SMEagle819

In my district, WB still exudes the "elitist" attitude. What I mean is, if you have something to share, or an opinion to offer, it doesn't seem top be taken seriously (or sometimes, even acknowledged) unless you have the WB beads and other accoutrements. I'm trying to have an open mind about the course, but still can't get past the "upptiness" of many involved in WB. From what I read on these posts, I think I would like to take it, but the attitude here in my district, turns me off.

I agree with you, zippy. Scouts seems to take a back seat to all of the other activities a youngster may be involved with. I have seen many kids "fade out" of scouting due to other interests, and/or being told by parents to choose one or the other, not both. Yes, scouting does take up some time, but consider: we meet once per week, go camping once per month. Many of the other activities they are involved in meet/practice every day, have events one, two, sometimes more, per week. I really think scouting should tout the fact that it is a learn at your own pace type of thing. We do that when

Good question! I have been around a while, and still cannot pin down what these people do. Hardly ever see them, even at roundtables. Hope someone can answer this one, as I would like to know as well....

Just received this in my email: http://bookstore.gpo.gov/collections/boyscout-centennial.jsp Good link to various books that can be used for merit badges. Also, nice message from them regarding the Boy Scout 100th anniversary.

Brent, Yes, this Eagle candidate brought the letters he obtained with him to his EBOR.

I guess I am one of the SMs who is not worth their salt.... Yes, this is one topic that does seem to come back around every few months. I have decided to respond to this one. In my district, eagle candidates are not required to obtain letters of reference. As many have pointed out before, the Eagle Application is very clear (copied directly from Requirement 2): "Demonstrate that you live by the principles of the Scout Oath and Law in your daily life. List the names of individuals who know you personally and would be willing to provide a recommendation on your behalf." (underlining added f

In my district, we will be recharting at District Roundtable this week. A couple of years ago, we rechartered in February. Then, the council made a change to have all districts recharter by the end of the year (December 31). This year, our district decided to move the recharter up so that rechartering would not interfere with all of the upcoming holidays. In my opinion, a good move. Here is my question for all of those gathered around our virtual campfire: when do you recharter, and when do you receive you new membership cards and recharter documentation?

I second the motion, Eagle90! I will say our district's roundtable has gotten better recently. More guest speakers coming in, such as loacl rec department with potential locations for camping and day programs for the scouts. Definitely would like to have a t least one meeting set up as an actual "roundtable" discussion, or even a break out with a "roundtable" discusiion on the status of the district, upcoming events, camping spots, etc.

Twocubdad hit it square on the head with his explanation/reasons. We are going this evening to our District Camporee. At first, we were not going to go. However, we really need to recruit new members, and a Den of Webelos that one of the scouts is a Den Chief for requested us as the "sponsor" for the weekend. The PLC changed their mind in a hurry, because they realize how important it will be for us to get an infusion of new scouts come crossover. Here is one more reason to add to Twocubdad's list: too many council/district events planned within weeks of each other. For example, our distr

It's too bad that the school administrators cannot use even a shred of common sense. Quote from the article Beavah posted: "There is no parent who wants to get a phone call where they hear that their child no longer has two good seeing eyes because there was a scuffle and someone pulled out a knife," said George Evans, the school district board's president. Poke out someone's eyes? Can't a pen, pencil, finger, paper clip, or crayon do the same thing? If I can recall my Cub Scout years, one of these "weapons" this Cub had a school, the knife would have trouble cutting butter. C'mon p

Our District approves Eagle projects at roundtable as well. This seems to work in that the DAC is there, and can have the projects presented to a panel rather than one person for approval. They have recently instituted the process of having the initial project presentation being very detailed, in order to get a better feel for the project. The communication issue in your post disturbs me. How was the DAC contacted? By phone, email, letter? If the DAC is not returning messages, then you should go have the proverbial cup of coffe with the District Committee Chair and/or the DE, just to clea

When I started in Scouts, we were transitioning from the OD green shirts to the tan (de la Renta) shirts. I started in an OD green shirt, as my mom bought it second hand. Tag shows 65% polyester and 35% cotton (yes, I still have it). Th etan shirt is very comfortable in my opinion. I usually wear it with a synthetice shirt underneath, so do not have the sweat issues. I have looked at the new shirt, but will continue with the old until it wears out. I thought the same thing about the pocket on the sleeve; a "smokes" pocket, if you will. I thought that pocket was rather unnecessary. Also the bel

Great tips and stories all around on this topic. Let me add one of mine: We were recruiting heavily with a pack, sending DCs and having them camp with us. Our CC and a ASM had really sold the program to the W2 group that was getting ready to cross over. Come cross over time, of the 12 W2s, we end up getting 2. Come to find out that another local troop was "poaching" (I like this term!). After 4 years of this group of W2s being in scouts, we retained the 2 that crossed to us; the 10 that went to the other troop, I think 4 are still involved. Some of what we experienced was the parent

I haven't seen any official word from my council yet. I did run across the online training when I was updating my Youth Protection training online. SInce I had a few minutes, I went ahead and completed the weather training as well. I do have one question about the online training: the YP states that it needs to be renewed every 3 years (I think this is correct, trying to remember off the top of my head), and the weather training is good for a certain time fram as well; is there a way that ScoutNet can notify via email you that your training is expiring?

After re-reading the rule that is being referenced for the original post, it clearly states that "Youth members shall not be permitted to serve as solicitors of money for their chartered organizations, for the local council, or in support of other organizations." Now forgive me if I am misinterpreting this, but shouldn't this apply to popcorn sales? Considered the money that is raised by selling popcorn goes to the local council (an approximate 80-20 split), are we bumping up against ambiguous rules and/or wording from National again? I don't want to be a nit-picker, or trying to find out the

I agree with most of the postings: yes, the way it is written is very ambiguous. National could have done a better job with it, and hopefully, they will revise the wording. I also agree with BW in starting a "Scouters weight loss challenge," even if it is only for support. I could definitely stand to lose 20-25 pounds...

Not only am I overweight according to the chart, but apparently I can't read either. As stated on the new form (first page, Part B, 5th sentence): "It is important to note that the height/weight chart must be strictly adhered to if the event will take the unit beyond a radius wherein emergency evacuation is more than 30 minutes by ground transportation, such as backpacking trips, high-adventure activities, and conservation projects in remote areas." As many others interpreted this, one cannot be more than 30 minutes from emergency services. So, this throws us "fat" people out, es

Wow, a recommended weight chart that doesn't want people participating in outdoor activities, especially high adventure, if they don't meet the standards. I agree with scoutldr, if this is enforced, many adult leaders will drop out. I admit, I am overweight, even without looking at the chart. However, I have hiked, camped, and canoed with no medical issues. I guess we should change the Scout Law from "physically strong" to "physically fit."

Scoutldr is correct; Robert E Lee council is now Heart of Virginia council. Website is scoutingvirginia.org. Also, Camp Brady Saunders website is http://bradysaunders.net/camp/.

Yes, GW, I feel your pain. Being a scout in the 80's was much as you describe: SM, 2 or 3 ASMs, and no parents at meetings. Sometimes a parent would drive to a campout, but if it was close by, they would leave and not come back until Sunday morning for pick up. Very few would stay the entire weekend. Nowadays, it's not unusual to have a 1 to 1 ratio of adults to scouts on trips. I also agree that many scouts take a POR so they can get that next rank. Very few care about teaching new scouts. There are some, as I have a couple in the troop now. I am working on training our new youth leader

Yeah, I'm one of the creepy ones that do not have a son in the troop where I am SM. As a matter of fact, I don't have a son, but 2 beautiful daughters. I stayed on with my troop after I turned 18. When I went off to college (in another state), I joined a troop there as an ASM, and was active until I graduated. Moved back to my hometown, became an ASM in the troop I grew up in, and eventually became the SM about 12 years ago. Yes, I am one of those "creepy" people who believe that it is good to give back to a program that one believes in. My wife is all for me staying on as SM. I remember

We actually run a "Haunted Cabin," as our meetings are held in a log cabin. We have done this for the past 5 or 6 years for the cub packs in the area (recruiting opportunity). Everyone in the troop helps out, under the direction of the SPL, and we serve refreshments and have games. This year, looks like we will have approximately 90+ cubs go thru...

Thanks, gang, for all of the replies. Now that we can fill the permits out in an Adobe PDF, it saves my wrist and hands from cramping up doing all of the writing!

Yes, it is yearly recharter time in my district. We have recently been changed to recharter at the same time as the entire council in December. So, I went to the roundtable, picked up our packet, and received instructions on "Internet Rechartering." I have done recharter for the past 10 years, so it was no more than a refresher for me. We were informed that any adult leader that were registered before background checks became mandatory, and had not submitted their SS number, would be identified on our recharter report with 3 *** at the end of their name. We are supposed to have these adults fi

All right, I know, tour permits have been beaten to death recently. However, does a unit need to submit a tour permit to attend a camporee in its own district? I actually asked the question during the "indoor" phase of training so everyone could benefit. We were told by the trainer that you did not need to do a permit since you were at a district/council sponsored event. I can't seem to locate this exact reference in the literature out there. I know one of the answers will be, "When in doubt, fill it out," so let's skip that answer...