benny

I am a relatively new member to this forum and I enjoyed finding new ideas and resources to help in my position as scoutmaster. However the recent postings on this site have taken the form of personal attacks and accusations. What happened to the idea that the adult leaders are to serve as role models for the boys? Being a role model should encompass more than just when the boys are present. Personal attacks serve no benefit to anyone. I am glad to see so many people that are so involved in scouting and take such an interest in it to express their ideas and thoughts. It seems that we owe a little respect to other people's viewpoints and realize that not all people share the same viewpoints. Can you imagine a world where everyone shared the same views? I am curious to see if there is a way to respond to other people's views without taking it so personal.

One other source for information: http://www.troop67.org/y_duties.htm

Ok One more, Cub scout father and son outing. Dad brought a metal can of charcoal lighter fluid to the outing. Used up all the fluid trying to get his fire going and then threw the can into the trash. At the end of the night decided to burn the trash. Took the same bag of trash and threw it on the fire. Recognized empty lighter fluid can in the fire and tried to pull it out. Can went off like a shotgun blast. Luckily no one got hurt and the fire extinguished itself.

I guess I understood that two deep leadership (two registered leaders or one registered and the parent of one of the other scouts)was a requirement in the Guide to Safe Scouting. In our district at least the Youth Protection training is required.

No problem sctmom. There are plenty of Dad stories as well. How about a trained leader and eagle scout who decided that the foam mattress that he had was a little used and decided to throw it on the campfire as we were breaking camp and setting off a tremendous black cloud from the resulting flame over the entire camp. Or how about a winter camp where the leader was unprepared and jumped into his car and strted it every 1/2 hour or so to stay warm. Both male adult leaders. I have other stories which are probably not suitable for print.

With all of the patriotism that has been shown over the last year I see a lot of worn out flags being displayed. I was considering a drive to collect worn out flags in our area and then conduct a flag retirement ceremony at our next outing. I have seen a couple of ceremonies on the web but I was wondering are there any guidelines for the bsa?

What we do is usually get thje boys to talk. Either about their awards or campouts, whatever. The parents really appreciate listening to what we did from the mouths of the scouts.

Maybe I'm spoiled by the ladies that we have in our troop that help out. They don't interfere with letting the boys be boys. When it gets late at night around the campfire they will sometimes back off and sit in a seperate circle and talk. To me it's a matter of how much you want them involved. I have spoken to the them about giving the boys their time and they accept that. I would much rather have them assist than some of the men in our troop. By the way... when we go it doesn't matter who is with us, we still get all the body noises and we never leave a tree in want of water

I understand the merit badge requirements. I was interested in how to structure the time for such a program.

There is a one year time limit from the time of the receipt of the card and starting on the requirements to the completion of the merit badge.

I have one of our parents that has registered as a merit badge counselor for first aid and is willing to do training and testing to our troop. Is there anyone that knows of a syllabus and possibly a test that would help him achieve his goal? Thanks.

"Well, sometimes the men and boys might be around the campfire, and they might be talking about things that the moms shouldn't hear."!! Maybe I'm wrong on this one. I am the SM in our troop and I would not allow these conversations anywhere on scout functions. I know the boys will tell them in their tents but not where the adults are present. Our role as role models does not fit with this statement. We do allow the women in our troop to attend our outtings. I do, however, tell them to be cautious about correcting the scouts and also that we do not allow a parent to correct their own child unless it is a matter that needs addressing immediately. The boys do not have a problem with this.

Your situation is one very similar to ours. Our troop is only three years old. When we first started we had a large group (16) fifth graders and 1 or 2 seventh graders who had little scouting experience. We started off without any senior patrol leaders until the second year when the seventh graders showed a little more maturity. The first year there was more adult direction and then we backed off as they caught on to the program. It's working great now but the training particularly for the adults was a key. Good Luck.