mikeknr

I understand that in Apr, 2013, this discussion is now over 11 years old and yet incredibly, it is still pertinent. I am an ASM in a large troop where the prevailing attitude is to be in 'prevent mode', as I call it. There are important items left off the list of things to discuss with first year's, among them are how to work the blue cards (when/who/what to ask, and how and why...) and that certain ranks are needed at certain years for Pipestone, as my Troop attends 7-Ranges each year (Buckeye Council, OH). I have a SM who, during my 11 year old son's SMC told him that he needed to 'hang out with your Dad less'...baffling to us because when were outdoors, we rarely see each other, especially at summer camp, and have to set times and dates to go get an ice-cream slushy to catch up. Then this SM assigned an Eagle Scout to speak to my son after his First Class SMC about, you guessed it, 'slowing down to have some fun', he actually did this with one other Scout as well, but did that Scout's father the courtesy of telling him he planned to do this prior to doing it. I would not have objected, my son's ambition is bullet-proof at this point, but I do object to the underhanded way he went about all theses activities. 'First year to First Class' is a standard that he, my son, loved, and he stated to me that he planned to get his Eagle prior to getting his license, he is well aware of the 'fumes' from talking to other adults (perfume and exhaust fumes...) and doesn't want to let those and sports get in his way, knowing that they inevitably will. My real concern is, given the SMs past behavior, they the SM may try to talk the newly elected SPL out of choosing my son for any positions of responsibility. What would I do in this case? This would set my son to waiting for 14 months until the next election, for Star rank which should take at MOST 4-6 months....??

I understand that in Apr, 2013, this discussion is now over 11 years old and yet incredibly, it is still pertinent. I am an ASM in a large troop where the prevailing attitude is to be in 'prevent mode', as I call it. There are important items left off the list of thinsg to discuss with first year's, among them are how to work the blue cards (when/who/what to ask, and how and why...) and that certain ranks are needed at certain years for Pipestone, as my Troop attends 7-Ranges each year (Buckeye Council, OH). I have a SM who, during my 11 year old son's SMC told him that he needed to 'hang out with your Dad less'...baffling to us because when were outdoors, we rarely see each other, especially at summer camp, and have to set times and dates to go get an icecream slushie to catch up. Then this SM assigned an Eagle Scout to speak to my son after his First Class SMC about, you guessed it, 'slowing down to have some fun', he actually did this with one other Scout as well, but did that Scout's father the courtesty of telling him he planned to do this prior to doing it. I would not have objected, my son's ambition is bullet-proof at this point, but I do object to the underhanded way he went about all theses activities. 'First year to First Class' is a satndard that he, my son, loved, and he stated to me that he planned to get his Eagle prior to getting his liscense, he is well aware fo the 'fumes' from talking to other adults (perfume and exhaust fumes...) and doesn't want to let those and sportd get in his way, knowing that they inevitably will. My real concern is, given the SMs past behavior, they the SM may try to talk the newly elected SPL out of choosing my son for any positions of responsibilty. What would I do in this case? This would set my son to waiting for 14 months until the next election, for Star rank which should take at MOST 4-6 minths....??

MadMax I dont know where to start with your smug, stuffy comments but to say, at least, that if you think you're doing ANYONE a favor by this disgusting 'our way or the highway' attitude, down to and including the sheet of paper you hand the parents as they leave, you have another thing coming. I seriously doubt your numbers, and your rational for the methods of your troop are non-existent in your post. Your ridiculous use of terms like 'speed demons', 'ants in their pants' and your 'very subtle ways' of slowing down the Scouts smacks of a God-delusion and is truly the most disrespectful and useless bunch of self-aggrandizement I've heard in years, and that, my friend, does NOT belong in the B.S.A., sorry to say.

My two cents worth.... I wear five knots, one from my youth and if I'm honest, I used the knot requirements, with the exception of Wood Badge, to give myself something to do when I wasn't working with the yutes. I also started collecting really old BSA knives and rings. This is due to the fact that my Wolfs, Bears and now Webelos were going so far, so fast that it truly left me nothing to do on cold winter nights. So for the sake of my own advancement and training, and for ideas of what to do next I turned to knot activities. As for wearing them I admit they look nice on the uniform and are discussion points as to what the bearer has achieved. I even began collecting retired knots and medals (not for wear of course). Bottom line for me is, I earned it, I wear it and I am on the ground level looking up in admiration. I will not stop when my boy ages out. I am an inch from a James E West fellowship in my council and the day after that I will be donating $1000 to my local District to begin a Wood Badge scholarship for Scouters that otherwise would not be able to afford it. I would then receive the James West knot and possibly the District Award of Merit knot as well, maybe possibly. I would expect anyone doing these kind of activities to humbly display a simple, small badge such as the square knots, known really only to a few. I also wear my President's Volunteer achievement pin, lifetime. They are all reminders to me of how far I've come and how far I have yet to travel. Mike

The Fox petrol yell as thus: C-36-09 'We Are Foxes!! WATCH YOUR STUFF!!!!!...' ...at the top of our lungs, produced a nic weird echo in the northern Ohio woods. We'd embraced the true nature of the Fox, the king of the scavengers. Another thing.....anytime the Bobwhites said ANYTHING, we'd yell in unison - 'BITESIZE!!!!'

I hate to be a REALLY wet towel on this discussion but I just returned from a Powderhorn CDC and your your experience with the Venturers doesn't surprise me in the least. The level of discouraging talk amonst even, or especially, high level Venturers, excepting the Sea Scouts in attendance who were as professional at all times as volunteers can be, was EXTREMELY disappointing to a life-long Boy Scout/er. Any excuse to be differant and dismissive. If I were you, in my humble opinion, I would write an open letter to all 30+ leaders of those Venturing crews and explain what happened. In the meantime, yes I would call off the trainers coming all that way and cancel the courses, include that in your mail to the Crews. Train the HECK out of the one person that shows up, really reward them. Sorry again how bitter this sounds but I had a BAD taste in my mouth, and learned a new respect for Sea Scouters. They looked as disgusted as I felt.