Eagledad

I have a story that kind of supports Trev's point. We had a 17 year old scout from another state trasnfer to our troop with just two MBs left to get his Eagle. When he finished, he brought all his paperwork to the Troop meeting, handed it all to me and told me to call him for the BOR. I handed it back to him and told him that the scouts handle all the paperwork, turn it into the Council, set up the BOR and then call to tell me the time and place. He was in shock, but once he got his wits about him, he went to our advancement ASM and handed her the same paperwork and asked her take care of it. Of course she handed it all back to him and told him in our troop, the scouts take care of the Eagle paperwork and set up the BOR. I knew I was in trouble when he came walking in the next meeting with his dad who looked like he wanted answers. I was quick to the point that we believe Eagles should have the maturity to handle the Eagle paperwork. By the way, he was about my 20th Eagle, so we knew he could do it. Once the dad heard my explination, he agreed and wanted his son to take care of it all. It was tough for him, he told us that in his previous troop, the adults hold on to all the MB cards and advancement cards and paper work. They find the Eagle project for each scout, set the date and basically tell the scout when to show up. Once the scout completes everything for Eagle, the adults fill out the packet and send it to Council. The only thing the scout needs to know is the time and place of the BOR. It took this Eagle three weeks to fill out the paperwork, get all the signitures and set up the BOR. His dad helped him a little and we did gave him some help, but only enough to keep him moving. It was a challenge for him. My point is don't do to much for the scouts or they may not learn enough to get the job done. I had a saying for our adults as they developed their responsibilities. Try not to make the job anymore complicated than what a scout can do so the next person can take over easily, and because maybe a scout will be the next person. This doesn't have anything to do with this subject, but this scout was a hero in our town a year later for resuscitating a baby found at the bottom of a baby pool near a pool he lifeguarded. Oh how I live this scouting stuff. Have a great evening. Barry

I have no trouble with an adult reminding scouts, but I don't think it helps all that much. If the scout wants to finish a badge, he usually does. If the scout is waiting for a better time, reminders don't usually help. But if you have an adult who feels good doing this, then that is a simple way of letting them feel they are contibuting. Barry

>>Boys may be somewhat lazy. However this sounds like it's a case of adult leadership that is just a lazy.

>>I agree most strongly that an NSP ASM is needed, as are WELL TRAINED Troop Guides.

>>Barry, do your existing patrols have any say in how this happens? If not, has this ever caused you any problems?

Great Monday all >>Eight out of ten times the boy wants to stay with his den mates.

>>But I do believe that the PLC roles are more than just fun and games. They are to teach the boys responsibility and leadership. And, you can't do that without a little work involved.

>>No one ever said everything we do in life is "fun". The PL and SPL positions are jobs.

>>That PLC was the best attended, then as time went on, attendance again dropped.

>>It did not give me the ability to diagnose or treat Scouts with learning disabilities, just an understanding. Diagnosing and treating Scouts was not my job as Scoutmaster. Understanding my Scouts and finding new ways to help them grow was my job.

Hi All Why do the parents want their sons to move so fast? I think that is your concern and your point of discussion. My experience is most parents who push their kids faster than the norm are looking to get a jumpstart ahead of their group, usually its advancement in scouts. Whatever the reason, you need to sit and explain why the program works as it does to change their inexperienced vision with a picture of reality. They need to learn and understand that the BSA looses more scouts the first year in a Troop than any other age. If they want their sons to have a long enjoyable scouting experience, then they need to understand why waiting a few months gets their son's maturity closer to the other boys in the troop and a better chance for a successful scouting experience. Also, you need to counter their motivations by painting the big picture of the troop program. Example is if advancement (Eagle) is their motivation, explain how boys who focus on one of the eight methods usually don't enjoy the program and quit early. Boys who experience all the methods at a rate their maturity can handle enjoy the program a lot more and hang around long enough to earn whatever rank or goals they seek. My suggestion is find out the parents motivation and quietly refute it with logic and compassion for their sons future of scouting. I hope this all makes sense. Good luck. Barry

>>STDs, child support payments, fury of a scorned woman - there is much fear to go around! Not that fear should be the motivation factor but as I've always believed, it takes two to tango.

>>We have become a society of sexually irresponsible and immoral people.

>>This is a personal issue between a woman, her doctor and God.This is a personal issue between a woman, her doctor and God.

>>I'm still concerned that turning work into a punishment sends the wrong message about work.

>>In the world of testosterone laden men, doing push-ups on command is a power issue.

>>Odd that we've chosen to "reduce" that sin to a personal matter before God, though escalated being gay, despite no mention of it from Jesus.

Generally Jesus spoke in the behaviors that are pleasing to God, not in what are offensive to Him. The many references of sexual or family relationships in the New Testament are always with the man and woman. Even the commandment of honoring thy father and mother is repeated in the New Testament. Clearly Jesus is guiding us in how we should behave to get closer to God, as opposed to giving an endless list of behaviors that are offensive to God. Barry

Wow! what a great idea. I think however, you need to Wow! What a great idea. I think however, you need to consider that if JLTC or NYLT are not popular, a JLT theme camporee will struggle as well. I was given the responsibility of bringing the scouts back to our JLTC when our council struggled with JLT as well. What we did was make it a boy run program. Instead of sending participants to a program to sit and watch the staff act out leadership skills, we made the participants plan and run the four day long program. Our program became very popular and successful. If you can organize a "Boy Run" theme camporee instead of a "JLT" theme, you might have more success. The theme of the events "leadership Development" can be the same, but the name implies who is going to run it. I think you have a great idea. If you do this, it needs to be given out to us so that other Districts can try the same thing. There is one other suggestion I would like to toss your way. JLT was never intended to replace the SM in leadership development. The number one complaint about Council JLT is the SMs dont know what to do when they get their scouts back. You have an opportunity here to make this and educational weekend for them as well. Include instruction classes on boy run, aims and methods, teaching leadership skills and the importance of developing leadership from role modeling. Good luck, I am excited to see what you develop. I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>As far as the votes in states on gay marriage, yes, the people have spoken, but I'd be interested in looking in those states to see exactly what people spoke.

>>In religious matters, we should, I think, err to the side of freedom of expression. As I've said, every religion should be able to act as they see fit, but they shouldn't be allowed to place their views into civil law in such a way that limits the religious rights of others.>When GWB was elected I tried to tell people that he would be the worst thing to happen to personal freedoms, womans rights, the environment and education. I am still waiting to proven wrong.

>>I believe the Democrat's problems (much of what you've outlined) is NOT with the Democratic party, but with their leadership. The rank and file of that party makes a far more articulate argument for what the party should stand for than any leader I have seen come along (though I was very impressed with Barrack Obama's speech at the Democrat's convention). I have always been a Republican. But I feel that party rapidly slipping away from it's ideals as it rushes to become a wholly owned subsidiary of the Christian fundamentalists.

>>While you have TG's in the NSP are they full memebers of the NSP or are they in some way both there old patrol and the NSP at the same time?

We tried it several different ways and keeping the Troop Guides (TG) with the new scouts until after summer camp worked the best for us. NSPs were created as an attempt to slow down the high loss of first year scouts. New scouts struggle their first six months because they are overwhelmed by the new experience of personal responsibility and independence required in the boy run program. It usually takes about six months to get use to the boy run program. Until then, new scouts need the constant consistent guidance and role modeling so develop the confidence and habits needed to enjoy the Boy Scouting experience. You only need to leave a NSP alone for 15 minutes to see them drift off task from lack of self-discipline. Even the simple task of going to sleep is challenging for new scouts who want to loudly express their days experiences. Typically a TG can move out of the patrol after six months. Barry

>> People are born gay like they're born left-handed. They don't choose it like a clothing style or a religion.