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It’s absolutely possible. My daughters schedule could have had her accomplish this had she chosen to do so. She has heard me say for years that advancement is not a race, but a journey, so she is in no hurry. She is however, both a Venturer and a Scout. Since requirements can be met as part of either, she has had the opportunity for at least 9 outings in that time frame if you include troop (3) crew (4) council(2) and Jamboree training (1). (Two events were same weekend so She had the opportunity for 9 of the 10, she did 5). Even without the crew she could have had 6 events. This Sum

Totally agree. Which is why the SM needs to be strong in youth led, so he is able to step in and guide the adults and SPL. He needs to be able to gently push back on the ASM and nudge forward the SPL until both parties understand the dynamic. It is an awesome thing when it works like it should. I had 2 SM's from other troops come to me at an event and suggest we do something together. I told them it sounded good, but that was the SPLs call. The SM's went to SPL, who said it sounded good and he would be glad to talk to their SPL's to see if they could work something out, but he did not co

A unit I was once involved with had two different types of PLC's; meeting PLC and Monthly PLC. Regardless of type, the PLC was run by SPL (or ASPL in his absence) The pre-meeting PLC was 15 minutes before each meeting and post-meeting for 5-10 minutes after. The pre-meeting PLC was to review the agenda, what was going on and when, that materials needed were on hand and to make last minute changes based on need. The post-meeting PLC was q quick recap (Roses/buds/thorns) and reminders for next meeting. There was much discussion between the Scouts as well as Scouters about the need for

I have a mental image in my head now. And I cannot unsee it. 😕

I can live with someone wanting to revoke my “real outdoorsman” card because I prefer my Scouts be in bright colors in the woods for their safety. I can live with them being offended by it too.

Well, almost. Last time I checked I was doing the labor AND paying for it.

Then I blame the MB counselors. I have taught at these events and I do it by book (Guide to Advancement) The Scouts are tested - individually. The morning is for learning, the afternoon is for testing I cover the requirements I have time to cover, those not covered are not signed off on. Parents do not sign the blue card, I do - and I have gladly explained that to those who care to discuss it with me. I have never been pressured into signing requirements not done, and I will not be I have NEVER said I would cover all requirements in a session, in fact I state that I wi

So it's labor without payment?

Well I feel terrible for those young ladies that are being discouraged (or not encouraged) to show their pride in their organization. They are always welcome here in Scouts BSA.

I have no issue with teaching in a group setting of MBU's and like activities. After all, we teach in group settings when we are in the woods. It is the signing-off on requirements that I take issue with. In fact I think "a Scout Learns" better in a group; watching others, trying, competing and teaching others. But "a Scout is Tested" as an individual, which gives them confidence, pride and sense of accomplishment.

I didn't give it much thought at the time, but back in February several of the girls that were joining from GSUSA were mesmerized by the equipment cage and trailers of the boys troop and the crew. The new girls troop has access to borrow from those cages until they build up their own. Quartermaster was the single most sought after position.

Over the years and via different organizations I have dozens of shirts that range from pastel blues, to fire engine red to forest green, black, blue on and on an on. Personally if we are in council camps, state parks, around the city etc. I don't care what color they wear. But when we go into the back country I prefer the youth in bright colors. On the outside chance that they get lost I want every possible advantage to find them.

Never understood it, but throwing your boots over the gate at Philmont. I still have my boots with the cattle brand on them. (which I guess is something of a tradition) Of course, earning the Arrowhead patch is a tradition all its own, since you can only earn one per trek and not buy it. I know at Northern Tier we all signed (and added artwork) to a paddle. I'm not sure it was a tradition or even why we did it, because I did not see a bunch of signed paddles hanging around.. Maybe it was for someone in our group. I can't remember.

Unless something has changed I think you mean NLS/DYLC. National Leadership Seminar & Developing Youth Leadership Conference. NLS is for the youth and DYLC for the adults.(though some adults will sit in on NLS) There are similarities in these programs and NYLT/Wood Badge in the sense that communications, leadership, mentoring etc. are the focus. Some of the exercises and activities are similar. You are divided up into groups for roughly a day and a half of training. They are usually run by Region/Section Officers and Advisers, with the Occasional National Officer/Advi

I am sure you camp would love to hand off that responsibility to you. My scouts want their showers. Maybe it is the 90-105 degree temps during the day, or being covered in sweat, dust, mud, blood and ticks. Maybe it is covered with the smell of horses or grease or insect repellent or fish. At night, there is a line for the showers so they can cool off from the 80+ degree temps and sleep. They adults usually can't get into the showers until well after midnight. I cant count how many times I have been to summer camp. I cannot remember a single week that we did not have 2-3 "scheduling

Having worked for non-profits I can tell you too many of them do not treat it as a business, which is why many are failing. One mantra I was taught and believe; No Money - No Mission. If we can't fund the program, what difference do the Aims and methods make. We won't be instilling Scouting values into anyone. As a proponent of a BSA girls program my first and primary concern was the logistics of Summer camps. I probably even posted on this concern somewhere in this forum. I knew there would be attitudes that would need to be overcome, operational issues to resolve, but Su

I disagree. The youth will learn far better by doing. By having the Scoutmaster and ASM's provide "leadership" the scouts are not learning now. The Scoutmaster and ASM's may need to provide more guidance now, but it should absolutely be in the hands of the Scouts to lead now. Yes, they are inexperienced. Yes, they will make mistakes and have failures. Better to have them now than 6 months form how. Every single unit has failures, regardless of how big the number on their anniversary bar. But that is how they learn. News flash, they will have failures with adults leading as well. Bu

Interesting you mentioned computers. When I first got into application development I received some sage advice. Others, as well as my own experience, have added to that advice over the years, for my own version of KISS. You can design and develop the most beautiful piece of software in the world, but if no one uses it, it is worthless. No one will use your software if it does not help them achieve their task easier, faster or or with less hassle than the way they do it now. If you don't talk with, listen too, or simply ignore your stakeholders, you are going to design

I met an Eagle Scout a few months back. Talked to him for a bit coming out of the hospital. He was 20 years old, about to marry his high school sweet heart and was enrolling in college. He wants to be a biomedical engineer. He lost both legs below the knees and part of his hand in Afghanistan. I assume from IED, he didn't say and I didn't pry. He did say he was an E4 and a squad leader over there. I couldn't imagine telling him he was not ANYTHING enough to be a full fledged Scout leader if he chose. Yet I have met fifty-something year old Scouters I wouldn't let walk my dog let al

Oh, one more note. Velco works great, but sewing it on is a major hassle unless you have a heavy duty machine. I paid a lady I knew to do sew on the velcro. She asked that I not bring it to her again.

It also depends on the person receiving the communication. Some do great with email, others with snail mail, others with text, and so on. But they don't read/hear any of the other types of communication. It is difficult to know which type works best with an individual, particularly when they are candidates and the sum total of what you know about them is on a piece of paper that may not be accurate or legible. It is the same struggle every year. I hear "I didn't know I was called out" (they missed the call out event and no one in the troop let them know). Or, "I didn't know when Ordeal w

It’s not just the email. Street addresses and phone numbers are often recorded incorrectly or difficult to read. But the real problem is that we need to track them in Lodge Master (the official OA system) If the BSA ID or DOB are wrong or missing, it becomes a problem/hassle. Even if you have contact info.

What they sent you is not coyote tan. I have purchased it before and it’s not what you described. Joanne’s Fabrics carries it. They are a National big box store for sewing and crafts. Most decent size cities have one. They have long strips, like tape. Don’t get that. You want the pack with a couple of broader strips in it, each is enough for a couple of position patches with a little extra. It’s been hidden by all the tape strips every time I went, so you will probably have to look a little harder.

I share your dream brother. Seems no matter how hard we try, what process we set up. It is the same issues every year.

And I thought this thread was going to be about dogs. I guess I’m already off topic 😇