mashmaster

Well, yes and know. Even though the boys make the decisions they do work hand in hand with adults for many of those decisions. There are many decisions that I have seen well meaning boys make where it would have been dangerous. Should that be allowed? I also have seen decisions made that are very insensitive to other scouts and cultures that had to be nipped in the bud. The boys didn't have a clue why it was insensitive but it needed to not be allowed. Boy led, doesn't mean they aren't supervised. Sorry to break your bubble, there is a reason why males under 30 and especially unde

Next time go, and setup tents outside the cabin and you will blow their minds!

Then make it Avengers based. Relax, most don't do it for the NA tie in, most of the boys in our troop that are in OA want nothing to do with the ceremonies because they dislike it. I am not saying it is fun for some people, just not so tied to that being the fun and why we do it. If I go for fun, I would probably look at things not allowed in the guide to safe scouting.

It comes from within, not the clothes. I know plenty of Eagles, that aren't worth their weight in salt. And plenty of people that only made it lower ranks that are amazing.

Why do we have to pretend to be anyone else? That is the question. Does it make the experience better if we dress up as someone else?

I am in the OA and personally, the real meanings of OA don't have to be tied to regalia and ceremonies. There are loads of ceremony themes that could be adopted and be awesome. The ceremonies and regalia doesn't define my heart for service and brotherhood.

Well, we didn't cancel because of that but the water flow on the river was fast enough to sweep our scouts to Houston. I'm sorry when safety is concerned, I am the enemy of fun.

Well it is hard to say, not knowing what your ceremony looked like. A crossover ceremony doesn't have to be done by an OA team. Some troops like ours have regalia and perform the ceremony for a few packs. It is Native American based and the boys run the entire ceremony for the boys crossing over. I am sure it differs across the nation but it really is somethat impresses the scouts and families.

I hope this rumor is incorrect. But we shall see.

Ordered volume 1 and 2. Thanks, I look forward to reading them

Thanks! Thanks

OK, I need to get a copy for myself. Which version should I look for?

I commend you for not just passing them. I have seen so many just pass everyone. That frustrates me.

My son has been to one twice. They are good for the classroom merit badges like the cit's. Of course with any classroom style merit badge your mileage may vary about how involved the boys are.

OK, well it seems that us Scoutmasters agree. I will continue the path. I did point out that this last weekend when we went climbing, they offered to cover some merit badge requirements for the boys, only 2 were interested, the rest just wanted to climb and rappel.

So, last night we had our committee meeting. And there was a long discussion about how come the scouts aren't getting more merit badges. Why aren't we doing merit badges at meetings, cover the 11 Eagle MBs every year during the meetings. I seemed to be the only one that got the fact that getting merit badges and ranks are not the primary point of scouting. That most of the time, the parents care far more about them than the boys. If the boys want to earn merit badges they can but being active and having fun it the most important part. Do you run merit badges at your troop meetings?

This is so heartbreaking. I feel so for the leaders and the tentmate that wasn't able to save his buddy. :-(

We will be here to enjoy a nice Nalgene together. I know I am at the point where my son in 7th grade "hates" everything... If that continues,, I may have to go as well.

Makes sense.

I believe BSA doesn't allow them because you can't see the flame.

I see value in both. I've asked many questions here and gotten great answers.

Well, it depends on the roundtable staff and attendees. When I staffed round table it was useful but we didn't follow the official plan from BSA which was a yawn fest. It is certainly the more the merrier. I have seen roundtable staff that are great and ones that suck. It should cover what is going on in the district and what topics people will need to do in their roles at their unit. also, don't forget to encourage networking, that is key.

I would stay away from the first to be honest. Too many topics that either won't resonate with them or may scare them.

I would tread lightly on this one. I know we have several scouts that are extremely sensitive to death. And the holocaust is very traumatic to many, especially if you have anyone with Jewish decent like me. I would focus on the young man that came to the rescue in Washington, that would resonate better with them, IMHO.

I sent the link to my troop, seems to be a fine young man.