit Commissioners as they facilitate the units' implementation of conflict resolution.

     

    District Structure and Onganization-

    A discussion on the organizational structure and operation of the District Committee, Commissioner teams, and Key 3. The roles, responsibilities and working relationships of each of these three groups.

     

    District Progams - The program function concentrates on helping units with special activities including civic service and council events. Everyone at the district level has a hand in this responsibility.

     

    Hope that helps! Success in your university!

     

     

     

     

     

     

  7. I'm not a Junior Leader but have been a "supervising" adult on outings. The Adults that go on our outings are proudest to say that when we were "totally bored and had nothing to do," it was a successful trip for the boys! ;) In other words, the boys managed their own outing.

     

    When patrols show up for the outing, usually the patrol will delegate their duties for set up, etc. If their are "lone scouts" that don't have the rest of the patrol with them, the SPL will arrange a group for them to be with.

     

    Usually, from an adult's perspective, it "looks" kaotic but eventually, you strat to see a pattern to their madness and tents will start to pop up and kitchens are formed, etc. Usually it depends on how the site is as to where and how the sites are set up. But I've noticed that no one in our troop likes things "all in a row." The only time I've seen them do that is if we are at Camporee or something like that.

     

    Sometimes a SPL will have the patrols stay as patrols when cooking and they each have their own stations (If room allows) and sometimes, the speeping arrangments are by patrol and the cooking is staged in one area.

     

    Soemtimes, the patrols are responsible for their own food and cooking and sometimes the SPL will have a cooking roster where one patrol might do breakfast for the troop and another might do dinner for the troop, etc.

     

    I don't think I'd have them do anything different because even if there are mistakes, they still have learned.

  8. I don't think age matters as much as their rank and experience in the troop. And if the fellow troop members think enough of them to vote them in the position, then they should be given a chance and usually will do well.

     

    By default though, our SPLs are usually the older scouts. And in our troop, the Adult counterparts are there to mentor the boy for their success. Like (SPL to SM), (Scribe to Advancement), (Quartermaster to Equipment Chair),etc

     

    For us:

    SPL - 16, Life

    Assistant - 15, Star

    Quartermaster - 14, Second Class

    Scribe - 16, First Class

    Troop Guides - 14-17, Star or above

    Chaplian Aide - 15, first class (Yes, we even got on of those this election!)

    Outing Coordinator - 14, Star

    PL - 11-18, (depending on age of patrol, we form patrols according to age and when they come in together.)

  9. I'm sure I'll be corrected but I don't think it's your job to get your fellow Scouts to get "Eagle Rank." However, that doesn't mean that, by example, you can't encourage your troop mates to advance and excel in the program. Scouting isn't for Eagle mills but to help give the scouts confidence and experience in taking leadership, experiencing life, and in servicing others. (At least the way I see it.)

     

    And I see nothing wrong in you being a SPL even if you have your Eagle rank already. If it is like you said and no one would step up. And if you had a troop election where your fellow troop mates voted you in. (If you stuffed the ballot box, that a different story! ;) ) But who have you chosen as your Assistant? Here's your opportunity to teach others in your troop. Then when the next election comes around, they too will have the confidence to raise their hand.

     

    But I agree that the wealth should be spread to the other scouts who still are trying to advance and excel. But if no one else would do it, what else can you do? But the people filling the postitions should be just as much trained and knowledgable as any adult that works in the troop. And they shouldn't get the "credit" if they didn't do the job. But that's where the adults of your troop, as well as yourself as SPL, should be stepping in and working with their counterparts so the boy is successful in his position.

     

    At one time in our troop, we had a similiar problem. Only one scout was SPL for 1 1/2 years (3 terms) because no one else thought they could do it. So when they voted him in for a fourth term(6 mos) what he told them was that he would accept the position but he wanted three assistants for the term. The four of them worked together and every 2 mo period, he rotated through each of the three different boys as "top" assistant. He "taught" the Assistants what to do, helped them do a plan and let THEM run the meetings. He really was thier assistant, but they didn't know it. He also STRONGLY encouraged all scouts eligible to go through the JLT.

     

    When the next election came around, he refused to be put on the ballot and listed the three assistants he had had. And that's how the story goes.

  10. Our Troop's "Adult Patrol" comprise of any and all adults that attend an outing with the boys. It's ever changing in it's membership. We're called the "Old Log" patrol. It's a reminder that, not only are we older, but we're supposed to be like "logs" when it comes to letting the boys experience their own growth and leadership in the troop. We just "lay there" until the boys need us. Oh, and we bring the car keys! ;)

  11. I used to be a Fox!

    W1-609-03

     

    I finished my ticket last month and will be getting my beads in two weeks! Too bad the job doesn't end when you "finish" the ticket! It's just beginning! ;)

     

    And watch out for your kids! My son told me "good for you" then asked when I'd be getting my fourth bead! (Any woman course diretors out there?) I think I taught him too well in service to others! ;)

     

    BTW, Owl 62, just to a search on owls and you'll come up with lots of merchandise to choose from!

  12. Okay, I guess in that way, they has made an ammendment to their policies. But by your own reference of a Resolution posted to BSA, states it pretty clearly to me. And they even use a term I've always been careful NOT to say in terms of staying neutural for the general body - "faith-based." I suppose if you choose not to raise your children with that same faith base, why join?

     

    According to the resolution attached above, BSA is providing "faith-based values to its constituency in a respectful manner.. And that "conduct of both Scouts and Scouters must be in compliance with the Scout Oath and Law" and that "membership is contingent upon one's willingness to accept the values and standards espoused by the Boy Scouts of America," and

     

    They also state that "the Boy Scouts of America respects the right of persons and individuals to hold values and standards different than the Boy Scouts of America...is entitled to expect that persons and organizations with different values and standards will nevertheless respect those of the Boy Scouts of America...

     

    Go to the upper link for it's entirety. I still haven't found it in the actual BSA policy however. I'll keep hunting too.

     

     

  13. RAF,

    Pardon my simplicity, but have you talked with "Bobby's" Parents? They work with him every day and should know his nuiances and how to deal with them.

     

    It seems like every case is different, but the kids I've worked with in school and scouts all have their "querky" habits. (And they don't have to have "a label" to be that way!) You don't have to coddle them and "do it their way" all the time, they do understand the rules and what's expected. They just may not follow through like expected all the time.

     

    It also seems like this is a good lesson for the other boys to learn how to "get along" and make adjustments too. Not everyone on this earth is perfect. Different scenerio but in our troop, when the older guys are working with the younger ones, sure they get frustrated and tired. But they also know that is their "job." But we also give them "time off" to break away and be in their own patrols too. For instance, we do a XX mile hike up as a group. The older boys are training and working with the younger ones the most of the time. But then the older boys will continue hiking and the younger ones are left in camp to work on rank, etc.

     

    I'm thinking the same could be done in your case. Tell the other boys that they all need to work together. But there will be times when they can "relax" too. (Thinking that working with the ADHD kid is a "on all the time" job.)

     

    Giving the group direction and let them rise to the occasion! They might surprise you!

     

     

  14. What are the policies "regarding homosexuals" or any other specified agendas? I understood that BSA has "Core Values" that we all agreed to when signing your registration form. And if we don't agree to live out or follow those values while in Scouting, we have the choice to find another group to belong to. As far as I klnow, they do not single out specific groups or people. If there is, show me in the BSA Policy, I may have to reconsider my membership. But I sure don't see it.

     

    It still puzzles me why, if not in agreement with a groups principals, someone would want to join anyway? And then, not "join in" the group but to stir trouble and scream foul?!? And don't throw at me "discrimination, this has nothing to do with civic rights.

  15. Funny, NJ Cub Scouter, you stated amoung other things "...Again, freedom, it's a great thing. What some people don't seem to understand, however, is that freedom isn't only for them and people who agree with them, it's for everybody. Even me. "

     

    Shouldn't the Scouting program also have that "freedom" in providing a program for our youth based on the BS principals and policies of the oraganization? And those policies and requirements are not held in secret, each one of yes knew what we were signing up for and agreeing to as we signed the registration form. That's why we chose BSA to belong to, we agreed with those principals when signing the form. If you don't agree with their morals and value standards they set forth to follow, their policies, their standards or principals, or structure of the program, they don't twist your arm to join either. Why join? Find a group, club, organization you believe in and join that. Even the other side of the spectrum can operate, Klu Klux Klan ro some such group. That is what true freedom means in our great country! But I don't chose to join the KKK, I chose BSA!

     

    Why must our values and morals be lowered to make all behavior acceptable? And we wonder why the world is "falling apart" morally?!?!

  16. I did a watered down version at Cub Scout Camp and man did they love it! I took the idea of Geocashing/letterboxing but built in ways to use the scout skills to find them or "do" something with them once found.

     

    It was a smash hit. I let the adults know where to go if they wanted the kids to do it for real. I heard some of them followed through.

     

    Don't know if is would classify as "High Adventure" but sometimes it feels like it! And there are some Geocashes hidden on trails and such!

×
×
  • Create New...