MikeS72

Originally with Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge.  I was elected and did my ordeal at Boxwell Reservation in 1969, and received the Vigil Honor there in 1972.  I am currently a member of Tipisa Lodge, Central Florida Council.

I still have many memories of OA events at Boxwell, and as a member of Anawaha Chapter in Cogioba District.  I hope you and your son enjoy your time with Wa-Hi-Nasa as much as I did.

2 hours ago, tnmule20 said:

I heard this exact thing talking to people at the Induction cracker barrel last night. 

The tn in tnmule20 would not happen to refer to Tennessee would it, and if so, would you now be a newly minted member of Wa-Hi-Nasa Lodge #111?

National Service Territory Maps | Boy Scouts of America (scouting.org)

On 6/2/2021 at 11:28 AM, InquisitiveScouter said:

(Lol, just realized I didn't mention regional...what do they do again??

Nothing.  Replaced by 16 National Service Territories

Our local OA Lodge does this every year, and presents a James E. West award in the name of a member selected by the general lodge membership at the same time that new officers are elected.

A large percentage of packs base there program year on the school year.

Many have a few events during the summer, so scouts can earn the summertime pack award.

As long as my cubs and families want to continue meeting, we will continue to meet during the summer.

We were told about 15 or 16 months ago that the fees would increase 3 years in a row.  Since last year's increase came after we set council fees for 2021, our council chose to eat that $6 increase rather than pass it on to the families.

My hope is that cooler heads will prevail, and there will be no national increase for quite some time.

My scout has shredded more than one set of Frogg Toggs, the upside to them is that they are relatively inexpensive, so not a big deal when they need to be replaced due to either being destroyed or out grown.  I will wait until he is a bit older and is not likely to out grow it too quickly to spend the money on a quality piece of gear.  The biggest downside of the cheaper version of Frogg Toggs in my mind is that wearing them in FL is just like wearing the rubber suit I wore 50 years ago as a high school wrestler trying to loose weight.  Sauna City! 

I did recently pick up a new ultra light rain jacket that Frogg Toggs makes for backpacking (only a couple of ounces, and seam taped) and have used it a couple of times.  I can say that it is much more comfortable than the cheaper version, and sheds water very well.  The more expensive Columbia jacket is great for basecamp wear, when every once counts (or when I want something that compresses well into one of the pockets on a Camelback) the Frogg Toggs ultra light is a good choice for adults.

52 minutes ago, Frogman8 said:

CO is trying to lay down a 'mandate' that our AOLs must bridge only to this sister Troop.

There is a reason that AOL dens are encouraged to visit multiple troops.  No CO has the authority to mandate where those AOLs go once their Cub days come to an end.  Some years we have had all of the scouts from the Pack that our CO charters choose to join our troop, in other years we have had them cross over to 3 different troops, always their choice.

I sympathize with the treasury situation.  As hard as it is to walk away from those funds that your scouts raised, it sounds like removing them from the toxic situation they are in is the best thing to do at this point.  Good luck!

5 hours ago, The Latin Scot said:

Unlike the Protect Yourself Rules adventure, which I strongly feel needs to become a required adventure at all levels immediately. 

I would agree, as Protect Yourself Rules is much better for Cubs at all levels than Cybver Chip.  Although I will not be surprised if it does not last much longer.  As advancement chair for our Pack, I have not been able to get the Webelos pin for it all year, and was told by the manager at our Scout Shop that it will not be restocked.

4 hours ago, Owls_are_cool said:

Then again Montanans have practiced social distancing for over 100 years. We do not like people in our personal space.

Far too many of us packed in like sardines here in FL to be able to have much personal space 😜.

On a more serious note, we are doing our 6th outing since Covid began this weekend.  We have had to make adjustments, such as eliminating carpooling for the time being, and wearing masks at outdoor meetings, but the scouts have adapted and we are making it work.

On 4/7/2021 at 10:02 AM, ThenNow said:

Thanks for the topic. I think it's good to focus outside the clutter of the main thread. Have you discussed this with anyone in the organization or outside? It's a very intriguing idea. I also think improving YPT, specifically, will require adding survivors to some element of the training and education. No one can speak to it like we can. They would have to be selected carefully and the context of their input thoughtfully crafted, but it would be powerful imho.  

Have you had the opportunity to view the current YPT program?  It includes several very prominent experts in the field, and also includes testimony from a number of survivors, both male and female.  As several folks have mentioned here, we encourage every parent to create a my.scouting account and take that YPT training.  I would like to see national do away the the little abuse pamphlet in the front of new handbooks, and replace the rank requirement pertaining to it with all parents taking YPT training.

On 4/7/2021 at 11:34 AM, T2Eagle said:

Eagle projects with no adults.  Easy to argue that adults make the activity safer, but how directly would an Eagle project run by scouts lead to the abuse of a scout by an adult?  

Not by an adult, but it is important to remember the fact that not all abuse is adult/scout; there are a fair number of scout/scout cases as well.

On 4/7/2021 at 11:24 AM, 5thGenTexan said:

So.  How do you make sure the people that are supposed to take the training are really the ones that take the training?  

Only way to do that is to eliminate the online training and make it mandatory in person.  The flaw in that plan is that there is a constant influx of new registrations, which would require in person sessions to be held pretty much on a weekly basis.  It is hard enough now to get qualified trainers, asking them to constantly be doing in person YPT would be a deal breaker.

3 hours ago, David CO said:

True.  This happens all the time.  It is really annoying.  

 

I recall an incident decades ago, where a middle school boy went home and told his father that his P.E. teacher made him go into a closet and take his clothes off.  Naturally, the school received a very angry phone call the next day.

I was asked by the school administration if I could verify if this had actually happened, as I was present in the locker room at the time.  Indeed I could.  The actual fact was that this was a student who did not feel like participating that day, so he just happened to 'forget' his uniform.  The 'closet' in question was a 10' x 10' room with shelves full of uniforms of all different sizes that were availble to be borrowed by any student who 'forgot' to bring their own that day.  They would change in that room, often 2 or 3 each period, and leave some item on the shelf, to insure that they would return the uniform, which would then be washed by the staff.

I guess said student forgot to mention any of that to Dad.  He also forgot that the policy back then was that if someone was borrowing a uniform, the teacher never went into the room with them, and was never in the locker room without another teacher present to verify that fact.

It took all of 3 or 4 minutes for the whole thing to be cleared up, but had we not instituted our own '2 deep' policy it could have ended a good teacher's career.  Context wise, this incident took place in the late 1970's.

The lack of speed seems to be new today.  I have had no issues reading or posting lately, including yesterday.

8 hours ago, MisterH said:

I'll take that fate 100 times out of 100 if it means avoiding a Chapter 7 liquidation and the demise of the program.

Agreed

I got my first dose of the Moderna vaccine last month, with no symptoms other than serious pain in my left arm the next day.  Got the second dose a week ago today, and had much milder arm pain last Sunday, but did run about 100.2 most of the day, which was handled with Tylenol.  Got up Monday morning feeling fine.

Considering that I am working with hundreds of elementary school children every day, most of whom are masked, but a fair number of whom are not, there was no question but that I would get vaccinated as soon as I was able.  I have talked with a number of Scouter friends who are in the same upper age range as I am who are online every day trying to get an appointment with no luck.  I was fortunate, in that our school district worked with the local health department to get a day set up for any staff over 65 who wanted the vaccine, or I am sure I would still be trying as well.

Serious arm pain the day after dose #1 of the Moderna vaccine last month.  I get dose #2 next weekend.  Keeping fingers crossed.

6 hours ago, 5thGenTexan said:

My Council is making bank on cancellations...

In October I had to bail on Webelos Woods with my own kid because my uncle died due to Covid and the service was that weekend.  Since I didnt request a refund 14 days in advance I had to eat the paid fees.

 

In December we had a Pack campout planned and a couple of days before I got sick and couldnt go.  It was just a cold.  I was the only BALOO trained leader going so since I couldnt go, neither could the Pack.  I made the reservation for the campsite (we have to pay to use Council camps now).  Since the cancellation was less than 14 days I go to eat that one too.  I should have known far in advance I was going to get sick I guess.

 

So, their cancellation / refund policy sucks.  Just another mark in my "I dont want to do this anymore" column.

In normal times our council also has a deadline for refund requests, after which there are no refunds.  These are not normal times, and that policy has been suspended since we were able to return to limited in person activity.  If a scout registered for summer camp and got sick the day before, his/her money was refunded.  Same with our OA lodge activities.

University of Scouting is coming up shortly, and is being offered at no cost this year.  Any district events we offer, such as Webelos Woods or camporee are also at no cost, due to the new council activity fee.  While I was not thrilled with the idea of a council activity fee, at least here they have taken the money and basically done away with fees for most training (reduced fees for Woodbadge) and for all district events.

11 hours ago, mashmaster said:

The cost for the First Aid/CPR/AED is cheap.  It is the Wilderness First Aid that is expensive.  I'd be interested in knowing how much the WFA cert cards cost.

The portion of the registration fee that actually goes to the Red Cross is $24.  Depending on how the course is set up, some of the balance goes to cost of the student manual (both full size and pocket guide), which is $17.  The rest may go to your council if it is a council sponsored course, or to the instructor.

When I teach First Aid/CPR/AED for our council, I do not collect anything above the cost of the card.

14 hours ago, mashmaster said:

For our Ship and Crew we have the youth get Red Cross First Aid certified and encourage them to get Wilderness First Aid certified as well.  The problem is that those are pricey options

I like that.  Those do not really need to be pricey options though, depending on the instructor.  I am a Red Cross instructor for First Aid/CPR/AED and Wilderness First Aid, so I know what instructors pay Red Cross for those certification cards, and would wager that in many cases it is nothing close to what they are charging the student. 

6 hours ago, InquisitiveScouter said:

A little tongue-in-cheek, bit maybe something along these lines, instead?

Be a Decent and Stand-up Scout Merit Badge (aka BADASS MB)

1.  Show that you can currently repeat the Scout Oath from memory.

2.  Show that you can currently repeat the Scout Law from memory.

3.  Define tolerance and acceptance.  Explain the difference.  Give an example of a belief or practice held by someone else that you tolerate, but do not accept.  Then, tie a square knot.

4.  List five different categories people often classify others or themselves into.  Explain how excluding people based on categories can violate the Scout Oath and Law.  Then, tie a bowline.

5.  Define stereotypes.  List one stereotype associated with the five different categories you named in requirement 4, and explain how each one of those stereotypes violates the Scout Oath and Law.  Then, tie a sheet bend.

6.  Define discrimination.  Give an example of how someone in each of the five categories you chose in requirement 4 may have been discriminated against.  Give one example of illegal discrimination. Then, tie a two half hitches.

7.  Recite from memory the First Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  Explain its meaning in your own words.  Then, tie a taut line hitch.

8. Recite from memory the Fourteenth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States.  Explain its meaning in your own words. Then, tie a timber hitch.

9.  Explain the concept of freedom of association and how it is based on the First and Fourteenth Amendments.  Explain how freedom of association allows for discrimination.  Give an example of legal discrimination. Then, tie a clove hitch.

10.  With a parent or guardian, explain how something can be legal, but still immoral, according to your faith.  Give to your parent or guardian an example of legal discrimination that is immoral, according to your faith.  Then, without help, and within five degrees, plot a magnetic course between two points on a topographic map.

Anyone want to add anything else?

 

 

In honor of Fred McMurray, one of those knots ought to be a sheepshank.

On 12/16/2020 at 1:30 PM, RememberSchiff said:

Who manufactures the shirt?

Don't see anything on it that indicates a particular manufacturer, just that as with previous uniform parts it is made in Bangladesh.

7 hours ago, 5thGenTexan said:

From a strictly Scout perspective...  No Wood Badge = Not Worth a Damn Leader

As someone who attended WB back in the day when you had to be invited to attend, I can tell you unequivocally that I know a great many outstanding leaders who are not WB'ers.  I also know leaders who wear 2, 3, or in a couple of cases 4 beads who have no idea how to relate to a Scout on their level or to successfully plan and conduct a quality event.  Before you posted your concerns about attending and the issues you had on that first day, based on prior posts I saw you a leader who cares about his unit and his Scouts.  That opinion has not changed.

As for those people denigrating you on Facebook because of your reaction to WB, as @yknot stated, even on Scouting pages Facebook is filled with bullies who hide behind a keyboard a screen to say what they would never have the courage to say to someone face to face.  Do not let the opinions of internet trolls influence you. 

There are two people you have to satisfy and be true to, you and your Scout.  Do that, and continue to show the care for the Scouts in your unit that we have all seen in your other posts, and you will be successful, beads or no beads.