dg98adams

I have served the District Advancement Comm. several years (primarily dealing with Merit Badge Counselors), and as a Merit Badge Counselor for some specific Merit Badges for the District. I always get questions regarding the policy on relatives wanting to be a counselor for Scouts. Often the Scout office refers these Adults to me. There is some really good resources for New Counselors which answers these questions.... and I will answer what ? they have and provide links or in-person training as needed, but what I think is an important factor that may get overlooked is "no more, no

You know when you are a die-hard scout when you pay $7 at Walmart for 20 Tennis balls so you can have a cool black mesh bag they came in for your mess kit, 12x14" Perfect.... I did use the tennis balls for Troop leader training.

Never seen a patch like that for BSA uniform.... Maybe a Venturing Scout because they have the option of a unique uniform, but not traditional Boy Scout. The other could be on the right pocket - temp patch location.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Sounds like you have it covered.... Just depends on how comfortable you are. Me, I would use every opportunity if you have to do something to show a Webelos Scout how to do it. The volley Ball belt loop might really be something you can drop if getting camp set up and the meal done takes longer than you planned. Sometimes food burns Sometimes it rains Sometimes Scouts new to overnights get home sick Sometimes it's enough just to get them out to camp and have a campfire. Have you had the WDL Outdoor skill training (really just scratches the surface, but you get t

Yes, to the new app with current Youth protection certificate. Keep your tainting records accurate. Might as well plan on Webelos Outdoor skills class. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

This is the way it happens in Cub Scouts, if you have an anchor leader who gets the program sometimes they stay. Sometimes there's a place for them to move to with a 2nd or 3rd child to bounce to... The changeover in Cub Scouts from rank to rank then loss of the CM is the ONLY consistent fact you can count on. The Pack needs to constantly have a plan for someone to step up. I always told my new Cub Leaders, your first and last job is to find and train your replacements.

I have seen the CM/SM's kid in several units either be an excellent example (first to show up last to leave) of a Scout or the Scout is ALWAYS involved in whatever behavior problem going on. Often the Scout should have been booted long ago but because his parent is the CM/SM it gets swept under the rug. Phrases like "boys will be boys" or "we handle things when they happen, so we don't need to let the Committee know", or "we don't keep track of the issues like this" even though any other Scout would have been long gone.. Sometimes the leader is so free with his time and works well wi

No literature I know of on WHO can wear it....because a Council Shoulder patch, no matter what it is made for... is just a Council Patch.

I agree Den Chiefs are not really high on the list of most boy Scouts because it IS a lot more work. To add a carrot, you can use the Den chief Award to provide more frame work for the Boy Scout considering the role. Not surprisingly a older brother can be a good candidate for DC... as it is a big time investment... but the DL, CM. WDL. SM can use this award to more define the role. Keep in mind the Troop POR is NOT a year-long job.... so the Scout is making a commitment to earn the cords. Den Chief Service Award (cords the boy Scout wears on a shoulder) SEE DEN CHIEF HANDB

I have seen similar things, and understand the exasperation of "getting a Scout to camp" or when Scouts choose sports, cars, or girls. I have come round to this: Scouting, while cheaper than seasonal sports does not come without $ or effort. Any Parent/Scout who does not understand this or is unwilling to provide 1 or the other won't be around long. Nothing given away is ever valued. I withhold my $ until I see some effort but give my time freely. Serve the Scouts that are involved and active.... You don't deal with Coaches/Band Directors (Both my Scout Childre

This one was not hugely funny, but is often brought up around our Troops evening camp fire. The Scout in question was the grub master/cook working on his 2nd class cooking requirements.... and did a pretty good job from breakfast thru lunch for his Patrol. As an ASM in the Troop (and this young scouts previous CM a couple years prior), I was aware, over the book I was reading next to the campfire, of his prep/cooking. I knew his menu, as he had it approved by the PL the week before (and I saw a copy). He was all out, dutch oven pre-heated & oiled, then dropped in dough fo

You might even have a case of a TG/Trainer even being told by an ASM to get the stoves out... they might assume the "training" was outside the normal camping/Patrol distribution... I think the only mis-step you might have made would have been owning up to "recovering" the items left out. What wopuld have happened if they were really stolen/lost? To drive it home you could have a officer, who is "a friend" to the Troop, come by and "investigate it", on the side. I think I would have alloted a pro-rated cost to replace the items (payble to the Troop). Presented the bill to the P

I believe no one ever posted there is a rule that you COULD not serve on a POR, we were only trying to let you know it's potentially not in the units or your best interest as that Units UC to do so. In fact, I think the general tone was to let you know who could serve so a suitable replacement could be found. Will it blow up in your face, probably not. Will the Scout be irreparably damaged because you served on his BOR, probably not. Most BOR's are "check marks and handshakes". Will someone from the District spank you with a noodle, probably not. Will you take the advise of

I'm a UC too for multiple levels (Cub/Troop/Crew), and as a "friend" of the unit I would not sit on any advancement related board for those units. I would however, see what I could do to help train/recruit Comm. members and parents within the unit to get up to speed on staffing a BOR. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Cruel, no.... but I think you will have a better impact by handing out recognition at the Campout campfire or Sunday morning. could still be icecream or the like. More importantly, are you the SM? Did the CC/COR tell you to stop?

Have your son ask the SPL who is the NSP TG. It's possible the TG is not coming to meeting or needing to be filled. Summer Camp is coming up, and maybe elections?

T#8 - Know your patrol name, give the patrol yell, and describe your patrol flag. We encourage Patrol Identity, and use the yell for things like "who goes first" is the loudest, or a way to bring that Patrol back from an activity... sometimes the Patrol puts the yell right on the flag, or use it to start a Patrol Corner session. I'd like to see more Patrol identity in the Troop meeting. Especially useful for new Scouts introduced to the Patrol that did not "cross over" with the rest.

Memorial Day Parade, be sure to afix a black ribbon to the flag's staff! The black ribbon signifies a fixed flag (Troop flag pole) is at "Half-staff" I have a ribbon in my Scout stuff just for that... Gonna get a few more for the parade this weekend.

Technically June 1 is the promotion date of tiger, wolf, bear to the next rank as far as Scoutnet goes..... But if an advancement report gets turned in over the summer the local Scout office will usually accept it. When I was CM I only accepted electives needed to advance rank after the last day of School. Otherwise I directed Cubs to work on the next rank.

Here is a link for MB stats. http://meritbadge.org/wiki/index.php/Merit_Badges_Earned Latest is 2007 Down to 10k last year for Sports. Bugling, American Business and fishing are under 1000. Note: we had several in our council for bugling the last couple year each year.

Shoulda, woulda, coulda is not in the requirements. Neither are the words self-check-for-rescue, it's a life skill, just not the only aquatic life skill you can learn. I mean Gunny by your defination, they should start the test in clothes, shoes, socks, PFD, 1 hand on a paddle, and the other holding a fishing rod..... now you have a real rescue check! Just like everything else BSA word-smithed to death, it "is" what it "isn't" regardless of personal interpretation. Can you jump in and swim (forward motion in a strong manner 3 laps then a resting backstroke lap) in water over yo

You District/Council Advancement chair shares those stats with us (Unit Commissioners) every year... I believe those stats are something you could ask for. by district easily enough. I think the Sports MB is oft earned by Scouts heavily involved in scholastic sports or summer leagues (baseball, soccer, etc...). Mostly because they ALREADY are giving up some Camping Outings.

I think the dock/boat example (can't swim without mask/goggles) is weak, since they HAVE a PFD on panic or not swimming is going to be on top of the water anyways....but in a pool or lake just for a swim test? Come on? A Camp aquatics director actually said that goggles or masks can't be used for the BSA swim check? What about nose plugs, swim caps or "$100+ speed suits? Ridiculous. As a YMCA Lifeguard/BSA Lifeguard, I would draw the line anywhere on a Scout using items that specifically enhance arm/leg propulsion, natural flotation, natural breathing (snorkels, fins, paddles, water

If you are using some tracking software that includes belt loops and pins, she may be wanting to have some kind of record beyond the award. But there are multiple options for awards/recognitions, and it's reasonable for a DL to email in the req. used to complete the award, but not completely necessary. All the person does who requests the awards from council is to submit an advancement report (online or printed in person) which lists the Scouts name, date, and belt loop/pin/rank/etc earned.

Surevy Monkey is pretty easy to use, if you have a pool of email addresses. When I was CM I did like Turtle suggested since the "Old Guard said the same thing.... Put out info on Summer Activities (especially if you have free council activities) , let those who wanted to come, come, and not worry about who showed up. Know what, some did show up.... and had fun. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)