dg98adams

I did my sons 21's century shirt with velcro (tan from the Mil supply store) for the POR patch on the pocket/sleeve.

Good turns should need no reward... but nothing stopping you from getting him up front and commending him on his honesty.

Here's a bunch.

http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/default.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&C2=GIFTS&C3=STICKERS&C4=&LV=3

My wife got Ohio license plates for her Blazer (I drive it) like this:

Here are some license plate frames on Cafepress

I personally don't think it's a good idea, and probably not advisable.

YPT is online.

Keeping up with the attendance/to which meeting/break out on which which portion of the training was covered could be a logistical nightmare when it comes time for the IOLS/IOWLS camp out.

RT is a good place for information/speakers not normally available at scheduled times through out the year.

And to echo BBender.... don't "READ" the flyers ...hand 'em out, inform about upcoming events/info not on the council ... website calender

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As an ASM and one of our council trainers I agree with Beaveh it's a probably not a good idea for either the Scout or "warm body" instructor.

But it does have some merit... if you feed the Scout small bits at a time (it always comes down to food with me). Here's what I do in our Troop and the council classes I staff.

A Scout getting some skill newly signed off will get buddied up with a more experienced Scout to cover/go-over/work-on that skill/task for the next Scout(s) next time. This works really well in a Troop of mixed ages and experience levels. Someone is always seeing how to cover some task working with someone with more experience. This will benefit both the experienced Scout by giving him some assistance (and breathing room) and the new Scout by working with someone probably closer to his age under the direct supervision of the experienced Scout.

I do this on council courses when I try to get new people on staff. It's easier integrating new Scouters instead of throwing them to the "wolves" (attendees) 1st time out.

It works, as I have completely turned over the staff for IOWLS and BALOO courses instead of leaning on the same Scouters all the time. Same thing happens in the Troop on our Webelos/Troop spring outing. Several of the new Scouts will be helping more experienced Scouts the next spring cover the same stuff.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Hmmm....

I think for the most part:

Step 1.1 - 1.4 Repetition/using it, both on his own and with help.

Step 1.5: A Scout demonstrates the skill (verbally or physically), at an interval between Step 1 and Step 2 that both he and the PL/SPL/Scouter (whoever is working with him) is comfortable with.

Some skills like cooking, swimming, camping, lashings & 1st aid for example can take several weeks/months to go from learning to "attain the needed skills".

Would delaying a Scout to Tenderfoot advancement to the next Troop meeting make sense if the Scout can demo the requirements without the book? Nope.

Sounds like you have done what reasonably can be done.

Try a few Postcards to the Cub and get his den mates to send them, and continue inviting him to come to meetings/outings with the monthly/annual schedule of events.

Stay relaxed. If mom brings him back great. If not, hopefully he can be come to Boy Scouts later.

This could have been a problem... as a "leader you can implement the plan, demonstrate leadership, facilitate the implementation" but the outcome or follow thru of other Leaders/Cubs was not under your control and could have derailed your completion if that's how you measured it.

Not saying it wasn't a good idea, it is/was, but as a W.B. ticket councilor I ask the "what if" questions when tickets get fleshed out.

You won't find the "rule' as I don't believe there is one....

A SMC can be held for more than 1 rank, and 1 or more BOR for both ranks can be held the same day.

This is usually more common for T-1C, after that not.

Most of the troop I serve has a BOR within a week of a SMC. Sometimes the day of, sometimes by the next meeting. Usually when the Scout lets the Adv. ASM know he is ready for a SMC, the Adv ASM confirms the Scouts HB matches the computer records before the SMC is held. We use Troop Master, which also produces reports on Scouts progress thru the ranks. With 40+ Scouts someone is almost always ready for a SMC/BOR every other week it seems.

I managed tracking the YOC patches/ribbons for the Troop I serve.

There were 4 complete (all 5 ribbons), and probably 25 of 40 Scouts so earned 1 or more.

3-4 boys in the son's Troop completed all 4. My son finished off Pathfinding Saturday to complete the 4.

I know a bigger group in our Troop got Tracking done starting at an outing at primitive campsite near a stream in June.

IMO,

Stay a DL then go WL or ACM/CM - encourage others to step up and get active.

One thing to bring up at the next leaders meeting - Leader transition plan should be a topic that gets revisited at least 1-2 times a year, so you don't have the "2-minute warning" from the outgoing cub Parent.

That also leads into over lapping training for positions (DL, CM, WL, CC, PAck Trainer, BALOO, etc...).

Keeping track of who has what and when, whats needed, and when is the next training is also a Pack Trainer task.

troop limit the number of merit badges a scout can earn with one counselor

I suppose only in that the SM or person designated by SM will make available MBC info to a Scout.

Merit Badge Councilors are a District/Council function and that's where approval to be a MBC occurs.

Scouts are/should be encouraged to seek out MBC's from the District/Council list. BSA does not say how few/many or that mom/dad can't be one. They do require that those who want to be MBC's be registered (no cost), take YPT (in our council), and complete the MBC form - assuming they get approved via the background check, etc....

Bought my son (Life Scout Trumpet player) a Centennial Bugle for Christmas from:

http://scoutbugle.com/Centennial.htm

Lots of good tips on the site too.

He has played Colors and Taps for the Troop at a camporee and Round Table on Veterans day (I'm an ASM, Unit Comm and Veteran) a couples time on his Trumpet, and did a great job. He is in the School marching band.

The current Troop Bugler (only 2nd time we had one) is only marginally better than the last in both ability and motivation. Keith is awesome on his Trumpet and I hope decides to play the Bugle more often now.

Here's keeping my fingers crossed.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

For what it was, I liked it, and bought it. It did not have enough action for my own son (Life Scout), but he thought it was ok.

Anyone who has stayed a week at camp with the boys will appreciate a lot of the humor.

The Scout Master or Merit Badge councilor decides on what counts for Service Projects. This is true for all cases except for Eagle Projects, whereas a private or for-profit entity and explicitly Scouting cannot be the receiver of the project..

Lots of other groups including Scouts, use Scout Camp property, so I'd call projects done at camp "Community Service" if a Scout wanted to use it for non-Eagle activities.

Oh, this is for the Den Leader...

Blue Felt blanket (for all the extra patches).

The Troop I served has tried some of the methods mentioned here (been there, done that, mostly not successful) .... but seems to return to an experienced TG for PL duties for the 1st 4 months (which carries it to Troop elections right after Summer Camp). There's usually at least 2 camp outs before summer camp.. It's a good idea if the TG (usually he's a seasoned 1st Class/Star) goes to camp (I'd like to offer him a Troop discount on camp, but we haven't had the funds). We seem to have the ~14-15+ aged boys going for Camp staff or Council NYLT by then.

Most of the NSP have advanced past Tenderfoot up into 2nd Class.

In the ~4 months, 2 NSP members get to go to the PLC's with the TG at least once or more.

They are now ready for the next Troop JLT and usually there is 1 or 2 wanting to lead by then.

Those "vests" are just felt.

Several yards of discount red felt from the fabric shop and you'd be back in business.

You can use brown paper to have the Cubs make their own pattern or grab one and make a one-size-fits-all pattern.

You can lay it out and make it so there is only 2 short seams on top of the shoulders to sew up.

Our WB staff dinner & shoulder patch sales generates scholarships, no more than 1/2 of the cost of a participants WB course I believe.

My pack was too small to pay for mine when I was CM or the previous CM, I don't think either one of us brought it up though.

If I was serving a pack/Troop/Crew now in a position other than as UC, I would bring it up. It was that useful to the Pack/Troop IMO.

Our troop has 2 (including myself) Wood Badge leaders (and staffers), so it's not an unknown subject if the Troop had the funds.

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This really needs to go out in real mail/paper to ALL of your pack.

Email is just not 100% effective, like handing something to someone. Especially when they can realistically use the "did not see it/read it/get it" excuse.

You can do the same thing sealing it up in an envelope with the parents name on it to be picked up at the den/pack meeting. A smaller note about unpaid dues for specific parents could be included.

I know my Pack did it that way. The Troop I serve now does a yearly due (with a free month) if paid in Jan., or a schedule of payments per month.

As an ASM I don't know when which Scouts fall behind, as that' is delt with by SM and CC. We do have an "inactive list" for Scouts that drop off until recharter time.

Did you advocate this at your monthly committee/leader meetings?

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Try ebay. A Scout is resourceful.

I can see an advantage of the side-hinged doors over the ramp.

Aside from the previous poster's post (hanging items on the doors); sometimes when it's rainy, 1 door partially open keeps the inside from getting wet.

Consider staggering your meeting times 30 minutes.

Attendance to a COH is a Patrol function, so you should have Patrol responsibilities, like Flag Ceremonies, planning, supporting those in the Patrol, etc. Get the scouts involved in the planning whether they get recognition or not. It can be used as a requirement to "chair the event for the Communications MB"....

Our Troop also has other recognitions not ties to rank/MB (home made certificates, Year of Celebration recognition, Eagle Project announcements, parent recognition... as well as a time for food and fellowship after.

I know at least 1 time a year, it's at the same time/place of our meeting anyway.

You could have an announcement hand out a week or 2 before to extend participation to ALL SCOUTS.

Do you have other attendance issues?(This message has been edited by dg98adams)