beaver1onit

We just got a new trailer 3 weeks ago, that we purchased through Wells Cargo. The best thing the troop did,all our equipment is in one place,just hookup and go. One thing you should do is check with other troops that have one and see what worked and what didn't. Our trailer is 10'long x 6'wide x 6 1/2' high with dual back doors,side door,single axel with electric brakes,LED lighting,stone guard,spare tire,flush side venting and 3/8 plywood lineing. We are putting steel baker racks in 6'high x 4'long 18''deep. We also solicited donations from local business and will list them as supporters on the trailer. Check it out and see what works best for your troop. What its costing you to rent space for a year you could almost have half the trailer paid for.

I want to thank all of you for your input. I too have been copying the post. Training is the whole ball of wax and without it your scouting experience can be very diffcult. Luckily my district has been keeping good training records and the training chairman updates them 2 or 3 times a year, we then see what cub and scout leaders are trained, also the ones who are not. The district training committee has training available two or three times during the year but you still get a few who will not take the time and the boys suffer for it. I myself will be going back thru cub training next month because of all the changes coming next year.The new books are really neat. The change was long over due.

There are a lot of good opinions on the subject. The one thing everone forgot what we were taught in training AIMS & METHODS of scouting. The program works if you give it a chance. YES!! it takes time time to sit with the PLC to work on a program that works for your troop. You are not giving the boys the full benefit of the program.The program has been tried and tested and it works. It seems like the path to Eagle has to be a smooth path without any bumps. A merit badge is suppose to be a personal thing one on one,if done in a group setting most boys will sit back and let a few do the work and just slide by. We are trying to teach the boys life skills etc. how to make a phone call,how to talk with adults,be responsile for the work,show up on time etc.this will not happen in a group setting. Why must some people try and change the program to fit their needs. I know there are a lot of block heads that have been around a long time and won't change no matter what.

I really opened up a can of worms with my question.(looking at the the replies in the last 24 hours) The reason I asked the question was that I am the district commissioner for my district and I have been visting units with my unit commissioners doing spot checks. I just observe and let my unit commissioner do his thing. I have seen 5 or 6 boys ages 12 to 14 with 15 to 20 merit badges.(all the same) It seems that these troops have turned into merit badge mills,to me the boys are missing the true boy scout program. This is where training the adult leaders comes into to play. I should say not all the troops run this way about 25% (have visted 17 units this year as of Sept.) This will be a hot topic at my next district commissioners meeting.(training and troop program)

How many troops do merit badges as part of there meeting time?? I feel that should not be done but it is.