Old_OX_Eagle83

When I back pack I carry a lightweight rainfly off a tent that met an untimely end and three lightweight aluminum pegs. you can improvise many types of shelters using a length and cord (something I always carry), a stave, and whatever nature provides.

At least once a year the COR and or Head of the Charter Org should be sitting down with your DE and UC. As suggested I'd see what light the DE can shed on the situation, I'd include your UC, if you have one. This is something the DE should be fully motivated to correct. Currently you only being provided a meeting space, which is a big thing to have, but the pattern of events indicates this could be lost as well.

It's difficult, not impossible. The key is to keep in mind your doing a "scouts own", not an actual worship service. I've seen this done well at WB, and have seen a few adults do them well.

This is a common problem at Summer Camps, Merit Badge Fairs, and National Jamboree.

Boomer, I think the Great Depression made everyone, including BSA, realize what's actually needed to function. Some of the best scouting I've ever experienced was done with minimal equipment and gear. I recently put on a Kodiak Trek at the BWCA, and my guides brought little more than a few key laminated syllabus pages. We used: sand and rocks for white boards and charred sticks for markers; made puzzles from birch back found at the site; cook kit parts for service project tools; eagle feathers, rocks, and bones in place of some of the other materials (all returned to where we found them after use). We went into the field with "the ten essentials" and no more personal gear (tent and bedding aside) then would fit in a bread bag. The low-impact Kodiak Trek was a great success; I saw those young men grow more there than in the series of gadget ridden, high-tech, bookish, training our unit, district, and council has offered them over the past four years (including ILST/C, NYLT, UoS youth Acadamy, and LLD). Less can be more, it forces: vision, planning, communication, team development, inclusion ... you get the picture

NJ Cub Scouter, Troops work different ways, one answer does not fit all. The core of your post in the SPL is in charge, and the PLC is the "youth" body that runs the troop ... which is 100% correct. It does appear that your somewhat out of date, take a Scoutmaster Specific training, if you've done it before look at it as a refresher. There's no shame it being behind the times, just in remaining that way. We're actually discussing the JASM's role, which other than preparing the young man for the transition from youth to adult is not set in stone. Generally the JASM should function as an ASM. You're also correct that adults can interfere with the PLC, and unless they can keep quiet need to be taken out of the room, the SM, or an invited guest, being the only exceptions. You've got most of it right, but do keep in mind different troops will have slightly different ways of doing things, and even different SPL's.

They're not related.

OA membership is not given for what you have done, but rather for what you'll be expected to do in the future.

Baggss, it's good that the unit has had some members inducted, but the question is what have the unit members did to support and enhance the OA program? Having a member who contributes nothing is like using a sea anchor during a yacht race.

I love reading your posts Stosh, as many are informative, and a few entertaining, so this isn't personal. Once again I disagree with you. Cream can rise to the top, but so can turds. The assumption that the most talented and/or deserving are promoted in the BSA or anywhere else is naïve. Promotions are often a product of who likes a person, who their friends are, who the person is related to, who's child they are, what school they attended, who they sleep with, or just dumb luck (right place at the right time). Many fantastic people are never given a chance due to one of more of the factors above, and the mentality you put forward. In nearly every company I've had any association with I've encountered many talented, committed, employees who have the potential to run the companies at least as well as the current top execs, and they are often more loyal, and would to the job for much less. The cream rises to the top mentality is why American business is the mess it is today, in major decline. As fat as BSA, yes the whole pay structure is borked, and needs a complete revamp.

OP, I don't quite follow what you're saying. If your asking about how earn the Vigil Honor, you don't. The Vigil Honor is an award given by your local lodge for exceptional service to the OA, Council, and/or Camp, beyond the expectations of any office or position of responsibility held, typically over a period of time. Understanding the relationship between Ordeal & Brotherhood Membership and the Vigil Honor is something many scouts and scouters struggle with. Ordeal membership is granted to any duly elected or nominated candidate who completes the Ordeal. Brotherhood members are Ordeal Members who have taken the steps necessary to better understand the purpose customs, and traditions of the Order of the Arrow, and after doing so have made the decision to devote themselves more fully to the Order of the Arrow. The Vigil Honor is an award that may be bestowed upon a member in good standing that has completed the Brotherhood more then twenty-four months ago. you'll notice that I've carefully avoided any mention of rank, or progression, as the Order of the Arrow has neither, all members are equal.

It's a shame the 100th anniversary NOAC couldn't be at UI Bloomington. My son's going, but I remain on the fence. Like so much OA, NOAC has began to loose touch with both it's purpose, and that of the OA, substituting goofy games, and fun activities for OA program with a purpose. I've been a member, and adamant supporter, of the OA for thirty four years, but the program is loosing its focus. NOAC would be the perfect place to begin putting the program back on track ... but I fear it's becoming a huge frat party, without the liquor.

I use JASM to help the youth make the transition to adult. Rather then give them specific responsibility's, like I do ASM's, I give them short term project assignments that allow frequent reflections. The transition from youth to adult is a difficult one.

I like it, sounds like some fun with the potential for some good lessons.

Bad choice for a scout program element. As SM I constantly gave the PLC grief about this sort of stuff. Scouting is a game with a purpose. Everything in scouting should be constructed to accomplish a purpose, what was the purpose in the concert? Don't say fun, that's a by-product of an activity, not its purpose.

Hats off to one fine young man who dared to think big, and had what it took to make his vision a reality.

Qwazse has the right of it. However, a SM's wife sacrifices much for the sake of the scouts, and there's no better way to let the SM and his family understand what was accomplished by her sacrifice then for the entire troop to appear in full uniform, allowing them to see who this fine group of young men, and not only extend condolences to the family, but also express gratitude for all the SM's wife did to support the program. If you want to go a step further, recognizing that this will be a difficult time for the SM, organize the scouts to help him. Don't ask, just show up: Mow his grass, wash his car, weed his garden, take his trash to the curb ... ect

Do what's right because you know it's right. Do what's needed because you know it's needed. Be unconcerned with the opinions of others as they are unconcerned with what's right or needed.

This is a win all the way around! It's great to see BSA making smart choices, leading the way into a better future ... and getting in the headlines for doing it.

There're people in each gender of varied physical and metal abilities. I've met a few ladies that would make good linebackers, and many that would make fantastic quarterbacks. To each their on place, a place determined by skill, talent, and ability, not gender.

Simmons, We do disagree, and that's good. Disagreement can produce discussion the leads to an examination of not only our positions on issues, but the viability of the logic behind the positions, and bring to light variables we may not have thought of. Structured group activities, designed to educate and/or cause personal development, are distinguishable from voluntary social interaction. In short, co-ed school, sport, or scout programs, in no way parallel a girls, or guys, night out.

Fred, You've got a good handle on the issue, and have brought out another problem with the system. Although I don't think you need to be a NASA engineer to teach Space X, you certainly need a solid understanding of the topic. Unless we have another Leonardo Davinci out there, no one is knowledgeable enough to be a MBC for more than a hand full of merit badges. You're also correct about the need in interact with many different adults during the advancement process, and we all know that is an intentional element of advancement.

Stosh, I create corporations every day, this isn’t a question of legal definition, it’s a question of being held accountable to those who your organization serves. “Business talent is a marketable commodityâ€Â, you’re buying into the corporate myth. Headhunting the “top gun†for your position is huge mistake, a train wreck you pay a premium to experience. These “top guys†have no loyalty to your organization, it’s purpose, or goals, they only care about the money. The top talent are looking to catch the next head hunters attention the day they go to work for you, creating a short term plan that will translate into a better pitch for a better job, while wreaking long term havoc on your company, creating a deception destined to implode at some future date, when they’re long gone. The problem is the people making these hiring decisions are the same type of pinstriped pirate as the guy the hire, playing the same game, and the steaks are the future of the organization and its employees and members. I’m talking about BSA, but this sad story translates to nearly every type and size of American business today.