OneHour

... I can actually sympathize with the Confederate Colors debate. Where I came from, we had a civil war, North vs. South. The North prevailed unfortunately. The South defended a cause that we firmly believed in and so did the North. My father and father-in-law fought in the war as with many of my relatives; as a matter of fact, my father's sister who stayed behind in the North in 1950 when the DMZ was drawn, grew up and fought for the North while my father stood with the South army. To this date, the colors of the South, eventhough is no longer recognized as a sovereignty nation, is still flown in pockets of immigrants and respected/honored by those who stood under it. This is out-of-respect for the fallen friends/ buddies who fought besides them. It still brings tears to my father and father-in-law. Win, lose, it's now part of history. The real losses are those who laid down their lives on either side! Lord Baden Powell intented for scouting to be a vehicle for world peace. Let's honor that on BSA's 100th anniversary instead of open old wounds!

We do Summer Camp in June, High Adventure trips in July, and then we start back up on the regular campout in August and run through May. June and July troop meetings are devoted to preparation of Summer Camp, High Adventure, or just plain catch up, ie. get the TFC guys going. So ... 11.5 months of scouting. We may have two weeks in July that we may not have any troop meeting! The pack that I am associating with runs 12 months. We may not have pack meeting or den meeting in summer time, but we have pack activities: June - Cub Day Camp, July - Astros game and/or pool party, August - waterblaster (where all cub get drenched by the firetruck water hose). 1Hour

If the car passed the inspection, it should be allowed to race. If it is after-the-fact, then shame on the race officials for not catching it and shame on the parent for not reading the rules correctly, but it should be raced. If the car was determined that it was not within specifications, then the cub has three choices: 1) Correct the situation or non-compliance issue 2) Race in the Open or Outlaw class or 3) Be disqualified We have done this and it has worked thus far without much fuss! We race 75-120 cars each year.

Eamonn ... let's put it this way ... I have 9 expensive SHAC coffee mugs and 8 expensive SHAC baseball caps! ... and the kicker is that our troop in the past has not use any of our Council's facilities, which was the main selling point. Adding to my frustration, this year our troop was designated as a "pacesetter." In other words, Mr. SM and Mr. CC, you both collect the FOS moneys for us. I, too, have been questioning the breakdown of the donations!

# dean ... a few observations: # First of all: # I do believe that if-then statement for fire'm chit is needed when dealing with fire. # Secondly: mv ScoutMaster /Camp/Leader Tents/300_ft_out #300 ft is probably not far enough ... note you could also have: if [ $person -eq "ScoutMaster" -a $person -eq "Loudsnore"]; then mv ScoutMaster /Camp/Leader Tents/1000_ft_out # Thirdly: # Btw, common practice is not to provide root access command, not even when [$person -eq "ScoutMaster"]. # Finally: # If I were to run the following SQL command on the same UNIX box using the same Users database where there is a cross-reference for users=$person: >SELECT * FROM users WHERE hotgirl>0 # I would get: 0 row returned # That would mean that your elif statement useless since it will never be reached! Now, that's what I call keeping it rated "G" programming and well within G2SS! # Cheers(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Rythos ... ah ... that's where the crux of the problem is! Following the lay out program as prescribed by BSA, an "inspired" scout, "helicopter" parent, "adult lead" troop, or what have you will result in a eagle who is 13 - 13.5 years old! Let's say that an 11 years old comes into the troop. If his troop follows what is recommended ... from Scout - 1st-Class within a year, then he will be a 12 years old 1st-Class scout. After that, 4 mos as a 1st-Class, 6 mos as a Star, and then 6 mos as a Life. That's 16 months more ... or 13.5 years old! Imagine a 10-year Webelos who crossed over! Yes, he is a 5th-grader who has attained his AoL. This occurs from time to time. There will be boys who have no other interests other than scouting. There will be parents whose sole purpose is to nudge their sons to eagle. There will be troops who have all the best planned schedule for the TFC and Trail to Eagle. But for the majority of the boys ... they are way too busy with sports and other interests to dedicate themselves to scouting. Our concerns should be how to make scouting more interesting to the 40% of the boys who are interested in something else. The 10% who have their eyes on the Eagle and do whatever they could to get there fast ... we should not slow them down. The other 50%, they go at their own pace, leaving it to their own devices. Key ... no more ... no less!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

There will be cases where young eagles will emerge; however, after 1st Class, if the parents would just leave them to their own devices, human nature will take over and things will fall in line. My oldest got to Life three months into his 14th birthday. It took him 1 years and 10 months to get his eagle. My 2nd son is currently a 14.75 years old Life. He is a long way from finishing! My guess. He will finish sometime early 16. In our troop, average age of Eagles in our troop is 16.4 years old. Currently we have six 17 years old eagles who are still active with one 18 years as one of my ASMs. The problem is that we have a dichotomy. National and Council are teaching scoutmasters to get the new scouts through the trail to 1st class within a year to keep them in scouting (so the stats say), but most people do not realize that if we do it this way most of them will attain their 1st class by the time they turn 12 or for some even younger! With a combination of the momentum of a 1st class scout and eager parent(s), naturally Stars, Life and Eagle will follow suit within 2 years or less! The benefits of an Eagle Project cannot be fully realized by a 14 years old or younger. Of course folks will debate on this until the cows come home, but the intention of the eagle project is to cement the leadership skills that the scout has attained along the way. To me 14 years old and younger scout does not have the maturity to comprehend this. Yes, there are a few cases of exceptions. I have only seen 2 cases in our troop. In our troop, we don't delay the scouts. They delay themselves; however, our Life coaches "ping" them from time to time to keep them interested and engaged. 1Hour

"Remember, a Scouter's strength flows from the Scout Oath and Law. But beware. Anger, fear, aggression. The dark side are they. Once you start down the dark path, forever will it dominate your destiny. OldGreyOwl... OldGreyOwl... do not... do not underestimate the powers of the ACLU or suffer your father's fate you will. OldGreyOwl, when gone are we... the last of the Scouter will you be. OldGreyOwl, the Scouting runs strong in your family. Pass on what you have learned, OldGreyOwl."

CA PRINT @Msg; TRUE Factoid ... you can't spell geek w/o a double E's (EE)! (BSEE '88) All else = nerds(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Eamon ... don't worry ... try, try again! now ... the jury is still out on: $> man woman $> Segmentation fault (core dumped) Now as for our Forum goes ... this is more appropriate when it comes to scouting for some: >SELECT * FROM users WHERE clue>0 0 row returned

Our Patrick, #2 son, just finished with his Eagle project. My wife and I advised (coached) him through it. We didn't think for him. We didn't do the work for him. We didn't pull it together for him. We just ask poignant questions. For example, as you pointed out that you suggest for your Patrick to stagger the times ... I would ask our Patrick "That is a great plan, but how can the plan be better to fully utilize all of your resources?" "Would it be possible for everyone to work at the same time?" etc ... Btw, these are the actual questions that I asked my son and other Life Scouts on their projects. Good luck!

We are a "born-again" troop. We are currently a scout-method troop; however, we are shooting for a patrol-method troop when we grow up. As for activities, we are an equal opportunity troop. We do a little bit of this and a little bit of that, from car campout, to backpacking, to canoeing, to swimming, to high adventures trip to Boundary Water, SeaBase, Philmont, Double-H, to biking, to just plain campout! As for boy-led, we are going back to square one and teach the boys what this is and means! We will then be boy-led again.

You have a responsibility! Parents entrust you and your fellow scoutmasters with their children. Guide to Safe Scouting states: "The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants." In Texas, "Adults and minors who give alcohol to a minor also face a stiff penalty. The punishment for making alcoholic beverages available to a minor is a class A misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $4,000, confinement in jail for up to a year, or both. Additionally, as of September 1, 2005, the violator will have his or her drivers license automatically suspended for 180 days upon conviction." "Minors who purchase, attempt to purchase, possess, or consume alcoholic beverages, as well as minors who are intoxicated in public or misrepresent their age to obtain alcoholic beverages, face the following consequences: - Class C misdemeanor, punishable by a fine up to $500 - cohol awareness class - to 40 hours community service - to 180 days loss or denial of driver's license" It does not matter how you spin it, it is against BSA rules and not sure about other states, but in Texas, it is against the law! I would have stopped it the first time it was hinted (not even shown). You are correct. Impaired scoutes are more harmful than help if there is an emergency, on top of endangering the well-being of the scouts. This is more than just bantering. This is serious and has to be addressed. Now, I would take it up with your Committee Chair, your, COR and your DE! 1Hour

I took over the SM job in Jan. 'till now, I think that it is going ok. The only problem that I have is to figure out how to help our Troop Guides and Instructors with 34 brand new scouts! The former SM stayed on as one of our ASMs. He finds himself doing other things within the troop instead of scoutmaster conferences. In a troop of 80 boys, that's a full time job. I delegate the SMC to the ASMs responsible for coaching the Trails to First Class. The transition was smooth, but I have been working with the SM for the past 5 of 6 years. I have certain things that I want to do differently! Overall, everyone seems to know what to do. The changes that I implemented is not fully realized, because it will take a while to get the boys to move from a "individual scout troop" to a "patrol method troop." To answer your question ... it would help if the new SM is allowed some time to work with you as you start to slowly transition the activities over to him/her. Good luck. 1Hour

You can put aluminum track plating on to your wooden track. Check out Beta Craft ... http://www.betacrafts.com/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=23&products_id=61&osCsid=7311af842071a4ef8e747e8f311fb2c7 . It is a good alternative and should be within your price range. ... but be careful that it has its flaws as well! http://derbytalk.com/viewtopic.php?t=4616&sid=782727b1f4eb267c5599da50355cf1ce Here is the write up on it from a pack: http://www.geocities.com/~pack215/pwd-challenger.html Good luck!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Skipper, We had our new parents orientation last Monday during the regular scout meeting. Their boys go off with the Troop and the parents stayed with me and our CC. We laid out and went through the program. Everyone has a "package" that contains the information including 1 adult app and 1 boy app. Last part, our CC went through the available positions (with the amount of time expected) and told them that he has the list and will be sitting at the corner table. Come sign up for a position or two. In other words, there wasn't much of a choice to say no. This was not done before during the years that I have been with the troop. It has always been ... "uhhhhh, please consider volunteering, we need help." This method never works. Also, one of the requirements of the parents for me to take on the Scoutmaster position is that the Committee will help! The way that I see it ... I didn't have a choice in terms of volunteering when my sons signed up for baseball, soccer, or basketball. They simply say this is your position, good luck! This is exactly the same! Of course there is a lot of "selling" to inspire them! That's where the SM and CC come in! As I mentioned, we even have 2 new committee members joined the committee meeting this week and their sons haven't even crossed over! Now, that's eagerness. As for new ASMs, I researched and talked to various parents in the two packs to see who has the best personality with the boys. I talked to each separately (separating each from the herd ) and sold them the program and asked them to sign up for the SM training! I have plenty of experience of hook, line, and sinker folks when I was the Cubmaster for one of the packs.(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Barry and all, Thanks, We had our new parents meeting this past Monday. 28 out of 33 showed up. I showed them the program and what it is all about. That's how we were able to fill in 10 blank spaces on our job! Btw, one pack had their AoL crossover this past weekend and the other is this coming weekend! To have this many folks excited about scouting is a very good thing!Good thing about this is that I have know 1/2 of these folks for the past 5 years with my association with the Packs. I targeted 3 new ASMs specifically from this group. I will have 3 existing ASMs to help them coach the new ones. The large influx is not new to us. Since we joined the troop 6 years ago, we have had 12-20+ boys joining the troop each year, except for last year. The Troop Guides are lined up and readied. I can't use the "it's new to us" line. I have been with the troop for 5 years (last year - I took a breather). So they all know me and what I do. This is exciting, indeed!(This message has been edited by OneHour)

Two thumbs up! As the Nike commercial goes ... "Just Do It!" Eagle is not the end goal! It's the experience, the friendship, and ...

I took the plunge! I started my tenure as our Troop SM in January. We are getting 33 new scouts (3 patrols) adding to our current 50, going from 3 recruited last year! Eventhough the new scouts have not joined and yet we now have 2 fully active committee members along with 16 of 22 committee positions filled (including a new CC) and 3 new ASMs who are taking the Scoutmaster training this coming week. This is coming together and I am starting to feel the effects of this job! It is truly 1 hour a week per scout!

Hey Randy ... thanks for the correction! I typed quickly and moved on without proofreading! I sit corrected!

Congratulations! Please send Matt this message for me: "Congratulations, Matt! Eagle Scout is not just a rank, but it's a way of life. Now that you have learned it, done it, and earned it, live it!" 1Hour

Wow ... it took his son 10 years to cross over? Did he know that his son coul have crossed over into scouting 5 years ago at the age of 11 and AoL? My most memorable gift from our pack is a scrapbook. One den gave each den (13 of them) a page to two to put together their memories, pictures, workds, decoration, their messages to me. It was wonderful. The cost for each den is nominal, but the memories are priceless. They also gave a gift card $50 to Academy where I bought some of my scouting gears. One den gave me a large banner. Another den gave me a plaque with each cub signs his name to it. My son's den gave me a hand-carved plaque that have all of their names engraved on it. 1Hour

Wow ... it took his son 10 years to cross over? Did he know that his son coul have crossed over into scouting 5 years ago at the age of 11 and AoL? My most memorable gift from our pack is a scrapbook. One den gave each den (13 of them) a page to two to put together their memories, pictures, workds, decoration, their messages to me. It was wonderful. The cost for each den is nominal, but the memories are priceless. They also gave a gift card $50 to Academy where I bought some of my scouting gears. One den gave me a large banner. Another den gave me a plaque with each cub signs his name to it. My son's den gave me a hand-carved plaque that have all of their names engraved on it. 1Hour

1) If it is given as a gift from the troop, then it should be given without any recompensation! 2) If it is given as part of the advancement fees within the annual troop fee, then it should be given without any question! It is paid for! 3) If it is given as a requirement to get eagle, then the troop is wrong for adding additional requirements! The practice should stop. 4) If it is given to others but not to one, then the troop is being unfair to the one! The troop is being unfair or dare I say ... prejudice? 5) If the troop is out of fund, then the troop needs to figure out a) whether or not to raise the annual troop fee, b) engage in a fundraiser, or c) manage expectation going forward. If the one doesn't get the kit, going forward, no one gets the kit. my 2 cents.

Ours is this Saturday. This year, we're a little bit low in terms number of entries. We will have 67 cars from the ranks, 12 cars from the Open Class (parents and siblings), 6 cars from the Outlaws Class (everything goes), and 12 18-wheelers from the Big Rigs Class. This is down from an average of 80 cubs and 100 overall. Our all time high was 112 cars and 140 overall ... that was 9 years ago! We have 6-lane BestTrack track and a ton of volunteers. Best parts of the show ... the awards and the Big Rig races. 1Hour