DuctTape

Agreed. Though often I do not want their "help" as they do not understand the program hence their complaints.

Agree with staking to the ground. Making tent pegs is a great way to use the saw, axe, knife skills on a regular basis. Often we complain about one&done, or advancement reqs as separate from program. This is how to incorporate it. If the books&magazines don't show it, the adult patrol can certainly model it. Scout: wow mister, how did you set up your guys tarp without any tent stakes or line-locs. ASM Smith: look here, we made a couple pegs with our hatchet & knife. Tied the tarp to them with a taut-line hitch. Each of us made one peg, so it only took a few minutes. Mister Peabody never made one, so I showed him how. Scout: Neat Mister Smith, can you show me? ASM: I could, but better yet how about Mr. Peabody shows you while I watch. Then you can show the rest of your patrol while Mr. Peabody watches. Scout: Swell. Can I get my assistant patrol leader to come watch too? ASM: certainly. We willbe right here.

I agree. I also would add I have no idea what any of us are getting for the $85 membership fee that goes to National HQ. Sorry if I sound jaded with HQ as of late; I am.

Resurrecting a slightly older post instead of creating a new one. I have noticed in the last couple decades more and more eagle projects with plaques attached with the scout's name and troop number. While I appreciate knowing a project was done by scouts, I have begun to wonder about the creep from joyful service without recognition or reward to emblazoned plaques. I can see the benefit to the movement of recognizing the project as that of Scouting. Perhaps I am just being a fuddy-duddy or perhaps I am seeing how this named recognition decreases a main purpose of scouting of building character through cheerful service. Perhaps it would be better if there were official plaques from HQ stating simply, "Scouting America Eagle Project <year>" and more forcefully promote the "without recognition" part of service. Of course the scout is recognized by the troop, council, and HQ for their achievement of Eagle.

Perhaps it is time for National HQ to write a "Scout Parents Handbook" for us to give to each parent. Certainly a few here who could write it.

I do not disagree, there are certainly savings to be found. However we can say that even louder for National HQ.

National HQ needs to fund the councils.

That's not swimming then, it is floating. ???????

As long as the troop is using the methods of Scouting and following the "rules" regarding youth protection, guide to advancement etc... I see ultimate leeway. The council and district events are not necessary. Whether or not the troop is actually providing a true scouting program via the methods is a different question altogether.

I am not a lawyer, and have not read about the case. So with that, please correct me if I am in error. I thought a "hate crime" was an elevation of a criminal act not a criminal act in and of itself. So burning an (israeli) flag is not a crime, but a crime involving the flag and the expression of the alleged perpetrators could raise the crime level to a "hate crime". Is this correct?

Use the method of adult association via scoutmaster conferences to help the youth leaders achieve scouting's aim of making ethical choices within their programming decisions.

One way to encourage the scouts to have their handbook for signoff (As an aide from the cell phone issue) is to have them present it when they "request to be tested".. This also helps with the issue you presented in the other thread abput when do they get signed off. I am with you that it without botes, or assistance. The scout learns, practices, then is tested. The sign-off occurs with successful passing of the test.

My 1968 SM handbook also says the same as your 1942. However, I did say the SM should be counseling the boys to help them make decisions. There is also nothing wrong with parameters of the patrol size as per the handbook to mitigate the unlikely result you posited. Also by giving them the authority it begins the process of them making the troop decisions, also when something goes wrong within a patrol they cannot look to you as the culprit. Thus I still suggest having them make the patrols with your guidance.

Adults meddling with who is in which patrol rarely works out. I'd suggest giving the authority back to the scouts to create their patrols. SM conferences with SPL and other (youth) leaders consistently to help them make good decisions.

How were these "patrols" created in the first place?

And also where SMs abdicate their responsibility to have regular SM conferences with the PLs and SPL to help them grow as servant leaders. A high quality SM or ASM knows how to listen, ask questions to help the leaders reflect on their patrol decisions.

Yes, focus should be on patrol activities. As far as adults, transportation etc... the numbers still work. 2 cars to transport a patrol is 2 adults. I firmly believe the slow methodical demise of the patrol method is the demise of scouting to truly achieve its aims. It is within the patrol, as a functional member where the lessons which develop the scouts character are born, bred and raised.

Perhaps I am incorrect, I thought the participation in the ceremony was as part of the team conducting it. Saluting and the PoA is as an attendant or spectator. Easy enough to do at a troop meeting instead of having the flags already set up on poles, have scouts present them by walking them to their position in a ceremonial procession. Perhaps this should be the standard operating procedure. Where else will they practice this prior to the troop being asked to perform this by another organization? On campouts, it is easy enough to rig a flagpole and do the raising/lowering as part of the standard program. In general most rank requirements should be able to be accomplished via participation in the standard program. If the program does not have it, then that is an area of growth for the program. Also if it is part of the standard program, the "one and done" complaints are moot.

This would be really neat to look at. If you do get them, could you scan it to share?

The merit badge counselor is of great importance here. It has been a while, but I do believe the requirements do state to carry everything throughout the trek.

I hear you. My suggestion can be a step, just one perhaps, towards filling that divide.

We often lament the lack of District and/or Council personnel (including commissioners) involvement at the Unit level. We have an opportunity for changing this AND increasing both hands-on/in-person training. Send the district/council personnel to unit meetings/events to conduct trainings on a regular basis. This will accomplish more than just those two opportunities, it will also: -increase visibility from district/council. -demonstrate to scouts that adults are also "advancing". -separate the adults from scouts during the scouting event. -allow district/council to observe the unit in action. and more.

Strange to me too. Everything in the backpack for all trips all year.

InquisitiveScouter is absolutely right about training, and how the role of ASMs being up to you. I hesitate to recommend assigning an ASM to each patrol b/c this can very quickly devolve into the ASM becoming the acting PL. This structure works, but it is difficult right off the bat. Instead I would recommend focusing on the strengths and attributes each ASM brings to the table. Have each ASM be "in charge of" one of the SM main duties. You as SM can oversee and steer the ASM to fulfill your vision. This models the Patrol Method with each patrol member having a specific role. It also increases the adult association for scouts as they interact with multiple adults not just the one assigned to their patrol. A breakdown could be: SM-Leadership & Mentoring of ASMs ASM-Camping/activity expert: the go to person for PL/APLs to get ideas about locations, recommendations, etc... ASM-Advancement/skills expert: the go to for the PL to plan patrol trainings & sign-offs ASM-Food/cooking expert: go to for all food & cooking related help. ASM-GearHead expert: go to for tools, equipment help. ASM-Scout Spirit expert: go to for all other "fun" activity ideas (intra/inter-patrol games, skits, songs, cheers, etc...) For clarity, I am not knocking Inquisitive's structure. Their's works, and I would bet it took a while to get there. I only hesitate to recommend it to your situation especially b/c it seems like the ASMs are not wholly prepared yet.

When the methods are employed effectively, they result in the achievement of the Aims of scouting. These are the metrics by which we measure our success in implementing the methods.