Eagle92

Yep you can get lost following GPS and not using it in conjunction with a map. Just ask my sister

I joined Cub Scouts, and later Boy Scouts, b/c of my cousin and uncle who were Eagles, and i kept hearing so much about Eagle. Cubs was OK, But Scouting was awesome and i've never looked back. Oldest is involved b/c he's seen the patches, heard the stories, and sees me involved and want to have fun.

Ok sorry for the misunderstanding, I was being sarcastic about TT bringing in mommy when he didn't get his way. I think the SPL handled it 110% correct, and TT needs to get over it.

Give me some time to review some of my notes. I actually did some European Economic history as an elective in grad school. It's been a while.

Well if he can't stick to his goal and becomes a girl scout, then maybe he isn't Eagle material? I know I was a Life Scout for over 4 years, and part of that was I was affected by "the 'fumes: perfume and car fumes." That and I was having too much fun doing HA activities, Brownsea 22, and OA

My only problem with the entire situation: and why was mom involved? GREAT JOB FOR YOUR SPL! ( and that's shouting at the top of my lungs!)

I too was part of a troop that did custom jackets. My Canada trip troop did have custom jacket made for those who wanted them. The trip's logo was embroidered on the back, and the name on the front with the WC emblem above if memory serves ( didn't get one of the jackets as I couldn't afford it, man do I wish I had one though). they looked awesome My troop created an adult award. Wasn't much: a red windbreaker with the troop logo in place of the universal emblem. Don't know when the red windbreakers came out, but I bet it was after my troop was formed and doign this, so they continued.

Thrift, One thing I forgot to add, DO NOT USE AD HOC PATROLS (caps for emphasis) I have found that it puts peer pressure on the patrol members for everyone to attend if patrols suffer the consequences of not showing up to events. If a patrol can't compete b/c folks said they were going to show don't, it puts pressure on those who didn't. Trust me on that one. We only had 2 folks show up to a camporee. They let us go through the events, but we couldn't get points b/c we didn't have the minimum.

I looked at the JtE stuff. IMHO it's a mess. I know from expereince that SCOUTNET is not 100% as promised as records are suppose to be able to transfer with you when you move about, and that hasn't happened in my case, as well as others I'm told. As for recharter, that is the biggest PITA for the pack I'm with. Bad enough that folks who have been with the pack 5 years in leader roles are not on the charter, despite repeated resubmissions of applications, or leaders are listed in the incorrect PORS, again despite repeated attempts to fix the problem. Worse is that we have scouts who are active who are not listed, and some that have quit or moved up to Scouts who are on the charter still. Now I know how remain on the charter until renewal, unless council is informed, but a few cases the cub scout was removed last year form the charter, or the cub scout moved up to Boy Scouts and the paperwork was turned in. And don't get me started on training records. Then again I am a "program freak," believing that if tyou have a great program, teh 3 Ms (membership, manpower, and money) will follow.

Thrift, 1) read the old stuff on PM, esp 3rd ed SM handbook. that will tell you how to do it, and even gives a lesson plan to train your leader. May need to make some slight modification, mostly for tech advancements since then, but it is a great foundation on PM for your scouts. 2) what I will say will be sacrilege to Kudu, but I got say it anyway. The patrol method works IF THE LEADERS ARE WILLING TO STAY OUT OF THE WAY (caps for emphasis) even if patrols are only 10 FEET AWAY FROM EACH OTHER ( caps for emphasis). The key to this is A) make sure each patrol understands that they are on their own, i.e. no getting help (except emergencies of course), no borrowing equipment, no sharing supplies etc and B) THE ADULTS ASSUME THE "AL BUNDY POSITION" i.e. sitting around a campfire with a cup of coffee in their hand saying "ask your PL" ( or SPL as the case may be), and generally staying out of the way of the scouts. I need to amend that only patrol that should "rove around" are your older scout patrol (leadership Corps in my day, now Venture Patrol) working with your younger scouts. And then they need the PL's permission to enter, and should be assigned by he SPL to work with the patrols they are visiting. Good luck Thrift and keep it up!

Just remember, BSA has been wearing the flag as is form the 1970s onwards if memory serves. Lots of other organizations have it the way we do as well. US Army has only recently did that, and the rational all is that is how the flag would be diplayed rushing into combat.

Prior to 1972, or there abouts, no problems. However at some point in the 1970s, again I think it's 1972, national limited to 1 back patch, one universal emblem on the left pocket, and 1 national HA emblem (i.e. Philmont Bull, FL Sea Base Conch, or N Tier Loon) on the shoulder. Very few patches are authorized for the right pocket, Philmont Training Center and the old Leadership Corps patches I have seen written authorization for. I've been told the old Brownsea 22 patch was another, but haven't seen it written. So no council strips, unit numbers, flag patches, etc. However there's no word on what can be worn on the new "washable wool jacket." http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=NEW&C3=&C4=&LV=2&item=611024-9&prodid=611024-9^8^01RTL&

No AOL Knot? then somebody better tell Ship's Stores, because they sell both the blue and white versions. Now I admit I've been out of Sea scouts for a while, but some of the uniform changes don't make sense, i.e. no unit numbers, no Sea Scout Emblems, aka "bugs" on the dixie cups, soft boards for leaders, etc. No AOL knot is another one I gonna have to add to the list. But I've been told that the Sea Scouts want these changes.

Serve as a counselor in the European Camp Staff program. One of the BEST and little known programs around. '96 You lucked out. We found out about the requirements being removed for the WC during a very long layover in the airplane on our trip to Canada. Lots of upset scouts on that one as one of the promos for the trip was earnign your WC. But the leaders did make it up to us as best they could: instead of issuing the BSA's WC, we got the Scouts Canada version. same design, just different background material (velvet).

What about local community pools, i.e. rec department, YMCA, etc. What about local club pools? What about local school and college pools?

Don't forget your Venturers for test out staff, esp. those workign on Outdoor Bronze and Ranger.

A few comments. Clem, Make sure a few folks take Safe Swim Defense (SSD) Online and follow. For whatever reason, I've found that a lot of packs don't think SSD applies to them, including my own. One thing I was able to rectify this past year. Eliza, If memory serves, at the Webelos level, parent's should not be signing off on stuff, unless designated byt eh WDL to do so. I though WDL training stated this as the purpose of ABs is to get them use to working with adults in Boy Scouts. So parents shouldn't sign off.

Rock, Prior to the US Flag automatically coming sewn on the uniform, it had to be purchased separately and sewn on by the owner, or owner's mother. Cub Scouts, including those who opted to wear the Boy Scout uniform as Webelos starting in August 1984, had to sew on the flag above the Boy Scouts of America strip above the right pocket. I think it was 1990 or so that the flags automaticaly came with the uniforms. Then it was standardized to one location. As for CS leaders, I think they also wore it above the pocket, but don't quote me on that.

It's been a while since I was a BSA Lifeguard, but I want to say that generally someone with Safe Swim Defense can certify the swimmer's test for advancement purposes. But don't quote me on that Now some council's do have strict requirements on who they will accept a swimmer's test from for council functions, i.e. summer camp, council camping activity with boating, etc. For summer camp and activities like camporees and council cub camps, my council not only wants a certified lifeguard to conduct the test, but wants a copy of their certification to accompany the swim test list.

Forgot to add, Sea Scouts and their leaders still do not wear the WC on any of their uniforms. Haven't seen the new SS manual, but the old one states the WC isn't worn, and if you look at the inspection sheets, it is not included on the form. Hopefully that will change, as well unit numbers, bugs, CSPs and a few other things.

Beav, Up to July 31, 1989 the BSA actually had requirements for the World Crest that had to be met before being worn. I don't remember the exact requirements, hey I earned mine in 1987, and would have earned it a second time in...August 1989, so it's been a while. But I want to say the requirements are the same as the International Youth Exchange Award today which has replaced it (when the IYE award came out, I don't know. But it was between 1990 and 1994, as there was no such thing in 1989). http://usscouts.org/advance/IntYouthExch.asp As for the International Activity Temp Patch and jacket patch ( do they still make the IA neckers and slide? I know they no longer make the IA jackets), each council creates their own requirements. I've seen some councils use the IYE requriements to get the pachtes ( as well as the other items mentioned above), and I've seen one where they are on the shelves for anyone to buy.

Thrift, Glad it worked out. But why isn't all of your patrols like that already? Unless you have a NSP, every single patrol should be capable of being independant, irregardless of the distance. Bart, IMHO 300' is not that far. I know that when I did some youth training, the the nearest patrol at one point a 1/2 mile away easy. Grant you you did have 2 staffers half way in between, but that is still 1/4 of a mile away. As others have noted, whistles and buglers solve that problem. Grant you finding a bugler is getting harder and harder, but whistles are easy to find. As for the adults walking around, that should be the job of your SPL and older scouts.

Here's a thought, why don't you coach him privately so that when the opportunity arises again, he knows what he is doing? Another idea is to try and help recruit more staff, especially for shooting sports. Don't know if your den leaders/parents at camp are like mine, but sometimes you got to encourage them to help coach the shooters. One thing I like from my JROTC days was that when we went to the range, everyone was paired up: one shooting, one coaching. I like it when an adult helps out on a range.

'Fish, A few things 1) the WC is an optional insignia, and in fact Sea Scouts are not suppose to wear one at all. (grumpy old man voice on) Grant you I'm still not happy about letting everyone wear one after I earned mine when I was a scout (grumpy old man voice off ) 2) The IG and uniform inspection sheet both state that the WC is centered horizontally over left pocket and vertically between left shoulder seam and top of pocket. So if you wear it in the proper location, there is room for several rows of knots. When I measured the space on my CU shirt, there is room for 4 rows of knots without having to move the WC and CR up. Without the CR, a fifth row May make it. Problem is that IF you wear the WC in the proper location, the collar covers up the WC, that is if you don't wear a necker or wear it under the collar ( which J.E. West sais was the incorrect way I might add). That's why you really never see it worn correctly in any BSA literature.

Navy, Trust me, day camp shooting sports folks make darn sure that at a minimum the belt loops are completed. Most also try to get the pins doen as well.