evmori

There goes Merlyn again wanting to get atheists included in private organizations when they don't meet the membership requirements! Give it a rest! Ya ain't gonna win or even make a difference! Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Well, the humor impaired have arrived! There are some skills being taught in ASM915's post! And in a different way. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

ASM915, Look on page 187 of the Boy Scout Handbook. It states "Obtain from your Scoutmaster a signed merit badge application and the name of a qualified counselor for that merit badge." Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Scoutmasters don't discipline Scouts Where's it say that? I have never read that? Does that mean while on a campout little Billy burns down a tent the SM just tells little Billy not to do that anymore & waits till the unit gets back home so the TC can handle it? If this happened in my unit, the Scout's parents would be called & little Billy would be on his way home pronto. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Most, no, all pranks will cause embarrassment. That's sorta the purpose. And all people have different levels of embarrassment. Do these need to be reported? Doubtful. If little Jimmy is embarrassed because he has to shower in a big room with other boys then he is gonna have to figure out a way to get over it. The majority shouldn't have to bend over (no pun intended) backward to accommodate the minority. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

NOTE THE WORDS, SIR: EVERYDAY LIFE. That means time away from Scouting. Don't agree. If one is involved in Scouting then Scouting is part of everyday life. By your definition, John-in-KC, a boy could be a holy terror in the Troop & be an angel outside the Troop & therefore would be living up to the requirement. That makes no sense. Living the Oath & Law in your everyday life includes Scouting. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

While there are some things that are just not acceptable. We however are never going to prepare anyone for anything if we throw them out! True, but allowing disruptive behavior by one boy is no good for the whole group. Sometimes the good of the group is more important than the good of the individual. Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Lots of good points here. There is nothing that I am aware of that states a unit leader can't demote a Scout in rank. And there is nothing that says it can be done either. There are a lot of things like this in the BSA. I have always been one who believes once a rank is earned (unless it was fraudulently earned) it can't be revoked. jblake47 brings up some excellent questions, too. If a Scout is a behavior problem, it is the Scout who must start to toe the line or suffer the consequences of his actions. After all, we are preparing young men to make moral & ethical decisions, aren't we? Ed Mori 1 Peter 4:10

Thanks for the update firecrafter! You did the right & correct thing. I pray this guy now leaves you alone. If you do get a request for the boys advancement records from another unit, I would tell them about dad. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

And another general question, also probably up to the MBC discretion, if a boy starts a merit badge under one set of rules is there a regulation that says he has to change to the new rules if they begin before he finishes? My understanding is if a boy starts a MB and the requirements change before he completes the MB, he completes the MB under the requirements he started with. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I like the new wording. It eliminates boys trying to use RV or backyard camping. As far as when to start counting, that is still left up to the MB counselor. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Adirondacks yes. Cabins, no. Even for summer camp. Let's not forget, summer camp doesn't have to be used for this merit badge. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I would say it is up to the MB counselor. The one variable that has been removed is all camping must be done with the BSA. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Haven't used it Eamonn, but after reading through some resources, it looks like a rehash of other similar materials. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I'm not doubting the value of any training the BSA has to offer. There is ton of it! A recurring theme I seem to see in this & other forums is people don't have time to take all the training necessary so in some cases they take no training at all. Cost doesn't seem to be an issue. The issue seems to be time. Now I know some will make the argument that if these adults really were in it for the boys they would make the time. And I would agree with that but there are those who really don't have the time to take the necessary training. I feel if most of the training were packaged into a weekend long or couple weekend sessions, this would help get more people to training. Package the basic Cub courses together & package the basic Boy Scout courses together. Example, have BLT include Troop Committee Challenge for the Boy Scouts & BALOO & OWL for the Cubs. Any thoughts? Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Excellent change & long overdue! Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

What is a Tiger going to use a knife for?

Gotta echo FScouter's comments! That "we said so" argument holds zero water. If BALOO training was offered as part of other Cub training this wouldn't be a problem. But since the BSA has decided in their infinite wisdom adult volunteers need to be dragged from their homes as much as possible so they can be trained instead of packaging the training in one course these situations will exist. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

As the saying goes "It all comes out in the wash" Glad to here everything worked out, Pete. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I personnaly think its a numbers game, get more scouts and get them earlier. I would agree with this statement. But what happens is when it's time to cross over to Boy Scouts the boys & the parents have had enough! Hence, those numbers gained are lost & the pressure is back to maintain the numbers. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I would like to see the requirement changed to "In the 12 month period before your Eagle Board of Review serve actively in your troop, and serve at least 6 months in a POR approved by your SM." This should be a part of Star, Life & Eagle requirements as well as Eagle Palms. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

I agree with OGE. Carrying a fixed blade knife sheathed in one's pocket just isn't safe. While the G2SS doesn't ban fixed blade knives, some councils do. Mine is one. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Have you ever noticed how "many", (not all, but many) teenage boys stare at the ground and mumble when you attempt to engage them? They simply don't like being the center of attention. That doesn't mean they don't like achieving things and/or feel proud of their accomplishments. They just don't like being put on display. I don't think it's because they don't like to be the center of attention. I think it's they don't know how to interact with people. There are Scouts who earn their Eagle & there are Scouts who get their Eagle. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Based on your post, I would have a meeting with dad and have the SM, CC & COR present. I would then tell dad his son is more than welcome at all Troop functions, but dad isn't. You might lose the boy, too, but one out of control parent can ruin an entire Troop. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10

Should our Councils be diligent about protecting our personal information? Yes they should. And we should be just as diligent about protecting the Scouts in our charge. If a parent refuses any information that is required, I don't want them responsible for the boys in my Troop. Ed Mori Troop 1 1 Peter 4:10