Eagle92

HICO, To a point I agree with you. I agree with getting rid of some of the educators. I also agree with getting back to basics. And I also agree that I didn't learn much at SMF back in the day as I was active with my troop, had an extensive outdoors background, and had gone through BA22, the youth equivalent of WB at the time. But I did have fun with the folks in my patrol, yes we organized the trainees into a full troop. BUT as a TCDL, I can see the need for mandatory training, especially in the outdoor part of the program. In the 24 registered TC parents in our pack, only 3 have any experience in the BSA or GSUSA. And guess what, 2 are TCDLs, one is in the process of being recruited for pack committee. NONE of the other 21 parents have had anything to do with scouting. As we get them more engaged, we want them to know what they are doing. BUT for old fogeys like you, me, and others, I ma a big fan of challenge options consisting of a written test AND a skills test.

Yep I hate the mandatory courses and wish a skills 'challenge" option was in effect similar to AHA's basic life support: i.e. take written test, then if you pass that go onto skills tests, if you pas both, you are recertified.

GHB, In reference to good materials for a foundation for plant and animal ID, get some of the older BSA pubs, or even some of Seton's and Beard's work. And let's not forget Green Bar Bill. In addition to all his BSA work, he did publish a few non-BSA works that are quite excellent I'm told. I admit I'm not too much of a "ecogeek nature freak" being a "COPESTER," "Aquarat" and "trading post freak" when I worked summer camp, but the wife is and she's read the GBB book in our local library. As some may know, I'm interested in doing a little reenacting, if I can find the time between Cub Scouts, OA, and district/council responsibilities, . SOOOOOOOOOOOOOO Hello, ny name is Eagle92 and I'm a FARB...My capote has toggles and fringe on it, and I have the wrong period footwear (plains moc boots), and my knife may be 20 years out of period. HELP ME!!!!!!! lol

I sure hope that if a new app comes along, it doesn't make you list all of one's training, as for some of us old fogeys the app will need to be VERY long. I know I got a copy of my SCOUTNET records with all the trainings I've gotten, and it's 2 pages long AND still missing a few training I've taken.

Short, To answer your question I have seen 1 young lady come up through the Exploring/Venturing ranks and become a DE. She wasn't very active during her college days, but did work summer camp. I believe she was a Silver recipient, but don't quote me on that.

Yep the south, like everywhere has its problems. In reference to scientists all scientists belieiving in AGW, that isn't the case as you do have scientists, meteorologists, climatologists etc, oppose AGW. Best example is the group of folks who were part of the UN commission, vehemently disagreed with the assessment, and asked to have their names removed form the document as they opposed it. Now in referecne to alternative energy, I am defininately for it because it is a national security issue. Oil currently IS the fuel of our industry, and we need to remember what happens to those countries that depend on other countries for oil, i.e. Germany and Japan in the 1930s and 40s. If memory serves, a stangle point in oil shipping can be blocked by a country with a history of anti-American setiment, since at least 1979.

Basement, Not thin skinned, but have been stereotyped due to regional location. In my experience when sectionalism comes up, the idea of a Southern "country bumpkin," or in my case a dumb Cajun from the bayous of Louisana, with little to no education, a low paying job or no job at all, is implied becasue of said stereotype. In my case look at the movie WATERBOY for the sterotype. While I do not rule out global warming as being manmade, I do have some serious questions about AGW, and the evidence to support it. Using the research skills I've developed earning 2 masters' degrees, I do not believe there is enough evidence to support it. Edited: Forgot to add that deleting primary research data and conspiring to silence opponents to your arguments also contribute to my low opinion of AGW. (This message has been edited by eagle92)

Vol, Northerners, aka Yankees, are just jealous that we live in God's country and they don't Seriously though the sectionalism is quite disturbing.

One idea that keeps coming up in my neck of the woods, but keeps getting shot down by the powers that be, is a cross country orienteering/backpacking camporee. Everyone would start at one point camping the first nite. Then in the morning, break camp, shoot some azimuths to get to the stations,and then do scout skills in order to get the next bearing. the PTB keep saying it's too difficult to organize and run, and typically making excuses on why it cannot be done. I think part of it is that it would be a non-traditional camporee. BUT as the "young Turks" are moving onto the DisCom, I see this idea gaining more support.

Oak gave some great advice HOWEVER you SCOUT should be doing this and not you the parent. IF the scout gets the brushoff "because your a kid," THEN I would get involved as it is your son's advancement, his responsibility and the adult should be working with him. IF the adult doesn't wan to work with him, he doesn't understand the program and may need to be replaced. If my tone sounded abrupt, I'm sorry. Yes you need to be polite and scoutlike, BUT FIRM. This is a personal pet peeve of mine, adults adding to requirements, and stems from the time of my EBOR when an adult tried to pull that stunt on me and tried to deny my Eagle b/c he didn't approve my service project, when his predecessor did. So sometimes I get a little hot under the collar.

Desert, Understand the less is more philosophy and have no qualms about it. As you know I am of the "wear what you earn" philosophy as I try my best to make the recognitions into inpirational tools to keep foks motivated about Scouting. However at an ECOH, I would ask that you strongly look into wearing them for several reasons. 1) it is further proof of the rare achievement that is Eagle, especially if they ask all Eagles to come forward. 2) It shows folks what Eagles become as adults: responsible and capable men, and 3) it inspires those still on the trail to continue forward. While along the trail, I always looked up to those who were Eagle. And whiel the knot is nice and I do where it, that medal, for whatever reason, really hits home.

I'm just thinking of a CS family camp out where they are working on having horseback riding for the Cubs. Don't think all the TCs and their parents will be happy about not being able to ride.

I overlooked the fact that the BOR approved it. Once the BOR approved it, it is a DEFINITE DONE DEAL! The committee member for advancement has to deal with the BORs decision. Once given, rank cannot be taken away.

As others have posted, there is no workbook to fill out. Now there is a DC Handbook, which is a good resource, and it contains the paperwork for the DC Service Award, a red white an blue shoulder cord that can be worn until 18 as a Boy Scout, 21 as a Venturer. And as Short said, once the SM approves it, time served as a DC counts as the SM is ultimately responsible for advancement in a troop. So your son has POR credit from March to May then Aug to now, unless the pack met over the summer AND he attended functions, then June and July count. If the committee member coninues to bother your son, tell you son to ask him where in the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures, #33088B, that he his getting his information from because he has never heard of such requirements. I HATE WHEN ADULTS ADD TO REQUIREMENTS (head hitting wall now)

Sctdad, Gonna need to add the daughter as she will be a Venturer soon. Same boat, gonna need 5 myself.

GHB, Hey now, don't knock the OFGs (Old Fat Guys) My SM was an OFG who could walk anyone, and I mean ANYONE, into the ground. The guy was short and stocky, but ran for fun. I forgot how many times he went to Philmont (before H/w guidleines if memory serves), and loved it whent he troop did hikes or backpacking. LOL In referecne to IOLS, I agree with you that IOLS doesn't make one an expert overnite. BUT hopefully it should give one a familiarity that they are comfortable with going in the outdoors. So that may help in getting the parents comfortable in camping. In the troops I've been with, the expereinced youth are usually the ones teaching the camping skills to the new guys. Only in cases where a troop is starting from scratch that I've seen adults teach basic skills.

I actually posted a question on SC and hope to get someone form national to answer. Scout, As someone on that site posted, TCs can still earn the BL and Pin, just not at a Scout function. But their parents can sign them off of it. But it does boggles the mind, doesn't it. Sctdad, You know you WILL be joining the Darkside in APRIL

"We wants teh precious."

All the resources: manpower, financial, equipment, etc. to provide a quality and attractive program to all our youth, inlcuding those who can't afford Scouting in these tough economic times. Merry Christmas and Happy Hanaka(sp)folks

As I said, apparently the person who started the process left and the current SE is left to deal with it. Now the Boddie Family are super great supporters of Scouting, and I am not trying to dishonor ANYTHING they have done, both publicaly and privately. While I did not see one of them walking around at the council's family campout in OCT. as I was busy having a blast with my TC , they were there seeing the Cubs have fun and trying to see what can be doen to improve the camp. Yes I like the Boddies. But I think a better idea would have been to rename the entire reservation BODDIE SCOUT RESERVATION, b/c they do so much for Camp Bonner, Pamlico Sea Base, and the other facilities. But back to the original post. I think someone who can work with the volunteers and manage the assets in order to provide a quality program to attract and keep youth involved is the #1 thing to look for. And we got an SE who can do that.

HOLY QUACAMOLE NO HORSEBACK RIDING FOR TCs?!?!?! That must have been changed since belt loops are available for TCs sicne the are part of the CS program now. Also it would put a damper on the council's Regional Jamboree and Fam camp in april.

Yep it is VERY RARE. Sometimes I feel like either posting it on FACEBOOK, as he does have an account, or giving it to the OA lodge,s icne it occured at an OA event. BUT we already got a picture of him on the lodge website with him working at an event, altough it was taken 30+ years ago. As for challenges in my council, the biggest one I see is the lack of coordination with programming. We got a decent program, but there is little coordination in the fact that at times you have 3 or 4 events overlapped the same weekend. Now some of that is OK, i.e. having a Outdoor Skills Weekend for scouts AND NRA instructor class for adults the same weekend, but having a District JOTA event, council family camp, and an OA Fall Fellowship is one example of the coordination challenge. Also we need improved programming, esp. on the CS level. Now I admit I've overlooked the CS for a long time, being focused on OA. But more opps were needed. And are on the way. So I think Mr. Franks is the ideal person for the job in my council. He has connections in the business world due to his scouting expereince as a youth and young pro. He is for programming, trying to improve activities that are being done and creating new ones, and is procamping, trying to keep and improve the 6 council camps we own as well as well as challenging the OA to do an even better job of camp promotions and raising camperships. The only "disagreement" I've had with him is the name change to our camp. Camp Bonner will be renamed Camp Boddie Janurary 1, 2010. And from the sources I have, that decision was made BEFORE he got here, and he got stuck with the implementation of name change, as well as the blame from some Scouters. So even in that aspect, I sympathize with the position he has been placed in. If only all SEs were like mine. And NO you can't have him (This message has been edited by eagle92)

Lisa Actually sounded as if the SPL had a plan, and it was to have fun and socialize. Too bad SM spoiled it. An idea to pass along to the SPL for next year would be GUITAR HERO, OA chapter did iot at the party last week and EVERYONE had a blast with it (except the MBC and scout who were finishing up a MB, they only got the munchies). GHB, An idea I've seen work is to invite the parents to do one of the outdoor leader trainings: BALOO, OWL, or IOLS. I'd recommend IOLS for all levels as it provides the basic T-2-1 skills that is useful to all levels and is alot more hands on. But from my expereince BALOO is good intro as well (haven't taken OWL yet). When I did BALOO last year, the pack I would eventually join had leaders and parents in attendance. On related tangent, Y'all heard about the revision to Outdoor training headed our way? I was told that national will be combining BALOO, OWL, and IOLS into a 1 weekend training that covers all the basics.

Trainer, Good luck with inventory, I remember those the long days. We would start the day after Thanksgiving, sealing off the stockroom areas as we did the inventory. That did help somewhat, but it was still a bear of a job.

Yes History Channel can be fun at times (sarcasm off). Forgot what series it was, I had to turn it off b/c I got disgusted with it, but they were touting Douglas Brinkley as an expert in the topic at hand, when it should have been one of his colleagues at the University of New Orleans. Don;t get me started on Brinkley.