Eagle94-A1

William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt said it best: "Train 'em. Trust 'em. LET THEM LEAD!" The Scouts will be learning how the ideal troop works: youth led with adults providing support. They will be learning the skills needed to make it happen: communication, representing the group, counseling, etc. Here is a link to the 2014 Syllabus https://scoutingevent.com/attachment/BSA358/58960_1449594194_1802.pdf I beleive that there have been some minor changes, but do not know for sure. Either way, it will provide a foundation of understanding for you. IMHO, the hardest part will be letting go of control and letting the Scouts take over. You trained them with ILST, and trusted them to learn more with NYLT. Now you gotta trust them to apply what they learned and lead. It won't be perfect. they will make mistakes but you MUST give them the opportunity to make their own mistakes and learn from them. Some of the things ideas I offer: 1. Make sure the PLC is meeting on a regular basis to plan and prepare. You would be surprised at the number of troops that do not do this. 2. Resist the urge to intervene and take over. If you want to destroy a troop, that is the way to do it. 3. As soon as you are able to, go through Wood Badge. NYLT is Wood Badge for Scouts. In fact staffers can earn their 3rd and fourth beads running NYLT now. CAVEAT ABOUT WB: WB was orignially intended to give adults advance outdoor skills in a Patrol Method environment. While over time it has morphed into a management course, some elements of the Patrol Method survive AND some participants when they return to their units continue to act as if they are in patrols still. OUR JOB AS SCOUTERS IS TO SIT BACK DRINK COFFEE, BUG JUICE, OR COCOA AND ENSURE THE SAFETY OF THE SCOUTS AS THEY RUN THEIR TROOP. ( caps and bold are emphasis). 4. Listen to you Scouts' words, and actions! I knew a SM start a new troop and spent about 5 years getting it to completely boy-led. One of the things that helped was at the 3 or 4 year mark, he had Scouts old enough and First Class to go to NYLT. That really helped the troop. The SM stepped down and a new SM took over. The new SM ignored his Scouts, especially the NYLT ones, and ran his own program. He stated to his UC that "BSA needs to change with the times." as the reason why he was not using the Patrol Method, and completely ignoring the Scouts. Some of the Scouts were polite when they talked to him about how he was screwing up the troop. One was right to the point. It didn't matter, he was ignoring everything BSA teaches: planning the meetings and camp outs without the Scouts input, appointing all leadership positions including PLs and SPL, etc. Once the Scouts realized it was useless to talk to him and try to run the troop, they talked with their feet: they left. The older ones Eagled and left. A lot of the younger ones transferred to another troop. So listen to your Scouts.

I personally don't like the devices as they are a pain, figuratively and literally. Plus there are big differences between being a TDL, CSDL and WDL. So I didn't mind Regarding the training award knots, all they consolidated were the Cub Scouter, DL Coach, and the Scouter Training Award. The Scouter Training Award had devices for Boy Scouters, Sea Scouters, and Venturing folks. They just added the Tiger, CS and Webelos pins on them.

Until recently, I never encountered this problem. Growing up you were expected to be there. Heck I remember coming from a semi formal ring ceremony at HS with my girlfriend, then heading to an ECOH and changing into my uniform. As soon as the ceremony was over, changed back into coat and tie, and went to the ring dance. Last ECOH I went to, was held at the Eagle's church instead of the CO, and his brother, who is an Eagle MC'd it. Very little involvement from the troop.

When I worked part time for National Supply in college, my boss did not want me wearing any of my knots. And she didn't want me wearing my jamboree insignia either. All I could wear was my employee patch and WC. However 3 years later when I went to work full time for her, she had no problem with my knots or jamboree insignia. And when I went to the shop the other day, two of the 3 sales clerks had knots on. And in the past one clerk had beads on.

1) WELCOME TO DA FORUMS 2) One of the challenges regarding knots is that with the exception of the Sea Scout program, which has had a max number of 6 for a number of years, there has been only "recommended" maximums that have changed several times AND at one point was only listed in restricted literature like the Wood Badge syllabus. It has only been in the latest Guide to Awards and Insignia that a maximum number has been established: 9. And then that is only for the current uniform. If you are wearing a vintage one you don't have to take any off. And to be honest with the number of problem uniforms you see in BSA literature, having more than 9 knots is extremely minor. And who knows it may change again. 3) "Order of Precedence" while highly personal, other factors can put into play, i.e. time factors for sewing, or in my case laziness I had a new shirt, barely got my knots sewed on it in time for the district banquet, and I got 2 knots that night. Long story short, I didn't undo all the knots I just sewed on to rearrange them. I just added them to the top. On another shirt, I still have the original 4 knots on it that I bought to go on the shirt when it was new. Another factor is each individual will have their own preference that others may disagree. I know I made a lot of folks unhappy when I said the toughest volunteer job is being a D, and how I was extremely proud to earn my TCDL and CSDL knots.. People tried to say I didn't know what I was talking about, until I pointed out my previous positions in the movement. Minimalist or Wear what you've earned, it doesn't matter. What does matter is respecting the time that the others give to the program. Respect their knowledge, skills, and abilities, and don't just ignore them because they are not wearing knots or beads..

Looks like the Scout SHop is selling this now https://www.scoutshop.org/gsi-glacier-stainless-steel-troop-cookset.html

The more I age, the more selfish I become. Tell you why in a minute. When I had my COH, I did it for several reasons. Yes, I busted my butt and wanted the recognition. Not going to lie about that . But I also knew how important it was for the younger Scouts. As @eagle90 stated, a lot of times an Eagle COH really motivates folks. Best example of that is the Scout who cared less about advancement or Eagle, until as a 17 year old Star Scout he went to his first ECOH. Now he busting butt to finish Eagle. But the #1 reason I wanted an ECOH was to thank everyone wh helped me on the way. A lot of folks got me to that point, and I needed to thank them. For me, seeing the Scouts I have worked with get their badge and medal is a thrill for me. So I like ECOHs Now one of my friends waited 3 years to have his ECOH. He enlisted in the USAF, and when he got out had it. Another friend didn't have his ECOH. He also enlisted in the USAF, and just never got around to it. No matter how simple or elaborate a ceremony it is. It means something to all involved. On a side note, one of the traditions in my troop growing up was "roasting" the Eagle by telling a humourous story from his younger days. Then moving on to how he has grown and matured over the years. We got to pick who was going to roast us, and I hope my son picks me when the time comes.🤪

Multiply it by 3. While he got the hospital's approval, he got it at the managerial level. Since he is applying for a grant from a foundation, he had to fill out two separate sets of paperwork: foundation's paperwork AND hospital paperwork at the senior leadership level, i.e. a VP and CEO has to approve. He isn't even focusing on the actual Eagle Application at this time. He just wants the Eagle project paperwork over and done with.

Well the bane of the Eagle Project has hit Oldest: PAPERWORK. I love his reply to the "what have you learned" question: Behind every great, fun activity there is a ton of paperwork that sucks the life out of you and makes you question whether it is worth it or not. Yes, this project, especially with the bureaucracy and paperwork has sucked the life out of him. His goal was to finish everything for Eagle before school started. Now he just wants the project completed. Thankfully the hard work is over with, now it's time for the presentation to the foundation and conduct training for the nurses on the pediatric floor. Oh and the life-sucking paperwork. Still doing that.

Where are you at so I can share the wealth? Seriously my two oldest did the door to door and got $0

'If you are paid to do Scouting, you are a professional. If you don't get paid to do Scouting, you are a volunteer. If you pay to do Scouting, You are a Scouter."

2015 was the end of adult-free overnight trips. October 1, 2018 was the end of adult-free day activities (and effectively the death of the Patrol method) to include patrol meetings, patrol hikes, patrol shopping, etc. October 1, 2018 is also the day that 18-20 year olds no longer count towards 2 deep YP. So if you are a 18-20 y.o. MBC, two additional adults over 21 are needed when you do MB counseling.

So I have done some work for the foundation director in the past and he knows me. When oldest contacted him initially, the director was concerned about how oldest was going to make it an Eagle project. I didn't realize that he was a 3 beader who has sat on the district and council advancement committees in his council in the past until he was telling us about his Scouting background. When oldest told him all about the proposed project, answered all his questions, and talked about how he would be demonstrating leadership, may help in picking a career, and how the project will help him as well, the director was all for it. A few days later he runs into SWMBO and tells her how he had concerns and oldest answered all of them and that "he's smarter than [Eagle94-a1]." We both got a laugh at that.

Well I typed too soon about adult intervention. The hospital's biomed folks found a very minor problem. While oldest could fix it himself, they took the liberty of fixing it themselves. He was skeptical and concerned of it until I showed him what they doing. So he is good. It should be fully approved tomorrow.

Yes it does. Especially hearing some of the comments from folks. I know some may say my district is "adding requirements" by having the Scout present the proposal to the entire advancement committee, but I like it because it gives everyone an understanding of what is being proposed, and offers ideas the Scout may not have thought about. There were indeed some issues that the committee brought up that he did encounter. Anyway, while a parent or SM is allowed to go in with them at the proposal stage, oldest opted to go solo. Apparently it has been a few years since a Scout presented a proposal without a parent or Scouter with them, and they were impressed. Got a lot of positive feedback on him. The feedback the wife got from the foundation director was hysterical. More on that later.

Metaphorically taking off the uniform and putting on the "dad hat" my hoodlums made me a number of years ago. Oldest is 95% completed with his Eagle Project. All that remains is to do is get it inspected and approved, present it to the hospital, and the give a presentation on the project to the foundation that is giving him the grant. Basically stuff he needs to do himself. Project was building 2 mobile gaming stations and a mobile gaming library cart with storage for some of the accessories. While not as major as some projects of late, with the exception of dealing with beuracracy, driving, and taking photos, adults have done no work on it. And since powertools were not involved, all members of the troop could help with the project.

Door stops are kept on her person. Purchased when one mom and student had a restraining order against dad. Only kids who know about them is my oldest.

Wife got $2 door stops to use in her class.

As long as Safe Swim Defense and Safety Afloat are followed, I see no problem. Troop growing up did something similar. And when I was in the UK, this was done on a regular basis at one camp located on the English Channel. THAT WATER WAS COLD!

They changed the tie and scarf out about 19 years ago, just after I left the profession. Still have the the tie and name badge. Sadly the expensive pin on patch was lent to someone and never returned. $30 down the drain. I almost wore that uniform to a funeral that is scheduled for later today. But I have left the "Dark Side" and I should never look back.

Webelos was changed to a to a 18 to 24 months with the goal of getting the Webelos to Cross Over no later than April of 5th grade so that they, and more importantly IMHO their parents, could get use to Boy Scouts, now Scouts BSA, and go to camp their first summer. I know first hand how much an advantage those who go to summer camp their first summer have: I didn't catch up to my former den mates in rank until almost a year later. Pack I was with crossed them over as early as December 18th (oldest son), and as late as February 25th ( youngest son). Youngest Son was chomping at the bit to join Scouts BSA, and beginning in January was going to meetings and helping with fundraising. DL picked the 25th because it was her birthday, and having them Cross Over that day was a big deal for her. But several Scouts were ready in January. This exact scenario is one reason why BSA switched from a 1 year Webelos program with Cross Over in May in the 1980s and earlier to the 18-24 month program post 1990. Crossing Over no later than April gives people time to adjust to the new program and get ready for Summer activities. If your pack is an old one with lots of history, they may be tied to the tradition of Crossing Over in the May/June time frame. Or if they get lots of new 5th grade Webelos, they may trying to catch up, hence the pushing back of the Cross Over. It's an option. You gotta do what is best for the bulk of the Scouts. Some Scouts will get it together if they feel they will be left behind. Some may not care about AOL. Webelos is one continuous program with 2 separate ranks earned. The plan should have been made the summer between 3rd and 4th grade. In the pack I was with, and when I trained WDLs, I stated that Webelos should begin transitioning to Boy Scouts, now Scouts BSA, AS SOON AS THEY BECOME WEBELOS (emphasis). It is a continuous program so that they can earn all the required Adventures need for both Webelos and AOL ranks to receive their Webelos Rank, then work on electives to get the AOL rank. By doing this, February is pushing it, but March/April is more doable. My old pack did stuff year round, with summer going to biweekly fun activities. Webelos tend to be chomping at the bit come December to Cross Over.

Like the 1995 WSJ stamp from the Netherlands?

I know at one time it was described in the handbook. I know oldest son's book, 12th ed. has a description and picture of it Online there is this Activity uniform description is here https://scoutingmagazine.org/2018/08/clearing-up-common-questions-about-what-we-wear/ What’s the activity uniform? It’s appropriate for informal occasions. It’s the same as the field uniform, with a Scouting T-shirt or polo shirt replacing the uniform shirt and neckerchief. (Sometimes you’ll hear this unofficially called “Class B” and the field uniform called “Class A.”) Anyone remember the 1989 to 1998 Activity uniform of khaki shorts, and red polo for Scouts, maroon polo for Scouts in a venture crew/patrol, and khaki polo for Varsity?

Better but they have some challenges. Limiting the number of adults has helped the Scouts overall. The Scouts are gaining more experience and doing things on their own. While it is "organized chaos", they are growing. Gunship is now SM, but he has mellowed some. Some of that is growing into his role. Before I left we had a good chat, and saw he is getting it. Some of it is his job. He is being called out more, and needing to rely on the Scouts and ASMs. BUT the have had to cancel camp outs due to lack of adults. One of the problem parents, who is a trained ASM and approved by the COR to camp has not done so. Some think it is his way of protesting the fact his wife and younger son can no longer camp with the troop except at the designated family camp out. Another ASM is slowly backing away because he is taking care of family. He was one who until recently went in every camp out. But now being the primary caregiver, family first. As for the previous SM. While he almost handed his SM patch because of the 2 problem families at the camporee, he stayed until Feb 1 2019, when he stepped down to become SM of his daughter's troop.

NO! I have seen "family Scouting" first hand, and it nearly destroyed the troop. As it was. I left it because it was not only negatively impacting my Scouts, it was also destroying my sons interests in Scouting. Thankfully my family's decision to transfer was the wakeup call the SM and COR needed to fix the troop. I just wish it would have happened a lot sooner.