mashmaster

WOW just wow

I can give her your contact info :-) I do and do for the boys, if he went to camp he would have gotten to do 99% of everything which I told her. He passed the beginner test barely so fear isn't the issue, it is a technical issue for him. This week I have already given multiple hours for the boys, Not sure how much more I can give. He isn't handicapped

First off, I am not a swim instructor. He needs professional swimming help not mine or my sons help. Swimming is a life skill, he is very far away from being able to pass the test. Secondly, mom has known he needs help swimming she has told us he needs lessons but she has decided not to send him. He does manage to go to a bunch of expensive camps already, so that is where the priorities are.

Got a text from the parent, they said I was singling out their son because he was the only one not to pass the test. I explained how I didn't perform the test it was the lifeguard, but clearly it is my fault. I saw him swim and I wouldn't have passed him either. It is a safety thing not a "Do your best thing". They will have a rude awakening when he gets to Boy Scouts.

I love working with the boys, they have such a great time and I love seeing their smiles. But when the parent drama kicks in, I wonder why I do all this. For instance a boy falls his swim test because of his abilities, the parent starts saying he will not be going to camp is just petty and the only one it hurts is the boy. He could be enrolled in swimming lessons to potentially save his life but no he is now being punished because he can't swim. What a great lesson to teach him. Sigh, we should be able to drink in the program..... Sorry just needed to rant.

Digging up an old topic. My son who is about to cross over into scouts had his knife go missing. It was a basic swiss army knife. For a replacement, what knife would you suggest for him. December he with be entering Boy Scouts. And, no, it wasn't his fault the knife disappeared. I borrowed it for an OWL course I was directing and it disappeared after the course. Along with about 5 other knives. Darn Scouters.....

I wrote up how to read and decode UTM coordinates from a map for our district newsletter. It is here if you want to read it: https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B5vjCFsun5SAZ24tOXFXOWlxNk0/view

RIP very sad. my condolences

Well we did it and the Webelos really liked it. The coolest part was that I had them find a location on the map and create the UTM coordinate for it. We used handyGPS app on the phones and we walked there. Of course we went through the brush and trees and ended up finiding out spot on the road. They asked why didn't we just take the road :-) I asked them that same question back. They had a map. Even though we talked about using the ma\p for terrain and roads they didn't get it until we actually searched for a place. After that I had them use the phones(gps's) to find caches I setup

Love that idea :-) no, the loops and pins went away.

Or you are in Texas and the topology is fairly flat :-)

One of our parents works for USGS so I got full size plotted topo maps at 1:24,000 scale. I have most of the other things on your list to help explain how everything relates to the real world. I have the UTM coordinates for several locations on the campsite so I will go through the firering UTM coordinate so we understand how to find it. Then I will have them use the map to create a coordinate and we will use a phone GPS to walk there and see how close we get. Finally, I will hand them utm coordinates and let them figure out where they need to go. at each location will be a prize of

This weekend I am going to teach my Webelos 1's and 2's how to read topo maps, understand utm coordinates to find positions on maps, and then use that to do some geocaching. I was wondering if these skills will translate to anything in the new program? I know it will be fun for the boys. Geocaching without gps units is a great skill imho.

When I review candidates I might notice it and ask about it. I want to hear about a passion about what you do. Scouting/woodworking/whatever. Show me your excitement and dedication, I want that same interest and dedication to your job. I work in tech so it may be different for your industry.

Scouter's training award, for two years of service. plus that have to be trained and attend university of scouting or 4 roundtables during each year.

That is horrible. As a course director for OWLS which we always do in conjunction with IOLS it is a ton of work to get staff for the courses, the information is valuable and well received.

Good luck in your future ventures. I bet we will see you again when your grandkids someday :-)

I have looked at the new Webelos program in depth and compared it against the old one. It is mostly the same but tweaked IMHO. I this the fact that the character connections are gone is the biggest win in the new program. I like that the new program is specific in what is to be done. I see to many leaders sign off on requirements now that are just done wrong. It isn't perfect, I have issues with some of the omissions but I will approach it with an open mind.

I know my area continues to grow in Asian population especially Indian. We have almost no Indian presence in our council. I think STEM scouts may potentially interest them more than traditional scouting. Who knows maybe it will break down bariers and the will try traditional scouting as well. I think the audience has changed drastically, IMHO.

I wish I had one. My parents where not into scouts or camping. So I think that is why I really enjoy it with my son and fellow scouts. I am a true believer in the lessons that camping teaches us as there is always some problem to figure out a solution for.

It is stupid IMHO. I would be against water guns that look like real guns in any color, but water guns that are shaped like super soakers don't look like guns. I could see the argument about water conservation being invoked which would make some sense.

thanks!

That is awesome. Having a new volunteers is great.

Our district does hawks at Webelos Woods. Interesting that it is against the rules. Maybe because it is a camporee with Webelos guests?

I'm confused, what exactly can Cubs and Webelos do now that they couldn't before. I would love to see a side by side to see exactly what changed.