bugle344

Correction: HELP me...sorry!

Please help me! I have searched the net for hours to locate what I believe to be an official BSA website policy for Troops. No luck so far. We have a new webmaster who wants to take our website and kick it up a notch - BAM! I have heard there is a set of "rules" to protect the boys - something to do with not showing face closeups and of course, no full names/phone numbers. Can any of you "webbies" link me up?

This is one of my favorite topics! I REALLY like all your great posts! My 2 cents: 1. I draw the line when "the public" is affected. Example: A guest speaker has been invited. I want the boy leader to make the contact and act as host, but an follows up, working hand in hand with the boy. Example: Our Scouts were ushers for a recent community wide veterans' service. The officers still had responsibilty to organize their Scouts, but s were right there to guide the PL, every step of the way. 2. I use the words "mess up", not "fail". It's OK for the PL to mess up,

Thanks Eagledad! Good points! I'm in Indiana - but I do like the song "OOOOOOO-kla-ho-ma where the wind......"!!

We desparately need a good name for the (blah!)Adult Patrol. I've challenged the boys to come up with cool or inpsiring names for their patrol, now we need to get with it! Talk to me. Any suggestions? I'm sure there are some clever names out there!

(Preface: we're heavy into outdoor and camp every month) I believe it is very difficult for a 13 year old to see into the future (or even think past the next meal:). I believe the Scouts need specific, concrete items to present or discuss in the PLC. We recently made a nice change that I offer here: We now schedule our PLC meetings to correspond with the next outing. The PLC is the Monday prior to the outing. The Troop Meeting is on a Thursday, then the outing starts Friday. Now the PLC spends most of it's time REVIEWING and POLISHING their plans for the outing

Dan, Here's our understanding and implementation of the Patrol Method: We function as a Troop made up of 4 patrols - 3 youth patrols and 1 adult patrol. We don't frequent the O-rees and events organized and controlled by adults. We're heavy into backpacking, canoe, high adventure, etc. The PLC plans the outings as a Troop, but once we arrive, we separate by patrol. Each PL picks a campsite/cooksite, preferably out of sight from each other, and is responsible to manage his patrol. Each PL is responsible to get his Scouts to the troop activity at an appointed time. i.e.

....sorry, I thought it didn't take....my bad!

We elect ALL offices, every 6 months. I have worked to make it "cool" to be an officer (special privileges, special food, call the SPL "Mister", JLT is a super fun overnight...) The guys scratch and claw to be elected. I don't like the idea of automatic promotion. The boys change a lot in 6 months. They can go from "Eager Scout" to "Mr. I'm Too Cool For You Little Kids" in a flash. Nothing should be a "given". That's welfare. A boy should have to work to be elected each time. The Troop should not have to suffer any longer than one term with a poor leader or a guy who lose

We elect ALL offices, every 6 months. I have worked to make it "cool" to be an officer (special privledges, special food, call the SPL "Mister", JLT is a fun overnight...) The guys scratch and claw to be elected. I don't like the idea of automatic promotion. The boys change a lot in 6 months. They can go from "Eager Scout" to "Mr. I'm Too Cool For You Little Kids" in a flash. Nothing should be a "given". A boy should have to work to be elected each time. The Troop should not have to suffer any longer than one term with a poor leader or a guy who loses interest. Our cu

Mom, I feel your pain! I cringed as I read your post! But let's get away from the adult problems back to your son... Ask "are the boys having fun?" Our Troop goes by the book - as we interpret it - but sometimes we have to interpret it based on what adults are there and getting the program to the boys. I just left a Troop that was destroyed by adult "rule book vigilantes" who were over-educated and happy to criticize, but wouldn't attend a campout. I understand your frustration - I would be, too. Try "counting the blessings" - do these rag-tag leaders love the boys and

We use the Rubbermaid Action Packer (24"W x 18"L x 18"H, I don't remember the gallon size). They are tough, waterproof, and have latches to keep out the critters and hold the lids tight as we breeze down the highway. One small Scout can carry each Packer. Each patrol gets 2 packers - one for hardware (stove, pans, spatulas, wash tubs...) and the other for "software" (food, syrup, soap, rainfly...stuff) They also get a cooler. They can use any of these "boxes" as a cooking table or bench. This makes for quick loading - each patrol quartermaster grabs 2 packers and a cooler, sl

Great suggestions!!! I really appreciate all your ideas! I have passed these on to our ASM's! Keep 'em comin'!!

When the SPL calls "Troop, Fall-in!", he knows which patrol is present and ready when he hears their yell. This is great competition and motivation for the PL to get his Scouts going. Oh...and it's boy-led motivation! (PS the parents LOVE it!)

I'm looking for your input. We're doing Junior Leader Training soon. My challenge is to make it interesting and valuable to the older Scouts. Some have already been through this 3-4 times. I'm looking for some meat - things that will apply to their lives, even as adults and future Scoutmasters. I've picked a theme: "Servant Leadership" and am very interested in using the Bible as the main resource. Talk to me!

Email me and I can email you a copy of our officer requirements and job descriptions on MS WORD. gmoffice@insightbb.com We borrowed this from another Troop and added our own items. I hate paperwork, but this booklet solved thousands of problems and questions! The JLT book is rather vague. I wanted a "checklist" the officer could use to guide him. I was tired of being the "meanie", demanding the officer be present to fulfill his duties. We print a copy for each Scout's notebook and review each position as we take nominations for elections. The elected Scout signs that he a

PS- by the book also means fill all the positions. Don't try to do it all yourself. BUT....if you are the only one who shows up, do it all yourself! The others will only "Follow" your commitment.

(sorry, bumped enter) WEIRD? sounds normal to me! Welcome to the typical contemporary American Family! This is why it is SOOO important for good people to do good things. I take it as a compliment that moms want their kid around me! (now THAT"S weird!!) A small group of experienced Scouters and I just started a new troop. I offer these suggestions: Make it SSSOOOO fun they would'nt dare miss it! Plan really cool outings - get the parents excited about going along. Spend your money on outings, NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT NOT on tents. They'll find a tent if the outing soun

WEIRD?

Not everything has to be taught in a group on Troop meeting night. This is where a few good parents or the older Scouts can help - before/after meetings, Saturdays. Besides, all that info is in the book. They don't have to sit thru a class session to learn it. "60%" - Consistantly? Check the KID FUN factor at your meetings. Is there a crabby adult that needs to be assigned to paperwork duty away from the boys? Are you sure it's conflicts or maybe excuses? Just things to consider. Good luck!

My 2 cents: Stick with the Patrol Method - Scouting is about new boys learning to lead, usually trying leadership for the first time. Do a JLT immediately to give you and the boys confidence. I know it's tough to see the stronger leaders move on - BUT remember that great SPL's first day..... In our Troop, the PROCESS is more important than the PRODUCT. The boys will not remember how good a job they did as new PL, (they all think they're working harder than the last PL!), but for the rest of their life they will always remember that they were elected by their buddies. When the PLs a

scomman - thanks for helping me keep my perspective!

We collect an outing fee and parent signature at the "business table" (manned by an adult or boy Treasurer). This fee includes any permit fees, etc. We add $1 to each outing fee for Troop misc (fuel, new gear). We budget $2 per meal, per Scout, and write a check to each patrol grubmaster. The adult Treasurer likes this recordkeeping. We leave Friday's at 5 pm. Many times we are setting up in the dark, so we have the Scouts bring a sack supper. This helps simplify an already hectic day. If it's a long drive, we can stop for a break and have our supper along the way. Adult Patrol ope