Eagle92

Lack of respect for the indiviudal has a long history in our country. I want to say the only president not lampooned was Washington. However I concur going on comedy/talk shows doesn't do the office anything.

Yep i caught that error as well. but what is interesting is that they are only selling 3 color loop now: blue, blaze, and green loops.

I just got this from Scoutstuff.org's Facebook page. "The Boy Scout shoulder loops have changed to Forest Green. No other loop colors have changed. Cub Scout members, which Webelos still belong, wear blue loops, Boy Scout members wear green loops and Venturing members wear teal loops. Olive green loops are the old Boy Scout loops and were changed to Forest Green in August 2008 with the introduction of the Centennial Uniform." Can anyone confirm that Venturers now wear teal? When i go to Scoutstuff.org, i notice that they only sell 3 types of loops; Blaze, Blue, and Green. Can't tell if it's the kelly green ( Venturing) or the OD green on my monitor.

When the Venturing first split off of Exploring in 1998, my old troop did sucha thing as you described. it got started when the Venture Crew Chief, now called a Venture patrol Leader, went in to find out about the new recognitions, found out that they don't apply to his crew as they have been renamed Venture Patrols and that he would have to be in a Venturing Crew to be eligible( confusing isn't it) So here is what they did. The venture patrol and the 18-20YO ASMs, got together and turned the now venture patrol into a Venturing Crew. by laws were written, i.e. they would be an all male crew that directly supported the troop, and set membership requirements, i.e. 14.5 and completed 8th grade, beat least First Class, and had held the position of PL for a minumum of 6 months. They wore the Venturing green shirts and grey BDU pants (national hadn't come out with the shorts or pants yet, just advised folks to wear gray). They also wore the troop neckerchief with a Venturing pin on the tent of outr custom logo. All were duel registered. They continued on with their troop responsibilities, but once per quarter they did their own thing. Also on troop campouts they camped together, as all the troop did was turn the venture patrol into a Venturing Crew. All gear the troop had was usable by the crew. What got interesting was that the troop's COR/CC became the crew Adviser, and the troop's SM became the crew's COR/CC. So both units were fullly integrated.

Uz, What experience can a 18-20YO scouter have? Well I didn't have much as an 18-20, just being an ASPL for 3 years prior to becomeing an adult and attending BA22, oh and my first 50 miler all while a youth. As an 18-20 YO, I did my second 50 miler, served as an ASM, served as SPL for JLT, served on the Lodge Executive Board as AIA chair which including organizing my lodges dance and ceremony teams for both Conclave and NOAC competition. As for the 21-25 year period, I continued to serve as an ASM, was a chapter adviser, also served as Lodge AIA adviser, did summer camp for 3 years, and oh yeah I was a DE. As for my 18yo friend, he served on summercamp staff for 3 years, two of which was aquatics, was SPL for his troop, attended the NYLT course at Philmont (the youth staff training course for JLT), in addition top his 50 miler there, and was on the Lodge Executive Board. Oh forgot he was also an ASM. Wise group once sang, " Never judge a book by its cover."

DANGER WILL ROBINSON, DANGER! Soemthing is definately not right. gear belongs to CO, not individuals, not dens, not even the pack, BUT THE CO. If they want the gear, they need to talk to the CO about BUYING the gear IF the pack and/or CO wants to part with it. Ditto with the money. Talk with the the COR and/or IH ASAP and I'ld invite teh DE and/or UC as well. If memory serves this will be considered a "Unit Matter" but he can give advice and guidance Also Webelos don't do their own thing, except an occasional camping trip. THEY ARE PART OF THE PACK! A few other things. 1)Second recommendation that You and the CC switch. CM's job is alot easier than CC, andyou seem to be doing the the CC's job already. 2) Get copies of Program Helps. They can be downloaded for free via national and it helps new leaders out. Good Luck

IF you could wear a flag for every country that you interacted with scouts from, I'ld be in trouble having done the European Camp Staff Program and went to a WSJ. Also had some dealing with Canadians, and with Quebecois in particular.

there are several Delaware to English Dictionaries out there that can help. But here's the caveat with them, if memrory serves those dictionaries are absed upon works done by German immigrants, so they do tend to have a Germanic sound to them.

One other thing, and this I learned the hard way, especially this weekend. No matter what you do, no matter what fun you have, there will be "Sash and dashers." I saw this with a few folks during my tenure as CA, and I have a bad feelign one of our new members will not been seen again. At the post ceremony dinner, instead of joining the rest of us, he sat by himself, ignoring attempts at communication, and texting away (how I wish all units had the same policy on that one). Also during the car ride home, he didn't join in the convesations, but was on the phone texting or talking.

Sctdad, Won't tell you congrats again, did that already at the ceremony that link is VERY good. one thing I need to add, since I listed a bunch of comments on that link. You need a motivated adult and youth to pump things up. And those "cheerleaders" need to keep it up. And if you lose one, replace 'em ASAP! You know I'm being stretched too thin and I haven't been as big the "cheerleader" as I have been in the past. But you need a cheerleader. Now As for activities. We visited SJAFB in Goldsboro. We were suppsioe to go tot eh SpecForces museum at Bragg, but we timed it too poorly with the bulk of our troops prepping for Summercamp. That is being resceduled. Also there is talk about going to a powwow. Two nearest ones will be the 3rd weekend in Nov at ECU (a sm.-med. one) and the NCSSM Powwow in Durham the first weekend in Feb. That is the largest in the area as they have between 8-10 druma and 150-200 dancers. Hopefully SWMBO will let me go, esp. since the OA banquet is the same night at teh same lcoation You are so correct in your "missing scouts" comment during our discusssion. Get OA invovled in CS activities and the CS will want to join OA when they become scouts

Sorry that is incorrect. You cannot wear the Canadian Flag, or the Quebec Flag for that matter, under the US flag. What you may be eligible to wear the following: International Activity Patch, International Activity Jacket, International Activity Back Patch, International Activity Neckerchief, and International Activity Slide. http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=UNIFORMS&C3=INSIGNIA&C4=&LV=3&item=00145&prodid=00145^8^01RTL& http://scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=UNIFORMS&C3=INSIGNIA&C4=&LV=3&item=00144&prodid=00144^8^01RTL& http://www.scoutstuff.org/BSASupply/ItemDetail.aspx?cat=01RTL&ctgy=PRODUCTS&c2=UNIFORMS&c3=UNECKERCHIEFS&c4=&lv=3&item=00746 The you may have to order teh jacket and slide jacket directly through Interational Division in TX as I do not see them on Scoutstuff.org or they may be discontinued Hope this helps

Lisabob, Only 6 different school calendars, that's a BREEZE! Back in the day my PLC did the colander having to deal with 2 public school calendars, approx. 4 private elementary/MS calendars, and approximately 6 private HS calendar. Yearly planning was just that: yearly planning, with things pretty much set in stone once written down. Scouts did all the planning and although tedious, especially if a school changed their calendar, once done the dates usually remained the same year after year. And yes the youth can deal with it instead of the committee. no criticism is intended, but isn't your son's troop the one that had more adults than youth do the Venture patrol backpacking trip? Definitily sounds as if soem strings need to be cut.

ES'96 It may be a variety of reason. 1 may be that the chapter hasn't been operating at a prime level. Another may be that the youth are burned out, with too much going on. A third may be that they have unit responsibilities at the same time. In these threads somewhere is that I did to reinvigorate my chapter when I took over. It took about 3 months, but I was fortunate in that my CC was a go getter. You need go getters who are highly motivated, fun activities, and soemthing you can hang your hat on OAish. My chapter is known for singing prior to and after the ceremonies.

Nitro, When I first took over and was rebuilding the chapter, yes I was bad. We didn't have any youth leaders at first, so I did way too much. Once We got some youth leaders running it, I only interjected when needed, which wasn't much. Then my leaders decided to do something crazy and go to school out of state, and I started all over again. Luckily it didn't take long. But the Aug OA meeting was when I was bad. The CC was at Philomnt and the 1sat VC wasn't prepared. adn I admit I interjected too much. The guy who is replacing me as AA (the CA was in a nite class that nite) told em to relax and let them sink or swim. Told me I got to into CS leader mode too fast and I need to get back into OA Mode

As a former DE, I thank you for trying to respect his private life. Not fun getting phone calls at 1AM or 5:30AM, having a prospective CM come to your door cursing you out saying " [Heck] no I aint being a CM at the [expletive deleted] Catholic Church, etc.

MamaCM, First off welcome to Scouting and the forums on thsi site. Scouting is an program and serving as a leader is not only a responsibility, but also enorumous fun. Lots of good advice has been given. I wuld like to add teh followig resource: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Leaders/CubScoutHelps.aspx That is a link to CS Program Helps, basically premade lessons plans to modify as you see fit for Den and pack meetings. Good luck!

Mea Culpa! Yes I've added a few things to the chief's comments. And yes I've been advised to sit back and relax. hard to do for me but i'm glad i got freinds looking out for me. Good news is that I'm no longer CA, so I only speak when told to . Last meeting, with the chief's permission, I talked about some upcoming activities that will be occuring to celebrate teh 100th anniversary. Again it was with the cheif's permission, and the info wasn't available yet elsewhere. but yes the scouts want ot run it, we just need to give GUIDENCE PRIOR TO the meetings, and let the youth run with it.(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Twil, I do not believe Basementdweller was being rude. Concerened yes as sometimes you will have units doign things they are not suppose to, i.e. shooting sports and boating. BSA has a tradition of aquatics safety going back almost to the founding. The guidelines are there to preserve lives, and trust me drowning DO happen at scouting functions even if all the rules are followed. My old council did suffer a fatality at a CS camp in the 1980s. And yes they did follow SSD!

Although I had to grow up faster than my peers, once dad walked out I had to assume some adult responsibilities like paying my own way and helping to support my mom. The big " AW ############" moment was when I left everything behind: friends, family, home, and everything I was comfortable with, to move 1/3 across the nation to take my first job after college. I went from an urban, "les Bon Temps roulle" environment to "the Belt Buckle of the Bible Belt." I was in culture shock and depressed for some time, but eventually thrived. Someone elsewhere mentioned boot camp. From my limited experience with my JROTC trip to Parris Island and 'Hell Week" in college ROTC, I can definately relate a little to that. Some minor moments compared to the Big one above: getting married, and the birth of my first son. My wife and son gave me some additional realizations to life, and I am STILL learning from my three boys everyday, but that first move on my one proved to myself that whatever life threw at me, I could handle alone if need be. (This message has been edited by eagle92)

If memory serves, SCOUTNET is the natioanl national database that is suppose to list all awards and recognitions, i.e. CS ranks, BS ranks, training awards, etc. Adavancment is part of that record, and the Web. Act. Pins are advancement and SHOULD be in the record. Arrow points or elective may be another matter, although they are put on the paper advancement report if memory serves. So that info SHOULD be available via the local council. I say should because I have had challenges with my SCOUTNET record. I have the Scouter's Training Award, but I was listed as "Untrained" as an ASM with 2 councils I was in.

Ok I got a little time so I can post a little more. Wing nut and MMHardy are 100% right. As you can guess this is a pet peeve of mine: 18-20 yo scouters (you can even say up to 25, but esp the 18-20 bracket) being discounted because of their age. Doesn't matter if they have the same Scouting KSAs and SCOUTING EXPERIENCE that an older individual, or even if they have MORE Scouting KSAEs than older indiviudals do, because they are "young" they "Don't know that the [heck] (edited for language) you're doing!" Yes I've been screamed and cursed at by older leaders b/c I knew the policy and followed it, and they didn' like it. Best example would be the SM who started yelling at the Election team about a scout he didn't want into the OA AFTER he signed him off on the election form. I was a 21yo chapter advisor who had served on election teams, ceremony teams, and was a member of the Lodge's ECM as a youth, and was given the CA spot when my predecessor went to Pharmacy School. But Because I younger than him and I hadn't been Arrowman for the past 15+ years like him, I didn't know what I was doing. He stated he did have the authority to change the election results. So what if the young MAN hadn't has an "AWWW ^&**" moment yet. So what if he doesn't have the same responsibilities in his personal life that other members of the patrol has. If he can manage taking the course in addition to everything else going on why shouldn't he? Who knows maybe that young man will be better prepared when that moment comes? Maybe he will be better prepared when he does get into the same realm of responsibilities as his patrol peers? Trainerlady, I am sorry you had a terrible time your first weekend at WB21C. But from what I seen from participant working their tickets, and have heard about the shenanigans that goes on, (and seen some of the shenanigans from my time with BA22 and JLT, the youth equivalents of WB), you should be having fun and acting a bit like a teenager again. Yes it's work, and sometimes dry and boring if you've had it before, but get creative and have some fun. Remember the CS Leader Motto: KISMIF ( Keep It Simple, Make It Fun)(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Wingnut, VERY good point.

If Scoutnet is workign properly, I've had problems with it, then ALL advancement, i.e. ranks, elective points, Web. Activity pins, etc, should have a report filed for the scout and entered into SCOUTNET. Cal the council offfice, give them the scouts name, and if known ID number, and you should have a report for everything.

BDPT00, Not necessarily. The CD was a very dynamic individual who encouraged those with a lot of potential to take as much training as possible, and actively recurited him and myself to take the course. I couldn't do it b/c one weekend was a wedding, but the other guy was able to do so. Upon some reflection, maybe the beads did have a small part to play. As someone posted elsewhere, there can be an ideology among some adults that if you don't have beads, or as I have expereinced are younger than them, then you didn't know what you were talking about. Personally I think he wanted as much trainign as possible tomake a difference in Scouts lives.

TAHAWK, Very good point, but one minor error: someone who is 18 and serving as an ASM, ADL, or AWDL is an adult. We all know "Youth" can't take WB Seriously though I am all for "Gray Area Scouters" taking training. Also thinking about my college days, I have one possiblity why the young man may not have been able to meet at nite, and it's not his "social Life." Could the young man be working nites, and thus the nite time meetings be a problem for him and his employment status? I know that I had some "challenges" doing group projects with fellow students in school b/c I was a commuter who worked 2 jobs in addition to goign to school FT. So the only times I was one campus was working job #1 and classes. One reason why I prefered avoiding classes with group projects, not not always avoidable.