Eagle94-A1

Rural troop with 22 on paper, but more like 16 active. We got reestablished about 6 or 7 years ago Up until this year we only had the SM at every meeting. The ASM was also the CM and could only guarantee camp outs IF the camp out was scheduled for a weekend he was not on call. 1 ASM attneded meeting as he could, and did camp outs either F-Sat. or day trip Sat.  He is also the IH. Within the past year, we've gotten another SM who attends when not out of town on business, Me switching from committee to ASM since I dropped Cubs, and a MC who is no longer CM of my old pack and is starting to make the switch to ASM.

Troop doubled in size when my son joined. We went with the NSP concept. TG wasn't really effective, and honestly I and one of the dad got a little more involved than we should. That is our 12-13 year old NSP as advancement hasn't been a focus until this year, But what helped when they were in their first year with the troop was A) coming from 2 Packs that had a relationship B) the entire patrol going to summer camp together. Also they love to camp. I don't consider them a NSP, but according to current BSA literature, they are since only 1 is First Class.

Our 10-11 year old NSP  came about with December 2014 Cross Over. Some did transfer to another troop. Originally from 2 packs, but a third pack had their troop fold, and they joined us in March/April of last year. Plus we had a few more join in June. Not everyone went to sumemr camp, and one of those who did go to summer camp left early. Unlike the other patrol, can't get all of them on the same campsite.

One of the things I do not like is the election and appointment process. SPL and PLs are nominated and voted on. OK cool with that EXCEPT you cannot nominate yourself. Someone else has to nominate you. Also with the NSP, those nominated felt obligated to nominate someone, even if they didn't want the position.

What I disliked is that once the SPL and PLs were elected, the Scouts were allowed to nominate who the APLs and troop level PORS were. Once Nominations were done, the SM appointed positions. After seeing how things were done, I can see how the confusion came about when I first switched to ASM. People were appointed to positions, but never showed up. And when someone stepped up to the plate, they were not recognized for serving in the role. Big proponent of the SPL pickign his staff, and the PL picking his APL.

Traditionally troop got the bulk of their new Scouts at the December Crossovers. With the troop that folded, we got their new Scouts in the march-April timeframe.  We also get one or two new Scouts in June, when those Webelos who can transfer over early will do so. We got 1 new Scout this December, and is anticipating another 2 in March since my pack decided to wait until then to do Cross Over.

HOWEVER we are anticipating 14, with the potential for 23, new scouts in December when the CO's pack does their Cross Over, and my middle son's den will be Crossing Over too. Unfortunately you can read about that pack's CO's Troop in other threads.

We've done NSPs, but we've had some serious issues this past year. We are contemplating going mixed aged in May, but are going to talk to the Scouts and get their input. 

We do not separate the New Scouts from the troop at all. And advancement hasn't been a focus of the troop until this year. We got a few Scouts who need First Class in order to go to Philmont, and we want all the current Scouts to get to First Class under teh pre-2016 requirements that they started with.

We have lost scouts. For some, we are not as organized as some other troops.  Several troop in our area are heavily adult oriented. the best troop In our district is about 2 miles form us, and they are extremely organized by the youth. BUT the troop has been around since before the council existed. They got a lot of experienced Scouts and have a great program. If it wasn't for their mandatory fundraiser, I would have paid them a visit as they remind me the most of my troop growing up. The fundraiser is what thew me, and a few others.

We've also lost scouts because we are not advancement oriented. Some moms and dads want Eagles.

Because we have been following the BSA's current model, and because we have not emphasized advancement, everyone is pretty much in the same patrol they started in.

We are considering switching things up. 3 Scouts have commented on the NSP situation. And we need to start preparing for the 14-23 new Scouts in 11 months.

1) Get an audit done. Only reason why my wife didn't request one when she became a troop treasurer was because it was done between her predecessor and her by the CO. The CO was not happy with what they found, and they asked my wife to do it.

2) Look at the yearly budget.

3) look at all the records, both what the committee has AND what the scribe has.

4) Take a look at equipment and talk to the troop QM. That is what caused some problems: missing and wrong equipment.

5) Get a second signature check so that 2 people need to sign. And have 3 -4 folks who can sign the check. And don't let it be a spouse. It can be a pain, but it keeps things honest.

6) NEVER SIGN A CHECK FOR YOU OR YOUR SPOUSE! Get the other signatories to sign them. One troop had some challenges with SM's wife signing checks. While everything was above board, the CO did do an audit, there were some rumors and gossip that got the CO interested and them to audit the books.

7) keep accurate records and ALL receipts.

Good luck.

In my wife's case, she refused to sign anything to me to prevent the stuff above. I worked for national supply at the time, and of course I did the shopping for COHs.

As the original poster, please keep posting how you do things.

3 new scouts max sounds like a good idea, and I never thought about that before. HOWEVER if we get the mass induction next December, we are in trouble.

My understanding from the liteerature and training syllabi is that the new Scouts are in the NSP until First Class. That's why we have two NSPs, with TGs. Although the 12-13 year old NSP has their act together except for advancement. They've been in Scouting 1-2 years.  It's the 10-11 year old NSP that is causing the issues, and they have been around for the most part for 6 months, some 9 and 12 months.

_{Up until 1989, there were only two types of patrols: your regular scout patrol, what we call mixed-aged patrols since 1989, and you older Scout patrol. Older Scout patrol has had many incarnations over the years including Explorers circa 1950s and 60s ( And please correct me if I'm wrong), Leadership Corps 1972 to 1989, Venture Crew 1989 - 1998, and Venture Patrol 1998 to present.}

_{But someone in 1989 decided to change things, and added descriptors to the term "patrol:" New Scout, Mixed Age, Older.}

_{Me personally I'd love to go back the to thrill of yesteryear, when you had regular patrols of mixed ages and abilities, and the older scout patrol who were advanced, ran things, and help the troop out, while doing their own thing on occasion.}

I know the ASM that was mentioned, and he is a really great guy, in many ways.  A former DL in my pack and an Eagle himself.  Based on his personality and the way he works, there is good hope for the best.

How long has he been out of Cub Scouts? Speaking from experience on both sides of the spectrum, the worse adult offenders are former Cub Leaders. As a youth, the worse part of getting new Scouts were their parents. They kept butting in and interfering with the program. As an adult, I know I have interfered too much. I've posted elsewhere about striking a balance between adult involvement, and youth led.

To be honest, this is a relatively new experience; establishing, or re-establishing, a new troop. I've been fortunate to have been in established troops with older scouts who did the work. I know what my previous experience tells me (sit down and drink coffee until REALLY needed), and I am seeing another NSP mess like the I dealt with when my troop was guinea pigs back in the day.

Despite all of my lamenting with my current troop's situation, I've seen young Scouts step up to the plate. I've seen 11, 12, and 13 year olds doing VERY well as PL. I saw an 11 year old do a decent job as SPL. Yes that shocked me.

My advice, find some old William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt literature. I do not know how well known Billis in the UK, but he was extremely influential int eh BSA up until 1967 or 68 when he retired. Then when BSA changes the Scouting program in 1972, Bill came out of retirement in 1978 to fix the problem.

Where BP founded Scouting, Bill took what BP and others did, expanded upon it. He experimented with a troop to try his ideas and write it down.

One reason why I hated becoming the NSP ASM is because it IS too much like Cub Scouts IMHO.  I've fought tooth and nail to stay out of it.

I too have seen NSPs ASMs who basically treated it like a Cub den.

And I bet a Dutch oven cobbler that some adult in national came up with the NSP comcept. And I bet it was heavily influenced by the LDS model where their 11 year olds are limited as to what they can do.

Be advised, this is a vent.  Last night was VERY frustrating, and all I have to say is:

I HATE NEW SCOUT PATROLS!

SPL wasn’t prepared, didn’t have his tablet with his plans in it with him, so while he rehashed his plans for last nite, he sent the patrols to patrol corners to plan for the upcoming camp out.

Took them an hour to do the menus!

Nobody was listening to TG as PL was MIA and APL called and said he was unable to attend due to school.

One Scout kept Trying to do another Scout’s job because “I’ve done that before.†Kept trying to take the paper away, despite repeated attempts to stop it by the TG.

One guy in the patrol is a troublemaker and causes problems. Kept distracting the patrol. And delaying the process. Again deliberately causing problems.

One Scout kept running back and forth to daddy trying to get dad give him the answers. TG had the answers.

And one guy who was being ignored got extremely frustrated.  He tried to have an SM conference since he is ready for Tenderfoot and Second Class BORs, and if he can get one requirement in for next week, First Class. SM gruffly rebuffed him saying he needs to be with his patrol, which further frustrated the Scout.

Right or wrong, I intervened as my patience ran out with this Charlie Foxtrot.

To the Scout that kept trying to do another’s job, I told him “good that you know what to do, but now it’s his turn to learn how to do it.†that settled that.

To the trouble maker, when he mentioned pizza for lunch I said, “Pizza takes a while to cook. That’s a better dinner. So you got dinner figured out, focus back on lunch.†The look on his face, as well as the others was priceless. Comments of “we can’t have pizza on a camp out†arose, and TG said yes we can as he did it with me in Cub Scouts. Unfortunately they went to hot dogs, thanks to the SPL. (More on that in a minute). Then when the troublemaker realized this comments were not going to be tolerated, he wanted to join gametime with the rest of the troop since the patrol ran over and was missing out on fun stuff. His comment was, “can I go and play since I’m not camping?†My response was, “No, you are part of this patrol. You need to stay with the patrol and help out.†He was ticked off.  Thankfully he will be moving within the next  5-8 months.

To the guy who kept running to dad, I told him he needs to stay and do his job, then talk to his dad later.

The extremely frustrated Scout was the biggest challenge. I had to talk to him after the meeting. More on that in a bit too.

THANKFULLY SPL finished his planning, saw me intervening and took over. I backed off. It’s amusing that they will listen to their just turned 14 year old,  but not listen to their 12 year old TG. SPL did great intervening and helping his TG. SPL gets it!

My only complaint was  telling them to make something easy like hot dogs for dinner. He didn’t believe that you can make a pizza on a camp out. My solution to that, and the adults agreed is the following: Adults are having pizza for dinner on the camp out.    Who knows we may have enough to give out samples, but I doubt it.

As for the frustrated Scout. that is a challenge. The one scout he got along with in the patrol, was moved to the other “NSP†patrol. I use the quotes because the patrol is more mixed aged than all new Scouts. But since only 1 has First Class, using the current BSA methodology, they are an NSP.†The trouble maker and him are the remaining founders of their patrol from the beginning, Everyone else joined afterwards, and because they came from 3 different packs now, he doesn’t really know anyone, and  it’s frustrating him. One reason why my son wanted to become TG; he’s friends with the frustrated Scout, sees the frustration, and is trying to help him out.

Because he doesn’t really know anyone, he gets ignored constantly. Part of it is maturity. He can be a goofball at times. But part of it may be jealousy. He’s been asked to teach some backpacking classes since he’s done part of the AT with his family.  Yep he’s a backpacker, and one of the comments was “ we keep going to the same places over and over. We don’t do anything fun like hiking (his term for backpacking).†Troublemaker added fuel to that by saying, “Quit complaining, we like easy camp outs.†I admit it ticked me off some too. Yes he needs some maturing, but he knows his stuff. Heck he's doing the Philmont prep trip in may. The things that have held him back from First Class are the 30 days of exercises for Tenderfoot, and ID 10 plants.

But the thing that was the straw that broke the camel’s back was when the SM gruffly sent him back to his patrol without letting him ask for an SM conference. Scout is thinking about switching troops. In fact I think he’s visiting one tonite.  I don’t blame him one bit. I know dad said he wants to try and keep him in the troop until after summer camp. Part of that is dad knows the troop is rethinking how the patrols are set up, and are wanting to go a mixed aged patrol route. Part of it is the summer camp deposit.

The part I hate about the entire NSP, is that there is no “peer-to-peer†instruction. The Scouts in the patrol who have the knowledge, and have the skills to work with and teach the rest of the patrol are being ignored and are getting frustrated. My son is getting frustrated with the entire situation. I think when the patrol listened to the SPL and not him was his breaking point. He’s no longer having fun, and told me, “I think we need to mix everyone up.â€

So far 3 folks, 2 in the older scout patrol and a TG said we need to mix things up.

Thanks for allowing me to vent.

MIX THEM UP!

Seriously have them mix themselves up. Do not put all the new Scouts. My troop has done that, and it has been a chaotic nightmare.  I have been posting about my experiences, and will be venting shortly about last night's mess.

Wish you could keep some of the 14 year olds to provide mentoring ops for them.

So what's the answer? Some of us haven't gotten the new books yet, so we can't look it up. I am assuming the answer is yes though since national has made a big push for all Scouts to get First Class in a year. And part of that was getting rid of the time requirements between Tenderfoot, Second Class, and First Class ranks. Plus Scouts can earn MBs for the other ranks before they get to that rank.

I don't think it's possible. I think the best way is to learn about the patrol method is to live it. Even IOLS doesn't fully give you the experience since you are not making menus, etc.

I liked how my old troop did it. Adults in a separate campsite and they had assigned duties and responsibilities to keep them out of the youth's hair.

Did he have anhydrous on the property or near by?

 Call me stupid, but I don't know what anhydrous is, unless you are referring to anhydrous ammonia. And to my knowledge it's no.

Used to be rumors about this in Shawnee NF in southern Illinois as well.

I forgot it also happened in TN, except state owned lands. Also on Private lands too.  My father's new neighbor is retired TN state bureau of investigation. He was doing hiking on his property when he noticed something funny on my father's land. Long story short, someone set up a meth lab on my father's property.

Well the new neighbor decided to visit my father. After a nice long chat, the neighbor realized A) my father was incapable of even going to that section of the property, let alone setting up a meth lab since he is disabled and in an electric wheelchair, and B) since all the family is out of state, my father has no idea who set it up..

TN SBI were really happy to take down that lab.

But the neighbor also said that folks were setting up stuff in state parks.

In regards to  "experience" and leaders. It depends upon when you were involved in Scouting and/or who your leaders were.

I know one SM who was an Eagle. but he grew up in the 1970s under the Improved Scouting Program which deemphasized the outdoors. It seems as if the only time his troop camps is when there is a MB weekend, and the kids are all in class. Otherwise there always seems to be a shortage of adults who can camp, and the trip has to get cancelled. Heck at summer camp last year, they had to stay with another troop since only 1 leader went.

My troop gorging up, the second one I stayed in the bulk of my career, was established prior to ISP and had the same SM since its founding. ISP didn't really effect them much, and when BSA brought back the OUTING in ScOUTING, the troop kept on as if nothing changed. that's the model of Scouting I have,as well as another ASM.

The ASM who will probably take over came in post 1989 when the last bunch of major changes occurred. His troop used the NSP concept with adults assigned to work with them as the venture crew/patrol. Since he was suppose to take over, that is the model my son's troop took.

But it isn't working. I think the SM isn't happy, several adults are not happy, and the Scouts are not happy. The adults are doing too much, and some of us realize it. Scouts can do the work, and enjoy it when they do, but are not given a chance.

Key is trying to find balance.

In regards to carrying while camping, I know out west I have read reports of drug dealers growing pot and setting up labs in national park lands.

As for me and firearms, at the moment I am uncomfortable carrying.  I don;t have the strength at the moment to for hold anything steady. I had to use a sandbag last time I shot both a pistol and rifle. Darn shoulder surgery.

But I'm getting stronger everyday

True story about camping. I'm sitting on a BOR for First Class, and the Scout said the troop didn't camp enough. THAT GOT THE CC's ATTENTION! ( caps for emphasis as he was concerned and ticked off the troop wasn't camping). CC was so concerned the troop wasn't camping, that I had to de-escalate the situation by asking the Scout " how often does the troop go camping?" The Scout said about once a month, except for January when we do the lock in. CC had to laugh and say, " That's about right for a troop. Once you get into the OA  you'll have a few more chances to camp."

Considering the OA lodge has 3 Ordeals and a Fellowship, plus goes to conclave ever year, that's an additional 5 camp outs right there. Doesn't include chapter workdays and chapter fundraising events ( running the camp trading post at district and council events.) Hopefully that FC Scout will go through the Ordeal in March.

Back to patrol method.

I honestly do not think the BSA emphasizes it enough in SM specific training,nor do I think the current recommended format of a NSP, mixed aged, and venture patrols really work, except possibly with LDS units that keep their 11 year olds separate form the rest of the troop.  Sorry I liked the mixed aged and venture patrols format.

And while I generally hate the Improved Scouting Program  of the 1970s, two things I did like were Skill Awards and allowing Scouts to sit on the T-2-1 BORs. I liked the idea of the older scouts finding out what's up and making sure they are doing their jobs properly. It gave an sense of ownership.

One thing I do not remember in my troop growing up, and I have fought doing to the best of my ability, is having assigned ASMs working with specific patrols.PLs did the bulk of the work. Instructors from the Leadership Corps helped with instruction, and if the PL needed help, the SPL or ASPL would work with the PL to get things done. Only time I had an adult work with me when I was a PL was when I royally screwed up and used some colorful language trying to get my patrol to get things done. Yep I followed the model of my first PL in my first troop; the one I didn't like and eventually left. SM played "bad cop" and corrected me sternly, AS HE SHOULD HAVE ( emphasis).

But after the SM was finished taking 10 pounds off my rear, the SPL eventually came to me and talked to me. He advised and mentored me until he Eagled and joined the Navy. He was a major influence,and I needed it. I'm still in contact with him to this day.

But other than that correction by the SM, the adults didn't interfere with the Scouts. They let us do our thing, make our mistakes, etc. Heck when I got hypothermia up in Canada, it wasn't the adults who took care of me, but Scouts from my home troop. They were the ones that treated me, and remindedme that the sterno can in my survival kit was to be used in an emergency and "THIS IS AN EMERGENCY, [EAGLE94-A1]!" ( CAPS FOR SCREAMING THIS TIME   ) I want to say the adults monitored the situation, but let us handle it.

How many parents today would trust their 15 year old to be treated by 13-17 year olds? 

Forgot to add, active shooter training is part of our annual training now. All personell have to watch a  video and answer questions. Ironically, it became required training just before the active shooting incident I mentioned above.

Hospital police on the otherhand have done those drills on a regular basis for a while now.

Part of the challenge is that our society treats 26 year olds as children still. When I have the parents of college students contacting me for something their adult son or daughter needs to do for school, that's a problem. When mommy calls to get information so that her adult, college graduate son can do to get extra points for med school admissions, that's a problem.

It seems as if we do not give children responsibility and consequences for their actions. Heck I admit, I was just as guilty with my kid. I freaked out when I was told he was elected SPL at 11. Did  decent job all things considered.

No one is allowed to carry where I work except law enforcement. Didn't like that one bit when we had an active shooter next door a few months back, right before my accident. I remember  our hospital police manning entrances and patrolling the area. We have a lot of vets in our organization who are not hospital police and could handle the situation if it arose and were armed.

What I didn't realize was that the hospital had M-4s in the campus armory.

Thankfully they caught the gunman, about 16 hours later in another state,passed out on the beach.

You know, the stats are all fine and good until eight city blocks are shut down and you're calling your colleagues in the building being attacked to know if they are OK.

Agree 100% except I had to call the wife and tell her what's up and I'm OK. Scary thing is this: she used to work less than 50 feet from where the gunman killed his victim. Victim's office was through the library she worked at. The community college is another gun free zone. Again a lot of vets and active duty military on campus who could have handled the situation.

Forgot to add, when 9-11 occurred, cell phones  in the area surrounding the WTC were down and we could not get in touch with my sister. Scary feeling not knowing if a family member is OK or not. I admit I was stunned when it happened and at work. But when I found out my sister was in NYC and my mom couldn't get a hold of her, I as like a zombie until I got word she was OK. 

I wouldn't worry too much about the Eagle mills. 1) Your son does not have to compete with the others. 2) You son will probably get bored real fast and want to switch.

One troop  locally I'd call an Eagle mill, to the point that they are only focusing on merit badges. Meetings are MB classes, and the only camp outs they appear to go to are MB weekends. Funny thing is this, they are so focused on MBs, they haven't done the basics: T-2-1. None of the Scouts who joined after the advancement oriented SM took over are above Second Class, if that. All the ones advancing are the ones who were there with the old SM. Funny thing is, the old SM wasn't advancement oriented,But they were active enough to get T-2-1 requirements met if they camped. Yep you have Tenderfoots with 10-20 MBs, but haven't cooked enough meal to meet  Second Class requirements. Now the troop rarely camps.

The BSA made a decisive move to increase the number of Eagles. I was told that the FCFY was created as part of that goal. I was also told, but I don't remember, exactly what motivated National to go that direction. I'm sure it something to do with membership.

 

 

According to the studies at the time, mid to late 1980s, the stats showed that Scouts who reached First Class within a year of joining, stayed longer in the program. In 1989 when the results came out, BSA did away with the Skill Awards ( which I thought were very good) and the time requirements between T-2-1 ranks.

Don't know when First Year Camper programs started, but when I went to summer camp in 1986 for the first time, they had one. Crusty old retired master gunnery sergeant, ran the program, and if he said you earned it, you really EARNED it. he didn't tolerate slackers. 

I would be lying if I said I don't want to see my sons earn Eagle. For me, the key word is EARN. I may give oldest a reminder or two about advancement stuff, but that's it. If he wants it, he needs to get it. The same will happen when the younger two get into Boy Scouts.

I admit this troop was not my first choice to take him. After visiting the troop I wanted him to join, and he wanted to join, the troop folded and went Trails Life. While they had the best program IMHO, and their attitidue on advancement did cause some issues after they folded, and a Scout went to another troop. The folded troop didn't follow BSA advancement policies to the letter.

This troop was the second troop we visited, after we found out the first troop was folding.We both knew going in that the troop was young and still learning. Heck the first meeting could be labeled a mess when the PL didn't show up and the APL had to take over and didn't know what was planned. He adapted, improvised, and overcame. Son loved it. Son loved the fact they they camp 11 times a year, with a lock in in January.

As for how many parents are Eagle focused, BSA pushes it. A lot of adult leaders have no experience with Boy Scouts as a  youth member. Still other adult leaders have youth expereince, but of the horrible Improved Scouting program of the 1970s where the BSA took the Outing out of ScOuting. Yes, I know of an Eagle who is a SM that doesn't like to camp. he's about 8-10 years older than me, putting him smack dab in teh middle of the ISP.

Like I said, this was the second choice. He wants to camp. Since we joined the troop, we postponed one trip. To many folks had school commitments the weekend we chose, and we pushed it back to March, and did 2 campouts that month.

First Class First Year, what's that?

Seriously there are only 2 reasons why the troop has gotton focused on advancement of late. 1) Philmont 2) Changes in rank requirements.

 Our best Scout in my opinion is only Tenderfoot, and the got that about 2 months ago. He's been in the troop for 3 years now, and only got interested due to Philmont. He knows that if he doesn't get First Class, he cannot go.

The rank changes are affecting all but 1 of our Scouts. While we are encouraging those First Class or above to get it done before next year, there is a push to get everyone else to First Class by the end of the year. At that point most will be in the troop 18 to 24 months.

Our goal is to let these guys earn their ranks. And they will listen better to the older scouts than us old fogeys. 

OK switching gears a bit. I mentioned how the meeting last night was unorganized chaos. SPL was sick this weekend and didn't do any prior prep. No communicating with others as well for help until he was at the meeting, and it was adults he asked. i admit i helped pull his butt out of the fire when he asked, but I also had a little chat with him. I asked him a few questions, he gave me honest answers. Considering he's a 13 year old first time SPL, it was a good learning experience. I hope he taks the chat to heart, and follows through with what he told me he needs to work on.

Back on topic.

In my troop growing up, the Leadership Corps didn't promote elitism. Yes we had problems with attendance (perfume and car fumes mostly, but also sports since we me ton Fridays). But we retained older Scouts. While we worked with the younger scouts to a degree, it was when we were assigned instruction to them or running the games and competitions. One thing that helped was that when opportunties presented themselves, the LC did things away from the rest of the troop.

The only "perk" or "benefit" of being in the LC was that we were able to sit around the campfire and talk after the rest of the troop went to bed. And a lot of times were close behind on going to bed.

Trying to respond in a quick break.

1) I admit ILST was my idea. SM had done no training before, and I talked to my son when he was elected if he thought training might help with him and the PLC. He said it would, and he would do training with everyone, not just the PLC. At the annual planning conference, I "encouraged" the adults to let the youth switch from the traditional First Aid training they did. SM was happy to do it, one ASM wanted First Aid done at a later date because "it's important."  First aid came later becasue the Scouts knew it's important, especially with one of the Scouts and his health issues.

2) Young troop.  Older Scouts are 13 - 15 years in age. mostly 13-14.  One patrol has mostly 12 years olds who are Scout still working on Tenderfoot, with a 13 year old First Class Scout. Beleive it or not the 13 year old FC is not PL because of a family situation that allows him to come every other week. other patrol is 11 year olds with 1 or two 12 year olds.

3)  I've been trained using GBB's  syllabus for Brownsea 22, and the troop I grew up in was a youth run troop. Only time I really interacted  with the adults was when I royally screwed up one time as a PL, then as ASPL acting as SPL. The Scouts did it all. Current BSA literature doesn't emphasize youth lead enough IMHO.

4) Last night was unorganized chaos, more on that in another thread. But I had the chance to talk to one of the older scouts about the NSP. His comments were that they ned to leanr to work together, get things done even if they do not like them, in order to do the fun stuff.  When asked how to get them to work a little better he said "separate them."