Eagle92

HICO, I think RK is talking about an outside computer programming company to create the software to keep track of everything. If that's the case, TRUST ME you don't want BSA doing their own work, that led us into SCOUTNET in the first place: a former SE with no IT experience hiring out a company he knew nothing about AND he didn't know everything he wanted in the system. Luckily BSA now has IT folks who have an Idea of what they want. BUt they had to hire them form outside the organization instead of promotinghtem form within.

CPA, I was involved with a troop that was a uniformed troop. We had weekly uniform inspections, and we had scouts coming from various practices and games directly to the meeting. They brought their uniform on a hanger, went to the bathroom, and changed into their uniforms for our meetings. I had two COHs that either coincided, or nearly coincided, with school dances. Guess what I did. After my ring ceremony, I went straight to one ECOH in coat and tie with my date, changed into my uniform, did the ECOH, changed back into my coat and tie, and then went to the ring dance. I also brought my suit to one COH/Christmas party, and once the COH/Christmas party was over, changed out of my uniform and into my coat and tie so I could go to my GF's Christmas Dance. So cubs can change into their uniform at the meeting place if need be.

Forgot to add the moral of the story: never judge scouts, or patrol for that matter, by their ranks.

Scouts, Never heard of that before, but I can tell you this story. One year the district camporee committee allowed Venturing Crews to participate in the patrol competitions. One advisor told his folks that were also in troops to compete with them, leaving only 1 "patrol" of girls new to scouting. The entire crew worked together and practiced/learned the basic skills T-2-1 Skills prior to the camporee. When the camporee occurred, the young ladies competed against all the patrols in the district, including one Venture patrol that was comprised of older Lifes and Eagles that had been to Philmont, and does HA activities on a regular basis. The ladies annihilated them in the competition, winning everything. After that camporee, Venturers are no longer allowed to compete.

Way back when I worked for supply, I told new cubs, and their parents, that they wanted the uniform big enough so that they can grow into it, but without making them look like a clown. I have known Cub Scouts go through 3 years, before having to get a new uniform, and I know Cubs who are still wearing the Blue uniforms 4 and 5 years, who didn't opt to buy a Boy Scout uniform for their last years as a Cub Scout. Although I didn't appreciate it at the time, I liek the fact that BSA has introduced elastic into the waistbands as you can buy a few sizes too big, and that allows room to grow. Wolf son bought shorts 1 size to big, and he will be out growing soon. He helped buy the Switchbacks, and we got them 2 sizes too big. The key with pants it to not cut the pants legs, but rather fold them up and hem. That way as he grows, you let the hem out. Thankfully he didn't need pants for the DC parade as they are now "highwaters." But I will need to let out the hem soon.

As you can guess,I also think that by making the scout have some type of investment in the program, it is better all around. It teaches responsibility, and makes them appreciate what they got and do.

Oh yeah can they go for pennies on the dollar, wish OA Trail Crew was a round when I could have taken advantage of it. They work hard, play hard, and i've been told by a VERY reliable source that OATC is taken very good care of at Philmont. Don't knwo about the other HABs, but one of the folks I know has been involved with OATC since its creation and has stated that the staff take care of OATC participants like they are fellow staff members. Crew commented that OA needs to be a mix of work and play. I can attest to that. The chapter I was in was all work and no play, and we were suffering. We started doing more fun activities, i.e. Pool Party Christmas Party, day trips, etc, and was able to rearrange a district activity, that was also a fundraiser for the chapter, to a different date so that Arrowmen could go to Conclave. Yes we play hard, but we also do a lot of cheerful servic staffing events, doing a chapter workday at the local camp, etc.

My problem is that I keep giving away my clean sashes whenever I need to attend ceremonies. I admit I used the "reminder" when I did a certain part one time. Only did that 1 time and that was enough for me.

I remember when natioonal tried to do away with the Tri-Colors as they were once called. Lots of upset Cubs and leaders on that call.

Depending upon what is going on determines uniform. Most Den and pack meetings and activities, it's the uniform. We are not 100% fully uniformed, but I am workign on that. However some activities will be a scout t-shirt. One example would be last nite's Cub Scout Olympics. Another was the PWD workshop.

My experience with First Year Camper programs is that they are all day programs that really don't give you much free time, except for a period or two, so you can't really focus on MBs. I bet he has more signed off than just Scout and tenderfoot, as most program focus on basic T-2-1 skills. My questions are the following 1) Did he have fun? Sound like he did 2) Did he learn anything? Again Sounds like he did. 3) Is he starting to become more self reliant? yep. I think you have a winner of a camp!

one of the corporate sponsors I'm talking about read about the Scoutreach program I and my FD were trying to get started in the newspaper, and wanted to be a part of that.

Yeah I know we can clean up pretty well, I had to look good for ceremonies and dancing Actually Sea Scouts are not suppose to wear OA insignia. Does it happen, sure do, especially when your lodge is CO for the ship and every registered member of the ship is a Vigil Honor member to boot. Only way to keep a sash clean is to have a second one and using it only at ceremonies.

I believe our current Speaker of the House once stated that "dissent is patriotic" in reference to those individuals who acted this same way to another sitting president. Youtube actually has the speech if you are interested. I think this more than anything else tells us about the state of politics in this country. That said, I do not think the booing was courteous. I think respect does need to be shown to any president, irregardless to your personal beliefs. There are better ways to show your disapproval of a politician, and voting them out of office is the best way.

Back in the day, I raised my money to go on a trip the hard way: cleaning up after a parish (county) fair. I also cleaned up after a Virginia Slims Tournament, went door to door distributing flyers, and cut grass. I think it's safe to say I paid my way as a scout. Now I admit I have bought an awful lot for my son. BUT I made him pay for part of his uniform with his savings and birthday money. He has helped with some of his camp outs. And he is saving money for Philmont, the Summit or Jamboree (can't make up his mind but he's only a Wolf).

The only corporate sponsors I knew of were two businesses that supported units with at risk youth. One SE and DFS were not happy with that, but latter ones had no problem. Scouts did every fundraiser possible for themselves, but the troops involved had gear paid for by the sponsor.

Not part of the pilot, but was having folks on the 'untrained" report who were clearly trained, including yours truly. What I did was did a training survey, made copies of the completed reports for my recrods, transcribed it into codes to make it easy for the registrar, and submitted everything to the registrar. That fixed about 95% of the problems.

OA is only limited by the resources and imagination of its members, oh and G2SS too. I've been in chapters in name only, and I've been in good chapters. Here's my list of some of the things a good chapter, whcich covers a district, do Does Cheerful Service: makes sure members have transpo to lodge OA Ordeals and work weekends as well as conducts their own chapter workdays and/or service projects. Promotes Camping: orignially promoting to Boy Scouts, but there isnow a push natiopnally to get OA involved with CS camping, which I'm all for as CS do become BS ( plus I'm a CSDL this year ) Gets involved in Scouting events at the district and council level. they serve ons taff and help out where needed Dance and/or Ceremony Teams seen at various functins, i.e. CS Family Campouts, district camporees, banquets etc. HAS FUN! make sure members got to Lodge fall fellowship, have oppotuntiy to go to a conclave and NOAC,a nd does chapter fellowships, socials, or trips. BUT ALWAYS REMEMBER AN ARROWMAN'S FIRST RESPONSIBILITY IS TO HIS UNIT! (caps for emphasis as some Arrowmen, sometimes forget this [me included) (This message has been edited by eagle92)

If memory serves, old age ya know, non members who are POTENTIAL recruits are covered by BSA insurance. Double check with your DE to be sure.

Short, Couldn't have said it better J, Just remember, "a clean Arrowman is a lazy Arrowman."

A few thoughts on flaps. 1) it could also mean that they are serving in a position that doesn't allow unit leaders to be nominated, ie CS leaders and venturing Leaders. 2) They could be uniform prohibitions against wearing OA flaps, i.e. Sea Scouts 3)Flaps could be restricted, i.e. one per lifetime, one for every 7 hours of service, etc, and they just on't have one onthe uniform 4) Could be a leader that beleives in the minimals. Just b/c a person is wearing a flap, doesn't mean they are "involved" in scouting. I know plenty of "flap wearers," both youth and adult, who just do the minimum. And I've seen folks who bust their tails, going above and beyond, who are not in the OA. Best example I can give is a camp caretaker, who could never join before b/c of her involvement in CS, and now health prevents her from going in.

GM, that's a national standard for resident camping, of which Jambo is considered, if memory serves.

Some things from national http://www.scouting.org/sitecore/content/scoutparents/scouting%20basics/path%20to%20eagle/varsity%20scout.aspx A Varsity Scout is a young man who is a registered youth member of a Varsity Scout team. Varsity Scouting is a part of the Boy Scouts of America for young men who are at least 14 but not yet 18 years old. The unit is a team; the unit leader is a Coach. Emphasis is on advancement, high adventure, personal development, service, and special programs and events. http://www.scouting.org/about/factsheets/overviewofbsa.aspx # 2009 membership, teams, and leaders: * 60,240 Varsity Scouts * 8,522 Varsity Scout teams * 23,027 Varsity Scout leaders How to Utilize Varsity http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Resources/ThreeWaysVarsity.aspx NOTE: it says lots of organizations use Varsity, and that LDS uses it for 14-15 y.o. BUT as was told to me at PDL-1, the program was created specifically for the LDS Church, and the only time I have ever seen Varsity Scouts since it's official creation in 1984 has been with LDS churches. more info can be found here http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Varsity_Scouting_%28Boy_Scouts_of_America%29

Ain't seen nothing until you been to an All Hands Conference Then again the last professional conference I attended, I was kidnapped once everything was done b/c I was getting married a couple of weeks later. Thankfully I didn't have to do a scavenger hunt the last night of training the ladies in my PDL-1 class did to one poor guy who was getting married.

V, Wish I was going with you on both trips! Didn't make it to Hadrian's Wall,only getting as afar as Youlbury International Scout Campsite in Oxfordshire. And would love to go back to home to New Orleans. make sure you go to Mother's resteraunt on Poydras, and bring a bunch of mapkins. they make the best po boys.