ItsBrian

19 hours ago, Paperwork said:

I know this is an old topic, but the comments have helped me decide that I should not sew two Troop Position patches on my child's shirt. However, your comments also amuse me in that you all must be from large troops. Sorry, but in smaller troops if you want an "extra" position filled after the absolute bare basics are covered, the boys have to have a second troop position if they are willing to take it.

I’m from a small Troop as well, some positions we have no need to fill such as webmaster. But we a few years ago when we were really small we did have some scouts with two positions. Nothing wrong really with having two positions. I find it would look awkward with two positions sewed onto the shirt.

I have first hand witnessed the treatment of autistic scouts/special needs scouts through the day camp I worked at last year and also through clinical trips I have done. Some are just not educated on how to help them or their “triggers”. The committee chair may be a fantastic person, but is awkward when it comes to special needs children. Have you tried talking to the committee and educating them? If it keeps getting worse or continues, use the 24hour hotline @RememberSchiff provided above.

I would contact the COR for help, as they are above the committee chair.

I would just do whatever is equivalent to the cost of the trip. I would do day trips for the weekend, such as, museums, local parks, etc.. It’s better than sleeping in a tent for two days, but can still be fun for the cub scouts.

I used cornstarch and let it sit for a while for a grease stain then washed it.

43 minutes ago, qwazse said:

Me, personally? No problems. But PA would require child abuse clearances and an FBI criminal background check. (Not sure if WV and NY state has similar regs for leaders coming from there.) All that on top of BSA's youth protection and background check (which is part of you registration fee). 

I just had to do all that for a resident camp in PA. It’s expensive.

Has he looked into explorers? It seems fun & interesting, but none of them are around me.

Just now, Hawkwin said:

I would think an organization of our size could do a bit better than a $2,500 scholarship when the winner is the best out of 50,000. $10,000 seems more reasonable.

At least they give a scholarship for completing a requirement / giving back to the community.

I’m more afraid of forgetting how to do a specific thing, even though I know that I know everything that will be taught.

57 minutes ago, ValleyBoy said:

As the father of a special needs daughter and a adult unit leader about the only thing the district/council can provide is assistance in advancement changes for the special needs scout.  This process thought the same the changes will be different depending on the special needs of the scout.  Also the accommodations within  the unit for the special needs scout have to be looked at on a case by case manner.

Some may not even do that.

From reading on this forum, many districts do not provide information on special needs scouts. A SM with no experience of how to help special needs scout will run the scout of the troop. 

2 minutes ago, ohagar said:

TZhanks everyone.

I found out that the district does have a copy. My son really didn't want to ask as he thought it would look bad on his application, but they were great about it.

I love Boy Scouts. 

 

 

Nothing wrong about asking for something they have. I doubt they would keep a copy if they wouldn’t give it to the scout if they lost it.

I would be proud that your son asked the district himself even though he felt like it would affect him.

Ill be in his shoes in a few months, I just need my two meeting with the district for the final BOR.

Depends on how big your troop is. The bigger, you may not give tents. We have 11-12 scouts and are only one patrol. We did try two patrols but we ended up becoming one at all camping trips anyway. We supply tents, all cooking supplies, Dutch oven, stove(s), and more.

Does your district keep a copy of the workbook? I know mine does, they took a completed copy of mine.

1 hour ago, FireStone said:

I can't help pointing out the contradiction in this statement. What if a scout's "own pace and time" is to reach First Class in a year? 

I always find it odd that we applaud a certain timeline (a longer one) for advancement while criticizing another (shorter) one, even though neither are encouraged or discouraged by the rank requirements. The time between ranks that occurs because of POR requirements is the only deciding factor. So why do we judge one choice vs. another when neither break any rules or adhere to any BSA standard best-practices? 

One of the most dedicated Scouts I've ever known (and now a highly involved and dedicated Scouter) was a 13-year-old Eagle. This idea that some minimum age beyond the requirements should be arbitrarily applied because of what some people "believe in" is ridiculous. 

If I pushed myself, I could’ve got eagle at 14. But I didnt, I wanted to enjoy my time. The reason why I believe that first class should not be achieved in the first year is because then they don’t fully experience and learn completely. Let’s say, first class in a year and a 1/2, they will have a 1/2 year more knowledge in scouting. It may make no sense, but from my youth perspective it does. Many scouts get Eagle and think they are done and leave. (I’m not saying all scouts do that, I know many involved Eagles) Those Scouts will have more knowledge by getting Eagle at 16 rather than 13.

5 hours ago, David CO said:

Scouting should be an activity where all boys are treated normal. Transgender is not normal. 

I don’t think David meant transgenders as bad people or wierdos, I believe he just thinks they are not normal since it’s common in this generation. 

4 hours ago, Oldscout448 said:

PS   Seven years later. I was out of scouting, married with a kid on the way and my phone rang,  it was one of the Webelos, informing me that the four of them were having a joint Eagle Court of Honor,  and they wanted me to give them the Eagle Charge.    I don't get misty eyed often but...

 

 

 

Great story. Just wondering, how long ago was 7 years later?

As I said I will be working in the first year program, if anyone who has staffed one or even watched some of the programs could give me some tips. I don’t want to go into too much detail or too less, and don’t want to make it boring. Unfortunately I am missing staff week and the first week of camp due to PA ending school before me.

Any advice would be great.

Only in New Jersey...

Good luck... it’s not going to be easy.

I read the first 3 sentences of the second paragraph and thought “I would’ve quit by now”. 

18 minutes ago, CNYScouter said:

Longhouse Council (Syracuse, NY) runs a Boy Scout Day Camp at Camp Woodland (Constantia, N.Y). It is $175 for the week Aug. 20-24

This is the second year it has been offered and was pretty popular last year with most of the sessions full

Badges Offered: 

Canoeing 

Swimming

Archery 

Kayaking 

Lifesaving 

Shotgun 

Rifle

Emergency Preparedness

Welding 

Woodworking 

Automotive Maintenance

Metal Working 

First Aid

Environmental Science 

Communications 

 

I think the Seneca Waterways Council, just to the west of us in Rochester, NY, does something like this also

 

You’re lucky! Our council charges $370+ just for Cub Scout day Camp, but it’s mostly paid staff. Boy Scout is $450+

@NJCubScouter might know more than me.

33 minutes ago, shortridge said:

I have to admit I’ve never heard of a day camp program for Scouts older than Cubs. Do you mind sharing the name of the council and the camp for information’s sake?

My council in NJ actually has a Boy Scout day Camp as well. I think they might have two. But is only like twenty dollars cheaper than resident camp.

48 minutes ago, qwazse said:

Well, you just pulled the trip line!

One of the more prominent scouting fallacies is "1st Class, 1st Year." A few scouts should be able to move along at that pace. And a troop should be able to provide a range of opportunities so it can happen, but most scouts will take two to three years to master the skills needed to advance those first three ranks.

Now if a bunch of boys rank up every couple of months, then CoHs every three months would be a great idea. But if they aren't, those CoHs will become a nag.

I’m sorry, but a scout shouldn’t be first class in the first year. I dislike that since some troops force them into doing completing it which I don’t believe in. Scouts should do it at their own pace and time.

1 minute ago, Oldscout448 said:

I am not sure if this is a breaking point or just a worn down point.     The meeting starts in 2 minutes and I haven't been able to make myself change into my uni . I can't think of a single reason to go . All my sons have  aged out years ago.  I was working on training the new PLs about the patrol method, but there seems no point to that since it will be outlawed in October.   I've gone from angry to depressed to sad to accepting to grateful for the years of memories.     Much the same as when my parents died.    

I feel like my Scoutmaster will come to this point too. I feel like you are worn down and tired. Doing the same thing every single week for years gets tiring. Espescially when it does not benefit you or your children directly.