RememberSchiff

7% growth in membership for Sea Scouts in Central Region using "outdated" course content to train adult leaders. Our Boy Scout Council has negative membership growth here using the "new" WB course content. Congratulations to Sea Scouts, Central Region.

Joni4TA, Long ago, one's commitment to scouting had to be firmly established BEFORE one could be "considered" for the Wood Badge course. One had to have been a SM or ASM for a considerable length of time usually to show that commitment was beyond one's own son's years as a scout. And you had to be voted in attend a WB course by current WBer's much like the OA still is. Not a perfect system, but I personally prefer it to the nearly open admission process that my council uses.

"...slashing trees and bushes with his pocket knife." Scoutmaster conference with the scout right then and there. Review knife safety and Outdoor Code. While reviewing these topics ask him indirect questions about the activity and work your way in. "Okay, we went over proper handling of your knife, how is your other gear working?" "Now I'm here to help, but so is the rest of the troop. Have they helped?" "This campout was planned to have fun. What has been fun on this trip? ...what could have been done better." "Now we need to come up with a plan for the rest of the campout." So indirect questions, you don't want to phrase it directly as "What is YOUR problem?" As direct questions then to have assumptions (e.g. blame) before you have obtained any information. Maybe he will quickly open up, maybe it it take more probing by asking further questions or another scoutmaster conference by a different adult. He may simply be having a mini-power trip with a new pocket knife, he may be very upset about something,... You may want to tear a corner of his Totin Chip card or take away his knife. Whether the situation turns around or not, I would mention this to his parents. "Your son wasn't a happy camper during the first half, we sat down and talked and 1. "things improved" 2. "we need some more work here" Hope this helps.

Well, if I can sugar-coat it. It is plain dumb that the Scouts own the dam even if the camp was given to them - ESPECIALLY in Pennsylvania. A state inspection done over 6 years ago identified the dam as a hazard and it has already breached. The Scouts own the dam...sounds eerie like another South Fork Dam / Lake Conemaugh / Johnstown Flood. How many gallons in Lake Stillwater? Supposedly, Lake Conemaugh had only 20 million gallons. How many live downhill of this Scout dam? Doesn't matter who benefits from the dam, the maintenance is the responsibility of the dam owner. So unless a hydro-electric/dam upgrade can be made where the dam would pay for it's own upkeep, unload the dam so the Scouts minimize their liability. Consider draining down the lake and then calling a Stillwater Lake community meeting. At that meeting, maybe show that excellent PBS episode on the Johnstown Flood (from David McCullough's book). Expect to pay a share of dam costs with those neighbors to the new dam owner. Spring rain is coming. No such thing as a free lunch.

Cheating seems more prevalent. I say "seems" as the cheating is in areas that are harder to prove, e.g. lubricants and axles, and there is little time or willingness to have a fair investigation. In my experience, the cheaters have been parents or grandparents and not scouts. As to the original question, a solution might be to reserve a hall and have scout/parent build and race on the same day. So early Saturday morning: handout the MARKED kits, have a builders workshop, check cars, then race. Many of the balsa sailboat regattas are done this way. Just wondering. Has anyone held a Pinewood Derby without awards? Do a weight and dimension check-in and forget about trying to verify components and lubricants. No times, no scores. Just races among the cars present. No declared winners or losers. No trophies or medals. Participants get a patch. Nothing to argue over or cheat about.

The original intent was to prevent individuals from profiting off the BSA, not hamstring fundraisers for units and scout service projects. When doing a scout service project, you are a scout and are encouraged to wear your uniform proudly in your service. Now about those Boy Scouts that sold war bonds during World War I and my scouts who ushered (collected money) during Scout Sunday service last month ...

His doctor and the Philmont medical staff makes the call. Sorry I don't have any answers for you but here are some questions to ask. 1. (As mentioned) What is the impact on his health if the device totally fails upon arrival? Does he not sleep or do crew members have to take turns monitoring his breathing during night? 2. Has he used this device successfully on a local group training treks? 3. How well does this device work at Philmont high elevations, i.e., Philmont is not at sea level? 4. Are the batteries a common off-the-shelf variety? 5. If traveling to Philmont by plane, has he had any problems transporting device on a plane. 6. How much noise does this CPAP make? Will it keep the rest of the crew up at night? Does it beep when to battery voltage is becoming low? 7. Size and weight of CPAP, batteries, mask, hose, and maybe backup CPAP.

As I understand as of 2008, Red Cross First Aid and CPR is no longer sufficient. At least one Philmont crew member must have completed WFA from a nationally recognized organization as stated in this link (found by Searching from the new scouting.org) http://old.scouting.org/philmont/2008firstaidrequirements.pdf I was an EMT and as mentioned, there is a the big difference in handling wilderness situations and resources. You won't have the big truck ( no backboard) and will likely have to direct others to handle patient care including clearing the spine and patient transport over miles of rugged terrain. Back in civilization, you may be able to get your patient to the ER within the "golden hour" but not in the wilderness, you will be providing patient care for hours maybe days. Just don't take any (the cheapest) course, make it worth your while. I would recommend that you take WFA through a Wilderness organization like SOLO, NOLS, or WMA, as the quality (instructor and course material) that I have seen is far better than those through the standard safety course providers (as you discovered thumbing through the Red Cross course book)! My WFA (SOLO) course was very hands-on outside, with four different accident scenarios. Also WFA is just 16 hours (an intense weekend), but you can go further with the longer and more intense WFR and WEMT courses. Note, CPR might not be included in all WFA courses, so you might have to take that separately. Shop around. Ask about the instructor's background, be bold and ask if any course instructors are EMT's or Paramedics? Try to get into their course. In my course, my instructor was a retired big city EMT and AMC group leader; three students were former EMTs or EMT/fireman - all felt they had learned much. I am not aware of a challenge course, there was a written test at the end of my WFA (SOLO) course. I too have been disappointed with the instructor quality from the group you mentioned. My scout troop takes CPR certification through the training resources of our local fire department and WFA through SOLO. Most MD's do not have Emergency Medical training, so if we are "playing medical cards", I think a RN trumps all. On one memorable EMT call, the attending ER doctor was a podiatrist, just picking up some extra dough by working a shift; he was not much help. Best ER personnel are the Army medics from the local base that sign on for a hospital shift. Rambled a bit, hope this helps.

Thanks for making this film to address this problem. Not many scouts in my unit do merit badge work outside of summer camp. Great opening with video game as it quickly draws attention. Good composition and production. Good humor, like the eye chart and stuffed animals in the vet's office and the music was well selected. I had some questions: 1. Why did you select a fictional merit badge? Why not work on a real merit badge like Cinematography and earn it at the COH? 2. What did you cut from your film? Did you have a time/size limit restriction on your film? 2a. Will you append the COH ceremony in a special Director's cut edition? 3. What video editor did you use? How much work when into making your 6 min film? 4. No preview of coming attractions? What can we expect next from Atomic Entertainment Industries? Maybe "Starting an Eagle Scout project?" 5. Looks like I have to create a Youtube account next. Well done.

Good topic. Hopefully, we are informed beings with free will, conscience, and duty to others. I teach my scouts that a good leader understands and can explain the reasons for his rules and if you decide to go against the rules you too will be asked to explain your reasons. There is responsibility and accountability on both sides. Judgment building is an exercise for both leaders and followers. These came to mind and some overlap yours. Rn1. Rules are clearly posted for all to see. Ignorance is no excuse. (Local Tour permits come to mind) Rn2. Imperfect rules are better than no rules. (Guide to Safe Scouting) Rn3. Following the rules may make you "uncool" but they build character. Rn4. Follow me. Jn1. Who knew? Show me where it is stated and by whom?(Again, local tour permits) Jn2. Imperfect rules are in flux. Sometimes they apply, sometimes they don't. Rules in flux don't sound like rules so ignore them. Jn3. Breaking the rules involves punishment, but you felt it was right thing to do and built character as a result. Jn4. Don't blindly follow. Think first.

From back in May, 2005 http://www.maine.gov/tools/whatsnew/index.php?topic=housedems+news&id=7037&v=Article The point here - it took a child's death to permit common sense in dealing with allergies. This tragedy occurred at a YMCA camp. AUGUSTA The Maine House of Representatives Thursday supported a measure proposed by Rep. Chris Barstow, D-Gorham, to allow children at summer camp to carry emergency medications in order to self-administer the live-saving drugs in an urgent situation. The bill builds upon Barstows successful effort during the last legislative session to allow students to carry asthma inhalers in school. The proposal approved today allows children at summer camps to carry any emergency medication required, not only asthma inhalers. Barstow submitted the bill in part due to the death three years ago of a 14-year-old Massachusetts boy who was unable to use his inhaler while at a summer camp in New Hampshire. The inhaler was locked up at a nurses station and the camper, Jovahny J. Ortiz, of Lawrence, Mass., had lost his spare inhaler. Maine has one of the highest rates of childhood asthma in New England, and this bill will make sure our children have access to the medications they need when they need them, Barstow said. By increasing access to these medications we are taking steps to prevent any needless tragedies. There are more than 129,000 people in Maine who live with asthma, and about 30,000 of them are children younger than 14, according to the Maine Asthma Prevention and Control Program. Maine children are more likely to live with asthma than children in other New England states. Approving this bill brings Maines laws closer to those of other New England states. Following Ortizs death, New Hampshires legislature enacted two separate laws to allow campers to carry inhalers and epinephrine pens. Massachusetts has a similar law.

Back in the 60's...our Neighborhood Commissioner (weren't called District Commissioner yet) would monitor the program quality. How did anyone know that your troop was running a scout program? Your unit Neighborhood Commissioner said so. A visit my him would entail: - Inspection of facility using check sheet. - Inspection of troops and adult leaders using uniform sheet - Attendance check by patrol and he wanted to hear a patrol cheer. - Inspection of troop records - membership, attendance, program schedule, advancement, and bank account(very important!). - Talk with Troop Committee, COR, SM. - Talk with scouts. - Enthusiasm. He was a ball of energy. He was keen getting scouts to attend camporee, Klondike Derby, summer camp and Philmont. He would lead a song or two at the end of the meeting. Maybe challenge a patrol to do a skit - a new skit. - World of Scouting. For me, he was a link to the wider world of scouting beyond my troop. He was my contact for Philmont and CIT. - Experience. He had it, more than our adult leaders. Lead by example. - Handout of any council/district info. I can't remember if our district had Round Table and maybe that's a big difference like doctors making house calls (which was still true then too). Our Neighborhood Commissioner came to us, we knew him. At the end of the meeting, he gathered us for a little campfire - talked about scouting values and how we are doing. He would give us our total inspection score (complete with drama) and advice like this gem - "I want to see more scout handbooks ...OPEN scout handbooks". Our Scoutmaster minutes usually improved in subsequent meetings. He would do this twice a year - Oct/Nov after new scouts joined and in Feb usually around Scout Week, at which time we were expected to have "improved" over the Oct/Nov inspection. The carrot was simply a flag ribbon and pride. My troop was average - some years we earned the ribbon some years not or we earned some minor consolation ribbon. The stick, good question? Maybe re-charter was made more interesting for an under-performing troop. Don't see this today.

The "Story of Akela and Mowgli" is in the Cub Scout Wolf Handbook (at least the edition I used a couple of years ago). Pages 8-13 in the Parent Guide after Youth Protection. Parents are suppose to read and sign.

The National website scouting.org appears updated, though Search still does not work for me. Nice to see a "Guideline for using Cannons", as I have sensed a less-than-manly artillery gap between my troop and other troops with a full field artillery unit. Remember we are not a military unit nor are we to wear military-like uniforms unless we are, of course, Sea Scouts. http://scouting.org/HealthandSafety/Alerts/cannons.aspx

The sixties - equal but separate, benign neglect, civil rights movement,... Was there a National/Council/Troop segregation or integration policy? Segregation existed. There were Negro troops (the term "black" was not used yet). I was a young teenager in Jersey. Negro or black boys, some who were members of our CO church, would visit our troop meetings. They received a friendly greeting from us scouts, after all, they were our friends from school and we needed membership. None joined. Their families were strongly discouraged by our adult leaders. Blatant racism? I doubt it, maybe the more subtle, practical kind that produces the same results. I recall these reasons why blacks were turned away - the troop goes places that were not open or "safe" for blacks, e.g., swimming pools and the Y ; the troop was very concerned about attacks (from outsiders?)if it integrated. Parents certainly had fears '...Look at the Phillies, which white player did Richie Allen punch this week?' If integration wasn't working for the Phillies..., not that it mattered whether a white player started the fight. I came across this: "Black Boy Scouts" the Frederick Douglas District, Here's the link http://www.amrain.com/boy_pages/1.htm Scroll down the left column and look at Post-war era and Integration. Interesting reading - separate scout camps, black scouts being told not to wear the uniform, fights over council patches with Confederate themes.

As to the original questions, if I may paraphrase: 1. I agree there is often an over-emphasis on uniform and advancement methods and an under-emphasis on leadership and patrol method. Guess which methods are harder to teach. 2. Easiest judge of our success? Well, just look at your scouts how are they doing? (trick question, even experienced leaders have a hard time evaluating this). If you want a metric, try a competitive scout activity like a Klondike Derby look at how they scored for scout spirit, skills, teamwork, did they have fun,... 3. Neither a sharply full uniformed troop nor a troop with high advancement rate is necessarily doing a better job than anyone else. 4. For me, the uniform is not needed for character and leadership development as we don't wear the Class A uniform during outdoor activities. Identity is not an issue as we know who and what we are. Identifying us to others is an issue which leads to your next question. 5. Is the uniform more important for the development of the scout or for advertising scouting? Hmmm, you can be a great scout without the uniform so I would say the uniform is more important in advertising scouting. Is that bad? I don't think so. Scouting is too invisible these days.

Gotta agree. Planning, communication, and delegation are difficult skills for scouts to acquire. If you are not short-handed and the activity is in a fixed area, say meal preparation at a campsite, try this 1) SPL picks a standing (not sitting) spot from where he can see and direct. 2) draw a 3' circle about that spot. Not too large, not too small. 3) He can't leave the circle. He can call people to him but he cannot leave the circle unless it is an emergency or it is now time to eat. 4) No one can be in the circle with him for more than 30 seconds. So no hanging with the SPL, everyone works.

In Boy Scouts, we want a boy-run troop where the boys take on this responsibility. You want Option #2. When a patrol is meal planning, the question should be asked upfront "Do we have any diet restrictions?" - be they allergy, religious, medical, or "I just won't eat broccoli". Note my son has a nut allergy and carries an epipen just in case. So far, he has three incidents with the troop - all due to adult supplied food - brownies, cookies, and moose-something ice cream, i.e. "snacks I made for the boys...oh I didn't know". Yeah, real fun going to the ER. At the Cub Scouts, this is an adult responsibility, but now at Boy Scouts, I have told my son that he has to take responsibility for himself and his patrol. He should be asking questions and checking the ingredients. "You mean I can't trust adults to do this?" Wow, talking about the facts of life already. As a troop, get trained in first aid response for allergic reactions in particular anaphylatic shock. Consider carrying epi-pens and Benadryl (antihistamine) in first aid kit. And of course, you should have current Class 3 medical forms for all scouts. Nuts and "traces of nuts" are in just about everything. On a Maine trip, we found out the hard-way that hot dogs are commonly grilled in peanut oil. No warning sign and I didn't "think" to ask. Yeah you can't trust adults. For summer camp, inquire ahead of time if there is a nut-free table(s) in the mess hall. At summer camp, my son eats at the other end of the hall while I enjoy my only PB&J of the year. Be aware there are other food allergies, I had one scout who was allergic to watermelon! I would add to the Scout Law, that a Scout is "observant" or "watchful", and follow the Scout Motto "Be Prepared". Hope this helps.

Pedro and Pee Wee Harris Extreme Beach Volleyball?

The uniform method is a useful tool. But I have successfully delivered the scout program without the uniform method, in fact so stated,'You are expected to be scouts whether you are wearing the uniform or not'. So if the "uniform" is keeping away boys, units should consider alternatives. I have never seen a "fitting in" problem at a scout gathering. Envy of custom t-shirts, ball caps, and those damn sneakers that they should not be wearing - yes, "scout uniform" envy - no. Not like the old days... my scouts are rather indifferent about patches; it is the adults who are collecting them.

Sounds like our Professional Scouters are experimenting with uniform options like other WOSM's...Canada and UK come to mind. Canada http://www.scouts.ca/inside.asp?cmPageID=365 UK (probably better links out there) http://www.scoutshops.com/ Prep school or business casual? Well at least their scouts are wearing a neckerchief (unless they are wearing a tie). Less expensive, less sewing/gluing of patches too. (Patches go on sash). Hmmm ...wonder if it's helping?

Why? Scouting has certainly become more invisible.

I dunno. When I browse various council, even the National website, I see photos of scout execs wearing coat and tie so I guess the uniform must be too expensive or is that the new uniform? Our Council has a staff photo page and only one scouter is wearing the uniform. But, then again, the uniform is optional.

As I read the initial posting, the AOL Crossover has not happened yet. If you state an option "receive AOL at the next Pack meeting, but probably no ceremony." It informs the parents of the consequences. They may 1) reconsider and join ceremony, which is where we are trying to steer them. 2) or a response - 'WHAT NO CEREMONY, what do you mean no ceremony? My boy deserves no less ... ' Then sternly but courteously say "Many people have worked long and hard to produce this important ceremony for our scouts, their families, and the Pack. Printing, hall rental, food catering, decoration, entertainment, scheduling Troop representatives and other guests, not to mention getting that bridge down from the attic of the police station and setting it up...all of this planned and communicated in advance. We are disappointed that you and your son have decided not to attend. Now if you want a ceremony at your convenience, say the next pack meeting, YOU do all the work. Make sure your ceremony meets your expectations. The only exceptions that Committee will consider are medical or family emergency..." Good luck getting the Web2's to return for a second ceremony. Seems harsh...but this is nonsense we don't need.

My advice, having been there 1. It is unlikely that any scheduled time will fit all, afterall it is flu season, so you "do your best" (Cub Scout motto). How many can attend the announced date? Seem a good number, then run as scheduled. If the attendance looks slim, then reconsider. 2. Don't question a parent's decision to attend another activity. That's a lose-lose situation. I have had parents opt to attend Ice Capades because they suddenly had tickets, basketball because they were suddenly in the playoffs,...whatever, their choice. May not make any sense to us, but we are not in their shoes. 3. Tell parents they have a choice of plan B's - receive AOL at next pack meeting (probably no ceremony) - attend AOL and crossover with another pack (ceremony) - receive AOL with troop (maybe at Court of Honor, talk with SM) - other ideas? 4. Most important, relax. Don't get stressed over this.