KenD500

Field book.  

Besides that, most of the Scouts get their info from youtube.

From that link: What to bring:

Medical parts A &B, gloves, bug spray, water bottle, boots, long sleeve shirt

We will be mucking houses that were flooded so they can begin the rebuilding process.

 

Is Council providing respirator masks?

They provided masks.  

Circle Ten Council (Dallas area) is putting together another clean up trip to Houston for Scouts/Scouters.  Here's the link if interested.

Last Saturday, the group worked moving debris closer to the streets so the claw trucks could reach the piles.

Circle 10 has a bus of Scouts headed down there on Saturday to start mucking.

If you're local to DFW & want to help out, here's the sign up link with more info.

From Circle 10 Council:

Scouts are prepared and ready to help. We know that our units want to do what they can to help the families affected by Hurricane Harvey. Circle Ten Council is in communication with the Scout councils who are in the areas affected by the hurricane. At this point, it is too soon for them to be able to tell us exactly what they need in way of support. We will continue to update our Scouting community as we find out specific needs.

I aim for a SM/ASM meeting 2x a year.  During these meetings, I discuss - vision, boy-led Troop ladder (where we are on it & how to move further), upcoming campouts, any Troop behavior issues, prospective ASMs, etc.  

This gives us a chance to make sure everyone is on the same page.  During the 1st one, the ASMs asked for defined responsibilities.  

Communication is key.

That is too bad.  Not sure if we will go either.  Transportation wise it is a logistical challenge for us.  Their alternate choice is Isle Royale.  They will be making their final decision soon.

We were planning on taking a Greyhound bus.  2 travel days each way.  $200/person.

Did you go?  Our scouts want to go July 2018.

Nope.  We had it all planned and the parents got cold feet 1 at a time.

Let the oncoming SM know you're there to assist in any way and then assist in any way.

I was just talking with the SM of another Troop down the road about the events in Charlottesville this weekend.  During the discussion, I asked if he was preparing a SM Minute to discuss the events & lessons learned with his Troop.  His Troop doesn't do things like that.

My question to you - do you discuss current events & the lessons learned with your Scouts?  Have you prepared one for the events in Charlottesville?

 

 

The SM is the advisor to the PLC, SPL and PLs. Scouting is not like Lord of the Flies, where the boys reign without input. The SM is like a firearms instructor. He ensures safety, teaches technique but in the end allows the shooter to aim, fire and adjust. The SM gives advice and they try again.

This is one of the best comparisons I've heard.  Analogy?  Simile?  Metaphor?

Tang in the pancakes.  My Scouts came up with this one & it's actually pretty good.

Here's the article from Scouting magazine about presidents at Jamboree.  link

Several presidents did not attend.  Kind of interesting to listen to the past president's speeches.

After having a similar experience 1 year, I no longer schedule Summer Camp during the 1st week.

Approximately half of the program areas did not receive their supplies until Thursday.

The mental cleansing that occurs on trips like that is why I camp.  You really realize what you NEED when you have to carry it.

My Co-ed thoughts:

1.  it's going to happen.  National will roll it out at the Cub level.  

  a.  This will make 1/2 the membership angry that they went Co-ed.

  b.  It will make the other 1/2 angry that they didn't open up the Boy Scout program also.

  c.  End result in membership = no change

2.  By the time girls are age eligible for Venturing, they are committed to other things that caught their interest (band, dance, softball, etc).  14ish seems to be the time most are trimming back activities to focus on a few.

3.  There is no other program that does what the Boy Scout program does.  Other programs try, but miss.

  3a.  Pre-teen & Teen girls need a program like the Boy Scouts.

4.  Pre-teen & Teen boys act differently around girls of the same age.

  4a.  This leads into the argument that the boys need a program that allows them to be boys.

I'm obviously of 2 minds on this.  I'm guessing all programs under the BSA umbrella will be co-ed in the next 3-5 yrs.  Using the "local" option of allowing the CO decide what type of Unit they want.

I have 2 girls (14 & 15) & 2 boys (17 & 28).

At some Summer Camps, they have a rule for no hats in the mess hall.  It's the only time I'm a stickler for it as it's gone from etiquette to a rule.

Even then, I'm ensuring my Scouts comply not other Troops.

To me, this is the key sentence - "Official headgear may be worn while the unit or individual is participating in an indoor formal ceremony or service duty, except in religious institutions where custom forbids."

Similar to military practice (ex-Navy here), one will wear their cover indoors when on duty (quarter deck watch, master at arms, etc).  If I remember correctly, it comes from wanting to keep hands free to perform official duties and to indicate the duty personnel.

BORs can also be called if a Scout is not advancing. 

2017 Guide to Advancement:

Periodic reviews of members’ progress can provide a measure of unit effectiveness. A unit might uncover ways to increase the educational value of its outings, or how to strengthen administration of national advancement procedures. For example, if it is discovered troop leaders are not ensuring that all requirements have been met before Scouts present themselves for the board of review, then process improvements can be recommended. A board can also help by considering the style of leadership best suited to current circumstances and ways to adjust it to different needs. Note that boards of review may also be held for Scouts who are not advancing. Much can be learned from them, as well. (bolded for emphasis)

I'm digging into the Aquatics Supervision now but this is from the Guide to Safe Scouting:

All participants in towed activity afloat (waterskiing, wakeboarding, kneeboarding, tubing, etc.) must have successfully completed the BSA swimmer classification test and must wear a life jacket with an impact rating consistent with the activity. Supervision must include both a skilled boat driver currently trained in Safety Afloat and a separate observer. Participants should observe the Water-skiers Safety Code and the Boat Drivers Safety Code found in Aquatics Supervision, No. 34346. Use only floats specifically designed for towing that provide secure handholds for each rider.

After having 1 1st year Summer Camper receive a letter that the dog had died, I've developed guidelines.

1.  Don't talk about the cool things or movies you're seeing without your Scout.

2.  No negative news.

3.  Everything should be upbeat & positive.

4.  Don't end it with "We miss you".  Try "we love you" instead.

I heard a story from an experienced Scouter that he had 1 Scout get the news his parents were divorcing in a letter at Summer Camp.

Do you give guidelines for any letters coming from home to Summer Campers?  Have you had any negative effects from letters?

Are they planning, developing & giving leadership to others?  I'm guessing no on the planning & developing.

link to source
 

4. While a Life Scout, plan, develop, and give leadership to others in a service project helpful to any religious institution, any school, or your community. (The project must benefit an organization other than Boy Scouting.) A project proposal must be approved by the organization benefiting from the effort, your unit leader and unit committee, and the council or district before you start. You must use the Eagle Scout Service Project Workbook, BSA publication No. 512-927, in meeting this requirement. (To learn more about the Eagle Scout service project, see the Guide to Advancement, topics 9.0.2.0 through 9.0.2.15.)

I'm not sure of your question.

My thought - this greatly benefits the Scouts that have stayed in the program & earned Eagle in their last year.

Troop is providing flag detail for the city parade.