gwd-scouter

Love the comment about what trial lawyers have done to the trampoline (and other outdoor entertainments). I'm sure everyone has seen the email that's gone around over the years about children growing up in the 50s and 60s that didn't have bike helmets, didn't wear seatbelts, etc. etc. - and somehow we survived. I must say I have been guilty of overprotecting my children, keeping them away from "dangerous" sports and monitoring their every move (somehow, I forgot my youthful days spent prowling around the woods, climbing trees, skating on a pond, playing games and hide n seek till dark). The Boy Scouts changed all that. Now my boys go camping, rock climbing, rafting, play rather creative sports during down time at camp, light fires, work with knives, get VERY dirty, scraped up, banged up, and have a great time doing it!

Hi everyone. I'm new to the forum and have enjoyed reading everyone's comments on such varied topics. I am a new Scoutmaster for a small troop. Have had the job for almost one year and have 12 active Scouts in the Troop. The Troop was chartered in 1998 and I am the 5th Scoutmaster since. The transitions between Scoutmasters has never been smooth, mine has been no exception. I am trying very hard to get this Troop back to Scout led, but old habits die hard (we have successfully switched from using paper plates and cups on campouts and the Scouts now have to wash dishes - a small step, I know). The Scouts are slowly coming around, and I've heard that I shouldn't be discouraged at the slow progress - that it could take a couple of years to get things running smoothly. Would love to hear any thoughts, suggestions, or experiences you may have.

I agree with the statement about parents wanting "strong male leadership" and was the first to suggest we find a man to be our new Scoutmaster. But, that didn't work out. Fortunately, even though I am (a girl) SM, I am supported by "good strong males" as ASM and CC, both excellent role models for the Scouts. Would like to spin off another thread about young/new Troops and transitions in leadership. We are a small troop (12 Scouts), relatively new (chartered in 1998) and unfortunately have had a succession of Scoutmasters and other adult leaders (I'm the 5th).

Found this website some time ago when I was pondering whether to become the Scoutmaster for our Troop. Wanted some info on women in Scouting. Am still trying to find something more recent. http://users.aol.com/randywoo/bsahis/women.htm Creator of website says info came directly from National, but I haven't actually verified that. Karen

Some bits of info: 1988 - BSA removed all restrictions for women serving in leadership positions. 1992 - somewhere close to half million adult leaders in Boy Scout Program: 3000 were female Scouters, and of those, 844 were Scoutmasters In 1992, DesPlaines Valley Council had the first and only Female Scout Executive.

Local Troop Website: http://www.emeraldis.com/troop313

Sure is nice to hear so many of you support women in Scouting - at every level. A little less than a year ago I took over as SM of our Troop. None of the male leaders were willing to take the job and I didn't want to see the Troop fold. The result of the announcement that I was the new Scoutmaster was as I expected, and similar to what some of you have said. 3 Scouts quit outright and joined another Troop (interesting to note that 2 of them had quit that Troop years earlier to join our Troop). Couple of leaders left too. Comments were typically - we can't have a girl take us to summer camp, we can't go camping with a girl, etc. etc. Fortunately, I have the support of the remaining leaders and Scouts and those new leaders and Scouts that have joined this past year. For all you moms and ladies in Scouting, keep your spirits up!

I've been reading the posts in the "No Women Allowed" forum and it is heartening to hear so many folks out there that think positively about women in Scouting. Unfortunately, there still exists too many Scouters who feel women have no place other than as Committee Members or in the Cub Scout ranks as leaders. A SM in my district even told me directly while I was Cubmaster that I would not be welcomed on any campouts if I moved up to Boy Scouts when my son crossed over. He said it was because the boys wouldn't feel comfortable. With that in mind, I was hesitant to step up to the SM position last year. But, no one else would do it and rather than see the Troop fold I accepted the position. It was tricky at first, lost a couple of boys and leaders to other troops simply because I was a girl. But, I am grateful to those leaders and Scouts who remained loyal to our Troop. We've had a pretty rough go of getting reorganized in the early part of the year, but things are coming together now. - a side note here: the Troop is less than 10 years old and has had 5 SM in that time. Most importantly, the Scouts and other leaders that remained with our Troop and the new Scouts and families that joined over the past year have never made me feel unwelcomed in my role as SM. Looking forward to next year and more growth in our Troop!

Hi everyone. I've been reading the postings in the Forum for a while and wanted to introduce myself. I am the new Scoutmaster for our Troop, been at the job for almost a year now. Sure is different that all those years I spent as a Den Leader and Cubmaster. I have an 18 year old Eagle Scout and a 12 year old 1st Class Scout - about to finish Star. The greatest challenge I'm facing is being a FEMALE Scoutmaster. I know there are more of us out there, but I do get a very lonely feeling sometimes. I have excellent support from the Scouts and Troop Committee and I've seen them work hard to make a dramatic change in our Troop from last year. Look forward to reading more in the Forum. Many of you have obviously been Scouters for a long time and have great advice. Karen

No. the handbook says nothing about uninterrupted service. Just wondering what scoutmasters do out there with their older Scouts quit the program and then come back years later just to do an Eagle project.

In many cases, yes, the Scout had completed the leadership and active service requirements for Life rank. So, what I seem to be hearing is, if a Scout has completed 1. 6 months leadership, 2. 6 months active service in Troop, 3. required merit badges He can leave the troop for a couple of years and then "pop-in" to do his Eagle Project and be finished?

Assuming you mean submit his application AFTER he's completed his service project. I know many Scouts who fit this profile: work consistently toward Star or Life rank by the time they are 13-14. Then due to school, sports, etc. etc., they drop out of scouts. Couple years later the Scout is back and says I want to make Eagle and do my project. Since in many of our troops, Scout Spirit is signed off at the time of the Scoutmaster's Conference, this Scout would not have shown Scout Spirit over the years he's been out of the troop. And, what does that show to younger Scouts in the Troop. Scout works hard for a few years, is gone for a few more, then returns and only has to complete a service project to make Eagle? I am very interested in what members of the Forum have to say on this because it's something that I've heard is fairly common among Scout Troops.

Interesting point made about Life requirement: Be an active member of your troop for six months since becoming a Life Scout and hold a leadership position for six months since becoming a Life Scout. It does not say the six months has to be anytime near the Scout completing the other requirements for Eagle. My question is - how do you handle a Scout that fulfills the above requirements and finishes all the required merit badges, then quits the troop for a couple of years, and then returns at 17 and says "I want to make Eagle - what do I have to do?"