bnelon44

They may not be called ranks, but there is an order. Bronze, Gold then Silver. Silver is the highest award in Venturing.

>The confusion is coming from pros and high up volunteers at national who do not know and understand the Venturing program, but are trying to change Venturing You mean the same guys who invented Venturing to begin with I was there at the beginning. And let's be realistic here, we had problems with Venturing from the beginning. I don't know what the Venturing Task Force will come up with for a solution to the many problems with the program as it stands today. But ignoring the problems isn't going to fix them or make them go away.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Eagle92 The bronze, gold, silver awards are advancement recognitions, see section 4.3.0.0 in the Guide to advancement. See how confusing it is?

acco40 The age group we are having problems with are the Cub Scouts and Venturers. The Boy Scouts are increasing in membership. I see a number of issues with the Venturing program as it stands today: 1) They aren't considered Scouts (and the Girls by and large really want to be considered Scouts.) 2) They have a convoluted advancement program that is so complex the youth don't fully understand it. So the youth aren't earning the awards. 3. They have a promise no one can memorize (This message has been edited by bnelon44)

SSScout It was done with a task force of volunteers from around the nation, experts and a couple of staffers. That is the way most changes are made these days. Usually a survey or two also goes out with input going back to the task force. Then it has to be approved by a bunch of standing committees made up of volunteers with staff facilitators. It is a pretty good method of getting things done in this large of an organization and still have input from volunteers. I did post that some experts in children education did advise the task force that Cub age boys would understand the Oath and Law, and their understanding will grow as they grow. I don't have a problem with the proposed changes that I have heard so far. I guess we all will have to wait and see what else will come down the pike.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

>What I'd really hope to do away with is the Sea Scout Promise, with the hopelessly outdated line: To seek to preserve the motto of the sea, Women and children first. My understanding is that ALL programs Cub Scouts, Boy Scouts, Varsity, Venturing and Sea Scouting will use the Boy Scout Oath and Law Sea Scouts will also use the three fingered salute and sign.

Well here is another: Cubs will continue to use two fingers, Scouts and Venturing will use three fingers for salute and sign. As with any of this, none of this is official or final until you see it in print or at scouting.org.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

I found out some information on this. The Executive committee approved this, now it goes to the Executive Board in October. The line about the Cubs learning just the words doesn't seem to be a direct quote. The task force had some childhood education experts consulting them and they told them that the basic concepts in the Oath and law are understandable by Cub age boys. Their understanding will grow and mature as the boy matures and matures in Scouting. Whatever changes there will be in 2013-2014, the intention is to combine all of them in one roll out across the board.

From what we found out earlier this month about the changes going into effect in 2014 of a more seemless Cub Scout-Boy Scout-Venturing program, this would make some sense. But I would like someone to validate this is more than an Internet rumor.

Thanks! I reminded by district leaders about it.

I thought you had to be elected through a troop to be OA

Asking the land use agency if you can do a small service project can also get you discounts and extra presentations by the local rangers.

snugharborlabs, No problem but I would suggest in such cases it would make sense for your unit to organize some service projects as a unit that the Scouts could then participate on (we do this sort of thing at least two times a year, and often more). The PLC could organize them. I wouldn't regularly put the burden on a Scout as a "practice" for his Eagle project though and require him to get it organized and done. That would indeed be adding to the requirements which you cannot do, which we covered already.

snugharborlabs, Just to be clear: for Star and Life the Scouts DO NOT have to organize a project. They only have to participate on a project. The requirement is not to have them practice doing an Eagle project by organizing or managing a mini or even a micro service project. That is simply not in the requirement. Fred gave some good advice and cited the sections in the Guide to Advancement dealing with service projects at this level. Again, Service project work for Second Class, First Class, Star and Life Scout ranks DOES NOT require planning, development, managment or leadership. The requirements clearly call for participation only. Units are not authorized to add to these requirements. To make them organize a project is adding to the requirements which neither your Scoutmaster nor your unit's committee is authorized to do. (see page 2 of the Guide to Advancement) (also see section 4.2.3.3 Service Projects in the Guide to Advancement) As far as any money earning or donations for a service project are concerned, a money earning application must be filled out and approved by the Council. (Eagle candidates can get them approved at the district level.) Again, there is no such thing as a Second Class, First Class, Star or Life service project. There are either community or private group service projects that a Scout participates on, or Scout unit, district or council service projects that a Scout participates on. The money earning application is located here: http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34427.pdf I hope this helps and I hope I wasn't too harsh in my wording. (This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Here is the long version where it came from: In some ways, I like the commercial better.

The short story is to realize that they start out with a lot of high enthusiasm and no skills, they progress slowly in learning the skills. The key is to get them trained in camping skills right away so they can keep going on more and better outings and go on a lot of outings right away, that keeps the enthusiasm going. The Scouts want to go out and camp, they don't want to sit in boring meetings. As to who does the training? It is always best if an older Scout does the training and eventually you get into the habit of training the Patrol Leaders so they can pass along camping and woodcraft skills to their patrols. Keep the interpatrol competitions going, that keeps them encouraged to learn more. A guide to this approach is here: http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/MatchingLeadershipStylestotheNeedsofScouts.pdf'>http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/MatchingLeadershipStylestotheNeedsofScouts.pdf More information is here: http://bsatroop14.com/patrolmethod/ (This message has been edited by bnelon44)

Beavah, I am pretty sure you know the difference between a BOR that is a bit more formal and a job interview. And I really don't like the idea of fixing anything that is wrong with the adult end by teaching the Scouts how to adapt to it.

The EBOR is not a job interview, at least it isn't intended to be one. Don't make it into one. If the Scout is walking into the room for a EBOR he should have for all intent and purposes already earned the rank.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

A district EBOR should in no way be as stressful as a white water rafting trip, and if it is, something needs to change. You don't fix a broken district EBOR by prepping the Scout to face an inquisition.

Just saw this tweet from the BSA Advancement Team. Thoughts? "BSA discourages mock boards of review. Instead, you want unrehearsed spontaneous answers revealing character, citizenship & personal fitness"

Thanks, just fishing for ideas.

I think the Region patch is normally only worn by someone working on a Regional committee. And they have been around for a very long time.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)

You said weekend and movie. Where did you hold it?

If you are the unit leader or the committee chair of a unit, you can put your own info in as the contact person via www.myscouting.org

Personally I like the district EBOR. It makes it a more formal occasion IMHO and gives a all around better experience to the Scout. It also tells the Scout, that Eagle Rank is something different, better, more important, etc. than the previous ranks he has achieved.(This message has been edited by bnelon44)