MissingArrow

While I can't comment on those particular camps I would encourage you to try and visit (with your SPL) any camp you may be considering. When I was on camp staff we would have leaders stop by over the summer to check the place out and get a tour. It always amazed me that they came on Saturday afternoon or Sunday morning - why not come when camp is in session? See the staff in action, talk with a few of the Scoutmasters who are present. With that said, call ahead so you can ensure that you are familiar with the visitor policy and that someone will be available to give you a quick tour. Most camps will be more than happy to show a potential customer base around. Also ask for a copy of the current Leader's Guide. You can learn a lot about a camp by reading their policies and making sure they offer a program that your Scouts want. Please, make sure it is your Scouts decision to go to a different camp and not the leaders. My last year as a youth, our Troop's Committee decided we were going to a different camp to give the older boys new opportunities. Well us older scouts wanted to go back to the camp we enjoyed, not a new one.

Beavah Said: "SPL evaluates the PL's once a quarter by asking him to name every boy in his patrol, their rank, the things they're good at, what they've been up to in the troop and outside it for the last 3 months, and why they're cool. And their phone numbers. All from memory. SM has the SPL and ASPL do the same for the PL's. No credit for POR unless they can do it. " That seems overboard to me, especially the phone numbers from memory. Kids have more important things that they have to memorize for school to waste time and brain space keeping track of something that is readily available on paper near a phone, or programmed in a cell phone. Help your Scouts become resourceful, don't force them through extra pointless hoops.

Permission Slips are pretty pointless with the exception of the updated emergency contact information... Medical forms on the other hand are a necessity. This is a big problem throughout many lodges. Some don't collect anything, others expect everyone to bring it but don't check. Very few collect and keep available the medical forms. I've probably heard almost every excuse about how its not practical to require and collect them... I haven't heard one that made it worth the risk. Wouldn't you want to know and be prepared just in case you had a diabetic going through the ordeal? Who's run across a hornets nest at their camp, know anyone that is allergic? Food allergies are a nightmare by themselves. Splinter in the eye? What about that Scouter on heart medication who is going to help get camp ready by moving firewood. Yes, I know the Scout/Scouter should make known any potential problems, but how many actually do? Maybe they are embarrassed, maybe they think they can look after themselves, maybe they don't know what they are getting themselves into? I'm a firm believer that every Scouting event needs to have someone prepared to handle medical situations. They should know where every health form is, have a unit roster, and be available to respond. Its not just enough to have a lot of people trained in first aid which is becoming a common answer. While I know some lodges will never collect health forms, they should at least start doing a quick mini health check to see if there are any concerns that someone needs to be aware of. How many lodges make sure they have access to medical supplies? I love the weekend events that use our council camp that are amazed to find the health office locked and empty of supplies when they are looking for that band aid or rubbing alcohol during the off season. What ever happened to "Be Prepared?" @Scouter&mom - As a first responder who has taken Scouts to the Emergency room before, I have never had a problem getting treatment when the parents couldn't be contacted right away. The two times that stick out in my head, the Scout was getting treated, and after I had answered all the nurse/doctors questions, I was asked to fill out the paperwork with the admin staff. One of those cases the parents answered right away (cell phone number on the health form), the other one it took us about 2 hours to track down the Aunt, because the parents were out of town. If you are concerned about your son I would suggest you find an adult who attends these events that you can trust. Often times there are groups that hang out together at OA events. See if your son can latch on to whatever group that adult is in. If I give a ride to a Scout I make sure that they kept a copy of their health form on them at all times, and another copy is kept by me. I feel they are my responsibility for the weekend if I am providing the transportation.

I just got done writing an article about a Scout in Australia who is going to cycle across Australia to raise money for the Big Brothers Big Sisters Australia. Here is a quote about Scouting: Jack also credits his scouting background, Scouts really has trained me for the ride - training and doing a ride like this is about discipline, self reliance and perseverance. Helping others is also a huge part of Scouts and I hope to do that with the ride. I think this is amazing that this 15 year old put together this goal, talked his Dad into it, and is now using it to raise awareness and money for a charity group. You can learn more about his ride here: http://www.perthtoparadise.com.au/ -or- You can read the article I wrote here: http://www.scoutingnews.org/2008/02/12/15-year-old-scout-to-ride-across-australia/ Either way you should look into it and see what a great young man Jack is. It would be a great motivational topic for a Scoutmaster Conference or Training event. Keep it Real, Dan

When you look for a new troop I would be sure to visit atleast one of their meetings and see who runs it. You should be able to see who runs the trrop by who is giving directions, what activities are being done, where the SM is sitting. Another option is have your son talk with the youth leadership and see what they say. I would be sure your son is comfortable with the guys in the troop. I can see it being difficult to jump into a new troop, depending on if he knows people in it or not. Good Luck, Dan Williams

Hopefully someone can help me out. I am not at all familiar with the various program levels of the Girl Scouts. I understand their are Brownies and cadets and such but not much more. What would be the name of the program for girls aged 14+? Our community is starting a Venturing Crew and I would like to talk to the leaders of the right aged group but I don't want to look like I have no clue Thanks in Advance, Dan Williams

None of the Councils around this area charge Merit Badge Counselors. They just have to fill out a membership app and mark MB Counselor on it. The thing I would wonder is if the CC is not understanding how it works and is trying to get them to become a registered leader in the troop. I would ask them what the fee is for, and work it from there. Good Luck, Dan Williams

I just tried to edit my profile and after I filled all the fields and went to submit the changes I recieved the database error.

I doubt it is really worth it. Most of the youth that I know will not be interested in beads or wearing them. Maybe the younger scouts would appreciate them, but not above First Class. Granted this is from my experiences of being fairly young (19). The best thing are troop did was get one of those big advancement posters and colored in the little squares for each rank requirement. The Scouts use this to keep tabs on eachother and give eachother a hard time. Not sure if that is what Scouting is all about but it works. I look forward to hearing if beads actually work in other troops? Dan Williams

Thank you for the great sites. The Venture-Mag is almost exactly what I was looking for. YIS, Dan

Thank You Bob White for posting that information. With all of the websites, I totally forgot about the official BSA one. I just assumed more information would be found on a site run by volunteers... looks like I should visit the Official site more often. Thanks, Dan

Hello, I am trying to find some good online Venturing sites. Basically I am starting a new crew in my community and would like to send out a letter to some other youth groups and tell them about the crew. I know some are going to want to have more information on what Venturing is. Thanks in Advance, Dan Williams