DuctTape

This goes back to the earlier discussion over troop by-laws. No matter how well intended a law may be (or appear), there are situations or conditions in which the moral choice is to disobey the law. However blatant disregard without a fundamental ethical principle is immoral.

Camping on private property offers opportunities. Ask the landowner. Sometimes digging out the debris in a culvert, or moving cut limbs from a felled tree. It is also a fantastic opportunity for the scouts to call the landowner to ask for permission. These are the building blocks which a life scout will use when their eagle project comes around. The EP should not be the first time a scout calls an adult to ask how he can be of service.

Barry, I do not disagree. However often the little cheats end up becoming the gospel to be followed instead of allowing for the struggle to be experienced and learning to take place. Many of the "rules" are reactions to an inconvenience or the struggle we use as a learning opportunity. These reactionary rules are what subvert the mission.

The problem with by-laws is they subvert the mission of BSA. "The mission of the Boy Scouts of America is to prepare young people to make ethical and moral choices over their lifetimes by instilling in them the values of the Scout Oath and Law." By-laws subvert the mission because instead of utilizing the methods of BSA to accomplish the mission, the by-laws become the "authority to be followed without question". With these rules, it disallows anyone from making an ethical choice, instead they are complying with authority. As Stosh stated earlier, they should be making the right choic

As an aside, I have not seen the film Gunga Din in many years, and it has been even longer since I read any Kipling whatsoever. It saddens me when I reference it, and no one knows what the heck I am talking about, yet they get the Adam Sandler, Waterboy references. Anyway, thanks Stosh for reminding me about a great poem and film, and know that at least I got the reference.

If you do go this route, I would recommend only partial scholarships (generally). This is so the attendee/recipient has some "skin in the game". I wrote generally, to allow *you* to make exceptions. Another thought is to have it be a reimbursement scholarship after "completion".

I don't think it was meant to be almost the polar opposite though. At one time the dens operated like patrols with the den leader as the patrol leader. There were no "parent sign-offs" on requirements. Activities were done as a den, and awards, arrowheads, etc... were earned as a cub scout not done at home with mommy or daddy. Pack activities were limited to only a few a year, pinewood derby, and blue&gold were the only ones I even recollect as a kid except for the pack campouts which were really den campouts with dozens of other dens around. I think the idea behind cubs was worthy as a gr

You have recieved very good advice thus far. I only wanted to comment as to some of the rationale. The age/grade joining requirements for Boy Scouts are less for those those who have earned arrow of light. The assumption is that by earning that award, they have demonstrated their readiness at a younger age. Thus if they have not earned the award, they need to wait to join until they are "age-grade ready". Of course the assumption that those who earned AoL are ready is not always true either.

I disagree with the conclusion. I have seen more than my fair share of leaders with scouting experience, some even eagle who do not provide a quality program. They are mostly adult led. I have seen just as many leaders with zero scout experience learn quickly what a quality program is supposed to be and then help deliver it. Thus I do not agree that just having scouting experience yields a quality program. Green bar bill, james west, daniel beard, and edward cave were not boy scouts in their youth.

As a current school board trustee, the idea that the taxpayer has no say is also incorrect. As an elected trustee, their voice is carried through mine. Second, all budgets are voted upon by the community... the only budget anyone gets to vote on, and thirdly the community gets a direct voice by participating in the community forums, and committees which put the budget together. When it comes to school taxes and budget, the taxpayer has a greater voice than they do compared to just about every other governmental agency.

I have no issue with a facemask or earplugs, etc... However if one needs a facemask for the swim test, then it follows that the mask must be worn all the time whenever "pass the swim test" is a requisite.

The BSA used to have filmstrips as part of its training materials. I wonder if any of those are still available to be used as a source to create a skit or presentation.

Another piece to the polling question is potential scouts. To make my point at the patrol level, if the PL only asks his members on the campout about said campout that only gives him the opinion of those who went. If he ignores the opinion of those who did not attend, he might not have the best information for what to do differently (if anything) the next time. While I agree with some others who lament for the old days, what changed was the program at the unit level, and for the most part it was by adults who grew up as scouts in the 50s and 60s, many of them moved away from the patro

Over time the adults work their way farther and farther away from the entire process (planning and execution) to a place where the boy leaders are doing it all. Like teaching a young child to ride a bike. Start by holding on to the seat and walking with them, every once in a while remove your hand to see if they have it. Eventually you are walking next to them without touching the seat at all, then you stop walking beside them and they are now ready to ride on their own. While planning and implementing an outing is more complex, the basic idea remains the same. Incrementally let go as the

I do not understand your reply to my point that there are very many women who actively engage in outdoor activities such as hiking, camping and backpacking.

In my local hiking club, there are just as many(if not more) 30-50 year old women as there are men. On my non-scouting hackpacking trips, I usually have more women than men join me. The trip coordinator for another backpacking club I belong to is a woman. I get just as many groans and excuses from dads as I do moms. The men have no monopoly on being lazy and out of shape.

The short answer is you don't. Set up the committee, and move forward.

Brian, these thoughts by Baden Powell might be helpful: http://www.inquiry.net/ideals/b-p/religion.htm

Even though "a tube" is listed in the unauthorized, the key component is being "carried aloft". Meanin tubing is safe as long as it is done at a speed and in conditions in which the tube and rider do not get airborne. In other words, be safe while tubing.

Should be, but the new handbooks are woefully limited. A Scout Handbook from the 1950s would actually provide some substance for a scout. Like REAL examples, not just abstract ideas. Even better,I would suggest a First Edition Fieldbook and use that.

One of my favorites as well because all too often "be prepared" is interpreted as simply "having gear" instead of a mindset regarding action.

I would not ask that type of question as it does not provide any information about the program. And more importantly as Brian points out what response is "acceptable, or even informative. A real question about the program would be, "What aspect, or experience in your scouting journey was the most influential to your personal growth and why?"

Start with a single activity. Like a joint campout. Choose a date and location and the troops all arrive/camp/leave separately. Think of it as a mini-camporee.

I see all experiences as opportunities for the boys. I believe that is our mission. Since their is no safety issue to resolve, this is an issue for the boys in the (now disbanded) patrol to figure out. If they would like guidance, or a sounding board the Scouters can provide that. As fas as a policy moving forward, I would not recommend making policy just to avoid potential conflicts as it really takes away an opportunity for the scouts to learn and grow. This is all part of the game of scouting, let them play the game without unnecessary interference.

Often kids will use the phrase "yelled at" for a wide range of actions. Few involve actually "yelling" or even a raised voice. Of course, sometimes real yelling does occur. Not having been witness to the OPs incident I do not know if actual yelling occurred, or the group was chastised, or... But my experience tells me to ask the kids more clarifying questions to discern what he meant by "yelled at". More often than not, there was no yelling, not even a raised voice. Usually a stern statement of expectations.