Eagle94-A1

How long have you been with the troop? How active are you with the troop? How long have you had to observe what the troop is doing? How much experience do you have with the Patrol Method? And i do not mean what little is taught in today's training, including WB. Are you willing to set the example for the other adults and back off from pushing the Scouts and let them fail in order to learn? More importantly, how hard and how long are you willing to fight for your Scouts? I ask the questions not to put you on the spot, but so that you can reflect and get the needed answers to prepare you for a fight that is ahead. And don't be surprised if you encounter resistance like I have. Also don't be surprised it it takes YEARS . I've been working with my sons' troop for 4 years now, and it is still adult led. Slowly getting better, but no where near the troop I grew up in, nor some of the troops I worked with over the years. But it is better than some out there. One of the challenges you will face trying to move from adult led to Scout led is that you are a committee member. You are very limited as to what you can do in your support role. One of the reasons I switched to ASM. But even then you are limited. Even ASMS are limited, as evidenced by my my many posts on the topic of Adult led. You need to get the support of the SM, and if you have an active committee, the CC. The SM is suppose to be in charge, settle disagreements among the ASMs, and chart the course the troop will take. ASMs serve at the will of the SM and CO. And it is hard establishing the Patrol Method because it is "organized chaos." Adults, even those who should know better, don't like the time consumption it takes for the Scouts to do things. Getting started takes 3 to 4 times as long, maybe longer, for the Scouts to decide. And then there is the learning curve. SCOUTS WILL FAIL AT THINGS AND THAT IS OK! Some folks hate seeing their kids fail. What they don't realize is that " The best teacher, Failure is." Some threads to help prepare you for the fight ahead. Hope they help. The Helicopter Parent thread is this year's major challenge. Messed Up Patrol Method thread is another. Adults At It Again, and Two Steps Forward, two Steps Back both discuss some set backs.

Yes, I've noticed the "Prohibited" and "Not Recommended" in the G2SS. My understanding is that the homemade ones are "Prohibited." So the stoves in the old Cub Scout Leader How To Books are no longer allowed. But a manufactured stove, like a Trangia or Batchstovez are OK. "Not Recommended," is quite different from "prohibited." Kinda like the Sheath Knife policy IMHO. Plus there is the "...that are not in accordance with the manufacturer's instructions for chemical-fueled equipment." So if a manufacturer states a fuel, like unleaded gasoline, is acceptable to use in their equipment, like a Whisperlite International, then it's OK.

So, who uses alcohol stoves for backpacking? I'm switching over to an alcohol stove because it's easier to use than my Whisperlite, and is a lot lighter weight wise. I've had more challenges with the Whisperlite than anything. After using it and becoming familiar with it in the backyard, first camp out it starts leaking. Found out I had to replace a gasket, and this was after about 3 months after purchasing it. A few years later on a backpacking trip, it would not ignite. Did a field cleaning and would not work. Inspected all the part I could, nothing was wrong. had to borrow a friend's stove to cook that trip. I was able to finally get it working after 2 weekends at home taking it apart and putting it back together. Still have no idea what was wrong. Friend introduced me to alcohol stoves. Just pour in the fuel, prime it, and WHAM, it's lit up in about a minute. So I got a Trangia and used it on one camp out to date. No problems. Friend showed me another stove from Batchstovez . It's made from recycled aluminum beer bottles. I put it on my wish list, and got the cook kit they make for Christmas. Entire cook kit of stove, screen, pot, and a storage case that doubles as a quart cup and bowl weighs under 8 ounces.

How do the boys on coed teams feel? How do the boys feel playing against girls? I know my youngest hates the idea of girls joining Cub Scouts because he said it will ruin the program. When I asked why, he told me the story of the Boys Club and Girls Club the homeschool group had. Boys Club had a very active program, with lots of running around and Nerf gun fights. he didn't know what the girls did, but there was not a lot of attendance, and they started cancelling meetings. Someone came up with the idea of merging the two groups. Activities the boy wanted, life Nerf gun fights were stopped because of the girls. Eventually attendance at the coed club dropped because the boys no longer were having fun. The club folded within months of going coed. Maybe boys joined the Boy Scouts because it was one of the few safe places to still be a boy? And now that is taken away from them. Something to consider.

I understand where you are coming from. There are all kind of Eagles. Some are pushed and prodded, and some aren't. Some are gung ho and some aren't. Some, speed up the trail, and others like me, take a slightly longer, fun route. My purpose in the Tale of Two Eagles is remind people to let the Scout do it on his own, and let him have FUN. If he is having fun, he will stay in the program, and give back. I don't care at what age you make Eagle, as long as you give back as much as possible. I had friends come back and work with the troop while in college. We had one who visited us on leave from the military.

19 months minimum. 1 Month for Tenderfoot FITNESS 6 Record your best in the following tests: • Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds) • Situps or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds) • Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched) • 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time) Develop and describe a plan for improvement in each of the activities listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a. Keep track of your activity for at least 30 days. Show improvement (of any degree) in each activity listed in Tenderfoot requirement 6a after practicing for 30 days. • Pushups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds) • Situps or curl-ups ________ (Record the number done correctly in 60 seconds) • Back-saver sit-and-reach ________ (Record the distance stretched) • 1 mile walk/run ________ (Record the time) 1 Month for Second Class FITNESS After competing Tenderfoot requirement 6c, be physically active at least 30 minutes a day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities. 1 Month for First Class FITNESS After completing Second Class requirement 7a, be physically active at least 30 minutes every day for five days a week for four weeks. Keep track of your activities. Share your challenges and successes in completing First Class requirement 8a. Set a goal for continuing to include physical activity as part of your daily life and develop a plan for doing so. 4 Months for Star 6 Months for Life 6 Months for Eagle. While I wish people would not make Scouting a race, I know there will be a race to be the first female Eagle. I hope that whomever sits on those EBORs makes sure everything is up to snuff, otherwise it will diminish the achievement and Eagle.

What area are you in? I ask because different areas do different things. In my neck of the woods, Day Camps are 100% volunteer driven. Even within the same council, day camps differ. Some are 2-3 days, some are nights only, some are all day for 5 days. Quality of program differs based upon the resources. One camp had enormous support from the military base in the district, others do not. Our fee is $75 Contrast to a friend's day camp. They run multiple weeks, have paid staff, and have a set program. They also charge $200+ per person. I could not afford that, especially when all three were Cubs at the same time.

Agree with @HelpfulTracks . We had one Eagle who coordinated with the COR several months in advance his ECOH. a week prior to the COH, COR said they could no longer have the ECOH as they needed the facilities for their youth group. he could have it the following week if he wanted it. Eagle said no thanks since folks from out of town already made plans to be there. Since the Eagle was extremely active with the chapter and lodge, The CO that hosts the OA said he could have it there. Instead of the normal troop ECOH, he turned it into an OA themed ECOH. He and many others wore their OA sashes.

Only time I've seen it done are those who were Life and nearing 18, or Eagles 15+ (15 was back in the day when a 15 year old was able to have the POR). Mixed reactions. Some good some negative. Biggest problem is fro YP purposes, he is a youth, but for responsibilities he is an adult. he is not part of a Scout patrol, does what the SM tells him, and can sometimes have challenges with the Scouts listening to him, especially friends. As for recommending folks for PORs as a MC, I'd stay out of it. When I was a MC, I did that with Oldest Son, i.e. gave him ideas about who would make a good XYZ POR. Our SM and ASMs "make recommendations" for PORs, and it usually backfires. Long story short, some youth have adults fooled. The Scouts know who is best for the various PORs.

District Committee meeting or Roundtable meetings? District committee meetings are suppose to be business, with folks reporting on the things they are doing. Most unit leaders don't go. Roundtable is the leaders' meeting. more later

Towards the bottom of the page on November 9th.

It hurts the Scouts. No MBCs who know what they are doing so the Scouts could work with. Grant you, I can count on two hands the number of times I've been contacted to work on a MB outside of summer camp or a MBU in the past 25 years. But my son has had to contact MBCs, and they were all unit leaders too. In my neck of the woods, the Cub program was under a micromanager who ran off anyone willing to help. We are slowly recovering. Everyone involved with district level Cub programs is a unit leader,whether Cub Scout or Boy Scout: Cubmobile (Cub Scout Leader), Pinewood Derby and Webeloree (Boy Scouters), Day Camp (mix of both). While I wish we had enough volunteers so I can relinquish my district hats, we don't. heck the DE is panicking b/c I've been doing both RTs for 2 years now, and I tenderd my resignation effective May 3rd.

It is to me since I am dealing with the situation. Even after the 3rd group meeting, and individual one on ones, they still don't get it. Here irony. I quoted the line 'Failure, the best teacher it is" in regards to Scouting. And one of the Helicopters gives it a thumbs up. yet she won't let her son try stuff on his own in case he fails.

DSA is a very rare knot. Outside of NOAC and Jambo, I've only met 3 individuals with it, and they helped create OA Trail Crew.

Chess is a lot more than setting up a board and playing 3 games. It's about history, strategies, maneuvers, etc. Both of my Scouts have been playing competitvely for years, and some of the requirements they knew nothing about until they started teaching it at meetings. Oldest still doesn't know Scholar's Mate.

We already know what National will do if there is pushback on tougher requirements: CAVE IN (emphasis). I say that because National caved in on the new Cub Scout requirements less than 18 months after they came out. National also caved in on the camping requirements for Second and First Class within 18 months of them becoming required. And National caved in on the Eagle Palms TWICE! First time they ignored 94% of those polled who believe strongly or very strongly that palms should not be awarded instantly and the 3 months tenure is important. Then when people were upset with the arbitrary deadline, they decided to retroactively award all the palms for current Boy Scouts as many demanded.

I've told the Tale of Two Eagles often enough on this website that I don't think I need to repeat it. But suffice to say my cousin earned Eagle with my uncle pushing Eagle at 13 and quit shortly thereafter. I was Life at 13, completed the project at 14 years, 7 months and I don't remember how many days. I had fun prior to earning Life, the real adventures came afterward: Brownsea 22, OA, jamboree, Canada trek. Earned the last MB, Personal Management, 5 days before 18. I had a blast. Don't know how much fun cousin had as a youth, but as a Scouter, he didn't push his son to get Eagle. But son is an Eagle, and stayed around until going to college.

Interesting question. For some Scouters, and most especially parents, not getting Eagle is considered failure. To them I quote: "Failure, the best teacher it is." BUT WHAT DID THE SCOUT FAIL AT REALLY? The goal of Scouting is NOT earning Eagle, but "...helping boys become men, training them for citizenship." Will that "Life for life" be a good citizen? That is what we should be asking. The Scout who saved my life in Canada never got past Star. Do I consider him a failure because he didn't earn Eagle and I did. No I do not. Do I consider the Scout who has no interest at all on working on advancement a failure because he is happy to remain a First Class Scout, despite meeting the requirements for Star? No I do not. He's been a great PL, SPL and other roles. As others said, it's a journey. Key is to have fun and learn.

The problem lies when MBCs do not do there jobs properly and award MBs that the Scouts could not earn in a few hours. And there is pressure for MBCs at these events to award MBs. I'd rather someone earn a partial and learn something about a topic and have a good time, than just receive a MB for showing up. I find that it cheapens the work others do to actually earn the award. I'll take Chess MB as an example. One camp essentially gives it away after a Scout plays 3 or 4 games. There is actually a lot more to it than playing games. Oldest has been playing Chess competitively since Cub Scouts, and started the MB at the first event he attended as a Boy Scout, a troop chess tourney. He never got around to finishing it because when he went to summer camp, that camp was giving the MB away. It lost all appeal to him. While he has taught parts of the MB to his troop, including those who already have the MB and should know this stuff, he could care less about it.

I know when I Crossed Over in 1985, my buddies signed up for First Year Camper, and the rest of those going to summer camp signed up for MB classes. I didn't go that summer, so I cannot comment. When I did go to summer camp in '86, I was taking MB classes. That troop, the one I grew up in, essentially had a policy: 5 MBs classes max, preferably 4. Everyone, adults and Scouts, wanted you to have at least 1 free period to have fun doing free swim, boating, and shooting. Plus a lot of the MBs required extra work outside of class. I remember many a night that I was working on MBs under a lantern. Only exceptions to the rule were 1st Year Camper and the HA program. 1st year was essentially an all day class. HA took you out of the base camp for 3.5 days. At some point in the 1990s, my council came up with "Winter Camp," December 26th -31st. It was popular then, and I believe it still is. Thankfully I didn't have to work it since that is when national does inventory. When I moved to NC, that is when I first felt pressure to give MBs to folk and saw my first MBU. When I taught Lifesaving MB at summer camp, my class was too big, about 25-30 Scouts. I had discipline problems too that affected me teaching everyone. After I sent them back to the campsite the first day, I was told I cannot do that. The Scouts must stay in class. So I was unable to work on all of the skills needed for the MB due to size and discipline. I refuse to give MBs away, and no one got Lifesaving that week. I had so many complaints, especially form the troublemakers SM, that the CD no longer let me teach Lifesaving MB. That was almost 20 years ago. I heard improvements to the camp had been made. And from what I heard it got better. But that was not the case. When the troop went to that camp in 2016, we had Scouts "earn" MBs that the didn't really earn. In one case, a Scout decided to quit a MB after the first session and switch to another MB instead. He got both! We got Scouts who "earned" Canoeing or Kayaking MB, but could not paddle in a straight line, or longer that 20 minutes. And those classes were 2 hour ones! As for the MBU, I taught at them 2 times, and had my oldest go to one. I taught the first year they had it, and told folks it would be a partial unless they did stuff prior to coming. I also gave everyone my contact info. Out of 30 people in the class, 2 did the paperwork before hand, and 1 contacted me afterwards to finish up. I was not asked to come back and teach that MB the next year. My suspicion is that folks expected a completion instead of a partial. Several years later, my son went to the MBU, and I asked if they wanted Indian Lore again. They accepted. Again advertised it was a partial unless paperwork done before hand and gave out contact info. 1 person turned in paperwork, and no one followed up. And I was not asked back. Son "earned" two MBs that day. I had reservations. One he did all the requirements for. It was a very small class, and non stop from his description. He learned something and actually earned that first MB. The second MB was a completely different story. Not only did he not do all of the requirements, the MBC was using 10+ year old requirements for the ones they did. In essence, only 1 requirement was completed, but he "earned" the MB. After a long chat with him, we came to an understanding, he would complete ALL the requirements from the year his MBC started. Thankfully they were either very similar or identical to the current ones. When I told the SM and ASM about what happened, ASM told me his story about when he taught a MB at the MBU previously. Long story short, class advertised as a partial. Scouts came in expecting completions to the points they rudely demanded the MBCs teaching the class to "Just sign off the freaking MB." Needless to say we discourage MBUs.

With all do respect, I disagree. Yes the COR works in the background, But I bet you a Dutch oven pizza that you have been to activities with your units: whether it was Scout Sunday services, Blue and Gold, Court of Honor, and that people at least know your face. IMHO part of being a good COR is checking on your units time to time. While our CC/COR is very hands off, he still does BORs to keep a pulse on the troop. He attended a Cross Over, and questioned why we were not getting any of those Scouts in our troop (different story for another time, CC/COR was cool with it though). And he is there for Scout Sunday. The handful of CORS I've seen at least came to functions on occasion. So do you owe me a DO pizza or I owe you?

Please do not take offense, as it is not meant as a criticism of you. Let's face it, active CORs are so rare, that most people do not know anything about the role. Heck, I was a trained ASM and sitting on the district committee, and I didn't know anything about the position, except you had to have one in order to recharter. It wasn't until I was a DE, 3 years after joining a district committee, and was in DE school that I learned of the responsibilities it entailed. So most folks do not understand that ultimately the COR is responsible for Scouting at the CO, and htey sit on both the district and council committees with full voting rights. Because they are not seen or involved in the program, many people will view the uninvolved COR as uninformed and interfering when they finally start doing their job. And sometimes even CORs do not understand their role and responsibilities. We had a pack in deep trouble, and it was all adult leadership caused. It was affecting not only the Cubs who dropped, but also the troop since they were getting no Scouts. I and my boss had a meeting with the COR to discuss the matter and offer suggestions. THEY DID NOT WANT TO GET INVOLVED! (emphasis). The COR was duel registered as an ASM with the troop, knew exactly what the problem was, knew he had the ability to fix it, but viewed it as a Cub Scout pack problem for them to solve, not him. So the problem continued for several years. And how many CORs get involved at the district and council levels/ I know neither my pack's COR nor my troop's COR attend either of those meetings.

One of the reasons why the Nazis feared Scouting, and placed Lord and Lady BP on the "Operation Sea Lion" list of those to be arrested and terminated if the Nazis were successful in invading the UK. If memory serves, BP personally met with Hitler in 1933 or 34 to save Scouting in Germany. Obviously it was not successful as Hitler turn the various Scout organizations into the Hitler Youth, and mimicked Scouting. I've seen copies of the same knife, one produced before the Scouting ban with Scout logo, and one produced after the ban with the Nazi swastika and eagle. In every country the Germans occupied, Scouting was banned. Lots of interesting tales about Scouts in occupied Europe. I remember reading about some of them in Boys' Life back in the day. In the Netherlands, Scouting's highest heroism award is the Jan van Hoof Cross. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jan_van_Hoof Edited: BP did NOT meet with Hitler, but sent a letter requesting an audience to discuss the matter.

Sadly this is something I saw still being done in the late 1990s. One of the reasons I quit as a pro, I refused to do it. When I left, my district "lost" a large portion of it's members. Sometimes I wish I would have waited to quit. We got a new SE and he cleaned house.

I wear my international issue only because I have 1 US patch left. It is worn above the right pocket, unless you are wearing a NSJ patch. Then WSJ is on the pocket. EDITED: What the G2AI says found here https://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33066_Section1.pdf Jamboree Insignia Jamboree emblems for Boy Scouts, Sea Scouts, or Venturers are worn only by registered jamboree participants and staff and are centered above the Boy Scouts of America strip, the Venturing strip, or the Sea Scout strip. No more than two jamboree patches may be worn on the shirt—one current national jamboree patch above the right pocket and one current world jamboree patch on the right pocket. If the wearer has an interpreter strip above the pocket, merely move the jamboree emblem upward sufficiently to accommodate it.