Eagle92

Someone mentioned a Scout that has earned rank and it was never registered at the council office. True story that happened to one of my Scouts. Didn't realize that he was still a First Class Class until after his EBOR and council rejected it b/c he never earned Star or Life. Luckily we had copies of the adavncement reports.

Howdy CC! A few questions for you as I am trying to understand where you are coming from. 1) Were you ever a Boy Scout? 2) Are you currently, or ever have been, a registered leader with a unit, and if so what's the position? I think Beavah gives an excellent way to handle things. Now in regards to your comments about conforming to a troop, it's like anything in life you conform or go your separate way. Just as some choose to join one homeschool association over another, or a particular sports program over another, each troop is different, and has different expectations, SOPs, etc. All one needs to do is look around. I'll give you an example. Just as the wife and I chose one homeschool association over another to reflect more of our values and teaching philosophies, I switched troops from one that my entire den went into b/c it was the Den Chief's, to one that met more of my needs and wants.

Actually there are still distributorships still. My town has one, and in my hometown we had 1 in addition to the national store I worked at. I actually used the local distributor for some purchases, non BSA of course, and was "voluntold" by my DE to help out with one of their SCOUT NITE promos. Thakfully the boss didn't find out. Although I was in my district committee uniform, one or two folks recognized me foerm the national shop.

OTS, Hopefully my comment didn't sound to smart alecky. In rereading it, it may have come off as such and I apologize. In reference to NSPs, I am not a big fan of them. PLs don't have enough knowledge and expereince to work with their patrol members and run the patrol properly. Plus with a mixed age patrol, the expereince ones tend to pair off with a less experienced scout and get them up to speed. I have had and seen mixed experiences with regards to NSPs.

My DC's orientation is tomorrow, so I will know for sure how many Tigers we get. in 2009 we had 1, my son, last year 0, and this year 1. We are merging him with the Wolves. Our program is very simple, based upon what the Cubs want; BB Guns, Archery, Fishing, and water games. We also throw in, for lack of a better word, Advancement area doing crafts, games, and hikes.

Is he wearing a PL patch, running patrol meetings, and organizing his patrol? If yes, then yep he has a seat on the PLC. If not, then A) why isn't he, and B) yep he sits and votes on teh PLC.

KEEP THE IDEAS COMING!!!!!!!!! (and yes that is me shouting at ya! ) Right now it is as if we have a bunch of individual units with one or two coopereating with one another. May be if we can push CSDC as a unifier, it will help revamp the cub side in the district.

Had, I have no problem with training and encourage folks to take refreshers if they feel like it. But when you are STAFFING the trainings, and the trained leader report doesn't list you as trained, that's where I have problems. And a bunch of my trainers had problems with that too, esp. the PTC staffer who was "untrained."

Long story short the CS side of things in the district needs rebuilding. At the moment there is no RT commission, so few units attend. However one thing I want to do is have RT meeting with in Sept or OCT talking nothing but CSDC and try doing some of the things I've seen work, and national really recommends: putting the responsibility on the packs. Lots of factors are involved into the current status of cub scouting in the district. Unfortunately a good bit of it is related to the CD either directly or indirectly.At one time she was involved in everything cub scouts: CS RT Commish, CS Activities Chair, and CSDC director. At the moment she is still the CS activities chair day camp director, and there is no CS RT Commish as no one really attends RT. When I attend, I usually am on the boy scout side of things. As a result she has left a bad taste in people's mouths, and several folks are only working CSDC because I asked them too. Biggest challenge is that there is a high staff turnover. With the exception of me and the CD, this will be 4 adults's second year on staff. Everyone else is new. Since we have gotten off on a tangent, let's go a little further off. What would you do to recruit a new PD? Also what information would you pass on to a new PD?

SSScout, To be honest the CD will probably accept anyone willing to do most of the work. Not many folks willing to work with the CD. CD told me I've been in the PD the longest in about 12 years (that former PD stayed long enough for his son to finish Cubs and he quit because of the CD. I was the DE at the time and I had to deal with the complaints about the CD from the old PD). Long story short, I've spent the past two years building up the program. Last year was essentially doing everything on my own as the CD didn't do much. That was frustrating b/c I bought or secured everything we would need because she would not give me an inventory of what she had after I had asked several times, only to find out after camp starts that we had XYZ supplies. I returned over $300 worth of supplies, and wasted several hours of my time, and an hour of my wife's time. This year after several attempts to get an inventory, get supplies delivered to a secure location at camp so that we can do outr own inventory, etc, I finally got the boxes of supplies that the CD had to camp, inventoried, and organized on the 4th of July. And I know stuff is missing b/c it was stuff either I purchased, or got donated last year. I could go on and on but won't. Suffice to say a lot of folks would love to see the CD retire, but folks won't commit to taking over as CD. EDITED; Sorry to vent. My CSDC is Monday, and I am still getting stuff. frustrated because I am not only dealing with my own responsibilities, but also the CD's. After last year I know if I want the Cubs to have fun, I cannot rely on the CD. I was hoping it would go better this year, with the CD realizing that I am not after the CD job but trying to get the camp going, but I failed in that regard. Heck even stating I will be a TC partner next year hasn't helped.(This message has been edited by eagle92)

Way it worked in my troop, youth sat only on the T-2-1 BORs. They had to be a PL or member of the Leadership Corps, basically troop level officer like SPL, QM, Instructor, ect. So it was the older, more experienced guys sitting on the BORs.

Long story short, afetr 2 years as PD, I am taking a year off, possibly 2. Middle son willbe a TC and I cannot be PD b/c I need ot be with him. So next year is out. Oldest and middle both have expressed going to Resident Camp, so that may be done in 2 years. So I am looking for a successor. What would you look for? What concerns would you have? I would leave it up to the CD as she is committed for the next 3 years, but the track record with her and recruiting staff is not the best, usually leaving everythign to the last minute. Try getting shooting sports folks certified about 2 weeks before camp. So again what to look for in a PD and what to concerns woudl you have?

Bilge, In my troop growing up, the Troop QM was the one to handle everything equipment wise: issuing it to the patrols, collecting and replacing damaged equipment, keeping inventory, etc. While the adults would buy it, the youth was the one to tell them exactly what to get, and sometimes where to get it. And adults in my troop learned to trust the QM the hard way. My troop lost ALL of their tents when the CO used the brand new fiberglass shed as a dartboard, and the tents mildewed. QM told the committee exactly what we wanted, basically the newer version of what we already had. Unfortunately the treasurer saw "a steal" on pop up tents, bought those instead of what we wanted, and on the first campout 2 of the tents busted and could not be repaired, and a third one busted the next one before we said chuck them and get what we wanted. Good news was that we got what we wanted cheap when a neighboring troop folded and we got their gear and a few of their members.

I want to say 1989. I know the time requirements for T-2-1 were just removed and I sat on a BOR as ASPL for one Scout who had 3 BORs in one nite. And that was the last nite I sat on BORs as a youth. What was kinda funny was that the troop hadn't learned that a BOR can cover multiple ranks so we had him in for Tenderfoot, then out for a second Scout,then in again for Second Class, then out for a third scout, then in again for First Class. In reference to gossip, never did hear it happen. And the Scouts who sat on my BORS usually were able to open up the scout and get more out of him than the adults. Ditto when I sat on BORs as a youth. Also when a "challenging" Scout appeared at BORs,the youth BOR member usuallywas able to apply how situations that the youth was invovled in could have been handled more scout-like. Like I said, it may be 22 years since Scouts were able to sit on BORs, but I liked it and think it should be available again.

Actually my troop wore their swim trunks under the scout shorts to speed up swim checks. I'll add NO GOLF CART IN CAMP The letters from home reminded me of a joke on one of my friends in the patrol. Every single letter he got was in a pink envelope and smelled of perfume. Gotta love older brothers pulling jokes on ya.

Myth, I am not going to yes or no on the project. But when you say inconsistencies on the district and council committees, can you explain? I ask because the same group that approves the project should also sit on the EBOR. If one group approves the project, and another does the EBOR, it can lead to problems. Trust me, been there, done that, finally got the Badge, and had to counsel another Scout who was in my situation. One DAC approved my project, and 4 years later at the EBOR, the current DAC didn't like it and didn't want it to count. Luckily the DAC that did approve it was on the EBOR, and after I questioned the EBOR's decision and wanted to know if there was an appeals process b/c the project was approved and done as planned, after a recess I got it. You really need to talk to the folks. Now me personally, after cleaning brass, and seeing folks clean the brass seal at my HS for detention, I think it's a good one, but better for him to go into a lot of details like how many folks it will involve and estimated man-hours it will take. It sounds easy and something that can be done in an afternoon form the description you give, but I know otherwise.

I admit when I was younger, I looked the other way when it came to alcohol at camp. I knew folks who snuck in a nip, made "Irishman's Surprise," and had nip every now and then. Heck I remember after a stressful day on summer camp staff, with permission,going out of camp and having 2 beers and complaining about things with 2 other staffer who had the night off. My thinking was that if it did not affect performance and taking care of the scouts, it was ok But something happened and that opinion changed. And it was the 2AM Lost Camper in the thunderstorm. You got to BE PREPARED for anything at any time.

At least you had powerpoin. First year I staffed CSDC, no training and our "manual" was a folder with the daily check in/check out log, schedule, and emergency procedures in it. THAT'S CHANGED

growing up, my troop built a Bosun's Chair ride with 2 towers, one 25-30' high, the other 15-20' high, about 100-150' apart with a cable connecting them. Add the chair, which was a 2x6" connected to a pulley, I believe a Rosa Gold, and viola, instant ride at scout shows. At JLTC, the catapults launching water balloons was a hit.

More than likely they had a supply. I know of folks who have walked into storage rooms and surprised as what has been in them, both in and out of scouting. Sis in law got me a 1st printing 5th ed.library edition BSHB in mint condition b/c it was found in a storage room.

SSSHHHHHH Don't tell national.

You probably did find the old venturing pants. In 1998 I was at REI looking for gray shorts as the official shorts hadn't come out yet. I saw a pair of shorts, were comfortable but had elastic in them, and I hate elastic., so I passed them by. Guess what was introduced in 1999 as the official shorts....

JoeBob, Were you the guy who took off with the Super Bowl I or II ring, attached it a brick and a float, and threw it in the deep end? Long story short, we had a SM who thought he was hot stuff because he played for Green Bay and was in Super Bowls I and II. And yes he wore one of the rings to prove it. Ticked off a bunch of folks with the attitude, and cursing out two scouts who were having problems learning how to canoe in canoeing MB class didn't help matters either. Well the Super Bowl ring went missing, and he was furious. Clues were left, and eventually the ring was found attached to a brick to sink it and a float to find it, in the deep end of the swimming area.

Most of the time, Color guards have a carrying belt/harness that they wear, and the flag is essentially carried at the chest. However I have seen 1 USMC JROTC color guard carry the colors on the side when the building they were posting the colors in would not allow it to be carried normally.

What your leaders are doing is wrong. I'd search for another troop if you are not in a position ot change it.