Sentinel947

BP, did you mean to post that in this thread? Seems more appropriate in the adding a 9th method. I can move it there if you'd like.

Huh?

I have a Scout like that in my unit. Eventually I'll be pushing him to start taking some of the bigger leadership positions like Patrol Leader, Guide or Quartermaster, but it's a delicate balancing act. I'm glad he has enthusiasm for Merit Badges, and I want him to have that enthusiasm while getting engaged in other aspects of the program.

That being said, camping with the troop two weekends ago, it got so cold that my Iphone refused to hold a charge. I just kinda laughed and stuck my several hundred dollar brick in my pocket.

So I've got an update. Our troop formed patrols for the foreseeable future. The Scouts were allowed the total freedom to make patrols. Nobody was left out. The Scouts seem happy. However, prior to that, during the PLC we experienced our first case of backlash against the Patrol method. The former Scoutmaster decided he wanted to come in and complain about the direction of the Troop. Not to myself or the Scoutmaster, but the Scouts. Everybody was stunned, and myself and the Scoutmaster were completely caught by surprise. The Scouts were kinda crushed to have their former Scoutmaster tear down their efforts. It was completely out of line and my blood is boiling right now. I convinced the Troop to make these changes to the Patrol Method. I studied it. I pushed it. I've trained the Scouts. If anybody has issues with it. they need to bring those issues to the Scoutmaster and I. If anything goes wrong, it's my fault. Frustrated, but I know the Troop is on the right path going forward. -Sentinel947

The Scoutmaster has the right idea here. The standard is "On my honor, have I done my best."

My Troop hasn't had a bugler in several years.... Hmmmmm...

I don't like blanket bans against technology. That being said, I absolutely hate going to visit somebody, and they spend half of my visit texting somebody else who isn't there. I think in general that if we help our Scouts design good fun programs and trips they won't see much of a need for cell phones and other electronic game systems. I think we are muddling the issue by comparing GPS or Go Pros to ipods and cell phones. One is a useful tool, one is an entertainment device that used improperly at improper times can prove a distraction to things getting done. I think Scouting can provide a wonderful lesson about what is an appropriate time and place to being using electronics like ipods and cell phones. That being said I'm perfectly happy to see GPS's. Go Pros and such worry me a bit because I've seen cameras be used to take pictures of inappropriate things, but that's part of the learning curve of life too. (There's a odd story behind that one!) Sentinel947

I'm from Dan Beard Council in the greater Cincinnati area maybe an hour and half to the south. Good luck in Columbus. Wonderful city. Most of the good camping in the state is to the southeast of Columbus.

OA sash is for OA events. I think when your Troop has the OA come to conduct an election, that is the perfect time for him to pull out his Sash.

I think Alex has summed up my opinion nicely.

that pack is all sorts of messed up. I do hope your son continues to a good boy Scout troop that does things properly. I'm sorry your experience with Scouting has been filled with the negativity generated by this pack. Most of us volunteers really do try to do things properly and do right for all the boys, not just our own sons. Sentinel947

LeCastor: It's taken me about a year of pushing this for my fellow volunteers to see things from my perspective. The AHA! moment came once when the Scouts were cooking breakfast. in separate patrols about 100 feet apart from any other patrol. When the Scoutmaster looked at me and simply remarked. "It's so much less chaotic then if we were all under the dining fly." Another was when the Assistant Scoutmaster who's definitely the silent kinda guy held out his hand for a fist bumb and said "I think this Patrol method stuff went really well." Wasn't that big of changes, simply created distance between patrols for cooking and tents. Gave them more autonomy for activities. Haven't really started any Patrol identity stuff yet like flags/patches/ competitions. Just gotta keep taking some baby steps. Sentinel947

Just got home from a camping trip. First Patrol method outing in the troop for about 7-8 years. The SPL did a wonderful job coaching up his Patrol Leaders and they rose to the occasion. The Adults along had a lightbulb moment for sure. Good stuff all around. Sentinel947

Natalie, with all due respect, besides sitting around every week what have you done to make the program better? Using the search function I found one of your older threads. Clearly the pack your son is in has issues. Is it possible for your son and his friends to move to another pack that is more agreeable to you (and them?) Otherwise , Your post sounds like drive by sniping of a volunteer who does their best to put on a program for your son. I hope your son finds an activity he enjoys more than Scouting. Perhaps it will be one you will be more supportive of. I'm sorry your son hasn't gotten a good cub Scout experience. Hopefully he at least enjoyed some of it. Sentinel947

Just a preemptive strike that if this thread moves away from discussing the requirement and the situation from the OP it will be moved to Issues and Politics. -Sentinel947

This is precisely the reason why ASPL's are not part of a patrol. This ASPL sounds like he needs to be taught about Servant leadership. My recommendation to you is to talk to your SPL about the issue. If he cannot handle the situation, the Scoutmaster should be brought in to provide some coaching. Best of luck to you as a Patrol Leader! Sentinel947

Couple thoughts. Your son will not enjoy Scouting if he doesn't like camping. It's a citizenship program through the outdoors and it's hard to avoid that. Plenty of other things in Scouts your son can do in addition to camping, but the camping will always be a huge part of the program. Your son can ABSOLUTELY join another Troop so he can be treated properly. Rather then dual enroll, he should encourage his friends to transfer with him. (You should tell your story to his friends parents and encourage them as well.) However, if they won't leave, he absolutely can dual enroll if that is what he wants. Be aware however, that the pressure to camp will be found in almost any good Scout Troop. That's what a Scout Troop is for. To take kids camping, where they work as a team in the character school of the patrol. Scoutmasters do not get to decide what merit badge counselors their Scouts work with. Period. That being said, the Scoutmaster's job is to encourage his Scouts to camp and be a part of the Troop. Scouts go camping, that is the program. To summarize, if your son is being bullied by the Scoutmaster, he needs to find a new unit. The Scoutmaster cannot limit where your son takes Merit Badges. Scoutmasters are coaches and mentors, not dictators. However, I think your son's expectations for what Scouting is are not accurate with what Scouting is. If your son hates camping and other outdoor activities, he will not like Scouting, and if he does not attend those trips he will not advance. Best of luck to you and your son. Sentinel947

Can I get an Amen!?!?

Scouts should absolutely be in a patrol with their friends. As to the debate between New Scout Patrols vs Mixed Age patrols, there are some pro's and cons to both. As a disclaimer, my troop has used NSP for the last 10 years I've been with the Troop. New Scout patrols can ease the transition for new Scouts, as they get to be in a patrol with buddies from their dens. It can also protect new boys from being bullied/neglected by older boys in the patrol who don't want to work with new Scouts. If you have a big troop and strong guides, new Scout patrols can work well. Mixed age patrols work really well when a troop is smaller, and can't afford to spin off a handful of older boys to be troop guides for the new Scouts. There is huge benefit to the younger guys learning from the older guys and the older guys taking care of the younger ones. With both NSP's or mixed age patrols with new boys the trick is older boys who (as Stosh always puts it) "take care of their guys." My troop favors NSP's because in a troop so large, we have the boys to have Troop Guides for the New Scout patrols who can teach, mentor and coach the new Scouts. The older boys who want to work with new scouts get the opportunity to, and take that responsibility from other older boys who may not want to. That being said, after that first year, the now second year Scouts may desire to join some of the other patrols. That's fine and just as good as if all the second year scouts stay in their original NSP. The key is for Scouts to be in the patrols they want to be, with their friends. If they aren't, they will naturally form those groups regardless of what "patrol" they are assigned to. I know some here will say "Well we should force the older boys to work with the younger boys." Just like creating patrols on the Scoutmasters whim instead of what the boys want, the older boys who are forced to work with the new guys can end up voting with their feet. I've seen both approaches work, and both fail. The kicker is having a strong patrol method troop with a servant leadership culture. If you do, I doubt it matters much which approach you use. Sentinel947

The Girl Scouts issues with male leaders has been well documented I think.

No new posts in several hours, testing.

Nothing wrong with having big goals. You definitely sound like you have a good idea, and you should definitely talk to your Scoutmaster about the Church garden idea,