dg98adams

On multiple occasions, when the SPL/PL/SM asks Scouts what they want to do for the yearly planning session more often than not, we get the "blank stare".

I know the SPL/PL have had better response by listing (on paper) all the outings/activities from the past 2 years, and asking the boys to rate them and add any more they would like to try.

The only issue is the younger scouts want to do stuff a 2nd or 3rd time.

Takes some nudging from the older Scouts to get them to modify repeated activities....(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

* The boy told the scoutmaster he wouldn't attend a lot of meetings due to his work schedule. When he does attend he is helpful.

* He has been working on personal management for the past month.

If he can get his Eagle requirements/workbook/project completed assuming he has fulfilled his POR for life, the only thing to say is:

"A lack of planning on your part, does not make it an emergency on my part." And go from there providing support.

All you need is a park with a creek and a shelter house.

this should be listed on the Trip report as well so you are covered no matter what. Probably something close to the the wtare park. Maybe a museum, or indoor activity.

Barry,

Not to hijack this post....

I think you hit it on your post.

"Its rare to find a good boy run troop that uses same age patrols because the scouts tend to be exclusive and cliquish. In fact, I have personally never seen a good boy run program with same age patrols because it requires to much adult intervention to maintain a minimum level growth at the boy level......However, there are times when a troop has to use a new scout patrol. One is when a troop receives so many new scouts, the existing patrols cant function with the influx."

Our Troop has not been around too long, and we are just getting a core of 4-5th year Scouts that CAN lead. The incoming Scouts have increased our Troop considerately every year. And since were are pretty active, we get a couple transfers every year.

I'd like to get the leaders to shift gears and adapt to the changes more since the Troop has evolved.

For the past several years, our troop (SM) has advocated the "new Scout Patrol" stays together and becomes a standard patrol. There was 1 year, we had to split the incoming group into 2 "new Scout Patrols".

Some of the boys felt slighted (I think) to not be with their long-time Cub friends even though we provided TG's to assist either Patrol.

I think it would have been better to keep them in the same big patrol then let them split after 6 months.

uz2bnowl,

I know I posted that I didn't "get" the game...and certainly did not remember any Moral or Reason to play it. I was a WB participant and on staff.

IMHO, the game is less than useful... it's forgettable.

I'm on staff 4 the WB course next month, and did not really get the "game" during staff training or hear the majority of the instructions. I was still working on following the poorly copied woggle instructions.

I don't think any of the other "new" TG's did well either.

I just grabbed the BSA requirements for Mile Swim from Merit Badge . com, not trying to nit-pic uniform police.

The morning practice swims for the mile at our camp happen at 6:30 am (7 am the 1st day) Mon-Thurs, with the final swim on Friday morning, or between lunch dinner, or after 7 pm.

I usually get mine in, after the Thursday morning swim 9skipping breakfast), so I can help count laps on Friday.

Now that I am over 40 it takes just about 45-50 min.

Last year, I got paced by a swim team Scout (11-12) in the last practice swim, then when I started the mile after a short rest, he swam with me but did it in less than 1/2 the time (freestyle with flip-turns).(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

A good camp chair...cuz that's where you should spend some quality time.

Camera...but don't follow the scouts every where...just pop up, take shots when they don't know you were ever there.

Some "Hot Sauce" for the dining hall...toss some crackers/fruit bars in your bag. Comfort food/treats that are factory-sealed might help the homesick Scout you meet on the way to .... wherever.

Oh, I usually have a couple of those water-bottle mixes for the water bottle I carry. Not a coffee drinker.

I usually have something small to work on (para-cord braid, wooden necker to carve, leather braids, etc...) during low spots. I have always found it's easier to teach a little something when a Scout shows interest in what I'm doing,....without him realizing it.

Oh yeah, a roll or 2 of Duct Tape and some extra band aids.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

The Mile Swim, BSA Patch is NOT worn on the Uniform.

It is worn on the left side of the swim trunks.

This award can also be earned and worn by adults.

1. Explain how regular exercise contributes to good health and why swimming is one of the best forms of exercise.

2. Tell what precautions and procedures a swimmer and escort must follow for distance swimming over open water.

3. Under the supervision of a currently qualified certified aquatics instructor, BSA or equivalent, participate in 4 hours of training and preparation for distance swimming (1 hour a day maximum).

4. Swim 1 mile over a measured course that has been approved by the trained instructor who will supervise the swim.

Yep, some of mine were lost. I redid it and then the login requirements changed. Having a hard time logging back in with the new username.

We always print it out and put it in Troop Master.

Been there, done that with my son when he was a new Scout.

It is a good choice, to do the mile swim over FP MB.

Although, I handle the aquatic needs for our Troop, I have not been to BSA Aquatic camp Skool (youth competitive swimmer, Swim teacher, Council SSD & SA Instructor, & YMCA lifeguard for a long time) and prefer to think the "Mile Swim" is a "camp thing".

You know, I have been an adult leader for several years (multiple positions from Cubs to Council and gotten lots of training and I go to RT regularly), and I still don't know where all the Troops in our district are (map location/chartering Org), let alone the council.

I mean I have a general idea, but a handout with a map of the districts (minimal detail) with location & contact info printed on it for Troops/Crews/Cubs.

Sorta "Where we are & how to find us" info session.

I hear about things Units are doing (Hi Adventure, Philmont, Sea Base, Hikes, out-of-council-events, etc....) where extra slots for events are available. But most times it's too late to get interest in the few older Scouts/Crew who could go.

Mel,

I knew someone would find it.

That's about it....

I have used this one at the 1st Pack meeting....if you do it as a closing ceremony you should get some parents as new den leaders or assistants and maybe yet find a Dad that was a Scout.

I used a roll of receipt paper (4")

Unroll 100'

Marking off 100 years (Mark 7 feet as the age the cub is now).

Remove the 0 to 7 feet , and mention as a prent you have prepared him and will continue as "Akela".

Tear off the last 30-35 years (time when the parents are gone)

Mark the age he finished scouting at 18 feet (tear off the paper between 18 to ~60).

I make a remark, that this is the period when all the things you asked of him, he is now asking of his children and maybe they are entering Cub Scouts.

Mark the age where he will enter Boy Scouts (10-1/2 to 11)

At this point you could only have the short piece (6 to 10-1/2 or 11)

I say, "This is the time period where your son is most influenced by the adults and youth around him. As a parent you want the best...and in Scouting, the adults and fellow Scouts strive to reach that goal. The confident, young adult you want your son to be is evolving right now.....that's why it's so important to help us, help your son, as Akela, a den assistant, den leader, popcorn Kernal, event planner or .......... (say nothing here)"

Put the "prized piece of paper" in your shirt pocket and return to your seat.

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

I manage the Aquatic skills for our Troop as well as Swim Defense and Safety Afloat for the council.

A life guard functioning as the sole lifeguard and a swim instructor is not safe. Qualified look outs and other help would be needed, especially at the water front where visibility is an issue.

At the Y, I can have 25 swimmers, but I am NOT in the water running a class.

Instructing non-swimmers AND swimmers at the same time does not sound like a safe way to manage the class. The Lifeguard that went home and the replacement not knowing what was completed....ok, just skipping it, bad.

Friday's at our camp is a "make-up" day for most MB's (Scouts aren't encouraged to skip earlier MB sessions to depend on Friday to catch up - rain, supplies, etc) , so running out of ammo on Friday would not really be a big deal. I would have hoped those taking the MB or needing to qualify had priority.

5 Mile hike for new Scouts...should not have been run by Scouts not having a course laid out. This is a definite Staffing problem for the camp director/program.

The Family night dinners, especially if pre-paid is a definite issue for the camp director/program.

I would address all your issues in writing to the SE (cc the Camping Director).

He knows Troops choose next years camp, based on this years camp.

(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

A MBC can should sign up with the council BEFORE signing a any MB card. Automatic approval is not a slam dunk. What happens if they aren't "approved"?

Eagle,

Troop Master can print out reports for individual Scouts showing progress toward rank..it would be easy to use that printed sheet to record weekly updates for him to update at home.

We do that for the PLC monthly (print reports for each patrol leader/SPL), and use that to report updated progress as needed.

I believe it is discouraged to offer it that way.

Besides, I chair the course in our council and it's hard to shave more than an hour or so off the 8 hour course.

I remember some funny ones from the AF... cleanup like this

Mama Mama look at me

Mama Mama look at me (Patrol refrain)

Look what the Scouts did to me

Look what the Scouts did to me (patrol refrain)

I use-ta stay up very late

I use-ta stay up very late (patrol refrain)

Now I've hiked XX miles 'fore 8 (put in your mileage)

Now I've hiked XX miles 'fore 8 (patrol refrain)

Woah woah wo wo

Wo-ah Wo-ah wo wo (Patrol Refrain)

Woah a-wo wo-oh

Wo-ah a-wo wo-oh (Patrol Refrain)

Papa Papa look at me

Papa Papa look at me (Patrol refrain)

Look what the Scouts did to me

Look what the Scouts did to me (patrol refrain)

Took away my tennis shoes, now I'm wearing Scouting boots

Took away my tennis shoes, now I'm wearing Scouting boots (patrol refrain)

Woah woah wo wo

Wo-ah Wo-ah wo wo (Patrol Refrain)

Woah a-wo wo-oh

Wo-ah a-wo wo-oh (Patrol Refrain)

And on and on and on....

Found this when I replied I am sending some wooden nickels.

DG

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Dave,

I sent you a PM.

dg98adams

You know as Scouters we don't have the option of choosing which BSA rules to follow.

I personally think paintball (with safety equipment) and lasertag aren't harmful. But G2SS BSA policy is clear on that.

I also respectfully ask to eliminate the childish "Woodbadge-related backhand comments" when replying to posts. This is NOT a forum to bash or offer up back-hand smacks to any volunteer training.

I spent quite of bit of personal time and money as well as a commitment for Woodbadge Training (when I was the CM). This year, being on staff (as a seasoned ASM) requires even more commitment than before I became a Buffalo.

I apologize for hijacking the theme of this thread.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

We have some for our GeoCache....with our Troop logo and number. How do you want to swap?

Swim Defense requires ....

1. Qualified Supervision

All swimming activity must be supervised by a mature and conscientious adult age 21 or older who understands and knowingly accepts responsibility for the well-being and safety of youth members in his or her care, who is experienced in the water and confident of his or her ability to respond in the event of an emergency, and who is trained in and committed to compliance with the eight points of BSA Safe Swim Defense. (It is strongly recommended that all units have at least one adult or older youth member currently trained as a BSA Lifeguard to assist in the planning and conduct of all swimming activity.)

4. Lifeguards on Duty

Swim only where there are lifeguards on duty.

"For unit swims in areas where lifeguards are not provided by others, the supervisor should designate two capable swimmers as lifeguards. " **** Your Adult triAth does not need to be a Lifeguard!

Station them ashore, equipped with a lifeline (a 100-foot length of 3/8-inch nylon cord). In an emergency, one carries out the line; the other feeds it out from shore, then pulls in his partner and the person being helped. In addition, if a boat is available, have two people, preferably capable swimmers, take it outone rowing and the other equipped with a 10-foot pole or extra oar. Provide one guard for every 10 people in the water, and adjust the number and positioning of guards as needed to protect the particular area and activity.