Eagledad

Great post Thumper. I willing to bet todays lunch that your troop is considered a very boy run troop. We have a similer story with a scout that left his big brothers troop because he also wasn't considered "Boy Scout Material". Our troop has aquired several such scouts in the last decade. The mother of one once asked why her son was accepted here and not in some of the other troops. I believe boy run programs naturally encourage each scout to grow as and individual and the adults guide the whole of the program each scout at a time. The scouts become more excepting of each others differences because a team is required for a program to succeed and grow. It's not always easy because individual quirks can be offensive to some. But when such scouts make it, well I can only say I love this scouting stuff. Again, thanks for wonderful words Thumper. Barry

Hi All My Oklahoma BSA plate on my convertible is personalize to, get this, "EGLEDAD". Barry

Good Morning All >>Summer Camp still seems to be a Merit Badge mill. Even with the new syllabi created for camp, the staff seemed reluctant to use them. And, heaven-forbid they need to "fail" a scout.

Happy Days All OK, we had a great JLTC last week and I still high from it. >>As for Boy Scouts RT, I believe you hit it on the head. SMs feel like they know it all.

I will look at that. We are so used to camp staffs driving to camp that this G2SS didn't cross our mind. Not sure a council event wouldn't be considered reginal. Hmmm I think EagleInKy and Laurie have good suggestions but I willmake sure Council doesn't already have the forms. Like I said, he kind of caught us off guard with this although we get a lot of 17 year olds. Barry

How do you think we learned it happened? He told his buddy he was leaving. Yes there were adults around watching the pool area. The scouts had to set that up from the safe swim training we gave them. I don't know how he got out of the pool area, but the parking lot is only 50 feet away. Barry

>>Sounds like some policy revisions...

Happy Friday All Our Council is in the middle of our Summer JLTC course. I got a call last night about 10:30 from my JLTC Course Director checking to see if I saw anyone leave camp when I was visiting earlier in the evening. One of our 35 participants drove to camp. While this is unusual, we didn't really think much of it until he just up and left during the freetime swim. The course director called me back a few minutes later to explain that the parents knew their son was leaving camp for the evening to go to a party. Would have been nice if somebody told us the plans. The dad promised he would be back by 5:00 AM this morning. Wisely my course director told him to let the scout sleep in so he would not danger himself making the two-hour drive back. We are already talking about new policies for future youth drivers. Between this and a few other things going on, this has been one weird week. Hey, have a great weekend and if anyone wants to listen to a great talk about JLT, I know of a really good one tomorrow morning at Camp George Thomas. Ahhh, I love this Scouting stuff. Barry

OK, I understand this is just a difference of opinioin. I will present one last point of view, then leave it alone. >>There's a difference in that in Sports you don't hear parents saying, "I'm not going to buy the uniform.">If scouting is run so that it presents activities that kids want to do, the uniform becomes secondary

Hmmm OGE, I guess I don't see the wisdom in that. I talk to scouts in private when we have to discuss broken rules. FOG I mean Barry, my name is Barry. Have a great day all.

>>How many refuse to buy part of the uniform for a sports team? Where the mandate comes from is irrelevant.

>>There's a difference in that in Sports you don't hear parents saying, "I'm not going to buy the uniform."

Hi All >>When I was a young lad I thought it was kinda gay when I first joined. After I got involved and did all the fun stuff you don't care anymore.

Good Morning All >>How can I try to revolutionize this troop into a boy-run unit if the adult leadership isn't quite willing?

>>We are really having a hard time transitioning into a real "boy lead" Troop. Are there additional resources available to us to help make this transition?

HI Eamonn I guess the question is will the reputation of JLTC be better or worse after this course? As the person who is responsible for all JLT in our Council, I know the SM or course director is everything. I'm lucky that our Council gives me anything and everything I need to run a good course. But I credit our successes from the quality adults and scouts we recruit. A few years ago, our Council killed JLTC (Brownsea at the time) for a couple of years because of bad adult leadership. I was task with developing a quality course and it took about three years to get back a reputation of integrity. I do not believe a bad course is better than no course at all. My thoughts are with you. Barry

Hi All I was a troop guide for our course two months ago. Four of my six Beavers were cub scouters. They didn't have much problem with the format. In fact I found that the Cub Scouter Staff had more problems with the format then participants. The objectives being taught are not dependent on the type of program. The program types used are just a vehicle to present the material in a manner that all can understand the point. I believe that the better the staff understands the material, the less you would have a problem here because the staff can explain the objectives in all situations. I also believe the Troop Guides need to really understand the material being presented and it wouldn't hurt that they have some experience in at least two of the three scouting programs. Have a great week. Barry

Hi All >>What do the following ones refer to? You automatically look for floaters>> Floaters are those little things that end up floating in your drink or meal. Floaters are usually safe because they are sterilized before consuming, but can be an unusual addition to the texture. >>You keep a spider stick in the bathroom.>"Get piece of the rock" takes on a new meaning

Good Scouting Days All I Scoutmaster friend of mine sent me this. Enjoy! This is the work of a 2003 Philmont crew. 1. Squeeze cheese is a delicacy, especially Jalapeo! 2. You're leaving to run errands with your kids and one of them pipes up "Is anyone not ready?" 3. You make sure your kids are wearing closed toe shoes before going out to play. 4. You stock up on water whenever it's available. 5. You automatically look for floaters. 6. You think water without Polar Pure is bland. 7. A two hour hike is 'nothing.' 8. You keep a spider stick in the bathroom. 9. 2 showers is 10 days is "good enough". 10. "Swap" automatically means better food. 11. You're getting dressed in the morning and "This was clean yesterday" is OK. 12. Teenage boys look forward to going to bed early and taking hot showers. 13. You get excited about Chips Ahoy for dinner. 14. You scope your back yard for the dandy bear bag tree. 15. "Get piece of the rock" takes on a new meaning. 16. You go to a friend's house for a sleepover and you automatically look for the sump. 17. You pack for a two week vacation with three sets of clothes. 18. Chuckwagon seems like fine dining. 19. Hiking for 6 hours 'isn't so bad'. 20. Getting up early is worth it. 21. A 500 foot climb is worth it for the view. 22. You can eat an entire meal of finger foods and not touch any of it with your fingers.

>>Am I cool enough for scouts? HMMMMM, I can honestly say that I couldn't care less. >NEVER! Train them to teach others to base their decisions on "cool". NEVER! Allow a scout to risk his safety or the safety of others to be "cool"? NEVER!> but please share what the "appearance of experience" means, and how it (whatever it is) can effect wisdom in any way.

>>Tools should be chosen based on need and ability to do the job safely.>If Scouts decided that carrying a percolator for coffee was cool even though none dank coffee would you prohibit it?>I have know some scouts whom I wondered could use nail clippers without hurting themselves.>Moral of the story? I dunno.

Good Morning All >>Those knives are the bait, along with the axes, the matches and fire, the ropes and knots, the tents, etc. Scouting better be about what boys think is cool, or else Scouting won't serve boys.>You can't be serious Rob! Using the wrong tool for the wrong job can hurt a lot of people,

>>Of course not, silly, but it certainly can be the road that is the easiest to travel for a young person with the propensity to take it.

Hi Eagle Hmmm, not sure what to say. I've been on several scouting forums and this one is by far is the worst as far as living the scout law and oath. There a few here who use this forum to pump their egos and there are a few who just don't know how to contribute without coming off attacking. And there are few here who leave a gold nugget with each post they give us. I hang out here for the same reason you just gave. A friend told me I could bring a lot of experience and balance based from successes and failures that crossed my path. I know this forum runs off a lot of scouters, and/or intimidates many from contributing. I personally would like to learn more of your experiences and suggestions. Stick around awhile and allow your contributions to represent the kind of person your are. And allow the others to show their colors as well. Maybe you're the new coat of paint this forum could use. It should be the goal of this forum to help everyone say "I love this scouting stuff". Barry

Hi All >>Ah...we have forgotten what it is like to be a boy.