Eagle92

Update: lots of wind and rain. parts of my neck of the woods have lost power, but so far so good. But again I consider it a matter of time before losing it. Luckily only TS level winds. On another note. There is damage at Pamlico Sea Base. Pier is gone, and one of the new cabins hit. Lots of trees down, but not a thorough review of cthe reservation at this time. Wondering how the other local camps are doing. I remember visiting Camp Charles after Floyd in 1999, and it was a mess.

Lisa, HORSEHOCKEY ON YOUR COUNCIL! (AND YES I AM SCREAMING THIS AT THEM, NOT YOU.) Something very similar happened to a friend of mine, except that AFTER his EBOR, when the council was reviewing the records prior to sending them to national, it was discovered that the council's records were incorrect. They showed the Eagle as still being a First Class Scout. My troop didn't use blue cards, having the MBC sign directly in the BSHB. We used the BSHB to correct the council's information. Unfortunately I know that council's records can be messed up b/c when I received an advancement report, it showed only 3 of my 10 Wolves having earned their Wolf badge. Not a happy camper.

I'm more inland than 'Fish, so I am catching TS winds and not hurricane winds. Still have power at the moment, but it is flickering on and off at times, but a lot of folks on the coast are out of power. A few more hours of this for us

Ok by request I'm doing a basic, from memory, organization chart of pros. Again this is basic as different types of councils have different structures Office Support Staff= the folks who do all the paperwork at the council office, i.e. registrar, office manager, etc. Paraprofessionals= those folks who are serving youth, but not in a professional capacity. SCOUTREACH leaders sometimes fall into this category, as well as some folks who are doing internships Council Camp Staff= as the name implies. District Executives = lowest on the commissioner professional ladder. Work with units. Senior DE's = Those who have at least 3 years expereince and do not have supervisory responsibilities District Director = SDE with some supervisory responsibility and not a middle manager Field Director = pro who supervises 2 or more DEs, SDEs, and DDs. This is mid management FILL IN THE BLANK Director = middle manager that specializes in a particular area. Examples I've seen include Program Director, Camping Director (these first two are not to be confused by folks with the same title at summer camp), Reservation Direcor, Endowment Director, and Finance Director. Director of Field Services = depending upon size of the council, the #2 person. supervises 2 or more FDs. Upper management. Director of Support Services = the upper manager who is responsible for support, i.e. council service center, finance, camps etc. Scout Exec. Again this is basic and based upon my memory and experiences. So if I left anything out, please feel free to add.

Base, DDs are higher up the food chain than DEs. Depending upon the size of the council, either the Field Director(supervises DEs and DDs), Director of Field Services( Supervises DDs and FDs), or SE is the one to talk to.

WOW! As a former pro, this is not the way to handle things. Follow what others have recommended.

Growing up, everyone, and I do mean everyone, watched 1 particular meteorologist, and whichever local station he was on. The guy was so good at predicting hurricane tracks WITHOUT computer models, cool graphics, and other modern technology, that he was known as "the Weather God" b/c he was right when other experts were so off. I still remember watching him in 1992 for Hurricane Andrew, and there he is with a dry erase board, markers etc predicting the path. Man I wish there was another Nash Roberts around today. As for where do I go for info, yep Weather.com and NOAA.

ISRAP, If there is going to be a Chess MB, then I do say offer it at camp, BUT ONLY WHEN IT IS RAINING ( caps for emphasis )

'Rat, The patches all over the jacket options are no longer viable as they are go against the Insignia Guide. Don't know when, I think sometime in the 1970s, national said you can no longer put patches all over the red jackets. In addition to to the camp blanket, I've also patches on hats. I know I had a DCU boonie hat with my lifeguard patches, my aquatic MBs, and other aquatic related stuff on it, including my youth bug and as an adult my SE Leader's pin. Used that hat when guarding and on float trips.

RS, Let's not go there, there is already a Video Games Belt Loop and Pin for the Cubs. Then again that may be the way we are going. While I am a Chess lover, hey I did letter in Chess in HS, I still think ScOUTING needs more OUTING.

to quote that old SNL skit, "NEVERMIND."

Irene has an almost identical path as Floyd did in '99 and I remember it. Dennis and Floyd did a number in Eastern NC. There were two huge trees, 100+ years old, that fell and cut off my block for about 2-3 days. One of those trees was so huge, it not only blocked the stree, but damaged 2 houses it fell on. There is already a run on batteries and other supplies in my neck of the woods.(This message has been edited by eagle92)

The original switchbacks were awesome. Wish I would have bought more when I had the chance. Unfortunately I bought 2 pairs each of the L and XL to get the right size. BTW, Does anyone want a Size XL orignal Switchback length 32" ? $15 plus shipping

Most pros will do what I did: Buy a cheaper price jacket, pants, belt, and shirt from the local store, and only buy the tie and jacket emblem from national.

A few things to help the CM who needs a break. 1) let every den organize one summertime activity. That's what my pack did this summer and it worked out fairly well. Esp. since the CC's family did a 3 month trip out west camping at various national parks. 2)piggybackon district and council activities,ie day camp and resident camp. As far as low attendance, I wouldn't worry. As long as you keep the events fun, they will come.

Yeah, he has been known to come down with a case of bigshot-itis from time to time.... That ain't no lie. This is especially true of my oldest at the local camp. Since he's been with me at times to help prepare for stuff, i.e. council family camp, CSDC, etc, he knows the place better than some adults do. Sometimes I think he beleives he owns camps.

Sometimes you need to check out the outlet stores. We got a MORTEX outlet store down the block from me. I've gotten their moisture wicking T-shirts for about $5.50 with tax.

Me personally here are my thoughts. 1) limit the amount of patches on the current uniform. 2) Bring back the original Switchbacks with the verticle zipper to remove the leg without taking off your boots BUT size them correctly. 3)make it mandatory for neckers.

I admit I am one of those who wants Scouts to go to summer camp ASAP. But maybe I am biased because I was one of those Scouts who did not go to summer camp, and was very envious of those in my den who did go. I wasn't informed about summer camp until a few weeks before crossing over, which wasn't enough time to get the money to go. So while my friends were having fun at camp, I was stuck home. When they came back, they had a good bit of work done, but more importantly had a blast. That's why I am a very big proponent of telling Cub Scouts to start saving their money up for summer camp when they are about a year away from crossing over.

'Dad, I would say put the OUTING in ScOUTING with your troop, but knowing ya as I do, I'm preaching to the choir. Does your troop have a copy of the Troop Program Features, Vols 1-3? It used to be a single book called WOODS WISDOM. The way the books are designed, your PLC pick what each month's theme would be. Within each theme there are suggested troop plans, and the lesson. For example in the AQUATICS theme, duing the skills instruction of Week 1 would have the New Scouts can begin working on strokes that are needed for Second and First Class ranks. The Experienced Scouts can work on the Lifesaving or Swimming merit badges. And the Older Scouts can work on the Venture program or on Snorkeling, BSA; BSA Lifeguard; Mile Swim, BSA; or assist with the instruction of less experienced Scouts. Another example is the COOKING theme's skill instruction for the first week: New Scouts work on woods tools care and maintenance(Boy Scout Handbook). Review Leave No Trace rules for fires. Experienced Scouts work on Dutch oven cooking. Older Scouts work on the Venture program or work with younger Scouts on woods tools instruction So the TPFs allows the entire troop to work on one specifc theme, culminating with a campout based upon the theme, BUT allows the different ability groups to work separately during the skills period of the meeting. All 3 books are downloadable from here: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/BoyScouts/Resources/Troop%20Program%20Features%20Vol,-d-,%20I%20-%20III.aspx Hope this helps.

Ok I admit in advance that A) I am an old fogey and B) I have primarily had bad experiences with NSPs. With that said, the document that was linked to, while very organized and gets to the point, is really not what Scouting is about. I believe that BP stated "Advancement is like a suntan - something you get naturally whilst having fun in the outdoors." If you do use a NSP, then your TG and PL should work together to see how advancment can be worked on using the troop's schedule. I know folks will wonder what't the difference between this handout and the Troop Prgram Features v1-3? Biggest difference is that while the TPF does give you a lesson plan, it's done on a specific topic and not a regimented year's schedule. TPF allows the PLC to pick out what to do, and is themed based, i.e. camping, canoeing, etc, with a campout as the main event.

Don't feel bad about CS not being included in BSA's celebrations in your neck of the woods. Sea Scouts had only 1 float in the national parade, and the First Class Anchor wasn't even on the float with the BS, CS, VS, and Venturing emblems on it, and Sea Scouts is the second oldest program in Scouting, celebrating its 100th anniversary in 2012. In regards to the trainers, that is despicable. I admit I do show off some of the good gear that I have when I do BALOO, but I also talk abut cheap ways to get gear that works, i.e. using pots and pans from home, making sleeping bags out of blankets, etc.

Some good ways have been discussed. I know that the SPL in my troop during meetings would use the scout sign to get everyone's attention. If that didn't work, comments like " I got all nite," and "We are now running into your game time," would stop the behavior. In fact I have never screamed "Sign Up," like I hear a lot of other leaders do until this past year at day camp. Peer pressure works. Having them understand the consequences of their actions works wonders. Sometimes a word of praise will get them to keep up the good work. And sometimes a simple 'I'm really disappointed in your actions," will cut to the quick.

Mom, While I agree with you the attitude that Cub Scouts is not real Scouting is wide spread, incorrect, and that Cubs DO need the OUTING in ScOUTING and troops need to devekop a realtionship, there is a historical basis for the assumption. When Cub Scouts was created, it's original intent was to keep them busy until they became Boy Scouts. There were lots of arts and crafts projects in advancement and meetings, and very little outing. I know that when I was a Cub in the early 80s, the only outdoor expereinces for Cubs were "Dad and Lad Weekends" and the obligatory campout with a troop to get AOL, and that was it. Packs were not encouraged to camp, and councils geared their camping activivities to Boy Scouts and Explorers. At least in the council I was in. The changes occured, probably in the 1990s, that put more OUTING in ScOUTING for the Cubs. And that was great. But you still have long term Scouters, both Cub and Boy Scout leaders, who are not up with the changes. I see some packs that still do not camp. I see leaders who do no outdoor stuff with their dens. I see leaders who want to do "artsy fartsy" stuff at day camp instead of craft projects the kids are interested in. Let's face it what would you rather do, make a sand painting and do coloring sheets, or make a shield and crossbow? Sad thing is these old timers know better. Kinda sad when a WBer says cubs don't need to camp, or a CSDC director doesn't want to buy crafts that the Cubs would be intersted in b/c they have all this colored sand for sand paintings, and other other art type crafts. As for the complaints about what Cub Families bring on campouts, I've seen it, heard, and even made some comments about it myself in a negative light. It wasn't until I became a CS leader that I realized these things: 1) It is FAMILY camping, so more gear will be needed 2) for many it's the FIRST TIME camping, and they do not know what they are doing so they are 'being prepared" 3)While packs must have BALOO trained folks, it is sometimes difficult to bring people up to speed on camping, esp when you have trips planned during or right after Round ups, have constant leadership turnover, and other normal CS leadership challenges, and 4) Those complaining are A) not helping out with regards to training and solving the problem and B) not setting the example, i.e. driving around camps, parking in campsites, etc. Ok enough ranting.

My opinion is the following. 1) Set it up as 1 patrol. 2) Make sure that the PL can meet the following requirements A. Second Class (would prefer FC) or above. B. Can commit to attending all events for 6 months. C. Willing to get training. 3) Have an election with those youth that meet the requirements. In regards to training, of course they need the current stuff. I'd also recommend using the 3rd ed. SMHB training syllabus since you got a small group. Of course it will need some modifying for today, btu it's THE foundation to the patrol method.