dsteele

Thanks for the suggestions, guys. Actually, OGE, we're following National's recommendations for an impact luncheon. My co-chair is looking for a female and male Venturer from different crews to give short descriptions of what they have done as crew members. The only difference between ours and the national plan is that we're including youth as well as potential chartered organizations. we're doing it on a Saturday morning. Impact program for about an hour, then hot dog lunch, then the youth activities I mentioned. Unc. Isn't this better than arguing over "crybabies." I prefer action to rhetoric any day. U.

Okay, let me ask it this way: For those of you with children (I am not so blessed, so I don't know,) when they have to take prescription drugs during school hours . . . are they shoved in their pocket or do they have to check them in with the school nurse or secretary to have them dispensed at the proper time? When I was a kid, I had to take medicine during school hours. They were always dispensed at the office and not carried by me. That's the way it still is with BSA camps. Unc.

I talked to my council's registrar and Field Director about this topic. It made sense to me that there needed to be a way to count who was a merit badge counselor and who was not, but it turns out (according to them) that there is more to it than that: Here is some of what I found out: Merit Badge Counselors have been required to fill out an adult application (in addition to any council forms) since 1988. They fill out an adult application, position code 42 and pay no fee. Why? 1) This allows the council to know who is a merit badge counselor. If someone, as Mark points out in his example, is a Scoutmaster, Cubmaster, etc. he/she has to fill out an application for each position. Period, end of report. Merit badge counselor is an unpaid position. 2) Even if a merit badge counselor is also registered in a unit position -- look at the approvals. For a unit leader or committee member, the approval comes from the Committee Chairman, Charter Rep, or Institutional Head or a combination of the above. For a merit badge counselor, the approval comes from the Scout Executive or designee. An important sub-point, the SM may be approved by the chartered partner (IH, CC, CR) and accepted (which is the wording on the adult application I'm looking at) by the council. However, for a merit badge counselor, the approval comes from the council. The charter partner may be quite comfortable with Joe as a Scoutmaster, but that doesn't mean the council advancement committee or the designee feels comfortable with him as a merit badge counselor for whatever reason. Two positions, two approval processes. Those are the two major reasons that stuck in my little brain. Unc.

I have been asked, recently, to help out with our council's Venturing Impact Event -- designed to get chartered partners and youth excited about joining Venture Crews. Reals ones, guys and gals, not just groups of older Scouts. The idea is to start stand alone crews and get some visibility to the program. When I first met with the Venturing Membership Chair, she was talking about a meeting on a Saturday morning for youth and potential charter partners and some kind of activity in the afternoon. She and I talked about a climbing wall or caving. I didn't like the climbing wall. Any kid from the age of 6 or so can go to a Galyans Sporting Goods or other spot with a wall and climb on their own. The caving idea I liked, but it proved too expensive. Now I'm thinking of doing three activities (the meeting part is not a problem) offering a choice of which activity the kids participate in. The charge for the event would be $5.00 per youth and would include patch, equipment and site rental. At first I was trying to think of stuff they couldn't do on there own, but this evening it occured to me that if we're selling the Venturing program, we need to show stuff they CAN do on their own. So the activities I'll propose to the chairman tomorrow are: 1) Frisbee golf (we'll supply regluation, Venturing pre-printed frisbees. Four person best throw format. Trophies at the end. 2) One-eyed dodge ball. We'll supply the eye patches. The "captains" chosen that day will pick people for the other team, not their own. 3) A "no rules" pinewood derby. We'll set up the track similar to a rifle range. We'll supply the cars. It doesn't matter what the car weighs or if they shove a rocket engine in the back. Actually, come to think of it, if we charge six bucks a head, we can include a patch. Something with the Venturing logo and the phrase "Venturing -- Rule Yourself!" What do you think? Unc.

Mr. P: It seems, by your handle, that you have a strong attitude about your position in Scouting. I don't agree with your attitudes about national. In fact, I like our DE and the direction the council in which I am honored to participate is going. I see nothing wrong with getting more kids in the program through new units. I don't know about the numbers you or Bob White posted. I was a kid in the program at the time and not privy to the membershp figures. I believe in the Boy Scouts of America and it's volunteer and professional leaders. If you do not believe in them, I suggest you go elsewhere. I do believe that you were once a DE, but I also believe you when you say you are no longer employed. I'll leave it at that. Unc.

Blast-that-a-flat-a-wrap!!!!!! I'll second that one. The phrase at the beginning of the post is there only to provoke either laughter or argument! Unc.

You might contact the National Scouting Museum in Irving, TX. They have volunteer curators who may be able to help you find the information you're looking for. Other than that, if you're trying to get your hands on actual copies of the original material, you may be hard-pressed. Air Scouting was a small segment of the BSA and not for very long. Air Exploring lasted longer, but still wasn't very big. Best of luck. Unc.

Interesting thread. Has it occured to anyone that there may be a far, far more simple reason the BSA requires registration as a merit badge counselor for all merit badge counselors? Sometimes, as Freud used to say, a cigar is just a cigar. In the 1930's, the BSA needed to figure out how many and who were its members. They began a registration process whereby all filled out forms to indicate they were members of the BSA. Forget about criminal background checks, although I understand they are done for all new registrations. That's not why merit badge counselors need to be registered. I think they need to be registered so we know who they are. You may be a registered Scoutmaster or Assistant Scoutmaster, but how is the council supposed to pull your name up on a list if you aren't also registered as a merit badge counselor? The BSA requires a registration form for each position -- and, although merit badge counselor isn't a paid position, there is still an application required. I know some Scoutmasters who chose not to become merit badge counselors. That's their choice. We can't assume every registered leader is a merit badge counselor or that every merit badge counselor is a registered leader. I worry when someone (such as a teacher or other non-scouter) refuses to fill out an application to be registered as a merit badge counselor. There's no fee, so what is there to hide? Unc.

Pounder: The eight minute 180 degree shift in answers has to be some kind of record, even for these forums I'll grant you that you got it right in the second answer. Eamonn, dear friend, Powder Horn is right up your alley. Sleep in cabins by night and have adventures by day. You're on the right track as to what Venturing should be, and Powder Horn will teach you how it should be delivered. Armed with that knowledge, you'll be dangerous. In a good way Unc.

BadenP: My DE is a great guy! He knows the program, is an Eagle Scout, and has been a Scoutmaster. He knows better than to spend his time at Eagle Boards of Review, but is at every district activity and meeting. He raises his share of money and lets the volunteers do their jobs. He serves as "coach-counselor" to the district. I know because mine shared his position description with me. The DE is an important part of the program in a given area, I'll give you that. But the DE is nothing without the volunteers backing him or her up. Whether there is a rise or fall in quality or quantity of membership is dependant on all of us doing our part. Unc.

I'm with Twocubdad on this one. Well said! Unc.

I love ya too, Bob, Big Guy. I'm getting tired of vehemently agreeing with you. You are correct about den meetings and OA events. Dens are part of units and are treated as Unit activities. The Den who wishes to go to the mall is subject to the same local tour permits as the pack. OA is a differnt beast, but treated outside of council activities. We're on the same page, old friend. I agree. Unc.

Ahhh, spats. I don't know when they left the regular use of the BSA. Is suspect it was before the '60's, but don't know for sure. I used to wear them around the brambles of southwestern Michigan as a kid. To lace them, first wrap the strap around the bottom of your boot, over the toe. Then take a pair of long laces and start at the bottom gromet as you would a tennis shoe. Even out the ends. Then go right over left until you get to the gromet on the top. Cross the laces as you would a shoelace, then wrap around the calf as needed and tie into a bow. You're good to go. Best of luck. Unc.

Eamonn: Thank you. I wondered if anyone had noticed my pain at losing Unk. He is in my prayers, although things ended badly between us. BadenP -- I echo Eamonn's sentiments to welcome you to the forums. However, I do caution you to watch out for overuse of the terms crybaby and old timer. You don't know to whom you speak. Those of us who post in the Venturing forum do love the Venturing program and care for it deeply and in a personal way. Used properly, Venturing is far more than Boy Scouting and can fill a void in any high school student's life without interferring with Boy Scouting. It is a third tier to a great program. to the others who have posted that Venturing is little more than a partol that can go hunting and use pistols -- I suggest you spend a few moments reading the Quest or Ranger requirements. Venturing is much more than Boy Scouting. The Coed factor lends another layer that is very important to adulthood as well. I wish I had been able to be a Venturer. If you really want to know the difference, sign up for Powderhorn. Unc.

Bob: You and I are saying the same thing in two different ways. Please allow me to clarify: Unit leaders are not responsible for the dispensation of prescription medication. Council camps are, through their properly certified health officers. We are in agreememnt. Unc.

Twocubdad: I don't disagree with you, but I have one question: Who, precisely, is "We?" Unc.

Hi Bob: You can apologize for disagreeing with me, but I think it would go over better if you actually did disagree with me. You simply said what I was trying to say in a more clear manner. Owl62 said: "The G2SS clearly states that the taking of prescription medication is the responsibilith of the indidual or in the case of a minior Scout the parent or guardian. Scout leaders are neither required or encouraged to accept responsibility for Scout medications." I said: "The passage in the G2SS that you referred to is for unit camp outings." You said, "Hi Uncle G, Sorry to disagree with you, but there is nothing in the G2SS that that restricts the rules on prescription to Unit events." Which is what I was trying to say. Council operated camps have different rules depending on the state. Unc.

Eamonn: I believe that Venturing is in its infancy. However, I also believe that we need to start the right crews in the right way and that Venturing should be the fastest growing segment of the BSA. However, we need to let the crews be crews. Let the youth lead themselves to adventure. Then and only then will Venturing take off. Unc. Please pray for me. I lost my Real UNK this week. I loved him greatly. Don't Stop loving Scouting. Remember that phrase by a simple DS

I can understand and appreciate the hand washing for the preperation and eating of food. That makes sense to me given what one may have touched in the intervening period. However, Eamonn's post initially referred to washing hands after using the bathroom. That doesn't make sense to me and frankly, I consider it a waste of water. Why wash your hands after holding the cleanest part of your body? I once went to the rest room and walked by my high school civics teacher who was washing his hands. He looked at me from the mirror and said, "Don't you wash your hands after you pee?" I said, "I don't know about you, but I don't pee on my hands." Unc.

Prescription medicines are kept in the health lodge at summer camp as required by National Camp Standards for BSA camps. Bee sting kits and asthma inhalers are a few of the execptions. This is standard and is the camp's way of insuring that prescription drugs are taken as prescribed and by the person they are prescribed to. The passage in the G2SS that you referred to is for unit camp outings. The policy is not in voilation of the laws regarding sharing of prescriptions because the prescribed medicine is held for the person who's name is on the label. If you have local questions, you should ask your council program director or the local camp director. I hope this helps. Unc.

Jason: Unfortunately, I have heard the joke. It is crass. I think you're above posting such a thing. Lightening the mood in a more Scoutlike manner would be appreciated. Unc.

No offense intended to eisely, but I've never seen the name of the accused in any kind of abuse case released until there is a conviction. I have to wonder about the news story. Is there a link we can see for ourselves, Eisely? Unc.

In Sctldr's post, the actual requirement is listed. I don't see where it requires a letter. In fact the word "letter" is no where in the requirement, let alone "religious leader." Am I missing something? What I see/ interpret is that the candidate must provide a list of those who would be willing to attest to his character. Unc.

Goodkidsmom: I have no doubt that you are any of the things that your pen-name implies. I have no doubt that your son is a good kid and that you are his Mom. I also have no doubt that you care very deeply about your son. I hope I don't offend you with this. However (doesn't there always seem to be a "but" after sentences hoping not to offend?) I do have to say that two phrases in your above post make me wonder. You said that he doesn't complain (I'm paraphrasing) at troop meetings, etc. But when he complains at home, you and your husband "come to the rescue." Secondly, I've not been a parent, but I have been A Scoutmaster. I always expected the boys to do things for themselves. If they had a beef on a meeting or a campout, I expected them to inform me of it in a diplomatic manner. That doesn't mean confrontational (read assertive) but I would have wanted to hear from the kid himself that he didn't like whatever it was. I wouldn't want to hear it from Mom or Dad three weeks later. I'm leaving the advancement issue to the folks here who have more knowledge than I about such things. However, at the risk of being a non-parent Scout leader giving advice to parents -- I suggest you talk through this kind of difficult situation with your son to help him come up with a plan of action to help him deal with his difficult situation. Your son is on the verge of emerging into life on his own. Wouldn't it be better to help him learn to deal with difficult situations in a "leadership laboratory" such as Scouting than to make him learn it with his landlord in a few years? Or with his employer? Sooner or later, Mom and Dad can't come to the rescue and he has to deal with life. All I'm suggesting is that he learn to stand on his own sooner rather than later. I'm with him when it comes to the brawl ball -- or dodge ball as we used to call it -- I was never any good at it either and would just as soon have avoided it. Assertive doesn't mean he needs to box his Scoutmaster. But if he hates peas, he should suggest they be left off the patrol menu on the cookout. Unc.

Jason: Whether you're ready to accept this fact or not, I bet your wife is . . . Some day, your daughters are going to grow up and marry men. Wouldn't you want that man to have the values of a Boy Scout? Who, if not you, is going to make sure the young men in your area are learning the values of the Scout Oath and Law? Call your DE and make an appointment. You have several options to help. Start a troop, take over one in need of structure, become involved with the district as a commissioner or other job, or something else. Your DE can be reached through the BSA in your local phone book. If he/she isn't there, just leave a message saying you want to get back into Scouting. If you don't get a call back in 48 hours, call again and ask for someone else. Best of luck. Unc.