blw2

i like that!

Yes! isn't that only part of it..."100 yards" when on a troop camp The idea of patrol activities that is being 'outlawed' (if I'm understanding this new rule correctly) is more about the encouraging the comradere of the group, the gang of friends to paraphrase Baden Powell. the guys on their own decide to get together for some fun (or whatever) just like a bunch of neighborhood kids might do with their friends in the neighborhood so 100 yards.... Yes, it seems like that practicing that is perhaps a decent compromise solution to this new 'problem'. (but as I wrote before, s

I thin I might have posted this idea before....but in case I didn't My read on this is the vast majority of units operate this way already...so this is really almost nothing new to a majority if I'm right. It has just been an adult leadership unwritten rule, and now it's written as an official program rule ...

without getting too deep in the weeds, the OP's numbers are ballpark close to what our troop was....except for the uniform spread over multiple years, which has already been pointed out. Also, I think we camped just a little less. It varied but maybe more like 9 or 10 per year at normally $20 a pop, sometimes a little less or more. As treasurer, I hated that it seemed like we were forever asking for more money..... we need your dues.... we need your camping fee..... ah, we still have some unpaid dues.... time to collect the deposit for summer camp... and then the fundraisers which

funny you mention phones.... just a couple days ago, I found myself explaining what a dial tone is to my almost 13 year old. I had mentioned it in the discussion, as he and I were hooking up a new voip system for my wife's business fax, discussing how phones get their power....and he didn't know what it was!

yeah, of course....kind of my primary point....but no reason a knowledgeable and personable person couldn't advise too. And certainly no reason a capable person sorta like that couldn't lead, too. I'm just suggesting that it could be taken to a different level. And yeah, I do think I'd a whole lot rather someone like him sit at the head of the table when they are devising changes to the program, requirements, or whatever.... as opposed to a starched shirt business guy that's probably more comfortable in a suit than he is in a tent.

Very common way of thinking these days. It is how we are all conditioned now. But to look at perspective, and perhaps change your paradigm a bit.....I don't know how old you are, probably not quite as old as I am, but if you're close.... think about what age these 1st year scouts are. Now consider the kinds of things you did at that age. When I was much younger than these scouts, I was on my bike or on foot, roaming the neighborhood...sometimes with friends, sometimes on my way to see friends. I'd be out of the house for hours at the time, doing all sorts of things.... explorin

Yeah...I concede that point. There is a difference though...in his case he's not out there primarily representing or showcasing scouting on his shows. I do think I remember seen and episode where he ran face down a mountain in a semi-rappel sort of thing on a line. Is that what you mean? i'd take that as more likely representing military techniques...but sorta speaks to that 'cool' factor that hashtagscouts mentions. I mean really if you think about it, if a tv show had to fallow the Guide to Safe Scouting 100%, it would probably make for a pretty boring show... Another point ab

thanks, but I seriously doubt that. I know the temptation you write of, very well. I had to work hard to resist it.... but thanks to effort & interest on my part, enough to do a lot of reading books on the subject and participating here and actively reading scout blogs and listening to podcasts...I think I came up to speed very quickly. Nothing about being a Cub Scouter certainly had anything to do with it.... Yes it was hard to resist and no doubt I wasn't perfect at it and made mistakes... I'm remembering one of my early camps though that I went on with the troop.... a

yes, I knew all of that about Bear Gryls. Yes, a person like that may not know how to run a board room meeting....but in my opinion they'd still make a good functional head in that they could steer things in a good direction for the youth.... keep things grounded so to speak. they can always have accountant types or whatever supporting and advising them.... And call him a fake adventurer if you want... the guy was British special forces till he broke his back (that was my understanding anyway)...and he's on camera on his show all the time rappelling, climbing, scrambling, jumping of

I keep seeing this said.... I get the idea, and it probably has merit most of the time, but I have a problem with the statement generally.... it's basic premise demands that the veteran scouters that are presumably teaching those first years what's-what, a) are teaching them, and b) understand it themselves... sorta like the idea that if an adult was a scout as a youth, that they understand the 'code' or whatever.... or when questioned about something a veteran of the (job/trade/hobby/or whatever) says something like, "I've been doing this for X years...". to that the inside my

was he useless, or did he truly understand the patrol method and the idea we call boy lead?

davidco, I think that is a very interesting perspective....good point. It does seem like it's easy for so many adults to get caught up in 'playing the game'. I'll admit that in some ways I did, but I think I was always aware of what I was doing and kept it tempered down....usually. I think that many adults probably aren't so self-aware about it though. While I wasn't actually doing work on the "requirements", I do enjoy this stuff and sort of feel like what we are often doing is similar to auditing a college course. I've seen some take it to an extreme...forming the "adult patrol", an

Whenever I think about those guys in national... the high paid ones... I don't think so much about over or under paid. Hey, people are in high paid jobs leading all sorts of companies...but considering the pressure they are under, the hours they probably work (even when it looks to us like they are playing), maybe it aint' oh so bad.... I do get that it can be hard to swallow though from my perspective down in the lower end of the spectrum.... anyway, what I think about when I think of them is image of BSA, recruiting, etc... I keep going back to Bear Grylls and his TV show. I've heard

one more thought... in an ideal world (in my thinking) the incoming SPL would have served as ASPL. Sort of like an apprentice, learning the job. that would count towards that do things the way they were done time before you make changes. ...this would make for a more seamless hand-off. But I don't see this as real world for most troops

I can't answer directly since I was not involved with that process in my son's troop. I can say that we were in many ways still "adult run oriented", and with that came regular elections on what I feel is a very short cycle....if I remember correctly it was roughly mid way through the school year. Not only SPL but all positions changed. This was done so that more scouts had opportunities for a POR.... seems good in theory, but in my opinion you scouts should make the call when to vote or not...if the guy isn't doing a good job, THEN the SPL or maybe scouts in general will call for a vo

in a similar fashion - in aviation, there is an overarching concept of 'pilot error'. When you really get right down to it there really are very few accident causes that are not in some way "pilot error" then there is the regulation that says the Pilot in Command is the final authority.... in part: The pilot in command of an aircraft is directly responsible for, and is the final authority as to, the operation of thataircraft. (b) In an in-flight emergency requiring immediate action, the pilot in command may deviate from any rule of this part to the extent required to

yes, lot of nuances for sure. ok, so happiness is the ultimate goal. What's the easiest way to achieve that? through drug use maybe....artificial happiness. No, we certainly don't want to encourage that. but more to the point, what's the most likely way to be in a happy situation with regard to marriage? On one hand you have a couple who right or wrong is going to have a lifelong road of odd looks from others, misunderstandings, and all sorts of uncomfortable problems and situations (this could be based on religion differences, racial differences, or diverging from any o

I think that's a great point Eagledad. I started saying many years ago that I think every college grad should have taken courses in some very basic concepts that the vast majority don't understand, such as.... how to run a meeting and how to attend or participate in a meeting you're not running. how to file stuff, calendar/schedule use, and how to keep organized. how to deal with people (brainstorming, coaching, maintaining reason, understanding personality types, etc..) Now that I think about it no reason that shouldn't be every high school grad. In my experien

In large part you made the point I was trying to drive at. I think you're missing the meaning.... look at it this way, what is the goal that you'd want your kid to shoot for? Do you wish for your daughter to aim to be a single mom?

...or is it an agenda? Personally, I don't think there's a question in all of this. absolutely agree but when we are trying to build 'Character' it's hard not to trip through that definition minefield so, maybe it would have been better to take a firm stand one way or the other rather than walking the tightrope

I think it's very important to consider that even adults that were scouts may not necessarily know. I'd argue based on my observations that a really really high percentage of folks, probably a majority, that were scouts and even eagles don't really know what the patrol method is.

Well aren't they inferior? No of course there are exceptions.... a family with an abusive father is better off without that father but generally speaking single parent families are a real shame. Nothing wrong or shameful about them...hey, it happens.... and it is awesome that one parent goes that extra mile to raise the kids....but they are a sad situation and should not be looked at as a good goal to shoot for....IMHO. I guess I feel the same about "non traditional families". Sure some work well perhaps, and a kid raised in one of those is much better off than they would be i

I know the OP wasn't looking for a debate, but since the question has been answered, I'll say this...If I were given the task of making a rule for this.... I would rule against rules that make scouts lock them in the car for the weekend or otherwise prohibit them totally. Instead I would outline some very simple guidelines for limited use using common sense and courtesy....such as don't use them at the meal table unless it's doing something to support the ongoing group face to face conversation such as looking up the answer to a question or to take a photo of a special moment with friend

isn't using the name pedro racist? I hesitate making that joke, but it came to mind. I see that reference so often to things like this....sports teams and the like... when that really isn't the definition of racism at all, using a name to revere something. Even using it to make fun or whatever.... it in no way communicates any thought of feeling that one race is superior in any way to another.....so It is simply not racist