SSScout

Any training worth it's clipboard is an exchange, a two way learning experience. Yes, the instructors should know the subject and be able to impart it. But the GOOD instructors allow, nay, encourage the participants to share their thoughts and skills and subject knowledge. THAT is "value added", THAT is how you acknowledge and retain the Scouter, by letting them know that they are more than a mere "trained" person, that they could be the NEXT instructor. You make that connection between Fred and Eugene and Mary and Claude. Maybe if Eugene has a problem, he will remember that Fred and Claude had experience in that and may call them for help. Scouting should never be just a top down organization. It should never be just the "instructor" and the lowly "student". Not "need" IOLS? I would have a quizzical look at a fellow that did not want to go camping and meet folks with a common desire to "do Scouting". No one is ever "fully" trained. I can always learn a new technique, a new way to light a fire, a new way to make a tent peg, a different way to look at the forest. Do I teach my way of doing something? Of course, but then I will tell my student to at least try it "my way" , because I know it will work, and do it "his" way later, and I will listen and learn "his" way. Maybe it is better, I will consider it. I do not need an excuse to go camp. I may need my wife's permission, but never an excuse.

Camp Heritage : Arrive and check in Sunday, 12noon to 1pm. (no lunch) Swim checks that afternoon. Closing Campfire, awards, etc. Friday night. Campsite inspection and Check out Saturday before 11am (bag breakfast). Sounds reasonable to me, campstaff deserve a sleep in day.

Schedule the weekend, , pay the fee, camp, drink coffee, fry bacon, tie knots, walk thru the woods, ID trees, laugh around the campfire, put the Patch on the sleeve, keep your registration with the home Troop current, come back when you can, give the Scouts the same example and guidance you had. That's what I'd do.

http://www.wordcentral.com/byod/byod_browse.php?term=Sm&type=alpha "smackerdoodle: verb. to confuse or bewilder." (seems to be from "down south"... Also a yummy cookie recipe, and a more pornographic action...... google is your friend.

There you go. The syllabus can be good, but it ultimately depends on the instructor: his/her experience and knowledge and ability to transfer that to the newbies. Our summer camp had an IOLS week long course, in sections, folks could take any and all . I did not take it, but the reports were good. I helped out at the "Trail to First Class " classes. (they lost about a third of their Scout staff thru illness, it seems).

Tweets and instant messaging are not really good grammatical/spelling/punctuation training.

A boy joins Scouts for one of three main reasons: His parents insist on it, he wants to (because of the Scouting or Troop or Pack reputation) or because his buddy invites him. He stays in Scouting because of one (or more) of the same three reasons: his parents insist on it (and will reward him: driver license, new car(!), Wii box, vacation trip, I've heard a lot of things) or because it is fun and he "gets something out of it" or because he is in with his buds. His time in Scouts can be a chore, or a pleasure . The Patrol Method can be a lesson, an "aha!" moment, if it is guided by the adults as such. One of the means to that end can be the way Scouts learn and earn. I taught my Scoutson his axe and knife, both thru example and lesson. He, in turn, taught the boys in his Troop as an Instructor (shoulder patch!) for Totin Chip. Those boys, in turn, taught other boys. The same way is appropriate for any rank requirement. Fire safety and building? Knife and axe? Camp hygiene? Cooking? If the older Scouts won't teach and test the younger boys (with adult overview) , then what other encouragement is there for the younger ones to stay and pass on the traditions (make their own!) of the Troop? How do we show them we TRUST them to make decisions and LEAD (and follow?) if they are not allowed to pass on what they have (alledgedly ?) learned themselves? And what greater encouragement for the older Scout than to have a "little brother" look up to him for instruction and advice? It can be a self fulfilling , self perpetuating system, if allowed and encouraged. I seem to remember something like that in my callow youth, but then, I am an old and forgetful fellow. Maybe that was a myth, or a legend I am imbuing with undeserved reality.

Now that you mention it... The US of A has had four capitals: Philadelphia PA, New York NY , Washington DC., and Brookeville MD..... http://uscapitalforaday.org/ Y'all come down and visit.... Historic Trails are where you find 'em and where folks have noted their significance. BSA does not have a lock on any trail's notoriety. You can even create your own patch to commemorate a trails hike. I know of an Eagle project that did just that.

Just got back from Scout Camp. When the SPL had "tried everything" to get slow pokes out of the tent for flag, I started singing "Lovely Rite Meter Maid". Got 'em up.

48 star flag. pre WW1? The boys are sitting on newspaper. Cold stone steps? And yeah, how can the second row stand up? I think the second row is kneeling on a wide step and the third row is standing behind them. Look at the knees of the boy infront of the US flag, on the newspaper.

Smitti: Try hard to allow (that is the word) the SM to resign on his own accord. The CO does not want to have to fire him, OR wait for a "review" period. Folks with alky problems do one of four things: 1) Refuse to admit there is a problem (drinking in summer camp, much less during, is a problem) , 2) say there is a problem and "I' can deal with it" (rarely do they "deal with it"), 3) ignore friend and family warnings and pleadings to "get help", thus allowing others to "deal with it" (which can include getting fired, divorce, accidents and injuries, uncontrolled debt , estrangement from family and friends), 4) Admitting to themselves and their loved ones that there IS a problem, and getting professional and/or AA counseling. The fourth choice is, of course , the best. It will take some careful, caring conversation. Point out the obvious and the events that happened. Do not white wash anything. Do not excuse anything. In my pre-retirement job, our bus drivers were told up front, and often: If they have an addiction problem, they can come forward and we will work with them in good faith to help them save their life, their family and their job. If the addiction problem was "found out" rather than "volunteered", that was the end of the job. They were on their own. Here, your SM has been "found out". Alcohol is a drug, and this is an addiction. He is not in control, the alcohol is. I would have to say, we will help you anyway we can, but, sorry, it will NOT be with you as a Scout Leader, at least until you have "dried out" for a good period. Is there any Scoutson involved?

Most Northern Tier routes cross and recross the US-Canadian border, yes?

So the 2013 Jamboree is history. The equipment was for sale, "with reconditioning". Anyone within the sound of my computer buy one of the Scout Jamboree tents? How was it?

"Like I said..." """Yes tigers can earn sports and academic belt loops (at least next year)."" =Sydney Porter= This has been true since Tigers were invented, however , SHOULD they earn them? I served as Archery RO for many CSDCs, and the last time, I was informed by the DCD that since the curriculum included all the Archery Pin requirements, the Tigers had participated, ergo, they earned the pin. When I pointed out that the curriculum was presented to me and I had not drawn it up, and that I did not ordinarily think that Tigers were mature enough to handle the equipment and the range as I would like a Pin holder to , I was told that was not germane, that if I followed the curriculum provided, every Cub would have earned the BL and the Pin. I told her that I thought the Pin should require more than merely participating and listening to my Scout assistants safety and history classes, that I would ordinarily ask Cubs desirous of the Pin to come to camp one day an hour early to help set up and stay an hour later to help take down, thereby fulfilling the requirement (which is "optional" it turns out) , I was told again that that was an "optional" requirement, and not necessary. Any Cub can (and will) earn the BL AND Pin. So here is Cub Scouts, can't fail. In my previous camps, my DCD and I both agreed that the Pins required an extra effort on the Cub's part, that the BL might be "automatic", but not the Pins. Sic Gloria Mundi. If your Cub (or their Den Walkers) bring back a list of "rank requirements and BLs earned", the responsible Cub Leader will review with the Cub what he actually remembers doing. The list may be overly optimistic. The curriculum may not have been followed. The Station Scouter may not have had time to do what he wanted to do. Reward the Cub with what he earned, help him to earn the rest. The badge/rank will mean more to him, and he will learn to expect actually working for something he desires.

What Twocub said. The CSDC should provide a list of awards and rank requirements (knots, flag ceremony, nature , etc. ) that the Cub may have learned/participated in/fulfilled. They should encourage the Pack/Den leadership to review with the Cub(s) what exactly was accomplished , and congratulate them accordingly. The Pac k makes the awards, not the CSDC. The Tiger can "earn" the belt loop (if that is the CSDC result), but IMHO, he should not be awarded the BL until the first Pack Meeting. There, the CM should make a show of the Cubs that earned stuff over the summer, thus encouraging others to do so next summer AND thruout the coming year. Line all the Tigers up, first award them their Bobcats, and go on to all the other neat bling.... Lead the Pack in a "rocket cheer" and have fun! KiSMiF!

Christineka: It doesn't matter if it it is lds Scouting or "regular" Scouting. The MBs are meant to be BOY initiated and kept at. If the SM or ASM holds the Blue Cards or even reminds the Scout of the meeting or the necessity of keeping up with the requirements, that only reinforces the idea that the Scout will get the award REGARDLESS of what he does. Daddy will make sure sonny succeeds no matter what the mean old world does.... Sounds like Cub Scouting. Sounds like what some of us used to call No Fault Scouting . Put it in the Scouts hands. You can offer the MB, but you should not make it impossible to fail.

J: Well that is really sad. It is rough when a Scout unit has to close, or move to another home. I can't help but think there is something in the background no one is mentioning. Some unknown slight in the dim, distant past? Some concern about the BSA's political imbroglio's of late? It could be as random as the pastor's bad experience when he was a Scout umpteen years ago.... Does anyone in your Pack know anyone else in the CO membership? Thru business connections? Neighbors? that they could talk to and find out something of the "back story"? Just a feeling, but it is beginning to sound like they (the CO) is hoping you all might "take the hint".... Maybe someone wants to start a Royal Rangers or Trail Life or other youth group, and doesn't want the overt competition with BSA. If I were you (and your Cub leaders), I would politely go about our business, arrange a service to the Church ( sweep the sidewalk, weed the gardens, ) and just do it, saying "we are grateful for the help you have given us in the past". Almost like the girl I asked out, and asked out , and asked out.... until she FINALLY said "Don't you realize? I'm already going steady!!" So why couldn't she just be honest with me up front?

""3% raise? You got a strong union there, buddy. "Hey, I heard our paychecks will be a little heavier next week. The County is using thicker paper ...."

Well, we COULD discuss the trauma of the Jamboree concerts, here we are out in Westbygod Virginia, and I don't remember any Blue Grass or Olde Timey music a-tall.

Oh, insurance. In our Council, that's the one dollar extra per boy and leader on the charter application. I do not know of any one person at Council who can answer that. I honestly have never heard of any unit that has ever made a claim. My understanding is It is "supposed" to be for secondary injury (your personal insurance is primary) and liability (your Scouts damaged our whatever) and if the Scout or Unit is damaged or injured during a Scout activity (the Unit defines that). Should the Summit in WbgVA be subject to a forest fire, I am sure the BSA has insurance on it. When the forest fire out in Utah some years ago was traced back to a BScout campfire, I'm sure the BSA had insurance to cover that claim (alot!) . CSDC, hikes, campouts, whatever. The sponsoring CO certainly has some sort of insurance to cover such things under it's aegis, and if it is a CO then you are part of that, whether you are doing your Scout thing actually under their physical roof or not. So if somebody thinks they were injured due to some problem or negligence on the part of your Scout unit, they can sue you, the Scout parents, the church, the BSA, the local BSA Council and the fellow walking by when it allegedly happened. And the Council/BSA/Church insurance should defend you/the church/the BSA/the Council. I see a new reality cable TV show in the offing: ""BSA Insurance Man"" ....

Buy a 10 by 20 foot tarp. Stake down the tarp along the 10 foot edge, stake down a 5 foot piece, fold that up along three feet high, pull out the edges with cut poles of suitable size and rope guys, fold over the last bit to cover you up and pole and guy as needed. Groundcloth, topcover all in one piece. Cheap. If you don't want to cut the poles and pegs as you go, buy 'em before hand. Still cheaper than a "umbrella" tent. Room for gear. You don't sit up in the tent anyway, right? Lay and watch the world go 'round, rather than stare at nylon all night.

If the CO is a "church", then USUALLY the Institutional Head (IH) is the Pastor or Priest. Show up for a worship service and shake his/her hand. introduce yourselves and find a corner to talk in. Hey< Ask the Pack to show up IN UNIFORM and join in the service. Sometimes the new pastor doesn't really know what his/her church has/does. At my home unit's CO church, the new Pastor didn't know about the Scout Program (four units!) until I called on her and asked to do a Charter Presentation! Presto! Better relations! Now she is invited to the Blue and Gold Banquet and Courts of Honor. Our Scoutmaster has a door key, our Cubmaster has a key, the Scout Ship Skipper has a key. Venture Crew Advisor is the Scoutmaster (he has a key!). They have to KNOW you to TRUST you. Do a service (landscaping, put up birdhouses, sweep the sidewalks, hand out the bulletins at worship, help with the pancake supper , etc.) for the CO and make yourself known to them. Good Scouting to you!

POTFH

Way to go, Troops and Packs!

Each MB is different. Basketry can be done in one sitting at camp. The three C's need time and a really dedicated MBC. Family Life needs time (read the requirements!), it cannot be done in a week, or even a month and be done right, much less a single meeting. And no MB should ever be "required" of a Scout, all are optional. A MB class should be after, or before or elsewhere, never during a regular Troop meeting, IMHO. My home Troop does a neat job with First Aid MB, tho. They offer it after the meeting, a EMT leads it, over a number of sessions. When he says you know it, you know it. Tenderfoots get credit for Second Class First Aid. Second Classers, get credit for First Class requirement. Scouts that do not participate must pass their rank requirements separately.