Eagle92

I'm going to be shaking the bushes again for staff. Crowd control is what I need. And I deliberately scheduled things so that IF we did not get enough staffers, I could use some of the key staff to fill in for a period or two in a different area. Still Want more people, plus isn't there a 1 adult staffer to every 4 kids guideline somewhere? I know I've seen it, just can't remember where, nor can I find it. Youth staff is not problem, and in fact some of the dens have 2 DCs. What's a deadline? Only deadline we have is early registration (1 month before camp starts) and day camp. Last year we had one person sign up on Wednesday! Yep it makes budgeting tough.

One reason why I loved my old council, when they wanted the "big guns" for events, they called in the artillery, specifically the Washington Artillery of New Orleans Re-enactors, not to be confused with the 141st Field Artillery Regiment (Washington Artillery).

Well as you can guess, I got a problem with my day camp. I have more people registered for it than projected, and I still have 11 days left. While I am scrambling for more staffers now, I think this is a good problem. Need ideas to recruit more staff though. I've talked to two of the CMs last nite and they are working on recruiting parents to help out a day or two. The other CMs will be contacted as well, but these two are on staff and hence the early calls. I've also sent out an email to the staff asking them to help recruit, and will be sending an email out to nite to everyone who has registered so far and have given me an email. Phone calls will follow for those without email. I will also be recontacting the troops and seeing if they may be able to help as I know things change, and maybe some of the college age leaders can help since they are now in town. Long story short the day camp program has been very, very small. First year I was a DE only had 7 Cubs. Yep you heard me 7. Similar number the next year. That was 12+ years ago. Don't know about events between 2000 and 2008, but in 2009 we had 25, and that was a large crowd. In 2010 officially we had 38 (actually we had 42; have a feeling 4 were put on another camp's rooster)and as of today 54 for 2011. So while 54 may be small potatoes for some folks, 54 is a good problem for us. Again any ideas to getting extra staff that I may have overlooked? Thanks.

This is one reason why I hate dealing with money. Unfortunately I've seen it where even if you do everything above board and by the book, sometimes people still accuse of using unit funds to buy stuff for yourself (Nice tarp you got there, doesn't that belong to the troop). In training materials, it says to make sure you get 2, stressing TWO SIGNATURES, on unti checking accounts. Don't know if this is in the books or not, but in one of the units I was with, 2 signatures were needed, but there was a list of 4 people who could sign, and none were related: IH (rarely used), COR/CC, Treasurer, and SM. Like I said make sure no one is related, that also keeps accusations form happening. I know I was asked to be a signer of checks since I was the one buying advancement as I worked at the scout shop. But since the wife was treasurer, I refused. Sad, sad story.

Irregardless of the article, Why would you NOT want some district and council level folks in Venturing uniforms? It shows their support for the program, and gives it a little publicity.. Now if national would allow the Scout Shop folks to wear it....

Ok here's Raleigh's code. Now grant you they don'tuse the words 'Sheath Knife," but since they use "but not limited to" and "bowie knife, dirk, dagger," you can bet someone calling a sheath knife a Bowie. Sec. 9-2021. - WEAPONS PROHIBITED. It shall be unlawful for any person to possess or carry on or about his person, whether openly or concealed, any deadly weapon including but not limited to any: bowie knife, dirk, dagger, sling-slot, loaded cane, metallic knuckles, razor, shurikin, stun gun, pistol, revolver, gun, rifle, or nightstick; at any meeting, assemblage, or parade on any property, street, alley or other public way, park, greenway on which any activity is undertaken under the auspices, supervision, or sponsorship of the City of Raleigh Parks and Recreation Department. This section shall not apply to law enforcement or other government personnel acting within the scope of their employment; nor shall this section apply to weapons used solely for instructional classes or for officially sanctioned ceremonial purposes. Any person violating the provisions of this section shall be guilty of a misdemeanor and upon conviction shall be punished by a fine of five hundred dollars ($500.00) and/or imprisonment. In addition to said punishment, any person convicted under this section will be prohibited from entering on park property of the City or participating in Parks and Recreation activities for a period of up to one year. (Code 1959 , 16-29; Ord. No. 1992-39, 1, 9-1-92) In reference to Cary, MEA CULPA. It's in refernce to city owned properties: parks, greeen ways, building, parking lots, etc.

I was one of those Scouts who was terrified of swimming. I did drown, and had CPR done to me when I was younger. While I liked being in the water, if it got to deep I paniced ans was terrified of swimming. Now this may not be the way some folks would handle it, but this is what my mom did. She gave me a choice, learn to swim and stay in Scouting, or do not learn and get out. From both my cousin's and my brothers' brief experiences in Scouting, she knew I would be left behind on a lot of things. I am glad she did that, as it forces me to overcome that fear. Summer camps should have Instructional Swim Sessions. YMCAs will work with folks. Also as a Swimming MBC, I'll work with anyone for the MB, or even to learn how to swim. I am only limited by time, and trying to find a place. I know one SM who took me up on the offer used his parents' pool. Where there is a will, there is a way. Good Luck.

Usually we were in Scout T-shirts, at least those of use with a bunch. Only folks I ever saw in a complete Activity Uniform all the time, except when in Field Uniform, are the Staff. Ok excepting aquatics staff (and they actually created their own waterfront uniform wiht everyone in the same swimsuits and brimmed hats) and COPE ( ditto cammies and staff t-shirts)

This must be something new: Archery and BB Guns belt loops and pins being restricted. I remember when a parent could just walk up, and purchase them like the rest of the belt loops and pins.

Oak, Nope, not trying to tweak. I read the statute(sp) somewhere while looking it up. Friend of mine who is a retired LEO told me this, and I trusted him, but verified. If I can find the link, after Only in America.... I'll post it.

I don't know what to say or do except wish you the best of luck in handling this. I am so sorry both of you have to deal with this.

I know that my shoting sports folks know the requirements for the belt loops, pins, and CS Shooting Sports Award, and is incorporating them into their program. But SSSHHHHH don't tell the Cubs that, they think they are trying different positions and learnding cool stuff.

Me personally, I'd handle it like this. If the scout has First Aid MB, then he has met the requirement. Could these requirements be a holdover of when FA MB was required for First Class? let's face it BSA sometimes takes a long time to change things, i.e. Tigers still have separate socks and are called "Tiger Cubs" after how many years of being part of Cub Scouts and not a separate program, the Sea Scout lapel pin is still call teh Sea Explorer Miniture pin, etc.

Unfortunately there is a strong anti-USA bias overseas, and I've encountered it with some Brits, aka POMEs , but really bad with some Finns. Why is the attitude there, proably b/c of a bunch of reasons from our own arrogance at time, to their jealosy, and maybe a bit of embarrassment sine we had to get involved with 2 of their wars and currently provide the bulk of NATO forces, ot our own lack of knowledge of history to name afew.

JT, Actually the District Committee approves MBCs as it is a district level POR. This is the policy, although MBCs can request to work with specific units. Once a MBC is approved, then the SM can select him for a Scout to use. that's how it is suppose to work anyway. Unfortunatley reality varies based upon the situation in your district.

Forgot to add that it was 3 positions during one summer camp season. I was camp commish, then got moved to Dining Hall when that director quit b/c of the business director and we were about to loose the rest of the DH staff b/c of him ([sarcasm on] that was a fun stint [sarcasm off], then as Lifesaving MBC for one week when that counselor was needed to go out with a HA group. That was actually a fun week.

E, I know of one camp that hired a person specifically to do IOLS during summer camp. Also I know camps that have changed folks positions due to the needs of the camp. I know I was hired for a HA program, but ended up doing COPE. Alsoanother camp I worked placed me in 3 positions due to the needs of the camp.

Going to have to get that one. I personally recommend the 3rd edition SMHB, both volumes, written by Green Bar Bill himself. To paraphrase one of the local 'scoutisms" in my neck of the woods : even if the book was edited to a single volume, it would still have more info on the patrol method and how to run a troop than the current SMHB.

national has handouts already to aid in uniforming. Uniform Inspections sheets are one, and the Uniform Essentials sheets are the others. However the essentials sheets do have errors for the leaders, they keep listing MB sashes for adults, and also have all the cub scout literature info with the ladies, and all the BS lit with the males. Don't worry, I emailed them a year ago, and someday they will get it right.

Bnelon, If it hasn't been communicated properly to use volunteers in the field, how the heck are we suppose to know things? And has national already got input from councils and the 2011 ACPP will reflect the research, or is this still ongoing? I ask because I KNOW what will happen if national changes things for 2012 (Most things issued in August take effect the upcoming Jan 1, then changes them again ion 2014 or 15. Heck it may even take some units that long to implement the new changes, then to be told just after changing that there is yet another change. Kinda like the CU fiasco. First they said everyone in the CUS wear tan and green insignia, then 8-9 mos later change it they say only Boy Scouts and Varsity Scouts, Cub Scout Leaders and Webelos electing to wear the BS uniform wear the red and white insigia and trained strips. Ticked me off since I had just bought the tan and green stuff for my Cub Scouter uniform, only to have to change it a week or two later. AND I bought the green and tan stuff after calling a NATIONAL SUPPLY Scout shop to get the correct info as I heard rumors of changes taking place. ALOT of leaders and Cubs were not happy. I still see leaders and a couple of Cubs in tan and green insignia. And let's not forget that 3 years after their debut, there have now been SEVERAL: changes to the CU's, i.e. ladies cut, poly wool, shorts, and now the new shirt designs.

I don't know what the current protocols are, but when I worked for national supply the following had to be done to get replacement advancement. 1) Proof that the advancement item was actually awarded. This was in the days when SCOUTNET had major problems with it, yes at one time there were actually more problems than today, and National Supply had their own system that did not interact with SCOUTNET. It could be a certificate, the actual award ( i.e. bringing in the uniform shirt to get extra stuff for jambo uniforms, etc) or insme cases photographs from the ECOHs 2) If it was a youth advancement item, an advancement report with the words REPLACEMENT needed to be filled out and submitted.

Trev, Up until 1972, that was how the necker was worn, over a tucked under collar, if your shirt even had a collar.

Yep! Although I do know for the slides at least, most people bought two at a time. I think someone suggested different slides since folks were buying multiples anyway. The hats are what get my goat.

"Fish, Just keep the knives out of Cary, they are illegal there.

5year hits the head a good deal. When I was camp commish, I helped with check in, did campsite inspections, brought the coffee and newspaper to the adults in their campsites, and most importantly dealt with any complaints and problems. I do disagree with the comment that it is "Not hard work at all." While it is not as physically demanding as running a COPE Course, working aquatics, or working the HA program, I did a lot of problem solving and customer service work, which can be challenging.