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  1. Scouts with Disabilities

    Where parents and scouters go to discuss unique aspects to working with kids with special challenges.

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  2. Going to the next Jamboree?

    A place to chat about Scouting's biggest gathering

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9654 topics in this forum

  1. out of control parent 1 2

    By jhubb,
    • 18 replies
    • 2.8k views

  2. why is it harder to make changes in a troop than a pack? 1 2

    By Lisabob,
    • 25 replies
    • 2.3k views

  3. Snapshot of Scouting this weekend 1 2

    By ozemu,
    • 26 replies
    • 3.1k views

  4. Scouters in a small world

    By Trevorum,
    • 2 replies
    • 1.1k views

  5. Troop open house - game

    By kahits,
    • 5 replies
    • 1.5k views

  6. Cleaning Aluminum Dutch Ovens 1 2

    By MOLeader,
    • 19 replies
    • 7.6k views

  7. Beavers.

    By Eamonn,
    • 3 replies
    • 1.4k views

  8. How to respond to griping parents 1 2

    By Beavah,
    • 25 replies
    • 3.4k views

  9. Custom Unit Policies

    By Loki,
    • 11 replies
    • 1.6k views

  10. recruiting methods for Boy Scouts 1 2

    By gwd-scouter,
    • 18 replies
    • 2.6k views

  11. Clip Art

    By oldsm,
    • 6 replies
    • 1.8k views

  12. 100th Anniversary celebrations, what's your council doing?

    By kb6jra,
    • 9 replies
    • 1.3k views

  13. Adult Recognition Comments - District and Council (or other)

    By ScoutDadof5,
    • 10 replies
    • 1.1k views

  14. Removing Scout from POR

    By OldGrayOwl,
    • 14 replies
    • 1.6k views

  15. JOTA / JOTI

    By insanescouter,
    • 0 replies
    • 1.2k views

  • LATEST POSTS

    • PACAN
      Catholics turn

      By PACAN · Posted

      This topic has strayed from the original post which was to identify and discuss Catholic diocese and units eliminating their scout programs.
    • InquisitiveScouter
      Catholics turn

      By InquisitiveScouter · Posted

      I have no problem asking Eagle Scout candidates to demo Scout skills, or show some Scout knowledge.  But, usually, it is a follow-on to a question about program and experiences. "Jenny, what are some things you liked about Scouting?" "I loved Pioneering Merit Badge, and learning to work with rope to build things." "That's great!  Did you share some of these skills with the other Scouts in your Troop?" "Yes, I was our primary Troop Instructor for whipping, knots, and lashings!" "OK, right!  I see on your Eagle Application that is one of the Positions of Responsibility you have cited for your rank requirements.  Would you be willing to tie a bowline for me?  Here's a piece of rope." "Sure!" <Ties the knot> etc etc etc It is not a test for the Scout, and, if the Scout cannot tie it, I would certainly not hold her up unless the candidate said something like "I never learned to tie a bowline." (Then it would be about not ever completing a requirement, versus not being able to remember how to do it.) It is a measure of the program and Troop culture, and not necessarily a measure of the Scout.  "Its purpose is to determine the quality of the Scout’s experience and decide whether the requirements for the rank have been fulfilled."  
    • SSScout
      Catholics turn

      By SSScout · Posted

      The Amish have a saying (they have lots of sayings):  Show me what a man does with his hands that I might know his heart. One of my observations  concerns the youth I encounter , both in and out of Scouting.  Hand manipulation.  Tying knots that HOLD.   If one is concerned about a small thing like a shoe lace tied so it won't come undone, that person might also be concerned about other things, done right, so they won't come undone.  The standards we set. "Oh, that's good enough."  Is it?   The idea that the Scout/youth can be taught, trusted, to do what is necessary, not just "good enough" (whatever that may mean).   Kids in first grade that don't know their right from their left, over versus under....  I see it when Cubs try to fold the US flag in that triangular tradition.  It takes time, and I often have to shoo the father away from the Cub who is really experimenting with his hands, seemingly for the first time....   The  misguided EBoR  that asks an Eagle candidate to tie a Bowline...   If they can't tie it then, it does no good to ask them, and it is not a failure of the Scout, but of the Troop.  
    • InquisitiveScouter
      Catholics turn

      By InquisitiveScouter · Posted

      Agreed! And I think we would do better if we set the expectation that adults will learn Scout skills as well. Most adults I know cannot tie the seven basic knots in the Scout Handbook (much less do any lashing), use a map and compass to find their way, sleep outside in less than 40 degree weather, go backpacking, or, more generally, know most of the things in the Scout Handbook that Scouts have to know (or know what "right" looks like).  And they are afraid to admit it and then go learn. What happened to Be, Know, Do?
    • fred8033
      Catholics turn

      By fred8033 · Posted

      Commissioner corps?  District commissioners have worked okay, but I've never, never seen unit commissioners work well.  IMHO, 98% of the time unit commissioners is a broken concept ... for many, many, many reasons. The quality issue is because scouting is conceptually simple, but the implementation is way overly complex; too complex for most leaders.  Worse, the program delivery has far too much variety.  The program would do better if it focused more on getting the scouts outside and being active.  Worry less about leadership and character.  Instead, focus on being active.  Then, leadership and character comes as a result of being active.
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