FScouter

The G2SS says registered leader. That doesnt mean or imply that there are other kinds of leaders such as an unregistered leader. That makes as much sense as saying that there are registered Boys Scouts and unregistered Boy Scouts. To be a Boy Scout, one must be registered. And to be a Boy Scout leader, one must be registered. Scouting activities are supervised and led by leaders such as Den Leaders, Scoutmasters, and Venturing advisors. BSA leaders are registered members of BSA. Its really a stretch to think one can be a leader of a coed Venturing overnight activity, and that it is acceptable with BSA to not be a registered member. Leaders are approved by the chartered organization. Leaders have their backgrounds checked and approved by BSA. Bottom line, it is a disservice to the youth members to try to run a crew without the proper leadership. Dad is not a leader. Dad is not female. Dad is only a dad.

... "but they are all done so often that we all know them." So what? That doesn't make it right. Poop still stinks no matter how familiar one may be with it.

The password is "longnose"

Troop Committee Challenge training works best when the entire troop committee attends, but there is no reason why an individual should not attend. From the syllabus, "This training is best when delivered to all members of the troop committee at once; it should also include the Scoutmaster and, if possible, assistant Scoutmasters. It has been designed to meet the learning needs of all participants, no matter what their role." The district or council should be offering TCC at least a couple of times a year. Sign up for it and take as many committee members with you as you can.

If you write checks that bounce, that's no fault of the council. Seems like the easiest solution is to make your deposit, wait 1 week, then write the check to the council.

Don't think so. Our council doesn't promote this award. The form can be ordered from the catalog or Scout Shop, #33690A.

Our council is charging $2,200 for the 12-day budget tour, and $3,600 for the 22-day tour.

The official uniform includes a hat, and there are two hats to choose from. (see acco40) If a boy is to be "in uniform", that means he wears all the parts. It makes no more sense to vote away hats than it would to vote away pants or socks or neckerchief. What do you tell the boy that wants to wear a hat? You cannot tell a boy that he cannot wear any part of the official uniform. Troops do not have the authority to decide what they consider to be a uniform. If a boy chooses individually to skip the hat, so be it. But a troop cannot legislate that hats are not allowed.

A very interesting idea from Chesterton. One could easily extend that thought to Boy Scout skits. Those skits that look to the toilet or to private bodily functions for humor are hardly original at all. As Chesterton says, the writer is simply hoping that "the mere sting of the subject will speak for them." I groan everytime I see another toilet skit that simulates feces being smeared on a boy's face, or that depicts 3 boys comparing the size of their penises, or whatever. HAR, HAR, HAR, YUK.

DUH. The tent is a mother? What is broken water? Could you explain this in terms that an eleven year old will understand? Be sure to explain the humor too. This "skit" is about as humorous as those defecation skits that some find "funny" in a warped way. If you would not personally perform this in front of your mother, then it doesn't belong in Scouting. And if you would, well, then maybe its time to find another troop for my kid. BOOOO ! HISSS!

willysjeep - Regarding that last skit about the small tent and the big tent, why does the boy throw water out the door??

The financial condition of the family should have absolutely no bearing on the course of action you take. The money collected by the boy and his family was not theirs to spend. They must pay it back, and now, not later. Consider too that a good way to sell popcorn is to take the order and collect the money first. Then place the popcorn order and deliver it when its received.

CubsRgr8 - Congratulations on becoming a trainer! Cub Scout Leader Specific is a generic term for five separate Cub Scout trainings: Tiger Cub Den Leader Specific Den Leader Specific (for Wolf and Bear DL) Webelos Den Leader Specific Cubmaster Specific Pack Committee Specific Each of the five separate trainings is specific to the position. They are presented individually and none of them include discussion about any of the other positions. If they are presented (incorrectly) to all kinds of Cub leaders as a group, the specific nature of the training is lost. Maybe that's why you saw it as too much of a general overview.

Sometimes I'm naive about stuff. I thought bug juice was mosquito repellent. Is is also known as an alcoholic drink?

I wouldn't say that "class a" and "class b" are universally accepted terms. Rather, they are commonly misused. Many "council" people and "training staff" people promulgate misinformation. One of the biggest mucky mucks in our council proudly wears his youth eagle rank badge on his shirt, and says it's OK "per National".

One millons dollars toward hydrogen energy research is a slap in the face. It takes the goverment only seconds to spend one millon dollars. 50 BILLION dollars might demonstrate a committment to research. Hydrogen is not a free energy source anyway. It takes huge amounts of electricty to produce hydrogen. And where does electricity come from? Oil, maybe?

The Shadow knows . . . heh, heh, heh.

It is a strength of character when one is willing to admit to not having all the answers. And is willing to seek out others to get the answers.

"Boy Scout Insignia Poster Set" item # 4647

It's worth a try to call the 800 telephone number in the catalog. I've been able to buy discontinued stuff that way, at a discount too. It would help if you had an old catalog with an item number.

"Cub Scout Leader Specific Training" is not one training, but rather five separate trainings: Tiger Cub Den Leader Specific, Cub Scout Den Leader Specific, Webelos Den Leader Specific, Cubmaster Specific, and Pack Committee Specific. Each specific training runs 2 1/2 to 3 hours each. If you offer all five at the same time on the same day, you will need 5 meeting rooms and at least 5 trainers. You will also probably have a shortage of posters, video and powerpoint equipment, and other equipment. It is possible to set up the training so that all five groups meet together for the gathering and opening segments, and then present the video portions together as a group. Then the large group must break apart into five separate groups. But there is still no practical way to present five trainings in one room using one trainer. In our district, we schedule no more than 2 or 3 of the specifics at any one time, depending on the needs. This involves more training dates, but helps with the logistics issues.

Try eBay. Here's one "brand new mint condition". The current bid is $15.50 and the auction expires tomorrow. http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item=3646849280&category=39657

Ask yourself why the boys seem to be intimidated by the BOR process. What fears have been fed to a boy such that he would "vapor lock"? The Board of Review not an inquisition with hot lights and a rubber hose. A better solution might be to squelch the negative rumors about the BOR process, rather than have the Cub Scout pack brace the boys for a bad experience that isn't going to happen.

Our troop used to have lots of adults registered as committee members or Assistant Scoutmasters. Some were active. Others contributed nothing but were content to stay on the roster. Last year the committee decided that all registered adults would be asked to pay their own $10 registration fee. The active adults paid. Most of the others didn't pay and were dropped.

Attention to detail in basic communication is important. It is a relection of oneself, and of one's attitudes. Don't knock it. If readers can't understand what you're saying, your message is lost.