Chris1

This all sounds a bit weird to me. If I were to guess what is happening I would say that someone on the committee for scoutmaster or other powerful individual in The Troop decided that The Troop should not take the time and expense to plan a court of honor 4 an 18 year old who has been out of the troop and not active in the unit since aging  out a year ago. Scoutmaster then goes to insinuate the decision came from Council and the truth is just following that.

Is it reasonable or correct for a troop to make such a decision? I don't know for sure. Perhaps there are Financial and time restrictions on the troop that they feel the cost and time and Personnel Resources required for a court of honor are not in the overall interest or capability of the troop at this point. If this is the case I still cannot believe that the actions taken are appropriate. A better line of action might be to explain the Troop resource constraints and ask for the scout or his family to take on more of the planning or financial responsibilities of putting on the court of honor. The other option would be to offer to present and recognize the Eagle at a normal troop court of honor and if the Scout or family wanted more than it was up to them to go above and beyond that.

In Colorado it has to be below zero F

Sometimes we all get overwhelmed. But if these feelings continue, you may want to speak to a professional. 

Solar stake lights (Dollar Store) to mark your tent. Makes it easy for scouts, staff and you to identify the location of adults.

Bring some stuffed animals, from the dollar store to help home sickness.

One of the best things for home sickness is playing cards and other games. Again at dollar store. 

I always bring a bistro set (two chairs and a small table). Yes I know it sounds crazy, but it is a great place to read a book, have a cup of coffee, and most importantly is a welcoming environment for youth to come talk to adults. This has HUGE payoffs if any scout is having problems, or is home sick. 

3 hours ago, David CO said:

It is much harder to find a good scoutmaster. If he is wonderful with the boys, you shouldn't do or say anything that might make his job more difficult. 

 

A well working and organized committee will make the scoutmasters job easier not more difficult. A good scoutmaster should just hire you have a strong and organized committee chair. Any scoutmaster that once a week committee to ensure no one challenges his opinion is a warning sign in my book.

It is more likely than you may think that you have at least crossed paths with a transgender person. The majority have no obvious indicators. 

That sounds SO Great. 

9 hours ago, blw2 said:

I think that I generally lean towards agreement with Latin Scots Point.  If you were asking me this question, I'd agree with qwazse about the uniform. 

The program format, being originally based as an outdoor program using things like patrols, uniforms, rank advancement are all rooted in military focus....more naturally boy focused.  Stereotype?  sure it is.... are there exceptions?  you bet!  But I feel like it's a safe bet that more boys than girls are typically drawn or are inclined to play "army", spy, indian tracker, woodcraft skills, getting dirty, and the like.  This is all the root of how it started based on what I've read.  BP wrote a book for military scouts, then somehow discovered that groups of boys were playing in the woods using some of it...so he wrote another book aimed more to a boy...using the natural draw of a boy to do these things.  At least that has been my understadning after having read some of BP's writings

On the other hand, girls generally (or stereo typically) aren't so into wearing military uniforms, caring about rank, and such...which is kinda the core of the primary method...and as they get older... the age of scouting's focus.... they are much more getting into 'looks' and style, keeping clean.  

What is the method of scouting?  I look at the overall method of scouting is "The Patrol Method".  All those other things you mentioned aren't really the method so much, or at least not the primary one in my thinking.  I think some of those are more like tools to use in working toward the aims of scouting (adult association, uniform, advancement maybe), or some such as ideals and personal growth fall more in line as parts of the aim of scouting...building character and all of that.

Aims of Scouting are: character development, citizenship training, and personal fitness.  And the Methods of Scouting are the 8 items I listed. 

7 minutes ago, The Latin Scot said:

No. My primary objection is that, while I believe the aims of Scouting are important goals for both boys and girls, I do not believe that the methods of Scouting are best suited to the learning and development of young women. 

I am not trying to start a fight, but just out of curiosity, which method(s) do you feel don't apply to or work for girls??

Adult Association??    Advancement??  Ideals??   Leadership Development???  Outdoor Program??   Patrol Method??   Personal Growth??   Uniform???

I don't want to argue about this, I just am interested in your perspective.

On 11/24/2013 at 8:59 PM, SSScout said:

Safety pins. Worked for me until I "grew into it".

My snap gave out a couple decades back. I have been using a safety pin all that time. Works fine for me

3 hours ago, David CO said:

NJ, I am telling you no lie. When I coached my first baseball team, a small group of players and parents went to the YMCA director to complain about me because I never yelled, used profanity, or told dirty jokes in the locker room (like other coaches did). The boys felt they were missing out on some of the "forbidden fruit" that they expected in a sports program. They felt that this sort of behavior was part of the excitement of being on a big boy team, and they had eagerly anticipated it.

 

I don't see how your baseball coach experience has anything to do with scouting. 

Take the new "Youth on Youth Abuse Prevention" Training. It is quite clear that what was acceptable in the past may no longer be permitted. It is a really good course. 

Ask the camp for the lesson plan from previous years. When I worked at camp we had to do a year-end report with enough detail so subsequent staffers could run the same program. But not all camps are the same, so just see what resources they have for you. 

The biggest thing is to keep it fun and get them moving around at least every 10 or 15 minutes. These are going to be almost entirely 11 year olds. 

Try to be funny and slightly goofy. This will help keep their attention. Silly hats, outfits, or accents can make a big impact. 

You will probably have a large class size and it will normally will be filled. These are very popular programs. Use whatever staff and adults you can to help manage them. 

Best of luck. That program can be a challenge to manage at times but also a HUGE amount of fun, and you are making the most impact on these young scouts. You will probably change the life of several scouts this summer, however you likely will never know It or what small gesture you did made that big difference. Just be aware that it happens. 

Well said @The Latin Scot. I stand with you to protect the well-being of a child. And BSA says that is the obligation of all registered adults. 

Congratulations. It is likely to be some of your best scouting experiences. Have fun let us know how it all turned out when you come back

@David CO though I think our new friend only learn from this new experience and be more cautious in the future I don't think now is the time to point any blame in @Scoutinglife direction. 

Don't blame the victim.

I know many troops do not want Scouts having cell phones at camp so that they don't call home being homesick without the adult leadership knowing in advance and being able to help. I know of one troop where the first the scoutmaster found out about a scout being homesick was when the parents showed up at Camp during breakfast to take him home. He had called the night before. Given the situation you are in I wholeheartedly agree with your decision to sneak him the phone.

I know 12 year olds are often intimidated by adults so if he is scared to talk to the camp director perhaps you should talk to he is pioneering merit badge counselor or other trusted staff member to help him bring up the subject with the camp director.

It is a terrible and difficult decision to leave a troop you help start, or any troop for that matter. But we have to do what is in the best interest of our children and other youth. Unfortunately this stuff does happen, I was in five different troops as a scout plus 2 Explorer posts. And my family is on our third Troop since my son joined a few years ago. Ironically I am back with the 4th Troop I belong to as a scout which I only left to find a strong Eagle mentoring program.

The timeline listed above is correct 4 months to start from first class and then 6 months to life and 6 months to Eagle. If you have the time and put in the effort you certainly can do it. I would suggest getting together with a mentor and let your scoutmaster know what your plan is. It will take a lot of focus and determination but is a great goal.

I know you don't want to hear this, but Finding another troop is likely inevitable. And I speak from way more experience on this matter than I would like. I don't know how many other troops are in your area, so maybe Lone Scouting is a option to take for At least a while.

Still, make those calls. The Council and District should know what is going on, and there should be a record of this. 

Good luck

Contact the Camp Director, your District Executive, and District Commissioner RIGHT NOW.

Next time you talk to your son, tell him to go talk to the senior camp staff (program director, area director, or older staffer) and have him describe the issue and ask for help from the camp director and Council professionals. They SHOULD take him seriously and protect him from further abuse while higher ups deal with the adults. If they don't act that day CALL the council office and DEMAND to talk to council Exec about "Youth Protection and Abuse". 

Should you not get a response call the new national hotline 1-844-scouts1 (1-844-726-8871)

There are SO many things wrong with what you have said it needs outside professional help right away. 

Good luck. 

I would suggest you attend the August course, and if they get picky on "trained for your position" go with your Cub Scout job. 

Waiting will not make you understand what is taught better. It is more likely to have you  give preference to your troop's way of doing things and discount what is being taught. 

GO TO WOOD BADGE NOW. You will gain a lot from it and have greater insight into mentoring youth. 

Then take ItOLS when you can, it could even be a ticket item. Oh and Wood Badge is the same for Cubs, Scouts, and Venturing adults. In fact your patrol will probably have at least one person from each program.

2 hours ago, SSScout said:

The necker is a much maligned item. It started out as not only a Uniform item, to identify one as a "Scout", but as an all purpose "be prepared" item.  It was expected the Scout would wear his uni to all Scout activities (hence the term "Field Uniform") and even to ordinary places. As a Scout, he would be expected to be available to help and "be prepared", "why , for any old thing".

The old Scout book I have lists no fewer than 52 uses for a neckerchief (remember, these were four sided, 36" neckers.). Signal flag, bandage (many types), arm sling, horse bridle, dust mask, sunhat, sweat band, ID for wide games, stave tie-up, lashing, three legged race tie,  game item (steal the bacon?),  it was expected to be a tough item, made useful by necessity.  My old Troop necker is still bright red, but with many bruises and snares from first aid practice.

It has become a nuisance, a fashion statement (YSL ?), an item for profit (a new one for each rank?  C'mon, Cub Scouts !) .  Look to the World Jamboree, you will see comraderie  created with necker trading.  In many countries, if you cannot afford a full uni, the Scout WILL have a necker ! That is his/her symbol.   Why do American Scouts/Scouters have so much trouble accepting the tradition, the history inherent in that scrap of cloth ?

I wish I knew. I have always found the necker one of the most useful scout items available. I actually carry a few extra ones, from previous units, in my ten-essentials bag. I have used them many times as bandages, slings, signal flag, hot mit, sweat band, towel, cold compress, rag, blindfold, sun protection for my neck and ears, dust mask, etc.

It is my go-to item for first aid. I try to teach all my scouts how useful the necker is, but many adults and youth seem to have an aversion to it. My NYLT program actually bans them. 

Theoretically the boy should always be with a buddy. However it could be the case where the Scout had a buddy from a unit in a nearby campsite to walk back from merit badge classes. You could be okay if your site was in Clearview of other camps with youth or adults. Sometimes things just happen but we try to do our best.

On 6/5/2018 at 8:38 AM, carebear3895 said:

Never should've moved from Dallas in the first place. I get the idea of putting it by Philmont, I really do....but why move it from one the largest growing cities in america to Cimarron, New Mexico.

Dallas may be a growing city but car more scouts and scouters travel through Philmont each year than go to Dallas. People do not make a trip to Dallas to see the Scout museum, unless they are within a couple hours by car. So if non-Texans are going to see it, Philmont is a logical place.  Summit also has its logic, but Philmont is still a bigger destination. 

Something seems to be missing here. There may have been other circumstances that you/we do not know. It may even have some strange council political aspect. It would not be the first time I have heard of innocent people being pushed out because someone has friends in high places. I wish it were not so, but it does happen. Normally it does not reach national revoking membership.

I wish you luck in weathering this challenging period. 

43 minutes ago, Jameson76 said:

I would assume that with the wide swath of burn across the ranch, the sadly the remaining backcountry treks for 2018 (those not already cancelled) will at best be problematic

They will at least need to reroute some of them but it looks like that is their plan. Itineraries will need to be changed to unaffected areas.

On 5/26/2018 at 7:39 AM, RememberSchiff said:

Adult Association - yes, but let's call it what it is - Adult Domination. Will Troop Committee become Conference of Families?  Will there be any scout-run troops?  Maybe this will force out volunteers with no children ?

Ok, I just have to comment on this one as the misunderstanding and misinterpretation of  Adult Association" is a pet peeve of mine. 

I am tired of people claiming that for a unit to be "youth-led" adults can never speak, never suggest ideas, and just watch for spurting blood. "Youth-led" does not mean "adult-abdicated".  As adults we are to be role models and mentors, as well as friends and as they grow we become colleagues. The scouts do not reach their full potential in either case. 

As I see it, the REAL problem with the method of "Adult Association" is how few scouters know how to properly use it or even what it really means. Sure it is easier to sit in the back and claim "this is a youth-led unit, I can only step in for health and safety" but that gives little benefit to the scouts. 

I have seen WORSE damage done by a Scoutmaster prohibiting adults to mentor or guide leadership techniques or have any interaction with the youth, than a unit where adults plan and run the whole show. It becomes "Lord of the Flies" hazing is rampant and scouts won't try anything new because they know there is no support should they have any challenges. 

And now a few quotes from B.P. :

“The Scoutmaster teaches boys to play the game by doing so himself”
“When a boy finds someone who takes an interest in him, he responds and follows.”
“Success in training the boy depends largely on the Scoutmaster’s own personal example.”
“There is no teaching to compare with example.”
“The Scoutmaster guides the boy in the spirit of an older brother.”
“To get a hold on boys you must be their friend."