acco40

I must have been brainwashed by my training because we state, as a troop, that no Scout (youth) sleeps alone in a tent. This "rule" was stated to me repeatedly during various training courses. Alas, I to find that it is not explicitly stated in the G2SS. However, I think it is a good rule to follow not only from the safety perspective, as BW states, but from a social perspective as well. The boys need to get along with one another and a tent mate builds up that relationship. During winter camping it is especially important because the warning signs of hypothermia are easily missed if not observed close hand.

If the shirts are for identical positions (i.e. Boy Scout youth in a troop) they should have an identical set of insignia. So, yes, you should have multiple rank, troop, world crest, epaulets, etc. Now the bigger question - should you sew "double" of everything or just pin them on? No. Your son should. (This message has been edited by acco40)

Its the insidious nature of over eating and obesity that I loathe. And as one human being speaking to another, I have to assume that you understand this. Food temptation is the only sin, which the Bible exhorts us to fleeto run away. Why? For most, almost everyone, this sin has power that is uncommon and pervasive. People risk losing their health whom they love; because they are drawn like a moth to flame to fulfill their lustful desires to be satisfy their tastebuds. Others, become so twisted in their lust, they are consumed by their own selfish impulses and force themselves to gorge and purge, steal food, over indulge and to covet things that their doctors have expressly forbidden them to have. And still others, due to their lack of discipline to ignore or to resist their unsatiable appetites, relent and become enveloped by even sicker desires to satisfy their flesh. Insidious is almost too subtletoo kind of a word to describe the vile and unrelenting nature of this sin. So yes, I loathe obesity, like I loathe all sins that defile the temple of the soul. Not because the men who embrace this sin are lesser beings than other sinners, but because so many have fallen prey to its lure, and they have become so enamored by its ability to gratify the flesh that they fail to see how wicked they have become. Now, as most can see, the above is my attempt at parody - with a purpose. Rooster, I don't share your beliefs about homosexuality just as you probably don't agree with the above parody. However, can't you see NJ and others point that sin, just like beauty is in the eye of the beholder (or as in my college days beerholder).

Not exactly draft related but FYI: In a recent bill, additional spending is earmarked for a 20,000-man increase in the Army and 3,000-man jump in the Marines. Meanwhile, presidential candidate Sen. John Kerry has promised an even greater boost in troop strength if he is elected. Adding and maintaining a higher number of active duty military professionals will be expensive, and in the coming years defense giants may have a harder time getting some high-tech weapons systems funded as manpower grows. (Source: Motley Fool)

First, what is a CA? When I was involved with Cub Scouts, our den (I was the den leader) met much like Owl62 - every Thursday except for weeks when a Pack meeting was held. (Only after a few weeks as a Scouter did I learn that Thursdays should be reserved for district activities!) We usually met from the week before school started to the week after school ended and then once a month during the summer. Now as a BS leader (and I mean Boy Scouts!) we meet every Monday and have an outing every month (usually the third week) except for December. The Monday after an outing only the PLC meet. We meet year round escept for about a 2 - 3 week break from about mid-December to the first Monday after New Years day.

For BW and others - more details for #4. The Scout's father is a fireman. His father arranged for him to clean some of the fire engines and the fire house to earn service hours for his confirmation.

Cool! What part of MI and whare did you get the berets, "ice cream" hats and sunglasses? You all look like a troop from the late 70s early 80s.

Again, in all cases the Scout asked for service hours after the completion of the stated activity and did not get prior approval from the SM.

My two cents worth ... I'm in agreement that the boy leaders (PLC) should get a crack at handling the situation. I'm in disagreement that the SM has any involvement in discipline - that is the function of the Troop Committee. I'm also not in favor of issuing "punishment" for bad behavior - i.e. work on a beautification project. Now I can't tell in all honesty if the Scout was ordered to do that task as a punishment/discipline but I don't like the "if you screw up you get to clean the latrine" mentality. That is not our function as adult leaders. I really like the response from ozemu on deciding if it is worth it to have the boy lead or not. Yes, the SM role is not always fun and games!(This message has been edited by acco40)

I perused the service hour topics on this forum and realize many have differences of opinion on the topic (Should service to the CO count?, Should it be pre-approved by the SM?, etc.). In The BS Handbook, the requirement for service (for the Life rank) simply states: While a Star Scout, take part in service projects totaling at least six hours of work. These projects must be approved by your Scoutmaster. An interpretation of this requirement on www.meritbadge.com states: For Star and Life ranks, a Scout must perform six hours of service to others. This may be done as an individual project or as a member of a patrol or troop project. Star and Life service projects may be approved for Scouts assisting on Eagle service projects. The Scoutmaster approves the project before it is started. It also states the following for Selecting Leadership Service Projects: Leadership service projects shall be meaningful service not normally expected of a Scout as a part of his school, religious, or community activities. So without further ado, I'd like fellow SMs out there to comment on the following non-hypothetical situations that I've had to deal with. Please comment whether or not you would grant service hours for the following. In each case, the Scout asked for service hours after the completion of the stated activity. 1) John goes through his OA ordeal. During his ordeal he spent five hours cleaning up a council camp. (SM has knowledge that this really did happen.) 2) Responding to a council request, an Arrowman helps out at the council popcorn warehouse loading Trails End popcorn for various Boy Scout and Cub Scout units. (SM has knowledge that this really did happen.) 3) Star Scout helped out his troop selling Trails End popcorn both show and sell (store sales) and take order (door-to-door). In his troop, all store sales "profit" goes to the troop and door-to-door "profit" goes to his Scout account. Remember, that approximately 30% of his sales went to benefit his local council. (SM has knowledge that this really did happen.) 4) A Star Scout, who is about to be "confirmed" in the Catholic Church states that he was required to do 10 hours of service for confirmation and requests that that those hours, at least six of them, be counted for rank advancement. (SM has verbal confirmation from the Scout's parents but no actual documentation or dates.) 5) A Scout serves as an usher at his local church. The usual "job" consists of helping parishioners find their pews for 10 minutes or less, standing around for one hour during the service and then leaving when the service is over. (SM has verbal confirmation from the Scout's parents but no actual documentation or dates. Added question: if allowed to count for service, how much time should be granted? 15 min? 1 hour? 1 hour 15 min?) I've already passed judgment on these but I'll withhold my judgment so as to not influence anyone. This is not a quiz, I really am somewhat fuzzy on exactly what should or should not count. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

Actually, a Christian Litney is a small sacred bus that travels between the Scouts home area and camp on a varied schedule in the deep south.

We all have our foibles in living up tothe Scout Oath and Law. From the article: Unexpected "twists" came from the start when Lillian Morris appeared on the CBS reality show "Survivor." Having impressed program executives with her Scouting acumen, Morris was asked to wear her Scout leader uniform for publicity photos with other competitors. She understood she had been allowed to take the uniform along with her personal effects as a "luxury item" which would not be part of the actual competition. However, she wasn't aware that, instead of posing for pictures, the group would be forced off a boat and straight into the gamewith only the clothes on their backs. "They tricked us," she says. "I never intended to compete in uniform." Surviving "Survivor" is the hardest thing she's ever done, Morris says. Her Scouting skills, however, kept the experience from beating her. She was the only one in her "tribe" who knew how to make a fire, sharpen a machete with a stone, and tie sturdy knots. The need to boil water, to kill infectious bacteria, was critical, but the tribe's pot kept falling over until Morris built a tripod to suspend it over the flames. No one else knew to boil a flea-infested blanket to make it usable. Unfortunately, practical skills couldn't overcome the dog-eat-dog atmosphere of the game. After being initially "voted off," Morris returned as an outcast, determined to succeed for her family back home. "The first nine days I tried my best to be up-front...with the other competitors," she says. "That approach failed, and I realized I had to change my ways if I had any hope of winning. I owed it to my family to try." As emotions raged and hardship took its toll, Morris says her internal restraints frayed, particularly when it came to language. Comments she says she normally would never allow herself to make came flying out of her mouth. She credits these lapses to the extreme physical and emotional conditions of the competition. "You haven't had decent food or water for days. You're sleep-deprived and eaten up by bugs," she says. "And you're surrounded by people you really can't trust." According to Troop 617 parent Kathy Skeels, Morris's action during the final round of "Survivor" was an example of how she "walks the walk" of Scouting. When selecting a competitor to go with her before the final jury, Morris chose a hardworking mother, the eventual winner, rather than another person she probably would have beaten, but whose behavior she did not want to reward. Her decision cost Morris $900,000. This was an incredible lesson for the troop, says Skeels. "The boys were crushed to see her lose, but they were so proud to see her make the right choice. They'll never forget that."

"Can two Webelos boys be responsible to a single adult parent/guardian? - Yes, but only if that adult is NOT the Webelos Den leader. This protects the den leader, who may be worrying about a myriad of things, from getting dumped on! I'm not sure what the legal definintion in the eyes of the BSA are for guardian, but what I have done in the past is get a written, signed, paper from the youth's parents whose child was in my care. P.S. I was NOT the legal guardian of the child in the eyes of the law.

Sorry double post.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Tigers! Our Boy Scout Troop did that event at our August outing. We did not use pudding but typical ice cream ingredients - sugar, milk, vanilla; using a can within a can and lots of ice & salt. Check out: www.cookingcache.com/dessert/kickthecanicecream2.shtml or If you really want to use pudding: INGREDIENTS: empty and clean one pound coffee can with plastic lid empty and clean three pound coffee can with plastic lid duct tape 10 pounds ice 3 cups rock salt, 2 quarts whole milk, 2 cans sweetened condensed milk 1 package (4 oz.) instant vanilla pudding, 1 cup sugar DIRECTIONS: Note -- the above recipe will make three one pound cans of ice cream. 1. Mix pudding with the milk. 2. Add sugar and condensed milk. Mix well. 3. Pour one third liquid mixture into a clean, one pound coffee can. There should be at least one inch space left between top of mixture and top of can. 4. Place lid tightly on one pound can. Seal around edges of can and lid with duct tape. (I use duct tape because it is less affected by condensation. This will also keep any salt water from getting into your ice cream.) 5. Put sealed one pound can inside clean three pound coffee can. 6. Put ice and one cup rock salt around smaller can. 7. Place lid tightly on three pound can. Seal around the edge of can and lid with duct tape. 8. Now comes the fun part. Take turns kicking the can around the yard. Don't play kickball with it ... just kick it around. And try not and kick the lid anymore than necessary. Kicking time will vary with weather and the amount of ice you used. If, for some reason, your ice melts before you have made ice cream ... just add more ice to the can and re-seal.

First, after reading the subject line I was expecting a message about a cremated Scout! The term is campfire ashes. I've still got my Woodbadge ashes at home. Second, it is Sir Powell at least (Do I sound like Emily Post yet?) Third, yes it is a neat tradition.

I can relate! Now, how many boys who just crossed over (Spring of '04) will be old enough to attend the National Jamboree? One of our Scouts in our troop will not be 11 until December! Regardless if I am considered a "leader" or not, I attend Scouting functions in uniform, as I believe all Scouts and Scouters should. When asked by the boys in our troop the proverbial "do we have to wear our uniform to _______" I always reply, nobody has to, but for a Scouting event one should wear a Scouting uniform.

One of the most universal "truths" about failure is witnessed at a Cub Scouts first Pinewood Derby. The boys are all real proud of their (dads?) derby car and fully expect to come in first place. WHne they witness, in stunning reality, their car NOT coming down the track in first place many are crushed. It is in a way sad to witness. However, one way to look at it is that the boys are learning how to cope with failure. Some handle it gracefully. Some, break down and cry and proclaim, "This is stupid! I'm never going to do this again.!" They will need to experience failure again and possibly many more times before they get it. How important is failure? VERY!

One "solution" that we implemented in our Pack, was that the den leader had the authority of capping his den size. Now, many parents want a good program for their sons but hesitate to step forward. I've seen packs with multiple dens at an age level (i.e. two Bear dens) and at the end of the year one is viewed as "better" by some and they want to vote with their feet and join the other den as Webelos the next year. It takes strong leadership, expert people skills, and the knowledge of how to recruit volunteers to stem these problems. I cringe every time I witness these "we need more adult volunteers" solicitations broadcast at pack and troop meetings. As it was pointed out, that is not the way to recruit good volunteer leaders.

The biggest complaint that I have is about parents who do not allow their offspring to fail. It is far better to learn about failure in a controlled environment such as Scouting and learn how to deal with it at an early age than to learn about failure for the first time while away at school or at ones first "real" job.

Our troop policy: Adults pay for initial registration (approx. $10), troop pays for re-registration Adults pay for training (my bills so far: $30 SLF, $300 Woodbadge, $300 Powerderhorn, $1000 PTC including air/car/fare - all well worth the money!) SM & SA go gratis on outings except for summer camp Trailer hauler gets gas reimbursement No adults pay "dues"

I agree BW but sometimes .... What if the misbehaving Scout is the SM or SAs son? Sorry to say, I had a minor "incident" with my son on our last outing. We both know that sometimes it is difficult for him to see me as SM and not as "dad" and for me to see him as a Star Scout and not as "son." When he exhibited behavior that I thought was inappropriate (and directed at me) I took him out of ear shot and gave him a "lecture." Not a safety issue and maybe debatable with "interfering with the delivery of the program." Also, to send him home would have meant I left too. Usually, I let another SA handle the situation but not this time. Not really looking for answers, but something to ponder.

If boxing is a science, so is Scouting IMO Yes it is a game, with a purpose but to many, the connotation of calling it a game lets them feel that they can alter the "rules."

Just a couple of nuances to add to the already good posts. 1) If health and safety are an issue (i.e. swinging from the rafters), stop it immediately. Don't go up or down the chain of command. 2) For most Scouts, the chain of command starts with the PL, not the SPL. Individual Scouts should not be going to the SPL with frequency. 3) As a left handed Scoutmaster, be careful about such comments as correct, if you're left handed, etc. 4) Discipline falls under the jurisdiction of the Committee, not the SM/SAs. 5) Leadership training is a L O N G S L O W process but well worth it!

Cub Scouts is a FAMILY program. I agree with BW. The pack leadership should realize that the dens "fill-up" at eight. Don't wait for a den leader before forming a new den. As they say, build it and they will come. Besides, this may sound crass, but if a den of eight has no parents willing to get involved with the program that is not a group I'd be willing to take on.