Old_OX_Eagle83

Changes they are a comin ... and not just to the BSA offered uniform, also the option to not wear it. There has been a great deal of talk about the need to uniformly, pun intended, apply "the methods of scouting" to all scouting programs. This talk has been in the focus groups who are driving the program changes. Although I've not seen a final resolution, I have seen proposals to make the venture uniform required. I would not invest a lot of time of effort into building a unique crew uniform at this stage.

So many things to say here. First: Duty to God is a scouts first duty. If pants don't fit with this leader's beliefs, then anyone who does not understand needs to read the definition of the twelfth point of the scout law. Second: Good leaders are hard to find, make every effort to make this fine leader feel welcome. Third: Diversity is a reality in the world we live and scout in, and she has just the right attitude about it. Let your scouts grow from the experience. Fourth: Your unit has at least two fantastic leaders, your care and concern speak volumes. Fifth: Thank you for your service and devotion.

Mr. Levin's book sounds like a must read; I'm going to see if I can pick it up after work today. From my point of view this Nation has two issues: 1. A government that is no longer "of the people, for the people, and by the people" ... that could care less about the people outside of an election. 2. People what are so self-involved, and/or so distracted by social crack, like professional sports, to be remotely aware of what's happening in this nation. If we solve the second issue, the first will quickly be resolved. Mr. Levin's book sounds like it could be the striker that rings the liberty bell. As you stated, "We the people" can correct our own issues, peacefully, if we pry ourselves away from reality TV long enough to become aware of our reality. I fear that if "The People" don't wake up soon, others who are less informed, will attempt to force change in more destructive ways.

Parents need to understand the role of "parent" in the Boy Scout program. I say role of "parent" because it is a role completely separate of any other role they may have in relationship to the unit in questions; mixing roles leads to big problems. A "parent" supports the scout, like a cheerleader supports a sports team. A "parent" supports the unit the best of his or ability, in whatever way the unit needs support. The scout grows, matures, gains confidence, and moves through the scout program under the direction of senior youth, and is mentored/coached by qualified adult leaders, who in that role are never the parent; although they might be the parent at home.

Basement is correct. The thing to keep in mind here is advancement is a method of scouting, not the purpose of scouting. Every scouts experience and path will vary, what they have learned, and how they have grown during their time as scouts is all the matters at the end of the day. I'm an Eagle, and am proud of my accomplishments, but this rank, and advancement toward eagle didn't make me who I am, and do not sum up my scouting experience/ Eagle is an important mile stone, but only a mile stone at the end of the day. It's important to keep things in perspective, and honestly, there's to much focus on Eagle.

You'll need to be more specific on the behavior. This question is very general in an area where opinions will vary on what is unethical.

Congrats, not only is SM the most important volunteer position in Scouting, but the most rewarding. Have you been a Boy Scout leader before, if not, remember there are very substantial differences between Cub Scouts and Boy Scouts. My advice is get trained, or if you have been trained before, it's a good time to do a refresher.

I've never been involved with a unit where it was ok for male members to not tuck In the uniform shirt, or attended a camp where this was ok. I've called more than a few scouts, and scouters, out on this, making sure the issue was resolved before they were allowed to continue participating in the program in question. In our home troop scouts and scouters are also expected to tuck in activity uniform shirts. A scout is clean, 11th point of the scout law. Wearing the uniform correcting is also one of the duties of every office in a Boy Scout Troop.

This is not a grey area, you are permitted to wear the knot. Just make sure you sew it on right side up

National supply will replace the shirt if you ship it back. You will have to remove everything, as well as cleaning and pressing prior to shipment. The only times I know of this request being denied is what badge magic, glue, or some other permanent alteration has been done to the shirt. You can find the details on the nation supply division web site. With this having been said, I've had this issue and resolved it by taking an embroidered Boy Scouts of America strip off an older work out shirt, and sewing it on current ones. It takes about 10 mins to do this by hand, 5 by machine. IMHO, not work even opening the sewing machine.

I think you're correct Huzzar. We're discussing a police that came into effect on a specific date.

There are different views on this. For me function is important, and any tool that helps us "be prepared" is a good one.

I'd say that's a pretty good list. There are other movies that I think youth may also benefit from, but only one that should not be on the list. The Ten Commandments is specific for one belief system, so although it's a good movie, despite it's age, it's not appropriate for every scout.

I'd love to see my home unit adopt square neckers, in fact I'm shocked the Wood Badge neckers aren't square. Everything should have multiple uses, and the square necker is not just an ornament.

Wood Badge is the top BSA volunteer leader training, with Power Horn being it's outdoor skill companion. I agree with what was said above, Wood Badge is what you make of it. My course was an amazing experience that changed my life for the better, both inside, and outside of scouting. I took Wood Badge as a 25 year vet leader, and still walked away with more than I could have dreamed. Should everyone take Wood Badge, no I don't think so. I's suggest Wood Badge to seasoned leaders with about five years tenure, who are looking at taking on a key role, at any level, in any unit type. Keep in mind a good attitude and open mind are essential to making your course experience a good one. This experience will vary from council to council, and course to course. I can say the scenario described in the OP would never happen in my council.

I see your the ceremony adviser. Remember your role is to coach through planning, support during execution, mentor the ceremony chairman, and coach during evaluation. It's important you don't question the decision at this point, support the youth an attempting to meet the directive. Remember once youth decisions are made, adults do not question them, until evaluation time. At evaluation you don't put an negative spin on the decision, you praise the vision, work put in, and leadership; assisting the youth officers to seek out better answers for the future.

sst3rd, I'm not clear on your role; are you an officer? Without knowing your role in this process, I'll give you a cautious answer. The OA program is like any other BSA program, in that the youth operate the program from vision to evaluation. The LEC likely has some plan here, it should be allowed to play out, for better or worse. Scouts grow from taking a concept or issue, making a plan to move it in a positive direction, leading the group with executing the plan, and evaluating the outcome. The OA program is no different from a crew, troop, or patrol in this sense. Support the LEC, follow the leaderships direction, participate in the feedback, and make the program better as you move forward. The key here is don't fear failure, or you'll never have the courage to do something new and different. This may be the best idea your lodge ever had, or the worst; see where this goes.

The cost varies by location and program, but that is very expensive if what's offered is a local traditional week long summer camp. $150 - $250 is typical of a week long local council ran traditional camp program. If you're not including travel costs, that fee is more in line with Philmont or Northern Tier High Adventure Base pricing.

Find a Boy Scout troop and join it, what you have is not scouting.

Business as usual, no change ... I'm shocked. Can we get past this now, and focus on the youth we're here to help?

It all comes down to this. We have a limited time to make a life changing impact on these young men. A well thought out program has been designed with several "methods" of delivery, that if used together maximize the potential of the young men receiving, and being changed for the better, to some degree, by the program. Advancement is one of the several methods of program delivery. The advancement process to Eagle is not a mold that the raw material of the young man is poured into, and a known result comes out of. Eagle scout is simply another motivational tool in that advancement process that can be used to challenge a scout, and help him grow. Eagle is a big deal, like a college degree, but like the degree is not guarantee that what has been presented has been absorbed, or will be used in the intended way.

Although I don't like air mattresses, I do like the way you think

It's important to keep in mind the general build of all BSA program: 1. Working on rank advancement; the vehicle for obtaining key skills and core values. 2. Recognition of hobby and career exploration through non-advancement based activities. This formula isn't going anywhere, all levels of scouting will always have both program elements.

It's good to see youth posting. Way to go on building your own event; this is want scouting is all about! As has been stated, my days as an SPL are long gone, so it's not for me to give you specific program ideas. I will give you a framework you may consider using. Read the Wilderness Survival Merit Badge Book; not only could you build an event around the Merit Badge, but it's full of information you'll find useful, as is the Fieldbook. Yet your imagination be your guide and go have some fun.

Texas, Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmaster are the same training, it's the same position, just a question of who is on point at any given time. This is position specific training, that has a nationally issues syllabus. The training is once a lifetime, although I think the should be an expiration date, as things do change. I took mine in 1986, although it had a different name, and it was substantially different from the current training. Fees are a local matter, but typically they cover only the cost of the course. National has encouraged councils to adopt a policy of "training first, position second", where you may not register in a position until you're trained for it. Our council has adopted this policy; which I fully support. Can you imagine starting a job without being trained?