ntrog8r

The "official" definition and description of a DE: A professional Scouter who works under the direction of the Scout executive and is responsible for providing direct service to one or more districts. This is an entry-level position. DEs receive their direct taskings from the Scout executive (CEO) of your Council. As you see, this is an appropriately ambiguous definition. You can expect what they are willing and able to give. Ask for what you need help with. The DE may or may not come through but then you'll know what YOUR DE is there for. Hopefully, the DE is out recruiting businesses and organizations to support Scouting and getting more volunteers to spread and strengthen the program. Unit commissioners are the volunteers that provide direct support to (or link you up to the direct support) units. If you have a unit commissioner, explain what you're looking for or trying to achieve and they can probably help.

Yes it could be as simple as picking up trash. There are no restrictions or standards to be met outside of you determining what is appropriate for your group. Keep in mind, it could also be "pick up trash and make demonstration at the Nature Center, local government meeting, etc" or make Leave No Trace posters to hang up at school,church, etc. or something else entirely. You want your Cubs to apply what they've learned in a meaningful way. Have fun!

Back when we had a Scout interested, he found one at a music store that sold used instruments. It was in an ald beat-up leather case and needed a new something for the mouthpiece. They bought it for around $30.

It would also be nice to see it online. I can't find it on Scouting.org

bnelon, Thanks for the information; a useful post.

Most campfire program planning was done above troop level - Camporees and the like. I've never seen a formally planned Patrol campfire program. For Crossover Ceremonies, its usually planned by the Pack with the troop participating - at least that's I how we did it when I was in CS and after we moved to BS.

Well, I guess if its a disaster, that will fall mainly on those of us that are staff. There will likely be lots of complaining from returning Scouts that have started with lots of complaining from the adults in their lives. Example - a group of Venturers going I talked with recently was looking forward to being at the Jambo with no hot showers and having to trek. Their leaders have been talking it up. Two staff members and three Scouts from the contingent I spoke with this week-end were complaining about having to wear their uniforms, the lack of hot water, and that "National had better have cell phone coverage". I suspect each of these groups will have a completely different experience at the Jambo. Having worked at AP Hill and having a son who attended, I don't think it was as perfect as some (who probably didn't go) seem to think it was. OTH, I saw more Scouts than I could count enjoying themselves, rushing from event to event, and coming back to redo events that really liked. Even when it was hot, or far away, or they had to wait in line... As far as the "hundreds and hundreds of Scout participants who were essentially blocked out of the main stage show with Mike Rowe because visitors and staff flooded in a took their spaces"... I was on staff. We went in last. Sat in the very back. OA led the Troops in and sat them in their designated spaces - in front of our designated spaces. I stayed near the back - by the porta-pots - for ease of getting out of there after the show. I didn't see anyone blocked/turned away/kept out of the show. At one point my and son I were invited by a Troop we had past personal connections with to come down and sit with them because they had plenty of room. Visitors at the Actions Centers, etc DID have an impact. We had so many that we had to make sure the Scouts who payed for the Jambo got in to participate ahead of visitors. That's why there is a visitor area and visiting hours at the 2013 Jambo. I'm trusting those responsible for planning to do the best they can. I'm trusting my fellow volunteers to put on the best experience possible for the Scouts. I will probably be disappointed in some things but the adventure, excitement, and being part of it for the Scouts - well, that's worth saving my money and paying in installments for me. I'll probably also be amazed at some things they do manage to pull off!

@ PackSaddle: Your insight into the mind of the Beast is dead on accurate.

Limits on Patrol activity always bum me out. OTH, I understand WHY the limits keep growing in today's world. I mean, parents of 16 and 17 yo Scouts want to stay at meetings to supervise their babies. Others, many others, won't get babysitters and go out because there's "no one they can trust". Our fear grows daily about leaving our children to experience ANYthing that is not completely scripted and controlled like a TV show. I don't see problem with the blue card. After all, I can track progress any way I want as long it ends with a blue card record. As a MBC, I've been doing that for years. Is there something that prevents that? As far as Bill Gates goes, and you've hit a nerve with me on this one, the fine folks at National explain their reasons best... BSA Chief Scout Executive Bob Mazzuca was impressed with this former Scout's legacy. Our country and its young people need great leaders and visionaries like Bill Gates, Mazzuca said. Service to others is at the core of what it means to be a Scout. The Silver Buffalo Award is our way of honoring individuals like Mr. Gates, who, through his incredible success, has provided tremendous opportunity and help to inspire others. http://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2010/09/14/bill-gates/ So if I'm understanding this correctly, he USED to be a Scout, has NO CONNECTION to Boy Scouting now, but he's rich and gives (a lot) of money to help others through his foundation. To include more than $2mil to the Girl Scouts in the Pacific NW. http://www.gatesfoundation.org/grants/Pages/search.aspx Of course the Silver Buffalo doesn't require any commitment to Boy Scouts... "This award is Scouting's highest commendation of the invaluable contributions that outstanding Americans make to youth. The service must be national in scope and can be independent of, or directly through, the Boy Scouts of America." http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/Awards/SilverBuffalo.aspx

rainman, From the Adult Leader Application: "All leaders must be 21 years of age or older, except assistant Scoutmasters, assistant den leaders, assistant Cubmasters, assistant Webelos den leaders, and assistant Varsity Scout coaches, who must be 18 or older." I'd point out as well that a Unit commissioner really needs TIME in the programs of Scouting as an adult leader. A Unit Commissioner serves as an adviser, guide and help to unit leaders. To do that effectively generally requires some experience so you can understand their position, maybe have seen and dealt with the problem (or similar) before, and be listened to. It would be a difficult position to be in as an 18yo to mentor or coach a 40yo CC or SM with 4-8 years adult leader experience. They would likely question your Scout (adult) leader experience more than your age.

The point is to prepare your Cubs to move into Boy Scouts so if one young man is ready don't hold him back. He should be encouraged and congratulated! The other two Webelos will continue to work together and will cross over when they are ready - which will again not be together.

Tom, You may want to check with your Council on what agreement(s), if any, they have made with the local AHG. The Council needs to determine/put out guidelines for what events are open and how they will be communicated.

The generator does seem more geared to "Doomsday Preppers" than a Scout trip... I guess its for the "Be Doomsday Prepared"!

Did this in AZ one year: Camped in mountains at a Baptist youth camp ($5 per Scout use fee). This gave us use of the pool, some barrel and bungee "bulls" to ride, etc. Went to nearby Army post to use the rifle range and used their stables for horseback riding. Did a trail along the border (Border Patrol dads with us) and cleaned up along the way. Each Patrol did its own cooking but we had one night the ingredients were provided and the NEXT night we judged their cooking. There was one campfire area on site - a small amphitheater type with a stage so we had a campfire there each night with a final campfire program on the last night. The Patrols rotated duty for raising and lowering the flag for the camp. We did two service projects (besides litter clean-up on the trail) that week. It was a great time and the Scouts loved it. The only drawback was having to drive off-site (trail and range) during the camp.

Did this in AZ one year: Camped in mountains at a Baptist youth camp ($5 per Scout use fee). This gave us use of the pool, some barrel and bungee "bulls" to ride, etc. Went to nearby Army post to use the rifle range and used their stables for horseback riding. Did a trail along the border (Border Patrol dads with us) and cleaned up along the way. Each Patrol did its own cooking but we had one night the ingredients were provided and the NEXT night we judged their cooking. There was one campfire area on site - a small amphitheater type with a stage so we had a campfire there each night with a final campfire program on the last night. The Patrols rotated duty for raising and lowering the flag for the camp. We did two service projects (besides litter clean-up on the trail) that week. It was a great time and the Scouts loved it. The only drawback was having to drive off-site (trail and range) during the camp.