sst3rd

OGE, I too have felt out of the loop due to the incredibly intense debates on these threads. I've seen where these discussions have had but little relevance to the Troop program I have worked with for years. I will say that Bob White has provided specifics that counter some folk's (and that includes me) traditional Scouting methods. For that, I'm grateful. I've gotten alot out of this forum, and will continue to read, review, and ocassionally respond. The Troop program is where the action is, and using the Patrol method creates the very foundation of citizenship and its rights and re

Dues have tradionally been a Troop function. Dues were to be collected weekly to cover the Annual Troop budget that included usually: recharter fees, insurance, Boy's Life subscriptions, and advancement awards. Our Troop currently charges $5.00 a month, collected sometime during the month, by the Patrol's Scribe, and then turned over to the Troop Scribe to record with the Treasurer Committee person. All other Troop/patrol activities are paid by the Scouts on an event by event basis. The Scouts earn their own money at home, and/or through Troop fund raising activities. Again, Troop dues are n

Our District offers a combination Cub Scout and Boy Scout Leader Training in the fall and spring. Den Chief Training offered at the same time. Council offers Woodbadge every other year in the fall (our Council alternates Woodbadge with an adjacent Council). Troop leader training has never been offer at meetings, Pack leader training has. Philmont Training is available to all who have the money, time, and can qualify. All of these other offshoot training programs may be covered by what I refer to as Troop and Pack Leader Training. Our Council is current in it's needs to offe

Our Patrols are small enough, that everybody cooks, thus everybody cleans up. If the cook has to clean up their own mess, they tend to not make such a mess. The SPL or ASPL holds a quick but complete inspection after every meal. Any problems go to the PL and his Patrol, and they must do it right. They fall behind the PLC planned campout schedule at their own risk. We got out of Troop owned tents long ago. We don't have the Scout or Scouter personel to supervise this. There were so many problems with keeping track of the damage and who was responsible, etc.. The Scouts have their own tents

Mommascout, Please take no offense. I was writing my response when I happened to look up and saw the title of this thread. I understand how topics can change from their original focus. As our Troop struggles, I tend to review my responsibilities within our Scouting program. Am I doing my best ??? Sometimes I have to reaffirm this through discussions with our Troop's other adult leaders. We're all doing our best. Our program will move forward. We have to be patient. That's the hard part.

The prior postings have verified the "range" of Troop programs that exist around the country. I happen to agree with everything being said. I think the combination of activities for a specific Troop is dictated by its size, youth leadership, adult leadership, and the experience and training levels. Unfortunately for the my Troop (I'm the SM), we're getting smaller and smaller. Our Pack hasn't graduated any Webolos in three years (issues being worked appropriately), so I'm a bit jeolous hearing of all of the Webolos graduating into the Troops every spring, and all of the discussion of creating

Our Troop and church sponsor have a 36 year relationship. What sticks out for us, is having an involved COR. Currently, our COR is a deacon, former Cubmaster, and Webolos leader. He's trained and truly understands both the Pack and Troop programs. He is the eyes and ears of the Pack and Troop in our relationship with the church. We've done a variety of projects for the church over the years, so the church members have seen us in action. Another point to bring up, is to coordinate dates of Troop campouts with the youth minister to avoid conflicts. Unfortunately, our church started the Awanas pr

None.

All through these boards I've read of Packs and/or the parents graduating their Webolos to Troops and how they choose the Troops to which they go to. In our Council, most Troops have a brother Pack that has the same sponsor. I also respect the flexibility discussed as to when to graduate these Webolos Scouts to their Troop. My problem is (I'm the SM), that our Pack is coming upon the third year in a row, of not graduating any Webolos Scouts to our Troop. The Troop has always worked closely with its Pack over the last 25 years. Providing Den Chiefs and joint camping trips have long been a tradi

I understand about the requirement appearing very clear and not flexible, but yes, pass him. He's not only showing improvement overall, but he's showing you his best effort, and that means he wants it. He's also growing in character, and that's great. If you hold each Scout to their best, you're not holding them to different standards. Every Scout is different. sst3rd

Sctmom, Glad you had a great trip. Reading these boards can wear on you. I tend to get frustrated at all of the diversified opinions and how they are proven and/or justified. The rhetoric is incredible. Just getting away from all of this for a few days certainly can put all of this in perspective. Active Scouters on this board have presented themselves very passionately, but views and opinions haven't and won't change. I expected that (as on other boards). I have, however, picked up some great ideas, thoughts, verifications, and clarifications as to the real reason most of us are here

If the Scoutmaster's Conference requirement was not signed off by the Scoutmaster, the advancement process stops there. The Board of Review has NO authority to advance the Scout without it. The Board cannot meet without this signature. If they did (and the Scout passed), the rank is VOID !!!! I'm a Scoutmaster with years of experience and the training to back this up. The CC in your example may or may not have had the training, but does not change the advancement procedure prescribed by the Boy Scouts of America. No Scoutmaster's Conference, no Board of Review. There MUST be a signature from t

Ed, That's a good combination. Sounds logical. We have our Scouts bring their uniforms to the meetings. Their planned pre opening activities are usually outdoor games, so we don't want them to mess up their uniforms. When they come in the Scout building, they change to their uniforms for the rest of the meeting (this arrangement was created by the Scouts years ago). We've been trying to create our own Troop T-shirts, is that what you've got? How did you create the design? Ideas?? sst3rd

Thanks to all for your input. I will be meeting with our CC with all of this acquired information. She will be talking with the young man, as he does not wish to have me (SM) involved. He became inactive in Troop functions mainly because of his girlfriend and his ability to drive a car (normal stuff, no problems there). But, he kept making commitments to the Troop and Scouts, and then bailing. Other than that, this young man and I have had a great Scouting relationship, and he will always be one of my Eagles. His Mom and I have the strained relationship. We will take the high road, and if I ha

Ed, How many of your Scouts consistantly wear their uniform (not half a uniform) to meetings and functions like Scout Sunday? Is this half a uniform a Troop policy? Our Troop wears the uniform, and no partials. I can't see a baseball player in half a uniform. I can't see a football player in half a uniform. I can't see a police officer in half a uniform. Well, you get the idea.I respect your Troop's decision, I just don't agree with it. The Troop's program is "top" priority, but the full, complete, uniform is part of that program. Do you not require a uniform (complete) at you Courts

I promised our Committee Chairperson I would post this problem to get ideas. I have a feeling though, that I won't like the advise. Here goes. A year and a half a go (August of 2000), one of our Scouts earned his Eagle. He also turned 18 that month. During his last year of Scouting, he became very inactive, and made committments to the Troop (the Scouts loved him, a natural leader) that he didn't keep. However, our CC and I (SM) guided this Scout through his Eagle process, and per the requirements, he earned his Eagle. That August, he went away to college, only to come home the following Janua

Answers: 1. As odd as it may sound, they always start on time. Also, it's the only place to get "current" information about District activities and functions. 2. Woodbadge presentations. This is a good place for the presentation, but they are so long and push the agenda back until it's so late. 3. Again, as a SM, our RT provides current information, answers to relevant questions, and the opportunity to provide the District direct and immediate feedback to District programs (good as well as not so good). 4. Their teamwork. 5. Our RT Staff has a great reputation. Staff members rotat

As stated on the other thread but wishing to add to...... You're in uniform or you are not in uniform. Our Troop does the uniform bank, etc.. A reasonable time is given for a new Scout (and his parent) to assemble a uniform and at no time is allowed to wear a partial uniform (we've heard all of the excuses about the pants being dirty, etc.). We hold BOR's and SM Conferences all year, and not just prior to rank advancement. A uniform will always be required for the BOR. Bob, your desire to state rules and procedures and where there is simply no room for interpretation, is interesting, and

You're either in uniform or not. The Scoutmaster's Conference prepares the Scout for his BOR. Every Scout is treated individually, as it should be. If the Scout is NOT prepared for his BOR, the Scoutmaster discusses where improvements need to be made, and a BOR is rescheduled. I (the Scoutmaster)work with the Scout in scheduling his BOR, and he is told to be in uniform or no such BOR will happen. It's not a threat, it is simply expected. You can quote rules and procedures til the cows come home, but in my many years of Scouting, I'm not aware of any of my Scouter associates who do otherwise.

Absolutely, OGE, the Eagle project planning is as important as the actual execution. The documentation for the Eagle Project will show the involvement of the Eagle candidate in this planning process. Both parts must be successful. The Eagle Project is the one project that cannot benefit Scouting. Where as projects for Star and Life requirements can include Scouting as recepients.

The camp our Troop attends, has got to be one of the best on the east coast. Blue Ridge Council has a reservation that's one of the biggest. They run two traditional camps, Camp Powhatan and Camp Ottari. These camps are back to back in location. This Scout Reservation is located near Blacksburg, Virginia. Each camp has the standard set up, but the additional programs are incredible. High Knoll, is backpacking in the Blue Ridge mountains, Aquatics Camp is on Claytor Lake, Mountain Man Camp, New River Adventure, Fish Camp, etc.. They are a little expensive, but the programs, equipment, and Staff

A special group of the Woodbadge Staff assembles at our District Roundtable, and gives a presentation that is educational to the attendees, as well as dignified for the candidate. Only one Scouter is presented his/her beads at a time. The District level is a more personal venue, but usually the Woodbadge Staff invites all of the Scouters from the candidate's Patrol to attend. This has been our District's tradition for years, however, I am sure they would also do a presentation on the Troop level as well. So, find someone to get in touch with the Woodbadge Staff, and ask them to work with the T

Trust me, you're going to get alot of great input on this one. Our Troop is lucky enough to be close to the ocean, mountains, lakes, military bases, state and national parks, and lots of historical sites. When we have our annual planning meeting with the PLC in August, the Troop membership and all of the adults attend as well. The PLC usually picks about half of the trips we did the prior year, and half of the trips are at new locations. If you don't backpack on some trips, start that tradition. That'll give the PLC alot to prepare for. Trips involving day long biking on historical trails are

Our Troop has a group of older Scouts. It just "happened," but they are called our Venture Patrol. As commented above, these guys don't mind teaching the younger Scouts and are getting close to their Eagle rank. The peer pressure of hanging in long enough to get their Eagle has worked well, plus they are afforded opportunities in our Scouting program as appropriate for them. They help select and plan these programs, but they usually happen at the normal Troop activities. Thus, our younger Scouts see them in action. Since our Troop barely has enough trained and committed adult leaders for the b

I've really found interesting the many comments and stories concerning this important subject. The "victim defined" statement I mentioned, was from a corporate training session during a time that my company was dealing with many cases of harrassment. It went overboard, but the point was made. You've got to be careful in what you say, and what your actions are. All of the prior comments remind me of the evolution of Scouting families over the last 30 years or so. Scout Troops have had to change, and it is still a matter of opinion, setting limits, defining parameters, using common sense, and as