DuctTape

I would use the campout as the learning and practice ground for the skills, and then the folloeing meeting to individually "test" for the sign-offs. Especially considering all the other activities of a campout. As you know, the individually testing of the scouts takes some time. After which, mention to the scout that you also counsel the orienteering mB, and if they are interested to see the SM for a blue card.

Yes. A majority of our BoRs are done on the night of the committee meeting. It is rare for us to do them at a troop meeting.

The main purpose is for them to have the activitity of looking at their actual trash, having the discussion and thinking critically. It is not about answering the question. My advice, have them list the specific trash and then brainstorm the 3 Rs for each item of trash. Also list different options which would produce less trash from the onset. ReReading my advice is just having them DO the requirement. So yeah, focus on that.

I do not know about SeaScouts requirements/interpretations/exceptions. I have no experience with Sea Scouts. I only know the specific wording of the Camping Merit Badge as it pertains to Scout Troops.

What are their sleeping accomodations at seabase? This is the most important detail.

We always called this one "purple pancakes" as the scene was a chef preparing purple pancakes.

If the program does not continuously use the skills from T-1st, then the program itself is lacking. Reqs are only one-and-done when the program is lacking.

If the SM is signing things off, thrn there really isn't anything that you can do. It is to bad the adults are denying the scout a real growth opportunity. Only thing you can do is become SM yourself. Edit: perhaps talk with the SM about having the PLs teach their patrols some of the second class skills. The SM and ASMs will only observe. Have him watch this scout. Encourage patrol v patrol games using the skills.

Cool. My main point was to increase attendance by not marketing the side quest as advancement, but instead market it as a fun time to play like a Patrol kickball game. The advancement just hitches along for the ride. Even if no advancement happens, it builds patrol identity and cohesion.

Perhaps the "side quests" could start as just fun stuff to do. Find the advancement opportunities hidden within. For example: Get the patrol to just go the local park to play. While there notice the different trees, plants and signs of animal life.

That would certainly make the epaulets more function than form.

Curious as to others scouting pet peeves (not failures of adhering to program, or safety, or other regs). I'll go first: the use of the terms "Class A" or "Class B" when referencing the field or activity uniform. I recently saw it used in an email from Council. Grrr. I know it is not a major issue, just irks me. Anyone else?

Not harsh at all. "Do your best" does not mean "did not do".

Yeah. The site has been super slow to connect for a bit. While other sites and forums will connect and load almost instantly, scouter.com spins. Emptying cache yielded no change.

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.