TAHAWK

Just one of the reason adults find it hard to allow Scouts to set the Scouting schedule. Making what they want to do fit what else is going on in the world is good experience for life.

There is no need to be crude, even when factually correct. Private groups, as groups, have the constitutional right to include and exclude whomever they wish. OT but related I think, I think I saw on the Internet (with all attendant risks) that judges in California, and other states, cannot belong to BSA because it discriminates against atheists. and GLBT folk. By parity of reasoning, how can they belong to the Catholic Church - or to any church except the Buddhists?

My former troop is in a suburb known for its political leanings, commonly called "liberal." Nevertheless, the SM was the president of the NEA local, and got us into schools for recruiting. We did get accosted on the street more than once when doing service projects in uniform by people accusing us of being fascists or, at least, paramilitary. It was a great learning experience for the Scouts about hostility towards diversity.

Obviously, BSA does not speak with one voice, on this or many other topics. There seems to be no person or committee whose job it is to insure a consistent message. Also, most of the bans are written by folks who are obviously not very knowledgeable about knives or the outdoor program - or possibly the language. (Those who know what a 'compensator" is vs. a "flash-suppressor" know the humor of the "assault weapons" total ban on the second that simultaneously allowed the first.) What do they know of the health issues of using folding knives to butcher meat or the safety issues of what sort of knife is very, very strongly suggested for white-water use? Stosh, you are right on target about the gap in training. When BSA stopped selling sheath knives, it shortly thereafter removed fixed-blade training from Totin' Chip and the Handbook. So, although BSA has expressly recognized since 2011 our obligation to teach about all legally-owned knives (G2SS) - an obligation I believe that never went away given the presence of "kitchen" knives in the boy's environment, Totin' Chip still remains deficient. As regards that training, the props are available even in "zero tolerance" camps - the lock-blade knife sold by BSA. Once locked, it is indistinguishable, safety-wise, from a fixed-blade knife except slightly more likely to break in the hand and except when being closed, when it presents a closing hazard. (Once closed, it is safer, as it is when left at home: safer and useless.) All folding knives present the closing hazard (unless we ban closing as too dangerous). They can, and often do, close on the Scout's fingers. Anyone in the program very long has seen the results. Approaching the issue as a matter of safety and training, citing the G2SS and BSA statement in Boy's Life noted above, is probably more likely to produce change than "push" or other confrontation. Got to get those Scouts ready for cooking and cleaning fish. The "zero-tolerance" way is the avoidance of teaching judgment - arbitrary by definition. We should be teaching and fostering the opposite. When my former troop faced the issues raised by a tiny Scout coming to camp with a knife with a 9" blade, the leaders (that is to say, the PLC) decided "about" 4" was the maximum blade length except for "fishing knives" and "cooking knives." They also decided to disallow knives "specially designed to be a weapon" - fixed or folding. Their thinking about length was that anything needing more blade for woodcraft would be dealt with by an axe or saw. Prompted by a question from one of the adults, they also warned that a dangerous sheath would be grounds to bar carrying. (We had a session on leather-working in a couple of months, and sheaths were a favorite project.) I thought it was a fine exercise in making the sort of decisions that citizens and leaders of citizens will have to face as adults - not all black and white. A couple of "tantos" and one stiletto (designed to stab and impractical as woods tools) were disallowed. It was a non-issue thereafter. We did pass on a couple of camps for our semi-annual council summer camping experience. And yes, rules change. That's part of life as well. Boomer, the "part of the uniform" argument failed in the UK where is was, literally, part of the uniform before their ban. It has never been "part of the uniform" here, so . . . . Hey, Snake, some Bussekin are less intimidating, especially to Aichmophobs. Learn to be clever. It is sometimes more important than being "right" in some sense.

I gather you are speaking of "blue card" is the sense of proof that your son earned a particular merit badge. As you may know, the "blue card" ("Application for Merit Badge") has three parts, any one of which is the proof you seem to seek. Your son and the Merit Badge Counselor should each have a part, unless the Scoutmaster did not return your son's part ("Applicant's Record") after signing it, which may be what you are saying. Also, if procedure was followed, an Advancement Report should have been filed that shows that your son earned the Merit Badge. Without such a report, no physical badge would have been available to present. So, assuming your son lacks his part, have you checked with the Counselor and the Council? Have you discussed the situation with the representative of the chartered organization or the Unit Commissioner?

We enter the realm of legend. The official pronouncement regarding not encouraging "large" sheath knives has been noted above. Also noted is that many councils - and units - have a zero tolerance policy for sheath knives, with all that zero tolerance implies. As pointed out, the National Council has recognized its "duty to instill in our members, youth and adult, the knowledge of how to use, handle, and store legally owned knives with the highest concern for safety and responsibility" A zero tolerance policy frustrates the performance of that duty as to sheath knives where they are legally owned (That would be in fifty states.). Again, in Boys' Life, June, 2008:

You are obviously distressed with the logical conclusion that comes from comparing what BSA has said for over 80 years to what adults often do. The logical conclusion from your words is that the words are meaningless and adults can do whatever they want with the boys and call it "Scouting." I have more distressing words for you: " “It has been said that 'the Patrol System is not one method in which Scouting for boys can be carried out, but it is the only method. . . . [T]he essential thing is that there should be small permanent groups, each under responsible control of a leading boy . . . .'†What do you suppose the word "essential" means? What do you think the words "the only method" mean? It only gets, from your point-of-view, worse: "“While the Patrol Method is primarily about patrols, it is also about how those patrols, working through the Patrol Leaders’ Council, operate the troop created from those patrols – the ‘Youth-led Troop.’†“Empowering boys to be leaders is the core of Scouting. Scouts learn by doing, and what they do is lead their patrols and their troop.†“The patrol leaders’ council is responsible for . . . conducting the troop’s activities. … They plan the program, conduct troop meetings, and provide leadership among their peers.†“Our goal is not to get things done, but to create a safe and healthy environment with the training and resources that the Scouts need, and then let them do it.†“We just have to remember that our business as adults is not the same as the business of the boys. It is up to them to get things done. It is up to us to make sure they have what they need, but (within the bounds of health and safety) not what they do with it.†“Your Scoutmaster and other adult leaders will help Scouts become good leaders, then will step back and allow the troop’s youth leaders to take charge of planning and carrying out activities.†Boy Scout Handbook, 12th ed. at p. 34 ("Your Troop") [emphasis added] “It can be a very messy business, and painful to watch. Meetings where the boy leaders are in charge can be very chaotic. And it can be very tempting for adults to jump in and sort things out, because that is what adults do. But we have to remember that that is the process of Scouting. That is how they learnâ€â€even from disorganization and failure†The objective is the journey, not the destination. You will never have a Boy Scout troop until you let the youth lead. Your job as an adult, is to teach them to lead, NOT to lead yourself. Imagine this headline: “Little League Coach pitches Parma Nationals to area championship.†“I had to take over. None of the boys could find the plate.â€Â

There is no controversy about the basics. While BSA has failed in recent decades to publish a clear, comprehensive statement, the words are still all there if you recognize them for what they are.. "The boys themselves develop . . . program, then take responsibility for figuring out how they will achieve their goals.†"The formalized proposed annual troop program is presented to the Troop Committee by the Senior Patrol Leader, accompanied by the Scoutmaster, who asks them to support the program. The Committee considers that question in light of the policy of the Boy Scouts of America that the responsibility for planning program rests with the Scouts.†“The Scoutmaster and other adults with the Troop act as non-voting advisors and resources for the Scout leaders in their program planning.†“Except as to matters of safety, neither adults not Junior Assistant Scoutmasters directly supervise Scout work. Instead, they work THROUGH the leaders by teaching, advising, counseling, educating, and example.†So, in a Scout troop we know who plans the program and who leads the program. The question is, "Do you have a Scout troop or something else?"

WARNING !! HIGHLY FLAMMABLE!

Well, that wasn't so tough I wasn't looking closely enough. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/...lformfaqs.aspx "Following are some of the best practices for using and storing the records: The Annual Health and Medical Record is secured to maintain the confidentiality of the information, yet at the same time, the forms should be accessible by adult leaders in an emergency. The following guidance will assist leaders in achieving this goal: Leaders are encouraged to maintain the original AHMR forms in a safe location in a binder or file that protects the documents entrusted to the unit leader. The AHMR should be taken on all activities. Designate a leader to keep the files containing the AHMR up to date. This may include reminding participants to update the AHMR annually or as needed. Designate a leader as the point of contact with event or camp health officers. If needed, the leader should arrange to have the AHMR returned to him or her at the end of the event, if allowed by the state. The unit leader (or his or her designee) is responsible for destroying or returning to the participant (or parent and/or guardian) the AHMR documents when the participant leaves the unit or when the documents become outdated. [*]Records are NOT to be digitized, scanned, sent by email, or stored electronically by unit leaders. [*]To streamline a summer or winter camp check-in, records of all participants are reviewed to make sure they are up to date, completed, and signed before leaving for camp. Be sure to check with the camp for any additional information that may be needed. For example, specific immunization records may be required in some states." Note that it is a "best practice" That is very clear - a suggestion. I am sure BSA Corporate knows how to word directives when they wish to, such as the directive that individual testing is required for all merit badges. MORE: "Q. Can I keep a record of my Annual Health and Medical Record somewhere at my council's office or online? A. No. Please don't digitize! Districts and councils are discouraged from keeping any medical records, whether digital or paper, unless required by local or state ordinances. However, the electronic version of the Annual Health and Medical Record is intended to be filled out and saved by individual Scouts and Scouters. The electronic version of the Annual Health and Medical Record should not be transmitted via email or stored electronically by units, districts, or councils. Units are encouraged to keep paper copies of their participants' Annual Health and Medical Records in a confidential medical file for quick access in an emergency and to be prepared for all adventures."

I gather that a directive directive has been issued by BSA Corporate. I even have some idea that it, at least in part, covers "digitizing the information." But I don;t get there from the OP or the link in the OP or the link in post 5. How about a link to the actual decree? Meanwhile, I will use Googlefu to try to find it. Oh, by the way, "unit leader" as used by BSA means, as to troops, the Scoutmaster. In the troop I work with no, one of the dads keeps the medical records.

I came across Tom Slade on a Transport and The Boy Scouts of the Eagle Patrol. Reading those books got me interested in the Boy Scouts and motivated me to pester my Mom until she drove me to the Jamboree in 1953 and dropped me off for the day (another age). I was crushed to learn I was almost a year too young to join. Being a kid, I had forgotten Scouts when my neighbor came over to recruit me the following Summer. Many of these books are now available on line. Example: https://archive.org/details/boyscoutsofeagle00pays OR http://www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/12112

NYLT was designed by a national committee but also, to my own personal knowledge, by input from adult staff I participated in counseling the paid Scouter in charge to: 1) allow the staff to prepare their own slides for their sessions; and 2) allow female participates a year before originally planned. Both of these suggestions were accepted during the initial telephone conversation. I hope for more attention to dealing with adult resistance to the Patrol Method. We'll see.

The general rule throughout the U.S. is that the party in legal possession of the realty has the authority to determine what other persons may enter the property and under what circumstances unless the discrimination is unlawful, such as on the basis of national origin. Legal possession includes gratuitous possession by consent of the owner.

Has the Committee taken training? Newly trained Committee members sometimes notice the troop is not offering a Scouting program and pressure for change. I assume the unit has no or useless Unit Commissioner. Try approaching the District Commissioner to see if he/she is supportive of Scouting. Have any of the Scouts taken NYLT? "Mr. Scoutmaster, I have an idea about something I would like to try - taking more responsibility." Still, it can be frustrating. I am going through it now with a new-to-me adult-run seldom camping club for boys. 0___0

For the Uniform Police "The Cub Scout uniform has the following parts: Shirtâ€â€The official uniform shirt is available with long or short sleeves and has button-flap pockets and "Boy Scouts of America" lettered in gold above the right pocket. Trousers or shortsâ€â€Official blue. Beltâ€â€Official navy-blue web belt with metal buckle and Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout emblem. Socksâ€â€Official socks are available in three lengths: ankle, crew, and knee. Tiger Cubs' socks are navy blue with orange tops. Cub Scouts' socks are navy blue with gold tops. Capâ€â€Official navy-blue cap with orange front panel and tiger cub emblem for Tiger Cubs; yellow panel and wolf emblem for Wolf Cub Scouts; blue panel and bear emblem for Bear Cub Scouts. Webelos Scouts wear an olive cap with a plain panel bearing the Webelos logo. Neckerchiefâ€â€Triangular neckerchief is orange with navy-blue trim for Tiger Cubs, gold with navy-blue trim for Wolf Cub Scouts, light blue with navy-blue trim for Bear Cub Scouts, and plaid for Webelos Scouts. Official BSA neckerchiefs are the only neckerchiefs that boys should wear. Packs should not make their own pack neckerchiefs. Neckerchief slideâ€â€Official gold-tone metal slide with the Tiger Cub, Cub Scout, or Webelos Scout logo. Boys may wear handmade neckerchief slides." http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/CubScouts/Uniform/cubscout.aspx

No, I am not implying that Scouts cannot - or should not - be tested. I was asking a question.

It would be nice if the objective was knowledge and skills being learned as opposed to a check mark next to "Trained." I have staffed SM Specific sessions where participants who arrived after lunch or left before lunch were "Trained." Heck, all the staff were "Trained" to puff up the numbers. Metrics uber trustworthy.

Steve "Skip" Locke was very involved in international Scouting. I suspect that he still is. http://skiplockescouting.com/

According to Googlefu, you have coined an original. Congrats!

Out of my WB patrol from 1984, two are dead and five are very active in Scouting (one in Mexico. He was an "undocumented alien" and went home. Running a troop in the middle of drug wars is challenging.). Out of my WB patrol in 2008, all six are very active, but one (single mother of two sons) sounds like a candidate from burn-out from too much Scouting. (Every year, more people go into wilderness. We are just not recruiting enough of them due to a variety of factors -- some beyond BSA 's control, some beyond Scouting's control, and some self-inflicted wounds by BSA and Scouting.)

When we do IOLS, it takes from Friday dinner time to Sunday afternoon, and all the staff feels really pushed to cover most of the the topics. I have done three previous versions of Scoutmaster training as a learner and staff, and the outdoor part always filled a weekend. Hopefully, the new SM/SA Specific syllabus will not be so deadly.

Our esteemed District Advancement Chairman said one-on-one contact by e-mail or telephone to arrange for Merit Badge counseling is perfectly acceptable. Then he got back to me and said hold on; he could not find language that said it was acceptable. "One-on-one contact between adults and Scouts prohibited. One-on-one contact between adults and youth members is not permitted. In situations that require personal conferences, such as a Scoutmaster’s conference, the meeting is to be conducted in view of other adults and youths." "Contact" seems broader than "meeting," but who knows what was meant to be communicated. Then we have elsewhere: "One-on-one contact between adults and youth members in not permitted." Citing YPT guidelines, BSA says: "As it relates to social media, two-deep leadership means there should be no private messages and no one-on-one direct contact through email, Facebook messages, Twitter direct messaging, chats, instant messaging (Google Messenger, AIM, etc.), or other similar messaging features provided through social media sites. All communication between adults and youth should take place in a public forum (e.g. the Facebook wall), or at a bare minimum, electronic communication between adults and youth should always include one or more authorized adults openly “copied†(included) on the message or message thread." I also asked the designated contact person at BSA corporate about these issues, but have had no response. I do not assume that BSA must mean what I think they should mean.