ScoutBox

During Day "0", after participants register, we have them go in to the dinning hall, and make a Para cord bracelet. I then made everyone in my Patrol a colored bracelet with a hand carved WB bead to close it..

Have to agree. Gifts aren't needed. We didn't give our TG a gift when I went through. But we did but the first letter of her name in our Totem. Last year when I staffed, the Patrol I was TG for didn't give me anything. But I did get gifts from a few other patrols. I know that gifts can go way over board. And they do. I made gifts for my Patrol as Staff. And my TG gave us a Critter bead. We again got three critter beads on a thong from our SPL last course. We gave loads of gifts to one another as Staff. and got the SM/CD a very nice gift. But I suggest that if you want to give a gift, then make something. Try not to buy anything.. Something I though was a kool gift I received was a coin shaped piece of Birch wood with the Patrol's Totem on it..

Base, congrates.. now continue scouting. I loved my course, and loved staffing last year. I was asked to staff again this year and can't wait. I had a great experience. But I have two patrol mates that didn't. n fact, one has now backed out of his Pro Scouting job. He was beaded, but didn't invite anyone to it. The other never finished, and I along with our TG, and CD have e-mailed called, and asked about him monthly. I hope you try to look past what ever negative experience you had. I would like to know like i read above, how it was for others in your Patrol, and Course. How the Staff saw it?? I don't live even in the same country as my Patrol mates. Our distance hasn't been a factor against the time I had, and my relationship with my Patrol and course mates. We talk via Facebook, and we work together on different Council and District Projects, and camps. I know many like to throw stones at WB or the new WB course. Well, I say take the course, and learn from it. If you think you know it all, then your either already a fool or your just waiting for the wool to be pulled out from over your eyes.. I came from a military background, and business. But WB has opened my eyes to many things. I learned even more when I staffed last year. People here can't wait to go to the course, and many more only wish to get to Staff. Those who do go and staff are some good people. Some are bad but many are great.. and the great ones keep coming back for training, events, camping etc.. and their boys usually do the same here. Again congrates, I know your making a difference in your Unit. Keep making that difference, and use this as a learning experience. If you get the chance to Staff, take it.. Your the future for the program, and you can make it better for others.. COuld you tell us which Council your in. I am interested is knowing.. Your story althougt not finished has been interesting to read.

Sorry to hear you got passed over. I was asked this week. I haven't decided yet to go or not. Money is the problem. And I don't know if my son can also go.

Training others sure helps to learn old skills again.

Agreed... I've meet several Eagle Scouts that have either forgotten, or were Helo'd and don't know. In fact some of the worst Scouters I have see are young Eagles just crossing over to Adult Positions. Although these are very few. But they have made an impact onto my memory. My IOLS Course we had a young man who had scouted his whole life, was AOL, and Eagle, and he was the one doing the most stupid things. Another Eagle (Helo'd) I know him, went to WB, and didn't finish but one goal on his Ticket. I think that waiting a few years in life would be best for many. Then getting back into Scouting, and learning again. Took me 22 years after moving out of the house with my parents before I got back involved. Due to my son. I needed that time to learn, and grow. But this is my perspective.

I'm still waiting a response from my DE about if IOLS is required in my Council.. Last year before the change on the Tour Plan, I was told it is required. Now no one knows..

WOW.. Loads to read here. I do have a question about IOLS. On this new Tour Form, there is no mention of IOLS needed for at least one adult to bring his troop or patrol out camping. Has this changed from before, when I was told that you needed at least one IOLS Trained leader to go camping? I ask because my troop doesn't know, and we have two older Scouters who are working with our newly formed Venter Patrol and they are planning on a High Adventure outing this summer outside of normal Troop Camp.

There is mention William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt on page 120. Talks about his writing the book, Baden-Powell, The Two Lives of a Hero. Page 210, National Training Centers and Wood Badge, just speaks a bit about the first Course, and some of the Wood Badge regalia, and items.

Congrates Bear Dad.. Bobwhite Scoutbox!

Bart, I have a lot of years wearing clothes in the Outdoors, starting with my carrier in the Army, and getting so wet that it took days for cold wet BDU pants to dry, and my last 15 years hiking and working int eh outdoors. I understand what you mean about tough clothes. I wear light weight in the Spring summer, Wools in the fall winter, and G-Tex pants in the cold wet /snowy winter months. I don't allow anyone I travel outdoors with hiking, camping to wear jeans.

@BartH. Jeans are first too heavy, and the cotton material make then horrible for outdoor activities. They hold on to dampness, and are cold to wear in winter. I think that you just need to get proper clothing for the bike ridding, and wear shorts or scout pants with your Scout Uniform. I love the Centennial Switchbacks for outdoor activities. I have even worn them on very long hicks over several days and find they work very well. The newer pants I don't like so much. The pockets are in the wrong place, and the material is a bit delicate.

I'll tell you this. The new shirt and pants are light weight, and not made for wearing in the WInter. The shirt is comfortable, and was great to have last SUmmer Staffing Woodbadge. But the pants are to fragile. First time I wore them I was walking through the forest, and after that short hike the pants were left ruined with small bits of materiel pulled out..

I got myself a pair of grey trousers while I was in the States last month. But I was thinking about something I had heard.

I wish they would just use the stitchback design, and make them in grey..

I have heard that there will be a new trouser being brought out for the Venturing uniform. Does anyone have any more information about this?

You don't need the syllabus. Just go, and enjoy. Sure there are some who have a hard time in the course. It does bring the good, the bad, and the ugly out of people. Even the Staff. The SM signs a letter saying that he will not put the course out there to the public. And he will stick to the course guide. The subject matter, time line, etc.. I went without looking too deep into it. I went because a few people I meet at my IOLS Course were so cool that I just had to have more. I have been lucky. I've Staffed, and have been asked to Staff again. The perception of every person who attended the course is different. The break down of the Participants into patrols is a serious conversation. Lot's of man /woman hours goes into preparation, Staff Development. Menus, materials, location, which staff members would be best to teach which classes, etc.. I think that if someone doesn't get anything from the course, didn't put anything into it. Your that person who will not be asked to come back and Staff in the future. In fact you'll probably be the guy/gal who isn't invited to any functions in the future. This is a great chance to meet other Scouters. Share ideas. The course is a giant mirror where you get to see your real character. Many hide behind a mask, this course pulls the mask off. Sure, many go there with loads of experience and leadership. But thinking that you already know it all is the first mistake. That's another reason why each course has several participants attending who went to the old course. They are willing to learn more, gain new ideas. I had to drive 8 hours to my course. In fact, the closest participants only had to travel 45 mins. we had people fly in from Texas, California, Kuwait. everywhere. If you want it, if you love scouting, you'll find the time to do it, I say go for it. You will only regret it if you don't. Sure there are those who think they'll get nothing out of it. again see above. Sure there are sometimes Staff members who make you think twice. But in the end it's what you put into it. The old question that keeps being hashed out here is weather the old course is better then the new one. Well I'll never know, I didn't get to go to the old course, I wasn't Scouting then. SO as far as I know this one is the best one. And you won't know unless you give it a try.

Base, I find that that's one of the biggest problems with split weekend course. With the 6 day course you get to bond, and are forced to work harder I find. It does seem that the problem above was the Staff. I have never seen this problem before. But I'm staffing again next year, so one never knows?

Just another reason why I think my Council's Curse is tops. Once a year, all of the course material is located in a the same location. Very experienced Staff. The 6 day version of the Course, not the broken weekend version. And, the people attending the course are serious Scouters. Never heard anyone who completed the course and completed their ticket complain. But have seen people attend the course who shouldn't have. None of them finished their Ticket. You get out of it what you put into it. GO there with not expectations, and don't try to read up on the course too much before going. That way you get the best experience possible. Keep a good attitude, and remember why you went there. If you have no vision you'll find out soon enough.

chaoman45, it's obvious that you didn't push yourself to develop a strong ticket. We didn't let participants write easy tickets, but tickets that respected the vision of the participant, and that would help develope scouting in their area. I though my ticket was going to be easy when I wrote it, but it still took me 6 months to finish.

Advisers... We had our SPL cancel at the very last moment, so a former SPL stepped up to do the job. He is a very good scouter, and great guy.

rhol, You are now a member of Troop 1, Gilwell. You are a member of the Troop until you finish your ticket, or your 18 months expire. But you can wear the necker if you want. I was told that as a Staff member I am still part of Troop 1 until the Troop has all finished their Tickets. As for wearing the Taupe Scarf, and leather woogle, you can wear it, but I tend to only wear it at ceremonies, like CoH, and WB Beadings. I've only worn mine three or four times I think since I got beaded early this year. first time was my beading ceremony, second was a troop CoH, third was an Eagle BOR. third was during course, last day I think it was. I tend to wear my unit's necker, and I still use my WB turk's head. or I wear just the beads alone. Depends. I know on my course there were several former course directors on staff as advisors and they didn't wear their 4 beads. only the CD/SM wore those on course. I think you earned them and should be proud of it. Don't shy away from wearing them, but you know you earned them so It's no big deal to wear them or not.. Congrates on your finishing your ticket.

What Change from Tradition? Beaver Bobwhite Eagle Fox Owl Bear Buffalo Antelope Raven Squirrel! I think some Councils are using Critters that are more common in their area too. The Squirrel Critter I know is from WB course that were held in Spain. And I know of courses that were so large that they used all of the Critters, so they had to. I know in my council we have the course once a year, and use a min. amount of 30. but this year we were expecting up to 50 participants. At the end, things heated up in the middle east, and many participants had to go away. We even had Staff who couldn't make it. so things got changed around at the last minute. We have a heavy amount of military in your Council, so we have to be flexible.

I think that the SPL has decided, and you should support that. On the other hand, I suggest you have contracts like I've seen with many troops, where a boy must not only agree and sign, but get his parents to support his duties. then if he doesn't follow the program, then not count the leadership position towards advancement.. We are about to have Patrol Elections in a few weeks. The New SPL attended NYLT this Summer, and is ready to go.. We will let him make his own mind up, and run with his decisions. 6 months is the next SPL Elections, so the boys will decide how well he is doing.

Funny you said that. I Staffed this Summer, and the first day we sang Gilwel, there was a WBer who's critter is a Squirrel. They use them in the course held where he's from. Also our CD dropped three critters so we have added Ravens, Buffalos, and Antelopes to the Council.. so no Bobs, (Sad for me), Eagles, and Foxes..