moosetracker

Those who just drop of and don't care, don't know what you do with them. Those who care enough to complain about what is not being done to their satisfaction, I like turning it around on them and thanking them for noticing the units need and volunteering to help us out in it.. (Unless of course the person is a known pain in the a** who you don't want helping out, or the program is running perfectly, it's just not to the parents liking because junior has to do some form of work in order to advance.) If pain in a**.. Just grin & bite tongue. If parent doesn't understand program, I still try to involve them by suggesting they join the committee so they can have a voice and learn the reasoning behind certain policies, and suggest some training courses so they can learn the program. Then hope they take you up on it so they can become productive.. Otherwise these guys soon will fall into category #1..

That is an excellent article, thanks for sharing.. Should ALL boy become boy scouts?? I think alot more would enjoy the benifit of participating if they knew what it was really all about, but sadly it is not for all boys. Boys have individual likes and dislikes, and for those who do not like the outdoors, and cannot unhook for the video game to eat or go to the bathroom, just would never enjoy the program.. And to each his own. They will find their own form of enjoyment. But, for those who just never listen to what BSA is about due to peer pressure, or those against the program putting it down.. Those I feel we are missing, and it's sad. How many times have I seen a young man or adult who is close to 21 or over who hear from us for the first time what the program is about, and are excited, but also upset they did not know about it sooner.. Some of them have said to me they hope when they have kids their kids will get hooked on scouting so that they have an opportunity to expierience it at least as an adult.

Blancmange - I use the paper towel, and get the paper towel fuzz. But once the oven cooks, it is not much too much trouble to wipe any leftover fuzz out, a dry soft cloth will do that. don't need water. You can even do that once you put that very light buff of oil after the pot is clean, because with the paper towel you should work the oil in so it is not damp to the touch, therefore it wont put any more oil on your rag then normal kitchen clean up would. But, others do use a soft cloth, but I am like you. It is a waste of a good soft towel, which wont clean well, nor soft again. And you still could get fabic lint anyway. I have been tempted to try the blue "workshop" paper towels as they are stronger, but not as soft, so I do not know how well they absorb & release the oil. Evmori - Thanks for the "shiny side in" tip.. I have the DO table, with windshild, so never did the alumnium wrap, but wanted to show it.. I did not read anywhere that it must be shiny side out, I would have probably done it out just because it's prettier.. About stacking ovens, I have done so, but just guestimate about the amount of coals between ovens. So far I haven't ruined the meal, so my guestimates are ok. I plan to talk about stacking, but my only advice is.. "There are many variables when it comes to stacking dutch ovens, different pot sizes, different temperatures, the pot on top will trap some of the heat, that would have escaped faster had it not been there.. Now, remember the larger Dutch Oven that will be on the bottom will have more coals on top then bottom. Then you place a smaller one on top, that requires a lot few coals then what is placed on that lid.. Therefore what I do is line the coals on the top lid toward the outside ring of the lid, with few if any under the bottom of the smaller pot, and I also will reducing the coals on top of the larger pot by 2-3 coals.. I am surprise you stack and wrap (even without wind), as I am always trying to reduce the potential buildup of too much heat between the stacks.. Seems you try to increase the heat by wrapping.. So what is the logic behind your method? Anyway that is my suggestion, but it is all from my trials with no failures, yet.. Does anyone have a different or better way to gauge the coals between the stacked pots?

PS.. If you are being welcomed to participate. Have the boys drive their rank-advancement. If someone has their advancement on "TroopMaster" this is a start. If not, see if you can get their books to make your own list of what they have, or do not have.. Organize it so that the boys can see clearly what they "as a group" need.. Then let them plan the outing and what they would like to get done. You can look around, and give suggestions of possible outings. They may like one of them, they may choose something on their own. They may choose to do two rank advancement or ten on the campout.. But, now you are letting them drive their program.. Suggestions for some local interest. An orienteering club doing a open to public course (some have overnight camping, or you can find camping closeby.). A group doing a dutch oven cook-off (some have camping). An Indian Pow-wow, coming locally (I think you would need camping close-by).. Or we have towns that have private land that few can camp on, but it is open for the local scouts (and other like youth organizations). You may need to switch the date, but changing from backyard, to something of some intrest would be good. Also for any outing you need a "Tour Permit", 2 deep leadership, and those leaders with YPT and one with the hazardous Weather training.

It is hard to do this in a troop where the opportunities are not natural.. It is also hard for you to be the head of since you have not gotten out of what we refer to a cub-scout "parent" helecopter mode. Normally it takes a person about a year of watching the troop in action for them to truely shift from cub-scout to boy-scout mode. Sounds like the old SM may have been a helecopter parent himself, if he is stepping down because his son is one of the older boys who is soon to make Eagle.. We had a SM who made sure his son got all he needed to advance, but as younger boys came into the troop it was not deemed time worthy to allow those boys the opportunity to get the lower rank requirements because his son didn't need them. Even if his son doesn't need them if he is more wanting to alter the troop so that it is run correctly offering oppertunity for all.. Things may change. That being said 2 years at tenderfoot for some of these scouts is unusually slow.. But the question is, do they have 3/4 of TF done, 100% of 2nd class, and 90% of 1st class.. They can work on their advancement in any order they choose. If so, then the troop may not be as bad as you initially believe.. If you are honest with yourself, I think you will admit that part of your desire for getting the troop back into rank advancement mode, is due to your wanting your son to get through his ranks. The "helecopter" parent syndrome.. Alot of new parents want to change the troop to benifit their son when they arrive.. For good troops this will cause SM's to roll their eyes. It's ok for this to be part of your motivation, as long as you turn it around to not only make a good troop for your son, but to make one to benifit ALL the boys.. That would mean keeping advancement important for that boy who missed the outing that your son got checked off on some requirements, and this boy did not.. If this boy who missed out on the weekend wants time to get his requirements done, will you be there for him? These are hard questions you must ask yourself and live by.. How is the new SM.. Is he someone with a boy needing advancement? If so the advancement may form naturally in the troop again, and the opportunities will reappear during normal campouts. Your SM must have some desire to alter the way advancement is currently being run.. The boys who need to advance also must have the desire to find ways to advance.. Without this you cant do anything. If though the SM and boys want this to be part of the program, you can cautiously work with the SM into developing a role for yourself as the troops Advancement Chair (if there is no one in that spot now).. But it must be slow and evolve, and make sure you are not driving the troops program in a direction the SM doesnt want to go. In our troop the Advancement Chair, pretty much does all the advancement tasks, from getting the younger boys through the ranks, to helping the older scouts see the time-line of their age and what they have left if they want to make Eagle.. He is more an ASM then committee, and goes on all the outings and makes sure the opportunities are present for boys to advance. But, others on this board feel the Advancement Chair is only to organize the paperwork and the SM does it all. This is really up to the SM as to how much (or little) they will allow the Advancement Chair to get involved directly with the boys in his troop. Unfortunately you may be already stepping on the old timers toes. If you have organized a backyard campout for advancement, and the other adults are trying to cancel it on you.. They may already be looking at you as being a newbie out to change the troop without realizing how the troop really runs, and appreciating the fact it is doing ok, but maybe not on your timeline. If so, getting a position of Advancement Chair, may not be for a while.. The SM, accepting you to work directly with the youth may not be for a while.. They may want you to sit out and observe for awhile.. I get mixed messages with your information.. Especially this paragraph. "I've talked to the CC and the SM and they are not giving much guidence. I hear the boys need to reach rank and then a few minutes later they're talking about MB and cancelling the campout. Definately adult driven." YOU said you would step up.. Did YOU get agreement for Committee & SM that they were thrilled for your help or a luke warm, half hearted "Uh-huh" sort of like "let's humor the newbie"..?

As packsaddle said they are all over the internet. I will PM you what I have gathered & brought to parents house to help organize an Eagle court, but all that is there is from the internet. You take what you like from one, and what you like from another, and develop one that is unique to you with different pieces you like from each one. Or, add your own personal touches, and write something yourselves. Usually with the ECOH, (in our troop) the boy doesn't want to plan his own. (It's like planning his own birthday party.).. Other troops may be different. Each troop develops their own sorts of traditions. Some troops even have a person in the troop who coordinates the whole thing and both the parents and eagle scout are not involved. With out troop, the parents may do the whole thing (with help from past Eagle parents who come to their house and help them organize the ceremony, or narrow certain parts down to about three they like, then have the Eagle scout choose from the three what he likes. If you have anyone in the troop who has been an Eagle parent, you could call them and invite them to your house for some refreshments and to help you plan. I think most would be happy to help share the wisdom. Both what worked for them, and the things that did not go off like clockwork in order to give you advice as to what to avoid.

Gags - thanks for all the neat tips. I have heard that tomatoes can eat the seasoning on a DO.. I wondered as I have a very well seasoned Cast Iron skillet at home that I do speghetti sauce and it never effected it.. But I am not one for chunks of tomatoes, so that's why I probably never hit the problem.. Something similar is add about 1/4 cup of water to a rice dish where you are not putting in precooked rice. Somehow all the water needed does not go into the rice and you end up with crunchy rice. This does not seem to be the case if just adding enough water to cook uncooked pasta with a dish. There you still add the water as directed. I have done dutch oven on propane when I started a dish and it started poring. One time while doing DO at home not at camp.. I started a DO outside it started pouring, I brought it in and put it in the oven, the power went out.. I then put it on the BBQ, we ran out of gas.. (Didn't have a propane stove set up at home.) I think we ate out that night.

There are still 2 camps out on the soap. I know some people do say MILD soap is fine. But, I grew up on the no soap, and never had a rancid pot. Also what is considered Mild?? The only one I saw was the one where some scout got charged with taking a DO home to clean, took it home.. brought it back (without touching the pot), and the pot was obviously not checked by the QM before he accepted the return. The "no washing" method does give you a rancid pot. Great idea on the tuna can.. maybe I can show a few variations, the pie tin, the tuna can, I'll see if I can buy a cheap round wire cooling rack (mine are rectangular).. GKlose - exactly what I am thinking of with pre-prepping.. Pre-bagging items that get mixed & put in at the same time (so you aren't bringing 50 spices along, and more sugar, flour etc then what's called for) and knowing you can slice carrots and beans or pre-dice chicken or beef & what not at home, but things like the apples & potatoes still need to wait. Almost making yourself a home-made complete dinner (or desert) kit and taking that to camp. Looking at a normal recipe and knowing how to reorg it..

How about if I brought in a few DO cookbooks & some normal (or casserole) cookbooks and had people look at it to see how you can take practically any recipe and convert it to a DO? This could lead into a demo on how you can make recipes with lots of ingredients more portable for taking to camp by prepping some at home. I could even have the group work together to take one recipe and see what could be prepped at home, and what can be pre-bagged together with seasoning included, and what you would bag seprately due to it being added to the pot at different intervals. This should be big enough to knock the messy seasoning/washing out of being "demo" and maybe into a brief note. Or paper handout.

Oh it is not REAL powerpoint, as I said I don't want to add computer stuff. It is just a notebook like binder you can open up & have a tabletop flip chart. So I can show the complexity of the DO tempeture chart on a paper flip chart then show how much easier it is to take say a 10" oven & put 10 coals on top & 10 on bottom (same as size of DO).. Then move 3 from bottom to top, and say this is 325 degrees. Then add 1 more top & bottom & say now 350, add 1 more top/bottom 375.. etc.. maybe then flip to a simple summary of the way, and point out how much easier one style is to remember then the chart. Or the flip chart will have the points on seasoning, while I truely demonstrate it.. It is just because things stick differently with different people, you want to have two or three types of things for aids.. I do plan on bringing as much of the stuff as I can haul with the help of my husband.. (he's doing orienteering so he will have maps & compasses but not all I will have).. Although I am wondering about the water & oil & stuff and worring about mess.. (One reason I would prefer to take the washing & seasoning out and maybe get some other type of (less messy) filler.. You know some other ways to show to use the DO, or different gadgets to use with the DO.. Does anyone use the DO to Boil or fry? I just heap coals under.. Is there really a specific way to gage tempeture on something like that? Sorry, no rusty DO.. I don't let mine get bad like that.. The troop once had one that no one washed, but it wasn't rusty.. Just the lid was stuck on where to pry it off you feared breaking the DO.. Then there was mold! But for rust I was thinking of at least going through the equal amounts of salt to water and applying this to a rusty DO to pull the rust off before re-seasoning. For the audience practacing.. I was thinking of at least giving them a DO and asking them to place the coals for certain tempetures. And play with some of the gadgets.. I don't know if letting them rub oil on a pot or wash a pot is all that enlightening..

Sometimes I will for the pie in a pie pan (I don't have to worry about my fingers getting too close to the sides trying to get the pie pan out, just lift the pot and the pie is there with no sides to worry about., or for a pizza, to have a bigger surface. I've never done it, but others will just use the lid flipped upside down without the rest of the pot over, and the heat only below and use it like a skillet to cook up eggs or something.

Thanks, I might lo-tech it and do pictures, (maybe a few recipes handouts).. that is an idea. (The dutch ovens and it's parafanalia will be enough to lugg into the class Plus I will have a fliptop binder for some power point like information... So I don't want to add to that with a laptop.

That is going to be my header topic for my EDGE Presentation.. I've got ideas that will fill 10 minutes (or more & need to cut down). But, I keep looking for things that our more unusual and different, that I might enlighten a seasoned scouter with. 1) Seasoning & washing - typical 2) Temperture not by chart, but by equal coals top bottom then move 3 from bottom to top for 325 and 1 on bottom & top for 25 degrees more there after.. 3) using pie pans one upside down, then the food in the pie pan right side up.. to raise food off bottom.. 4) using DO upside down, as an oven for a wider base, or just cooking on the lid like a skillet. (and I have a nice triangle metal trivit with short legs that can be used for the legs under the lid) Any ideas? Wouldn't mind skipping the Seasoning & washing (as that is really basic) to add something more unique & interesting. We will be inside, and only 10 minutes (which I think gets rehashed over & over) so no real cooking will be done. Does anyone have

Sad for the young scouts. As for the adult leaders, sounds like they get what they deserve.. Let them be bullied and cussed at by this guy, They asked for it. Good for you for moving on. I hope your son's journey is a happy one and yours is untramatic from here on out.

I guess I am surprised by so many responses that the parents should iron out the problems for the scout when he is at the rank of Life. All I know is this is not something we got involved with as parents. We had a similar situation. My son was all set to do an Eagle project, had everything approved, then got a medical condition that basically killed his ability to do the project. He canceled with the sponser who understood, then approached the SM (the wrong way) and the SM blew up and told him he HAD to do this project, and he would accept no excuse. Now officially the project had been called off, and our son physically could not accomplish the project even if he did try to restart it. But, if the situation continued, he was not allowed to choose a different project. Months and Months and Months were spent trying to get him to reapproach the SM.. It was his problem to work out with the SM not ours. The SM response was partially our sons fault because he approached the SM at the wrong time, and with the wrong attitude. After 7 months he did. This time asking for personal time after the meeting and sitting down to discuss the matter seriously. Things were worked out.. And, our son learned ALOT from it.. I am greatful he had the opportunity to go through this experience, and I am glad I stayed out and did not rob him of it. Advising the parents on what to advise their son on before talking with the SM. This I can see. The parents fighting the sons battle especially when the parents admit the son did not perform the POR very well.. So what will the son learn from this? That he can do whatever he wants, since Mom & Dad will fight his battles. I will admit that coming to an agreement about some sort of project that will make up for his lack of commitment, may be a good compromise. But, I still don't like it being the parents alone doing the arguing.. At least the scout should be with his parents and be a major player in this discussion, if you feel the scout can not argue the compromise on his own. But, a web position is not done during troop meetings, in front of the SM to be able to monitor. He must take the word of the adult working with the Scout. Therefore he can not be made aware of an issue until the WebMaster discusses it with him. Maybe the WebMaster should have discussed the issues earlier. But, the Troop Webmaster position is relatively new to BSA, so there will be starting issues to iron out in every troop who attempts to use it.

If he was only active as Webmaster for a month.. and was busy at camp on June 14th, that would mean his activity ended around early March. (Or was very spotty and undependable the whole 5 months).. So the point is he should have been doing his best at least from Feb 1st through June 14th.. Which it sounds like he wasn't or he would have credit for 4 1/2 months at least. If you can concede he did not preform his POR very well, then look at it as a life lesson for your son and support your troops actions.. Mom & Dad wont be there to fight his battles at college for a half-hearted college paper, or a work for poor performance.. Use this as an opportunity to guide your son now while you still have the ability to guide him. Get him to recognize the fault lies with his actions, and that he has to take ownership of that and figure out where he failed and what he must correct not to fail again. Then have a conference with his SM about it. I do think a "Dear John" letter was not the right form of communication for this. The SM should have had a sitdown with him about the issue. That might be the only issue I might discuss with the SM. Request that if something similar happens in the future he have a sitdown face to face with your son. About the fact it wasn't brought up at camp.. The SM may not have communicated yet with the adult WebMaster so was not aware of the problem in order to discuss it. Or there may have been other issues that kept the SM from discussing it at that time. When it was or was not addressed I don't see as an issue. Some troops have a struggle with the lack of a scout fullfilling his POR and how to handle it. Rotating SM's some very strict on the issue and some very laid back. Attempts at different ways to enforce that the boys take the POR resposibility, in order to find a working policy.. Until a troop has a very consistant and working policy the boys may get mixed signals as to if they can fluff off the POR and get credit anyway, or must take it seriously. The best bet is for your son to always do his best and take pride in his efforts with his POR regardless of what other scout is getting away with murder.. Teach him to do it for himself, and do it for the benifit of his team (the troop).. Lesson learned now, early on will help him tremendously in his Adult life. That is what Scouts is all about. Recognize it and work with the scout program to help guide your son into being a fine responsible young man.

let me clarify, we were registered with a troop, which was a part of a district, so in that case.. Yes we were part of a district. But, at the time we were not in district positions and did not wear little silver tabs on our shoulders.. We were just boyscout members, visiting other troops once while my son was doing his physical fitness MB with the SM of that troop.. I forget the other reason for visiting a different troop. But in both cases it was sort of a "Hey, we are doing our BOR tonight, can you stay and be on the board?"

Normally they do. This is an unusual exception in an attempt not to fail the scout. They have already informed the boy of the appeal process should this extra effort doesn't work. They decided to talk to the "religious reference" to figure out his religious aspect, due to the boy first stating he did not believe in God, but respected everyone elses beliefs, with nothing to say what he did believe in. Later after explaining to him this was an issue, he at least stated he was not atheist, there was some sort of higher being, but he did not know how to put his beliefs in words. Personally I would have given it to him for what he said in his defense after being told the issue. But, this was after the board sent him out of the room discussed and came to the agreement to call the religious reference.. This contact took two days to reach him. Then the two discussed it. I now don't know why the third board member has yet to respond, it has been a week, and it is dragging way past where it should have. The ASM brought the scout, and neither the scout nor ASM had an issue with what was going on. The SM has since called, he has talked with the boy and both the ASM & SM was shocked with his answer.. Their comment to those on the Eagle Board.. "You do what you have to do.. We will back you all the way. If he fails, he fails." In the past they had one boy come in and annouce he was an athiest. The board failed him and he lost all his appeals. At least 2 on the board don't want to do that to this scout, because he is not claiming athiesm. He is not trying to wage war with the policies of BSA. But, all 3 on the board must agree. As for the committee reviewing the project, you have alot of committee members, all of them planning to work on the project, part of the questions is preping him for what they know will be ask, others are just enthusiam to know exactly what they would be working on next. As for what the benefits are for the Board doing Project approvals is all about, that is up to the board to come to a conscensis on. Ours is told it is for the two purposes I described, and they are of the understanding this is what their board should accomplish and that is what they work to achieve.. Yours can set your own definition of purpose. I won't say yours is wrong, but because ours is different then yours it does not make ours wrong. Oh I forgot to mention our "COUNCIL" during the annual kick-off meeting holds for older scouts who are getting close to Eagle to a role enactment of a typical EBOR for the older scouts and their parents to come and watch, to get an idea of what the EBOR is going to ask.. The reason for this is the same reason for offering scouts dry runs. So I guess our Council and District both are wrong according to you. I can tell you our original troop knew how they were suppose to run the Troop boards, they were explained, our SM would laughed at the idea of making it so weak and useless. Yes the troop board is the troops, No where does it state a troop can not allow visitors on it's board. Same as a district EBOR is the districts, they still ask for people from troops to sit in as visitors.. Where does it state in stone "No visitors allowed".. It is only recommended that a district member be invited, but it is not required. If the troop sees it as a benifit they will invite the district member. Our troop always did it. Twice now my husband & I have been just visiting other troops with no district affiliation and have been invited to sit on the troops board. The troop wants the boys to get expirience a board with other people, the troop wants to hear our ideas, and I have totally enjoyed learning new ideas from the troops we have been on the board of. If the troop decides it is benificial to open their board up to non-troop members then it is still the troops Board. This is what they have decided to do. No one has taken their power away from them. They are conducting the board the way they want to. Likewise for those who want to re-test the scout for their board, you can train and recommend they don't. But, you can't force them to stop. It's their board.

As stated some Boards just refuse to be "re-trained".. They consider themselves right, and the recommendation to change is just another example of BSA getting soft on it's basic principles and allowing anyone who shows up and has a heart beat to pass. We were in such a troop, as our first troop, and they constantly failed scouts, one scout they failed 3 times going for the same rank, before he got it on the 4th time. When we left the troop, it took us serious retraining of our beliefs, to see that the re-testing style was not the right way. Still the scout who totally froze because he over trained, never was in this troop, he was in a troop who conducted thier boards correctly. Most troops Do not have a member of the troop on the District Board, Ours did. Yet, somewhere he decided to prepare for the District Eagle board as a grueling test. In this case the dry run help more then just settle nerves.. Most times, it just helps to relax the scout from worrying. Before the EBOR the scout must meet with the district to have their project approved. Our troop REQUIRES the scout to do a dry run of that which involves the whole committee. That one can be brutal as the whole committee will pick it apart for saftey issues, cost analysis, a realistic view on the time, and people to make the project happen. A good narrative and visuals in presenting the project clearly. If the scout gets through the committee with this the presentation to the District board is a breeze. The practice run of the EBOR is only with one or two people, and is just offered to the scout, it is his decision if he wants to do it or not. Compared to the other dry run, this is to relax the scout. Those who are nervous usually appreciate the opportunity and utilize it. Others do not. Does our EBOR fail someone for freezing, NO.. but normally as stated it is a better board if they don't due to the sudden loss of confidence the scout takes after this happens. As stated "Reverent" usually is the only one the scout could trip up and fail on. Even with this issue the board is not being black & white. They went to his religious reference for some clarifications, (Which was still kindof fuzzy) but two of the three are ready to pass him with the belief that he is not an atheist just currently in "search" of his beliefs and unable to clearly define them. The third is very black and white and has yet to respond. If he doesn't pass him, I am sure he will be recommended for an arbitration and the arbitry committee will be advise of the two to one vote in his favor and why. The District board would like it to be fixed at District, but the vote to approve must also be unanimous of all 3 on the board.

Maybe to you it is.. But our board does all that it can to put the scout at ease. They recommend that at the higher ranks (Star & Life) you ask someone from the District to sit on the board of review.. In order for the boy to get use to strange people at their review, and for the District to give some questions that may be formated more towards what the District Board will ask. Coming to the District Board for pre-approval of the Eagle project, is too fold 1) to make sure the project will meet the requirements, and suggest changes if need be. 2) to get the scout use to coming in front of the board. The Dry run is just another tool to relax the scout about the "unexpected".. We had one Eagle Scout who didn't get to his EBOR until after he went away to college. This was an awsome scout, who is currently attending college for forestry and High Adventure training. But was always a little shy. My husband didn't get to meet with him until the day of the EBOR when he returned from school for the occasion. He started out with a question meant to relax him, and asked how scouting had influenced him personally.. Blank stare, could not think, this questions totally threw him.. Why?? For some reason even though we didn't run our normal Troop boards this way, he prepared for the EBOR by going through the entire book and making sure he knew all the requirements from the book, knots, first aide whatever. He was so prepared for these type of question he couldn't respond to general questions at all. He got the time to fall apart in our living room then regroup his thoughts with us, rather then fall apart at the board. Some troops no matter what you tell them still run their Troop Boards as a test with a pass/fail.. These scouts would study for an EBOR as if preparing for a test, just like my example scout did. Whatever you do to relax a scout about what to expect, is really not a waste of time. And yeah the reverent one they can get wrong.. Maybe that is the only one. But say something like "I don't believe in God" and you are in trouble unless you can back it up with what you do believe in that is some form of other type of religious belief, or belief in a superior being (It can be aliens who guided the building of the Egyptian pyramids, who will return someday).. For other questions maybe no wrong answer, but, ask a question that a scout just can't think of the answer, and hits that deadly silence from there it is a slippery slope. Most times this happens because the scout over worried the process, and walked in pratically hyperventallating.. They see this as a pass/fail on something they have been working on most their lifes from first grade to 12th grade.. All the dry run does is ease them over the fear of what to expect. What type of questions will be asked. If you can get them to relax before going to the EBOR, and can get them to anticipate what type of questions will be asked, and that most of them will not have a wrong answer, the boy will walk into the board with confidence and walk out of the Board happy with how things went. In my opinion, not a waste of time.

A percentage of the popcorn money does come back to the troop. What that money goes towards is up to the committee.. Alot of Packs & Troops do set up accounts for the scouts for using in Scout related activities (Like camp, other events, or equipment they may need to purchase.) Others split the money some going to scout, some going to the unit.. Some use all the money for the Unit.. Personnally I have already found the more that benefits the Scout, the more participation over and above the "required amount" you will see.. So definately prepare to argue for the boys to get a large percentage of the profit the Pack receives. Our Son always went to two weeks of camp while in Boy Scouts.. we would pay for one week with his Troop. He would pay for his provisional camp out of popcorn fund raising.. The Hike-a-thon participation also gives money to the boy for camp.. And if the boy participates in both these fund raiser they could apply for a campership if they still are struggling. At least with our council, you had better have a good reason for not participating in raising your own funds before going for a campership. they look at what you raised, what the difference is, and may not give you the total amount, but give you a % of the difference you have left in order to help.

PS a dry run will not give you all the answers, the questions change, and who ever you ask may only remember a few.. But it will give you an idea of the type of questions are asked.

Correct with what everyone else states.. It must be your answer.. the Dictionary is a worthless definition to the definition in the boyscout handbook. which is "A Scout is reverent toward God. He is faithful in his religious duties. He respects the beliefs of others." How are you faithful in your religious duties..?? No this does not mean you have to attend church.. But what are your beliefs and why do you think you live by them..? Respect the beliefs of others is self explanitory.. This means taking some quiet time to get in touch with your inner self.. It was difficult for him to organize his own thoughts on the subject.. But he was given time.. My husband, (who is district Advancement chair).. trys to get Scoutmasters to sit in on boards so he can get an idea to what is ask and prep their scouts before hand. With this last issue, they will be doing handout for troops at the round table on possible questions so they can prep their scouts.. You may want to think of asking your scoutmaster or other boys who you know who have made eagle to see if they will not do a dry run with you, so you know what to expect.. My husband offers this to all the boys in our troop as the Troop Advancement Coordinator who sits on the board, and trys to get others Scoutmasters to do the same. They don't want to trip you up with the questions.. They are truely all on your side and want to see each boy succeed. But a boy who thinks on his feet may do fine going in cold, someone who has to think about things may be caught off guard.

I know chainsaws were one of them, the other one I don't know.. Oh seeing one small section definately doesn't flunk the scout. It is just, had we been in our district, maybe even out of our district had my husband would have corrected the behavior. Parents step in all the time, they just need gentle reminders, as to what their positions should be, and that their help in this situation is not helpful. They usually are greatful for the reminder if done constructively to be helpful, and not to be critical.. Even outside our district had we been with someone we knew from another troop and the relationship wasn't so tense, I am sure my husband wouldn't have said anything to the group, but to the person we knew, so that they could gently guide the parents... We did though have one scout who a) wasn't the best scout, b) everyone who worked on his project stated the mother was the leaders.. I unfortunately was one of the only adult non-parents who worked on the project. After several reports from the scouts, the SM came to me for a report.. I had been impressed that this boy serious kept seriously busy on the project, and didn't really think about who was directing it.. But, even though I put in a good word for the boys work ethic to be truthful his mother was the leader.. The SM on the feedback he got, held the boy back. He would not sign his Eagle project, and there was a great demand from district and council that he do so. He would not, until the boy spent 6 more months in the troop showing leadership and scout spirit.. The Father (who had been the CC) broke from the troop on the issue. But the boy did come back, and was the perfect scout, and earned his Eagle Rank with that.. In the long run it was the best thing for the boy, but sad his project was overshadowed by this. All our troop parents are greatful to be "warned" if they are interfering, so that they can back off.. They will even ask before the project to please let them know if they get "too involved".. They want to be told early in order to correct it, rather then hear "too late" what everyone is whispering behind their backs. They want their sons Eagle project to go well.

My husband is the Advancement Chair for our District.. So for him giving advice at an Eagle project comes naturally. We went on a community walk and ran into someone we knew from a troop we used to belong to.. We changed troops maybe a year after being there, and also changed districts (so this troop is not in the district my husband Chairs).. Anyway there is still some tension, where they think we left because our son was sub-par and couldn't handle their elite troop.. (Son is now 20.. You know get over it) But ...yadda.. yadda.. yeah your son had social problems ..yadda.. yadda.. your son had issues with our boys huh?.. (We would defend with "still in scouts, adult leader, outdoor coordinator, on district Eagle board, just got engaged to a great girl.."..) Long story but basically their troop takes in about 40 crossovers from different towns a year, picks out about 10 who are elite enough for their troop, and belittle the other boys until they leave the troop with lower self-esteem then when they came. We chose to leave before they damaged our son too badly. I think few people left the troop to go elsewhere, and that our son proved able to continue the program to Eagle, and not be a failure was an issue for them. But, since then the troop leaders had changed and I was told they had troop leaders who were fair with all the boys. Few besides this guy are still involved from our days. Anyway, this troop was doing an Eagle project a little past the meeting spot of the walk. We noted it before the walk and after the walk, we decided to check it out.. We were warned by the guy we were talking to that due to power tools, some of the work was being done by the adults.. Which is understandable, BSA saftey rules. Went over and there were two adults and 4 boys building and oversized kiosk.. No power tools at this time. The four legs of the Kiosk were in holes and they were filling the holes.. All direction came from the two adults.. You do this, You take this shovel and fill over here. We need someone over here to be doing this.. I didnt even look at my husband, if he hadnt said anything yet I knew he was holding back. I made one friendly comment to the guy we were talking to something like Nice, whos Eagle Project is this? I was pointed out the young man whose project it was, who was diligently working and following directions of the adults. We stayed a little while longer, said some nice things about how the project was turning out and left. We got in the car, and my husband said Man did I want to say something.. I just commented that I bet he did. His worst pet peeve is parents doing the Eagle project for their sons.. Usually a few well placed words, makes them step back, or you give them the project of camera person, involved doing something useful, but not anywhere where they should step in to direct. But this Eagle project was not being done by our Troop, Not in the District my husband is Advancement Chair for, and our history with them would only irate the guy we had a past history with.. (Everyone who was actually working the project had joined the troop since we left). Anyway we just didnt see it as our place to point out and correct their flaws. Would you have said something?