Sentinel947

http://www.cnn.com/2012/09/24/world/meast/iran-ahmadinejad-interview/index.html?hpt=hp_t1 It's interesting. Western Media always portrays Ahmadinejad as crazy. I don't see it in this interview. (There was a time he did threaten to "Wipe Israel off the map") Thoughts on Iran?

I agree with Eamonn. Intel doesn't have plant or workers in my area, so it won't affect me. Intel has the right to not support the BSA, and BSA still has the right to not include everyone. Merlyn still has the right to work everybody on this forum up in his great crusade. Nothing has changed since before this news broke.

Prayers for the friends and family of Scout.

I lurked for a few weeks before becoming a member. Welcome to the Forum!

Congratulations to him! John 2011 Eagle Scout

Good to hear that your Scouts are really going to experience the badge fully.

I dislike the Issue and Politics forum. Funny, I'm a Political Science major. I tend to avoid it unless something super huge shows up, and I don't care if this thread gets reopened either way. I think in the whole forum people need to remember to treat one another with respect.

This thread is becoming an extension of the politics forum.

AZ to answer your question: The BSA has put in place some of the most strenous Volunteer requirements and Youth Protection programs. Other youth organizations copy us. It doesn't make up for the past, which many organizations struggled to detect abusers, and had apathy to prosecuting them. These crimes need to be addressed, but the BSA has made strides in protecting youth. So have many State Legislatures with their reporting laws.

It took me personally 2 years to flesh out the requirements for camping merit badge. That was 2008-2009. Yours in Service, Sentinel.(This message has been edited by Sentinel947)

"Have a nice day sir." The man your son was trying to sell to is incredibly immature. A simple "No thank you" would have sufficed. Maybe I should say that when Public School kids come by fundraising for band or footballl, "Sorry I don't support organizations that don't support diversity of ideas." WHAT? I think Eagle732s comment is spot on. Sorry you had to have this conversation with your son over popcorn Dean.. Yours in service, Sentinel.

Discussion of this topic does nothing productive. Merlyn, I can cite at least 3 cases of Teachers having sex or molesting students for years in local High Schools. and lets not forget Jerry Sandusky at good ole Penn State. The BSA has become the model program for Youth Protection in the intervening years. Sports leagues, Band programs, youth groups all copy our Youth Protection Model. So while these past cases are very sad, and the cover ups are disgraceful, our discussion of them in an internet forum changes nothing. The only way to stop things like this is to be an active volunteer, which Merlyn, you are not. Let the do it's thing, and hopefully these sickos will be incarcerated, the victims compensated and the BSA can get back to focusing on molding young men.

And all the camp staffers (read College students and older people) who just lost their summer jobs.

Glad to see we've reached a understanding here. I live in Cincinnati, Ohio. Dan Beard Council. Competition for kids isn't that bad. Dan Beard Council is well off. The Boys generally go where the Dens sent their boys last year. The rare exception is when a Cub has a brother in another Boy Scout Troop. My troop does 2 recruiting events, and we attend a third put on by the Council. We normally pull in 15-20 cubs a year. Things are less cut throat in the suburbs of Cincinnati. So I guess that explains your rules of the game. In my area the rules of engagement are far different. I have no idea what your Troop goes through. Yours in Service, Sentinel

my answer is twofold. My best compliment as a Scouter from another Scouter had to be during my IOLs training. Being an 18 year old, and being selected by the Trainer to be the SPL to plan the Interfaith Service was the ultimate compliment. As a Scouter a compliment from the Scouts has to be that they are willing to come to be with questions, concerns or in the case of more Senior Scouts, their willingness to listen to my suggestions.

In almost 8 years of Scouting, I have met only 1 of those kids. One in Hundreds of Scouts I have met.

thanks for the clarification Beavah, and well said. Yours in Service, Sentinel

I'll play this game. Leggo! AS AN AVERAGE, Suburban troops probably have more MONEY. AS AN AVERAGE, Suburban troops probably have a wider pool of potential Scouts and Scouting families to draw on. Suburban troops probably have an easier time getting to camping places, since they aren't smack in the middle of a city.

If I ever get it, fantastic, if I don't ever get considered for it, I won't lose sleep over it. Serving the Scouts is why I stay involved with Scouting, considering I'm not a Scout anymore and a family and child aren't on the radar yet.

Why would having a suburban troop change the rules of the game? Yours in service, Sentinel

"The idea we are leading to is keeping the SPL and ASPL in their positions for a 1 patrol troop. I know...not necessary. I told the SPL that if things stayed the same, there would not be much for him to manage as the PL would be doing most of the work. He could help guide the PL, but not trump the decisions the PL made as long as they were sound. We think this could work if we tweak the SPL and ASPL positions (let the PL lead his patrol) and focus their work to recruiting efforts, big event planning, skill instructions during troop meetings, and work closer with the adults in training the youth." I like that idea to be honest. The idea of keeping the SPL and ASPL apart to focus on the above has merit. A 7 member patrol is a reasonable size. Your (A(SPL)s ability to focus on putting together good recruiting pitches, and plan a fun exciting program, without some of the painful day to day operations SPL's usually have to do could be an excellent learning experience for everyone involved, and could help grow your Troop to boot. Both the SPl and the PL would have different responsibilities and you would be helping train a new SPL for the future. However, who would be in charge on camping trips? Your SPL becoming SPL is valid. If he was the only one that wanted to do it, then He has valid claim to the job. If he took NYLT to heart, than his mentoring of your PL would be a fitting continuation of his NYLT training. Whatever route your Troop goes, make sure your Boys have their ideas and opinions heard and addressed. Yours in Scouting, Sentinel

I think Troop size is based on a myriad of factors. Recruiting. Fun program (or the Boys won't stay) Boy led program, or Boys will have no desire to lead in the Troop. Personal relationships between Scouters and Scouts. Kids gotta feel the Adults care about em. Consistancy in Adult leadership change overs. Enough Adult volunteers for the Troop size. Trained and Experienced Adult Leaders. My Troop is about 40 active Kids, and 50 kids total. (roughly). We have 1 Scoutmaster, 4 Assistant Scoutmasters. A strong group of Former Eagles and Former Scoutmasters who volunteer from time to time when they can. Various other positions like Popcorn Coordinator, Summer Camp Coordinator, and of course a CC. Personally I think 50 is pushing a bit on the large side. It's hard for those of us who are name challenged to learn Scouts names, or personal information about them. That hurts the dynamics of my 4th point above.

^ I think that is a valid reason. Being 18, my parents don't care, and my employer doesn't need to contact a lowest level hourly employee. I think it was worth pointing out what Fred's point was. If an adult says no cell phones, then hangs out on it all the time, it is hypocritical. It happens from time to time in the Troop I'm in.

Because it's an adult going "You can survive a weekend (week) without your cell." Then the adult leader goes off and sits around with his cell? The Troop I volunteer with has a no cell phone rule, it's not enforced too much. Most kids don't bring em, and the kids that do, the phones go dead after the first night or so. Smart Phones have stupidly short batteries. I think there is merit to the pro cell phone argument, a Scout could use it in an emergency, but it's never happened in my Scouting career to my knowledge. Overall I think it detracts from the outdoors experience. I leave mine in the cars during summer camp or other close car camping, and when I backpack I turn it off after we arrive at the trailhead and put it in ziplock bags, then it goes away till we exit the trail.

Welcome to the forum Taunkacoo! I think while a Scout can earn T-2-1 in 5 months mathmatically, especially in a Troop that camps monthly, enjoying the journey, and getting real experience is important. But to each his own.