perdidochas

What is Rogaine? (oops, now I see the link) Looks like fun. Too bad we don't do that, I think it would be great fun.

Hot dogs over the fire, with chili. We often had a chili cookoff as part of a Pack campout. I agree with the poster who said that much beyond a den size, foil cooking is impractical.

That isn't allowed. I agree it's silly, I think the rule should be that all parents are welcome to a closed group, but rules are rules. Per BSA guidelines: http://www.scouting.org/home/marketing/resources/socialmedia.aspx

Well, considering I'm one of two or three adults related to the troop who's not either military or a military spouse, that explains the by-laws. I do agree we need to change the by-laws to policies.

I do like the idea of by-laws, but IMHO, it should just govern the money aspects of a troop--scout accounts, etc. I do like your basic three rules.

I think the main thing they are irritated with is that he didn't show up for his first PLC as SPL (which was the second troop meeting after he came into office). He also irritated one of the committee members at the COH, when he showed up without his MB sash and was kind of flippant when asked why. (he got permission to not attend his school activity for the COH, but it cost him his "chair" in the Orchestra--he went from 1st to 3rd for missing practice for the COH). I was thinking the troop was running pretty smoothly, and then a committee member sends out an email with the section about Troop Committee being able to remove youth leaders for a variety of reasons, the first one being missing more than three consecutive meetings. This hasn't been enforced ever before.

Turns out this has been in the By-Laws for years (found and old copy of by-laws dating to 2010 with this), but has never been enforced to my knowledge (at least not since I've been with the troop since Spring 2010). Regardless, it should be changed. That should be a Scoutmaster decision.

LeCastor, Thanks. I didn't like the idea either, but basically, a few of the committee members aren't big fans of the SPL anyway, and on top of that we had a fairly ineffective ASPL last term (my son's (the previous SPL) choice for ASPL). I've known the boy since I was his Tiger Cub Den Leader, so I know his shortcomings and his strengths, and work with them. I will try to figure out how to get the MCs to take the Troop Committee Challenge, nicely. On this note, what are the guidelines for removing a Scout from a POR? My basic view is that unless they never show up, they should remain in a POR, regardless of ability to do so well. A troop can survive 6 months :-)

We currently have a new SPL (well, two months into office), who due to school related activities had to miss about six weeks of meetings. He has been communicating (well after the first week) with his ASPL, and for the most part, after the first week, everything has gone smoothly. Thankfully, he chose a good ASPL. The problem is that the committee doesn't like this at all. (The Scoutmaster and Assistant Scoutmasters grumbled a bit, but we used it as a learning experience for the boys). They have recently decided that our by-laws should be amended so that the committee can remove boy leaders from their PORs. They also amended the by-laws to require a uniform for Boards of Reviews. In terms of the committee removing boy leaders, does anybody know of a source I can use that shows this is totally wrong? I'm not sure that any of them have been through Committee training. The Scoutmaster and I (an Assistant Scoutmaster) have been (we used to be Committee members) through Committee Training, and of course, our own required training. The current SPLs parents are irritated with this new policy, because they feel it is aimed at their son. I tend to agree. I just want a source to quote that shows this is inappropriate. I've already found the source in the Guide to Advancement for the uniform rule being wrong.

I pretty much agree with your son. There should be a purpose to a campout, albeit sometimes that purpose is just camping, or more specifically introducing younger scouts to patrol/troop camping. I do know that our troop has gotten more active and has had more members since we did trips that involve more than "just camping." In the last year, we've backpacked, canoe/kayaked, spelunked, enjoyed a camp water park, etc. A year before, we also built a submersible ROV (U.S. Navy grant).

We changed over to troopwebhost from troopmaster a few years ago. We like it, but the changover takes a while, and in the case of troopwebhost, isn't seemless.

I think Lions is a mistake. It's begging to cause burn-out

KDD, Actually, they register the 18-20 yr olds as adults, so they can run the background check on them. That way that 14 yr old girl's parents know that the 20 yr old Crew President is not a criminal. All this said, besides the death bed Eagles (the 17 yr olds that come back to finish their Eagle), how many active scouts does BSA have in the 15-17 yr old age range? Are there any stats out there?

I pretty much agree- a propane lantern or two, not set to full brightness, makes for a nice campsite. That said, I have seen camporee campsites where it seemed as bright as daylight due to the sheer volume of lanterns (i.e. 6 or 7 for a troop). That's overkill, but then again, it matches with the carport style canopies those troops tend to like.

My point on that was that if it happened before he registered as a Scouter, then the council has addressed the issue. If it has happened since he became a Scouter, the council needs to deal with it.

For replacement globes, get stainless steel mesh. The scouts are pretty good about not breaking lantern globes, but I'm not personally that good at it with my own lantern. These stainless steel mesh globes are pretty good. I own the Primus version of the below. mantles are always a problem. I think the propane lanterns are the cheaper solution. I don't see why you are having problem with the trees. IMHO, lanterns on 1 lb cylinders are more likely to be broken than on the trees. http://www.amazon.com/Texsport-Stainless-Steel-Lantern-Globe/dp/B000P9CZXQ

No, you wouldn't. You like the rest of us would be angry, because the parent didn't address it directly. It's not human nature to like being criticized in public.

Does the $50 include Boy's life? If it does, then the Pack is only getting $14 a year from it. That barely pays for awards. If your den does any kind of arts and crafts, $40 is more than reasonable. The only question is if you're selling popcorn? If you are, then maybe you have a slight point. Have you talked to local folks about it?

Sports registration for a 4 month season is more than $90. I think Scouting is a bargain.

Yep.

If those are his spiritual duties, then I'm fine with them.

My thoughts on this is that he is basing his knowledge of this man based on his sister-in-law, who has had a failed relationship with the man. I don't know them, but I do know that she is not a credible source due to that. I'd hate for him to destroy this man's reputation based on a disgruntled ex.

As long as those are part of the Scout's duty to God.