shortridge

At the summer camp where I formerly staffed and currently volunteer, swim tests were always done on the first day, as part of the camp tour. We often encountered long lines at the pool with multiple troops waiting to take their tests. It was just the way things worked. Before reading a comment in the previous thread just a few minutes ago, it never had occurred to me that troops could do swim tests on their own and just bring the sign-offs to camp. That would certainly save a lot of time from the camp's point of view, and a lot of first-day aggravation from the Scouts' perspective! How many of your summer camps require swim tests to be held at camp? How many of your troops do swim tests before camp? What do you see as the pros and cons of each method?

Sorry to disagree with most here, but "my cell phone is my camera" makes perfect sense to me. Some phones these days take better-quality photos than some cheaper cameras. My cell phone is also my primary telephone line (no landline), my watch, my alarm clock and my Rolodex (though it takes a lousy photo). I'd be lost in the modern world without it. As mmhardy points out, these Scouts are (or should be!) the older, advanced ones. They're your senior leaders, your OA members, your Eagle candidates - not your Tenderfoot homesick newbies. If a situation arises that's caused or facilitated by cell phone use (disconnection from the Jambo, cyberbullying, sexting, etc.), then deal with it, but blanket rules and bans are just silly ... about as silly as bans on knives with blades over a certain length. Think of a cell phone as a tool, and encourage responsible use. That's the way to go. As a general rule, the more adults try to micromanage because of some made-up concern, the less respect they get from their Scouts. Treat them like the older Scouts they are, and they'll do just fine.

Depending on how many people you have staffing, a first aid simulation might work well - if you have good actors, it definitely keeps their attention. You can do the fake burns, wounds, etc., or just pretend and ham it up, while emphasizing the difference between "worst aid" (what not to do) and first aid.

I was in a scout shop a while back, and saw that the Eagle kits (patch and medal in a small box) were out in the open for anyone to pick up. It would have been very easy to distract the clerk and slip one into a pocket. Rather disturbing. I mentioned it to the manager, and they were moved behind the counter.

Echoing: There is no such rule. If the Cubmaster, pack committee and den leader approve the young man, it's OK.

I love Italian. And so do you. "That movie with the whales" is the best ever.

I used to like the magnetic-backed nametags, until I accidentally washed my shirt with the tag still on and it sprouted small rust-colored circular stains right where the magnets were. So if you're at all absent-minded when it comes to laundry, be alert...

Did the OP's note about the religious service at summer camp toss up a red flag to anyone else? "He also refused to go up to the altar for communion at the religious service. I got a phone call from the now CC, who was then the ASM in charge of camp about my son's disrespect of "his" religion. However, the CC was unaware that my son, despite his very not Jewish sounding last name, is in fact Jewish and had been instructed by me NOT to approach for communion as that would have been disrespectful." Unless this is a religiously-based troop, with adherence to a single faith a requirement of membership, no Scout leader should be calling out a Scout for anything to do with religion. Religion is the purview of the family, not an ASM. If the Scout disrupted the service in some way through inappropriate behavior, that's one thing. But choosing not to take communion? Get real! I've seen this type of attitude before from leaders who yell at Scouts to remove their headgear to pray before meals, completely ignorant that in some faiths, a cap of some sort - not a bare head - is a sign of reverence. I'd be very concerned that this CC doesn't grasp some of the most basic concepts in Scouting. And I'd also inquire of the camp why it didn't offer an interfaith or Jewish service. A Scout of one faith should not be required to attend a service of another faith.

Most of the bylaws I have concerns about aren't focused on committee operations, but on details of troop program operations that should rightfully be left up to the Scouts or the judgment of the SM. That includes such things as definitions of what's a full uniform, detailing how youth leaders are elected/selected, requiring attendance percentages for advancement, etc. Really micromanagement stuff, however well-intentioned at the outset.

I couldn't find updated news reports, but his business Web site seems to indicate that he's a current volunteer. Not sure if it's with the same council or in the same role or not.

I believe that friendship knot is also the start of most summer camp gimp lanyards.

evry, I think you hit the problem right on the head when you described how the Scoutmaster wasn't properly uniformed. It would have been interesting to see the BOR's reaction should the SPL have dragged him into the room as an example! I'd also note that an MB sash is not required as part of a "full uniform." National's holy writ - the uniform inspection sheet - only says "if worn."

FWIW, publisher@scouter.com is the contact e-mail listed at the site map page. I just tried creating a new account with another e-mail address to test it, and had the same problem.

Just one meeting?? I hear it takes some grown men years to figure out how to run a washing machine...

evmori, I don't understand where you're coming from. If "parent or guardian" can be interpreted to refer to a temporary guardian, then a non-relative Scoutmaster or ASM could tent with a Scout. That's clearly not the intent and purpose of the G2SS and YP rules. "Parent or guardian" has a very clear meaning in general usage. If you use a very loose interpretation of "guardian," then it seems that any temporary guardian could sign permission slips, medical forms, etc. That's clearly not how things work.

Beavah, Just what are these scary problems personal and institutional consequences of which you speak?

Short answer: No, your nephew can't stay in the same tent as you and your son. Long answer: The relevant sentence from the Guide to Safe Scouting: "When camping, no youth is permitted to sleep in the tent of an adult other than his own parent or guardian." The simplest solution is the one you came up with - have your son and nephew tent together, and you tent next to them.

Plastering the year on the badges doesn't really help if the goal is to promote the 100th anniversary. 2010, by itself, doesn't mean a thing... The PDF also says "creative concepts." So this may have been something proposed that never got off the ground. They're kind of goofy looking, if you ask me. Very cartoonish.

Scoutfish, I would also note that Cubs have their own LNT award. It's based on the frontcountry guidelines - basically oriented to day hikes and simple overnights at established campsites, not backcountry areas. (The only mention of pooping: "Use established restrooms.) http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/resources/LeavenoTrace.aspx If you have an interest in LNT topics, I'd highly recommend taking an LNT Trainer course, if there's one in your area. The national organization offers a variety of educational modules and programs that you can use with groups of all ages.

Sorry, guess I should have been clearer ... what is "the troop"? I always have operated under the belief that it doesn't exist without the CO - that a troop, pack or crew is just the label for a program licensed by the local organization from BSA. So how do the property laws in your state work? Just how DOES a troop own property without existing as a legal entity?

It's been a while for me ... but as I recall, the glued balsa can take a while to dry. Depending on your day camp logistics and storage space, you might not want to chance having boxes of easily breakable balsa wood spaceships hanging around overnight, or being transported in someone's vehicle. You'll need a series of fishing-line guides set up - ideally on a wooden frame that you can take apart and transport. That may be the most complicated element. Order a LOT of extra rubber bands for breakage.(This message has been edited by shortridge)

nldscout, I'm curious how you do that ... is your troop incorporated as an independent entity? Or do you mean the trailers are in the CO's name?

Whittlin' Chip - always a hit Basic compass use Measuring without tools Basic tracking (just for fun - make a whifflepoof!) Kim's Game (observation - use camping items)

I wasn't nearly as active in my troop during high school as I had been previously. Yeah, there were girls and gas, but I was also taking college coursework and working part-time. But just because I wasn't SPL or a troop guide or quartermaster doesn't mean I wasn't active in Scouting. I was a den chief, chapter and lodge officer in the OA and worked on summer camp staff for five years. Those opportunities matched my desire for real responsibility and leadership - teaching Cubs how to tie knots and build birdhouses, organizing several hundred people in campwide service projects and running overnight outpost programs, all before I turned 18. My troop's monthly outings to the local state park kind of paled in comparison.

It would seem to be common courtesy, but consider that since the Scout was apparently playing both sides of the street, he may not have been fully candid with his new troop. Perhaps - and this is just a hypothetical - he told his new SM in the other council that he was leaving your troop because it was folding, or something similar. Would you have any reason to question a Scout coming to your unit under those circumstances? Or would you trust him? I don't think it's necessary - or desirable - for a Scoutmaster to contact another just because a Scout is "looking to change troops." Perhaps the Scout hasn't fully decided on his course of action, and is just checking out his options. It's up to the Scout to make that decision and communicate it to his past and present leaders.