meredelaire

We have a small group spread out in the countryside. The boys always enjoy seeing the local volunteer fire department. They especially like to see a fire extinguisher demonstration. When we go into town for bigger Go-see-its, each family drives its own vehicle. We don't need a permit if everyone goes in their POV. We meet at one location to caravan to town, and each family can go straight home whenever they need to.

I have read many threads on boy-led troops and who's in charge. Knowing how things are supposed to be, I'm not sure we can ever get there. We are rural, drawing from schools that are sports rivals. We have one patrol. We have invisible boys, who usually end up not coming back at all, and invisible leaders. We have no committee meetings (I'm on the committee). I think we have a unique situation. Because of his job, the SM comes to every other meeting, which he runs, on a day of the week that he chose due to other commitments, knowing one boy had a long-term conflict. The SM joined the troop in its second year when he was 16 and has been with it ever since in some capacity. The unit commissioner usually comes the other weeks. I was planning to turn in charter renewal papers for the troop when I turn in the pack papers and the SM said he would handle it. I really think he wants no input from me when it comes to running the troop. I have mentioned that all of us leaders should get refresher training. The SM said flatly that he was trained years ago. I have no reason to not trust the SM. The SM's wife is the COR and the SM has put her name down as the TCC. Our brand new DE is trying to get his own act together. I have put in many hours over five years trying to keep the troop and pack alive, including running a couple of troop meetings because the SM and other leaders couldn't make it, or running the pack meetings because leaders left. Having a Boy Scout, a Cub, and another Cub next year, I would like to see the troop and pack thrive. I have seen "trouble-makers" driven away and good people abandon us. The leaders we have think no one at a higher level cares about us. I believe that without the SM we will totally fall apart. So, I guess my question is how can I be a "trouble-maker" and not get driven away? How can I tell the Boy Scouts that I am disappointed that they didn't do this or that without casting shadows in the direction of the SM? It's obvious who is in charge of our troop; how can we turn it around?

Hang in there. We have one patrol in our Boy Scout troop out in the county. We are lucky to get three boys together. When it's time to vote, those present do. Whoever shows up at the next meeting just has to go with the flow. Our cubs are pretty much in the same situation. Keep your expections high and others will usually rise to the occasion.

Temperature is no problem; the humidity is what gets you. My cousin recently left a very arid part of AZ for a very humid part of TX. You'll just have to adjust to a new environment. Of course, I expect you are prepared, being a good scout ...

I am new to forums. Since I am involved with our pack and troop, I decided to check out what was here. I am so glad I did. I could stay here all weekend reading this stuff, but I have other scout work to do. I was a Girl Scout for seven years, one of the first female Explorers in town, Den Leader in my son's pack, and driver for revitalizing the pack my grandson joined. I believe in all that Scouting stands for. I look forward to visiting this forum often.

Our problem is partly due to the community's emphasis on sports, partly due to adult leader burn-out, and partly due to our small group out in the middle of the county where the boys are already outside a lot. I can tell that some want to be challenged and some are there just because someone dropped them off. I would like to see us grow into having two partrols. I already drive from the other end of another county to take my grandson to meetings and outings. I run the troop and pack web site to let everyone know about upcoming events, including district and council opportunities. I don't know what more I can do. How far can the committee go to effect change (assuming the committee meets)? What do we do if we (I) step on toes and people we seldom see totally disappear? My experience is mostly with cub scouts. The other adults have a huge base of Boy Scout experience and have produced many Eagles in the past. I don't want to lose these valuable resources; I just want them to do something. I am the only one in the troop and pack who attends roundtables. I have talked with a few leaders who are willing to help us. If I can't get the SM and CM to to invite outside help, how far can I go on my own?

http://www.bsa29.org Greater AL Council Troop and Pack 29 Thank you all for listing your web sites. I think they're great.