Tampa Turtle

Our Troop does an annual summer trip, typically 5-6 days and 50-60 miles. I did a week around Roan Mountain...beautiful. My sons have done 4 trips each. Train, train, train. Our boys must train 30-50 miles for eligibility so we have an idea that they are physically and emotionally ready. Hardest on the old pudgy backpackers like me. For boys biggest problem was carrying enough calories--we make them submit a food plan with calories, nutritional info, and carried weight for review by older more experienced scouts who have a couple trips under the belt. We try to keep the parties down to 6-8 bo

I just saw this--been offline for awhile. I am very sorry. I really liked corresponding with 'ol Moosie' and feel a loss even if we never met. Another good one gone. May some of those she guided rise up to take her place.

Good point. We have done that and 3 times out of 4 they go away and that is the last campout, The 4th guy gets the brown shirt and causes trouble until they get properly trained. One wise scout master I knew planned some adult committee planning discussions for the campouts to distract us adults from meddling too much. We actually got some good brain storming going and eventually brought some youth leadership in and had a productive pow wow.

This new requirement was quite mocked by boys of all ages do the 're-charging'. More scathing than the typical mockery. One Eagle called it another meeting of the 'Weekly Boy Scout Homework Society".

The video looked like fun...all that sliding will not pass the Risk Management test. I wouldn't use it for cubs but OK for scouts.

Work the Patrol method. But yes it will be hard. How many scouts on the campout? If it is a small unit it may not matter that much. I see that the classic span of control is true with scouts as in life: 5 to 8 persons. The SPL cannot 'run' 20 boys--he runs the patrol leaders. We have had individual older scouts plan and run specific campouts with mixed results--I think it undermines the Patrol Method (it was not my decision).

Yes I understand that there is a need for a Cyber Chip but the recharging requirement seems pretty lame (I have a 17 and 16 year old and have seen some pretty objectionable things in their search histories) BUT how come you can get a Fire m'n Chit and Totin Chit at 10-1/2 years and never really get that re-upped?

I recommend you check his record...even though I thought I was on top of my son's there still were a few things that needed help from the Troop to clear up.

Zuzy, How is the Eagle paperwork going? I am in the almost exact boat. My paperwork for my son takes 3x as long partially due to his disabilities...making me sweat it before he ages out. The flaky BSA PDF form does not help... As for the other issues...frustrating but typical.

*groan* I am so sick of this topic. It is very, very divisive and pushing the issue will only result in more folks leaving then coming in. My own denomination the United Methodist Church is very divided on it with individual churches in the same part of town with wildly differing positions. Several Troops lost their CO's in Tampa because of the last change...I wish Gates had just kicked the can down the road some more...

We have been using Trooptrack but with limited success. I suspect that is because most boys do not email much unless compelled to and that text does not appear an option with our setup. But the SPl and the PL's can email via Trooptrack if they wish.

We seem to be developing several tracks. The adults are organizing longer term family support once the initial 'rush' is over.That will largely be filled by Troop volunteers. Some of the boys and scouters are planning to cook a Patrol Box style menu this weekend for the family. At an upcoming meeting we will ask the boys to come up with some ideas and if scouters feel inclined to do an additional one will do so. Also trying to organize some adult scouters to commit to some long-term mentoring of the man's son. I did push hard for a big Troop turn out for the public service. I guess a posi

All good ideas. In the meantime he has passed. I am pushing for a big turn out but the current SM may be waiting for a signal from the family.

A few ideas have surfaced: a memorial hike, recording stories for the family.

Every school is different. Where I live there are two public elementary schools 2 miles apart. School 'A' hosts Girl Scouts but has only allowed one recruiting event in the last 5 years. The principal is very hostile to Cub and Boy Scouts and will not allow any meetings on campus. School B had a 20 year history of allowing handouts recruiting time, uniform day, pack meetings, and other space as needed. This pack has 100+ cubs. I think one factor is, at least in Florida, an Elementary School Principal has a large degree of independent power. Another factor is parent support. Sc

Our former Scoutmaster, 51, is dying as I write this. Without details it was very sudden and unexpected. He was still a very active and popular ASM--the go to hiking, adventure guy--who knew how to still have fun with the boys. We have a troop rep with the family and he is coordinating any response. His son has almost completed his Eagle project. The family seems very well supported by both wings. In addition they were in the process of moving to another city. Of course the scouters are in shock but I am wondering what would be some constructive ideas to help the boys deal with this.

First reaction: hate it. Older boys are always a problem for reasons stated here many times. We have a Venture Patrol it does not work that much better. The older boys that 'get it' stick around in the mixed-age patrols; a lot of the others leave shortly after earning their Eagle (or after it becomes apparent it is too much work). Paradoxically expecting higher performance from Life Scouts slows them down a bit and helps retention.

My advice is to keep an eye on the lefties, my lefty Bears seemed to have more problems with thicker knives then the rest. Also I tried to discourage the Swiss Army type knife for this...just seemed too thick.

Hmmm, I'd probably remark he needed to know his knots and concentrate on practice after the BOR. As for the socks I'd give him the importance of the uniform, setting a good example, etc and offer alternatives (we have had boys exchange the same pair of socks for a BOR) but would not hold him up. Oath and Law...I'd expect a 1st Class to hit it pretty close but not perfect...I've seen boys given time to reacquaint themselves and reconvene a few minutes later. It seems a little too mickey mouse for me...

I agree with jblake47 (yikes!) as a new OA member I found the best fellowship hanging out late after everything was over and watching the boys play midnight basketball and the like. Much more fun then our Troop campouts,,,these brothers are missing a lot.

We have a parent 'Patrol' in that we camp and cook patrol-style at camp outs. Put in enough time and do a week at summer camp you can get a patrol patch at a COH to put on your brownshirt. But really it is just a little fun thing but not to teach the boys anything. I suppose we set a good example by doing a lot of cheerful service, greeting and hand shaking and we do cook patrol style at the campouts (we have our own patrol box). But really it is just something to make the outings more fun for the dad's. We are very careful to keep our camp site away from the boys (they have to ask permi

State of Florida has a BSA specialty plate.

In our Troop if a boy brings an insufficient tent he will either tough it out or improvise. The Improvisations (a tarp by the sea shore or the rain fly made of (a lot of) duct tape ) are some of the best memories.

To be the advocatus diaboli I might accept it if was a very special dinner...say where the boys planned a birthday or anniversary celebration and did the shopping, decorating, cooking, etc and pulled off a great event. That could 'benefit' the family. I would make 'em work for it. The downside is it opens the door to lesser quality projects by less trustworthy scouts, I agree on Merit Badge academies and summer camps--thus my boy are advancing slower...

Gee wizz...sound like something I might have written my first year in scouts...I think cubbing can do that to you. I agree with most of it but it sounds so complicated. We prefer two boys to a tent but if a boy wants to be solo if it is OK with his parents if he is a newbie that is OK. Yea we discourage 3 and forbid more unless there is an emergency. As for SF requirements! My son and his bestie shared a one man backpacking tent on the AT...I thought it was super cramped but they were the only warm ones on a cold night. We usually clear this up by an annual gear discussion led by the olde