artjrk

I struggled thru this issue as I went thru the course myself. Initially I took the broader route in the interpretation and wanted to introduce multi-age patrols in our troop. We seemed so stuck in our age-based patrols that older scouts were not interacting with the younger scouts. My advisor wasn't as keen on this idea. Now I am working with a team of Boy Scouts to develop an event for all the local Cub Scout Packs including the one serving the mentally disabled. All my tickets involve youth leadership. Listening to the boys discuss the various aspects involved in meeting all the needs the the Cubs, makes me value this ticket more.

Well, I just started sewing my patches on my new uniform last night. (I wish the guidelines were out, but anyway). I used to do it all on the machine but found hand sewing actually easier. Plus now I can use my pockets. My next project is to teach my two older boys to do their new shirts. I'll sew the patches for my youngest who is becoming a Tiger this year. After that then I'll teach my wife how to do it.

I appreciate your comments. Personally I always tuck even my T-shirts. That's just what I find comfortable. In discussing it with my own two boys (who are in scouts and notorious for be untucked) we concluded that for meeting and COH and other events which call for more formality, then tucked is appropriate. But for outdoor activities including travel, untucked would be sufficient. We were discussing that if we are more lenient for the latter part then the scouts would be more willing to comply for the former. This will be a discussion topic for the next PLC and Committee meeting.

Ok this subject may have already been discussed but I didn't see a thread on it. In the past, we scout leaders have spent a lot of time trying to get the boys to wear their uniforms with pride and in doing so wear their shirts tucked in. Now with the new uniforms, I've noticed they have the shorter square cut tails instead of the scalloped tails on before. The new style is one which is acceptable to be wore untucked. (similar to hawaiian shirts and other outdoor clothing.) Tonight in our meeting we were discussing the shirts and none of us could actually remember anywhere were it actually says Scout shirts are supposed to be tucked in. What are ya'lls thoughts on this? Is there any actual policy on this?

Currently I am still working my tickets, albeit, slowly. The SM was in the same training class as I, so I was able to discuss and plan my ticket in a way to go along with the needs of the troop, But also in a way not to overlap his ticket. All my tickets deal with building stronger youth leadership within the troop. I am getting more scouts involved (other than the PLC) in the planning of the Advancement campout, getting the Philmont crew to teach the others practical applications of Leave No Trace and low impact camping. At the beginning of the Summer I became the SM. Fortunately my tickets will still be applicable for my new position. As I said I am moving slowly to actually getting My tickets done, and if I don't actually finish them on time, I'm not worried. I have learned a lot from WB and am able to apply so much of it back to the Troop. I think that is the important thing, not whether I ever actually wear the new necker.

First there is rumbling sound in the distance. The sound gets louder and the ground begins to shake. Then as the sound becomes a deafening roar, someone shouts out... BUFFALO STAMPEDE!

At Scoutstuff.org you can search for "Vinyl Decal" and you get: Large vinyl decals look great on troop trailers and vehicles. Printed on non-reflective, automotive grade 4 mil vinyl with a heavy-duty adhesive backing. Decals have an average lifespan of five years and are nontransferable once applied. $10.99 for 17.5" round $15.49 for 29" round I can't vouch for the quality of this item though.

Last time we ran a Troop oriented Orienteering event was at the winter Cabin Campout. We did not have maps though. We had Older scouts mark off a course throughout the camp. We wrote up the directions and pacings twice. One forwaarcd and the second in reverse. We then had the younger scouts divided into two groups and gave each group one list of instructions. We wanted to see if they would take approximately the same time to complete. We did NOT tell the that the courses were the reverse of each other. The event went over well with all the scouts. I know we didn't cover all the requirements needed and that was not our intention. But it was a successful event for all involved.

We may not have the biggest, shiniest or flashiest, but we seem to have some cool features that we have added in. On the doors we have added hanging brackets (the ones used in your garage for garden tools) for the propane lantern trees and other such items. On one side we have the inexpensive plastic shelving bracketed on to place smaller items such as lanterns and other gear. Bungie cords are used to stabilize these items on the road. On the otherside a chain is mounted horizontally. This allows us to secure any larger items, 3 burner stove, saw horses and boards for tables using bungie cords. The chain provides multiple attachment points. It works great. All this organization allows us to load a large amount of gear in a smaller trailer at a very minimal cost. I was at camp one year and saw another troops trailer. It was twice as large with just one below the ceiling shelf. All there gear was piled up haphazardly over the floor. It made me appreciate ours all the more.

As was mentioned earlier, the concept of teleconferencing would be fine on a as needed basis. Scheduling BORs ahead of time to be able to multiple ones done in an evening would also help. The idea of using committee members from another troop is also a good one that also has extra benefits. The youth and leaders get exposed to new ideas and experiences. We had a camping trip a year ago where another troop was at the same site for the evening. We both had boys ready for a BOR but both groups lacked the adults. By combining our leaders we where able to conduct both BORs. Meanwhile the other youth conducted a joint campfire program. That evening was ranks way up there on my list of memorable scouting experiences.

In our Troop we have come to calling the adults the "Geezer Patrol". We have set ourselves in this manner as a way to model to the youth an acting patrol. We have our design for a patch to let the scouts know they can do the same. At Summer camp we participate in the Adult Patrol Games and earn the merit badge for adults as well. We have our own Geezer Patrol cheer. On camping trips we set up our own duty roster and assign other duties to the adults as needed (ie Grubmaster, quartermaster). We have participated in several Patrol Service Projects, Working at the Habitat for Humanity warehouse for a day, Sewing blankets for the needy, Cooking for a Dedication Ceremony for the Open of a new Condo Unit for Habitat for Humanity. Some may say we are just playing Boy Scout and as adults we are are not supposed to. As I stated at the beginning, we are trying to model a working Patrol for the Scouts. We feel that if we ask the Scouts to work this way, Patrol Method, we should be able to do the same. We never have kids ask us, "How come the adults don't have to do it?" We lead by example. So by wearing our Geezer Patrol patch on our sleeve we are just showing a little Patrol Spirit, just like we ask our boys to do. As far as Wood Badge patrol patches, neither I nor any of the adults in our Troop wear ours at Troop meetings. Its only during a beading ceremony that we remember who was in what patrol. And only then do we Buffalo reign supreme.