Buffalo Skipper

I had been wondering the same thing. We have 3 patrols which, if they stick to it, will earn the NHP next month. In addition to the star on the uniform, I want to reward them with something to put on their flag which all around them can see. The NHP has not been earned in our district in recent memory (and never in our troop under that name), and I want the patrols to be able to show it off at the next camporee. By then, they could have earned it a second time as well....

It is my opinion, that the requirements for the Pack Trainer award are the most difficult of any Cub Scout level recognition. As an example, it requires a 100% trained level of Pack leaders for 2 years. By comparison, a Pack Trainer can complete the Cub Scouter award (as a Pack Trainer) by having only a 75% trained ratio.

As many of you have read, I have tried to keep you posted on the growth and development occurring in our troop, and I would like to offer a few updates. Troop. Our troop is up to 25 (from 11 active just 4 months ago). Obviously such growth comes with new scouts, and a significant amount of focus must be given to ensure their continued interest and involvement (more on that below). Since March, we have recruited 4 new ASMs, and 2 new committee members, but just as importantly, we have had 2 of our ASMs who are/were jointly Pack leaders paticipate more actively with the unit. All 8 the

Though discussed in another post, it was pointed out that specific youth knots are representative only of the highest award for each division: Cub Scouts=AOL knot Boy Scouts=Eagle knot Venturing=Silver Award knot Sea Scouting=Quartermaster knot The religious recognitions (awards) are (k)not issued or run by BSA, so wouldn't be catagorized as those listed above. I agree that the Den Chief Service Award is commendable and uncommon, but it does not meet the "criteria" categorized above.

Well, after months of debating, I heard through the grape vine that last night, the patrol decided upon a name, well sort of. The PLC adopted a policy a year ago to have patrol names fall under the category of "Florida Wildlife." Hence: Manatees, Mosquitos and Flamingos. It is the Flamingos which were a problem. They were named by the SPL (PL of the preceeding patrol) who abandoned the troop shortly afterward. The new crossing over scouts (who are in the majority) didn't like the "Flamingo" image, but couldn't agree on another name. The recently elected PL has suggested dozens of

Scout Wetpers. Very nice. I assume that since this is sung to the tune of "O Tannenbaum," that should be pronounced with a German "W" like the "V" (Scout Vetpers). Yes?

I certainly understand about scouts whose interest does wane or change. I didn't want to talk about specific cases, but I have 2 scouts who for the most part doing very well. They have good skills, few other interests, and they appear to thrive. Neither have conflicts with other scouts, and both have shown great leadership potential. One is less mature and has shown little interest in pursuing advanced leadership while the other has taken on extra responsiblities and when he is present is obviously engaged. But he is now rarely showing up. These are not the "lost" kids who "need" scoutin

Have you spoken to the counselors for these badges? The counselors should sign and remove their portion and retain for their own records. Most of our local counselors keep records for a year or more.

OK, I have a "Third 2001 Printing." Obviously, there have been newer printings, but have there been any updates since this? I still need to get the DVD, but I do have the old CDROM with the ppt and handouts....

First, thanks to MattR for a great and thoughtful thread. The topic and replies have given me much to ponder and consider now and in the future. And it got me to thinking about something else.... How much should we be hanging on to scouts who are drifting away from scouts? When a scout, especially a young scout, say in the troop for 18 months or less (but not to exclude older scouts from the discussion) starts to loose interest, how do you reinvigerate their interest? What about when the parents are supportive but don't want to "fight" the lack of interest in scouting? I am not talki

Good day scouters! I spent several years on our district's training committee and coordinated Leader Specific training for Cub Scout, Boy Scout, Venturing, and Sea Scout Leaders, and I have over the past several years taught every one of these programs. A year ago or so (just after I became inactive on the DC), the name of the Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training (formerly "Scoutmaster Essentials") appears to have been changed to "Boy Scout Leader Specific Training." Is this true, or is it just a matter of the headings and how the information is categor

Our troop has a special woggles presented for mastery of different levels of knots skills. They have a 3-strand woggle, with a "do a good turn daily" overhand loop tied into the lowermost strand. To make it right requires a little more planning (and length) than is required for a standard woggle. I use a 54" length of sierra cord.

Acid Test, There are merits to both methods. Much of it depends upon the size and make up, and structure of the rest of the troop (I'll get into that later). Properly done, an new scout patrol should never be worked like a Webelos III, even in the figurative sense. A NSP should be lead by a scout (sometimes an experienced scout from another patrol) and the NSP patrol leader and the whole patrol should be mentored by an older scout who is dedecated to serving that patrol as a Troop Guide. Many troops assign an ASM to work with that patrol also. This ASM should never act as a Den Lead

I am looking into a Cannon D10. It is shock resistant (6') and water resistant (30'). We do quite a bit of backpacking in all weather and a great variety of canoeing and other waterborne activities. My only complaint is that it is bulkier and heavier than many of the modern "one-shot" cameras. I am currently using a Kodak, which does not handle weather well at all. I took it on the Suwannee River last summer and kept it in a ziplock pouch in a waterproof pouch of my PFD. The electronics went haywire after I got soaked during a rain (the camera remained completely dry) and ever since,

We have a "Golden Spatula" award. I go down to the Dollar Store and buy a cheap metal spatula, and spray it with a metalic gold paint. I then use fabric paint to label the year. Patrols can hang it from their flag just like other award ribbons. Of course the younger scouts really get a kick out of the Sponge Bob reference. In fact, we have had to reschedule the campout for this month and the PLC ended up including a cook-off, so I will be sure to make one this week.

Thanks for all the replies. I have not intention in interfering or directing the scouts to change their patrol name. Where I was going about this was more about "continuity." Once a patrol changes its name, the old patrol "ends." The old flag goes away (hung on the wall around the room), along with all the old awards and ribbons the patrol earned. When the name is changed, the patrol starts a new. No history, nothing. If a patrol was working on the National Honor Patrol, they start over. Do you agree with this? I want the patrols to have a real sense of continuity, and it

For those of you experienced with scout-led troops, how do your patrols decide to change their names. Obviously we are talking by a majority or super-majority vote. But what is the process, after that? Who buys the new patches? What becomes of the old flag? Do the old patrol's awards just go away? Just looking for some ideas on how to handle this one.

Our troop has not adopted a hat, but there is talk amongst the new socuts that they want one. I sometimes wear the brimmed hat. It is not so "stiff" as the campaign hat, but to me is a good looking hat which impresses a good image. Interesingly, I do not wear the Adult Universal Hat pin. Instead, I wear a recreation of the old 1st Class Scoutmaster pin. I wear no other adornment on my hat. I most often wear the brimmed hat with the Class A in the outdoors or when travelling. When I am in a Class B uniform, I often wear a Greek fisherman's hat with another 1st class scoutmaster pin

In our area, the OA lodges send out election teams to troop meetings. They show the video talk about it for a few minutes and conduct the vote. I have provided ballots (as Crew21_Adv suggests), but the election team (scouts, not adults) tallies and reports the results to the SM. Only the scouts get a vote. There can be no "re-ordering" of votes or "extra" votes to see that some other scout does get in. Adults, however, do have a vote. The committee can select one adult (for every 50 scouts?) to attend ordeal. This means that the scouts and committee members get to vote, but the SM a

Thank you all for the kind words and warm welcome. Ordeal was, for me, a meaningful and rewarding experience. I went in with high expecations and felt it was at least what I thought it would be. By coincidence, our chapter meets at our troop's scout hut, and I have already been to a meeting. One of our leaders is a chemist and he came out with a co-worker and liquid nitrogen, and the two of them put on a rather convincing demonstration. I can't wait to get them to our troop meeting. Local hype at the meeting was that our Section was selected best in the nation, and our Lodge was

We considered a slightly different idea for patches. We have considered giving each scout a personalized backpack cover upon completing their first backpack with the troop. We have a mom who has 2 embroidery machines, so she could add the troop emblem and the scout's name. Scouts could also add patches as they saw fit. It would make sense to use waterproof spray (outside and in) on the embroidery, patches and threads to seal them well. Doesn't change the weight issue, but it does improve on the concern of holes and waterproofing. Also, a wet patch will weigh much more than one which

Sure do. For a while, they started telling the story to the Cub Scouts at family camps, but that ended when too many cubbies stayed scared all night and couldn't sleep. The camp is not what it used to be, or at least it is not what my boyhood image was, which may well be skewed in nostalgia. But we have a great SE and for the first time a full time council PD, both of whom are dedicated to upgrading the facilites. With the current economy, a capital campaign is out, so we are doing little, but necessary, improvements as required. We put new windows in the dining hall, and are planning

DancesWithSpreadsheets, Thanks for noticing. Yes it was at Euchee. That makes (unofficially) nights 159 and 160 which I have collectively spent at our beloved scout reservation. As I said in my original post, I have patiently been waiting for years for the opportunity to be involved with the OA, so my expectations of the ordeal experience were understandably high. I did what I could to make it as meaningful and thoughtful experience as I could. I was not surprised to find that the actual ceremony was well executed and and rewarding. One of my good friends was Elengomat, which only adde

With our new group of scouts, we have a pretty good group of scouts, but there are a few notable ones on whom we are keeping a close eye. At (summer) camp, throwing sticks and stones is a common problem, sometimes eventually resulting in someone getting hurt. Our solution is that if a scout is caught throwing a stick or rock, he must carry a (much larger) stick or rock wherever he goes. This usually lasts about 20-30 minutes until the point is made. Next time, it is a larger item for a longer period of time. It has never happened with us more than twice in a weekend.

My son crossed a year ago. My wife was the den leader and I was the receiving Scoutmaster. He had been in the same den with is friends mostly since Tigers. Proud was an understatement. The year before he crossed, I took over a struggling den and pledged to see them through to Boy Scouts. All but one who lives across town crossed to my troop. I was as proud of them as I was my own son. It was again a challenge to run (out of sight) from one side of the stage where the Webelos were receiving their AOL to the opposite end of the bridge to receive these scouts into the troop. Because of th