qwazse

... if you took geocaching in you IOLS course, someone at your course chose to change the syllabus, and teach what they wanted to teach. There is only good old fashioned orienteering taught in both IOLS & OWLS.. The course was called SM basic at the time, and the orienteering chapter was garden variety map and compass. Geocaching was mentioned in passing. As was a comment on the two correct forms of the taught line (... if the knot holds when the line is taught ...). It's the little things, donchya know?

I know a couple of scouters that toss their "donation knots" in a drawer. For one guy, his uniform is the respect we accord him. (That includes being the brunt of many of our jokes.) He's definitely a 5-row guy who would rather not have the cloth get in the way. So the knots are simply not there. (He had a UC in his face once for not wearing them. It was kinda like watching an ant trying to stomp on an elephant!) On the other hand, I know a bunch of "5-row" guys whose personality shines through and it's like the knots aren't even there. Kids love working with them. To each his own, but I'd stay of the -bay.

It's not a true "prisoner's dilemma" if you can't make your case to your other prisoners. In WB terms, it's a chance for the bead throwers to confront the axe throwers and ask them to play nice so everyone can get a slice of the pie. Remind them of the first point of the scout law, etc ... Or, they can offer the threat: "For the next rounds, we will throw axe until you show a gesture of good faith and throw beads. The round after you throw beads, we will throw beads. If you throw axe, will throw axe next round. Get the picture? If you want to lead, we'll let you. But you will gain no points for doing so."

Out, Your situation sounds more optimistic than my brother's. (SM went AWOL with blue cards. Bro had to move on to college then sail a destroyer 'round Vietnam.) If you unearth your paperwork, give it a go. At the very least, your son should be handed down the newspaper clipping of your project. If this exercise only results in you doing that, it would be worth the trouble.

My rant about EDGE aside (although really, if courses said: "Have participants read page x from book y," it would do a lot to remedy propagation of misinformation. Paying for photocopies of material with plagiarized trademarks is just ridiculous.) All of this comes off as oh-so-much horse-hockey to a guy who took his kids car camping when they were still in a crib, and backpacking before they crossed over, with a guy who took his daughter backpacking when she was four. I am so glad I never wasted my time with OWLS. I am thankful for the den leader who did, even though she came back dogmatically telling me I was tying the taught-line hitch wrong! It was more important to me that everyone felt comfortable with taking the little gompers camping. I was even a little impatient with IOLS, but at least it introduced me to geocaching, which I enjoy -- much to my family's chagrin. But really, if you took BALOO or OWLS, there should be a short catch-up course that gives you everything you need to get up to speed. In fact, at summer camp, IMHO, we should send the new adults to Trail to First Class program and have them get their SPL sign off on IOLS requirements.

Well, you could play with the distinction between "should be conducted" and "must be conducted". I wouldn't. It's that whole qualified supervision thing. Make a parent get their certification and have them do the work for you.

E92, I got that guy too! The official stance is whatever risk the aquatics director can accept! I need to know you can stop motion in the water and relax. If you sink, I need to know you can bring yourself to the surface in a kick or two, get your breath, and not panic if you sink again! If you have a 16 year old with a proven track record of sinking, that's different than a 12 year old who simply has never tried to stay afloat after wearing himself out swimming 100 yards. But talk to the person(s) supervising the aquatics area, they know their staff and what they're capable of. Like I said, for rank advancement, if it's a physical disability, apply for a waiver.

Funny thing about life: most of us don't ask for instructions. Few of us think we're living it for anyone besides ourselves.

Not acceptable! Wait for the boys to grow. Their lung capacity will double, enabling them to float. Until then, keep them in the beginners area. I need to know that swimmers who get a cramp or are just plain tired can give a guard a few seconds of floating while he/she attempts to deliver support. Try dog paddling with one leg immobilized (simulating a cramp) sometime. It's an interesting view with the surface above you! If you're worried about First Class requirements, don't. It's perfectly fine if some boys take 4 years to earn the rank by rights. If you have a kid whose physically disabled, apply for a waiver. Your district advancement chair should have instructions on the process.

Yeah cross, as CC you have the right to call BS on any such shenanigans! You don't have to approve any advancement you don't feel comfortable with. Furthermore, as COR you have the right to remind any adults in the audience that the CO expects the program to be implemented with the highest standard possible, and you are standing behind the SM. Our committee has called boys before it for disciplinary reasons. Literally, at summer camp our CC had to tell a couple of boys that if they didn't straighten up instantly the would have to pack their stuff that hour and sit by the road until their parents came to get them. They did. Both Eagled a couple of years later. Put another way, an SM is a master of scouts, but when a boy does not act like a scout, he puts himself in the hands of the committee to determine his disposition.

Yet one more cluster of victims of EDGE without "reference." Because the instructor (or whoever taught) him/her was trained to formulate materials that explained source material RATHER THAN READING THE SOURCE MATERIAL ITSELF. How hard would it have been to read G2SS and other materials out loud on the subject? Perhaps during training, have everyone take turns reading through theG2SS tour plan material. Then the competent CC would know to present trustworthy sources at round table. For the love of all that makes us human folks: Reference Reference REFERENCE

Eng, I have a friend who did just that. Cubs was fine, but when weekends were gonna be impinged upon, and she wasn't about to trade any of hers. He felt like giving up even one of the precious few he had with his boys was too much. Making matters worse, he didn't have strong friendships with any of the leaders.

1 Tan shirt ASM (same patch that I was awarded when I turned 18)! Kakhi shorts. Olive hiking socks. (Got sick of wearing out the standard issues.) I have the Jambo patch from my youth, and a patch from the first 50miler I hike, for the memories, on my right pocket. I hang whatever most recent patch I've acquired there as well. 1 Green shirt for this awkward in-between position of Advisor to VOA VP-Program. It also doubles as my Crew advisor uniform when I'm someplace were folks are expecting a field uni. Anyway the shirt was on clearance so I decided to bite the bullet. My one pair of grey pants bleached out in the wash. The Mrs was going to get a replacement pair for Father's day. She got a puppy instead. I was temped to name the thing Greypants. I finally acquired some lightweight grey shorts and wear grey socks with them as needed.

Our crew has effectively two tracks: a HA track, and a skills acquisition track -- my terms not the youth's. The HA track is "activated" whenever a couple of kids with means want to pursue it. The skills acquisition track is ongoing and consists of all of the outings and low-budget super-activities that we do. Officers are challenged to work out a balance between the two. From the youth's perspective it's just different committees planning different activities. There is no fat in our budget, no discretionary fund. So some kids do wind up bowing out of an HA track because of finances. That said, most of those kids have made dating or hobbies or travel with a school club a priority, so no hard feelings.

KC, Agreed, to a point. The SE may have two resources: 1. the scouter's track record, and 2. CYS on speed dial. If this is the first call ever, the SE may call the COR and raise a concern. If this is the 5th in as many different units, the SE might demand an investigation. That action would be hard on everybody, but if there was no abuse it is the best way to stop the rumor mill. It is impossible to judge this situation from a distance. But sounds like Mom has a plan that will serve her. In my case, I had to summarize facts in evidence in a letter to my DE. That put an end to false accusations that were fomenting while folks were trying "sweep everything under the rug." Anyone who dared bring up the subject was informed that the matter had been discussed with HQ, we are proceeding according to their recommendation, and you should fill free to call them if you have any evidence requiring further action. And, best of all, I have a smooth running unit again! I only wish folks would have taken the matter to HQ three years earlier.

Of course it's harder, you have until 21! I've also challenged Eagle scouts to go for the Hornaday award. No takers yet. Age appropriate challenges are important for all of us. For example I'm in a club where the guys throw down challenges to one guy to entertain the group at the next quarterly meeting by presenting something interesting on a seemingly mundane topic. (The topic is usually chosen by the last guy who presented.) You need to be prepared to be interrupted and cross-examined as you present. It's all in good fun. But, it's not something you'd ask a young kid to do. Woodbadge is a challenge, for some folks. Starting a new BSA unit? Huge challenge! But, the hardest thing about all of these challenges? Setting aside the time to do them!

The code does not specify one way or the other. Obviously keeping the poles vertical guarantees that a flag is at its highest point. And, if you have a cub, his adult leader may block the view from a particular angle, so maintaining that height may be a good idea. Otherwise, it's just a matter of style.

Have them present their hike plan in writing, give them the tour plan to fill out. (One of the scouts might be willing to do this on his computer, so give them a paper copy and send them the link to the pdf in an E-mail.) This will help them make sure the adults are trained, transportation is accounted for, etc ... If the plan is solid, support it. Judge the plan based on what you've seen of the boys' abilities. (E.g., if it involves stopping at a water hole for a swim, and the 2nd class scouts have never swim tested, and neither of the adults is qualified to supervise aquatics, send the boys back to the drawing board.) Also, if the boys plan to have the adults as guests for dinner, you might want to give the adults a hint to pack their own stash of jerky or whatever. If the patrol has not demonstrated a lot of skill cooking, supper might come on a little late -- especially after a full day of hiking!

We don't always have that 300' and even if we did, first-years would roam. The important thing is that the adults use the same budget constraints as the boys.

When I get a chance I'll talk to the USMC recruiters I know. But, I'm pretty sure the word is out among the boys. (Not so sure about GS, I'll ask the one gold awardee I know if she was aware of the perk, and if so when she first learned of it.) I also wonder if more uncommon awards get researched by recruiters. Although frankly, the point of the venturing awards is to direct youth to the appropriate national certifications that stand on their own. The bling, once earned, is largely superfluous.

This is ABSOLUTELY NOT the work of a troll or April Fool's Day joke. I am a REAL mother of a new Venture scout with a REAL problem. ... I believe you're a real mom. You make new-mom mistakes like not calling him a "venturer" and calling his unit a "troop"! This weekend is the start of spring break for lots of youth, so it's the perfect time for a 4 day trip. (Kinda wish my crew had pulled something together.) But, even if you are a very clever troll, the issue isn't that far off the beaten path, and if it saves somebody else grief by us mulling it over here, then of trolls, you would have been of the most helpful variety!

brings up the dilemma -- Scouts will definitely be eye-balling our food. And we will most definitely NOT be cooking for the entire troop. No dilemma, our boys have had to eyeball my shrimp scampi on fettuccine Alfredo. No samples that weekend because each patrol had plenty of opportunity to set their menu, and my son knew what the "old farts" were planning to cook. Plus, that group of dads were a cracker-jack patrol. The ones who didn't like to cook were more than happy to clean up. Our dishes were dry before the youth patrols' dinners were even served. Now, it is nice to share samples. Just don't make it a routine until the boys are proud enough to have you come and sample their cooking.

BD, I'll do you one better. With the boy I described above, Bio Dad shows up to visitor night with home-wrecker. (Did I tell you how much I hate visitor night?) She tries to make nice to us, and I think we all take things in stride. Let's face it, we've had step-parents do a lot of good for our boys. But as dinner progresses she's more withdrawn. Next day, CC tells us the lady was a co-worker from his old job. Following day, BioMom, comes to pick up homesick Jr. Escorting her back to camp I spilled the beans about BioDad bringing the GF, she was really livid until I said, "Don't worry, CC __ knew her from way back, and he told us everything we need to know." You should have seen the look of relief on her face. Point is, you can ask two people to get it together so their kid will get the most out of scouting. But when they are still in the throes of adultery (or whatever), it's unlikely that you're going to succeed in doing anything but preaching to the wall. Set advancement aside. Welcome the boy to every meeting he attends, and hopefully you'll see a sea change someday.

c21, You've been scammed! I have never had to pay for a youth in my crew who also wanted to be an ASM in a troop! We usually primary them with the troop and multiple them with the crew.

or if I go with him, which I really don't want to do as he is ready to be independent of mama and daddy tagging along. This is a common misconception among parents of adolescents. It's true we don't want a parent to be an imposing figure in the boy's age-appropriate interactions with his crew or troop. But we absolutely do need caring adults who will get to know us and the other youth in the unit and be physically present to help us think through situations like this. Having already contributed lots of time and money to an organization does not mean that I can go it alone, even though I have tremendous faith in myself and know I could go it alone. Even for a day. So if you conclude this guy is worth sticking with, let him know that you want to help him avoid this situation in the future. Why? Because you won't be the only mother of a 14 y.o. who needs to be sure their kids are in good hands!