Snake Eater

OldGray, If he's not independent then he answers to an employer for what he writes. I believe you mean that he isn't unbiased, which means he has an opinion and writes from that viewpoint. Unbiased journalism is a rare thing if it exists at all. With all of that said... Even if this fellow is the most biased reporter on the face of the earth if what he has presented is fact then his bias does not matter to the issue at hand. Do you dispute that BSA Canada has been in rapid decline since they changed their policies? I think that it's pretty clear that this is so unless you are saying that Mr Zieger is a liar. Or you may dispute whether the policy change was the cause of the decline - but there seems to be a positive correlation at least. I don't think that I said that anyone should not have a right to have and opinion or express it here or anywhere else. Why did you feel the need to insert that comment?

I was at BALOO training today in another district and struck up a conversation with a Scouter who I'd overheard talking about their NSP. He said that they did this for just three months last year but are trying the full year this time. He also said that they keep them together after they are no longer an NSP because they have different interests and goals than the older boys. So far my completely unscientific poll of local Scouters is 3 for a short NSP that is subsequently dispersed and 1 for a year-long NSP that stays together.

Bob White, You may be right. You have more experience with and knowledge of the current program than I do and I respect that. But it seems to me that what is really happening if you do this by the book is that you are continueing the Cub Scout program within the organization of a Boy Scout Troop. It might be better this way but it doesn't seem right to me. I would discourage my son from joining a Troop that operated this way.(This message has been edited by Snake Eater)

Check out the article in the link below. Prarie Scouter, this is the future of the Scouts as you envision them. http://www.renewamerica.us/columns/zeiger/040812

SemperParatus, I have eaten snakes and they are quite tasty if done right. Bob White, Maybe so, I'm still in Cub Scouting now but have lately been looking at what my boys will be getting into next year. I've spoken with Boy Scouters in my area and they sing the praises of an NSP but they all only use it for a few months just to bring the boys up to speed. You may be right about what the book says but it doesn't seem right to segregate the new boys for an entire year. But keeping them together as a patrol after they are no longer a NSP just seems all wrong to me. It goes against my experience as a Boy Scout. In my day the new cubs coming up were spread amongst the patrols and it was part of the experience to be mentored by the older boys.

meamemg, A year seems like a long time for the boys to be in a NSP. The longest I'd heard of before now was six months and I thought that was too long. I think that it's good to state the purpose of a thing so that all stays in perspective. In troops local to my area the purpose of NSP is to quickly teach the new boys what they need to know to function without embarrassment on their first few campouts with the troop. They learn how to light a stove, find things in the troop trailer, put up/take down/store a troop tent, ask your PL first, don't play in the fire, get from one place to another in an organized way, etc. Leadership for the NSP are boys who have been scouts for at least a year, preferably boys who have previously held leadership positions. I hope you don't take offense but, It almost sounds like your troop has created a Webelos III program by note fully including the boys in their first year.