Chippewa29

I think the question in regards to long hair, earrings (another thread), etc. is the character of the Scout. My opinion is that if the Scout with long hair, earrings, etc. is of good character and a good example to other Scouts, then it shouldn't be a problem. I think where a lot of the controversey comes from is that although there are a lot of guys that have long hair that are very high quality people, the general perception (and one that is not necessarily unfairly earned) is that men with long hair and earrings tend to take part in a lot of "unscoutlike" activities such as drinking, smoki

As was said before, the best way for a leader to get correct uniforming is by wearing the correct uniform themselves. The previous SM of our troop wore a full uniform for the first few years he was SM and encouraged but didn't require it of the kids. Our uniforming during those days was ok, but not great. A couple of years back, the SM gained a chunk of weight so he only wore the shirt and changed his tune quite a bit. Consequently, the kids went to wearing just their shirts (not tucking them in or barely buttoning them, etc.) I've always worn a full uniform (short of a hat, which I alwa

There is a very fine line that people walk when they act as a MB counselor for their own child. The standards of the MB need to be held very high in those instances and if other counselors are available for that MB, I believe the Scout should work on it with that other counselor. That doesn't mean the home schooled Scout can't work with their parent on it, but they should be reviewed by another adult. However, if the parent is the only counselor in the area for a particular MB or a group of Scouts from the troop are working on it together, then I don't see a problem. A Scout in my troo

Before this turns into a big debate on the merits of paintball and lazertag, please start a new thread. I'd like to get ideas on how to get new Scouts crossing over "hooked" on the troop and keep from losing them to summer and baseball/soccer season.

Bob White- You are absolutely correct about using teachers. My principal in sixth grade acted as my counselor for both the Scholarship and Citizenship in the Community MB. While in eighth grade, we signed up my band director as a MB counselor so she could work with me on my Music MB. I guess she ended up working with several other scouts over the next few years and really enjoyed it.

Good News! I just got word that my troop is having 6-7 new Scouts cross over on March 3. The best part is that they chose us over the "glamour" troop in our area (the first time we've ever won a head to head recruiting battle with them). I'm excited because the kids and parents seem to be very high quality and are really excited to join. My troop is going to use a climbing wall at a local camping store for our meeting next Monday, so a couple of them are getting their first activity before they actually cross over. Now, to my real question. What sort of things would be good to do wit

In case anyone was interested, there is a series of articles this week in the Detroit Free Press (www.freep.com) regarding home schooling in Michigan. I thought the people reading and discussing this thread would find it interesting.

Thanks for the quick response. I've been whether it would be better for him to have to make himself do it or if he would just get discouraged and give up. I'm going to talk to his dad (a very high quality guy that understands about building character) and see what he thinks. I think that if this kid can work at it for a couple more weeks and do it(plausible, but not likely), then I'd make him wait. But if it would take him months to get strong enough to do a single pull up, thus holding up his advancement, I think it would be better for him to get his Tenderfoot now. Another note on t

I've got a dilemma right now in regards to the physical fitness requirements for Tenderfoot. I've got a Scout in my troop that has completed all his requirements for Tenderfoot except for showing improvement in the Physical Fitness Tests after a 30 day period. Last week, I tested the Scout for improvement (about four months after his orginal tests) and he improved on every area but one. Like the first test, he couldn't do a single pull up. This kid is not physically handicapped, but he is not an athlete by any stretch of the imagination. I know that he actually did work out some in prepar

It is very true about the parents being at fault for this lack of integrity. Many parents don't realize just what they are teaching their kids by telling even small lies. I heard a story once about a man who took his two sons, ages 7 and 5, to the movies. When they got there, the price was $5 for adults, $4 for age seven and up, and $2 for kids six and under. When the ticket seller asked them for tickets, the dad said, "I need one adult, one $2 ticket, but the older ones 7, so we'll need to get a $4 ticket for him." The ticket seller looked surprised and said the the dad, "You could have

I've worn my troops neckerchief from day one in the troop (in fact, my neckerchief is the only uniform part I have grown out of, lost, traded, burned a hole in, etc.) I think the neckerchief is the one piece of the uniform that both separates the troop and unifies it as one. When at troop functions, I believe it is important for the adults to be wearing the same neckerchief as the Scouts. A couple of years ago, our former SM suggested that I wear my Eagle neckerchief so I could show the kids I got my Eagle (he wore his Wood Badge one when he wore a neckerchief). I told him that when at tro

Weekender- I consult with small businesses and non-profit groups on developing web pages to help them avoid the pitfalls most groups fall into. Get me your email address and I'll be more than happy to get you the information I usually give clients (you get it for free, of course).

I definitely agree with eisley. One of the reasons most of us are involved in Scouting is because it is fun. When I talk to old friends about our days in Scouts, we don't talk about the serious times. We usually bring up some goofy thing we did and have a good laugh over the story. In fact, every time I run into a certain troop alumnus (now in his mid-20's), he always asks if he still holds the troop record for flipping a canoe the most times in a day (it is 36 in six hours).

As a public school track coach (though not a teacher), I am a little biased toward the public schools, especially when someone's daughter can run a really fast 400. However, as someone mentioned before, it really depends our your situation with many variables. The thing that I see the most problematic with parents that send their kids to private schools (home schooling is a very new concept in our area, so I haven't dealt with it much) is that they think if their child just goes to a certain prestigious private school (or just private school period), then their child will never get in tr

Feathers- Something you may need to do is to have someone as the Vice Chair for several months and make it a more gradual transition. One of the reasons they may be dragging their feet is because you have done such a good job and none of them wants to have the pressure of following you (do this make sense). If someone were to come on as Vice Chair and you gradually shift the responsibilities over a period of several months, they would probably realize that you don't have to be super human to be CC. In the future, and this is something I'm hoping to do with my troop in the future, is to

Doh!!!!!!

OGE- I was aware of that, but I was looking for ideas to spur on a little intertroop competition. We did Honor Patrol while I worked at JLTC in the early 90's and it created some great teamwork without hurting anyone. I've also seen them done by other troops over the years, with much success. I think it is a great idea for all patrols to earn the BSA Honor Patrol Award, but I think some competition would spur them on a little bit as long as it was kept under control.

With the new incoming Webelos, we are looking to be adding a second patrol by this spring (hooray!). I'm looking to set up an Honor Patrol System to help promote patrol excellence and some healthy competition between the patrols. I'd like to get some suggestions on how to develop a point system for this. We are planning on conducting it quarterly. Also, some suggestions for the rewards for the honor patrol would be nice as well (the kids in my troop always need some incentive, they haven't developed much of an ego yet).

Wow. This is an interesting situation. I'll add it to my list of things I hope I never have to deal with. My troop has had 12 Eagles over the years and we've held COH for 11 of us, each done separately (we all earned our awards at least several months apart). The one that didn't get a COH left the troop about two months after his BOR when his dad (the SM at the time) burned a few too many bridges with other adults in the troop (we were the second troop he had done that with the past three years). When we got word that his application had made it through national, the troop leaders (I was

If I remember correctly, next Monday is President's Day, which mainly celebrates the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and George Washington. Although Lincoln is best know for freeing the slaves and leading our nation through the Civil War and Washington is known as the Father of our Country, there is something else that impresses me the most about them. Both men had the incredible character and vision to stand fast to the American principles they have come to represent. Both men had the opportunity to seize power and basically make themselves dictators of our country. Lincoln was strongly

This isn't a major concern in my troop right now, but it is something I'd like to learn about before we have to face it. In our troop of eight Scouts, we have two older Scouts that grew up in the troop and are a pair of friends. We have a group of four kids that go to school together and live in the same neighborhood (they are best buddies). Of course, we have our challenge Scout. Finally, we have a Scout that joined the troop last year, but hasn't found his niche yet. Fortunately, he has very supportive parents (his dad is usually at about 3/4 of the meetings and 1/2 the campouts).

Weekender- Just find a copy of the BSA Handbook (9th Edition) with the Rockwell cover that was used from 1979-1990. There are millions of copies in print, so you should be able to find someone with a copy close to you.

This thread is an offshoot of the one about BOR and SMC. While I don't remember all of my Scout skills I learned while getting my ranks back in the 80's, I do remember quite a bit (I tend to learn slow, but remember long). How do you help reinforce the basic skills over a period of time so that the Scouts can actually use them when the need arises? My thought is that it should be part of the pre-meeting activity, such as having a rope bucket so the Scouts can tie a knot, etc. Speaking of which, how many of you actually conduct pre-meeting activities and how do they work? Any other

It depends if you mean earning it or receiving it. The Eagle and palms can't be earned at the same time because of the three month requirement. However, if the Eagle COH is several months after the BOR, then they can present a palm with the Eagle award. For example, my friend didn't have his COH until 8 or 9 months after his BOR. During that time, he met the requirements for two palms and they were presented at his Eagle COH.

Weekender- I both envy and don't envy you. The reason I do envy you is that you would obviously be stepping into a good situation of a stable troop with good resources and a strong tradition. On the other, hand, it will not be your troop for several years at least, especially if the current SM sticks around to help out. The best thing you can do for yourself is be yourself. If you try to be the current SM, you will fail miserably. However, as yourself, you may actually end up a better leader (in your own way) than the current SM and have as much influence with the Scouts during your