Eagle94-A1

It takes a minimum of 19 months to earn Eagle. 1 month for Tenderfoot's Physical Fitness (PF)requirement 4 Weeks ( 28 days) for Second Class and it's PF requirement 4 weeks for First Class and it's PF requirement 4 months for Star 6 for Life 6 for Eagle So technically 18 Months and 26 or 27 Days, not including Leap Year.

One regarding BSA and Knives, while they do have policies, those policies stress"legally owned" so knife laws do need to be considered. As for school policies, how many Scouts have gotten in trouble for carrying a spork to school? Anyone remember the Eagle Scout with camping gear in the trunk of his car, including a knife and axe, that was suspended? Graduating senior, West Point bound, and a volunteer firefighter if memory serves, yet got suspended b/c of wood TOOLS ( emphasis) in the runk of his car.

One advantage of the NYLT strip if memory serves, is that once on the uniform, it stays on until they age out. It doesn't need to be worn in conjunction with a POR. EDITED: Regarding the color of the patches, Bryan stated "here are two versions: one with red letters and one with green letters. Either may be worn with any BSA uniform. It’s the wearer’s choice, though he or she may wish to match other leaders in the unit." https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2015/11/24/when-can-adult-leaders-wear-the-bsas-trained-patch/ And I remember readiong about the color doesn't matter in TRAINING TIMES.

They should not be using SEAL Training as a title as the BSA already has an official course by that name. It predates 1998 and stood for Sea Explorer Advance Leader Training. Then it became SEa scout Advance Leader Training. Link to an overview is here https://seascout.org/youth-training-and-education/seal/ SEAL pin can be found here: http://www.crventuring.org/Training/SEAL/

Regarding sizes, I remember the 'Made in the USA" merchandise was sized properly. The shorts and pants with elastic were sized with the elastic fully expanded. So the Scouts, and some Scouters , could buy a size or two bigger and have room to grow into. Last time I bought new pants, ok the son bought them with his Christmas money, it took several tries to get the right ones for my son. And when national put the Gen 1 switchbacks on sale, I heard they were sized too big. That wasn't a joke. I took the risk and bought XLs and Ls. XLs were HUGE, and thankfully I was able to sell them to someone. The Ls I still have, and they are a little big. I should have gotten the Mediums. Regarding the quality, my son's pants were so shoddy, they wore out in the buttocks within 6 months. Got a replacement pair free, thank you warranty, and they too wore out within 6 months. By that point, we saw a pair of the old red pocket piping pants. THOSE SUCKERS WERE INDESTRECUTABLE! Only reason he doesn't have them still is he outgrew them. Now he's using a pair of ODL shorts, and they are holding up extremely well.

Growing up, you had to order from JC Penny. But a local department store chain, Maison Blanche, was the primary distributor. I remember getting some stuff from them, with a discount, since my brother was an employee. When they went out of business, it was either the council distributor, or a then new army surplus store. while the council distributor had a good bit of stuff, they didn't have the hardcore camping gear, not the discounts and sales, that the army surplus store had. The jungle boots, medium ALICE pack, and other gear I needed for Canada came from them. Then the council turned over the council store to national supply. 95+% of what was in the national catalog was available. Naturally I went there for my official gear. Plus A) the office moved to 1.8 miles from the house and B) I started working there part-time in college. However, when there was camping gear I couldn't get from the shop, I went to the army surplus store. Funny story, that nearly cost me my job. Again I was a part timer in college working for national supply. The surplus store would have "Scout Night" once a year. They had deep discounts, games, and door prizes. It started before my Troop meeting did, so I go there in my 'volunteer" uniform. My DE, whom I worked summer camp with and knew I had a big mouth , dragged me over and got me announcing stuff over that store's PA system. Eventually I left for me meeting. Monday afternoon, I get called into the manager office and questioned about the "Scout Night" Only thing saving me was A) I was NOT in my employee uniform, and B) the DEs defended me saying it was their idea, that I did protest, and that they said they would take the heat for me. And they did. Sadly my area's distributorship closed shop. It's now an hour one way drive get get anything. Thankfully a council distributorship is in the same city I work in. That helps, but not always.

Regarding Boys' Life, the new fee increases have hurt. I use to have 3 subscriptions, one for each son. When the registration price went up, I dropped it to two: one Boy Scout version and one Cub Scout version. Now that the fee increased again, I cannot afford a single copy, let alone 3. And my kids are 100% ok with that because they did not even read it because it is boring. They all it appeared to be is a giant advertisement for gear and patches with a few Scouting related articles and jokes thrown in. I remember when BL was a great magazine. Artwork was good, they had serials ( White Mountains Trilogy anyone?) and of course Green Bar Bill. Looking at the current magazine, artwork is childish, the ads are overwhelming, and several articles have really been advertisements and not articles. Regarding Scouting Magazine, it has gotten to the point that it is really useless to me. little to no information I need is offered, and I can pick up stuff faster and easier via Bryan's Blog.

AND THIS IS WHY IT SNOWED!!!!!! http://profootballtalk.nbcsports.com/2017/12/10/nfl-assigned-former-falcons-player-to-officiate-saints-falcons-game/amp/?__twitter_impression=true

I'm originally from New Orleans. Only twice in my memory has NO,LA had a real, true snow: when the Saints won the Super Bowl, and when the referees Atlanta Falcons beat the Saints last Thursday. In both cases, "everything" froze over.

This is LDS. Their program differs slightly due to their CO placing additional restrictions/ rules. Example of the all the 11 year olds in their separate patrol with a TG and 11 year old ASM (unique POR for LDS units) citef above, and how they get to First Class in a year led to the NSP program back in 1989. Sadly these issues appear to be ingrained in some, not all, LDS units. Talking to several experienced, long time LDS Scouts, part of the challenge is that being a Scouter is a "calling" and you are appointed to the position, whether you want it or not. I've seen major issues in those LDS units with Scouters who are called and do not want to be there really. On the other hand, you got LDS units with experienced Scouters who are not only called, but are willing to do the job. Those units tend to do a heck of a lot better. The other challenge according to one LDS Scouter is that " the further away from Salt Lake City a troop is, the more likely the differences in program."

You do realize that s n o w is a four letter word that I disapprove of? And the only reason we have it is because the referees Falcons beat the Saints Thursday. WHO DAT!

In my troop they are an issue every year, but especially this year. It is so bad, that several Scouters with 3+ years with the troop, a long time for us, are fed up and want to quit. One told me 'Scouting is no longer fun" We have a adult meeting next week, and it's going to get interesting.

Sadly this is the case this go around. Kid talked to an ASM about the situation. I got involved because I help people go back to school at work. ASM thought I might be able to help.

Had anyone asked the Cubs what they wanted? I know all the Cubs, and a lot of the parents, were ticked off when this ban was announced. To my knowledge no one from national asked anyone about it before they banned it. Thankfully someone got wind of the proposed marshmallow ban before it went into affect. Maybe I'm old school, and think Scouting is for the youth. I think we need to listen to them and give them credit, especially at the Scout age and above.

Or the Tiger Cub with a plastic spork with a cutting edge who was suspended for having a "weapon" at school. Then again, someone at my work said I was "armed" because I had a P-40 can opener on my keyring.

I have had to touch Scouts and Explorers/Venturers for rappelling. Assisting someone to tie a Swiss seat, and/or verifying it is safe can be awkward, especially if a young lady is involved. Very glad to have other COPE staff around to assist and be in view.

True story from back in the day. When I worked for national supply, one of the things I did with new Cub Scouts was show them how to wear a neckerchief. I would roll it up, place it around their neck, put the slide on it, and do the old "slide to the nose" measurement for proper [placement of the slide. One day, I got called into the office. I was informed I was no longer allowed to put on neckerchiefs. A long time volunteer/ part time employee, who also worked at another national Scout shop, was doing the same thing I was doing. One mother accused the guy of inappropriate touching by putting on the neckerchief and slide. The guy lost his job as a result of the complaint, and was almost put into the Ineligible Volunteer Files as a result of the complaint. Thankfully the manager or assistant manager saw the incident, and saved him from being removed from Scouting altogether. This was a retired guy who worked part-time for some extra money. He was involved for over 50 years in the program, served in a variety or roles over the years, and was either a RT commissioner or district commissioner at the time.

True. And a good SM will listen to his Scouts. And as a former 21 year old OA Advisor, I can tell you the closer to the Scouts age, the more likely they will listen to the Scouts, and have a better idea of what the Scouts want than us old fogeys. Yes that is the problem here. Crazy thing is I had a conversation with one of the incoming parents. Like me he came from a "Hiking and Camping" Scout-led troop. He knew one of the original batch of challenging adults, the one who wished the Scouts would fail. Incoming parent noted the change in that Scouter regarding Patrol Method when he saw it working.

When I worked for national supply 1995-1997, they still had the t-shirt and sweatshirt and the awful cut out tiger paw iron-ons that came in a packet. They were in the process of switching to the whole paw instead of cut out paws. When I went back to work for national supply 2000-2002, The official Tiger Cub uniform was 1/2 blue and 1/2 orange. Orange t-shirts were still worn, and most only wore those anyway, but Tigers were suppose to wear the blue with orange top socks, Cub Scout shorts, and a Cub Scout belt with the Tiger buckle. They also switched from iron on paws, to a belt fob for beads and a place for the Tiger Cub Badge to be put on it. Yes, the original TC diamond was an embroidered sticker. As Cub, they could wear the belt fob with the Tiger Cub Badge on it still. I admit I was a bad employee. I suggested getting the pants and blue with yellow top socks and get the Cub Scout belt so they could wear it longer and save money. Sometime between 2002 when I left the profession all together, and 2009 when oldest was a Cub, Tigers were fully integrated into the packs. They wore the full blue uniform. Have you had a chance to look at the description of the programs on the July 2017 membership applications? Not only is the word "boy" replaced with "Youth" and "Children" for Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts respectively, it also mentions Lions as the earliest Cub Scout program. Check it out here: https://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/524-406.pdf So Lions will be official next year. Just like girls in Scouting will be allowed next year. key parts: Joining Requirements Cub Scout Pack Pack membership is open to youth in kindergarten through fifth grade. *Lion—Year before first grade Boy Scout Troop Children can be Scouts if they have completed the fifth grade and are at least 10 years old, OR have earned the Arrow of Light Award and are at least 10 years old, OR are age 11 but have not reached age 18.

Tigers didn't wear a full blue uniform until early 2000s. They went from a T-shirt or sweatshirt only with the iron on decals from August 1982 to sometime after 1997, to blue with orange topped socks, blue pants/shorts, blue belt with Tiger Cub buckle, belt fob fort advancement, and t-shirt or sweat shirt, I think August 1998 or 1999 as I was selling that uniform in May 1999 through May 2001, to the blue with orange topped socks, blue pants/shorts, blue belt with Tiger Cub buckle, Tiger Cub Progess towards Rank shirt fob, blue shirt, orange necker, and orange hat. That is what all three sons wore as Tigers.

rue. I know I'm not going to get 100% of what I want for the troop, the Scouts left alone and in charge with real responsibilities and obligations and the adults sitting around drinking coffee and not doing a thing. One thing tI think I have over them is expereince. I've been dealing with Boy Scouts as a member, Scouter, and professional for 32 years now. I've been in 5 different council and involved with 5 different troops, six if you include one that I worked with indirectly as mentoring their SM. Plus I've had the opportunity to work with foreign Scouts, and see some differnt things from overseas that are good ideas. I not only have been to training, I've taught it. And just SM Specific and ITOLS, but also BA 22, JLTC and Retaining Older Scouts.. Most of these folks have no Boy Scout experience, and little to no Boy Scouter training. I am not asking that they automatically let me iresponsible for their kids. I know they need to develop trust. But I do wish they would listen to those of us with experience when they are causing problems. I am not the only one who has had these issues. While it may be important to them, it hasn't been shown except to interfere. While Webelos, they never camped with the troop despite at least 10 invitations over a 21 month period. The one time they did show up at a camp out, they ignored the directions they were give prior to the camp, ignored Scout in charge of working with them, didn't let the Scout do the work, and left that afternoon instead of camping. Only Webelos camping came from another pack, or from another den in their pack. And the one from another den was friends with one from another pack. His den was not interested at all in camping with the troop. Additionally some of the parents causing issues never attended either of the 2 meeting we had for them. Agree the Scouts are the ones who are in the middle and are being hurt as a result. Two issues with them coming to the meeting. First and foremost is that the SM scheduled this meeting when the Scouts are doing a tournament. Closest to a Scout I can get to attend is the 18 year old ASM. And I know his thoughts because I talked to him: "It's starting to seem like Cub Scouts." Second issue, and IMHO the more important one, is that there is a lack of trust and respect between some of the adults and the Scouts. I've talked to the Scouts about a lot of things over the years. They have had issues with all of the adults, myself included, with not allowing them to take charge. At least they know I listen to them, take them seriously, and advocate for them to the other adults. But it should be the SM defending them and advocating for them, and not an ASM. And adults keep haring on that the Scouts are not ready for the responsibility. My question is how can they ever be ready if they are never given the opportunity to take responsibility? Regarding PLC huddles, That is something I wish we were doing. As for the "Never thought it would work"comment, I heard that with this Troop after we initiated changes last year. Long story short, one Scouter very opposed to Scout-led told me "I hope they fail" so that the adults could take over again. Until this last batch of New Scouts and their parents showed up, he was amazed at how well things were going when we gave the Scouts responsibility. Sadly that advocate recently moved.

How to convince adults to stick with the Patrol Method. Specifically What are your arguments for patrol method? How would you go about convincing adults to let Scouts sign off on advancement? How would you go about convincing adults le tthe Scouts make their own decisions, and suffer the consequences? How do you convince adults that the Scouts really know who the best leaders are? How would you convince adults that having families camp with the troop is a bad idea? Anything else i'm missing.

With the exception of the olive green loops, and the entire remove green from the Boy Scout uniform insignia, but leave the red insignia for Webelos Cub Scouts and Cub Scout leaders who wear the tan uniform , I concur. There are a lot of different ways to say the same thing with the uniform. i'm even against the specialty loops for jamboree. that's why they got jambo insignia, belt buckles, etc for.

When I went through it, leaders DID NOT (emphasis) touch the Cubs except to pin the Bobcat badge on. Parents were the ones touching the Scouts and holding them. And this was something everyone knew about and was looking forward to. It was fun. In my years of seeing this done, approximately 15 years, NO ONE was upset by the practice. The Cubs were upset when the practice was cancelled. If I recall correctly, one family after the meeting did it in the parking lot with dad holding the Cub upside down, and older brother, either a Boy Scout or Webelos, doing the pinning. When several other families saw that, they got into it. Does anyone remember when the head Health and Safety guru stated that they were considering banning marshmallow toasting in Scouting because the H&S folks call if "campfire napalm" and a few kids have been burned by it. Only reason they didn't was because of the unanimous support for the practice. Sometimes I wonder if one person is against something, will the BSA ban it? One thing I noticed glancing over the discussion is that it appeared to be all new parents who were complaining. No one with a sense of tradition and understanding of why they were doing it was against it. As to "Physically manhandle a kid" I've seen some skits that have physical contact and 'manhadling" done at pack meetings. Heck, I had my Bears and seen Webelos doing some "manhandling" when teaching first aid skills at den meetings or day camp. One thing not required, but the Cubs had a blast doing it, was the stretcher carry. And not everything about today is good either. I lament the fact that Boy Scouts cannot do pioneering projects over 6 feet tall, use carts for service projects unless 14, have watergun fights in the middle of July at camp, etc.

When It was done to me, parents were part of it. My Mom and one of the other dads held me. There was no value, it was FUN ( EMPHASIS , ok shouting a little with joy at the memory. wish my sons could have done it). And I can second the kids were the most upset. I was doing ceremonies with the OA when the ban came about. Lots of Cubs were ticked off that they could not longer do it. Reading Mr. Ruth's letter, his explanation is as idiotic as the ban on Cub Scouts using carts on a service project ( but that can do pushmobiles) and the ban on waterguns.