Eagle92

Maybe I'm old school, but when I went through BA22, and taught JLT, it was emphasised that the PL does NOT do any duty rooster chores as their job is to supervise the patrol. HOWEVER is a team is havign problems, say the chefs, THEN he gets involved and helps out. I wouldn't remove the PL over this, I would punish those involved. I would let the ASPL, since the SPL is MIA, and the PL decide what punishment to give out. I would also do a bunch of SM minutes on this. Everything from resposnibility, trust, to safety. I admit i can go a little overboard on SSD and SA, but that is 1) the lifeguard in me and 2) coming from a council that did have a swimming fatality 26 years ago. NOT FUN.

Well i admit I'm guilty. We just had a council family campout this weekend and I hope the patches are in for the pack meeting in 2 weeks. Also Someof the new TCs I have don't have their books yet, but I knew what activities they did this weekend fullfilled advancement and belt loop requiremetns, so I filled out the advancement reports for them. So someof the kids may not know what they have done to ge them and will be surprised at the pack meeting. But soem of the stuff you are sayig I admit is over the top. A quaility program naturally provides advancement and recognitions

Ok Thanks for answering the questions. I'ld stick to my guns and inform the commish to butt out. he's a commish, NOT a unit leader. As for stats at the local SC, While my new SE does care about camp stats, he's one of the few pros I've met that really cares about the boys. While he would like for them to go to the local camp, he doesn't care too much where they go AS LONG AS THEY GO TO SUMMER CAMP! (caps for emphasis.

Planning for summercamp now, ALRIGHT! Wish most of the units I've visited thought this far ahead. Ok a few clarification questions. 1) Did the SM have any input into the 7 options? 2)If the SM did have input and did NOT like the sugegstions, why then did he approve of the options to be presented to the youth? 3) If the committee is willing to support the youth goign to this camp by providing logistics, etc, then why is the commissioner complaining? 4) It sounds as if the current plan for homesickness works irregardless of location, SO WHY WORRY ABOUT IT? 5) Aren't we in it for the youth? If they want to go, and everyone si willign to support them going, then why change it? 6)Why is a commissioner using his status to butt into a unit's program? Now in reference to the concern about the crossovers. I do agree with the commissioner to a degree. It may be harder to get them (or more specifically their parents) to commit to going on a trip that far from home. A few ideas that might remedy the situation. 1) Talk to the Webelos IIs and their parents NOW about the trip, i.e. costs, programs, etc. that way they can start saving the money now for it, esp. in this economy. 2) Start the crossover process now, i.e. inviting to them to meetings, campout etc. Let them and their parents get as comforatble as possible with you guys NOW so that they entrust little Tommy Tenderfoot with ya. 3) Any fuindraiser to help pay for the trip, invite the Web IIs to do. Good luck

I got a Eureka Casper long version found at the two sites below and love it. rated to 15 degrees, packs very light, and I sued it in 39 degree weather this weekend. NO PROBLEMS! http://www.campmor.com/outdoor/gear/Product___45337 http://www.toothoftimetraders.com/philmont/product.asp?s_id=0&prod_name=Casper+15%B0+Sleeping+Bag+by+Eureka&pf_id=PAAAIAJOOJNLNHEB&dept_id=6733

Jim, Welcome to the boards. Since you re so close to several council's I'ld keep looking at their calendar's for not only training, but also camping opportunities. Lots of council's will put on one or two family campouts throughout the year. As for the amount of gear that families bring, I can second that. My council had their second Family Campout this weekend, and we had folks bring everything except the kitchen sink! I also second the once a quarter recommendation with cubs, and I am use to campig every month. Good luck and let the good times roll.

What I find amusing is that a 19yo ASM cannot wear his eagle patch, but a 19yo venturer can. Or as was the case with a coworker of mine at a national scout shop, in his tan and green Scout uniform for work he had to wear the knot as he was 19, but if he wore the green and gray Venturing uniform to work, worn when assigned to work Summer Camp and at camp functions, he could wear the eagle patch.

if memory serves, the LDS clause is in the district membership book. B/C LDS use scouting as their official youth program and have integrated Scouting fully into their religious instruction, they must have a scout troop despite numbers.

T, No worries. I just think a scout and leader looks naked without a necker. And I'm glad the centennial necker is the large size and national is bringin back the large size necker next year.

Sctdad, in reference to equipment, my opinion is to start buying piecmeal now. If you take care of the equipment it will last. For example, I got my last sleeping bag with Philmont in mind. 3.2 pounds, 15 degree rated, and super small. Cost my family about $85 with shipping (it was a b-day present that I helped pick). Also got pads cheap to, 2 thermarest backpackers fro about $45 with shipping of ebay. Already told the family I want a backpackign stove for Christmas As for the pack, i'ld get it about a year ahead, and bring soem weight to have her test it out. Don't think your MOLLE pack will work for her.(This message has been edited by eagle92)

MrsG. Welcome to the forums. Officiallly your son should NOT wear the patch at all since he is no longer a youth. He needs the knot instead. However I don't think anyone would complain, even a UP like myself, about a young man wearing his patch at he ECOH. Also remember that some troops do have traditions. For example, in my old troop you didn't get the eagle patch or anything else in the kit until the ECOH. So you would be handed the patch, and the medal pinned on. So talk to your SM. Now in ref. to wearing the patch onthe uniform and ECOHs. A very good freind of mine got his Eagle just before 18, but enlisted in the USAF before the ECOH. 4 years later he shows up asks if it would be possible to have his ECOH, and so our prodigal Eagle had his ECOH at the ripe old age of 22. And he still had his old uniform with the Life patch on forthe ECOH, althought he uniform was a little big on him.

Never been to Philmont, although I got the "Philmont Jar" started so I can take the 3 boys when the time comes. As someone pointed out, Philmont does have a long waiting list. May I suggest a Plan B, your local council's nationally accredited Pamlico Seabase? Eagle92 PS We had you beat at our CS Family Camp.

I want to say that has been discontinued. Try contacting a NATIONAL owned scout shop, not a council distributor or the 1-800 number for supply. They are more user friendly, and can sometimes locate discontinued items for folks. Another source would be ebay.

newman, congrats on the accomplishment. Also join a Venturing crew, that way you can wear that eagle patch until 21. Don't ask me why that's the case, but that's national uniform guidelines for ya.

As you can see there are many ways of doing it. In my old troop, leaders who drove on the monthly campout had their way paid for them, no reinbursement for gas EXCEPT the guy towing the trailer. Summer camp was a littel different, you got part of the way paid for. Now the one summer they did an out of council and out of state summer camp, I beleive everyone was reinbursed for gas.

Concur with others 1) you must have a regsitered MBC sign off to award a MB and 2) Blue cards are not mandatory. Neither one of the two camps I worked used stem. Instead we used a preprinted form with all the requirements lsited and checked off as compelted. Now depending upon the MBC, they may accept the certification, or they may ask for a skills demo. I was lucky, my Lifesaving MBC accepted my YMCA lifweguard certification. But he also knew my instructor.

T, Since neckerchiefs are considered 'optional" for leaders ( don't get me started ) YES you can wear your eagle necker.

Jewel, Welcome to the forums. No you onluy earn the Bobcat one time. The sreason it's in every book: Tiger Wolf Bear & Webelos is because unlike the boy scouts wher you start off as a scout and work your way to Eagle, Cub scouts is grade specific. YOu come in as a first grade Tiger, you earn the Bobcat and Tiger cub badges. Comein as a 3rd grade bear you earn your Bobcate and work on the Bear, you do not go back and try to eatn the TC or Wolf badges. Hope this helps

All I've ever seen is at the end of the school year, the cubs get their stars prior to moving up with all the other awards. Just make sure you get the correct backign for cubs: yellow.

J, above the pocket was only for the cubs. Once they changed it when teh uniforms started having the patch automatically on it. And since Webelos are still CS, but have the option of the blue or the tan uniforms, they made everyone wear the unifomr withthe flag onthe sleeve.

And defects they are!

In reference to modifying the BSA uniform: I'M GUILTY! Wife embroidered over teh BOYS SCOUTS of AMERICA to prevent that from falling off, I modified my temp insignia pocket to prevent my temp patches from falling off, and I plan on sewing a flag patch, an old BSA approved one, over the fake one as soon as I finish oldest son's TC uniform.

We have very similar Eagle projects in this area. Our larges manufacturing plant created a wildlife habitat and camping area out of a parcel of land. They also donated some supplies, when the economy was good, but had no labor force. Well I beleive 3 or 4 projects were creating campsites: shelters, tables, waterlines etc. The Candidate inventoried the supplies, got additional ones if needed, created the layout using health codes, got it approved by all parties, organizewd the labor force, etc.

Eghlie, Sorry watering flowers won't hold in my area. A scout must show LEADERSHIP in planning, securing approval for, and executing a project. Now iof the scout thought that a garden would be a benefit to the community, came up with plans to create the garden, secured the permission, got teh donations, got folks to hlep out (fundraising, planting, etc) adn once the bulk of the project was done and watering needed to be then, THEN the watering of plants would be approved. True story, good friend of mine nearly had his EBOR decided against him b/c the Adv chair did not beleive the young man showed enough leadership. He just came up with a way to create easily portable obstacles that could be used by search and rescue dogs for training. he researched designs, secured the lumber, etc but only got 4-5 folks to do the manual labor, with 3 of them being adults who do woodwork as either a hobby or a living. I thuoght is was a great project, especially sicne thsoe obstacles were brought out to the local camp for an exhibit on what the dogs can do.

My $.02 worth. 1) As others stated there is NO minimum number of hours. Council is wrong and that is appealable. 2) ANY work on the project: securing permission, plannuing teh project, typing it up, recruiting folks, fundraising time, etc. IS part of the project and needs to be documented. 3) ANY time dealing witht he council also needs to be added Since #1 the time involved directly deals with the service project, i.e. getting approvals and whatnot, and #2 is wasting the young man's time. Good for you for letting him deal with it.