Deaf Scouter

Add to those bales of hay!!.. *grins Do some pioneer fencing to fence in your area like a nice farm pen. Take those plastic Nothnagle-like signs and make them in cows, sheeps, pigs and etc. farm animals shapes. Spray paint then and funny names connecting to shape and stick them in front of each tent to give the tent a name. Make a few extra cows to go round the campfire and leaders tents. On those make cowbells from aluminum cans with bells inside to represent the cowbell. Make sure the ribbon is nice and bright colored for tying it onto. Make some dung piles of funny but clean surprises when stepped on. (you can put the dung piles out daily in unexpected places for FUN for the scouts... *winka Other ideas.. specialized farms- those with trees that grow a specific fruit.. make pioneer trees and hang fruit: apples, cherries, plums, peaches and throw in some non fruit to make it funny and turn the tree into a game for the scouts to find the items that don't belong like rolling pin, pie tin etc. Google these themes for pics and ideas from off the 'farm' idea: Apple cider making strawberry jam Farm equipment... comes to mind to use wheel barrows that can also be a fun game/race for the scouts to do that weekend. (9 chances out of 40 there is a set time that they will do the judging like when all the scouts are elsewhere at an event or meal) Wagons with rolls like a combine tractor or trench maker. (google kinds of farm tractors. Use the google 'image' section! Pictures have a way of generating more ideas or spin off ideas... *winka) You guys into gaming: gensis, xbox, playstation and etc.? (I don't know what the latest system is these days) Combine the two themes: gaming and farm to come up with a twist to my first paragraph and have those plastic Nothangle face in the character of different video games and doing farm work with rake, hoe, trowel. Maybe a twist to the doing farm work is using the wrong stuff like broom, dustbuster, and etc. Funny and outlandish yet meaningful has a way of getting peoples attention yet 'teach' a lesson on change from farming days of youth to video days of youth and you can teach the kids a lesson of outdoors instead of indoors is more fun and less were obese then.. *winka Try for something totally different and exciting on the word 'farm'... wind farm. *prays for wind if you do it as scouts just love what they make moves. Pioneer again or some straight that holds a propeller made by the scouts. PS.. Pioneer is reference here as a type of know typing. Webelos already do knots so take it a step further and show them how to build things with it. Hit the scout store and ask for the Pioneering Merit badge book or google knots for pioneering. have FUN, FUN and more FUN creating memories!

People don't realize how hurtful those comments are. I can remember Webelos camp. We had 8 in our group, the exact number to fill a table. They had a thing of asking a counselor to sit at the table which of course the scouts HAD to do. I forgot how they won the privileged but our group was really into it and won every meal. What the kids don't realize is it means someone in our 8 sits outside the group. Parents have to be with their kids not thinking they separate another parent from their own because the child wants in on the guest treat with the rest of the kids. They don't think to rotate that lone seat. Nor do they think let do kids and adults separate when its suggested. After a couple days of these kinds of meals, a perfect opportunity on a hike presented a quiet time to make a small comment that was heard loud and clear by the adults that they could connect it back to the meal situation without the scouts' awareness. It put an end to the meal dilemma with the adults sitting together from that day on. Adults really need to be aware of any little actions or comment of segration within any group be it unit, den or patrol whether its toward their own or another. Sending them home is not harsh but rather a wakeup call that ANYTHING in this day and age that doesn't encourage diversity and courtesy is plain NOT acceptable. Those kinds of comments and actions are much more hurtful than people think. Scouting is not about self but about others... *winka

OUCHIE Stosh!! Gotta wonder though how the Scouts feel and if they will start dropping out in another year or so. What Green Bar Bill?? Meaning Wood Badge? *sighs on being Deaf and missing things

Oh Short, I rarely go into the TM except to note a rank or MB awarded. I am being forced to upgrade info so we can have it for Tour Plan filing since its done online. Also have to enter the new crossover info.

Short, Still waiting for the scout to finish the list I gave him which was simply crossing names of... *sigh Prompting is not finishing it and I told him I need it for this weekend. Next is the MB books reorganized and publication dates noted. I'm thinking I drop the publication date and simply have him affix the new requirements to the books. Nice on the generic 'son'. It NEVER occurred to me... *laughing Might some man to man thing but I can't see calling any young leader, son... *grins Honey or sweetie is more my thing. Don't think that would go over well within Scouts though... *laughing Wanted to put the OUTING back in ScOUTING and feeling discouraged tonight. None of my crossovers showed tonight yet all knew there was a meeting. Not sure if its because my ASM was in Mexico still, state test tomorrow, and coming off Spring break. Need numbers for the food and dislike this last minute of probably not getting them until Thursday...*sigh One of the new Dad's showed up and teased him that maybe with Tom out of town they just don't like me... *laughing Dad there and discourage as he hoped his ex brought his son. (They got weird visitation schedule!) He'd make a great treasurer for ours that needs to leave as her hubby now has cancer and she hung on long after her scout left because there was no one to replace her. BasementDweller.. WOAH and AWESOME. I'll bet the Blue and Gold is a surprise event. Planned 4 of them in my lifetime so far. gonna be interesting to see that new service organization build up. Wan

Thanks Eagle92. Knew about the first three ranks done in the first year HELPS on retention but didn't know it was labeled FCFY... *laughing Definitely need outings for that one. BasementDweller.. They said WHAT?? Want me to come over there and slap upside the head at their negative/belittling talk. That is colonization that we got rid of AGES ago with our constitution. Its also a way to make themselves feel better.... *shaking head at the nerve of some unmentionables.. *shudders As for what you did for your scouts.. GREAT job BasementDweller. I'm feeling very discourage tonight yet smiling. Seems that with my ASM out of town in Mexico, the state test tomorrow and Spring break last week only one dad showed and none of my 4 scouts. Dad was hoping the ex would bring the son even if its not his visitation night. (they definitely have the weirdest visitation schedule I've ever heard of.) We have a campout this coming weekend with no numbers yet. So much for ScOUTING... *sighs

So what kind of Unit do you have BasementDweller? By the way... My brother is an Eagle along with several of his friends. He was part of a SNU. Him and his closest friend have Down Syndrome.

FCFY program please????

FYI...*smiles Unit Self Assessment forms links: Troop/Team" http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33618-27.pdf Pack: http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33618-25.pdf Commisssioners (but a helpful read to all): http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Commissioners/newsletter/bsa_news/02_2012_assessments.aspx (Thanks Gents and Ladies.. it was getting to me a bit but thankfully I've had experience on forums where it was way harsher than here. My LOVE of Scouting is just a TAD to strong to allow me to be discouraged by one... *smiles while whistling)

Qwazse.. cute humor and advice understood. I'm biting and going in.. *laughing Short.. something I need to practice.. questions back Eamonn.. I wouldn't throw those books out the window.. *laughing The key is I'm Deaf and I've already learned that while I READ everything others don't.. *smiles Those books, links and the forum have been an eyeopener. Gunny.. yep on the people factor. Wasn't it you that mentioned on another forum that 'wording' is important as well. Leaders meaning the youth scouts and Adults meaning the adult leadership that is suppose to be mentors back 300 feet not doing a thing if the leaders (youth scouts) can do it. See I'm already having problems with words when its really mentality thinking. That's another post.. *grins Stosh.. good point!!... *smiles Barry.. Yep its harder on Adults. I already see the mentality gears I have to shift and re-shift as I realize I'm my own worse enemy... *grins TwoCubDad... I see the point in that ol' Scouters advice. It was quite a shock to read the time length on the boards and try align that with the picture in my head. But its important factor to know as it shifts how one does things and shift us goal driven people into 'real reality' and not reminders to remember things like FUN, activity purpose away from numbers. Numbers are important but won't come if there is no FUN.

Short.. I see you practiced the 'skim method' instead of the 'reading method' on the forums. We're talking two different Troops: My son's Troop and this Troop. Short... hmmmm? Required merit badges are listed in the BSH (Boy Scout Handbook) PLEASE, PLEASE tell me the page number for the 2009 BSH copy that lists the 15 required MB BY NAME of which the scout chooses 12??????? Do you suggest 2 books to buy for the new Scout: BSH & BSR or just one, the BSH?... *asks sweetly and innocently while thinking MUST have the 1990 version Hopefully my questions above posed the answer as to why as a Scout parent during my son's Trail to Eagle I was confused on Merit Badges? That experience has stuck with me and I created a guide that list where to find the MB info: meritbadge.org and scouting.org for a list of the names of the required ones since it is no longer in the BSH. Experienced Scouters know the Boy Scout Requirements book (BSR) has that answer and it changes every 2 years. Experienced Scouters don't suggest to crossover parents to buy the 2011 BSR version because there will be a NEW book in 4 to 6 years WHEN their scout actually USES it. BasementDweller: Wondering what is your training?? You made an assumption that I was District. A 'true' District Scouter would not make the assumption mistake you did... *smiles sweetly while batting innocent eyelashes

I'm getting a little stunned here at numbers when reading comments in another thread. Even with so FEW boys, I can expect at least 5 years to transition? Is this with or without revitalization thrown in? This is currently my Troop numbers: I have 5- 5th graders 1 - 7th grader (second class rank. SPL is supposed to be star rank) 1 - 10th grader working on his Eagle Would it maybe be shorter length of time for smaller Troop numbers?

To be honest, I'm disliking the pressure that the JTE puts on one especially when one is trying to revitalize a Troop that doesn't want to fold because they've been around since 1938. Kudo.. You had me cracking up at your funny reminder... *laughing I use TroopMaster . It has is limitation in setting one up for always looking at advancement because that is basically what its used for, recordkeeping. I'm really tempted to go back to the old fashioned way, paper and pen and give it to the scout.. *grins

Scout Nut and Rick... *smiles Thanks for the humor in the insights... *laughing I've seen both those links... *smiles I originally pulled Worksheet to help organize our MB library and realized the news ones were missing. Wanted someone else to file them into a category. I like the scouts to have the category theme list in their notebooks so if they have started partials and didn't like it they can see a pattern for themselves if its in two or three in the same category. Now that I'm doing MB Academy, I really would like to be able to offer MBs is all the themes. I'm also realizing mindframes and how mine came to be pre-set. As a parent of a Scout the MB section was confusing while the rank was as clear as a bell. I'm very much a visual person. Having just the words 'required' and blank spaces for MB on the chart and in the handbook was not helpful. I finally wrote the names out in list style and highlighted which ones we had done while putting the 'smile' face sticker on the MB poster chart. A parent does help their son but only if they understand themselves. In the Scout's notebook, they have that same guide list with the online link to Scouting.org requirements and MeritBadge.org worksheets with the Troop rules of MBC. (We had 'family' MBC signing off on MBs when actually work was not being done and they were getting recorded elsewhere. I put a STOP to that.) When I first started as a SM of this Troop, I got told a lot, I have partials yet no proof. I spent 4 months tracking down these partials. What a headache and wasted energy IMHO and I can see why it because the first priority in hindsight. They also have baseball card sleeve and its explained that both the Blue card and awarded card go in the same slot with the attached patch until the sash is bought. The those patches go onto the sash. I know from experience that my son's patches went misplaced and I see it with several of my parents. YES I'm organizing my parents but don't ya think I'm making the parents experience more enjoyable thus that rubs off on the scout..*winka After all this discussion I'm adding themes picture pages of all the MB with a one page list of just names. There are tabs for other awards that scouts can earn with their requirements, Troop calendar, flyer section, and TroopMaster reports. Scout is required to add a pen and paper and their Scout handbook to it so they can practice 'Be Prepared'. More and more I'm liking this idea of turning the MB over totally to the Scout and letting the parent involvement be at that end. I'll just help in getting NEW stuff introducing and connect it back to an MB. Let's go back to stressing Prepared for Life and have some FUN ADVENTURE in the process.. *grins Now I have a question on Blue Cards with partials? Who keeps them? Some of these are 3 to 4 years old for stuff like Basketry that gets FINISHED in Summer Camp. TM is supposed to record paritals but most times it does not. I now understand its because SM just approved the MBC and the initiative to start a particular MB. We have an online MBC. Not sure yet if the youth Leaders can access it or not. If not, another thing that librarian does. Can we let the Scout keep them but some how many it so them can't add signatures? Thoughts, suggestions and/or considerations for this newbie SM?

Good Point Venividi! I was even asked by the parent to explain why a scout needs to show up for certain events because the parent was having a problem getting the scout to go. It really did put me at loss for a comeback with so much on my plate. For my son and I never had to think 'why go?', 'we WENT!' After all is said(read), researched, thought about, redirected, encouraged, supported, scaled down, organized and etc.... It's time to pull it all together and a figure out what the real simple goals are. I liked this link too: http://www.scouting.org/Training/Adult/Supplemental/YouthLeadershipTrainingContinuum.aspx I especially like this part: VISIONWhat success looks likea picture GOALSWhat needs to be done to reach what the group calls success PLANNINGHow the group will execute its goals Vision: Boy-led Troop Goals: Working Monthly Outing Calendar Patrol Method Tools for the leaders (Patrol Scouts) to use where ever they may meet Planning: Adult meetings (were not on the same page) Committee delegations New Parent Orientation on Boy Scout and Patrol Method Troop Guide and Jr ASM of teaching planning Gathering Tools Resources for youth leaders to use Educating self in Patrol Method and taking Patrol Method Training Have to say one thing...I sure was all over the map. Thanks to all your insightful help, wisdom, advice, sharing and these forums, I'm hoping to put into a direction and transition in boy-led and the ACTUAL Patrol Method. I do NOT want to go back to being a mother again now that I'm done with my son. Gotta look at my strengths and different approach. (As a single mother my son WAS involved in our family decision making which NOT common in a family unit. I need to bring that to the Patrol Method... *winka I also prefer HANDS-ON and OUTING over talk and boredom. Wonder why that is?? *grins)

Reaseyann... I CAN get the 2 deep leadership but only if things are LOCKED on the calendar so I can implement. Ya know reservations MADE/DONE so I can create those interesting flyers and motivating talks. Enough last minute, just talk, vetoing and ONLY Troop events. I'm taking advantage of Council and District events this year. I want the OUTING in ScOUTING! Kudo: Another way of wording: 'Hitchhiking is allowed' please from http://inquiry.net/patrol/brainstorming.htm? Its country suburban town where we teach not to 'hitchhike'. Definitely safety issues here. Don't need another 'unmentionable'. Gunny: 5 year transition?? Is it really gonna take that long Scouters?? And Kudos.. THANKS for the links! TAHawk.. THANKS for the words of wisdom! ReaseyAnn.. Thanks for starting this thread.. LOTS of helpful advice here!.. *smiles

Asking for my training records? Not a problem... *smiles while pulling them right out of Scouting.org Here ya go Basement.. *grins Scoutmaster training was the FIRST thing I signed up for when I came on board. Second thing was updating previous trainings like YPT and TD. Took TD to learn what this EDGE concept everyone was talking about. Next is IOLS in May. A01 New Leader Essentials 10/15/2005 A90 Wood Badge 03/23/2008 C32 BALOO (Basic Adult Ldr Outdoor Orie 05/13/2006 C33 Outdoor Ldr Skills for Webelos Ldrs 05/14/2005 C42 C. S. Den Ldr.&Asst. Pos. Spec. Tng 03/18/2006 C61 Webelos Ldr.&Asst. Pos. Spec Tng. 03/18/2006 C73 WEB Tiger Cub Den Leader Fast Start 06/02/2006 D62 Chartered Org. Rep. Fast Start 10/25/2011 D62 Chartered Organization Representative Fast Start 10/25/2011 D69 Trainer Development Conference 03/04/2006 H96 Trainer's Edge 11/14/2011 S11 Intro to Outdoor Leadership Skills 05/18/2003 S24 Scoutmaster Specific Training 10/29/2011 SA Safety Afloat 04/03/2012 SA Safety Afloat 05/11/2005 SSD Safe Swim Defense 04/03/2012 SSD Safe Swim Defense 05/11/2005 WA01 This is Scouting 10/30/2011 WCF7 ScoutParents Unit Coord Fast Start 11/23/2011 WCF7 ScoutParents Unit Coordinator Fast Start 11/23/2011 WD77 Staffing the District Committee 11/23/2011 WDUC Unit Commissioner Fast Start 10/30/2011 WS10 Troop Committee Challenge 10/30/2011 WS10 WEB Troop Committee Challenge 10/30/2011 WS76 Trek Safely 04/03/2012 WS76 WEB Trek Safely 04/03/2012 WS81 Weather Hazards 04/03/2012 WSFS Fast Start: Boy Scouting 10/04/2011 WSFS WEB Boy Scout Leader Fast Start 10/04/2011 Y01 Youth Protection Training 10/04/2011 Y01 Youth Protection Training 08/27/2006 Now are you gonna ask me about my Troop leadership and committee members training? I can tell you straight out that I PUSHED training when I came on board. I was stunned to find out that none had Troop Committee Training. Went from 0% to 90%. My Committee Chair is the LAST one...*sighs when thinking about how he 'leads' committee meetings. I'll be nice about my leadership and refrain from comment here deeply but picture isn't so great there either. Maybe you have an idea of how to encourage an OA, AoL, Eagle, ADC chair, Spaghetti Dinner Chair, W2DL(that goodness the role is done), CS camping Chair, etc., etc., etc., AND etc. who is my ASM who SWEARS he will NEVER do WB ummm...encourage him on updating his SM/ASM and IOLS training??? *ever hopefully But there is again yet another thing I can't fall back on. I'm now realizing with all the great new adventures we had because of my son's Troop, they were NEVER boy-led either. Doesn't help me with this Troop. (This Troop is not my son's Troop.) This Troop don't want to fold nor move to another Troop because they have been around since 1938. I will not get into it on the forums but there are SEVERAL factors that cause this Troop to fold in within a 2 year span. I've been back to my son's Troop for observation and talked quite a bit with the new SM as they are now boy-led. Boy-led is MY goal but don't expect it to happen over night as I've already quickly learned that. There is a whole lot more to SM than I ever knew or dreamed of. Doesn't help when my committee expects me to be CC too... *sighs You can razz me and put down on the boards all ya want but I have to question.. isn't a Scouter helpful, courteous, kind and friendly? There is a term Cyber Bully for a reason! I wouldn't be here if I didn't need help. There has been a wealth of knowledge here and what you don't see is me reading other boards. Oh by the way...I'm PROUD to say my son is Eagle earned on HIS OWN merits!.. *smiles

I'm struggling with the exact same issue and smaller Troop so I'll be following this thread. I have 5- 5th graders 1 - 7th grader (second class rank. SPL is supposed to be star rank) 1 - 10th grader working on his Eagle You had a better success on your outings in Scouting as I was only able to have one campout. We're working on our second one now for this coming weekend.

I learned a lot too and just in time for the Memorial Day Parade!! Definitely make sure there is 2 lines.. *smiles Loved the link on the color guard commands as what I was finding just didn't seem right to me. Thought there was more being said.

Here's that quote: from Adam S. in another thread: Self Esteem does not come from winning, it comes from earning. Rewarding anyone for something they did not earn sets them up for harder failure later, disabilities or not

I had a hard time with two scouts that were the same age to the point that one of the scout couldn't public speak or recite the Oath or Law if the other scout was there. (later I was to learn it was a case of jock versus non-jock that was carrying over into our Troop) I worked on that giving the fearful Scout opportunities to public speak either with script or in another environment where applaud would come back to him. To me that was a measure of progress in building his confidence.

Scoutfish.. Forget what happened in Cub Scout and the AoL. Its done and over with and doesn't concern you or your Troop. What happens within your troop is your concern. Several people have explained the rank advancement on the proper terms are Scout Badge and Tenderfoot Rank. Basement linked to Scouting.org. I prefer to link to meritbadge.org. Bookmark them on your computer and be sure to read them EVEN if you were a Scout before. There ARE changes in the wording and we are not allow to modify this in any way. Some as recent as 3 years... *winka What we are allowed to do is HELP a scout who processes things differently and/or is struggling. (You mentioned the Scout's father was 'neighboring CM' but I was confused if he was his son's CM. If dad was son's CM that to me is a clue of possible a 'special needs scout'?) Your scout has been coming and reciting yet still doesn't know it..Correct? Did you ever think that he has a problem hearing and reciting? Maybe he needs to read and recite. I do for obvious reason. I'm deaf. Some has a problem tuning others out so they are listen but not really reciting to move it to memorization. Post up a poster with the Oath, Law and Pledge. Work one on one with ONE thing, Oath or Law, weekly until he knows it. Some scouts have a problem with information overload or attention deficiency (ADHD). The knot tying can be an example of ADHD. Let him master the skill individually then put him in the group or redirect him to teach another or show another leader as if he was teaching that leader or parent even. Another thing too, Dad was Cubmaster not Scoutmaster. Cub Scouts not Boy Scouts. They are two different things and Dad Should be treated like a parent not a Scouter as he is a newbie to this to. If he was CM, he probably NEVER read the book like his son's den leader did so DON'T expect him to read it here. Have a nice little talk while opening his son's book for reference. While reading the book and explain the the requirement his son needs to practice at home. Hopefully after a couple of hands on redirects from you the father will see that 'THE Scout handBOOK' is important to him and his son... *winka Our goal is to 'Prepared Scouts for Life'. Get it across the the father (if he raises a fuss) using work examples that jobs and raises are 'earned not given' and the same thing holds true in Boy Scouts. (I tried to go back through the forum to get the exact quote that I saved on my other computer)

*laughing at the word 'Dude' that Basement Dweller used. Basement... Do you have any registered merit badge counselors within your unit?? *Asks sweetly while batting eyelashes *sighs.. I don't have ONE. Second can't I use this info for an interest survey in my Troop or for the Merit Badge Academy I hosting that you're dead set against?.. *impish grin while pretending innocence

And along comes a blog in my ebox that sums it up nicely on Adult led and boy led called The Pivot Point. The Point Taken says little ol' moi..*laughing http://www.scoutmastercg.com/2012/04/the-pivot-point/

http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Work_Sheet_for_Building_a_Merit_Badge_Counselor_List Any body have an up to date list please of the category list found in the Building a Merit Badge Counselor list? The one found is 1999 and I know several new Mb have been introduced since then.