Adam S

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

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

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

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.

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 s

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 flee

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.

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?

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 fu

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

"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 holder

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 Vol

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

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!

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

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

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

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.

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.

Why not suggest the boys go determine this on their own

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!

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

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!

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...

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