qwazse

Wonder no more: http://www.scouting.org/About/FactSheets/YearinReview.aspx Note that there are 0 venture scouts , only 210k venturers:). .

I just remembered, Son #1 did take his SPL's little sister to homecoming! I agree that the issue is respect. But, in general the time for an adult to handle it is after the meeting. I would pull the boy aside and say "Next week, I'm expecting better from you." No lecture, no rehashing details, no waiting for an explanation from the boy. Then I would ask the SPL if he understood what that was all about. Then follow-up if there was anything serious. But, from a visitor's perspective none of hat behind-the-scenes work would be noticed. That's why I suggested that OP talk to the SM. It's the only way to get a feel for how far things like this are allowed to go.

One comment about iron-on transfers: I've never seen them hold up long term. My suggestion was just for a tiger flag (for that den that year). If your boys keep their den # as they move up, make that a central part of your flag.

Hey Tex, you and whose army are gonna move this thing? I still strongly suggest thinking in terms of separate modules for your food, vs. equipment.

Our camp has a nice Friday tradition: mile swim before breakfast, five mile hike around the lake before lunch, and four mile canoe around the lake after lunch. They call it the Heritage Reservation Iron Man. Youth and adults may participate. Comes with a nice t-shirt. (Used to be in Steelers colors, but I think the Ravens fans weren't buying them, so they changed the design. )

Cubs keep their sign and salute, http://scout-wire.org/wp-content/uploads/2012/07/BSA-Considers-Changes-to-Program-Ideals-to-Reinforce-the-Organization.doc But venturers lose theirs.

I'm impressed with the second design, mainly because I never saw it before. I like troop 21's system. Still not sure where the 2nd pair of staves gets stowed. Personally, I have a family camp box from my wife's uncle. No legs, but where there aren't picnic tables we can lash a stand or work off the ground. No food in the camp box. I had one national park raccoon successfully make off with a locally packed salami, because I was too sure I had properly secured it.

Also, if you're on a suitable go-see-it, you might want your boys to look for symbols/landmarks in your community. Then decide which ones they want to incorporate on their flag. Finally, four words for you: Printable iron-on transfer paper.

I'd like to think folks are being a little more judicious, but I am afraid that the tough economy is also an issue. From where you sat, was the river as busy as usual?

I have not heard of JTE's score cards making their way into any reportable database. If they did, I would be highly suspicious of the data. They aren't handled uniformly across our district, let alone council, area, or region. Even the membership stats may be somewhat inflated. They used to be worse, but (among other reasons) it's starting to cost real money to keep ghosts on the rosters.

The heading in this table is for the average unit, which includes packs, troops and crews. From here: http://www.scouting.org/about/annualreports/bsatraditionalmembershipsurvey.aspx we have 848,291 Boy scouts in 39,392 troops = 21.5 boys per troop in 2012.

Also, the buttons no longer have the fleur-de-lis on them -- a point not lost on the female venturers in our crew, and a show-stopper for them. (They aren't looking for any more reminders that they are a different program from boy scouts.) In May, National announced planned changes to the awards and recognition: http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/venturing/newprogannouncement.aspx It alluded to uniforming becoming more of a method, and allowed for the "field uniform" to undergo revisions, but it did not specify a time line or any specific design changes.

I suppose you could make benchmarks for all of those, let's see: - Ideals: % of boys who can say oath and law independently. - Outdoors: % of outdoor activities set by PLC. % implemented by boys. - Patrols: % of meetings where PL can report.attendance with none unaccounted for. - Advancement: % of youth signatures in books on requirements. - Adult association: % of boys who've contacted an adult about any given aspect of the program, or % of adults acting because a boy specifically requested them to do so. - Personal Growth: % of boys with an immediate answer to the question "So, what's the plan?" - Leadership: % of boys in PORs for whom you can name one specific accomplishment in the past couple of months. % of boys not in PORs whom you recall "stepping up." - Uniform: % of uniform inspection initiated by SPL/PL. For most of us who banter about "boy-led," we have a couple of methods up near 100%, most near %50, some at 0%. Obviously, what that means is that a person may say 100% boy-led, but may only be thinking about it in terms of the methods that they think should be 100% boy-led. Even within a category, I may have a blind spot simply because I'll take for granted that "nobody in their right mind would leave ___ up to the boys."

Question: (more for thought, and not judging) how essential is it that an adult make reservations, file permits, collect med forms, etc ...? Is the reason that we lose some older boys that they see their role diminishing if they are not the SPL? They feel they can take on that extra school activity or evening class because there is nothing they need to do around the scout house.

Graduation parties are big around here. Since Son #1 pushed to his 18th b-day in the spring, we had the ceremony at the CO, then instead of having a reception there, we invited everyone over to the house to kick off the first party of the summer.

Transfers only cost $1, and I'm told scouts are friendly. Of course, being worthy of his new peers will take time. But, if he's up front about his situation, and a little humble about the fact he's serving a new troop in hope of election, and he does indeed serve cheerfully, I'm sure the boys will support him. As for you, in general, fences can be mended. Folks just need a little time. Keep in mind that your son will be watching how you comport yourself and talk about this situation to others. I would suggest doing that in a way that shows everyone in a good light -- even if in the face of stark disagreements. (The meek shall inherit the earth, etc ...)

Sometimes people like to have their own little fiefdoms. They don't even realize what they're doing. That's where a gentle nudge by a UC can sometimes help. Other times, they know full well that they are high minded, and they just don't care. Not much can be done unless that person gets to roundtable and camporees and spends a lot of time with different units. Just sit tight and wait for it all to fall apart. Spout this 300' stuff too loudly and people think you're abandoning their little Johnny to the depredations of the wild. Other times, National can be addle-headed. (E.g., removing independent patrol overnights from the G2SS, or adding unproven teaching methods to advancement requirements.) For "boots on the ground", that engenders a go-it-on-your-own attitude that we scouters sometimes have a hard time suppressing.

I think I get what you are saying. You are concerned about small numbers. Don't worry about that. Everyone participates! If one of the other two scouts is really good at communications, he can be the Master of Ceremonies (MoC). Otherwise ask if one of the adults do that. The MC basically walks everyone through the program. And introduces each participant. Also if you have friends in other troops, you could invite them to participate. Here is one way to make everything work: Have one of the boys be "Sergeant at Arms" (SaA). At the MoC's request, he leads the assembly in the pledge of allegiance, and scout oath and law. (It's up to you boys how to set that up. You may want a color guard bring the flag forward, or you may have it already there. He may want to light some candles as each point of the law is said, or not. He may then ask a minister of your choosing to lead an opening prayer.) Then, when the opening is complete and everyone is seated, the SaA returns the floor to the MoC by saying something like "Sir, the court has been assembled." At this time, the MoC will invite guests who you would like to speak for a few minutes on behalf of you and your fellow Eagle. They could be one or two of your teachers, other scouters, or beneficiaries of your projects. When I do this, I hand the medal(s) to each speaker so that they hold it while the have the floor. To me it symbolizes all the hands that went into you boys making this achievement. Then the MoC will ask the SaA to escort you and your parents forward to give you the medal. The only constant in all of the ceremonies I've seen, is mom pins on your medal, and you give her a kiss. (Let's not fool ourselves, she deserves it. ) Usually dad will put on your Eagle neckerchief and slide. Again there's a whole lot of variation in how this is done. Sometimes the ceremony includes an "Eagle Charge" and "Eagle Oath", if there is a senior scouter. The MoC will then ask the SaA to bring the assembly to a close. That may include asking a minister to lead the benediction, asking the color guard to retire the colors, inviting the audience to stay for a snack afterwards (at this time recognizing any committee, or sisters, who helped in preparation), and dismissing the troop, So you see, just because it's boy-led does not mean you have to exclude the adults. It means you work with adults so that everyone feels like they are part of this great accomplishment. The real trick is setting a time and location for it far enough in advance so that both of your families can attend and you boys can organize everything.

Remember, if you feel stuck, ask for help. Are you two really creative? Write a script. Do you like tradition? Follow a pattern of something already written. Ask previous Eagles in your troop what they have done. Something I haven't seen that I would like, is a panel discussion format. But that's just me. What I think you should do is ask around if there is a scouter who has MC'ed a ECoH for your troop before. They may have some good ideas.

It's a balance. My daughter was academically advanced. Started taking a full load of freshman engineering courses her senior year in high school. Son #1 talked her into staying in the dorms rather than commuting since she was gonna be there so much. I wanted to throttle him! But, turned out she was socially mature as well. Dad just needed to have a little faith .

I first earned my mile swim in a pool. Not until our scout reservation opened with a 250 acre lake, could I even think of doing it any place outside of an aquatics area. Open water (150-200 yard legs) was much easier. Complete straight shot would be easiest. KDD's spot on about the flip turns.

Sounds like son #4 needs to decide if he should transfer to another troop so he has a chance to qualify for O/A, or stick with this troop and take a pass on lodge life. It is unfortunate when adults perpetrate this kind of bias. And it must be tough on you because it sounds like you were trying to keep up a family tradition. But, now it's in your son's (and maybe his friend's) hands. If he sticks with the troop, he can mention at every SMC and BOR that this is his one regret about this troop. He may decide that this wont be his mantra forever. Or, he may decide to be a persistent yet respectful agent of change.

Maybe you shouldn't be selling more. Maybe you could call some packs from less fortunate neighborhoods and offer them a share of your sales. Now, funds that go into pack coffers SHOULD result in lower event expenses. But sometimes it results in spending more frivolously.

This discussion had me fuming on so many levels, I needed a two nights in the woods on a long weekend to simmer down. I brought it up at last night's campfire,and one of our scouts had an insightful point: "If you're not teaching everybody first class skills, then what's the point of calling yourself a life scout?" In other words, from his perspective, the requirement - in total - should not to teach "one younger scout in your troop" a first class skill, but every youth you encounter those scouting skills. It boils down to this: Those of you who think 1st Class as only a rank, a stepping stone to Eagle, will think that the purpose of Life, the rank, is to produce more patches on uniforms. Thus the boy doing this only once in a very controlled context, is precisely what is needed for you to approve that box. Please consider that you are building a house of cards. If, on the other hand, you think 1st Class Scout is a character trait, something that should manifest itself in every teen age member of the BSA, then you would see Life Scout, the trait, as something that drives a person to make it their life's work to instill scout spirit and skills in others. That is a house that you can build a movement on. Now I think a lot of what venturing does (intended or not) is to challenge scouters to think, really think, about what kind of house they are building. The program doesn't leave me much room for the former - venturers don't need (and few want) awards, but the needs of my crew force me think in terms of the latter ... venturers in a general interest crew -- if not first class scouts (patch notwithstanding) already -- need to quickly come to bear all of the traits of first class scouts.

*Scape goat.* And again, your are arguing from the standpoint of fairness, which in this age of situational ethics can be quickly turned on its head. Sure, this is a lot of double-speak. They are using the line that we Advisors use all the time "Venturing is a different program" as justification for opposing change. Venturing is a small slice of the BSA, and young women and men who weren't boy scouts yet become honor campers (by any reasonable category) are a smaller slice -- we are doing our best to change that. But until then, we are talking numbers that are seemingly inconsequential to OA's membership counts. The thing that young arrowmen need to ask themselves is this: "If there is an honor camper out there with the same membership card as I have, but uniformed differently than I am, do I want to be the first to recognize him/her? Or, do I want some other group to jump in line and get him/her first?"