acco40

"Due to the intelligent design" - Wow! You are a brave soul to use that term! I guess it fits into the Texas mafia in Irving but the Merlyns of the world would not approve! (Alright everybody, the above was a joke, no need to respond.)

Say hello to Eeyore, Pooh and Tigger for me. Was it that long ago?

Yes on this day Robert Baden-Powell organized the first Boy Scout troop in England (or anywhere else). But more importantly (with tongue firmly implanted in my cheek): A gold nugget was dicovered at Sutter's Mill in northern California. (1848). The U.S. Supreme Court ruled that income tax was unconstitutional. (1916) Conscription was introduced in Britain. (1916) The U.S. Supreme Court struck down laws that denied welfare benefits to people who had resided in a state for less than a year. (1972) Ted Bundy was put to death. (1989) and most importantly of all Krueger Brewing Company placed the first canned beer on sale in Richmond, VA. (1935)

Our council has instituted a "fuel" surcharge on all cabin rentals, camp site fees, etc. This includes those units who have already made payment for future outings. Grab money when and where you can! To me, there aways seems to be an underlying form of animosity or distrust of professional Scouters by some of the adult volunteers. Many (erroneously I might add) feel "why should they get paid for what I volunteer to do for free?" and other such thoughts. In fact, what we (volunteers) do and what professionals do are not very related. Anyway, some don't "give" to Scouting the way they have in the past. I believe that the BSAs stance that they are a "private" organization, while legally correct, has blunted the flow of money from the public sector (United Way, charitable giving by corporations and individuals, school access, etc.). During our FOS campaigns (I've been on both sides of the fence as an FOS presenter and as a FOS "giver") we are told that a $125 contribution about covers what the council spends on each Scout above and beyond what we pay to council. The problem as I see it is, instead of getting a broader base of FOS givers, they are asking a shrinking base to give more and more.

During National Jamboree years, special Jamboree Shoulder Patches (JSPs) are worn by those participating in the Jamboree from that local Council. Six months after the conclusion of the Jamboree, the JSP should be removed and replaced by the current Council Shoulder Patch (CSP) of the local Council for proper uniforming. The problem in my council is that they are forever creating new "special" CSPs (Wood Badge, FOS, Jamboree, Special for those contributing mega bucks, and on and on). Therefore, no "regular" CSP exists in my mind. So, technically, maybe one should not wear the JSP but practically (and in reality) many do. Jamboree Patch - May be worn for an eternity but only one! (No combos of World and National or National 2001 and 2005, etc.) As for the OA flap - A "current" OA flap of the lodge to which you are member (paid up dues!) may be worn on the right packet flap. If you are non-active arrowmen, you may wear the OA ribbon. Just like the CSP vs. JSP, my lodge keeps changing the OA flap as a fund raiser so what is "current" or standard is anyones guess. The region patch - some even argued if it belongs on the Jambo uniform - comes off rather quickly I think. Same goes for troop number. Also - please remember that the Scout Executive has carte blanche (almost) to make "special" uniform decisions. (This message has been edited by a staff member.)

I wouldn't "fight it" I would approach the problem like this: 1) Understand who is in charge of the advancement program in your troop (hint - it is the Scoutmaster, like it or not). 2) Understand what the actual requirement is: Participate in a school, community, or troop program on the dangers of using drugs, alcohol, and tobacco, and other practices that could be harmful to your health. Discuss your participation in the program with your family. Now, if the "troop program" as defined by the Scoutmaster entails making a poster and giving a speech, the SM has the authority to determine if your son's participation met this requirement. If my son did what your son did (made a poster and gave a speech) I would ask the SM if he (or she) felt that he participated and if not why not. Gently remind the SM that the requirement makes no mention of how well only that he participate. I would also add that he discussed his participation with his family (you I presume). You gain nothing by antagonizing your son's SM or from belittling the SM in front of your son. A second alternative is to have your son participate in a school or community program and relate this information to the SM. Again, don't worry about what the other kids have or have not done. Be an advocate for your son but be careful not to sour the SM on your son by your actions. They (SMs) are not perfect as we all know. If you get nowhere with this approach, I'd recommend getting the ear of the committee chair and/or the Charter Organization Representative. An excellent opportunity for checks and balance against dictatorial SMs is to join the troop committee and participate on Board's of Review.

If an adult only - minimum is two (requires two deep leadership for outings) If youth only - minimum of two (need buddy) and must be a patrol outing with Scoutmaster approval (i.e. no adults required) If youth and adult - minimum of three, two deep leadership needed, youth may buddy up with the adults (no one on one contact so really a "triple"). The above is the "legal" minimum to my knowledge. A practical limit would come into play with respect to equipment, transportation, finances, etc. but if at least one youth is interested, I would try my best to make sure the event was held.

Oops. My bad. The reason the searches were not working is because the default search dates are from December 8, 2006 until January 8, 2006. Change 2006 to 2005 and it works just peachy!

Another feature that seems to be lost is the Search Forums "search by username" function. The option is still there but it does not seem to work properly. Would somebody test it out and see if you get a correct response? Thanks.

The boys in our troop have been exposed to monthly theme/troop program features and choose to ignore them. Instead, they seem to opt for last minute planning which results (no big surprise) to unorganized boring meetings. Now, as SM, I've tried many remedies. I stated to the PLC, that if their primary goal is to socialize at meetings, put that down in the meeting plan. If they want to work on skills, put that down in a meeting plan. If they want to do a game for one hour, put that down in a meeting plan. My first goal is to teach them organization, not dictate content. S L O W L Y but surely, we seem to be coming around. Why on earth they don't choose to take advantage of what is contained in the program features is beyond me.(This message has been edited by acco40)

I registered our troop for either Philmont or Double H - any date, any length and got put on a waiting list and our troop has never gone to either place. Our council tries to set up a contingent troop too but they usually have about a crew size of 10-12 with no more than 2 or three crews and hundereds of Scouts/Scouters who would like to participate. Yes, they are that popular.

The district committee thing is easy - wear your district (grey or silver) shoulder loops. Shoulder loops identify you to both the adults and youth you work with. All registered adult members should wear the program colored shoulder loops while working with youth, and while working within their unit (i.e. a Pack committee meeting). Now does the COR work with the youth? I know some that do and others that do not. I would wear my blue shoulder loops while working with my Pack (adults and/or youth) and only wear my silver when working with the district itself. (This message has been edited by acco40)

I saw on a TV show (OMG,I am trusting TV) that the LDS church's youth program is Boy Scouts. This may sound picayune but the LDS church's male youth program is Boy Scouts. That is why you will see zero female leaders in an LDS troop (SMs & SAs).

Yes, Rod, Ronnie Wood, Ronnie Lane, Ian McLagan & Kenny Jones. Stewart went on to numerous blonds and solo achievements, Wood to the Rolling Stones, Jones to the Who for a while and Ronnie Lane recently left us and Ian has been "bump"ing along.

Miss Judy she was moody Owned a sweaty farm in old Alabam I was just 18, crude and mean All I needed was to get my own way Get out of my way Miss Judy she could have me Any hour of the working day She'd send me in the corn field mid afternoon Said son its all part of your job Miss Judy had a cross eyed poodle That I would kick if I was given the chance Never was amused by the kindness I used I was whipped in the barn until dawn It hurt me Last summer we was restless Were gonna make a stand and burn down your farm But it was all in the head Cause out in the yard Miss Judy had the National Guard We was beaten, before we started Miss Judy she was moody And she always didn't get her own way Just state the facts, get it right Kick her when she's down Sorry, as an old Faces fan, whenever I hear Miss Judy (or Mrs. Judy) that pops into my head.

I've "consumed" training and I've "produced" training. I've also witnessed training staffs who get very cliquish with each other which is a total turn-off to participants. I like the idea of having at least a 50% turn-over in training staff each session. That keeps the material fresh and helps the training staff weed out the bottom feeders.

Lisabob (won't ask how that name originated), if that truly is your son's troop policy how on earth did any of the boys fulfill the second class requirement of "On one of these campouts, select your patrol site and sleep in a tent that you pitched."? Seems to me their patrol site was picked out for them.

In my neck of the woods, I'm trying something a little different from the JLT (BSA version) and NYLT (BSA version). As SM, I've held a few JLT sessions/weekends for the Scouts in our troop. We are a young troop so the SPL really really doesn't help in training but does participate (I've had two 12 yr old SPLs, current one is 13, and a 14 and 15 year old). My oldest son, now 15 has attended "Top Knot" (pre-cursor to NYLT)and was on staff for NYLT this summer. So, I'm somewhat familiar with both (and Wood Badge - Da Bears!). What I've noticed is that the boys are better behaved when a few "strangers" are present (not just boys from their troop). Also, a few "new" adults thrown in the mix helps too. I've also noticed that a full week course, a la NYLT, is a bit much for most of the kids unfortunately. So what we are trying to do is have a quasi-troop JLT but maybe combine boys from two and possibly three (but no more) troops and create a modified JLT course for them. It is still a work in progress. I'll let you know how it works out in the near future.(This message has been edited by acco40)

Those in my areas know all about respect. It is one of Motowns (Muscle Shoals?) all time classics.

A Scout may have a SM conference or BOR AT ANY TIME. That said, one has to remember that the SM conference and BOR may or may not be advancement oriented. For rank advancement, the SM review should be after all other req's are completed (except for BOR) and traditionally (not required) most SM review the "shows Scout spirit" requirement at this time also. Part of the SM conference should include preparing the Scout for his BOR. Now what I would do for a 13 year old Scout is to let him schedule a SM conference. One of the things that should go on during this conference is for the SM to review the advancement records of the Scout. During this time the SM could point out that the Scout may not have completed the "be active for xxx months since ..." req. Live and learn.

Torveaux, maybe we shold pay hunters to shoot our starving hordes from sub-sahara Africa or right here in our cities. Hate to see them suffer by starving. I have nothing against hunters or campers except for those who don't abide by the "rules." Ever field dress a deer in mid-November? The human may only take the "good eating" stuff but nothing else goes to waste. Man is omniverous (most of us). We eat meat. Thank goodness fish can't scream! I don't think the vast majority of hunters hunt to stretch the food budget. If you look at what they pay (guns, ammo, clothes, travel, processing, etc.) venison comes out to roughly $20/lb! Myself, living in Michigan which has a high percentage of hunters per populace, I like to eat what other kill but don't have the time, patience or desire to hunt.

Each generation has their collective memory. Your great-grandparents are probably stunned that nobody "Remember(s) the Maine." For me, rest in peace Dr. Winston O'Boogie.

When will my son earn Eagle? Of course, the Scoutmaster should be asking that question to the Scout, not the parents to the Scoutmaster.

My daughter was ready for Girl Scouts at six year old. My sons were not. Think of it this way, you have Tigers (1st Graders) and some Webelos (5th graders) in the Pack. Think of the difficulty that exists now in trying to have a Pack program that keeps the interest of the second year Webelos and doesn't go over the heads of the Tigers. And someone wants to introduce Kindergarten kids?

Boys cringe at older movies. One that shows leadership from Scout age boys with lots of action: Master and Commander.