bnelon44

You will find a nonfillable version of the new

workbook here:

http://www.troop439.net/512-927_Eagle_Scout_Service_Project_Workbook.pdf

From the Advancement Newsletter that came out Friday:

The fillable PDF document will be available shortly at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/resources.aspx. Like the Guide to Advancement, it has been completely rewritten. The new workbook supports the revised wording in Eagle Scout requirement 5, which calls for a project proposal to be approved by the council or district, rather than the project plan.

Scouts have a choice to use either the new workbook or the one it is replacing. If they have already had their Eagle Scout service project approved by the council or district under the current wording of requirement 5, using the current workbook, they should continue with the same workbook. If their project has not yet been approved by the council or district, they may elect to use the new wording and the new workbook. For Scouts

who choose to use the new workbook, those approving Eagle Scout service projects must evaluate projects accordingly, using the procedures outlined in the Guide to Advancement, and judging candidates project proposals.

Those responsible for council or district project approval do not have the authority to require use of the previous workbook edition if Scouts have elected to use the new requirement and the new workbook.

We are aware of issues some Eagle Scout candidates have encountered using fillable PDF workbooks. Though we have taken some measures to improve the fillable PDF, some may still experience difficulties with it. As a solution, we are currently working toward a new approach to the workbook that may involve an online, interactive, downloadable application. If testing proves it to be a superior document, fully functional on virtually any operating system, we will abandon the fillable PDF

version. Regardless, the workbook will continue to be available for printing a hard copy that can be completed by hand or with a typewriter.

The long-awaitedand much anticipatednew Guide to Advancement is finally finished. Your electronic copy can be accessed via this link: https://rcpt.yousendit.com/1248434208/aa3b5cf4b81427d26dabf4562825f940

It is currently on the press and will be delivered for sale at Scout shops in the fall. The guide has been reorganized for easy reference and features a list of the questions most often asked of the national Advancement Team. It is a complete rewrite of the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, which it replaces.

Councils may choose to make a transition over the next

few months from the former advancement publication

to the new Guide to Advancement. After January 1,

however, the new guide must be consulted for all

advancement procedures. Until January 1, Eagle Scout

candidates may choose to use either the new Eagle

Scout Service Project Workbook or the one we have

been using. The new workbook in fillable PDF will

be added shortly to www.Scouting.org.

Because the new guide has been completely rewritten, it is difficult to cite specific differences. However, a number of sections merit close review. These can be found in the guide under section 1.0.2.0, Significant Changes. Note that the contents pages and index based on the new section numbering system should make it more efficient to find various references on advancement procedures.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

From the BSA supplimental training on Bullying:

What is bullying?

Bullying is any behavior that is deliberate, hurtful, repeated over time. It is usually characterized by a relationship involving an imbalance of power, such as size or popularity.

Bullying can be physical, verbal, emotional, social, behavioral, or any combination.

Bullying can take place just about anywhere: on the bus, at school, at soccer practice, even online via the Internet.

What are some examples of bullying?

Bullying may take the form of hitting or kicking; stealing or damaging things that belong to the victim; displaying menacing gestures or facial expressions; repeated name-calling, teasing, taunting, spreading damaging rumors, coercion, or forced action; intentional exclusion from the group; and cyberbullying (a topic we will discuss in more detail later).

http://scouting.org/Training/Adult/Supplemental.aspx

So I would ask, does the example of FORCING a Scout to sing meet the definition above? If so, you are probably in violation of BSA policies, if not, then no.

See Walking the Walk:

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BSAFit/walkthewalk.aspx

Scout Spirit is a requirement for advancement. If you know of a serious breach of Scout Spirit (living the oath and law in your daily life) then you should meet with the Scoutmaster and this issue should be addressed prior to the board of review.

A board can defer advancement for serious breaches of Scout Spirit. Use of illegal drugs or alcholol I think would be within that definition.

I agree with jet526

Don't stir the pot if you don't have to. Wait and see what happens (and schedule another fishing campout :-)

Abel,

I don't really think the issue is a mill (one sort or another.) A boy may be able to start a fire and pass the requirement at age 11, and pass another requirement that says he cooks something (foil dinner?) over an open fire at age 11. But if he doesn't use the skill to cook on a regular basis, expecting him to boil water and keep it boiling long enough to soften pasta under the pressure of a camporee event at age 15 may be expecting too much.

"How many new Eagle scouts cannot build a fire or lash a useful camp item? Just sayin"

"How can Irving change this trend? Could BSA change this trend if they wanted? "

You could change the way advancement is done, as some have suggested. But that would be a major change.

"The members of the Board [of Review] should keep in mind that the review is not a re-examination and does not require that a boy again demonstrate the skills in which he has been examined. The main purpose of the review is to make sure that the examination was up to standards. It is a check-up to see that what should have been done was actually done." -- Handbook for Scoutmasters by Bill Hillcourt, 1947

If an Eagle Scout who has been at least on 20 nights camping can't make a camp fire, maybe that tells us something about how camping is done in 2011 compared to 1910.

How many fire lays are described in the current Boy Scout Handbook? In the Handbook where does it say what fire lay is best to use for cooking? Where does it say you cook over coals not over flame?(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Kudu,

I agree with all you wrote except the insurance issue. It isn't a myth

"It's amazing how little is available for a Scout to know of his duties and POSSIBLITIES as a Patrol Leader by today's Patrol Leader Handbook. "

If you read the old Patrol Leader Handbooks you will find that many of those pages are filled with items that are now in the BSA Fieldbook, Boy Scout Handbook, Troop Program Features, Troop Program Resources and Troop Leader Training.

"Quite frankly you could say the same of "The Scoutmaster Handbook". Today it has 190 pages, in 1941 it came in 2 Volumes at a total of 1142 pages. "

Same for the 1936 Handbook Scoutmasters. You can add the GTSS and Advancement guidebooks and Boy Scout Requirements book (that and the fact that Bill Hillcourt was very verbose and redundant in his writing style.) Even Bill Hillcourt cut down on the number of pages of subsequent Handbooks for Scoutmasters.

That doesn't mean there isn't room for improvement in the current handbooks, because there is a lot of room there.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

I like NYLT. With all its faults it still is one of the best places to send Scouts to get infused with the Scouting spirit and want to come back to lead.

I recommend all Scouts attend.

RR,

Nothing wrong with having the patrols separated (in fact it is recommended if possible and trusted.)

BUT BEWARE: If you send out a patrol of trusted Scouts on a patrol overnighter without adult supervision and anything happens the BSA insurance will not cover you since you are now violating the Guide to Safe Scouting. It doesn't matter what Green Bar Bill wrote in 1928.

In 1928 most Scouts had a LOT more independence as youths than in 2010, and families of Scouts who got hurt or died didn't tend to sue the Scoutmaster for negligence.

(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

This fall a new Guide to Advancement 2011 will be issued and placed online. Unline the previous ACPP the new book is written with the unit in mind. It is intended to be read by all adults interested advancement, most especially unit leaders and information disseminated throughout all councils at every level.

It is written in plain English and full of examples and explinations.

If everyone knows the proper process, it is hard for the lazy to ignore it.

Resident camp standards require a letter from the council advancement committee approving merit badge counselors. There are no camp-related exemptions from the national qualifications for a MB counselor. Councils may not change the rules about who qualifies; this includes eligibility age. Staff members under 18 with subject-matter knowledge may assist with instruction, but they must work with qualified and approved counselors. Instruction may take place in group settings, but it must be done in accordance with the national group training proceedures which are given to summer camp staff.

Over the past year, National has worked to improve communication between volunteers and the national office in the clarification of program content. Here are some email addresses:

For advancement questions:

advancement.team@scouting.org

Suggestions for new merit badges should be directed to the BSA Innovation Team at:

merit.badge@scouting.org

For general program content questions:

program.content@scouting.org

What was taught at B-P's first summer camp:

DAY 1 Preliminary

After settling into camp, formation of patrols and distribution of duties, orders etc each subject of the camp was explained with demonstrations. Patrol Leaders received a special course of instruction in he field for them to impart subsequently to their Patrols

DAY 2 Camping

Camp resourcefulness. Hut and mat making. Knots, Fire-lighting, cooking, health and sanitation. Endurance. Finding way in strnge country. Boat management

DAY 3 Observation

Noting and memorising details near and far. Landmarks etc. Tracking. Deducing meaning from tracks and signs. Training eyesight, etc

DAY 4 Woodcraft

Study of animals and birds, plants, stars, etc, stalking animals. Noticing details of people. Reading their character and condition, thereby gaining sympathy, etc

DAY 5 Chivalry

Honour, code of the knights. Unselfishness. Courage. Charity and Thrift. Loyal to King and to Employers or Officers. Practical chivalry to women. Obligation to do a "Good Turn" daily and how to do it

DAY 6 Saving a Life

From fire, drowning, sewer, gas, runaway horses, panic, street accidents etc. Improvised apparatus. First Aid etc

DAY 7 Patriotism

Colonial Geography. History and deeds that won the empire. Our Navy and Army. Flags, medals. Duties as citizens. Marksmanship. Helping Police etc.

Same wording as in 2010

"As I said there are always exceptions to the norm, but in the case of 13yo Eagles, in my own experience few met the standards for Eagle, and even fewer had a solid outdoor experience or skills knowledge, but were rather rushed through the Eagle Mill process which has really hurt the boy scout program and cheapened the value of the Eagle. "

There is only one standard, always has been: Did he satisfy the requirements? If so, then he has met the standard.

Eagle92,

I can't speak to what National Supply does on their website however:

The Charter and Bylaws of the BSA in Article X, Section 1, Clause 6, states

"There shall be the following ranks in Boy Scouting: Tenderfoot, Second Class, First Class, Star, Life, and Eagle. The requirements shall be those authorized by the Executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications. Eagle Palms may also be awarded on the basis of requirements authorized by the executive Board and set forth in official Scouting publications."

Clause 4, where they talk about Cub Scouts does list Bobcat as a rank. So in that I am mistaken:

"There shall be the following ranks in Cub Scouting: Bobcat, Tiger Cub, Wolf, Bear, Webelos, and Arrow of Light."

So I should have said, "unlike in Cub Scouts where Bobcat is a rank, the Scout badge is not a rank."

We use to call the Scout badge the joining badge because it was the badge they got when they satisfied the joining requirements.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Webelos Scouts who have earned the Arrow of Light Award have also completed the requirements for the Scout badge. This can be presented when the boy has joined a troop and his Scoutmaster has signed for accomplishment in his Boy Scout Handbook.

Note the Boy Scout Badge is a badge, (like the Bobcat Badge) not a rank.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Rank Requirements are authorized to be signed off by the Scoutmaster. So if he authorized someone else to sign the Scouts off, they are signed off. If he did not, they are not. That is his turf.

But that is not necessarily the end of the story.

If the unit BOR finds out that a Scout has not completed a rank requirement, signed off or not, they have the power to ask the Scout to get the requirement completed and signed off properly.

But once the Scout does do the requirement and is tested and signed off by a person authorized by the SM to sign him off. It's done and what is done is done.

It is very common for first year Scouts to be at or just about at 2nd class after their first summer camp.

PL Handbooks are back in stock at scoutstuff.org

Some ideas:

Have you thought of making it part of earning the Scouting Heritage Merit Badge?

http://scouting.org/sitecore/content/Home/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/MeritBadges/mb-scout_heritage.aspx

Other ideas:

Keep the stories short

Is there something they use to DO that they could show the Scouts how to DO and have the Scouts DO? Boys usually like to DO not sit.

OK, I finished the book. Excellent I would highly recommend it to anyone who would like to see how to implement the Patrol Method using the modern BSA training continuum.