evmori

SagerScout, I would keep the current SPL on for another term. This would keep experienced leadership at the top. As for the PL's I would talk to the SPL & see what his feelings are about who might be able to lead the patrols (I assume you have 2). It might be the current PL's. I would consider having 2 APL's to give them the experience of leadership without all the responsibility right away. I have never liked the "rotate PL's every 30 days" method. I feel this doesn't give the Scout enough time to do anything as a leader. A "full time" PL is better. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

ozemu, I was in high school during the Vietnam era, but it was the uniforms. At the time, they werem't considered cool. But what is kind of funny is if you would wear an old Army jacket, that was cool! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

NO. Let me repeat that NO! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

tjhammer, Ditto to Quixote!

Part of the professional Scouters compensation is tied to numbers. So are the numbers more important to them? Yes. Our job as volunteers is to present a good program to our individual units regardless of the numbers. If we loose site of that, then the program goes in the dumper. My Troop is going camping this weekend. I had planned new leader induction ceremonies. There is only one new elected PL. The newley elected SPL has a camp staff meeting & the newly elected ASPL has a band festival. Out of 17 in my Troop, only 5 are going. Still, we are camping this weekend. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

sctmom, I am not saying any religion is right. The point I was trying to get across is the oath says "duty to God". God can differ from religion to religion. I feel the oath means duty to the God you believe in. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

NJ, The denomination doesn't matter. The oath says duty to God. Now, for you and me, that is the same God. For a Muslim, it might be a different God. Nowhere in the oath does it say you duty to my God. My scripture & your scripture are the same to a point - the Old Testament. Since you say homosexuality isn't a sin, explain why God destroyed Sodom & Gomorah? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

In my district (Consetoga Greater Pgh Council) woodbadge is promoted constantly. I attended the NE-V-120 course in 1995 and loved every minute! I learned a lot & came home a better Scouter. I understand the new woodbadge is more classroom intensive. I just hope the outdoor portion isn't watered down. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1 "I use to be an Eagle, a good old Eagle too....."

Korea, How about a Greater Pittsburgh CSP? Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

NJ, What religion are you. I am a Christian.

"There is no substitute for expereince"

tjhammer, I beg to differ with your statement "homosexuality has nothing to do with belief in or reverence for God". In God's eyes, homosexuality is a sin. Therefore being homosexual is a sin. Sin is separation form God. In my opinion, one cannot be reverent to God if you are separated from Him. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1(This message has been edited by evmori)

We go to Heritage Reservation each year. There is a Cub/Webelos camp as well as two Boy Scout camps - dinning hall & patrol cooking. We go to the patrol cooking one. All located on Lake Courage! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Good one weekender. If it were only that easy.....................

Mike, Good point about following for 1 year. I guess my argument is not all 12 year old 1st Class Scouts are ready to be PL's. In my Troop, we use QM as a starting position for the new 1st Class Scouts. I feel this give them a sense of responsibility without all the pressure. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Climate is an excuse not a reason. Does your council offer camperships? Can the Troop or CO help with the camp fees? The cost, while not cheap, is very reasonable for what the Scouts get. My summer camp is $145 and I don't know where you can go for 7 days & get as much for a better price. I would stress what the Scouts will get from the experience of summer camp. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

It is the responsibility of the SPL & the Scout's PL. The Scoutmaster should be the one who ensures the requirements are met through the SPL & PL. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

feathers, This is an age old problem. Girls & Gas have a strong pull on young men. Once this happens, it's tough to keep em. Since these guys are older, they need to be treated that way. This is one way to keep them. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, I agree (as I stated in a previous post) that the training takes place after the Scout is elected. What you are saying - I think - is once a Scout reaches 1st Class he is eligible to be elected to a position of responsibility by the Scouts in his Troop. Correct? I don't feel that a 12 year old Scout who has been in a Troop for 1 year is ready to be a PL, ASPL or SPL. Quartermaster, Scribe, Chaplin Aide yes. I feel to be a good leader in anything you need to be a good follower 1st. If you can't or won't follow, then how can you lead? Yes, a good program is what keeps the Scouts interested. Earning merit badges & advancing in rank is only a part of the program. I don't disagree with the BSA program. I think the program is fantastic! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

OGE, The Scoutmaster before me was becoming a grouchy old man. He wasn't like this when my son joined the Troop. He just got that way over the years. He loves to camp & still goes with us from time to time (he's now an ASM). I learned a lot from him (not how to be a grump). When he does go camping, I keep the Scouts & he as far apart as I can. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, So what you are saying is all 1st Class Scouts are ready to become a PL because of their rank? If so, I don't agree. I do agree the training takes place after they are elected. I don't agree just because a Scout has reached the rank of 1st Class he is necessarly ready to lead a patrol. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1(This message has been edited by evmori)

At summer camp, we have camp wide vespers on Tuesday evening. For the last 3 years, I have put together a vespers service instead of going to the camp wide service. We invite another Troop to join us. It has gone very well. One point of the Scout Law is "A Scout is reverent." Defining that point can be tough. A Scout is also to do his duty to God. Defining duty can be tough. I think the approach you took considering the situation was correct. As far as requiring Scouts to attend a service, I have no problem with that. I do the same at camporees we attend where there are Saturday night services. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Tossing a Scout out of a Troop? Why? I would never consider doing this. Regardless of what the Scoutmaster says, it sounds like for whatever reason there is something underneath this situation. I would look into finding out what this could be. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Once again, ditto to what Mike Long posted! Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1

Bob, So what you are saying is a 12 year old 1st Class is ready to be a leader? In some cases I would agree but in most no. You are correct that maturity is not a requirement for rank. But, common sense tells me that a 12 year old Scout is not mature enough to be a Patrol Leader after only being in the Troop for 1 year. To me, that would be setting the Scout up to fail and I won't do that. Ed Mori Scoutmaster Troop 1