Buffalo Skipper

GKloose spoke of this book in the original thread. I have been interested in this book for some time, but I really don't know much about it. Can anyone who has read this one tell us a little about what it contains? I would also be interested in hearing about other non-BSA published books which could be of value to adult leaders.

Chippewa, it sound like an interesting dynamic. May I ask, how are you handling campouts? Do the patrols camp separately or in close proximity to one another? Who handles transportation? What leaders accompany patrols or troop?

I too would like to hear who runs the PLC. That is not meant as a critical question, but as a curious one. We too are working to build stronger patrols and working like your troop is may be an intersting solution. We are considering not having a troop outing in May, instead promoting individual patrol campouts (with adult leadership to accompany). Our patrols are still too young to camp independently, but that is one of our goals. Like Barry says, the troop will reintroduce an SPL when they feel the need. Historically speaking, I know that the position of SPL was not one which

Stosh, why did you start such a divisive discussion? You know better than that. ;-) I would like to say this: We are a fully uniformed troop. The troop maintains a uniform closet. Scouts are expected to wear a full uniform at every troop meeting, SM conference, BOR, traveling to and from every campout, at flag ceremonies, summer camp, etc. All troop members have a full uniform. Adults typically wear a full uniform the entire time during campouts. From when we leave the parking lot on Friday afternoon until we return Sunday afternoon. Not sure what they sleep in, but from when they leav

As for the Star requirement regarding merit badges reads: 3) Earn 6 merit badges, including 4 from the required list for Eagle. There is no mention of "while a First Class scout" in this requirement. "While a First Class scout" does appear in reqirements 4 and 5 on Service project and position of responsibility tenure, which, of course, must be done while a First Class scout. This leaves no room for misinterpretation. I believe that MBs should be self-directed. I have one scout who transferred in who has earned about 30 badges in his 2 years as a boy scout. Though he has been

Guy is right on with his description. In fact, I would say that looking at the problem from his perspective (that the Webelos den resembles a Boy Scout patrol more than a Cub Scout den) may provide much of your solution. Our pack has had this issue for the past 2 years, and we have found a great solution which has worked well for us. For starters, you are dealing with (Webelos) scouts of 2 different skill levels though both groups are the same age. We welcome them in with our Webelos II group, and use the opportunity to review the material for the Webelos badge for our existing scouts

I really feel that for the BSA, knotting is addressed as a sterile activity (excluding Sea Scouting, Pioneering and possibly Climbing). Application is extremely important, which is why I also teach the different types of "tyings": knots, bends and hitches, shortenings and splices. To me, you can't understand how to tie something until you know what you are tying. Knots are where the rope is tied to itself. Categories include: Stopper knots (i.e. thumb knot, figure eight, monkey's fist) Binding knots (i.e. reef (square) knot, surgeon's knot, whippings and lashing

Youth protection guidelines and Two deep leadership are two completely different concepts for two completely different situations. I agree that an "electronic" paper trail exists for all emails. When I have scoutmaster conferences with a scout, I have neither another adult nor scout sit in with us. But there may be 20 or more of us in the room at the time. The idea of having a third person on the line on the phone is a bit excessive. You can't legislate common sense. Are we trying to teach scouts to be fearful of one-on-one contact? How will they respond when they are 17

I like to play with knots. About the only thing I use a square knot for is what it is called in other parts of the world: reefing (reef knot). I also use it with a single piece of line to secure a bundle (just like reefing a sail). I rarely use a sheet bend to join two lines. I always use a double-sheet bend, which is much more secure and less likely to come undone if the line is slackened repeatedly. I teach a bowline to our scouts and show them dozens of uses for it. I always tell them not to tie it around their chest if they need to be rescued, as the weight of their b

I agree, this is a legit fundraiser, but I have neither the time nor the interest in this. I also felt that promoting the new Lifetime NESA member Eagle knot was another means of fundraising. I admire what NESA does, but I cannor afford to support every organization or Scouting project simply doing good work. Just my 2.

They were present in those numbers because of the sustained cold this winter. That is not a normal event. Most of what we experienced was snorkeling in 3-5' of water. I was standing more than I was swimming. We rented wet suits and a pontoon boat at a local marina. The whole trip ran $80/scout. This included all day boat rental, wet suits, gas (900 miles round trip, 2 vehicles), food and camp cost. We stayed at Sand Hill Scout Reservation, about 30 miles south of Crystal River, near Brooksville, FL. Very nice facility for only $25.00/weekend/troop. "Outdoor" hot showers in every camp site (

Dzień dobry, pan. Mwię tylko trochę po Polski. I have not spoken any more than that in 20 years, and I doubt I will ever again be fluent enough to wear an interpreter strip. As you are certainly aware, there are large Polish-American communities in Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland and Buffalo. It may be an idea to contact scout shops in these areas to see if they have a stock of which you may be able to order what you need. Dobre szczęście.

Eagle 92, I dont see what the fuss is about. For the record: #1) I am skilled enough that I only need 30 minutes and a ruler. It has been 3 years since I used a compass. #2) I dont want to get into an argument with our local scout shop manager; I ask when they will have something in before I try to order it. #3) The local scout shop employees know the best sources of information. They have my number on their speed dial. #4) I only use heavy duty, upholstery or button thread, which sometimes can be hard to find in exactly matched colors. But I do have several shad

We recently had a patrol organize a day hike (3 miles). The invited both the other patrols and 2 Webelos dens to attend. This was certainly an outdoor activity. We also host a Saturday morning "Webelos Fun Day" for area Webelos dens. It is a morning of event competition with events like chariot race, scout law race, tent pitching, obstacle course and other simple eventtent pitching. It is usually held in January to accommodate any Webelos scouts (whether they are crossing to our troop or not) to have an outdoor experience with a troop, if they have not had the opportunity to fill this req

Some of the scouts were scared to go in at first, and that is understandable. These things are 10' long and weigh 800-1200 lbs, but I have never encountered so docile a creature. I have hangups about some things here and there, but I never once perceived them as a danger in any way. With the incredible quantities of these creatures in the water, I can only describe the experience of swimming with them in the wild to be surreal.

I also cannot give due to time spent in Europe in the 1980s and the fear of Mad Cow. Sorry if this is off topic, but before I was stationed in Germany, I donated over a gallon of blood and even after I came back I donated on several occasions. I was out of the habit for many years and have now been told I cannot donate. If the risk is that great (I have never heard of anyone in the US or anywhere contracting mad cow disease from a donar), is there no blood donation program in Europe due to concerns of transmitting mad cow disease? Do Europeans need to import their donated blood from

Every other year since 2000, our troop does a Manatee trip. We drive down to Crystal River (8 hours) and take a day swimming with manatees. This year was the most spectacular ever. We saw an estimated 200-300 manatees. The water was cold, but the wet suits helped. Though there were way too many "tourists" (like us) stirring up the sediments in the morning, when we came back in the afternoon, and we pretty much had the place to ourselves, so the water was crystal clear. Afternoon manatee numbers were down to 50-60 or so, but many of these were as curious about us as we were with them. On

I want to address the specific issue with my troop, but I also want to keep this a broad discussion, bringing in different points of experience from different situations. Thank you all for your contributions. For starters, 2 weeks ago, the PLC created a 3rd patrol from the 2 current patrols. Volunteers stepped out to form the new patrol, and conveniently it created (at least on paper) 3 very balanced patrols in terms of age, rank and experience (read time) in scouting. These new patrols had 3 members each. This was done to give the new patrols time to gel and begin operating as a te

For a Patrol Leader, how little is too little? What do you do when a PL is not doing his job; you counsel him and he does only the absolute least he can to get away with being PL? We have a PL who has attended only 2 campouts since being elected in September, and on one of those he was the only member of his patrol. Advancement is not the point of this discussion. I want to address this from a standpoint of leadership. He feels he has done a reasonable job, and expects to run again next month. Three scouts in his patrol have quit the troop since September, but I do not feel he "ran t

Try for the link to the troop's 100th anniversery: http://www.oksenate.gov/news/press_releases/press_releases_2009/pr20090505c.html(This message has been edited by Buffalo Skipper)

Thanks SctDad. I used that one as a CM at a B&G several years ago. Certainly appropriate, as is a discussion on Arthur Eldred. Interestingly, one of my co-workers stepped into my office as I was about to leave yesterday, and he commented on BSAs 100th Anniversery. He was a cub scout before I was born and a boy scout for several years as well. He occasionally asks me about the troop, and I occasionally bore him with a good story (he is a part time preacher, so he always enjoys a good story, but I digress). A few years ago he was clearing out a desk drawer and found a scrap booked page

Thanks Be_Prepared. I always know we can count on you for timely accurate infomation, especially of this nature. LOJ rule!

Not to contradict, but prehaps the "hold" may be on the local level. Everything I have heard from my end says this has been "on" since the get go. To say it is on hold would be somewhat akin to putting "Eagles on hold" pending a discussion about the new leadership positions now offered. Our local leaders have already begun recruiting MBCs and we have the "go" to issue scouts Blue Cards. And Troopmaster just posted an update which now includes these MBs. Though TM is not "official," it is my observation that they operate only with related official program. Just my 2.

I am looking for ideas for a 100th Anniversery Scoutmaster Minute. I do plan to pick up and serve a birthday cake. Ideas on the minute? I can't overdo it, as we also have a committee meeting that night and will probably go for swim test with 3 scouts after the meeting.

Yes, the "milk-a-holic" was very cute, as was the Green Police. I missed the Doritos-dog commercial, as I was in the shop, but my son told me about it and loved it. Being in the Florida panhandle, the Saints are the closest NFL team to us, so there are plenty of Saints fans here. Interestingly, the next closest teams are: 2) Atlanta 3) Jacksonville FL* 4) Nashville 5) Tampa FL* 6) Houston 7) Miami FL*