Sentinel947

I like what he said about minorities and immigrants. Most of our white people demographic has had the opportunity to be a Scout. They know what Scouting is. Obviously we want to keep that option available to them. Inner city and immigrants are an area where Scouting can grow, but we have to give them the same program the country and suburb kids get. Being outdoors, with their friends, doing fun things. Not stupid ideas like the "improved Scouting program."

Thanks for the input! Please make a post in the new poster area and introduce yourself! Welcome to the virtual campfire. Sentinel947

Wow. Moosetracker was a valued member here. She made a tremendous difference on this forum and in the lives of countless Scouts. I'll keep you, your mother, and your family in my prayers. Thanks for letting us know. Best thing I've seen is for Scouts and Scouters to attend services in uniform. Sentinel947.

So cooperation is inherently communist? Strange world we live in today.

The point is to show you can win by mutual cooperation, instead of thinking about yourself or your small group.

Aye, but if every team tries to win all they can, everybody gets negative points. You may have less negative points than another team, but I don't see how you can win with negative points.

Post approved. Understand that your DE is your go to guy here. Most of us do not work for the BSA. Caveat emptor.

Rest up. Glad you're doing well.

My staff did a wonderful job with this game. We all learned the lessons we were supposed to. This game is controversial, it takes a good staff to pull it off. Our staff started off with big posters. "WIN ALL YOU CAN!!!!." At maybe round 4 or so they started going around with the posters shouting, "YOU CAN ALL WIN!" Overall the point of the game is to make us analyze the themes of being trustworthy, mutual cooperation vs individual needs, and most importantly, how do we define success? In Scouting, everybody can win.

Agreed, I didn't think to consider that.

@@Eagledad and @@Stosh Obviously I do listen to their questions. There are two extremes we should be wary of. Webelos 3 style adult leaders are just as counterproductive as the no support sink or swim style. I've been at this game for a few years. I've gotten some practice in when they need my help vs them needing to figure it out themselves.

My favorite lines. "What do you think?" "What do YOU want?" Capitals as emphasis. "You're the boss." (to the PL or SPL.) "Have you asked your PL?" "Have you asked your SPL?" "Have you asked your patrol?" to PLs. I actually have a story from a few months ago. The SPL and ASPL were discussing something for the weekend camping trip. They come up to me, and ask their question. (I forget what it was.). I reply. "I dunno, what do you two think?". The ASPL turns to the SPL and says. "I told you that's what he'd say!!!" Good times...Good times. Sentinel947

I'd wait. Let things play out. The Church will either say yes, or they'll say no. If your Troop is more of a community troop, than they'll probably say yes. (Community=they don't restrict the troop to just church members.)

It's a big decision for them. Essentially the Troop is one of their youth groups. It's a big step for them to have a non-member effectively become a youth minister.

I'd say WFA is a good idea if a Crew/ Troop plans to do trips that are outside of prompt medical help. (Think hours instead of minutes.) Otherwise... summer camp, regular troop outings, simply do not require that level of training. It's an absurd waste of leaders time and money to take WFA for situations that a shorter, cheaper course would be more than sufficient for.

I would opine that we are not useless. We just don't directly lead. Our Scouts do. We coach, and guide them. We listen to them. I think we make a much more positive impact on their lives that way. I just happen to spend my time observing, from my chair, with a good book or homework(curse you college!). I check in with the SPLs and PLs as requested or if things go off the rails.

Baby steps. How do you eat an Elephant? One bite at a time. With an already established Troop, you can't do this transition in one fell swoop. If you're interested, PM me. My Scoutmaster and I (ASM) have been encouraging this transition in our Troop, and we're about a year and half ahead of you in the process. I'd be happy to share what I've learned, as I'm sure others will have some insight into it as well. I think one of the users with Eagle in there name is about to start this in his own unit. You two should compare notes often. I know @@MattR is also somewhere in the same stage of the process as I am. Good luck. We're here to help, and remember, it's about and for the boys. Sentinel947

I think looking at tents is treating a symptom, not a cure. From my understanding, they were camped about 20 feet higher than the creek in question, but the storm was upstream, and sent a wall of water downstream. Communications between Base camp and the closest camp, Metcalf Station, were spotty due to the power loss. There was actually two floodings that occurred that night. One hit the staff camp known as Ponil. The Ponil creek overflowed and ripped the directors cabin off the foundation. He awoke to the cabin sliding, and broke a window to make his escape. Luckily, the building hit a tree, and was held there. The other was in North Ponil Canyon, which despite the name, is what most of us would call a Valley. Everything is bigger out West I suppose. Rain and hail hit Metcalf Station, knocking out power, and sending a wall of water down the creek when the hail melted, since the ground was already saturated. Staff at Metcalf station lost all of their possessions in the flooding there. Unfortunately the lad from California was killed as well. Philmont needs to review it's procedures, but I think ultimately this event was unusual. Philmont has received this much rain since the 1960's. I went through that area a week and a half after the events. It was incredibly humbling to view the devastation. I saw their ranger too. He had a great reputation with our ranger. Probably blamed himself a bit, you could just see it written all over his face. Sentinel947

The CBS article posted is consistent with recollections told to me by various staff members at Philmont this summer. Schiff, I highly doubt they'll ban zipper tents. Philmont's current policies do not allow the kind of tents you describe. Something to do with hantavirus and keeping out the critters that carry them.

Having been to Philmont and met staff involved, there are some differences in this conversation. If I get the chance, I'll share what I was told. I cannot verify if my info is more accurate. I'll try to get back to this thread when I have time.

Back to Gilwell tomorrow!

Sports scholarships is almost as big of a lie as saying that having Eagle on your applications is going to get you into college or score a job.

I'm a college student graduating in May of 2016.

I hold back the puke too, because it's a circumstantial benefit. Promoting it as gospel is effectively a lie. Some HR folks and college administrators will look on it highly, and others don't care.

I've seen them make fried chicken before. They say it was really good but it was one heckuva mess to clean.