Eagledad

The problem with three strikes is you have two strikes before the third. If we can't in some way understand the wrong of the first bad decision, then we are just delaying the lesson of the first strike until after the third. Typically several small bad decisions occur before the big one. You need to change the behavior with the small bad decisions, so that the big one was never considered. Barry (This message has been edited by eagledad)

>>That's not a question we can answer without reviewing the careers (formal and informal) of all 96 scouts. For all I know, the scout who was 2nd class at 18 and only held APL is responsible for recruiting half your boys and mentoring your most recent PLs! He might have never taught an ILST, but he was always there with fireside advice for any boys who wanted it.

The question is "which One scout has the most impact of positive growth on the whole troop?". My troop had 96 scouts when I retired as SM. Which "one"? Barry

>>So why not the regular monthly roundtable? Well, one issue with us is that it falls on a troop meeting night for two of the troops. The other is that our district was absorbed by another, two years ago, and things are pretty much run by the other district. It's not the same any more. Because they are remote from us, we've sort of lost our local identity.

Yep, I totally agree. We had a stash for that exact reason. I will say that we did not recognise Eagles until National approved. There is still a very slight risk National will refuse. But once Council called, we pulled an Eagle badge from the stash and presented it at the next meeting. Barry

>>Honestly, his Webelos program was more fun and engaging than the Troop. I realize Webelos is an "adult-led" program but the boys learned, went on campouts, went on hikes, did outdoor activities, and the weekly meetings were educational, engaging, and enjoyable. We had no falling membership during those Webelos and Cub years; we had rising membership.

>>Adults who distanced themselves open themselves up to more trouble..Isolating yourself from the scouts leads to potential disasters...So say Scouts were horse playing and one gets hurt. They all are afraid to tell because they will get punished..Monday Morning a Parent calls Council office and complains because her son comes home from camp with a Broke Ankle...your screwed .. You have no knowledge of it being broken and you rendered no Medical treatment

(LOL) wish I could of seen that. Barry(This message has been edited by eagledad)

Yah well the objective is to get the scout to realize his own mistake and voluntarily change. There are as many ways to guide a scout to see the bulb come on as there are people in the world. That includes physical exercise. I once took four excited giggly new scouts on a midnight hike for an hour on the first night of summer camp. Oh sure they knew they were in trouble when they were asked half way through the hike if they understood what parts of the scout law needed a little practice. Or maybe they didn't we also looked at stars, watched critters and just talked about the fun stuff we were going to do camp that week. I think there was a little bonding there too, but it was pretty late. Selfishly, I also wanted to wear the boys down a little and let the rest of troop sleep. I know I know, I'm just a big bully, I admit it. Even worse, I have no regrets and I will do again under the same circumstances PERIOD! LOL You guys crack me up. I love this scouting. Barry

>> Well, you lost me there, Barry. I don't see what the two have to do with each other.

It's real touch and go and pretty bad around Colo Springs. Garden of the Gods is out and probably AF Academy. White Water is farther south and over a large area, so you should be OK there, but it might be smokey. There is plenty to do around where you guys are staying, so the tour company should keep you busy. Have a great trip and drink plenty of water at Philmont because the arid air at the altitude dries you out fast. First sign of a headache, drink. Oh, and don't feed the bears. LOL Barry

Its pretty bad, I'm sure Garden of the Gods is out. Pikes Peak may be OK. The Air Froce Academy is a great visit as well, but the fires are close there as well. Where are you staying and how are you getting around. And if it fits, check this site out in LaJunta way south of the fires. Its worth the visit. Be sure to check the Dancers tag to get their times, this is all done by a Boy Scout Troop and it is very impressive. http://www.kosharehistory.org/ Barry

>>And just to be really clear, the "line" is between "local option" and exclusion.

>>That is the problem. If the CO was allowed to say either yes or no to the gay person, just like the CO can do with all the rest (or with any of us, for that matter), there would be no issue.

It's a trip they will tell to their kids. Barry

>>My point is that the character of each person needs to be evaluated on their own merits and not by merely slapping a label on them.

>>I don't think that excluding people for any generalized label or assumption is scout like.

Yes, it appears we have two successful opposing strategies. I dont know how opposing they really are, our primary objectives also were to bond the group and educate the parents to the program. I guess the major difference is that our program intentionally did it passively. I guess it goes without saying that I appreciate and respect your efforts. Well done. Barry

>>Is that two den meetings, a pack meeting and a scheduled outing per month?

Hi Robert This is an interesting situation. Typically the troop program follows the personality of the dominating adult. Usually the SM is that adult, but not always. By the way you are explaining the problem, I dont get the feeling you are that adult in your troop, which is surprise because you were a drill sergeant. There are a lot of good suggestions for how to change some of the traditions in your troop, but unless you are willing to force any changes, Im not sure what to suggest. Do the scouts have equal traditions of adults not being allowed to enter the Patrol sites? I might start there. Adults are role models and the expectation for respecting the adults should be the same for the adults respecting the scouts. But still I think you have bigger problems. No committee? Is there anyone willing to listen to your concerns? Your tone gives the impression you dont think you can make a difference. Am I just not reading your post correctly? I dont mind being corrected. We are here to help in anyway we can. In fact we love to help in this scouting stuff, but it would help to understand better why the SM isnt able to encourage some changes. Barry

>>But I do think that cub scouting fishes with a large net. It shouldn't surprise us, then when a lot of the fish slip through the holes on us. If we were more selective about who and how we recruit (fishing with a smaller, more tightly woven net),

I don't remember this being a problem for us, but maybe that's bcause a couple doctors give free physicals at a troop meeting in May every year. I'm sure a couple scouts still missed it, but maybe our firm handed treasure took care of late medicals. She had a way of making things happen. She still does even though all the kids have left the house. Barry

>>They need a program of den camping and outings done in conjunction with Scout Troops. If they get that, they will usually stay. If they don't, they will often quit. Too often Cubmasters and Webelos Den Leaders don't understand that.

>>Personally I don't think the program is the problem, by and large.

>>You're restating what I copied directly from the Health and Safety guide. (You read it right?) Again, It's his choice as to what kind of role model he wants to be. That is a reflection on his honor.