ItsBrian

@name has always worked when I have been notified Recent update maybe?

I've seen posts dated years back that talk about flag subscription fundraisers, and would like to find information on how troops present day do on it. Do any troops you know or a troop you are in do it?

There ya go, but assuming they can't.

Really? Your troop spends a hour preparing? Do you have a big troop?

I never heard of that! Where can I find more info?

That would be a "expensive" fundraiser. Who's paying for the plates, utensils, drinks (assuming local places won't donate drinks), etc. I think that'll be better for when they have a decent amount of money.

I'm shocked you and other troops are able to convene a PLC on a weekend. I don't know of any troop near me that can get members to come for a hour on a non-activity weekend. Just throwing a question out there. Why not meet a hour before the meeting?

I've been SPL for 2 terms now, halfway through my 2nd term. There wasn't a PLC for around 2 years until I became SPL on my 2nd term. My 1st term was a adult-led troop, but I managed to change it and make it boy-led instead. Still a work in progress, but better then what it was. We have a meeting monthly (beside July), first Wednesday of each month half a hour before meeting time. We're lucky if we get the entire PLC (we only have 2 PLs, both maybe showed up twice). We then have one in August for the yearly planning meeting.

Also, I attend a Vocational High School, and there is something called “Law & Public Safetyâ€, which is early training for police officers, etc. I don’t know if there are any near you, but you could ask the instructor to come teach, I find s/he would be more beneficial than a regular Officer.

Hi. Current scout here. I have been to a couple merit badge fairs/clinics and I personally don’t learn anything from them. It’s usually a group of 10 or so. You don’t get the full experience of actual learning & fulfilling what a merit badge is intended to do. I also highly suggest making this a “partial clinic†where as they don’t get the full requirements at the clinic, but can do pre reqs and possibly achieve it. I think you or someone mentioned stations with adults at each one? This could work or not work, depends how knowlegable and capable your volunteers are. I’d have 5 stations or so. Random order- 1. 1-2 requirments 2. 1-2 requirments 3. 1-2 requirments 4. 1-2 requirments 5. Scouts who did pre reqs 6. Review, talk in group (maybe have multiple of these?) I suggest if you do stations no more then 4 scouts at each. More then that and you lose the experience. I had a cooking merit badge class once and there was 8 picnic tables full, not enjoyable. I wish you luck!

And a winter hike in January. Troop doesn’t mind cold usually (but like we are all sick), so we just go with it. Camping trip will still be going on - but I’d rather not get pneumonia again so I’ll be sitting this one out haha.

Clothing drives, my troop made $345+ on it. Contact a company and they usually give .22-.30/pound depends on where you live. We advertised only on social media, Craigslist, and online event websites. We spent $0 in advertising. Great way to get easy funds, but also helps a good cause.

My SM suggested to do a 6.6 mile hike, with moderate incline and it'll be mid 20s with windchills in the negative. Half my troop is sick, half didn't show up to meeting due to that, I am sick myself, and I don't think we can physically handle it and I flat out told him that.

Thanks!

Just wondering & your "guidelines". Have a upcoming cabin camping trip, and it's going to be in low 20s, and negative windchills during the weekend. Opinions?

Ooo make a weekend EPrep/First Aid themed camporee. Each troop or patrol gets a message, text, call, walkie talkie, whatever and have to respond like a real emergency. They would be scored and all, basically the day as EMS.

Your district doesn’t have a first aid rally?

I think they mean the National Salaries... Execs make 600k+, Chief makes 2m+... GSA pays their chief in the high hundred thousands...

I like it! Probably will show them next week. Thanks!

Then why is there merit badge fairs, they imitate the scout, not the scout himself. He isn’t imitating by contacting a MBC, talking to SM, etc.

Only the SPL haha.

Whoever had mentioned a cheat sheet, that’s what I meant by a handout. Didn’t know exactly how to word it.

I will bring that up to the committee, we just did fantastic on our clothing drive so I think we can afford it.

We are a small troop, our CC gets involved in everything, also because we don’t have enough parent volunteers, a SM and1 ASM.

I feel like that might happen eventually. But, not a single one out of the like 7 are trying to advance. They are 14-15 and most of them are tenderfoot. Those 7 make up the majority of our troop. 11 Scouts total, 4 senior, one ages out soon. Troop will be gone if they drop out or age out & have no interest in staying.