mashmaster

Excuuuuse me!!!!  Mine was the sixth edition and I don't feel old, I don't act old, and people keep telling me to grow up.  I have been inflicted with the terrible Peter Pan Syndrome.

Awesome!

I gave my boys a copy of the new requirements to look at and use if they decide too. 

I have my book from when I was in Scouting the 10th edition I think.

It has all of my advancements signed off, all the way down to my Eagle Board. I find it a a cherished memto of being in scouting. One boy said hey if we get the new book will you sign off on our stuff like that so we can keep it in one book?

I told him absolutely. He said he wanted to keep it all together like I did, as it would be nice to go back and remember when he got his advancements.

Mine was the eighth edition,  man I feel old.  I like how my book had all the requirements for all the merit badges in the back.

But action of any kind must be done 1) for the greater good, 2) for the good of the masses, not the good of a few, 3) and with proper debate and discourse. If done otherwise then you are merely continuing the same rules used by those in a minority who would seek to keep down the majority.

 

Apply Gates' methodology of change to that of the elite rich, then as yourself the same question: Was it done fairly and for the good of the many, or just for the good of the few?

action must be done for the correct thing to do not the good for the masses.  Sometimes the right thing to do is a bitter pill but it is still the right thing.  I can think of many times in history that the masses where wrong and the right thing to do was seen as something to be the good of a few.

I don't agree that the decisions are causiing great changes in membership.  I have seen boys that in the need for great help turned away by the people that should support them most.  We are here as leaders to help support the boys and help them on their journey to become fine young men.

It is so sad

I had my den look at all the options on patchtown to pick the Patrol name.  We did this on a patrol campout and they worked together to pick the name, make a patrol flag, and come up with a yell.

Later we got shirts, they loved that they picked out the name.  Just retain the right to veto the name.  Some of the names are just not good.

Well, although it might sound like you should, you are not to wear it at any candidate's political rally.

LOL, ok......  is there an election coming up?

My boys that are about to cross over got me a scouting campaign hat as a thank you.  I am so grateful for it, what a nice gesture.  Are there rules on the etiquette for wearing it?  I intend on wearing it at the official cross over ceremony.

Just back from camp and the plan worked well.  We never got to build a shelter though.

It was pouring so we learned how important garbage bags are for make panchos and a ton of other uses of the bag.

They of course loved making fire, cooking, making survival kits.

I might swing by the local harbor freight to see if they have their cheapy fire starters.  I wonder if the manager would be willing to help out.

I've given out the flint and steel tools before.  Real cheap ones to fit in budget. This specifically http://www.amazon.com/Magnesium-Starter-Flint-Stone-Lighter/dp/B00K5I058Y/ref=pd_sim_468_3?ie=UTF8&dpID=51dUlP1NKVL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=15598NXPK8BS0N9YS5PE

 

They do work, but a bit of practice is needed.

I need them by the 26th... of course

OK, a discussion with the camp director about what is OK to put in the survival kit that they go home with.  I want to provide them a striker and flint rod, but the concern is if that is ok for a Webelos to have,  What are your thoughts?  Any additons or things I should omit?

This is the kit I was thinking of having them build and go home with:

·          Bag for survival kit gallon ziplock bag

o   Flint (something like this http://www.amazon.com/Ferrocerium-Starter-Survival-Magnesium-lighter/dp/B00T8VD79I/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-goods&ie=UTF8&qid=1450065235&sr=1-9&keywords=Ferrocerium+Rod&refinements=p_85%3A2470955011 )

o   piece of hacksaw blade for a striker

o   Hand sanitizer (optional, I have some expired bottles about 75 of them, 3 oz size)

o   Cotton ball – smeared with petroleum jelly in baggy

o   Signal mirror (CD) 

o   Fishing line, hooks

o   Dental floss 

o   Mini-compass

o   Bandaids

o   Antibiotic cream

o   Garbage bag

o   Duct tape 16 inches

o   Aluminum foil

o   Safety pins

o   Small pencil

o   Paper

o   Paracord

o   Whistle

Thanks

My understanding is that if the youth has completed the Scout badge (old requirements) before Jan. 1 (and is therefore considered to be "working" on Tenderfoot before Jan. 1), he may then do Tenderfoot, 2nd Class and First Class under the old requirements until Jan. 1, 2017. Any ranks not completed by then must be done under the new requirements. Once he makes First Class, he must do Star (etc.) under the new requirements.

 

However, if he has NOT completed the Scout badge (old requirements) before Jan. 1, he must then do the Scout rank (new requirements) and all other ranks under the new requirements.

 

That's my understanding, anyway.

That seems odd to me

Compared to doing an Eagle Project, learning some extra knots and one more thing to memorize is not a biggie in the greater scheme of life.  It gives the older boys more one-one time with the new boys working with them on the knots.  With the new boys looking for new friends this might work out well.  I'm trying to find the down side to it all. 

I agree, plenty of time to get Eagle.  I like that Scout is a Rank.  versus a checkbox

Our boys have been visiting several troop meetings and camped with 3 troops so far with another 2 on the schedule.  We are lucky that we have an abundance of good troops within a 10 mile radius.  So only a couple have "decided" which troops they are going to,

The new requirements for the new Scout Rank are much more than the old joining requirements.  I don't think they are necessarly all that hard except there are three knots and repeating the outdoor code.  Previously, you filled out the application and you earned the scout patch.  Now that it is a proper rank there are requirements that need to be met.  From usscouts, if a scout begins working on the scout requirement prior to 2016, they go by the old requirements.

I would think that as soon as their registration is completed with the troop they wish to join, they can start working on rank.  Cross-overs are merely ceremonial in nature.  The $$ and registration is what makes it official.

Thanks, that is what I thought.

I have some scouts that have earned their Arrow of Light and are waiting for crossover to happen.  They are still picking a troop.  When can they begin working on the Scout Rank?  Is it once they choose the troop?

Thanks for the feedback!  I'll come up with a scenario.  When I come up with the plan, I will post it here for more feedback.

For our Webelos Winter Camp, I am in charge of getting the boys through the Castaway Adventure pin. I will have 2 1-hour sessions to get through as much of the pin as I can.  I am looking for some feedback on the plan.

1.  Do two of these:
   1. With the help of an adult, demonstrate one way to light a fire without using matches.
      • ​​I am going to teach them how to make a fire with flint (or churt) and steel with char cloth.  Teach them how to make char cloth
   2. On a campout with your den or family, cook two different recipes that do not require pots and pans.
      • Each session, we can make something that doesn't require pots or pans.  maybe woofem's over a file or trail mix.  Any other suggestions (I think I won't have much budget)
   3. Using tree limbs or branches that have already fallen or been cut, build a shelter that will protect you overnight.
      • I'd like to do this but they won't be sleeping in them.  Is that cheating to build it and not sleep in it?  I'd prefer to do this than the cooking one.
2. Do all of these:
   1. Make a list of items that should be in an outdoor survival kit that you can carry in a small bag or box that easily fits in a day pack. Record the most important items in your Webelos Handbook.
      1. I was thinking of bringing a day pack and a garbage bag full of good and bad stuff.  let them pack the day pack and show them a properly pack day pack.
   2. Show you can live “off the grid†by minimizing your use of electricity for one week. Keep a log of what you did. Discuss with your den members how you adjusted to this lifestyle.
      1. This will have to be an at home activity that they can start.  might be hard since this is right after xmas.
   3. With your den, invent a game that can be played without using electricity and using minimal equipment or simple items.
      1. I will demonstrate a cope game and then let them design a new one.
   4. Name your game, write down the rules once you have decided on them, then play the game at two different den meetings or outings.
      1. They can play it at this camp during each session.  Is that cheating?
   5. Teach your game to the members of your pack or other Scouts if you have the opportunity.
      1. They can teach it to others and play it again at the end of camp?  
   6. With your Webelos den, demonstrate two different ways to treat drinking water to remove impurities.
      1. We can go over several method for filtering water.  Heck it gives me an excuse to buy one of those cool new UV sterilizers :-)  filter, iodine, what other methods are easy?
   7. Discuss what to do if you become lost in the woods. Tell what the letters “S-T-O-P†stand for. Tell what the universal emergency signal is. Describe three ways to signal for help. Demonstrate one of them. Describe what you can do you do to help rescuers find you.
      1. Talking, and demonstrate.   I'll try to not make this boring by letting them practice.
   8. Make a list of four qualities you think a leader should have in an emergency and why they are important to have. Pick two of them and act them out for your den. Describe how each relates to a point of the Scout Law. Describe how working on this adventure gave you a better understanding of the Boy Scout motto.
      1. Yawn.....

I don't see this as churn, In my experience as long as the program doesn't change to accomadate girls specifically then we should allow them to join.  I have a few girls at cub level that are more into scouting than their brothers.  Girls in Venture Crews seem to work out quite well.

Yes the hikerdirect (scoutdirect) program still works.  The prices are great, the shipping cost is steep though.

Ours is from 6:30-7:30 and we end it on time.

By the time 7:30 hits the boys are pretty tired and done.  If I had the ability to, I would move the start time of the meeting to 6:00 but we can't get in the school until 6:30 because  the after school program has it until then.

Heck even my 5th graders are pretty wiped by 7:30 and they usually still have more homework to complete that night.  I don't think of it as a maturity thing and they are just plain tired or tarred as my grandpa would say.

Little victories....  You just got to do it for the kids that need it and appreciate it.  Unfortunately, no good deed goes unpunished.  I would talk to the parent privately and tell them that you love their passion for camping and the pack really needs passionate people planning the campout. Tell them when the next BALOO training is and sign them up.

Tell them the boys in the pack really need your leadership, maybe they will realize it is for all the boys not just their own.

Thanks for everything YOU are doing for the BOYS!  Just in case you don't hear that from your parents. 

I dont think you guys are using its full potential. It has tons of useful items.

 

I have been using it for a year. Came off of TM and other tracking programs.

 

Scoutbook.com has made it so much easier to track my scouts ranks, keeping track of camping log, hiking log, service hours ect.

 

Entering merit badges and advancements, printing off PO's and advancement reports.

 

Tracks leader training on whats been done, and what needs to be done with accuracy. Nothing worse then doing your recharter and finding out someone is behind.

Scouttrack does all this and is actually responsive and fast.....  You can send mail to selected patrols, enter data for multiple requirements for scouts all the same time.

I work in the tech industry and it is clear that they don't have a big enough backend.  I'm hoping that will change.