gilski

Thank you all for your sound advice. I too think building leadership skills are essential to success for every young man (thats why we all love Scouting). I wanted to pose this question as a neutral party at first. My son had been met with this request; he has logged 25 to 30 service hours as Star, and was acting SPL. Twenty two of his hours were with a team of missionaries in Mexico serving the poor. He could not lead other Scouts there; he did comply with the CC and SMs request concerning this issue which will postpone his advancement several weeks are more. We thought it best for him as a leader to comply first then take up the issue with those parents both for and against (no whining). I would like our troop to continue striving for these skills but implement them within the stated guidelines. Not reading something into them for justification, a troop could weaken requirements using that logic. The boys, not to mention in this "Boy Led" organization were never brought into the discussion. Our troop has a substantial number of active parents. The Scouts, SM, ASM's, and CC are incredible we have a high percentage of Eagle's and new Eagle candidates all of which happened before this recently added requirement, but due to the forward thinking and striving for excellence which motivated it. This will be one of the topics in our next committee meeting and it is so helpful to get third party opinions from this forum. Again thank you all, whether for or against your insight and wisdom is invaluable. Longhaul although I still dont agree youve shed greater light on the thought process behind the decision. God Bless you all, Gilski Troop Chaplin

Our troop has added Leading a Service Project to the Life requirements. This was done in an effort to prepare Scouts for their Eagle Project. They are not able to have SMC or BOR until they accomplish this task. Although it builds strong character some parents question this because it is an addition outside the clearly stated guidlines. Any thoughts?

We have a patrol that does not work well together. The dads of a few of older boys in that patrol wan't to mix them in with new cross-over scouts. So they can become "Trainers" however putting 13 to 14 year olds in with 11 year old boys does not sit well with a few of us. We wanted to split them up into excisting patrols with kids there own age, that have been with them for some time. What to do?

I did nothing to support my son in Scouts at first. I too thought it was geeky but would have never said that to him. When I finally made it to a Winter Camp and spent a week with my Son and his friends without Play Station 2 I was hooked. I love the time it affords me with my Son you dont get that if he is in sports alone. We use every Tuesday night to be together and after Scouts we have frosty mug root beer or milk shakes its our time and he loves it. As a teen I was the leader of the cool gang and almost wound up in prison. Fortunately I got involved in Church so I found the right answers but it took ten years. I whish to God I had been involved in Scouts with my Dad.

The Man From Snowy River, Shenandoa, Key Largo

Our troop has some confusion on service project attire. There are some who feel you must be in a Class A or Class B to receive credit for service in your church or community.