Chippewa29

This discussion has gotten pretty deep. I'll only make a couple of quick points. First of all, I don't see much wrong with doing some morning PT (we don't do it, we have enough trouble getting the Scouts out of bed), as long as it is done with respect (as should everything with the Scouts). After all, doesn't a Scout pledge an oath "to keep myself physically strong". In regards to other "military" scenarios, we (Scouting) can take the best and use them in development of the boys. While on staff at JLTC ten years ago, we held daily uniform and campsite inspections. We even did a "pape

After reading this thread, I can definitely relate the idea of a "core" group keeping too much control. First of all, when I was a young Scout, there was a core of about four of us that kept trading the leadership positions back and forth, thus keeping any younger Scouts from getting real leadership experience. After a couple of years, the other Scouts in the core moved on and I had become incredibly active in the OA. I stepped back to let someone else take charge, and there wasn't anyone. It took a couple of years for our troop to recover from that. More recently, our previous SM was

This is a question I am currently grappling with as well. We're set up pretty well right now, but once we start growing (over the winter we hope), we'll have to form another patrol and eventually get some new leaders. From what I've read, keeping patrols together to form bonds and traditions is a great idea. The idea of the new Scout patrol is one I've been struggling with. Although the concept is nice to have a New Scout Patrol with their own patrol leader is nice, I feel that being a PL as a brand new Scout is not the best way to be developed as a leader. Also, that means that an older

I'd like to know what everyone's opinions are on the red "brag" vests that Scouts tend to wear a lot in the Cub Scouts and some in the Boy Scouts. Also, what does BSA regs say about the wearing of those vests. Personally, I think they detract from the uniform (especially the Boy Scouts) and make things look much less sharp than without it. Also, as an avid patch collector, I hate to see patches sewn on something and worn around so they are worn out and soiled (I've always kept mine in three ring binders). This isn't one of those barn burner issues, but I would like some opinions on it.

I definitely have to agree with OGE on not restricting the parents from going. With such a small group, we've had times where parents have even had to come in shifts due to their schedules so we could make sure we always had at least two adults present. Also, as OGE said, you can pick up help by getting them on campouts. Two of our dads that have recently become more active on our troop committee did so because they came on campouts, had fun, and saw what a positive thing it would be for their sons if they helped out. Besides, about a decade (and five SM's) ago, my troop tried something li

As far as I've always known, Webelos can camp with Boy Scouts providing that each Webelo staying overnight has an adult (parent, uncle, neighbor, older sibling, etc.) with them. As far as joint activities, each fall our district hosts a camporee for both Boy Scouts and Webelos. The district sets up competitive events for the Scouts, while the troops attending set up events (mainly non-competitive) for the Webelos to participate in. The weekend is used mainly as a recruiting session. We had twenty-five Webelo dens visit us during a seven hour period. Our Scouts took turns working the troop

The Scouts are usually in bed by 11pm at the latest, if not a little bit earlier. Unfortunately, we have several Scouts who still rely completely on their parents to get up for school each morning. My thought after I posted was to buy a loud, obnoxious alarm clock (one of the old fashioned kind) and give it to the cooks for the next morning. As soon as they can prove they can get up on time without it, they can stop using it. I think, after reading everyone's suggestions, that with time, they will take more responsibility.

Several years ago, my troop had an older group of Scouts (10 of 13 Scouts in the troop were fourteen or older) that were night owls and liked to stay up half the night and sleep in in the morning. It was not unusual for people not to get up until almost ten and not have breakfast until 10:30-11. The adults didn't think it was important for the troop to follow a schedule (we were great at "winging" things), so they allowed it to happen. We've gotten back to getting up fairly early (7am or so), a side consequence was that the adults were always the first to rise and had to wake up the Scouts

Just to let everyone know, I told our Scouts last night that I would have details for our Dec. 1 hike for them next Monday and they all needed to bring pen and paper to our next meeting so they can write down the details. I also told a couple of parents that asked me for details that they would need to get them from their kids. Fortunately, I've been talking about getting the Scouts more responsibility for themselves and some of the parents like the idea, but just aren't so sure if they believe it or not.

One thing that anyone who achieves the success of completing a long-term goal is to establish new goals, no matter what field you are in. In Scouting, we put so much (over)emphasis on the Eagle award that most Scouts see it as the absolute pinnacle of success and once they have it, they have "arrived". They don't realize that the journey is what makes the goal worthwhile. There are plusses and minuses to getting the Eagle early. There are also different ways for Scouts to get fulfilling Scouting experiences. I made it to Life in 16 months (minimum time for the mid-1980's), then didn't

Mom- I am currently in a similar situation. I took over my troop as SM last March after growing up in the troop and being an ASM for ten years. I took over for a SM who was burned out and not at all enthusiastic (he also had to miss troop meetings because of committments with work). Parent participation was ok but not great. I can tell you one thing. You've got to be patient for things to get better. My troop is no where near where I want it to be and probably won't be for a couple more years. I have no ASM's, but a solid troop committee where a lot of different parents help

Currently, I'm a SM with a small and young troop. We have a great bunch of kids that I'm trying to work with to develop as leaders before we grow with more Scouts crossing over during the winter/spring. The parents in the troop are very nice people who have formed a very solid troop committee and perform those support functions very well. My dilemma is that these parents don't want to let the kids grow up (even as they say they do) and become more independent. At the end of our meetings, they pick up their son's books and neckerchiefs (taken off during game time) so they won't be forgotten

Thank you all for your help (and mainly support) on this. We had a troop activity yesterday (wall climbing followed by hiking at a nature center) and this Scout was fortunately on one of his good days, although his dad did have to reign him on about every 15-20 minutes (rather than every 3-5 minutes on a bad day) so he didn't get in the way of the other climbers. Mike Long- I think you are correct that he may need to have to be given a SM approved leadership project rather than a leadership position. I'm hoping that he shows enough responsibility so that in a few months, he can hold a p

Thanks for the input. Yes, he has been diagnosed with ADD. He was on a ton of meds for years and his parents had him taken off of them last June, as they weren't helping him at all and were stunting his growth (the kid is 12 1/2 and only 4'2" and 60lbs.) They now have him on vitamin supplements and he has improved a little bit. He also has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive disorder. Yes, he is quite a handful. I've spoken with his parents on several occasions on trying to find a game plan to help him become more accountable. Every time, they agree and maybe he is a little better

A bit of advice is needed. My troop currently has a Scout that is 12 1/2 and just finished his second class and on his way to first class. He's a nice kid, but during meetings, if the subject isn't something he wants to do or something else catches his eye (like the toys in the corner as we meet in a church basement that doubles as a nursery school), he just wanders off and then expects to have his book signed like he was there with everyone else. I've felt that I shouldn't sign his book unless he can prove he knows the subject taught (the rest of the Scouts get their books signed by partic

MrScout, I had the same thought about leaving them out there, but their parents didn't offer me enough money. I also realized I forgot to mention that while we were out hiking, there was heat lightning and a little bit of thunder while we were on our way back (it never did really storm) as well as a mist coming off the marshes in the woods, so it was a very surreal experience.

On a campout in September, I convinced my troop to go hiking at night through the woods with no flashlights (I had one in case of an emergency). Also, I told the Scouts not to talk during the trip. They were absolutely amazed at how much they saw and heard even though it was dark. We even had a buck less than five feet from us (that was what it sounded like). The parents were amazed I got them to not talk for over an hour and the kids are still raving about the experience. In fact, when we went on our next campout, they said they wanted to go night hiking again and requested it be in sile

Two ways my troop deals with parental concerns about their sons outgrowing uniform parts. First, we keep have a troop uniform bank made up of uniforms from former members or that people have picked up a garage sales. That has helped quite a bit over the years. Second, we tell the parents to see what size fits their son now and buy one size up. Usually, the shirt will then last the Scout two years. In our area (we tend to live in an upper middle class area), the families go school shopping every year (spending an average of $400 per child) and buy new hockey and soccer uniforms each year (

My personal feeling is that medals (whether worn by youth or adult) should be worn only for special occasions (Courts of Honor, community ceremonies, etc.) Of course, anyone who has earned a medal has the right to wear it whenever they wish, but a couple of things to keep in mind. First, how special is something that is worn all the time? A big reason why certain awards are special is because they are not seen everyday. Second, why would you want to wear the medal all the time? Is it to get recognition for yourself or is it to honor the award? I only wear my Eagle medal to Eagle Courts o

I recently (March) took over a troop where I had been an ASM for several years. The previous SM was very much into high adventure and low-impact camping and placed a tremendous amount of emphasis on teaching these skills to the Scouts. The result was that we had a great bunch of followers that had good camping skills but could not lead worth anything. In addition, our troop was gradually shrinking. Since March, I've been emphasizing leadership skills. We still camp ten times a year. Amazingly enough, our campouts have actually gotten better because the Scouts are actually leading instead