RememberSchiff

In looking at alternative youth groups for my youngest son, I came across Dog Scouts of America. Good relief from uniform police, bsalegals, over-serious scouters, etc. And it is real! http://www.dogscouts1.com/ "It is the DOG that becomes a Dog Scout, so the individual at the loop end of the leash can be an adult or a child. We have programs for all ages!" "The nonprofit Dog Scouts of America was founded by Lonnie Olson in Michigan 14 years ago. It boasts more than 60 troops in 35 states, from California to Alabama to Vermont." The Dog Scout Parent's Motto: ``Our dog's lives are much shorter than ours -- let's help them enjoy their time with us as much as we can.'' Dogs wear a red neckerchief and cape with earned merit badges. They are developing a Junior Scout program which may interest my dog-loving, autistic son. 4-H is a possibility but most groups around here are focused on farm animals or horses. However 4-H here does run a dog summer camp program where a child takes his dog along to camp (try getting anywhere with that idea in the BSA). http://www.dogscouts1.com/Jr_Scout_Program.html Here's a recent news story. http://www.miamiherald.com/living/home/story/877441.html No trees were cut in this story though they may have been marked. I wonder if the highest rank is Beagle? Woof

Agreed. This was a "stalking horse". The media used this as a means to press the BSA National into responding to other questions. It worked. I have seen the results of selective (single tree) and patch cutting at two scout camps. The selective cut was less obvious and more profitable as these were prime hardwoods. The patch cutting looked traumatic (they always do), mostly hemlock and pine, money made there. Luckily, neither camps were cutting due to pest infestation but that will come. The only beefs that I had were lack of notice and coordination with scout conservation projects. Would have been great for a Forestry mb or Soil and Water mb field trip. I think most scouts think 2x4's come from Home Depot. Do any northern scout camps tap sugar maples? I don't know of any, but just point out another potential forest revenue stream.

"My Scouts are NOT paying Roy Williams salary" We all pay. http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/QAHearstmemoedited1-27-09.pdf page 2,6, 26 "The national council is funded through membership fees, investments, Scouting and Boys' Life magazine, sale of uniforms and equipment, and contributions of individuals." p5 - functions of National - sell program supplies (handbooks, merit badge pamphlets, badges...) and training courses. - administer high adventure areas (Philmont, Sea Base...) and national events (Jamboree) p26 councils "pay an annual service fee to national". (Good luck trying to find that amount in your council's annual report.)

Here is the official response http://scouting.org/filestore/pdf/QAHearstmemoedited1-27-09.pdf pages 10,11,24,25,26,27 address executive salaries By any comparison, say the smaller executive salaries of a larger youth organizations with growing membership or the President of the U.S., our National execs are overpaid. I did not like the spinning in this response, but most of all I am skeptical of the repeated statement (4x) that the BSA is the nation's largest youth organization. I believe both the Boys & Girls Club and 4-H are larger. A Scout is Trustworthy.

I'm old school and offer a contrary opinion. None. Scouter leaders should have YP, Safe Swim Defense, (come on, those are online, how easy is that) leader training, and First Aid BEFORE taking their unit to summer camp. At Summer camp, spend time outside with your scouts. Share their successes, see their smiles, console their losses, bandage their boo-boos, take photos, laugh, swat mosquitoes. Be there with your scouts. If that's not what you want, if you want training courses at summer camp - don't go to summer camp. You can yak with adults or look at flip charts, at Round Tables, Pack Committee, District training, etc. but don't lose out on scout summer camp. I would not miss one of my scouts taking his swim test or shooting or even artsy-fartsy at Handicraft. Sorry Scout Executive, but I can't make your fireside chat. I will be at a real campfire enjoying smores made by my scouts. my 2c

Not the patrol method, just a playground selection of teams without much leadership. Your scouts were shortchanged on this phony-Klondike, see if you can guide them to correcting this while winter is still here. The Roses and Thorns is a perfect opportunity to get them thinking about doing their own, Klondike the right way with sleds, etc. in the next two or three weeks. Maybe invite another troop. In the future, shop around and consider events from other Districts and maybe other councils. If other Districts are running better events, consider attending an out-of-district event instead or plan your own. My 2c, good luck

I think it would help recruiting and "peace of mind" if the details were clearly stated in writing on the joining application. Currently, there is no mention of this on the application and worse, the required joining Class 1 medical gives many the impression that medical insurance is required. Also, give parents a copy of the scout supplemental insurance policy that applies to their son during scouting activities.

In my council's training classes, I have been told that a family need not have health insurance coverage to be a participating BSA member, but I have yet to see that written anywhere, so this reply may not be worth much. The procedure explained in class was that in the event of injury during a scout activity, contact Council which then gives parents a HSR form to submit. HSR is Health Service Risk http://www.healthspecialrisk.com/ is an insurance underwriter in Texas, here is a link to the forms at their website http://www.healthspecialrisk.com/claim-forms.htm On their "Generic" Claim form, Part II Other Insurance Statement answer NO. Submit form. As I understand, the family is responsible for the $300 deductible. Last summer, we had two scouts and one adult without health insurance (and so stated on their Class 3) attend a week of Boy Scout camp. No activity restrictions were imposed. No accidents, all returned home healthy so no claim forms were submitted. I would like to read a written policy statement about this too. my 1c

Triangular bandages are commonly 37"x37"x52" or 40"x40"x56", so for a neckerchief to function as a triangular bandage, a larger size seems reasonable. As a scout in the 60's, my troop has a 32" square neckerchief which was adequate for bandaging scouts among other uses. I found this link regarding Canadian neckers http://scoutdocs.ca/Documents/Making_a_Necker.php scroll to bottom and you will see their three "proper sizes" for neckers.

This is stated awkwardly on page 2 of the NEW Local Tour Permit which has editable fields. I believe you can also submit online through your MyScouting account. http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/34426.pdf You likely completed an older version. I do not recall reading an official announcement. IMO the Local Tour Permit still needs a major rewrite.

Here's what I found www.scoutingalaska.org/uploads/ScoutExecChallenge.pdf How did I find this? Used a methodical internet search as opposed to a shotgun of keywords...and luck. 1. You read the article and know that he, Audun Mikkelson, is the Scout Executive of the Great Alaska Council 2. Google for Great Alaska Council http://www.scoutingalaska.org/ 3. On its homepage, click Search and enter the word Challenge 4. Select Scout Executive's Challenge webpage 5. This page has some info but scroll to bottom and click download Flyer and Tracking Sheet and you have above link

Too funny. Will RIT work on 100% nylon fabric? You may have more luck using an "acid dye" on supplex nylon fabric in that there should be less color washout in subsequent machine washings. Check Jacquard acid dyes. Their website has a forum for asking questions. Here's their color chart http://www.jacquardproducts.com/products/dyes/aciddye/colors.php Anyway my 2c, good luck.

Our pack and troop has rang, proudly in uniform and with Council knowledge, for Salvation Army for as long as I can remember. No complaints, just community gratitude. Wanna complain, then we are just scouts singing and ringing a bell. We start at Thanksgiving on thru Dec 23, no matter the weather. We neither collect money nor touch the kettle. People just put money in the kettle and a Salvation Army rep picks it up. This is what scouts do - we help other people. Merry Christmas, Peace on Earth and Goodwill.

The winner: Professor Randy Pausch for his "Last Lecture" http://tinyurl.com/55ukt2 Thank you for the inspiration you provided to your students and the world. You will be missed.

The larger font, an editable pdf, and getting ONE form are big improvements. I would prefer a one page, double-sided form with critical information appearing first for ER admission. You need parent/guardian and family physician upfront, not buried. I have seen too many "Who to contact" to be uninformed neighbors. Photocopy of insurance card should be on side 1. Instructions in how to fill out this form, weight charts, council photo permission, "grade completed" is clutter in a medical emergency. Learning disorders needs a separate section with room for more detail. My 2c

I found this from Sept, 2004 http://www.scoutingmagazine.org/issues/0409/d-news.html scroll down near bottom: "BOY SCOUT AGE CLARIFICATION The BSA National Executive Board has amended the rules and regulations to clarify that no boy may join Boy Scouting until he reaches the age of 10. Previously, the requirement stated that to be a Boy Scout a boy must have completed the fifth grade or be age 11 or have earned the Arrow of Light Award. The new requirement says he must have completed the fifth grade and be at least 10 years old or be age 11 or have earned the Arrow of Light Award and be at least 10 years old. The new clarification became effective May 15, 2004."

You are not obligated to take over another leader's den. If the sudden "added scouts" to your den is your main complaint, be aware as a volunteer den leader, you set the size of the den that you can handle. When "she" suddenly left, her ADL should have stepped up. If that did not happen, the CM should have convened a den parent meeting and recruited a new DL. Yes, we are here for the scouts but we can set our limits. Family first. Keep it simple, make it fun applies to us adult volunteers too.(This message has been edited by RememberSchiff)

Our council camps have no such requirements. We have been through uniform transitions before, I can't remember a camp or scout activity requiring the "latest" uniform. Some of us wore uniform shirts with collars, some had V-necks, and we all looked scout. So this seems a change in thinking or values, more marketing-sense driven than classic scout-sense driven. A scout is (or was) thrifty.

Maybe the City of Philadelphia will lease the building to a non-discriminatory youth group, like the Philadelphia Boy & Girls Club, for $1/yr.

When you see "other references" on a job application, college application, or Eagle application, do your chances a favor and think that other (adult) references is implied. Teachers, coaches, merit badge counselors, neighbors, and adult scout leaders. You have associated with adults as part of a Scout program method, so this should not be a problem. Good luck.

Liz, our unit also presents ranks badges, et al, at the next COH which are held more of less quarterly. We do this to teach scouts patience (we don't subscribe to the need for immediate "gimme" recognition), to give all plenty of time to adjust schedules (we have good attendance and participation at COH), and to give our Advancement Chairman time (less stress) to do his job. It has worked well for us. Immediate recognition is relatively new in scouting. My unit did not do it in the 60's - we waited until the next COH. Looking at my old scout handbook sixth edition, Nov, 1959. Regarding earning first class page 229. (after the board of review) ..."Soon after, at a troop court of honor, your Scoutmaster presents your First Class badge to you in front of your friends." So a scout waited sometimes a couple of weeks, sometimes a couple months...worth the wait. Also as Cub Scouts we typically waited that long to receive our awards at the next pack meeting. Like you said, this approach may not work well for other units but it works well for us. Some of us wait until Dec 25, for Christmas, some of us don't.

Sounds familiar - no supervision, no discipline - "Boys will be boys"... Look at other troops or Venture crews since you said the older scouts are frustrated, or consider starting a new unit. Stacked deck. Your chances of fixing the problem from within the unit are slim and will only add to your frustration. Good luck

Excuse the obvious question. Is your full name often misspelled or abbreviated? Have you seen a list of ALL who received training and you were definitely not on it? Usually in cases of "lost" records, many people are affected and you have not said this of your council. I am wondering if your information was electronically misfiled. I relate, for many years, my council listed me as Troop Committee and not ASM. Finally was fixed.

The units that I have served, have accepted donations with gratitude and without any drama. Often a donations jar is in place at the entrance for the spaghetti dinners. No complaints from Council execs who attended. Not asking for "scout discount" is just foolish, a scout is thrifty. Our council website lists businesses that offer scout discounts to scouts who are in uniform or show their BSA ID card. Eastern Mountain Sports offers a 20% "scout discount" to scouts twice a year.

A scoutmaster can suggest a merit badge counselor but a scout can go to any merit badge counselor in any council that he wants. An example of this is summer camp or merit badge university, the SM signs the blue card without knowing who the merit badge counselors will be.