LeCastor

A trend I've noticed lately in Wood Badge tickets is the desire to bring more awareness of the fact that so many Scouts and Scouters live with disabilities each day. Perhaps one of the most popular items I've noticed, too, is for Scouters to register as a counselor for the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge and offer to help Scouts earn it. The only issue is that, as important as this particular merit badge is, it is often over-looked by Scouts in favor of the Eagle-required merit badges at clinics/Pow Wows. That's what I refer to in the subject as "glamorous". My fear is that those counselors, who live with disabilities themselves especially, are personally disappointed if/when their courses aren't filled. An even worse situation is if no one shows up at all! I have the privilege of advising a Wood Badge trainee and I'm trying to get the point across to him that his idea is excellent and important. But he'll have to do a little extra work to promote the badge and "sell it" to Scouts. Does anyone have first-hand experience in promoting the Disabilities Awareness Merit Badge? What has worked for you? What hasn't?

JP, it is clear to me that you care about the Lodge in question and that you have thrown many ideas into the ring; and it certainly sounds like you have invested a bit or your own money into the lodge. I believe your heart is in the right place and that you sincerely want the Lodge to be successful. However, as others have already said, you might have over-stepped your bounds in terms of an advisorship role that you may or may not currently hold. The Order of the Arrow is a youth-led organization and things don't always go as well in a Lodge as we adults would expect or wish they would. The current Advisor could be trying his best to encourage the Lodge Chief...We just don't always know that kind of thing from the outside looking in. As for your letter, I agree that it is very disjointed and doesn't help make your case to anyone. In fact, it's so hard to follow that anyone who isn't familiar with you or your history will likely dismiss it outright. A wise professor once told me that in situations like this it's best to write a heated letter, ripping the other person a new one, and then put that letter in a desk drawer. Then, the following week you take it out of the drawer, crumple it up, and throw it in the trash can. Heated letters very seldom help you and in many cases make you look bad. Here is my advice to you, JP: take a break. It is easy to get caught up in our love of Scouting and miss the aim of the whole Movement. You as a Scouter are here solely to serve as a role model for the youth--the Scouts. Don't spend your own money to buy food, patches, gas, or anything else for the Lodge. If you're not the Lodge Advisor, Chapter Advisor, or any other Advisor at all, just go to the Lodge functions as a participating Brother and do service to the local camp in a cheerful, calm, respectful manner. Be the best Arrowman you can be. After all, you "promise to do you best". Worrying about "black balling" and "personal vendettas" is a waste of time. You are better than that, buddy. You're an Arrowman who was chosen once by your fellow Scouts to live up to the Scout Oath and Law. Be that Scout who was chosen by his fellows. Show the new Arrowmen and Ordeal candidates what they can be when they are adults. I have faith in you that you can get through this.

I am in the process of starting a Venturing Crew in our community to reach out to 1) older Scouts who are "done" with Boy Scouts and 2) teenage women who want to do the things their brothers have done for years but haven't had the opportunity to do themselves. Personally, I polled area Scoutmasters and asked if they had Scouts who wanted more than what they were getting Boy Scouting. Also, I already knew firsthand of young women who have always been on the periphery of our Troop (sisters, cousins), always looking in but never having the chance to participate. Basically, we know that these young folks like water sports and backpacking. These are two activities we know how to do well and have the trained adult advisors to help the future Venturers make it happen. Ask yourself why you're doing it, first. Then, take a step back and find out who would be your potential recruits. Finally, what would this crew do? That's my advice. It's what I did...

Hi! Thanks for volunteering to help your son AND those other Tigers!

One of the coolest parts of the courts of honor when I was a young Scout was when our Scoutmaster and the Committee Chair would present funny "awards" based on stories from outings during the year. If something amusing happened and was the talk of the camping trip, our Scoutmaster and Committee Chair would make some kind of plaque or trophy to present and this was definitely a highlight. Sure, we all looked forward to our Scouting advancements, but it was neat to see how much the Scoutmaster paid attention to us individually throughout the year. Others are on the right track when they suggest the temporary (right) pocket. One of the veteran ASMs in my Troop makes little monkey fist totems and various beading designs for Scouts and Scouters to hang from the left pocket button. I wouldn't advocate for anything else on the uniform, though, because it wouldn't be "uniform".

Old_Ox, yes () that's exactly the way it should be! However, I inherited a Troop that was oriented toward adults teaching and testing the boys for Scout skills (T-2-1 ranks). In the past two years, I've been able to get the older boys to step in and do the teaching--Troop Guide, JASM, and Eagles who want to hang around but not have an official "position of responsibility". BUT, inertia is hard to overcome and some adults continue to insert themselves in the teaching process. Every little inch toward boys leading/teaching boys is a success in my opinion. I feel that I've been able to make great strides since taking over as Scoutmaster. One positive is that some of the older Scouts who grew up with the adult-led-all-the-time have turned 18 and are away at college. These Scouts were my biggest roadblock when I took over three years ago. When I asked if they would like to take back their Troop and do some nitty gritty Scouting, they responded, no, this is how it's always done here and that's the way we'll keep it thanks you very much. But those days are behind me and brighter days are ahead. I don't want to hijack this thread from the original post...SO, as I said in a previous post, the Scout seeking 1st Class Scoutmaster conference should ask to speak with the Scoutmaster and ask for a board of review. If he is rejected again then he should look for another Troop that isn't holding boys back. Advancement is only one method...It's not he be-all-end-all of Scouting. LeCastor

According to the BSA's advancement track, a Scout learns, then he is tested. Next he is reviewed and then finally recognized. I trust my Junior Assistant Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters to take care of the "testing" portion of this before signing off the requirements in the boy's handbook. By the time the Scout comes to me, the Scoutmaster, asking for a conference I know he's already learned and has been tested. The Scoutmaster conference shouldn't be a time for drilling the Scout to make sure he really learned his knots and first aid skills or to remember what he cooked and with whom he cooked it. Rather, a Scoutmaster conference is a time when the Scoutmaster gets to know the Scout. Baden-Powell said that a Scoutmaster should interact with the boy on the individual level and not with the mass. What I try to do during the conference is focus on the Scout's experiences in Scouting--with the Troop, the Order of the Arrow, and where he plans to go in from that point forward. I never ask him to tie a knot. Often, I'll ask the Scout about his school and what he does when he's not Scouting. Also, if he's tried three times to participate in a Scoutmaster conference--has done so twice and then been denied a third time--he should "raise the red flag" and ask the Scoutmaster, personally, to sit down with him. After all, the goal of the BSA is for every Scout to attain the rank of First Class. I believe the Scoutmaster, not an Assistant, would want to sit with this Scout and determine the quality of the boy's path so far...

Yer a good man, Jason G! And you're going to make an EXCELLENT Chapter Advisor.

We can be pessimistic and speculate all we want about the actions of certain Scouts and their parents or we can serve our units and our lodges to best of our ability. I say, KDD, go to the fellowship and have fun. Then, as Qwase sort of said (), you and your son could promote the chapter/lodge activities and try to be good Arrowmen by doing your best to pump up enthusiasm. Does your unit have an OA Representative? If not, maybe your son could volunteer for his Troop? We can't make people do anything but we can sure try to encourage the behavior we want...Someone once said something to the effect of be the change you want to see

KDD, I'm very sorry to hear your story. While I was never a Lodge officer, I have several in my Troop and they are DEDICATED to the OA and to their unit. However, I have members of my Troop who would no doubt, if elected, choose to "dash" after the Ordeal/Brotherhood ceremony. It's fun to recall our own personal experiences from when we were Scouts and how things were different back then. But I tend to think the folks who spend time on this forum were dedicated Scouts or, if we weren't Scouts as youth, are the kind people who would have been dedicated Scouts. We have our personal memories of OA fellowship, which is important to us, and we want to share this with the Scouts within our various circles. But JBlake is right; there are folks who just aren't Scouty in the sense of the outdoorsman who yearns for brotherhood time in the woods. I see countless new Arrowmen each Ordeal who get the sash/pocket flap and then are never seen again. Unless we do something to change that it's just going to keep happening...BUT we don't know how much these new Arrowmen participate in their home units--the #1 duty of an Arromwan. Personally, I think showing up and living the ideals of the OA is the best thing you and your son can do. Don't worry about the others. Your actions speak so much louder than words.

"Kill a cub?" Um, NO.

Actually, I don't believe this is "generalization" as much as it's my stating a recurring theme I've noticed when reading posts on this forum. Here's a breakdown of what I've read so far on this thread: 1. Unit leaders are ignorant of what a UC is/does. 2. Unit leaders have a preconceived notion of what a UC is/does based on a) a bad experience and/or b) the fact that the UC only tends to show up when there is conflict. 3. UCs are stretched too thin as is due to a) too many units to help or b) the fact they wear too many hats as it stands. 4. The Unit leaders might not be open to external advice/input. 5. UCs don't always quite understand their role. 6. UCs don't always want to be UCs and are pressured into taking that role. 7. UCs don't have the requisite skills for the job. I know several unit commissioners in my area who exhibit all or some of the aforementioned traits/qualities. However, there are some awesome UCs here, too, and I think it's very unfair to label all UCs are useless/ineffective. What I do like is that some here have suggested solutions for how to "fix" this way of thinking. When my time as SM comes to a close and I hand it over to someone else, I fully intend to volunteer as a UC in my area. In fact, I believe it's my duty to offer the knowledge I've learned to help the novice SM.

Hi all! A recurring theme I've seen in various threads is that Unit Commissioners are worthless and that they don't come around very often. Why do you think that is? Discuss LeCastor

Congratulations, Jason! It is quite the honor to be asked, even more so if the Lodge has been struggling. Remember that the youth are the ones making decisions and running their chapter/lodge. Just be there when they have questions and guide them when you think they need guidance. Make good use of Start/Stop/Continue and help them fix the things that seem broken. You want the Lodge to be good but start by helping your Chapter Chief make his Chapter the best in the whole Lodge. Brotherhood. Cheerfulness. Service. It's pretty simple. Patches are nice but the OA is about those first three things...

Over the course of the past three years in the role of Scoutmaster, there have been a few particular Scouts I believe I was called to mentor and guide. I'm proud to say that one of these young men just turned 18 years old and successfully passed his Eagle board of review last week. To do this, he overcame a great many hurdles in his personal life and I know that what small things I did for him don't nearly equal what he did for himself. Nonetheless, it's these moments that make you remember why the heck you put on the uniform, go camping, and put up with all the other insignificant inconveniences that come with being Scoutmaster. Another young man came to me last night at our Troop meeting with a heavy heart. He had decided to leave Scouting and broke down in tears before he could get any words out. For him I am Scouting and I've always been there for him over the course of these three short years. We've gone on many outings and trips; we've sat through incredibly dull Troop meetings; but, most importantly, we've talked to each other and shared stories about life. This is what B-P meant when he said the Scoutmaster must work with the boy as individual. Our young man was so worried about upsetting me and scared that I'd be mad at him for deciding to leave Scouting. Though, I know why he feels the way he does. Recently, this young man's father has come around and back into his life. Unfortunately, his father doesn't approve of the Scouting life. Also, our young man wants to be more involved in sports AND he's going off to a different school--and high school at that. We've all be 14 and know how hard life can seem then. In fact, that's what I told him in our little chat. I explained that his place around the fire was always open and ready to receive him. He doesn't owe me or the Troop anything. But his tears and emotion were worth more than any payment he could ever give me.

I, too, would like to create a version of Introduction to Leadership Skills for Troops that isn't quite as dry and doesn't lend itself to much to sitting around inside. @Eagle92, is there a way you could send out a copy of the Brownsea syllabus? LeCastor

I have been doing research on high adventure in Scouting and, since I live in Wisconsin, I am especially interested in the former Region 7 Explorer Canoe Base/Northern Wisconsin Canoe Base near Boulder Junction, WI. I know of a site that was set up online several years back for staff alumni but the stories there are more from the 1930s and 1940s. http://www.w9fz.com/canoebase/ I'm interested to hear any personal stories or anecdotes of being on staff during the 1970s. What was it like there? What were some of the activities? Any photos from the trips? For a Boy's Life article from 1972, please view page six in the link below: http://books.google.com/books?id=sfXpaT4q89EC&printsec=frontcover&rview=1&source=gbs_ge_summary_r&cad=0#v=onepage&q&f=false ****** (In addition, I hear that this Canoe Base was a popular place to conduct Wood Badge during the 1960s. Did anyone participate there? What was it like? Photos?) ****** I realize this is more a history topic but it still seems valid in regards to high adventure. We can learn from these experiences and use them for today's programming. Also, I know that Northern Tier exists today but I still am interested to know more about Wisconsin's Scouting heritage. Looking forward to hearing some fun stories! Yours in Scouting, LeCastor

OH! Reading the issues on Google Book is SO MUCH EASIER than the archives site on boyslife.org. Thanks, @koolaidman and @Scouter99!

I think there are a few issues being raised here: 1. There wasn't an election at the Troop level and, therefore, a potential Ordeal candidate was not chosen in that Troop. 2. There is a disconnect between a Troop at the local chapter and/or Lodge leadership. 3. There is frustration about whether or not an Arrowman should or should not be active at the chapter and/or Lodge level. My suggestion would be for the Troop's Senior Patrol Leader to appoint an Order of the Arrow Representative to promote the OA within the Troop and to be the liaison between the local chapter/lodge and the Troop. That way there's youth leadership and representation--the way it should be. It would also help if the Scoutmaster were an OA member. As for whether or not an Arrowman should be active in the Lodge, I would remind everyone that the Arrowman's first responsibility is to his Troop. The colorful pocket flap shows the younger Scouts that you've been selected as an honor camper--someone that they can look up to and trust. Going to every Ordeal/Conference/Fellowship/NOAC does not a good Arrowman make. Serving those who chose you is how an Arrowman lives up to the ideals of membership.

No link...

Now that we've established that the merit badge was...merited...allow me to share a story. When I was 11 I, too, took the Environmental Science Merit Badge at Woodruff Scout Reservation in Blairsville, GA. Before going to camp I bought the pamphlet, read it, and got all jazzed up about it. Then, in camp I took the Mountain Man course (Scout skills for new campers) in addition to the Eniv Sci and First Aid Merit Badges. It was A LOT of work and it took me every day to complete. But I still have my Mountain Man pocket flap patch and those two merit badges are sewn on my sash in the top row--my first two badges. So, @christineka, I suggest you ask your son about his experience with the Environmental Science Merit Badge. I bet he enjoyed it and will remember it for a long, long time.

Admiral William H. McRaven gave the commencement speech for the University of Texas earlier this year and it's pure gold. This is a 20-minute video but I guarantee it's worth watching. I used this to address my Scouts at the last Court of Honor and made it clear that, while it was a sendoff for our outgoing Scout and soon-to-be Eagle, it applies to all of us...for the rest of our lives.

On eBay this weekend I came across one of the Wood Badge training notebooks from the early course--like displayed on Kudu's website. I ordered it and am excited to receive it and go over the notes. Since I'll be on WB staff this fall, I'm curious to compare the current course with the older course. This is for pure curiosity and also to enrich my Scouting history and carry on the heritage left to us by Green Bar Bill and the first generation of WB in America.

Thanks, SSScout! I like it.

Hi all! I guess my reasoning behind opening this thread was to put into perspective that the National Park Service is going to make an effort to show how persons of one particular sexual orientation (no, I'm not making this about "sex" so please don't make that argument) have influenced our nation's history. Yes, the BSA is a private institution. I know this! But we are also a household institution in the United States and I think it's high time we recognize that fact and get with the 21st century. Wisconsin just dropped the ban on same-sex unions. Hooray!