SMT224

Read this before any further posts... http://thoughtcatalog.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/03/A-Flowchart-to-Help-You-Determine-if-Yoursquore-Having-a-Rational-Discussion.jpg

I do not agree at all with those in the "coed is inevitable" camp. It's not better, and should not happen! I say this as a past advocate of the coed concept - it seemed logical and a great way to do Scouting. But that was before reality showed me otherwise. I've been on about 20 camping trips with the Girl Scouts, and well over 120 camping trip with the Boy Scouts. And 3 mixed camping trips. Small sample? Maybe, but I've noted significant consistency in the observations. Both girls and boys like to play with fire and knives, both like to hike and explore, and both love to c

I completely agree with others who have said that girls in Girl Scouts want something like a Boy Scout program. I've spent the past seven years acting as the Camping Adviser for my daughters Girl Scout Troop. I've done the best I could to bring the BSA outdoor program to these girls. They know how to correctly use a knife, chop and saw wood, can start a fire without matches, set up camp and sleep in tents winter, spring, summer and fall... and out hike most Boy Scouts! They love to go camping and hate most of the GS activities. But they do not want coed Scouting - they like being

Thanks for all the good replies to my OP! This has been a very good discussion for me. I understand additional details would help, but it's better I not add any more. It's my hope this young man has matured and moved on.

Thanks for your responses... I appreciate the perspectives. I like the ideas put forth by twocubdad & Oak Tree... a comment in Troopmaster may be the best way to transmit the facts (who, what, when).

Yep Pack, your right, I am prejudicial! Hence my dilemma. I got burned in part by letting a kid get away with increasingly worse behavior in the name of accommodation and hoping that if we gave him a break and a "stern talking to", his behavior would change. It did not. It got worse until he did something that crossed the line and required the significant action of expelling a Scout from the Troop. I also got burned as it happened on my watch - something I wouldn't wish on any SM. But it may be (my real hope) that he really has learned his lesson and has straightened up and w

About 7 months ago our Troop expelled a Scout who engaged in extremely unScoutlike behavior on a camping trip. We fully involved Council and had a very emotional BOR where the Scout had to answer for his behavior and was expelled from the Troop. Council was at the BOR and left saying they would have a meeting to consider removing him from Boy Scouts for life. This was a very difficult time for the Troop as this family had been very involved with the Troop for the past 10 years, both parents were adult leaders, and two of his brothers had made Eagle in the Troop. This particular Sco

Prices are amazing, but not a lot of info about the tent. The BSA Eagle Tent looks alot like the Coleman Trailblazer, but likely does not have the bathtub floor. However, the rain fly does go all the way to the ground! And only $33.97! But decide quick, as the sale ends 3/17. Has anyone purchased one?? It would be nice to hear back from a satisfied user!!

Scout Spirit is certainly a big part of the issue here, especially connected to hours earned at the service project. And while part of this may be communication of expectations to both the parents and Scout, I still see advancement as a critical issue here. Dad is not part of the Patrol!! Boy Scouts is not Cub Scouts!!! If Dad is along and in the tent and with his kid every inch of the way, then it's Cub camping not Boy Scout camping. If Dad is there helping his son with the tent and the meal, it does not count and it should not be signed off! The Scouts in the Patrol have to do

Thinking about this, I'm not sure how this kid could have earned his Tenderfoot, let alone almost 2nd Class. Did he spend a night on a patrol or troop camping trip sleeping in a tent he helped pitch? Doesn't sound like it, as sleeping with Dad doesn't count. And then did he assist in preparing and cooking of a Patrol meal? It seems like the answer is "no". So how did he earn Tenderfoot? And as for 2nd Class, did he participate in five separate Troop or Patrol activities and camp overnight at least twice? Without Dad? Again, sleeping with Dad (or in a hotel) does not count. D

Wow. Thanks for the extra info Basement. This is so beyond a helicopter parent I don't even know what to call it! A gunship parent? Dad has to be told that he is completely out. Hit the road Jack! No more coming on camping trips or to summer camp. This kid must be able to swim or sink on his own. Yep, as SM, I would challenge this Scout on a number of items, including Scout Spirit. If he can advance based on what he's done and his behavior, what are the other Scouts to think? Why should they have to work if he doesn't? And steak???!!! Seriously, if this keeps

When a Scout behaves in a way that is clearly outside of the Scout Law, then he is having problems with the Scout Spirit. To me, the Scout Spirit is really living the Scout Law. The Scout you describe clearly has issues that merit a SMC, especially the service hours. What rank is the BOR for? If he does not sleep with his Patrol, where does he sleep? Why does he not want to eat camp food? What does he eat? Is the real issue here the Scout or the dad? Who enables him to sleep & eat elsewhere? And why does he even have a choice?

I know Eagle732 is most likely on his way... for the rest of us who are not on the trail, but would like to be.... http://gizmodo.com/#!5781157/walk-the-appalachian-trails-2200-miles-in-under-five-minutes "Walk the Appalachian Trails 2,200 Miles In Under Five Minutes Kevin Gallagher spent six months hiking the Appalachian Trail's 2,200 miles, through snow and sun and wind fellow travelers. Lucky for you, he condensed the entire journey into a remarkable 4:37 of some of the most gorgeous stop-motion nature that the US has to offer."

One thing rjscout... your wife may not fully understand how different Boy Scout & Cub Scouts are. Your son will be part of a Patrol, under the guidance of a Patrol Leader and Senior Patrol Leader. As an ASM, you will be present, but very removed from constant and direct interactions with your son. I've had three sons now in the Troop as ASM and SM, and we all understand that I will ignore them in the same way was any other Scout in the Troop - that is, "Ask your Patrol Leader or the Senior Patrol Leader". Believe me, he will very much get his own time in the Troop with you working

Let her know it's only an hour a week... ;-) As an ASM, you can be part of the Troop, but leave your son plenty of room to grow and develop. I know, I've done it with three sons! And let her know you're not going to the the SM, and thus will not be totally engulfed in Troop activities. Further, as an ASM you will have the freedom to pick and choose which activities you are involved in. If the SM wants you, I highly recommend you go! Good Luck!!

The best gift I ever saw given to a Den Leader was a really nice Dutch Oven lid lifter... The Mair lifters are very nice, $12 to $14 http://mairdutchovenlifter.com/ Lodge $15 https://secure.lodgemfg.com/storefront/product1_new.asp?menu=gear&idProduct=4018 Anything more would be a bit uncomfortable...

It really depends on the tent... some Coleman tents really have very minimal fly's which do need tarp augmentation for windy rain, but the Trailblazer fly goes all most all the way to the ground... not bad for only $69!! http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___28402 And yes, Cabela's tents are amazing... but only if you have the $500+ to pay for it! My Mountain Hardware Trango 2 is the best tent I've ever owned, but it was $300 on sale! For inexpensive, I'd still go with Coleman.

I concur with the Coleman recommendations... the waterproof "bathtub" is especially nice is wet conditions. I have several Coleman tents at home and the Troop uses Coleman dome tents almost exclusively. They aren't perfect, and are no way as good as my Mountain Hardware tent, but are fast & easy to put up, keep the wind, water, & bugs out, and are surprisingly durable. Campmor has a good selection and always a few on sale.

Gary... Whilst I concur with the importance of Round Table and District involvement, as SM, the Troop and Troop program are my primary focus. If we have enough notice of a district event, our Troop is happy to volunteer for staffing and other work beyond attendance. However, with a full time job, SM with a very active Boy Scout Troop, and camping adviser for my daughter's Girl Scout Troop, I simply do not have any time to get involved with the District. As Oak Tree and others have said, the District should be able to communicate electronically and plan events in a way units can par

evry - It really depends on the boys as to how well they'll do on the hike. If you have a group of boys who are bursting to be Scouts, then they may do great and have a blast! As long as everyone has good hiking boots and enough water & food, you may well be good to go. I've seen how quickly blisters form in the unprepared, and it is no fun for anyone. Hope you guys have a great hike!

No. They are not Boy Scouts. They are still registered with and part of the Cub Scout Pack. Therefore, the activity cannot be used for advancement. I suggest you do a fun activity with the Webelos and their parents. A five mile hike may be a bit much for some of they younger guys. You wouldn't want their first experience with the Troop to be a bad one, especially if they lack the proper equipment and someone gets blisters or runs out of water. We have annual early April camping trip with the Webelos just before their late April Crossover as a way for the Webelos and families

Gary - I agree, Round Table is very beneficial - I went to almost every one for nearly nine years, until they changed the RT night to our Troop meeting night about a year ago. They seem to change the RT night every 3-4 years, and will likely change it again at some point in the future. When it's again on a non-Troop meeting night, I'll happily go back. However, our Troop has been meeting at the same place on the same night for 63 years... that won't change. It is deeply carved in stone.

Official Boy Scout Garrison Hat My brothers were all in Scouts when I was growing up (a Cub) and I have fond memories of them wearing these. They would take the hat off when they came inside, fold it, and slide it under their belt. Granted, no sun protection, but very retro and very cool. Here's one... http://www.etsy.com/listing/48218475/vintage-boy-scout-garrison-hat-1950s

Official Boy Scout Garrison Hat My brothers were all in Scouts when I was growing up (a Cub) and I have fond memories of them wearing these. They would take the hat off when they came inside, fold it, and slide it under their belt. Granted, no sun protection, but very retro and very cool. Here's one... http://www.etsy.com/listing/48218475/vintage-boy-scout-garrison-hat-1950s

Gary - You got me on that. I do not personally go as RT is the same night as our Troop meetings. However, we do have a Committee Member attend and report back. So this and other events could well have been announced, but just didn't make back to the Troop.