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sst3rd

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Everything posted by sst3rd

  1. 5th Gen Texan, It's too late. I'd just leave. I did. sst3rd
  2. Albright Scout Reservation Heart of Virginia The new owner is not allowed to develop as of yet. He's a big contractor in this area. He plans to build his dream house and offer parcels to any family member who wants to build there. I know this, as a friend of mine attended a Silver Beaver Dinner over the weekend at our council camp, and he spoke with our CE after the dinner. There are so many negative things I could say. I am not happy. Everything was nontransparent, etc....................................................... Hey, but life goes on. It is what it is.
  3. It happened earlier this week. Our council sold its primitive camp for their contribution to the fund. This was an established camp with many shops, other buildings, trails, and organized campsites. I was a member of the maintenance committee. Over many years, we built all of these facilities. Over 40 strong of mostly retired unit leaders that still wanted to contribute to scouting. Over 500 acres of rolling hills and woods. Six ponds to fish out of, and frontage on a recreational lake. My troop had a favorite waterfront campsite where I could launch my boat right off the shore. All
  4. The Cub Scout program doesn't directly utilize the OA. If you are going to be supporting your pack as a leader, save the OA until your scout joins the older group. In the mean time if you're interested in getting to know your area lodge and chapter, ask any OA member (look for the OA flap on their uniform), or call your council for contact info. I'm sure your local chapter and lodge have web sites as well, for current info. See you on the trail, sst3rd
  5. Everything has become so complicated. Complicated. But through all of the changes that I have witnessed over the 53 years (youth/adult), the following is still possible. 1) You can still have patrols and use them appropriately to the betterment of the scouts. 2) You can still have fun and challenging weekly meetings. 3) You can still plan and go on camping trips, service projects, summer camps, high adventures, backpacking, and lots more. 4) Fund raise to pay for these activities also can happen. All scouting is local. It doesn't have to be that complicated. YIS
  6. To all. I was the chapter ceremony team advisor for years. We haven't done call-outs for months. Our chapter hasn't met for months, obviously. Maybe a small group on zoom. There was no summer camp this year, as chapters would do a call-out at the closing friday night campfire program. All of my understanding currently leads me to the Native American theme is no longer wanted, allowed, needed, or otherwise. Our lodge advisor has said as much. So, I e-mailed our current (I guess) chapter advisor to let him know that I was disposing of all of the ceremonial equipment unless otherwi
  7. Mom2Scout, I just got contacted that the troop I support will start meeting next Monday outside. Only the two troops (boys and girls) will meet. No Pack. I work on the maintenance committee for a secondary reservation in our council ( we have a recreational lake, and our primary reservation does not). We were told to have everything prepared for campers by August 1, 2020. Which merit badge, and does it require a certain type of service? Trash pickup comes to mind, A local trail, a park, a school, or church. It can be done alone or with appropriate distancing and masks. Just
  8. 69RoadRunner, I really hope your scouts have a great time. Even though I've never liked "merit badge" themed programs, I've had to learn to get over it. There sounds like lots of opportunity for fun at this camp as well. You mention Camp Powhatan. I have many memories of that camp, as well as Camp Ottari. I'm from elsewhere in Virginia, but as a long time scoutmaster (now former), these programs always excelled way beyond our local camp, and we considered them our home camps.. That, and the fact that my parents are from that area and I got to visit a bit during the camp week.
  9. karunamom3, There is much we simply can't control. I hear a lot of stress in your words. Planning is nearly impossible because of this "event". I think everyone who usually attends summer camp is thinking along these lines. But things you can control even as a new unit: 1) Scratch summer camp. Too much depends on variables you can't control. 2) Planning takes the stress off of your adult leaders as well as the scouts. 3) So, based on the appropriate authorities allowing things to happen. 4) Plan a series of summer weekend camping trips that will cover (as much as
  10. HashTagScouts, Welcome to the new and improved OA. Anyone at anytime. No batteries required. Just get them in, and then guilt them towards their Brotherhood. Our new lodge advisor is someone I've known for a long time. Has been everywhere, and started as a scoutmaster. Great person. Has also been active in the OA. He has always attended the chapter meetings. Since becoming the lodge advisor, his tune has changed drastically. He personally was handing out lodge provided illegibility (for Brotherhood) lists to our chapter scouts just before our last Service Weekend (Ordeal). He wante
  11. I agree with Eagle94-A1. Our lodge is pushing hard for Brotherhood conversions. So, our chapter advisor is pushing hard for Brotherhood conversions. These metrics must be met to meet and qualify for several recognitions and/or certifications. Sorry, I've long forgot their names, but these items are incredibly important to the LEC. The chapter advisor was provided with lists of all eligible Ordeal members for the chapter to get in touch with. We had our most recent Service Weekend (formerly the Ordeal Weekend) right after Labor Day weekend. I don't know if goals were met. If unit lea
  12. Train-em, trust-em,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,, Just got back from our Mountain Man Camporee. Saturday morning our patrol was at the opening on time. Got their score card and took off for their first challenge station. Meanwhile, the scoutmaster whom I've been mentoring, had to go in to work for a couple of hours. Myself and a parent went around taking photos of the various troop campsites (checking out tents and cooking set ups for ideas). This was their first camporee. We checked out all of the 10 stations, but couldn't find our patrol. Went back to camp and there they were. Six
  13. Eagle94-A1, I dropped out several years ago as our chapter ceremony advisor. We still were expected to perform the national OA's approved call out ceremony at one of the Friday night closing campfires for summer camp. Six weeks of summer camp, six ceremonies. Each performed by a different chapter team. I'll admit that I still have possession of all of the regalia, but I can't seem to give it away. I'm still waiting for a new advisor to take over. Anyway, yes, when the AOLs and Crossovers were removed, it took the last wind out of our sails. So, although we keep promoting the need for a ce
  14. SteveMM, I can tell you as a formally active ceremonial team advisor for the chapter who still attends chapter meetings, our lodge is pushing "HARD", Brotherhood conversions. This appears to have happened shortly after the OA made it simpler to become a brotherhood member, mainly shortening the time required from having become an Ordeal member. An active adult member who has been a SM, Unit Commissioner, District Commissioner, and now our new Lodge Advisor (he's earned and deserves all of these positions), said since this rule change, the intent of the national OA, is to push brotherhood
  15. Off topic a bit, but the scoutmaster I've been mentoring this last year, puts so much emphasis on updating advancement online, she completely forgets to update the scout's handbooks. I guess my "old" is showing, but I thought the idea was for the scouts to read and study their handbooks as they are teaching and/or learning scouting skills pertaining to advancement. EDGE works, but all scouts should be taught to refer to their scout handbooks for ideas and info. I think they should always be able to refer to the back of their handbooks to review their "sign-offs" , and be able to know what
  16. Karunamom3, Big move. Needed to be done. While the adults are setting up adult positions; 1) Form the patrol, have them elect their patrol leader, and then have the new patrol leader select his assistant. 2) Assuming that the adults are getting the adult stuff done, set up the camping trips for the balance of the year. At least set dates for camping trips (avoiding holidays and school dates). 3) Camping equipment: assuming they each have their personal equipment, ask the parents for any extra leftover pots and pans for the patrol to start a patrol cook kit. You can upg
  17. DavidCO, The word "empowered" may be over used elsewhere, but it's the word I wanted to use in this response. The SPL knows that his circumstances currently makes him the boss. He likes it and isn't going to change. Sure, he will grow up and be able (hopefully) to control his "empowerment", but in this situation, he knows he's in the "catbird's seat." Unless adult leaders figure it out and present a unified answer and solution to this conflict, the ASPL needs to find another troop. EMPOWERED, EMPOWERED, EMPOWERED. Just what I wanted to say. Take a chill pill. They still make t
  18. Markbrownsky, Sounds like your son is heavily invested in this troop. However, that SPL isn't going to change. He is "impowered" and he knows it. I kept waiting for someone to bring up the option of changing troops, but I'm guessing your son is where he wants to be. So, it looks like avoiding this "scout" will be your son's scouting program, and that's just not right. But it's accurate. Maybe he could resign from ASPL and join a patrol that needs his leadership and experience. That could be as a troop guide, and would extend his leadership requirement needs, if necessary. But tha
  19. So you were finally able to justify the answer you wanted. Does the scout know all of the trouble you are going through just to get him nominated for an OA Election? Does he really care that much? Or is it someone else who cares? Is there any question that this scout will be elected into the Order? Come on, you're working it too hard. sst3rd the OA used to mean something
  20. Yes, like everything else, make it easier. In promoting the OA in our troop for over 38 years, I simply couldn't anymore. Scouts have long sense known that this is all about free labor. Dress it up anyway you like, and they see nothing but giving up their time and working all weekend. I left the Order several years ago when they removed the Native American motif. It should always be about the quality of the members and nothing else. The work always got done. Cheapening the OA makes it nonrelevant. Headed in the wrong direction. sst3rd
  21. Qwazse, I like and agree with your "different ways." Lot's of common sense there. A great way to get to the goal. But I really liked your last statement; " Uniforming ...it's not just about the cloth." Kind of like the old, "orange juice, it's not just for breakfast." sst3rd
  22. KLB, I mean this seriously, go find another Pack. NOW. This will not change, as this person holds all of the cards, and she knows it. When she sees scouts and families leaving, she won't have to wonder why. It's the only way to make the point. And if she says to come back and she'll change, don't buy it. Life's too short to have to deal with this. Find a good Pack for all to enjoy. I'm sure they'll want your help and support. sst3rd
  23. HashTagScouts and Eagle94-A1, Then my lodge advisor lied, but that's where I took my orders from (of course not anymore as I no longer am a member). Sure, all Pack ceremonies from the OA are gone (AOL and Crossovers). But I was informed that all OA Call-Outs use the new approved national OA Call-Out ceremony script, no exceptions effective immediately. This was last fall. I no longer have access to that script, Eagle94-A1. Sorry. It was lame. To all you teams that are hanging on, the spirit's gone. But I will wish you the best. I have other things to do, as I keep reminding myself t
  24. Eagle94-A1, Call-Outs are only done with the new approved national OA Call-Out Ceremony script, and only in scout uniform. That was executed last year, but no, I don't have the exact date or documentation to prove it. Only that our lodge made the announcement sometime last fall, and our chapter advisor announced it at our October chapter meeting. I already have appropriately dismissed all of our chapter's native American regalia, equipment, and music, to the sky. sst3rd
  25. WisconsinMomma, First, your son should not have been nominated to be a candidate in the order, without his knowledge. Second, his scoutmaster (or other appropriate OA adult) should have talked with him in a scoutmaster's conference about the OA, and it's responsibilities in advance of an election. Third, your son should have had the opportunity to talk it over with his parent(s) in making this decision before the election and turn down the nomination if he chose. Fourth, an OA Election Team should have held the election and answered any questions from any of the atte
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