dg98adams

Reminds of a wacky Job interview.... maybe make it work.

Scout: I need a POR for rank without looking like work and does not require me to do look I have to produce anything.

SM: Well how about my job? It comes with a exclusive Uniform patch, a Troop car, special appearances at Round Table and Popcorn kickoffs, a Troop vacation package that includes over 30 days of vacation as long as you like camping all year?

Scout: That's crazy, Mr. SM!!!

SM: You started it....

The destination is measured by the steps you took to get there.... if you skip a bunch of steps the value of the destination diminishes. Life is experienced on the journey.

Nope I would do nothing... and not spare one thought about it.

Its refreshing to hear MB Counselors.... holding Scout to the requirements... no more no less.

Advice: let those who wish to seek happiness elsewhere do so.

MB's are fixed in place, "don't want to do it, won't earn it".

If you are a CM/WL and you want DC's, come to the Troop and let them know when the Dens meet during Troop elections. Often it's the time commitment to a 2nd night during the week.

DC, unless a sibling is in the Pack, is the last position filled by a Scout from the Troop.

The "carrot", CM/WL/SM must use the Den cords and the Den Chief award for a job well done.

As a UC for a Pack, Troop and a Crew .... units who are not getting support from a UC is troubling.

I visit fairly regularly (open invite from the units I serve), drop off info from Council or RT and of course encourage JTE and on-time recharter process.

I offer advice when asked, and try to encourage growing the unit.

I have attended Pack Meetings, School night for Scouting, Scout Sunday to present the Charter, Blue & Golds (and sat on the edge, skipping the food), canoed with the Crew (on a local river cleanup), provided info to the Troop as needed.

No uniform inspections ever were requested or needed, but I have judged an impromptu Watermelon seed spitting contest (which was mildly contested - I gave credit for multiple seeds)....

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Check MacScouter clip art collection

I have 17 year old boy/girl twins both are the Crew. Son is a Life Scout.

Don't seem to have PDA in the Crew.

Another Dad and I are NRA shooting instructors and wear our D.A.D.D. shirts occasionally (dads against daughters dating) where the tag line is: shoot 1 boy, and the rest figure it out..

Seriously, the crew came up with no relationship (to include PDA) on Crew meetings/weekends. Get called on it, and you are out.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I believe you need to work each advancement on its own rank. If it says earn as a Webelos, then Nothing from Bear is counted.

I lost count of the times the Pack, or the Troop in uniform for an event had someone come up and mention some anecdote about Scouting.

Sometimes the Cubs/Scouts aren't really paying attention to the person, or just smile and wave.

But I remember 1 older gentlemen in a retirement home who remarked on my son's shirt Cub Shirt and his blue belt with Cub armor (many belt loops). He also stood up on his walker, saluted my son, who was so embarrassed by the attention saluted back before hurrying off to help with the Christmas dinner trays (the reason we were there).

I hung by his room for a second, and asked if was a Scout? He said he was only was a Boy Scout for a year before joining the Navy... at 16.... he said it was the proudest he ever felt being a Scout...

I thanked him for his Scouting Service and Service to his country (I'm a disabled Veteran). As I got ready to leave I spotted a framed Navy Cross by an old black and white picture of a young sailor near his bed.

I know the Troop I serve is not perfect, but on the right track. A PLC planning weekend sorts thru the Council events, Summer Camp dates and has a list of activities/events/outings contributed by Patrols.

A skeleton calender is presented with PLC & Troop meetings, OA weekends (Try not have Unit Outings on those weekends), Troop training (adult & Youth), holidays, Spring break (3 different schools). The PLC weeds events down from the pool and slots events by month by majority vote. The outing chair (ASM) and the SPL keep the PLC on task but do not campaign other than to break a tie vote or clarify an event. We stress to the Troop if you wanna help determine the calender you need to serve as PL/SPL/ASPL (at least for the "after camp" portion of the year).

The PLC usually invites a selection of Scouts from each Patrol to add to the planning group to do 3 things:

#1 keep older Patrols from dominating event selection, and

#2 provide experience for potential PLC Scouts.

#3 spread the votes on events

The roughed-in schedule is presented to the next Leader Meeting. This gives the leaders notice to commit to events, tentatively. We have several ASM's and adults to cover pretty much all the events 2-3+ deep.

Main goals:

secure adequate leadership on events,

3 Troop meetings per month

1 PLC per month

1 Outing Per month

1+ High Adventure per year (varies)

Avoid/minimize stacking events on 1 weekend (OA, Training, ETC....)

Youth generated calendar

Also creating of a list of events/month for future consideration.

This is where I think we could improve. We tend to repeat events (mostly because no one likes change)... but like I said the Troop is always getting better.

I think you're close....

AF Analogy:

CC - Payload master - knows where stuff goes and how much is too much to take off, knows where to shift Airman/Cargo - but little to no Airman (Cubs) skills

MC - Committee members - Lieutenants - willing to help, but need to stay focused on the mission (Cubs having fun). Probably need training, but hopefully you have 1-2 that know the mission. Warning, a Webelos Den Leader (usually more experienced) can eat a MC for breakfast. They are like Senior Master Sergeants.

CM - Pilot - He is the show, but can't load the plane or fuel it.. gets no credit for every take off and landing (Pack Meetings), but owns the crash (when things do not go as planned). Needs a competent Crew (made up of DL, CC and other air & ground support known as parents).

DL - Crew - they may need trained, but not micro-managed. Support them and they will support you, hang 'em out to dry and the word "frag" comes up.

Cubs - Airmen - if you can keep their attention and keep it fun, with grins and giggles, they will amaze you. Show them no fear, they tend to become sharks and scatter like the wind.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

If I had a new Parent that had no Scout experience, I would prefer they at least go to the required training for that position (or several positions) while they are helping the Troop not only so they know what would be expected, but show desire to be a "trained" leader. Get the training done and then consider recommending to CC ASM slot. Until then "Scout Parent" (or Merit Badge Counselor - no cost to Troop).

If the Parent had Scout experience, the training would still be the direction I'd point them to (unless they had it), consideration for recommendation to CC for an ASM slot after they have went on a couple outings.

I don't need paper ASM's.

"Needing doctor slips at scout shops to purchase uniforms over a certain size"

Which Scout shop, what size and what would the doctor write on the slip?

As far as a Program with firearms, why not just use the existing NRA qualifying awards for Pro Marksman, Marksman, Marksman 1st Class, etc... There are several courses of fire to choose from in the Winchester sponsored Program.

http://www.nrahq.org/education/training/marksmanship/

We have several NRA instructors in the Troop and recently started a Civilian Marksmanship Program (CMP) Affiliated program where we will offer it up to both the Troop and Crew (Rifle/Shotgun). The Pistol Program right now is for Crew members. We won't use the firearm target course that uses animal silhouettes.

Our camp also has 3 .22 Ruger Mark III's semi's, primarily used for Venture Crew pistol shooting.

I am an NRA rifle/pistol/shotgun instructor (just volunteered 2 weeks of my vacation at our local BSA Camp, Hugh Taylor Birch.

During the 2 weeks (9am to 9pm) I was there, other than the Shooting Sports Director (NRA Training Counselor in Rifle/Pistol/Shotgun/Muzzle Loader) we had between 3-4 other NRA range instructors/RSO's and 1 NRA Training Counselor out at the range (shotgun/pistol ranges) there during the week too.

The Camp Shooting Sports director had been running Instructor training courses the past year or 2, so I think he got more help this year than ever.

I would be interested to know were these pistols in the Pilot run, single-shot revolvers or semi-automatic pistols? For Boy Scouts the Shotgun/Rifle have to be single shot, bolt action....

I have taught the Pistol Course for our Crew, and would be thrilled to make it available to the Boy Scout Troop, but maybe not every 11 year old Scout would be ready for it... just like Shotgun.

Personally, I think getting Rifle or Shotgun MB 1st would give a Scout a chance to season to shooting sports ... or if they just allowed Boy Scouts who are 14 (Venturing Age) to shoot pistols....... that might be easier.

Times, they are a-changin'

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Name plate is in the IG picture.

http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Media/InsigniaGuide/06.aspx

BSA uniform "regulations" ... never saw any Uniform regulations, regulations usually have a penalty for violation .... I did see a Insignia Guide once...

I would like to have a SM saber though (I'd be ok if it was broken down to a useful length).

I agree with your position on the shooting sports (I am a shooting Sports Instructor).... but the Aquanaut work can be done elsewhere....the BSA swim test is 1 of 5 different optional requirements but only 3 of those are required... so the BSA swim test does not have to be completed.

I'd show her the BSA policy on the Shooting Belt lops but not fight the Aquanaut work regardless where done.

The Webelos Aquanaut Activity Badge is one of 20 different Activity Badges that can be earned in the Webelos Scout Program. The requirements are typically worked on during den meetings or den activities while the skills are practiced at home, with the help of the Webelos Scout's family. The requirements are either completed with the den or at home with the den leader's approval.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

If your (sons) ask the Troop advancement chair, he/she should have the list of approved Safety Counselors for your district. That would be a better choice than asking advice from the 'net.

Maybe someone from your own Troop is a Safety Merit Badge Counselor.

Or, contact the Camp Director, ask who is going to be the Safety Merit Badge counselor (officially or of record) and get their contact info. It likely is already someone from the district list.

In fact, if a badge is started before camp with someone local that your sons start working with and earn portions of the badge, then they can earn the rest at camp.

Most times, even if a Merit Badge has a per-requirement that is not completed before camp, it will not bar your sons from working on it at camp.

Likely it's better done before camp so the Scouts come up with their own scenarios anyway.

Hmm, when your sons read the requirements... what do they think it means? Let them come up with something on their own.... they might have a totally different perspective than when seen thru adult eyes. The only directive to stress is "no more, no less".

It does want:

1 - "Each plan should include an analysis of possible hazards,

2 - proposed action to correct hazards, and

3 - reasons for the correction you propose in each plan"

Whoever the Safety MB counselor they are using will help them flush it out a bit or ask more questions to get the ball rolling... that's the whole idea behind every Merit Badge, Learning about something new, and Adult Association.

#5 - Make an accident prevention plan for five family activities outside the home (at your place of worship , at a theater, on a picnic, at the beach, and while traveling , for example). Each plan should include an analysis of possible hazards, proposed action to correct hazards, and reasons for the correction you propose in each plan.

Our unit has done several dinners/lunches.

Big key: unless you get your food supplies donated (by Scout Family/friends) it can "eat" into your potential profits.

The Troop does a Santa breakfast, which includes a photo with Santa, that gets printed out before they leave.

The Crew has utilized several members that play in school bands to play instruments, as entertainment during dinner (Bean, or Spaghetti, etc). They try to pre-sell tickets to guess the turn-out, but walk-ins are welcome.

We also hold a sandwich/soup luncheon after the Scout Sunday service that is donation only, no tickets.

Never seen a "typical" Eagle project.... they are always really well planned, executed, led or not.... kinda the entire gambit... but nothing "typical".

I volunteered all day to assist running the Rifle/Shotgun range at our local BSA camp, Hugh Taylor Birch.

I am one of several shooting Sports instructors (NRA Rifle/Pistol/shotgun instructor) who volunteer time to assist the Shooting Sports director out there.

I volunteered the previous 2 weeks from 9 am to 9:30 pm every day on the same ranges, but also got to shoot my Black Powder Muzzle loader over 100 times (assisting Scouts using it).

To finish out the 4th, I took the wife for Ice Cream. My 2 Venture Scouts/children/17 year-olds, are on staff at the same camp, so have not gotten to see them much )

No fireworks because of a fire-ban in the Ohio area... but the wife and I watched John Carter of Mars on the DVD...

SPL, ....... the rest are trained under his example. The SPL selects an ASPL that can manage the Troop/Patrol positions.

If he(they) are infrequent or poor leaders, the rest of Troop can become aimless.

This is where adults step in to help instead of letting the Troop Scouts see they need to correct the issue by

Getting an SPL who is gonna be her nd o the job.

BSA Camp Hugh Taylor Birch, OH outside Yellow Springs. Got big winds, power out during dinner. Few awnings blew away. In all, nothing thy couldn't handle.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)