DuctTape

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.

As far as changing "troop culture", unless it is the SM with agreeable ASM, it is near impossible. It is much easier to change Patrol Culture as the Patrol makes their decisions. This is best accomplished by having the Patrol choose events separate from the other patrols.

IMO the workbook is awful in so many ways. Filling it out almost becomes the project itself. Adding another layer to it makes it even worse.

There are some who do not even do these on a campout. They are done in indoor classrooms with 30 scouts and a mB "counselor" doing a 2-3 hour presentation including a few hands-on activities. These mB universities cheapen the mB and deny scouts real opportunities. It is both saddening and maddening.

My district merit badge "college" director called me to see if I would do Camping merit badge as I was a registered mB counselor, she wanted to know if I needed a full day for it, or whether a half-day session was enough. 😲 I have said this before but it bears repeating, one of the most important parts of the mB process is the built Adult Association method. Far too often this is lost on the adults. Imagine if the adults in charge of coordinating the mBs at camp, or in a troop had this method at the forefront equal to the advancement method. 🤩 Now imagine the lost opportunities for scouts when this is not done. 😢

Yep. National should be funding the Councils. The "franchise model" does not work except for National.

The only other consideration would be wind. If it was going to be windy, like 20mph wind, that would make 17degrees feel like 0. Also if the camping area is exposed, strong winds could make visibility poor with blowing snow. So besides temperature, there may have been other weather conditions to consider. Btw, I am in NY so 17 degrees is a warm winter day. I recently returned from a trip where the temp was minus 12.

I remember earning the world crest patch by going to an international event in Canada too and IIRC there were a few other requirements?. Our troop participated in the event for years. It was great. Does that mean I earned the current rendition of the award? LOL

I think mine was $50, and it was food (pizza & soda) for the volunteers. I still visit the site of my project now and again. Since then, others (scouts?) have taken it upon themselves to continue and expand my project. Almost 50 years and the unmarked path in an area of the park the county did not even know was their property is now a marked trail with a parking area and kiosk.

IIRC, at one time Star, Life and Eagle were awards and 1st Class was the highest rank.

Nice they clarified. However I would like to see the requirement have some (10?) of the nights not be in shelters provided to the Scout. IMO part of the experience, perhaps a significant part, is the choosing of the tent spot, preparing the site, and setting up one's shelter. Same with using summer camp as nights when all the food is prepared for them in the dining hall. Camping is not just sleeping away from home. This is a mB after all.