evmori

Bob, OK blue cards at 20 paces! I agree a person with a music degree and teaching & performance bakround SHOULD be well qualified as a music merit badge counselor. Not knowing at what level they teach, I see nothing wrong with seeing how they teach young boys music. This would apply to all merit badges, IMHO. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, I think you are missing the point. The camp can and is used by Boy/Cub Scouts. This specific building has been designated as "Cub Only". By facilities I was referring to this specific building. Now here's the rub - when a Boy Scout camporee is held, we are allowed to use the building! There is another camp where the same situation exists & this camp is used for Woodbadge. And like I stated in a previous post, none of our council camps are Boy/Cub only. They can be used by either. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

AdvanceOn, His name is Kevin Dowling & I met him for the 1st time last night. The building in question is Nemacolin Lodge at Camp Anawanna. I didn't discuss it with him since it was the 1st time I met him. Bob, Ownership is not an issue. The issue is why should the Boy Scouts be prevented from using a building at a council camp if no one else is using it? This camp is not a "Cub Scout Camp". In my council, we don't have separate camps for Boy & Cub Scouts. If we hadn't done the work, our old camping director had plans to bulldoze the building. And yes, the work was done for the program. Yes we have an excellent Boy/Cub summer camp. There are 2 Boy Scout camps & a Cub/Webelos camp at Heritage Reservation. There are house that are used for staff with families during the summer & these houses are also rented out to other organizations. Boy Scout Troops are NOT allowed to rent these houses for their Troop. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, Yes it does seems beneficial. And no, I don't think the Scouts would want to sing to a classical flute. But she should be able to lead them in song! I would not want to turn in an application for a merit badge counselor who is registered with my Troop who was not proficient in the merit badge(s)they were signing up for. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Good question Bob. I tackle public speaking 1st. I would ask what type of experience he/she has. I would have them MC a troop ceremony. Also, while on a campout, I would have them around the campfire tell the Troop about themslef. Now music. Since I play piano & sing, I would be able to judge their musical ability. I would ask about their musical backround & take it from there. Also, on a campout, I would ask if they would bring their instrument (if appropriate) ans ask them to lead a sign along. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

What I like to do is take thme on a couple camping trips & give these parents some tasks to see how they handle them. I do the same at Troop meetings. Also, if there is a merit badge related to their profession, I would feel they are qualified. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

weekender, Yep we already did that. Thanks, Ed

Quixote, Your perceptions are correct! The reason boys & not girls! IMHO, sexually abusing girls is rape. Also, there are alot of Catholic schools that are boy/girl only! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

The facilities were at one time for both Boy & Cub Scouts. A little history regarding one of the buildings in question: My district uses on of our camps quite a bit. This camp was a summer camp until the new summer camp was built(1979). After that, it has been used for weekend trips & camporees. There are 3 cabins and a dining hall on the property. After the new summer camp was opened, the dining hall wasn't used and was relegated as a storage building. A bunch of adults in my district liked the building & decided to clean it out & fix it up so it is usable again. This took a couple years of volunteer work & donated supplies. Finally, we finished and now we have (had) a building that will sleep 50 Scouts, has 2 separate adult room that will sleep 4 each, full plumbing (including a shower) and a full kitchen complete with walk-in freezer. Remember, all this was done by BOY SCOUT volunteers. Last year our council camping director (he is no longer with our council) proclaimed this building was now designated as "Cub Only". He told us this was according to National policy. Boy Scout troops are no longer allowed to use this building whether the Cubs are using it or not. Remember all the work done on this building was done by BOY SCOUT VOLUNTEERS! So there is my reason for the question. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

frankj, Yes it is. In my Troop, I don't let a parent sign off on an Eagle required MB for his/her own son. I know there is nothing in BSA rules & regs regarding this but I feel this might eliminate any questions regarding whether these badges were earned or "given". Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Folks, From what I understand, most of these priests have been accused of being pedophiles. A pedophile is not necessarly a homosexual and visa versa. And I don't condone either and feel neither should be allowed to have any involvement with kids. The issue with Catholic priests being allowed to marry virtually has nothing to do with the crimes they have been accused of. A married man can very well be a pedophile. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, According to my council camping committee, the regs regarding Cub/Webelos use of council building came from National. It sounds to me like someone is blowing smoke you know where! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, What is National's policy regarding Cubs Scouts/Webelos using cabins in BSA owned camps? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

ScoutParent, My unit follow the same patterns as Bob & ScouterPaul. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

A. How do we (adult leaders) make sure that the campouts happen if the Patrol Leader in charge of getting everything done falls through? > 2 deep leadership. Always have a 2nd Scout to assist the Patrol Leader. B. What do the new kids that could go this weekend do if they can't go next weekend when the thing is rescheduled? >They would miss the trip. I have always felt you need to stick to the plan even if the plan changes. Not everyone will be able to go on all the trips. I would try to schedule another trip that would focus on the skills the new guys need & work the dates around their schedules. C. Is "managing an effective meeting" course given to PL's, SPL's, etc. at JLTC as a standard course? > Bob White would be better to answer this one. D.Short of the leaders taking over a campout at the last minute, how can parents ensure that the kids get to go camping. > If need be, the leaders might have to take over. I would stress to the parents the importance of the camping trips to the development & advencement of their son's in the program. I would also ask the parents to make every effort to get their kids to the campouts. Communication can be a problem. In my Troop, we have gone to posting all information on our web site. For those who don't have access, the details are mailed to the house. There are still times when I get "I didn't know" or "My son never told me". I don't think this will ever go away. It has diminished quite a bit, though. I hope this answers your questions. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

TJ, OK what are you basing your belief that homosexuality isn't a sin on? If you read the Bible, there are numerous references to homosexuality being unfit behavior in God's eyes. Ergo, a sin. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Has anyone else run into this problem. In my council, two of our camps have buildings that have been designated "Cub Scout Only". This limits the number of buildings available to Troops during the winter months. I have been told this is according to National policy. (Bob White, please chime in). Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

NJCS, The BSA is not discriminating. They are exercising there constitutional rights of freedom of association. If you feel they are discriminating against homosexuals, do you feel the BSA is also discriminating against girls & those who don't believe in God? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

WBA, Thanks for your research. What you have found is one of my pet peeves. There are a lot of "grey" areas in the BSA rules and this leaves a lot of room for interpretation. Now, this can be a good thing, too! What I would do is set up a procedure in your Troop that would prevent a parent of a Scout from signing off any rank requirements. This can accomplish two things. 1)Prevent a parent from "rubber stamping" requirements. 2)Eliminate any problems that might occur if someone decides to check to see who signed the requirement & question this. ( I didn't say this well) Considering a big part of Scout Spirit is living the Scout Law and from your original post the Scout in question is disobedient (refusing to be quiet when signs are up) I feel, no, I know you did the correct thing. Guys & Gals, I feel most of these problems come down to common sense. If we ONLY go "by the book" then we ar doing a diservice to the Scouts & the program. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

When I was a Cubmaster (many moon ago) we set up our annual program so there was at least one activity per month during the summer. This way, we qualified for the Summertime award. We didn't have any regular meetings. We held our annual planning meeting in August & the pack ran full time from September through May. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

OGE, Congrats to you and your son. Sounds like a great ceremony! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

We have had the unfortunate experience of removing two leaders in the past (at different times). It can be ugly, but NJCubScouter posted is pretty much the way it needs to go. The COR is the one who makes the final decision. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

If Scout Spirit isn't shown during the SM conference then - to me - sending a Scout off to a BOR would be a deraliction of duty on my part as the SM. If I would sign off on the Scout Spirit requirement & the Scout truely doesn't show Scout Spirit (which is sort of what started this thread) I would be "rubber stamping" the requirement(Stay with me - I'm typing out loud). And by informing the BOR of what to look for to me is the same as OSHA calling the plant to tell what time they are coming to inspect. In my opinion, the BOR should be able to figure out if the Scout in question has Scout Spirit. And if it isn't signed off, the Scout should never get to the BOR until his attitude imporves. Ranks aren't given. They are earned. With that said, I feel what WoodBadgeEagle did was correct. Maybe not done to the letter of the BSA law, but correct. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1 Also a Wood Badge Eagle! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, Thanks for the response. Requirement #9 for camping doesn't stipulate a start time. So as you said, it would be up to the counselor. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, Hey how is the statistic gathering going? I know National can be slow. Just checking. Thanks Ed