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Adam S

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Everything posted by Adam S

  1. We have allot of boys who either do several weeks at our council camp (which we attend) or they do a week or two at a different camp, sometimes instead of going with the troop because of scheduling or in addition to the troops week. So I have some questions. How big are everyones units? (Scouts? Scouters?) Are you splitting the troop between 2 camps on the same week or offering two camps on different weeks so boys good attend both if they wanted? What do your camps cost per week? Dining hall or Patrol cooking? Thanks Adam
  2. Basementdweller You mentioned you found 3 Digital Cameras, does your unit ban them? As it seems unanimous that electronics be left at home, Cameras, wristwatches and GPS seems to be universally exempt from this ban. just wondering... Thanks, Adam
  3. One of the units in my town does offer the "Flags on holidays" service, and it is just that a SERVICE. They maintain the flags so they always look good, they storethe flags when not on display, they ensure they are displayed on their "customers" yard and they typically educate their customers with a note about whatever holiday it is that the flag magically appears on their lawn. As for the Flag Ceremony itself, I can understand the reimbursement of any expenses, but nothing beyond that. I cannot quantify why, but it feels wrong, dirty... One of my best memories from scouting was the first time I got to help with the flag ceremony at summer camp, just writing this I am smiling ear to ear. I can hear the bugle and just being in awe of the bright morning sun shining in the flag as I pulled on the halyard. I guess I can explain why I think charging is dirty, it is a Ceremony, a ritual, for our Scouts to share with every other American. A better currency than cash is the good will of your community. Log those service hours, report out not just to your Charter Org but to your Mayor and Town Council. When you report at either event invite some of the people or groups you have served.
  4. Emb is correct that is the list of courses that are required to wear the trained patch, but... The scoutnet system still expects "This is Scouting" for it to mark people as trained. Hopefully the disparate databases will someday be synchronized or consolidated.
  5. Our council (Patriots' Path) has a local scout shop, I am guessing, being the middleman they pay more to national, They typically charge the same as National but they don't always have the same sales (I'm guessing it's because of the premium they pay) I imagine their profitable otherwise why not just let national run the shop. Are Council run shops, still common? I remember as a youth almost every dept store and sporting good store carrried Scouting stuff but now it seems only a few stores in our area do. Is this a comon experience? I am in Northern New Jersey and I can get to 3 council shops within half an hour so those non BSA shops are not as important, but I remember someone in these forums saying they drove 3 hours one way to their district meetings and that was much closer then their council office, in cases like this I would think a local store would be a life saver. Sure there is scoutstuff.org but you cannot try anything on...
  6. The Gong said "My problem with giving out a thousand knots is that soon a scouter has a fleet of knots on his uniform, and then wood badge beads, and then a powder horn dangle. At that point I begin to question how involved they are with the youth and that is the point of the program. A kid doesnt care about all the patches and awards on your uniform, they care that you actually teach them a scout skill, or about life you that you enable them to teach a skill or learn a skill from another person. They want you to be there not to show off, because thats what you really do when you wear a fleet of knots and awards when they are not needed, you show off to kids." I am not sure what the problem is with a Scouter earning many awards, it shows me they have been committed to being a quality leader for their son, I will agree the number of knots in the Cub Scout program is overwhelming, but otherwise, I think the program is decent. I certainly do not see how you miss the fact that the person who has done all this training is probably doing it to ensure their childs unit is a fun place to be, not much fun being in a venture crew that does not have leadership to take them on exciting trips... Kids probably don't care about most adult uniforms, you're right. BUt some do, I also wonder how many would have if they had better scouters involved in their units. Ones who stepped up, treated their questions with due consideration and each scout as an individual worthy of their attention and capable of earning their respect. Boys that come from units like these seem very interested in the accomplishments of others, just my personal observation, so maybe I am wrong. And of course, nobody likes a show off. But displaying what you have earned is not showing off. I think your problem is your going on the assumption that you can either be a contact leader or a "knot" leader, it has been my expereince that they are typically one in the same... But worst case, let's say it is someone who's child has aged out. They are probably working on the committee level or above, working hard to keep a program they love afloat, over the years faces the yhave known disappear, people who understood the contribution they made first hand leave the program, is it so bad that they identify their accomplishments? They may not be direct contact leaders but they ar still contributing to the Scouting experience. We have allot of older guys in my District, I am glad for it! So many of my contemporaries had no experience with scouting until their son joined, many of them have very little outdoor experience as well. The old men with the wall of knots still know how to whip ropes, tie knots, mend uniforms and out out fires, and no they don't teach those skills to the boys, they teach them to the new scouters, they run the camporee's so the new leaders can stay with their troops and not be pulled away. Lots of jobs in scouting, glad those old timers with all that training and experience are around to help. You see, when I was a Scout I was taught to reespect my elders and to treat everyone with respect. Worst case I made an old person who needed some self esteem feel better, best case, I just learned a skill that my scoutmaster may not have ever known...
  7. They have one on display at the Patriots' Path Council store 973-765-9322 so if it is not still avauilable from national you can probably call them for theirs.
  8. I am kind of scared by this thread... So many people think it is better to just give out a patch to someone who cannot meet requirements instead of stepping up and fixing the problem... I am sure your Key 3 would lovea new Roundtable commissioner My scout shop requires verification for awards unless of course they know you personally, but Eagle ALWAYS requires identification. Are there truly shops selling Eagle recognition without proof??? As to the fact that someone is to "sophisticated" well then wouldn't they realize they are being given something they don't truly deserve? The whole point of those awards is to recognize training, roundtaboles and pow-wows are part of that training regime... If you want o recognize them for doign a good job, find soemthing else... why give them the training award at all? If they did not know about it, and they don't meet the requirements anyway, why do it? Get a special patch made or give them a plaque...
  9. 1st some facts about Den Chiefs that could encourage or discourage scouts 1. It is a year long position TWELVE MONTHS 2. It is the only POR with an award for good service 3. It is in many peoples opinions the single best recruiting method for a Troop 4. When the position is being filled properly it is a true leadership position on par with a Patrol Leader, there is planning and execution involved, advancing the scoutsi n your care... As a scout I was a Den Chief and I had incredible fun, I had been a Patrol Leader first and I think Den Chief was more challenging and far more fun. Working with the Den Leader helped me improve my planning and leadership greatly and along with training made me very comfortable when I became SPL. Today... I am still active with the Troop I was in as a Scout, I am the Cubmaster of one of the Packs in town and we have Den Chiefs for the first time in years. My leaders with Den Chiefs are amazed by how helpful they are, not just in planning but in knowing what the boys will actually enjoy and in being able to control the Cubs when an Adult cannot My leaders without Den Chiefs are extremely jealous My cubs in Dens with Den Chiefs tend to participate in Pack Activites more, they have been more vocal about their interest in continuing to boy scouts/ becoming Eagle... The parents are amazed that a boy just a few years older then their own can be so responsible and capable and have become more impressed with the scouting program. I think we are having this success for a few important reasons 1. The troop and the pack has agreed we only want someone who proactively has expressed interest in the position, it's not something they are just doing to meet requirements. 2. The troop and pack agrees this is a full year committement, The troop acknowledges Pack events where the Boy Scout is working in his POR as "Scouting Events" for the sake of his own advancement 3. The Pack considers the Den Chief a valuable resource, not a pack mule or replacement for the Den Leader 4. Training is key, we get them into the online quickstart as soon as they express interest and into the next Den Chief training they can make no more then 30 days after they start the position 5. They must wear their complete uniform, In our opinion one of the reasons they are such a powerful resource is because the Cubs are impressed by the uniform, the webelos because they have almost the same uniform. If they don't have one we work with them, we have means to get them uniforms if they cannot afford one. 6. We prefer 12 years old and first class but we (SPL and Scoutmaster and Cubmaster) speak with motivated scouts, enthusiasm counts for allot in this position and age/rank are not directly corelated to ability or maturity. 7. We try not to put an older brother as a Den Chief in a younger brothers den. We don't want to overshadow the Cubs achievements nor hit the old adage "familiarity breeds contempt" Again, individual circumstances dictate 8. When we accept a Boy Scout as Den Chief, we make a big deal of it at the next Troop Meeting, I come to the meeting with the Den Leader of the Den he will be serving, we present him his cords, POR patch, and a handbook for the rank he will be serving. Our Den Chiefs do not have perfect attendance, that is impossible. But most of them attend 90% or more of the Pack events while still being very active with the troop. It is a year long position and it can be demanding at times, the time away from the position is not time he is not doing his job it is time that he is not gaining experience that will help him be a better leader, the boys seem to inherently know this. Bottom Line, Den Chiefs are a great program if you put effort in finding the right scouts for the job!
  10. I am the Cubmaster of our Pack, we have a code of conduct each boy signs at the start of each year (one for parents too, sadly) and every single boy is held to teh code of conduct by ANY of the leaders at any scouting function. I am the opposite of your examples, if my kid does something wrong and you see it (scouts or not) call him on it or tell me, I want to raise a good person not a thug! other people's children, I either point out the childs behaviour to the parent if they are oblivious to it, or if they are engaged in something I do exactly like Jtex1234 does. Adam
  11. "scouts is for whimps and gay men and he will never get anywhere being a scout" wimps like Medal of Honor recipients wimps like Astronauts, including almost all of the men who walked on the moon wimps like countless servicemen The gay comment is kind of ironic considering BSA's well known stance. That said while BSA might not let homosexuals in the program we at least do despise them or treat them without respect like this couch clearly does... The "never get anywhere being a scout" part really kills me He's a coach so let's see Olympic medalists and world record holders, professional atheletes in several sports must really beworthless in his eyes! Some more people who never got anywhere Politicians like Presidents Ford, G.W. Bush, Clinton, Obama, and Kennedy! Captains of Industry like Bill Gates, and Sam Walton Famous musicians like Eddie Rabbit, Geaorge Strait, Branford Marsalis and Jim Morrison Actors and other celebrities And don't forget the real nobodies like cops, firefighters, teachers, preachers, forestors, bakers, small business owners, your neighbor, your father... http://www.usscouts.org/eagle/bsfamous.asp I am glad to be a nobody Might be worth a talk with the Prinicipal and the coach...
  12. The best part of these forums is I come away everytime realizing how lucky my boys are. We are in the Fishawack District of Patriots' Path Council and our DE is Al Thomas, a fine man who works hard at everything he is supposed to, especially delivering a good program. Dennis Kohl, our Scout Exec has done a tremendous job at the helm. Professional and volunteer staff throughout our council seems to be universally awesome and I truly believe it would negatively impact our program if we lost our DE's. I appreciate everything you have done for my boys! As to the knots, just yesterday "BSA Volunteer Training Team" on Facebook announced the coming updates to Training Award Requirements. Do the boys care? some do, not all understate that most adult knots associate with them having a good program though... Do the Adults care? in my Pack they are typically not aware knots exist until we recognize them with one because they have already done the work. They do appreciate the recognition for the effort they have made. In my troop, it's the same thing, we submit the people who have done the work it is just far less frequent, less knots available and longer tenure in their positions. I am of the opinion that a piece of cloth motivates an adult as much as it does a boy and we end up with a good program, why do I care what got them to classes, and roundtable and planning sessions and camping trips...
  13. ASM from another Troop in my town just got arrested. http://parsippany.patch.com/articles/boy-scout-leader-charged-with-exposing-boy-to-child-pornography I feel horrible for his victim and hope he gets all the help he needs. It bothers me that people like this slip through but then a background check cannot see the future. I hope the troop can weather this storm as they are a decent unit! I am concerned for the families in my Troop and Pack as there will be the usual panic. Has anyone directly dealt with such an issue? How best to reassure them? Thanks, Adam
  14. YAY Watchu Philmont training Thanks Desertrat This is our councils 18 month long Philmont training program. The folks who run it do a great job, we send about 20 crews a year to Philmontbecause they are getting people interested in High Adventure and giving them the skills to have a great time. These folsk should absolutely get credit for some of our retention in Patriots' Path Council!
  15. I can see where Beavah infers that all of teh Guide to Safe Scouting is recomendations the very title indicates it is a "guide"... but it clearly states NOT PERMITTED, I do not see hwo that coudl be construed in anyway as a recomendation despite being in a "Guide". "Alcohol The following statement was approved by the National Executive Board of the Boy Scouts of America: It is the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances is not permitted at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members." That was taken from http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss04.aspx The preface of the print edition states "The Guide to Safe Scouting provides an overview of Scouting policies and procedures rather than comprehensive, standalone documentation. For some items, the policy statements are complete. Unit leaders are expected to review the additional reference material cited prior to conducting such activities." This refutes that the content of G2SS is merely a recomendation but indicates that some of the content is most definitely policy and should not be interpeted as a suggestion. Regardless of it endangering anyone or not the fact of the matter is it is a rule. I have my sons in scouting partly because I fondly remember the sense of adventure and wonder I experienced on most outings but also because it is a framework for them to become better people. Why the heck would I sign them up to better themselves and then willy-nilly throw out the rules? I think the sane course of action is to suggest to the new parents to report that they should consider notifying their former Pack's Organization Head AND the COR of why they transferred to a different unit. After two weeks without a response they should consider notifying the District Executicve and CC the Council Safety & Risk Committee, If the alcohol took place on Council property I would suggest they CC the ranger in charge of the property also. You should not get involved other then to encourage them to report the incident.
  16. Twocubdad beat me to it A bit of a Rube Goldberg, but I wonder if troopmaster web edition (or packmaster web edition) is friendly with Safari, you could do that. Also feel free to call Troopmaster and request an iPad app, I already have
  17. We are chartered to a VFW and if we ever suggested we retreat the colors we would have about 300 dead veterans. They refer to it as retiring the colors. Sounds only slightly better to me but I suppose if I was a retired soldier that kind of makes sense... Adam
  18. Why not have his Patrol Leader or the SPL call him to determine if he is even interested. Let your Scouts take care of their own, and let them know your available to speak with the parents if needed.
  19. I suppose I am not surprised that GSUSA did this, it is in line with their other policies. http://www.9news.com/news/article/226301/129/Boy-wanting-to-join-Girl-Scouts-told-no The link is misleading, the Troop initially told the boy no, but the council said it was fine for a boy who identified and dresses like a girl to join GSUSA.
  20. Why not suggest the boys go determine this on their own
  21. LOL The 15 passsengar van was plausible. The paintball thing seems odd since the safety is measured by muzzle velocity of 200 FPS or below, NOT by pressure... 3% angle for mountain boarding (skateboards with knobby tires) is another tip off Thanks for the laugh!
  22. It sounds like I need to count myself lucky. Our district has a very well attended roundtable (better then 50% of units represented) They are interesting cover things we need to know and a great chance to network with other people "doing the job" I value the personal interaction and I would be less inclined to participate if it were a video conference. I supposed I better email my info and state as much
  23. It has been stated in pieces by several people but the full answer regarding alternate requirements can be found at http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/AdvancementandAwards/earlyalt.aspx Bottom line, Permenant Disability and only with the approval of the Advancement committee. That said unless he is time crunched for Eagle, I would not sweat it. His health should come first!
  24. Immediate Recognition beads are supposed to be exactly that, they should be given out by the Den Leaders when the scouts earn them, it should not be waiting for a Pack Meeting...
  25. Adam S

    Parade Ideas

    Our Unit hands out small American flags to the kids, elderly, veterans and anyone in uniform (soldiers, sailors, firefighters...) on the side of the road
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