Twocubdad
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Posts posted by Twocubdad
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Yeah, Castor, I decided it wasn't worth the ensuing hassle.
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Disgusting. I have the same reaction to this as I do seeing pictures of families at Klan rallies with babies dressed in white robes.
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Wow. This group never agrees on anything.
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There are two of us. I help the guys with the proposal Eagle app paperwork, another guy helps with more construction-oriented stuff, if needed.
We do not have the district-appointed coaches contemplated in the Guide to Advancement.
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There was shrinkage, Packsaddle! There was shrinkage!
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I guess getting wings at Hooters on the way home would be a let down, huh?
Reminds me of sitting in the very large pub inside the staff area at World Jamboree outside London, sipping on a pint of Guinness with my new-found mates from the UK. One of the other Americans looked around and said, astonishedly, "Wow, you've got girls AND beer? I'd have 700 guys in my troop!"
And I thought I had problems with all dads who want to go on shooting and whitewater trips with the troop.
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Funny you should ask. Here's the presentation I'll be making this weekend:
Crafts & Woodworking
20 Minutes
Resources:
All levels of Cub Scout handbooks
Cub Scout Leader Handbook
Age-appropriateness Guidelines Chart
Whittlin’ Chip pocket cards
Idea books
Sample Tool Kit:
Hammer, saw, coping saw, hand drill, tape/ruler,
square, screw drivers, wrench, clamps, shooting
boards, sandpaper, goggles, gloves, thumb guard,
pencil.
Project Materials
Sweet potatoes, carving knives, instruction poster,
step stick, finished carving, drop cloth (if inside).
Introduction
Crafts are an iconic part of all summer camps, Cub Scout Day Camp included. Crafts give young boys valuable experience in a number of areas:
• Learning new skills
• Following directions
• Taking care of tools and materials
• Imagination
• Pride in craftsmanship
 
One of the big things crafts bring to a camp program is a focus on small motor skills. Day camps tend to be all about gross motor skills – running, climbing, canoeing, swimming. But crafts are about using your hands and fine coordination. The crafts lodge can also be a break from the loud, fast action of the rest of camp. It can provide the boys a calming time.
Selecting projects
Several factors are considered when selecting craft projects for camp. Camp projects should be interesting, fun and something the Scouts have not typically done in den meetings. Because day camps frequently cover several days and several sessions at the crafts lodge, day camp projects can be larger in scope that that for a typical den meeting. But think about how you will label and store individual project from day to day.
Other factors:
Age appropriateness -- Our starting point for this are the Age Appropriateness Guidelines in the Guide to Safe Scouting. Bottom line: No power tools and no knives for Tigers and Wolves.
Cost & Equipment – What is the budget and how much will each project cost? What tools and equipment will be needed? Do I need electricity and is it available? What alternate resources do we have for materials? How much time do we have?
Theme Relatedness – Craft projects are an excellent place to incorporate the Camp’s theme. Perhaps the craft becomes something useful in another camp activity, like musical instruments, costumes or props for a skit; raingutter boats for a later regatta; lures to be used at the fishing station. One camp with which I am familiar had a Lewis & Clark theme. Almost every man on the expedition kept a journal. The camp’s craft was for the boys to make a leather-bound journal which they used throughout the week of camp, recording advancement, results of activities and names of new den mates.
Safety
It is critical that all tools and equipment be safe, sharp and in good working order. Match the tools to the ability and strength of the boys. Safety is mostly about control. If you have a little guy struggling to hold a saw that is as big as he is , he can’t control it and won’t be safe. Teach the boys to use tools properly and safely. Consider having the boys earn their Whittlin’ Chip cards at camp, either as a part of crafts, or at a separate activity. Have sufficient qualified supervisors so they have enough eyes to see dangers before accidents occur.
 
Teaching Techniques
A leader’s job and challenge in teaching crafts is to pique each boys interest and curiosity and encourage him to try. It is important to give him the opportunity to be creative and be proud of his creation. I think it is important that we give our Scouts every chance to be successful. Success breeds all those great things we listed above. I hate going to a camp and seeing boys struggling with poorly maintained tools which are impossible to use. The Scouts get frustrated, ruin the projects, have no fun and reluctant to try that craft or hobby again.
To avoid that we need:
• Appropriate projects and equipment
• Step by step demonstrations
• Prepared drawings of each stage
• Buddy System
• Sample of end product.
(INTRODUCE PROJECT)
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That being the case, you should have resigned yesterday. If you are responsible for maintaining the medical records and they are essentially telling you to violate national policy -- and a rather important, black-letter policy at that -- I'd have no part of it. Whether they change things or not really isn't your problem.
Put your resignation in writing and send a copy to every parent in the troop, the COR, the institutional head and the Scout Executive. While they aren't putting the youth at direct risk, they are putting the youth in the position of having one of their adult leaders croak while on a campout. It happens. We came close. One of my ASMs went in for his camp physical a few years back and came home with two coronary stents. He could have easily died at camp had he not gone in for his required physical.
How do these guys get into summer camp?
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If the SM and ASMs are throwing a tantrum, then you really didn't have a consensus. No, the SM/ASMs aren't members of the committee. But they are generally the ones carrying out the policy and in a volunteer organization you best have them on board.
But the bigger problem is the committee is voting on policy in the first place. That's not the proper role of a troop committee. Troop committees are neither legislative bodies nor democracies. Troop committees are simply a clearinghouse for different folks who have different roles in the troop organization to come together, report and coordinate their work. There is nothing to vote on.
About a year ago we had a situation where we felt we were being abused by a family with their requests for financial assistance. (I won't go into the details of why we felt that way.) The treasurer brought it up to the CC who brought it up with me (SM). A spoke with one of my ASMs who had first hand information regarding the situation. We also involved the membership chairman, mostly because she was in the room and also because it somewhat related to her job. After a discussion, we agreed to amend the troop's policy on financial aid with a couple very basic requirements. The five of us agreed to the changes and the CC wrote it up. That was it. The five people who had responsibility or a reason to be involved were, and agreed to the change. No reason to involve the advancement chairman, the training chairman, the guy who manages TroopMaster, or the handful of parents who attend committee meetings but don't do a whole lot.
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What a pompous ass.
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I should have figured the exemptions on immunizations was only about covering BSA's butt....
Was it 3 or 4 years ago swine flu was a problem at several camps? One of our neighboring camps attracts a lot of out-of-state campers. They were hit hard by the flu and If memory serves, closed for a week. When the headlines regarding the measles outbreaks change from "Disneyland" to "Local Scout Camp" I wonder how long it will take national to rethink this?
While national may only be concerned with their liability, we know our COs can enforce stricter policies. I wonder about this. If it were to become a more serious issue, I doubt my CO would give much weight to conscientious exemptions from basic immunizations.
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I should have figured the immunization exemption was only about covering BSA's butt. But we know chartered organizations are allowed to enforce more stringent membership requirements. That could include requiring immunizations without exception. If the issue became a more serious concern, I don't see out CO giving a lot of quarter to conscientious exemptions.
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Best defense is a good offense. Make sure you have a strong connection with the pack. Provide den chiefs to dens who want them. Work closely with the Webelos den and plan a great campout for the Webelos. As SM I try to attend about one pack committee meeting a quarter just to keep in touch. We also have a big joint service project we do which supports one of the ministries supported by our CO.
But don't take any guff either. If the other troop is causing problems, set the record straight. Never let a falsehood stand.
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Asking of a Scout who is purported to hold the maturity and ability to handle himself as an Eagle Scout if his socks are on the right feet is now considered hazing? This is PRECISELY left-handed smoke shifter stuff. Actually, sending a new kid out looking for a smoke shifter can be hazing. The Eagle Scouts in our troop would have the chutzpah and sense of humor enough to throw it right back at them by telling them he never washes his right socks so he always knows to put the crunchy socks on the right foot. Or something equally silly. Even the introverts would just grin and shake their heads....
End of meeting -- Our whole friggin' meeting looks like that. It's called boy led. We call the end of the meeting "circle up" and it can take 10 or 15 minutes, depending on how much business we need to conduct. We invite the parents to join us in the circle, if they choose. We make announcements, present advancement, I give a SM minute an we close with the Scoutmasters' Benediction. But you're right every troop does it differently. If only the last 20 minutes of the meeting is chaotic, call it a win and go home.
Yeah, Scouting can be cliquish. Ever been to an Order of the Arrow meeting? Or, heaven forbid, the council training committee? Originally, patrols were to be built around groups of friends. Every few years I get a call from the town wanting a color guard for something or other. These calls usually come on Thursday for a Monday evening gig (the troop meets on Tuesday). I call the SPL and tell him to handle it. Chances are the color guard will be comprised of the SPL and the first three guys who say yes when he asks. This is also called boy led. Blasting an email to the entire troop, setting up some selection process and having a meeting or two is what adults do. Kids are down and dirty, cut to the chase.
Our Philmont crew had t-shirts which said, "1. Pain is fear leaving the body. 2. Tears are 98% estrogen. 3. Chicks dig scars." The moms were appalled. The dads smiled and nodded. The boys thought the were the coolest crew on the trail. This is how guys assert themselves, push limits and stretch their wings. Grab a copy of Mad magazine or watch the Three Stooges.
I don't see anything in your post I would call detrimental or even much of a violation of policy.. Silly? Immature? Yeah. Personally, I'd like to see a bit more seriousness of purpose in Eagle Boards. But as you say, every troop is different and has it's own personality. If this one isn't your cup of tea, find another.
But I'm betting the boys in your troop are having a blast and can't wait to go on the next campout.
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There is an organization called Bugles Across America which is a registry of buglers who volunteer to play real bugles at veteran funerals. When some one requests a bugler, a notification is sent out and some one volunteers to take the request. I was on the registry for several years but never saw a request which was inside a two hour drive.
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As you're working your WB ticket, I'm sure you will remember the session in the course on managing change. You will recall that when pushing for change in a unit, you should expect to loose volunteers who do not agree with the change. Be prepared for that.
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It's a bit of money, but the wool jac-shirts are really nice and something they will appreciate if they're continuing on.
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My old football coach used to say the same thing.
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Have you ever seen BSA roll out a new program and have all the parts fitting together? Me either. You should see the syllabus for CSDC camp school. There are still sections referring to the old camp standards.
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I think our recent membership changes are driving a push toward individual shower stalls. Almost immediately following the membership vote our council properties committee had a quick about-face on the topic of new showers. Of course money is the big stumbling block.
Until then, I think you need to look at who else is using the showers when mom or dad decides she/he must to accompany Dear Sweet Thing to the showers. A 10-y.o. Webelos may not be too thrilled about the Tiger mom walking in on him. A shower house full of grown women may not appreciate being checked out by your 8 year old.
One thing to consider is what constitutes "private." For years, our camp considered the entire shower facility to be private and prohibited adult from being in the shower house. After a lot of complaints, the camp reconsidered the intent of the rule and decided the private area of the shower is that space behind the shower curtains. Adult leaders were allowed in the main dressing area to provide supervision. Scouts were instructed that if they wanted complete privacy they should dress and undress behind the curtain. Even at that there were separate facilities for males and females.
Ultimately, this is a problem for the camp director to solve in accordance with not just the G2SS but also the national camp standards. Even if there is a technical violation of the rules, camps can take into consideration local circumstances and the limits of the facilities in enforcing the rules. Bottom line is you have to act in the best interest and safety of the Scouts.
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A flaw in the process is that proposal writing is not a skill we teach out Scouts. But then we expect them to put together a detailed, written plan for their Eagle project. Prior to the 2011 policy changes 50 page proposals were not uncommon in our council. That was insane. A dad in our troop is a Six-Sigma instructor and would shake his head and laugh at the complexity of EP proposals. The 2011 changes to the process fixed a lot of that and I was a very early supporter of the new process. (Unfortunately they went too far in other areas, but that's a different thread.)
The key to an Eagle proposal is for the Scout to convince those approving it that he knows what he's doing and has a reasonable chance of success.
The answer to your question is coaching. Don't set up the process with the Scout where all you are doing is grading his paper. Make it one where you are working together for the Scout to learn a very important life skill. If that takes more than one or two sessions working together, so be it. But don't let it come to a point where the proposal is rejected. Instead, you just continue working through the process. Part of this is instilling in the Scout a sense of pride in what he is doing. As in everything, we need to be showing our Scouts what excellence looks like.
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q- I'm having that framed and put on the wall in the scout house.
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In spirit at least, here's the right answer, despite Schiff's missing the change where BSA turned a Scoutmaster's signature on a blue card to meaningless scribbling:
What should I do?Encourage your son to learn from this and continue. You should step back and watch. This is scouting, boys learn from their mistakes and move forward. He will earn Lifesaving MB the right way.
1. The scout talks to his Scoutmaster first and seeks his/her approval to start work on a MB. Sometimes I do not return calls/email if I am traveling on business, particularly if the issue is better discussed in detail at the next scout meeting. For the scout, if a call/email is not returned, call/email again or seek a face-to-face meeting.
2. Approval is not automatic. A SM may reject the idea and deny a card but he/she will state the reasons. For Lifesaving, I think scouts need more upper body strength and maturity than the average 11 yr old. If your SM have been given the opportunity, he/she would likely have directed your scout to other scout activities or merit badges.
3. The 18yr MBC was wrong in allowing your son to take the class without a SM signed blue card.
4. This was the SM's call, the Troop Committee supports the SM decision not approves it. I think you misunderstood or were misinformed of their involvement.
Usually troops have a new parent meeting early on where advancement and a myriad of other program specifics are explained so everyone is on the same page.
Hopefully lessons learned for the next merit badge.
My $0.02,
Personally, if I were the SM in this case, I would let your son move forward with the badge. He did the work so I'm not going to hold him up on a technicality. When I give the card, we will have a talk about why I fell the way I do about advancement. That is, I believe it is my job to help the Scouts I serve get the most out of their years in Scouting. Part of that is looking at the long term -- the whole 7 years he is going to be a Boy Scout, not just the opportunity he has this weekend.
I do believe your SM is correct in that there are a number of MBs which are better for Scouts to take at an older age -- Lifesaving is one, Personal Management, Personal Fitness, Family Life are others. There is a real difference in outlook toward these topics at 16 or 17 versus 11 or 12. I don't think you have to wait and do all of them at 16 y.o., but a Scout should experience some of them from a more mature perspective. And I don't particularly care which you do later, just some of them. But that doesn't mean I have hard-and-fast, "you must be 14" rules either. I'm smarter, more persuasive and been around too long to need draconian rules.
Seems to me the Scoutmaster is overwhelmed. Maybe his job has changed. Maybe there is something going on in his personal life. Maybe he's burned out and needs help -- or a replacement.
As a parent, you have an opportunity to teach your son a number of different lessons.
A Scout is Trustworthy. He needs to know what the rules are and follow them. He should also expect others to follow them, too. OBTW, that should include some introspection regarding the fact that your son chose to go ahead with the class without first getting the blue card.
A Scout is Kind. He should look at this from the Scoutmaster's point of view. I was a Red Cross Water Safety Instructor for years and can tell you there is some validity to his point. But your son isn't too young to what job/personal circumstances the SM may be under. Empathy is good lesson at any age.
A Scout is Brave. He should stand up for himself. When he and others are being treated unfairly and contrary to the rules, he should be the one to stand up for what is right.
A Scout is Helpful -- this one he gets to learn by watching your example. Are you going to go the Scout Lawyer route with lots of volunteer time spent on meetings, emails and appeals to council, or are you going to the troop and ask, "how can I help?"
Lots of lessons here. Which will your son learn?
Unit Awareness of District/Council Activities and Issues
in Council Relations
Posted
We should remember that district activities should be supplemental to unit programs. If a unit has a robust outdoor program and chooses to pass on district camporees, so be it. Their Scouts are getting their nights camping in, it shouldn't be an issue. It's not the responsibility of the unit to support the district, but the job of the district to support the units.
100% seems like a pretty high bar. Can all the First Class Scouts pass the challenge? How about the newbies who complete the course? Can they pass that standard? If not do you require them to retake it? Sounds to me like you don't really intend for anyone to test out of the course.