Thunderbird
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Posts posted by Thunderbird
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Right, as part of the changes with "family scouting", Webelos only wear the tan uniform now.
BSA Family Scouting FAQs (page 9)
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The current Webelos Scout Uniform Inspection Sheet doesn't show any options other than the Webelos and Arrow of Light rank badges (found on the BSA Resources, Forms & Applications page).
Not sure how correct this is, but I have heard that some people are using the plastic rank diamond emblem holder and hanging it from the right pocket as a temporary patch.
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There are some Messengers of Peace service project ideas on a different web page:
Messengers of Peace Service Project Ideas
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18 minutes ago, MattR said:
This is what I received from my council:
It was $24? So they just about doubled it? Or does "to minimize additional asks for money at recharter" mean it will be more?
It's currently $33, right? It was $24 a couple of years ago.
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Apparently, it's the 1911 edition that's banned. I guess all of the other editions are fine. 🤔
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There is a small section on courts of honor in the Troop Leader Guidebook (new name for Scoutmaster Handbook), but it is more of an overview. I believe the COH is only mentioned in passing in the SPL Handbook as part of the Annual Planning Conference. More details seem to be in the Communication merit badge pamphlet and at the BSA website Troop Program Resources: Troop Courts of Honor.
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I agree with the previous posters. Let the Scouts (SPL and PLC) solve this and set expectations for the next court of honor (duration, refreshments before/after, potluck vs. cake vs. cookies & punch, photo slideshow or not (some do slideshows once a year)). There is no one way to do them. As @T2Eagle said, the SPL / PLC should identify a Scout who will be primarily responsible for planning the court of honor, etc. as part of Communication merit badge requirement #8.
Troop Program Resources (BSA website) has some suggestions, but there are lots of sample scripts available elsewhere online. ScoutmasterCG also has some ideas / suggestions on courts of honor.
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Assuming good faith on the Scout's part, you also have another option:
QuoteThe unit leader authorizes those who may test and pass the Scout on rank requirements. They might include the patrol leader, the senior patrol leader, the unit leader, an assistant unit leader, or another Scout. Merit badge counselors teach and test Scouts on requirements for merit badges.
Once a Scout has been tested and signed off by someone approved to do so, the requirement has been met. The unit leader is accountable for ensuring proper advancement procedures are followed. A part of this responsibility includes the careful selection and training of those who approve advancement. If a unit leader believes a Scout has not learned the subject matter for a requirement that has been signed off, he or she should see that opportunities are made available for the Scout to practice or teach the requirement. Thus the Scout may complete their learning and further develop the related skills.
Talk to the SPL about giving this Scout opportunities to plan and MC an upcoming court of honor, campfire program, or interfaith worship service.-
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5 hours ago, RememberSchiff said:
Mentioned in news release, BSA Registration Assistance Fund. I found this form.
https://247scouting.com/web/BSA160/attachment/document_14370746730_1259.pdf
That looks like a council-specific form (Crossroads of America). Is there a national fund?
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Going by the Guide to Advancement, blue cards are still the nationally recognized standard for the merit badge record (7.0.0.2 About the Application for Merit Badge (“Blue Card”)). Councils can request a different process for large events (not sure how many councils actually make these requests or if they just do it on their own). From what I have heard, some councils really scrutinize the blue cards at Eagle BOR time, while others just go by what is in the database (ScoutNet / Scoutbook). So I guess the answer depends on which council you are in, and could change based on the people involved.
We have Scouts move into / out of the area somewhat frequently, so we try to do the safe thing by making sure that the Scout always gets a blue card. I like blue cards and Scoutbook, because they serve as backups to each other (blue cards sometimes get lost or damaged, and sometimes computer data gets lost or corrupted).
Sometimes we get an actual blue card. Sometimes we get a digital blue card from 3rd party vendors such as Black Pug or Tentaroo. They can be printed on light blue card stock. I have not heard any complaints about digital signatures.
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I would definitely get professional legal advice so that everything is done in accordance with the donor's wishes. A trust might be the way to go, and the donor could name a trustee who would be responsible for making sure property taxes are paid, etc.
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1 hour ago, mrkstvns said:
I always hate introducing too much tech or too many management or business practices into a kid's life (because simplicity and fun are more important than efficiency), but there's definitely value in this kind of Kanban-inspired practice.
If I were doing that, I might add another column (or maybe even 2) so I could track "Signed Off" and "Awarded". Just a thought....
There are also apps for Kanban, but I prefer a dry-erase board. This keeps him from wasting time playing with an app on his phone (he can spend time avoiding homework playing with a pencil!). The key is to not have it be too busy / cluttered. The more stuff that is on the board, the more overwhelming it can feel. Although for homework, it might be helpful to have another column for "Turned In". I can't tell you how many times my kid's homework has been completed on time, but not turned in because he forgot it at home or it's in the black hole that he calls his backpack. 🙄 -
I think more than just unit Key 3 have access to the BeAScout pin management. Key 3 Delegates probably. Not sure about other registered adults in the unit.
There is a BSA help document here:
https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/BeAScout_UnitPin_Management.pdf -
The site was not working properly earlier, but it looks like it's back up now.
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On 8/29/2019 at 1:44 PM, ham_solo said:
Since, the BSA went back on their promise to provide an import/export method for 3rd party programs like the one we use for our records which we HAD and worked great with the old internet advancement system, I am just going back to paper and will just turn paper forms into the council from now on and not deal with scoutbook at all.
There is an import option for 3rd party programs. And some volunteers have created help documents to help users with the process:Upload File & Print Report for Scout Shop in Internet Advancement (IA)
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Adding on to my previous post:
For YPT purposes, I believe they will be treated as adults: they will need to submit a BSA adult application (using the Unit Participant (UP) position and code), consent to a criminal background check, follow the adult rules for tenting and bathing, etc.But for program purposes (earning Scouts BSA ranks, merit badges, and awards), they will be treated as "youth" for as long as they have an approved time extension.
Again, please confirm with your council's Advancement Chair and Registrar.
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Please talk to your council's Advancement Chair to confirm, but #1 is the answer. The leadership POR requirements for Eagle Scout rank have not changed. The only thing that has changed is that these older Scouts (girls and boys) can request a temporary time extension to continue working on Scouts BSA ranks, merit badges, and awards. Please do not register them as an Assistant Scoutmaster (ASM). This will mess everything up for them in the BSA's computer systems and would most likely risk their ability to earn the Eagle Scout rank. ASM is not one of the allowed positions under requirement #4 on the Eagle Scout rank application (page 2). As long as they are covered by the time extension, they can hold any of the Scouts BSA youth leadership positions.
#3 is an option for them, but it is their choice (not forced by unit leaders) to join a Venturing crew or a Sea Scout ship (assuming that there is one nearby to join).
From what I have heard, there is going to be a new registration code called Unit Participant (UP) for these older Scouts with time extensions but still pursuing Scouts BSA ranks and advancements. More information is supposed to be sent to council registrars in August (I do not know if this information has been sent out yet or not). To me, this sounds like a temporary version of Venturing/Sea Scouting's "adult participants" who can continue working on their ranks, awards, and advancements while they are age 18-20.
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This is from the current Guide to Advancement:
Quote4.2.3.3 Service Projects
Basic to the lessons in Scouting, especially regarding citizenship, service projects are a key element in the Journey to Excellence recognition program for councils, districts, and units. They should be a regular and critical part of the program in every pack, troop, crew, and ship.Service projects required for ranks other than Eagle must be approved according to what is written in the requirements and may be conducted individually or through participation in patrol or troop efforts. They also may be approved for those assisting on Eagle Scout service projects. Service project work for ranks other than Eagle clearly calls for participation only. Planning, development, or leadership must not be required.
Time that Scouts spend assisting on Eagle service projects should be allowed in meeting these requirements. Note that Eagle projects do not have a minimum time requirement, but call for planning and development, and leadership of others, and must be preapproved by the council or district. (See “The Eagle Scout Service Project,” 9.0.2.0.)
The National Health and Safety Committee has issued two documents that work together to assist youth and adult leaders in planning and safely conducting service projects: Service Project Planning Guidelines, and its companion, Age Guidelines for Tool Use and Work at Elevations or Excavations. Unit leadership should be familiar with both documents.
So I think Scouts can come up with service projects in different ways. A patrol might come up with some ideas on their own. The PLC might come up with some. The Scoutmaster or other adults might come up with some ideas (but those ideas should go through the SPL, PLC, or Patrol Leader, as applicable). An adult service project coordinator (committee member) could help coordinate or mentor / coach, and the level of involvement could vary depending on circumstances and the maturity level of the Scout(s).And there is some guidance for leadership projects done in lieu of the POR requirement for Star or Life in section 4.2.3.4.1 Positions Must Be Chosen From Among Those Listed.
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7 hours ago, qwazse said:
Scout handbook. And a small box for blue cards.
As a backup, save pictures of the signed handbook pages and blue cards to a cloud drive that the scout shares with his parents.
Great advice on backups (take a picture or scan). Scout handbooks and blue cards get lost or damaged.
I have also seen some Scouts put merit badges worksheets and blue cards in a 3-ring binder. Then they have everything that they are working on all together.7 hours ago, qwazse said:
If he is still having a problem seeing the forest for the trees, try a white board with "This month I am working on ..." He would then fill in his short term goals.
My son has ADHD, and this sounds similar to a Kanban board organizational strategy that was recommended to him. There are different ways to do it, but one way is to use a white board, divide it up into thirds. Label one third "To Do", another third "Doing", and the final third "Done". Then use sticky notes to post short term goals under the categories. Maybe the Scout is working on the Personal Fitness merit badge and wants to start working on Citizenship in the Nation next. The Scout could put Personal Fitness on a sticky note under "Doing" and Citizenship in the Nation under "To Do". That type of thing.-
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We like Scoutbook, because it is very visual. Scouts can use it to keep track of merit badge and rank requirements. The main thing is that you need to be connected to your Scout in Scoutbook. However, if your troop is using it, then it wouldn't be strictly personal use.
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We are usually asked to provide insurance info. when we attend summer camp at an out of council camp. My guess is that different states have different legal requirements, and, as a result, different councils have different insurance policies / coverage.
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We have not been there recently, but I have heard good things about Camp Baldwin (Cascade Pacific Council, Oregon) and Camp Fife (Grand Columbia Council, Washington).
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The current Cooking merit badge requirements are even less ambiguous:
Quote5. Camp cooking. Do the following:
a. Using the MyPlate food guide or the current USDA nutrition model, plan five meals for your patrol (or a similar size group of up to eight youth, including you) for a camping trip...
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d. ... Serve all of these meals to your patrol or a group of youth.**
e. In the outdoors, prepare a dessert OR a snack and serve it to your patrol or a group of youth.**
And the merit badge counselor has the final say on merit badge requirements. If the Scout is working on the requirements prior to working with a counselor, then I would look to the Scoutmaster for guidance.In addition, the parents are usurping their son as the Patrol Leader. He and his patrol had a plan, but Mom and Dad overruled him.
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3 hours ago, HashTagScouts said:
I was thinking the same thing- why has the troop not asked any questions??? Technically, once those kids earned AOL, they were no longer Cub scouts, and if they haven't completed an app for a troop, then they are not even actually "in scouts" at the moment. Yikes!
@Jburts911 "Crossover" or "bridging" is a celebration of recognition, it is not a formality of when a kid moves from one program to another. If the kids in your Den have met the age requirements to be Tigers, then they are Tigers and you should go ahead and administer the Tiger program as you are able.
Earning Arrow of Light rank and crossing over to a troop are two separate things. Technically, the Scout is still a Cub Scout until joining a troop or being dropped at recharter time. The vast majority crossover to a troop as soon as they earn AOL rank and are at least 10 years old, but they have the option to stay with the pack after earning AOL rank. I don't know why they would, but maybe they want to stay with their buddies in their den and cross over together or maybe there are some Cub Scout awards that they want to finish up (for example: the Supernova award for Webelos Scouts). At any rate, when they are ready, the Scout's family turns in the youth application to the troop, and that's it - the pack isn't really involved except for getting the Scout's awards and rank advancements put in.
Messenger of Peace
in Open Discussion - Program
Posted
Messengers of Peace Service Project Ideas
Peace is more than the absence of war. It encompasses harmony between individuals, between communities, and between humankind and the environment. A Messengers of Peace service project is defined as any project that touches on one of these dimensions of peace:
Here are sample project ideas:
Personal Dimension
Community Dimension
Environmental Dimension
BSA Messengers of Peace Service Project Ideas