Jameson76

1 hour ago, HashTagScouts said:

Your state senator or representative's office can assist with having a flag flown over the Capitol, and an accompanying certificate, sent to the Eagle Scout.  Most charge a feee for it, and many allow you to submit the request through their website.

Many of the families have done the ordering of the flag flown over the US capitol.  The request can be done via representative website.  Here is a handy sheet on the process - http://americanflagfoundation.org/wp-content/uploads/2013/09/How-to-Order-Flag-over-Capitol-Rev..pdf

1 hour ago, Eagledad said:

I would like to give National some credit and even some benefit of the doubt, but it irks me that volunteers have no path of holding National accountable for their management. It's pretty much of a just sit and wait to see what will happen next type of relationship. 

Barry

 

I would go so far as rather than a wait to see what will happen next it's more of an arrogance that we will tell you what we feel you need to know when we determine.  Challenge is that we volunteers are the ones delivering the program to actual scouts.  The pyramid should be inverted with the Scouts (youth??) on top, not National

58 minutes ago, carebear3895 said:

 The talent is limited because they purposely limit the talent by not trusting the young professionals...the guys and girls in the districts right now. 

The selection of the talent is interesting.

Not to bash the current DE selections, understand our new DE (we get a new one each and every year) has no familiarity with the program, was not a member in any way, and is just out of college.  All well and good, not 100% sure what value will be brought to an existing district by this hire.  Degree seems to be in some liberal arts field, not sales / management / marketing which those skills could used.  They were at the council camp to get oriented (I guess??) to BSA, spent a lot of time getting patches because everyone seemed to have patches so they needed some.

Maybe we will meet them at some point, suspect not.  Wish them well

22 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

Well, I'm not sure that the absence of anyone from National jumping out of the bushes necessarily means that they "trust us."  The fact is that they don't have nearly enough staff (and in practical terms, never could) to be hiding in the bushes in the first place.

They could redirect some of the many minions from the marketing groups and the foundation writers for that task.

On 7/8/2018 at 10:18 AM, Eagle94-A1 said:

I was not at summer camp the entire week, just the last night since I was picking up Scouts. But I had a chat with the Acting SM about incidents that happened this week regarding one of the helicopter parents. This is the one who allows his son to sneak into the tent with him. Dad who is a MC, allowed his son to sneak into his tent the entire week they were in tents. Then both of them went off site one nite to stay in a hotel.

This is the Scout who has been in the troop  over a year. All of the camp outs he's been to he has either A) snuck out and slept with dad, B) had dad stay outside his tent until he fell asleep, or C) whined and left early. SM has had 2 conferences with the Scout in regards to the matter for Tenderfoot and Second Class. Scout was suppose to stop the matter, and it was after the 2nd Class SMC that the dad stayed outside the tent. Since being given Second Class, he has continued to sneak in or whined about the camp and left early.

And then both of them left to stay overnite in a hotel. They didn't tell anyone they were doing this until they had arrived at the hotel. Mom and Cub brother showed up early for Family nite at camp. Apparently they got a hotel room nearby. When they had to leave, they went to the hotel instead of driving 4+ hours home. Understandable, but the dad and Scout should have remained at camp.

I've commented on the problem in the past and have gotten little to no support on the matter from the other adults. I've even caught hell on the topic when I mentioned that camporees are Boy Scout events, not family events, and only Webelos would be allowed. I was told the troop is "family friendly." But one of the ironies from this week is the person that made the comment is the acting SM from summer camp. I think he is slowly seeing how family camping is causing problems to the patrol method.

Another irony, one I am proud of, is the Scout with the documented medical condition. This is the Scout who must have a parent with him just in case. For a year, he was sleeping in dad's tent in case of an emergency. Last camp out the troop went on, he stayed his with his patrol mates! Then for summer camp, he stayed in a tent with another patrol mate! Grant you dad was in the next tent over. But this Scout is slowly getting what he wants; independence.

There are a lot of challenges here.  Basically this family may not be a great match for this program.

1) The current program of the BSA (corporate name) is not a family program.  It is at it's core a patrol method program.  The aims are of this are character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.  There are 8 key methods to deliver the program; Patrols, Ideals, Outdoor Programs, Advancement, Associations With Adults (more on this), Personal Growth, Leadership Development, and Uniform

2) The parent (referred to going forward as Sikorsky) seems to feel the Scout aged program is really just more Cubs and not a different level and personal growth of the youth

3) Family friendly means many things to many people, that may mean accommodating later arrivals and early departures, whole families at an outing because...well because it likely not what that means

4) Leaving camp without checking out, without informing in camp leaders is wrong on many many levels.  That in and of itself is major cause for concern and warrants further action.  The SCOUT is part of the unit.  The leader in camp has responsibility in case of camp emergencies to be able to effectively account for all the members of the unit.  Leaving without notice is at the kindest level, inconsiderate.

For reference this this is the synopsis of Associations With Adults. Youth learn a great deal by watching how adults conduct themselves. Scout leaders can be positive role models for the members of the troop. In many cases a Scoutmaster who is willing to listen to youth, encourage them, and take a sincere interest in them can make a profound difference in their lives.

That is not intended to infer tenting with parents or leaving camp with parents

Also great story about the scout with medical concerns showing growth and independence.  We had a scout that has a genetic heart issue, took medication daily and also had to limit some activity as final diagnosis and treatment was finalized.  He was active in the troop, as leaders we were aware but did not make a big deal.  Went on most outings, high adventure, and really excelled and did not let the condition limit his experience.

41 minutes ago, NJCubScouter said:

I hadn't heard of "change management" before.  Is that really a thing?

Absolutely.  In corporate world it is a big thing as new organizations are laid out, downsizing, acquisitions, etc are rolled out.

Change is inevitable and to say that BSA National has not handled the recent changes and no doubt upcoming changes in a professional and seamless manner, well, that would be kind.  I saw an article that called out 4 common change management mistakes leaders make.  Seems like BSA managed to hit all the key ones.  Hopefully over the next 18 - 24 months and as they move to the girls joining in 2019 the messaging and details will maybe get better

1. They underestimate resistance

2. They neglect to define the ‘why’

3. They underperform at change sponsorship

4. They believe and behave like the project ends at go-live

30 minutes ago, MattR said:

Honestly, how many scouts have been hurt by electric screwdrivers? If there really is an issue then make a 5 minute video the scouts can watch.

Maybe they did not read all the labels....Just remember, if there is a label, someone did it

16 hours ago, TMSM said:

Any idea what the humidity would be vs 15% at Philmont?

As information - this is from Clingmans Dome in the Great Smokies this morning - It is beautiful but can be a tad steamy

Clingmans Dome

Friday 8:00 AM

Mostly Cloudy

55

°F | °C

Precipitation: 15%

Humidity: 100%

Wind: 2 mph

33 minutes ago, TMSM said:

My scouts have no interest in Summit. In fact they call it the Epcot of boy scouting due to the groomed trails and planned activities.

 

Disney Scouts......

The best was this nugget in the announcement

While High Adventure opportunities are at capacity at Northern Tier and the Florida Sea Base, there are opportunities at The Summit and they would be happy to accommodate your crew.

They keep pushing the Summit...they keep pushing it

1 hour ago, 69RoadRunner said:

Earplugs. Baby wipes.

Apparently a margarita machine is frowned upon.

21 minutes ago, WonderBoy said:

Of course they're frowned upon. Most troop sites aren't wired for electricity....

You have to have the solar one, works great (or so I have been told)

10 minutes ago, Saltface said:

If I had to guess which gender would be more excited about the scavenger hunt, I'd say girls.

Don't be hating on scavenger hunts.  We do one for our Webelos visitation.  Give the Patrols a listing of 80 items and give them 40 minutes to find. These range fro nature items to items Boy Scouts should have at a campout.

Then we do a quick show me the item and see which group has the most items.  Afterwards we do a review and talk about how do you accomplish a task such as this, how do the patrol leaders allocate their available manpower to accomplish.  What were some of the obstacles?

Snacks to the winners

49 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

When I was a scout, we used flour wrapped up in toilet paper as the means of tag. 

We did a sham battle several years back (bringing back the oldies).  Used sandwich bags, flour, and cornmeal.  Made a projectile about the size of a closed fist, taped it up and let them have at it.  The scouts had a lot of fun.  The labor to make the shams and the time to clean up was not as much fun.

We still enjoy a big annual capture the flag game and also manhunt games on campouts...in the dark...in the woods...organized by the scouts...with actual winners and losers...(we live on the edge)

On 7/1/2018 at 1:15 PM, The Latin Scot said:

Uh oh. Time to confess ...

At Day Camp the other week there were literally DOZENS of wagons; parents and leaders were encouraged to bring them to carry water bottles, backpacks, et cetera. But in my ignorance, I ... I let the boys pull the wagon for me! Had I but known the DANGER they were in, I never would have allowed it, but they asked so nicely and were trying so hard to be helpful that I ... I ... I LET THEM DO IT! 

The shame! The recklessness of my foolish decisions! My choices could have left that campground littered with little Cub Scout bodies! What was I thinking?!?!?

Anyways, I thought I would come clean to all of you. I had no idea this was a BSA policy, but now that I know, well, things are going to be different. No crushed little Cubbies on my watch, that's for sure!

There. That should have vented about a month's worth of sarcasm from me. Anyway this policy is ridiculous. Is there anything boys CAN do anymore?

To be clear, the GTSS (bow your heads) merely states Wheel cart (1-, 2-, or 4-wheeled) to be used by Youth 14 years and Older.   Using my on-line law degree I note that cart, wagon, non powered conveyance is not specifically mentioned as forbidden.  That which is not included is assumed to be excluded. 

If the wise ones from on high that handed down the tome that is the sacred GTSS had intended for wagons to be part of the decree, they would have stated thus.  

For examples the age group 14 and older are the ones that can use a pickaxe and a mattock, which seem to be the same (see below) but are in fact listed seperately

PICKAXE

MATTOCK

Got a nice note after camp a couple of weeks ago for our camp SPL thanking me for helping him with leadership lessons at camp.  Also his mom wrote a note and thanked me for still being involved and being a leader even though my son aged out a few years ago

We get the handshakes and thank yous in the parking lot, but the actual note or e-mail means a great deal

5 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I think they are doing it to accommodate female troop leaders in scouting. There is all kinds of evidence that they have had some influence on the program. I personally feel some of the silly guidelines in the Guide To Safe Scouting are a female influence.  

It is interesting to observe how mom and dads interact differently, and by extension how female leaders and male leaders interact differently. Full disclosure we do not have any program facing female leaders with our unit.  Many support with committee roles, but we have not had a female camp with us for over 10 years.  Note that we are a troop of about 100 scouts.

When we get back from outings the moms almost instinctively pick up the scouts gear at unload while they are running around being boys.  Many time we remind them that the scout needs to do that, they always seem to respond..oh right, sorry.  Same for advancement and other inquiries, we gently remind them that the boy scout needs to drive their advancement.  

It does take both a mom and a dad (and sometime a village) to raise kids, and a mom is always a mom.  God Bless them

36 minutes ago, shortridge said:

The trend I’ve seen has been adding more and more technology to camp. We now have programming, game design and robotics, plus graphic arts and moviemaking. (And drones!) I’m opposed to this (a Scout is going to have a better experience learning from a programmer or a robotics expert in their lab rather than at summer camp), but as long as they don’t water down or remove the outdoors program topics I’m fine.

Agree - there are maybe better venues for some of the non-outdoor merit badges.  

On 6/28/2018 at 3:58 PM, Liz said:

In my daughter's den ....one of the other cubs, who doesn't have any younger siblings, has stopped coming. His mom says it's just "too chaotic" with the little ones running around.

Out of curiosity, Is this a coed den, or just different dens meeting at the same time and place?

There are definitely some LNT zealots out there.  Can we all do a better job of lessening our impact while camping, absolutely.  If you were camping in the 60' and 70's as the low impact became the thing, the thought was to not camp where others had camped as that would lessen the impact, no designated sites, it's gonna be great.  Well, you ended up with impact all over an area.  Now rangers and whatnot have realized that if you can direct the impact, you can in fact lessen the overall impact.  Impact the crud out of this area, but it lessens the impact elsewhere

The challenge is for people (normal everyday people and not those that camp for a living) to appreciate public lands, they need to have access to the public lands.  These people pay the taxes that support that, eliminating ability to visit the lands (and oh no impact them) will make them less valuable and relevant.

Geotag all you want.  More people that are excited to visit, more potential tax money.

7 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

As has been demonstrated for the last 28 years, National is out of touch.

 

I would posit that they were out of touch in 73 with BOYPOWER MANPOWER and the Improved Scouting Program...so I would move that timeline out to at least 45 years.  Though the uniform update in early 80's (Thanks Mr De Larenta) was a brief shining moment

More time may be spent debating what is 72 hours than just registering folks and moving on.

For weekend outing, even long weekend (like MLK) 72 hours is stretch.  Meet at 6:30 am on Saturday and return to CO at 5:00 pm on a Monday, that is maybe 60 hours.  Most weekend trips are at best 48 hours; Friday night to Sunday afternoon.

We register anyone attending or staying at summer camps, just easier that way.  

The boys need minimal direction, a clear goal, and ability to have fun.  Some of the best activities we have are when we can just let them have a goal, and they come up with the way to get there.

• The troop provided 3 boxes, a plastic painters tarp, and a roll of duct tape.  Goal was to build a boat for one person to navigate to a buoy about 50' out and back.  They had 1 hour
• The "iron chef" competitions.  Give them 3 random ingredients they need to include in their patrol dinners
• Build some check dams for a conservation project, 5 minutes of instruction with PLC of what a check dam is and how they are built, one hour later 4 good check dams to slow down water are in place

 Agree on the school work merit badges.  Many of the scouts have zero interest in completing them, or see them as heeewge mountain to climb.  More action, let them lead, keep them between the ditches.  Also give them time to socialize and enjoy the day (or evening) at campouts.   Every minute does not have to be scheduled.

NEWTON COUNTY, Ga. - Authorities are investigating a deadly incident at a Boy Scout camp in Newton County.

Newton County Sheriff’s Office public information officer Jeff Alexander told Channel 2 Action Newsthere was an incident at the camp that resulted in a death.

We have a reporter and photographer headed to the scene to learn more information. WATCH Channel 2 Action News for LIVE updates.

Radio reports indicated this happened during a storm, possibly tree down on tent

2 minutes ago, Eagledad said:

I agree, it will be very much like Canadian Scouts.

Barry

Maple Syrup, Hockey, and the liberal use of the word "eh"??