jjlash

After SM minute and recap of upcoming dates, we say the outdoor code then retire flags and dismiss.

1 hour ago, Tampa Turtle said:

The LDS units...did they get to use Donkeys or Hand Carts?

24 minutes ago, The Latin Scot said:

I couldn't tell you for sure, but historically we're partial to handcarts, so that would be my first guess. 

Humor aside - maybe I should have elaborated for those who maybe dont understand the significance....  Traning center weeks 3 and 4 were scheduled for LDS leaders / sessions only.   Late last year the church announced that they were discontinuing their annual conference on Scouting at PTC (https://www.deseretnews.com/article/900004968/lds-church-discontinues-its-annual-leadership-conferences-at-philmont-scout-ranch.html).  This left the entire PTC empty for those two weeks except for a session of Leadership Challenge being held at Rayado Ridge Leadership Camp.

1 hour ago, walk in the woods said:

So basically they've opened the PTC spouse and children's program to families, eliminating the need for mom/dad to register for a training course?

I was only half listening but yes - it is through PTC, not through camping HQ, and it sounded like no training course is required.

And did anyone notice the dates....June 23 - July 7.  Weeks 3 and 4.  The weeks that were traditionally LDS weeks but quite suddenly became empty weeks this year.  No surprise that they are trying something to recoup that lost income.

Paying it forward....

I've got a bunch of books accumulated over the years that are looking for a new home.   Mix and match however you want.  Im just looking for a couple bucks to cover shipping.

https://photos.app.goo.gl/EthHY7Ql1Kr8fMEA3

6 hours ago, AAONMS said:

I attended the September 2017 PLC.

I was thoroughly impressed by the level of preparation of the staff as well as their Scouting and real-world expierence.

A buddy of mine also attended in Sept 2017.  I attended in Sept 2015 - one of the best things Ive done in Scouting.  

1 hour ago, Eagledad said:

 A clear understanding of "why" and "what" (I like that order better) makes a solid foundation for consistent "hows".

I like that order better too - Simon Sinek would be proud ;-)

Along the lines of what @ParkMan said.  Cover the "what" and "why" rather than the "how".  Why do we put things online (several reasons) and what should be put online to accomplish the desired "why".  The "how" will be different for different units and most youth can figure that out very quickly when they understand what they need to accomplish.

10 hours ago, WRW_57 said:

Is that the course which is suppose to be the follow-on to Wood Badge, but done in the backcountry?

Yep, that is the one.  Done mostly at Rayado Ridge Leadership Camp with a hike and overnight at Zastrow.  Uses geocaching, low COPE (challenge events), wilderness first aid and SAR activities as context to practice WB leadership skills.

Anyone going to PLC or SLC this year?  I see there are two sessions at Philmont (July and Sept), one at Summit (July) this season.

Has anyone attended recently?  What was your impression?

Tough one.  They are not allowed to do more than preliminary planning until all signatures - including the District/Council representative - are in place.  The page specifically says that the District/Council approval is last and thus it would not have been provided without the others being present.

I say it is a tough one because, based on the information you provided, I would not accept the project.  It is a really tough lesson for a Scout to learn but it was his own mistake.  His SM or Eagle Adviser should have warned him not to do the work but he also should have read and understood the workbook and known he could not start yet.

As for how to handle....  Undoubtedly it will come up (either here or within the unit) that he can just get the preapproval signatures now, allow the work that has already been done and continue with the post-project signatures.  In my mind, that is not a valid option - the rules are very clear that work cannot begin until the project is approved.  That would be like accepting work done before a Scout earned First Class to satisfy a requirement that says "while a First Class Scout, do..."

Good Luck.  I look forward to reading other opinions and how it turns out.

18 hours ago, RememberSchiff said:

sheets of flexible circuitry to embed in the apparel, along with a small hardware device that uses near-field communication signals to collect data from the circuits

Near field communications (NFC) is very short range stuff. This is the same tech that lets you wave your phone at the reader to pay for things.  The "small hardware device" will be retrieving the data from your garments so it will be a very intentional thing - not some stealthy thing that you have no control over.

27 minutes ago, cyphertext said:

It's not for me, but I could see some aged out Scouts registering as adults to go play for the weekend!  

Exactly - and why not.  In fact, why not have special events that are open to the public.  It is a whole bunch of facility sitting there unused for much of the year.  I know Philmont has "autumn adventure" and they offer special hunting packages in the fall.  

I chuckled when I saw this too.  But if the same offer was made for Philmont or Northern Tier I would have been very interested.  Summit (and Seabase) hold no interest for me.  They are a different type of adventure than I enjoy.  I hope they get good response though.  It will help people recognize that the national bases may be expensive but they do provide a top-notch experience for the youth.

25 minutes ago, Thunderbird said:

@jjlash How long is the new YPT training?  The old one was only about 25 minutes.

Last weekend it was close to 2 hours - there were some performance problems.  National is aware and are working to resolve them.  It is supposed to take about 1 hour.  The bigger difference is that you can't just let the video run and answer questions once in a while.  

25 minutes ago, mashmaster said:

I just got tapped to lead a discussion about this at our round table this week.  That info is super useful.  Any other high level info that would be good to pass along to our district leaders?

One of the documents says that the power point is intended for use at round table.  It is pretty good but has no presenter notes as I recall.  I dont have any other info at this time - I'll share if I get anything.

2 hours ago, carebear3895 said:

How did you come across all that information if you don't mind me asking? No one in my council,  not even the professional staff, have received anything like that

My field director sent it to me on Thursday evening.  The quoted email chain shows that it came direct from the office of the CSE to my SE then distribute within our council.

10 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

Our charter is by calendar year... so October probably doesn't mean anything.  

That was my thinking too.  No doubt you could get dropped mid-year but I'd be very surprised if they did.

8 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

What I mean is, if I go online right now to take YPT, am I going to find a new, longer presentation or the same-old 30 minute one with the 25 quiz questions?

Ah - yes the new stuff has replaced the old stuff in the training center and from your my.scouting dashboard.

6 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

I plan on ignoring it completely until someone tells me I have to do something. 

Good plan....They say everyone is required to update by Oct but nothing says what happens if you don't.  

1 minute ago, NJCubScouter said:

Is this included in the online training as well?

Is what included - the info about group presentations and youth versions?  No.  There was a set of documents that came from the office of the CSE.  Ive put the files on my google drive:

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1BXua6tNB3jQ1h8f30SOgRQvltjnmu1KK?usp=sharing

Oh Yeah - the kicker that I forgot to mention.  From the document:

Quote

By October 1, 2018, all new and currently registered leaders will be required to complete the updated training. The enhanced and updated content will allow leaders and councils to comply with all current legal requirements. While this may be inconvenient for some, it reflects the BSA’s commitment to the safety of all youth.

I would encourage everyone to not jump the gun.  As council training chair I am getting my folks up to speed first so that when we start promoting it to the unit leaders we can answer any questions they have.  Please give your training folks time to get ahead of this so they can support you.

I took the new YPT2 this weekend - though the rules are the same the material in the training is MUCH more detailed.  Lots of focus on bullying and on the bad guys being people known to the kids/families.  Several people telling (a version of) their story.  IMHO neither the content nor the presentation are suitable for kids.

The material I received from the office (Im council training chair) said that resources for group-presentation of the training will be available in June and the youth version of the training will be available in 2019.  No other info regarding how the youth version might be organized re: different ages or programs.

Really torn on this - 

On the one hand, I applaud your efforts to help others to deliver the program - thank you.  And I totally get the challenges you're trying to overcome - busy families, short attention spans, multiple meetings.

On the other hand, I hate that Scouts has become a "check the box" activity for so many people and I generally resist things that allow/encourage/facilitate efficiency for that purpose.  I believe that Scouting (like most worthwhile things) is about the journey.  As you said, the things that you cut out do have value in and of themselves.  But there is also great value in the additional time spent together as a den (and as parents).  Time together; shared experiences; facing challenges; random conversations - these are the things that build relationships and instill values.  

There is a third hand though -  families get nothing from the program if they dont show up so anything that makes it easier for them to stay involved has some value.

As I said, really torn....

17 hours ago, mashmaster said:

Technically, any BSA trademarked imaging can only be reproduced by licensed partners like ClassB.  I doubt any local printer would care but that is the legal limitation.  Some printers may balk at printing them.

Yep - and the generic fleur de lis is BSA trademarked (has to do with the specific shape, i.e. the New Orleans Saints FDL is a different shape) so any design that uses it will have to be approved by BSA licensing.  It is not a big deal and a licensed shop will take care of it for you.

mashmaster is right that local shops probably wont worry about licensing, but "A Scout is trustworthy and obedient" so we should worry about it.

I would throw out a recommendation for Advantage Emblem in Duluth MN.  Ive used them for years and had nothing but outstanding service and quality.  Bonus - they are a full-line operation.  In addition to shirts they do embroidery on hats and patches and vinyl stickers and parade banners.   I find their prices and minimum quantities very reasonable.

Great list @Col. Flagg - I thank you for taking the time.  Though they are "one mans opinion", Im happy to see that we are better than most of your points.

Traditionally we have printed lots of pages for some of the sessions.  We will be going to a PDF emailed in advance with only a few packets printed to accommodate walk-ins.  We have an awful time getting folks to pre-register and we dont want to turn anyone away.  

We do run 2 sessions of BALOO/OWL and IOLS each year (one in Oct/Nov and the other in Apr/May).  The big challenge with running more sessions and spreading them around geographically is staffing.  It takes a bunch of people to commit 1/2 day or more to pull them off.  Not impossible, just a challenge.

Very timely given the weather we're having....Im an ASM (though pas CC).  Whenever a parent calls/texts me "Are we having a meeting tonight?"  Before I answer, I ask if they have asked their Scout and remind them that he should know  

• a) that we are not because we've been announcing it at meetings for several weeks
• b) that we are not because school is out/out early _due to weather_
• c) that we are because A and B are not true
• d) to call his PL (or SPL if cannot get ahold of PL) if there is still doubt