AggieScouter

Here is another twist. How about a girl, under 14, who is not a member of either the crew or troop? Does she fall under the guidelines for pistol shooting?

I need clarification on an issue. There are a couple of boys who are Boy Scouts (13 years old) who have been participating in Crew activities (pistol shooting, kayaking, canoeing). An older sibling is a Crew member, and a parent is a Crew Advisor. Is it proper for these boys to be doing this?

The file size of the pictures you used are much too large. I have a high speed connection, and it took quite a while to load the caving pictures page. I checked the size of one on the photos, it looks like 6MB. Way too big for internet viewing.

Our troop has the Big Kahuna patrol (patrol yell; We make waves) , Rolling Roadkill patrol (Lets hit the road), Buffalo Wing patrol (We're hot and spicy!). I have also seen other unusual names in our District, such as the Mighty Hamsters (patrol yel

Why does the BSA have a Firem'n Chit (which allows the bearer to carry matches and build fires) if units ban matches? Does this apply to a certain age group? How about 17 year old Scouts? Are they old enough to be trusted?

Matches are a must-have in our troop. We have never had any real trouble with them, although a couple of years ago one of our scouts used his matches to light the spray form an aerosol can of bug spray (even though aerosol cans are forbidden at campouts). The resulting flamethower was impressive, but very dangerous. Besides the flamethrower danger, cans have been known to explode while doing this, causing loss of fingers & hands. We took away the scout's firem'n chit for several months, during which he had to give a class on fire safety to the entire troop. He was also suspended from campo

Our first year scouts did a rifle/shotgun campout this past January. They did rock climbing last year. Nothing in the GSS says they can't do these things, as far as I can see. The boys love this stuff. Plan for it, do it!

Is it right for an Adult Leader to question the SM? Yes, if done correctly. Our troop has a great Scoutmaster, but nobody is perfect. We are good friends, but if I see something I think is not right, I will let him know. He of

The conservation project is not one of the options, it is a requirement. As for the gear question, the qualifications are "properly prepared". To me that means prepared for that activity, not the whole weekend How much gear do you need for a 15 mile bike tr

"We tell the parents that if they aren't willing to be involved that they had better find a new troop." Patience...I was not involved with the troop for the first year of my son's Boy Scout career. I was gently "worked on", and the next thing I know,

Seems very clear to me. The ASPL steps in when the SPL cannot perform his duties.

I am not clear on something, which Bob White touched on. Was this person removed as Cubmaster and then allowed to register as a Webelos Den Leader, or has he just stepped in? If he has not been allowed register, how can he be a Den Leader? If he was allowed to register, why did the Committee Chair and COR approve?

I must admit I am not too keen on the merger. One of our adults brought up the idea, and said it could be done. I just wanted some info on the procedure, if there is one. I think the adult is worried that the crew will fold, and there will be no place for his daughter.

Seems to me that the Red Cross updates more frequently than the BSA. You could explain the way that the BSA describes it, but then add on the "current best practices" from the Red Cross.

Our Crew is struggling to survive, and the main advisor is looking to retire from day-to-day involvement. Some advisors want the Crew to "tag along" on some Troop functions, especially the high adventure type campouts. Is there any way a Troop and Crew can merge? I know you can have a Venture Patrol within a Troop, but that patrol cannot be coed, can it? Is there a way for the Troop Commitee and Crew Committee to be the same? We have people in the Troop that say it can be done, but I don't see how. Any advice?

We have a Troop Manual, which is periodically updated, that contains a lot of info for new parents. We also have a new parent orientation meeting, which takes place shortly before the new scouts do their Arrow of Light. I developed a PowerPoint presentation for this meeting, which covers BSA & Troop history, the Patrol Method, advancement procedures, discipline procedures, Q&A, etc. In attendance are the Scoutmaster, the ASM in charge of the new boy patrol, the Committe Chair, Advancement Chair, Adult Training Chair, Memebership Chair, Committee Treasurer, and the Troop guides. The who

Eamonn- It should change things, which was my point. I the long run, any project ends up benefitting a few people.

I agree that this would not be a good Eagle project as it benefits the couple, not an organization. Perhaps the project could be carried out under the auspices of an organization that does this sort of work for the handicapped/elderly. I do think this would provide leadership "hours". I recently chaired a project to have a wheelchair ramp put into our Scout house. With all the ADA requirements, construction planning and supervision, this would be a worthy Eagle project. Yes, I know it cannot benefit the Scouts, which is why it was not an Eagle project.

At work I use an analog watch, gold with simple black leather band. For Scouting, though, I have an Indiglo Timex with digital compass. Also keep a clip on watch (with compass on the band) in my pack as a backup. This in addtion to the spare compasses I carry, including my prized Cammenga lensatic compass. Can't have too many compasses! Well, maybe.

Doesn't seem right to me. Ask your Unit Commissioner first. A decent UC has a lot of knowledge.

Ah, the joy of Spam. Forget about forwarding those mass emails of the "forward this or you will die" variety. Ask the sender if they would be willing to send postage to send those dozens of letters instead of sending it free by email. Bet that message won't be that importa

You may want to leave out the big flags, if they are too large for you to handle safely and respectfully. Check with your local flag supplier; the one we buy our flags from will take in and dispose of any flag in a proper manner.

I got in on this debate a little late, here's my two cents: If we want to get really picky, what about the flag on our Scout(er) uniform's right shoulder? The canton/union/field should be at the front, that is, the Scout uniform has it on backwards.

I got in on this debate a little late, here's my two cents: If we want to get really picky, what about the flag on our Scout(er) uniform's right shoulder? The canton/union/field should be at the front, that is, the Scout uniform has it on backwards.

The beret can look sharp. We go to summer camp with a troop that is connected to a JROTC program. They look good. Scoutldr is right, you need short hair to make it look good. When I was a kid living overseas, I remember seeing a Dutch soldier wearing one (they could wear their hair long, with a beard) and it looked ridiculous. Reminded me of Che Guevara.