Scoutmaster613

613 is my B-Day, June 13th

Good info, My house is literally right on the border of the 2 councils (back yard property line. I did not see anywhere in writing that a charter has to have a troop in the council matching the address. I have also been a registered leader in ABC for 10 years, love ABC. But charter I have connections with are XYZ Suggestions?

With the most recent changes with the BSA policy (LGBT), Our Troop is loosing it's charter as it's a religious decision within, all respect is kept on both parties. Please don't post negative remarks as we have moved past this, Goos news is we found a new charter. My question is. I found a new charter that is not located in the council boundaries. Is there a rule not allowing this. I am a member of a different organization that can host a Boy Scout Troop. Our meeting are will be within the Council boundaries. I tried looking this information up but was unable to. Thank you.

OK, I am a new scoutmaster for a new troop. Brand new as we only started with 5 scouts so its been a painful journey(but worth it). 3 years later we have 3 patrols with 30+ active scouts. We had a new patrol that just crossed over and after 1 year I am seeing a trend of the SA "chasing checkmarks" The boys are advancing in a way that I am not used to as it seems they are completing the requirements but not retaining most of the information or learning anything new or that would add to their program as it's "not in the book". I ask the SA to teach them in a proper way that they will learn and retain the knowledge like learning where and how to tie a simple rain fly, then i get the excuse "its not a requirement". Also 1st class learn to navigate at day and night with no compass. He taught them the stick and watch method for the day time, and I look at the scouts and 2 out of the 13 have watches. So they share the watches between 13 scouts so they can "demonstrate" how to complete the requirement. Then at night they all point to the north star. No other methods taught. Per the star, life and eagle ranks, these can be completed in 1 yr 4 months so on that time line his scouts can eagle out in 2 yrs 4 months and per "the book" thats allowable. Please no hate mail, I am "doing my best" LOL Ed

When the boys sat for their 1st SMC I asked them about the knots, cant test them, asked what they were used for and they gave me the answer. But just watching the boys I know they don't use them or can tie them on demand. SA= asst scoutmaster should be ASM, sorry (newbie, hard to learn it all) The ASM is signing them off in the books, when the boys went to summer camp they went to stations. Then we got a report of what the boys did. i guess I should just chat with the boys in a non-scoutmaster conference and ask them to show me the skills they learned.

Thanks Torch, one of the big problems is with us, we are a starter troop. So not many older scouts to have help with these. We have had our struggles. Our first year was just 5 new scouts. So it was like Weblos 3, and 4.... The boys are getting much better. I dont think they are signing off in the books, we use Scoutbook.com and mark off the website once they complete a meeting. Yes we have all completed SM and ASM training. IOLS. I am just missing Woodbadge. Thanks for the input.

But per the rules I am not allowed to retest or fail. I just dont think they are ready and they are rushed through. When me and our other leader taught the Taut, Double Half Hitch and other knots we did it over several patrol meetings. we would start with the pledge, oath and other stuff, then do some quick knot races then start our meetings. These guys did a fast hands on at camp and thats the last time they touched a rope!

Yes, I have usually done these on our campouts with the older boys. For some reason the SA thinks they need to be done when the scouts complete every item for their rank, NO, they just need to be close to it.

I also need to clear up, This patrol is VERY active. They have been together for 3-5 years from the Pack. I have known them all. this is the only reason i agreed to it. My older sons patrol has about 11 kids but 3-4 of them are not active every week. When we camp we usually have about 8 kids show up max, so this works for us. This was a starter Troop so I have had my challenges with not having older boys to lead or teach. Excuse my French but it SUCKS! LOL I just want the boys to learn as they should. How are boys going to learn to cook for large groups if they split off into smaller 3-4 boy mini patrols? Its different to cook for 3 kids vs 6-8 I have another larger group of kids crossing over next month, about 13-14 very active scouts and one of my sons is in that group. The Weblos leader is an Eagle scout himself and we spoke about it. Before I could even finish my sentance he said "We will split these boys up into 2 groups" THANK YOU GOD! someone who gets it! Thanks everyone for your feedback. Keep on Scouting

I don't want the SA from the Patrol to sit in with a SMC (scout master conference) with one of his own kids or hold his own. The SA I feel is rushing his kids and they are not learning the skills. I doubt half of them could not tie the double half and taut line knots and I know I am not supposed to retest them. For the 1st SMC half the boys did not know who the asst patrol leader is, they did not have a patrol cheer (and that's required per the book) they could not answer a few of the requirements when they went to summer camp and did some "rank express" program. Its like they did a 1-2 hour hands on with a few knots and moved on. the kids did not retain anything and to me that's more of the cub scout program. In Boy Scouts I feel the boys should learn and retain things especially knots and other skills they plan on using in camp outs.

yeah, exactly, but at the same time we meet sunday nights so I get it.

OK, newbie scoutmaster with a start up troop so please excuse my lack of knowledge. How soon should a BOR be completed. I have a ASM wanting me to pretty much drop what I am doing and complete these ASAP. He canceled our last 4 troop meetings all due to football and weather (Carolina Panthers as he is a season ticket holder.) The other fathers were OK with it as they watch as well and I am cool with it as well but at the same time I have plans. But now football is going to be over and he wants me to complete all 12 boys scoutmaster conference ASAP and schedule a BOR. As I read section 8.0.0.1 it says to complete ASAP. BUT it also says " Scouts are not delayed in beginning time-oriented requirements for the next rank." They are only going from Tenderfoot to 2nd Class 8.0.0.1 Purpose and Timeliness of Boards of ReviewAfter a Scout has completed the requirements for any rank or Eagle Palm, he appears before a board of review. Its purpose is to determine the quality of his experience and decide whether he has fulfilled the requirements for the rank. If so, the board not only approves his advancement or Palm but also encourages him to continue the quest for the next rank or Palm. Because the board of review date becomes the effective advancement date, boards should be scheduled promptly as Scouts are ready, or set up on a regular basis that assures Scouts are not delayed in beginning time-oriented requirements for the next rank. My thoughts are to get these done in the next 30 days, not all in 1 day, Please chime in. Thanks

OK, I have 1 patrol with 12 kids in it. The Asst Scoutmaster over the patrol wants to split the patrol into 4 mini patrols with 4 kids each so they can complete this requirement. i am not for it as I told him he had to many boys in 1 patrol to start. and at best i would allow him to split it into 2 separate mini patrols with 6 each. What are your thoughts. Thanks 4e. On one campout, serve as your patrol's cook. Supervise your assistant(s) in using a stove or building a cooking fire. Prepare the breakfast, lunch, and dinner planned in requirement 4a. Lead your patrol in saying grace at the meals and supervise cleanup.

I dont think you guys are using its full potential. It has tons of useful items. I have been using it for a year. Came off of TM and other tracking programs. Scoutbook.com has made it so much easier to track my scouts ranks, keeping track of camping log, hiking log, service hours ect. Entering merit badges and advancements, printing off PO's and advancement reports. Tracks leader training on whats been done, and what needs to be done with accuracy. Nothing worse then doing your recharter and finding out someone is behind.