KenD500

We have the Assistant Patrol Leader who is assigned by the Patrol Leader. That's it.

I tend to be more critical of my son than of the other Scouts. Probably because I see him more. It's something on which I've been working. Another theory - they are more familiar with you, and therefore more comfortable, relaxed, etc. This leads to not always their best behavior.

I'm guessing they only offer it loose leaf due to cost. It's the same as the local colleges offering government books (something that changes yearly) only loose leaf. You could get yours bound.

Our District Advancement Chair would have a conniption fit. And probably stop the paper work from making it to National. You're also in Circle 10 council. Does your district still allow for Troop level EBORs?

Our district & council went to district Eagle boards a couple of years ago. 1 Thursday each month is designated for them.

Last night, I introduced an Eagle candidate from our Troop to his Eagle BOR. This was the first time doing so. I had asked other SMs in the district what they say for an introduction. Now I'm asking you. Do you has Scoutmaster introduce your Eagle candidate at his Eagle board? If so, what do you say?

Some of our skills instructions are advancement related. First aid, cooking, knot tying - depends on the theme for the month.

One of my personal favorites - Fire Month Skills Instruction: - Merlin Patrol - begin building fire bow/drill (3 meetings) / make char-cloth -Ghostly Goats - 1st meeting - ignition sources: ferrocerium rod & striker, matches, battery/steel wool, lighter, practice using each while lighting cotton balls; 2nd meeting - tinder - using favorite ignition source light different things to be used as tinder: cotton ball, cotton ball with vaseline, dryer lint, Fritos, char-cloth, etc 3rd meeting - discuss / layout different fire types. Build small fire. Interpatrol activity - whate

Fishing #2 -opening flags -skills instruction - how to cast safely (to yourself & others) Both Patrols together. ASM from another Troop came in as requested (PL called to arrange after I provided contact info). This guy is a fishing expert. -Patrol meeting -Inter Patrol activity Elbow beach ball relay - relay race holding a beach ball with only your elbows (round 1), holding beach ball with your elbows & jumping on 1 foot (round 2) & entire Patrol must hold beach ball with elbows (round 3) -SM Moment -closing flags Beach balls $5, I brought extra fishing

Fishing #1 -opening flags -Skills activity - Merlins - removing fish hook from finger. PL led. Used brats/sausages so each could try it out on recommendation of local nurse. - Ghostly Goats - removing fish hook from finger. PL led. -Patrol meeting -Inter Patrol activity -Get the Patrol across the gym without touching the floor. Using a furniture dolly, & ~150' of rope, get your Patrol across the gym. You can stand on the center court line & either base line. After 1 Patrol wins, do it again without talking. -SM Moment -closing flags Brats ~$8. Inter

From one of our Cooking meetings: - opening flags -Skills instruction -Merlins (older) made Scout bread from BSHB in sheet metal oven over backpacking stove PL Led -Ghostly Goats (younger) made Scout bread from BSHB in dutch oven over coals PL led Patrol Meeting Interpatrol activity - Spud (found in the game section of Troop Program Resources) -SM Moment -Closing flags Scout bread ingredients $5, charcoal $3, reimbursed from Troop funds.

Meeting plan from our backpacking trip: -Opening flags -Skills instructions -Merlins (older) - review of topo map for upcoming trip. Route planning. PL led -Ghostly Goats (younger) - compass/map use. PL led -Patrol Meeting -both Patrols collected grub money & decided menu -Interpatrol activity -Blind compass relay (outside) with large paper grocery bag over their head & compass in hand (they could see their feet & their compass, the Scout was given a bearing to maintain for 100 paces, turn around & then return to start. Then switch to next person

I'm a big proponent of gradual changes in the Troop. But in order for that to work, the SM, SPL & PLC have to have a road map/goal in mind. Right now, one of my goals is to have an SPL running things and for me to only speak when asked & SM Moments. I had a small step/victory towards that this past camp out. We normally retire a flag or 2 during the Saturday night camp fire. In the past, I led the flag detail and would say a few words. This past camp out, I had a Scout volunteer to lead the flag detail. He did a good job with it. I was swollen with pride. And I was able

Does your Troop have a process/method of selecting new ASMs? Or is it any warm body that volunteers? What ratio of SM-ASM/Scouts do you have? Is this by accident or design?

Currently after the CoH ceremony, we have snacks - fruit, cheese, crackers, etc. It has been suggested to make this into a supper with each patrol or family bring a dish. It has also been suggested to keep it at light snacks. There's pros/cons to both. Does your Troop have food after your CoH? Light snacks? Full meals? Something else? Who provides the food?

The merit badge counselor one doesn't come out on a scheduled basis (that I know of). It seems to be whenever they get around to it.

Anyone else subscribe to the BSA National Advancement team newsletter? It comes out every 2 months and has some good info. Here's a link to the latest edition.

Google BSA Troop Program Features. There are 3 volumes with monthly themes and suggested Troop meeting plans.

I'm always on the lookout for "leadership" manuals. One of the best I've found that breaks things down into a simple form is the Petty Officer 3 & 2 Leadership Fundamentals that the US Navy puts out. From that book, the qualities/traits of a leader: -high standards of performance -moral courage -dedication -example -initiative -loyalty -accountability

Know where to find the official information to counter act all of the myths & rumors. @@Krampus has a pretty good list. Ask for help should go along with accept help.

We use a modified version of the PL Ceremony from the Troop Program Resources manual: "The new patrol leader is called forward. He places his left hand on the pole of the troop flag, above that of the Scoutmaster, salutes, and gives the patrol leader’s promise: “I promise to do my best to be worthy of my office as patrol leader, for the sake of my fellow Scouts, my patrol, my troop, and the world brotherhood of Scouting.â€"

We use ceremonies at CoH, flag retirements & PL investiture.

We have a small, suburban Troop. Surrounded by LDS Troops (small) and non-LDS Troops (big 60-120 Scouts). Started 2015 with 5 Scouts; 1 being inactive. 1 SM (me) & no ASM. Scouts were 16, 16, 15, 14, 12. They functioned as 1 Patrol. At cross-over, we got 3 more. They continued to operate as 1 Patrol but during Inter-Patrol activity time, they would split up. They usually split by ages. After 1 month of this, I proposed that they create 2 Patrols split where they had usually split. The 12 y.o. became the PL of the younger group. During the summer, we had 3 more. They a

Part of adult association - the example we set. The Scouts observe us constantly. Are we "walking the talk"? Do we do our best to follow the Scout Oath & Law, or are they just words to be said? How do we interact with other adults? How do we resolve conflict or a difference of opinions?

I'm ASSUMING (please forgive me if I'm wrong), that since Cyclops is asking this question, he/she is NOT a LEO. IF he/she is NOT an LEO, then according to the G2SS, he/she shouldn't be carrying a firearm on an BSA outing. Again, I'm making assumptions. And they may or may not be right.