Eagle92

OT Varsity Teams are individual units, equivalent to a troop, that have a sports emphasis. They were created for specifically for the LDS Church, although anyone can start one, but as far as I've seen they are not popular except in councils with large numbers of LDS churches. Venture Patrols, from 1989-1998 called Venture Crews (hence a LOT of confusion with Venturing), are usually the older scout patrol who focus on HA activities. At one time Venture Patrols could earn the Varsity/Venture letter, and at first specific HA related pins, while Varsity Teams focused on the sports related pins. Then around 1993-1996 range, Both the sports and HA pins became available to both groups. Now there is a lot of questions about whether Venture patrols can still earn the letter and pins. Other than the awarding of the letter, pins, and recommended ages for the Venture Patrol, they are two separate things.

Don't know what, if any age requirement is now a days for Jambo, But I remember it use to be 13 by Jan 1 of the year attending, so If you were going to the '89 Jambo, you had to be 13 by Jan 1 1989.

Short, Didn't realize you're a youngin yep there were time requirements between the ranks at the T-2-1 level, and if memory serves it took a minimum of 22 months to get Eagle IF you received the AOL and had your time waived for T, and you hit the BORs exactly at each mark. They dropped the time requirements to push the 'First Class First Year" program b/c it was difficult to get it in a year. I got mine in 13 months, and I was a "go getter" in my troop. FORGOT TO ADD: I still hear grumbling about the lack of time requirements at the T-2-1 level.(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Trying for the past year to not have overlap, maybe 2012 since the 2011 calendar came out. Unfortunately this is the Fall Fellowship weekend, and it's big. This is the weekend for lodge elections, chapter competitions, Vigil, etc. Very few Arrowmen miss it, and we have had college students fly in for the weekend to attend. It appears that where they are going to put the row boats, our "little pond," actually has areas that are deeper than the lake. Pond is easier to get into boats at. I was thinking 6 folks with lifeguard and/or "Boating Supervisor" training for the event: 2 on the water in kayaks or canoes (whichever we can get), 1 handling equipment, 1 handling "buddy board," 1 Adult supervising, and 1 "spare." One reason why I don't want the job is that I am no longer a BSA Lifeguard or YMCA Lifeguard instructor. Nor have I taken the Aquatics Supervisor training. But I do have SSD and SA current. Also as mentioned earlier, I really need to be with my son, and the rest of the den, during the day.

Forgot to add that the camp ranger has some concerns in ref to G2SS as they camp hasn't had a boating program in a very long time, like 41 years. ranger wants to make sure that it is a safe and fun environment.

Short, The time requirements for T-2-1 were dropped in 1989 when they revised the BSHB and revised advancment. BSA did away with Skill Awards (which I lament), time requirements for T-2-1, and did away with First Aid MB being required for First Class, my biggest lament.

DG, Council event, not a bunch of packs getting together. I'm part of the committee that helps plan these, and the committee hasn't met yet to discuss this event. Trying to get some prep work done ASAP since it is 2 months away.

Once upon a time, if memory serves, a CS who received AOL automatically got Scout AND had the 2 months as a scout requirement waived for Tenderfoot. This was back in the 1980s, and I got Scout as soon as I joined, and Tenderfoot within a month of joining the troop after meeting the requirements.

Cannot do the whole thing as most of my resources are in the OA, which is busy that weekend. I have a feeling that I may be roped into doing aquatics, which I hope and pray someone else will do so i can focus on the show. Wife won't be happy if I'm not with oldest at family campout. And she won't be there until the show.

Yes there still are good traders out there, and yes some do go above and beyond. I just got so disgusted after reading about the thefts, esp. what happened to a friend of mines son, that I forgot the package my son received. Can't believe i forgot about his package. As I stated I got him hooked on patch trading, and I am trying to teach him to be polite, meet people, shake hands at the end of the trade, etc. One leader we met on the Metro to and from the parade didn't have any patches to trade, but was goign to send one to him when she got home form jambo. WELLLLL he got a package yesterday with a jambo necker, 3 JSPs form her council, Jambo visitor's patch, NESA patch, ovesized jambo JSP, and jambo gummies. I wish I would have had the camera when he opened the package b/c he was ecstatic, and I was green with envy Any way she will be getting some patches from him, and me for that matter, as a thank you b/c she went above and beyond!

Ok I need some help, especially from NCS Aquatic Directors and/or CS Aquatic Supervisors. We are having a council family camp out, and the opportunity to use row boats is a possibility. But I have a question about ratios. G2SS found here, http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/HealthandSafety/GSS/gss02.aspx, under Safety Afloat's Qualified Supervision states that For Cub Scouts, the leadership ratio is one trained adult, staff member, or guide per five participants. Now if I remember from my BSA Lifeguard days correctly, a certified lifeguard under age 18 from any agency, i.e. YMCA, ARC, etc, would count towards the 5:1 ratio AS LONG AS they are working under someone 21+. Question is am I correct or is my memory going. I know if push comes to shove we can get an adult to take charge, but getting additional lifeguards will be a challenge, esp since most of the aquatics staff is in the OA and they are having the Fall fellowship going on the same weekend. I may be able to recruit some folks, but they are under 18. HELP!

I admit I'm a trader, and fortunately or unfortunately as you may see it I passed the bug off to my son. It has gotten out of hand from recent past experiences. it's gotten to the point of "How do I mess you over in the trade," and not the friendship trades as it use to be. And the worse part of it is that you now have thieves going through stuff in people's tents and focusing on patches.

talking to one of my friends at RT tonite, and I found out the thefts were rampant. Hi son had his entire patch collection at jambo stolen. This so ticks me off as we are suppose to be SCOUTS.

Chug, Way back in the day, 1920s or so, Sea Scouts in the BSA were completely revamped by a CDR Keane. He was retired US Navy, and Sea Scouts went towards a more USN look in uniforms, customs, and traditions. Sea Scout uniforms on the national level are based upon USN uniforms with Sea Scout modifications. Sea Scouts, and also Venturers, use the military salute, not the scout one. I am betting b/c of CDR Keane's influence. Hey EMB, you recovered from Jambo yet? We could use your vast store or knowledge here. BTW EMB was the one that posted those pics on FB. THANKS A BUNCH EMB!(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Gern, As I stated it earlier, the disrect is throughout all aspects of our culture. Watch TV, listen to the radio, surf the net, and yes even some churches and faiths (both the president's former pastor and the congregation protesting at vet's funerals come to mind). Not defending the scouts and leaders who did it, rather stating my observations. We, as in all scouts and leaders, have an uphill battle to fight in the courtesy area.

STEALING PATCHES AND SHIRTS SUCKS! I would send home ANYONE caught in stealing as it violates every principle of the Scout Oath and Law.

SAL, We need a lot more citizens like your son! GREAT JOB!

Having been placed in a dysfunctional patrol for a special weeklong event (the old Brownsea 22 training coutrse), I know it can "challenging." Don't wish that on anyone. One thing I liked about my trip to Canada as that we met 2 or more times to for training and working together. our patrols were not assigned to us until just prior to the trip, and was based upon pairing up those who knew their stuff with those who needed help. We had no problems, as everyone worked together as we were literally in the middle of no where. I can't answer your question, but I can suggest that more training as a patrol occur. In my council it appearwed thatthe jambo troops met once or twice, and seemed last minute.

He has a year from the election to go through an Ordeal. Also if memory serves, any 18-20 YO in a troop goes through the election process if memory serves, as in the OA they are youth until 21. Gotta check my guide to be 100%

Eng, Have you thought that maybe he would rather be with his Scout friends on weekends than school friends? In my troop, we had scouts from 7 different HSs and i can cannot say how many elementary and middle schools (many private elementary schools in New Orleans go k-8 with HSs going 8-12). Yes I did things with friends from school, but preferred my scouting friends over them. Heck I still keep in contact with my scouting friends on a regular basis

try ebay. Too bad you don't have inlaws like mine: they gave me a dozen knee socks for Christmass last year.

Eng, The problem is that ANY youth led troop will be organized chaos. If you read any of the older leader literature, "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt himself states that repeatedly. The key is that the youth are running things. They will make mistakes, forget things, wait to the last minute to prep, etc. These are learning moments,and even "failing' can be turned into something positive IF they learned fromthe experience, and improve themselves.

ED, No problems here. FYI we were a small troop with between 28-40 scouts in my time with them. So we didn't have the numbers you see. However we generally had anywhere between 3-15 new scouts, 8-20 mid range scouts, and 6-12 older scouts. We were pretty a low key unit recruiting wise, with no feeder packs, until we moved to a new CO my last year as a youth, and relying on word of mouth and community work for recruiting.

the only time Inknwo the adutls got involved in advancement for record purposes was at BORs and awardingh MBs. then theyused sopies of the advancmeent reports.

Trainer, thanks for the update. As long as we have the capability of attracting a WSJ with the new facility, I'll be happy.