TAHAWK

Our experiences obviously differ. Troop 102, Greater Western Reserve Council, received 'Gold" for five consecutive years with one "weekend campout" being a lock-in to play video games at a large local Catholic church,. The relevant "difference' is between being outside and being in a building. It is, after all, "Outdoor Programs" that BSA seeks to turn into indoor programs. in theory, there is no "indoor Program" method any more than there is a "youth-led troop method," My statements were absolutely correct. Try looking at the sources that I cited. You looked at the wrong years at an unofficial source. i looked at BSA literature from the years that i stated. As I expressly said, the requirement was a trivial three before. In 1972, at the height of the effort to "improve" Scouting by urbanizing it, you could Eagle with no overnight camping, no hiking and no swimming. it was a disaster. It was six as I said, and was reduced to three in 2017 as anyone can easily confirm. I don't think perfection is a realistic goal. The patrol method expressly assumes mistakes and learning from failures. I do think we are declining now without even trying what worked when Boy Scouting was the prototypical adolescent experience - the patrol method and outdoor program. We almost hit 4,000,000 youth members out of a significantly smaller population. Then we decided to try "urbanization" and "relevance." Now, disaster, we are trying more doses of those failed policies. More than that, the leadership does not even know what Scouting was when it was far more successful - cannot explain it. But they are still sure it would not work, so it is not explained, demonstrated, or encouraged. You can try it, even so, if you only understood what the giants in the movement had in mind.

I quoted you because i was attempting to reply to your observation. As for JTE, in the council roll-out the question of what a "weekend campout" came up, and the Area rep had no good explanation. So i found this: "BSA OFFICIAL q&a . . . "45. Do YMCA lock-ins to work on swimming requirements, lock-ins at indoor climbing facilities, etc. count as short-term camping for JTE purposes? A: Yes, these activities do count as long as they’re troop outings." http://www.scouting.org/filestore/mission/JTE_FAQs-Unit.pdf Updated 9-7-2012 Amazed at the inconsistency with every other BSA explanation of "camp," "camping, or "campout," I wrote National and got this above average response: "Thank you for your treatise below. It is very well thought out and accurate in its slant. JTE is a recognition program designed to get units more involved, and to improve their program incrementally. All of the JTE criteria were developed and vetted by a volunteer committee, as were the FAQ’s. JTE was developed to encourage units to improve. In some cases, just getting a troop to do anything together, other than their troop meetings, is a challenge. Some troops are in climates that make outdoor outings almost impossible at certain times during the year, and many troops are small and don’t have the resources that model troops have. With that in mind, the volunteers who developed JTE saw nothing wrong with rewarding troops who at least make the attempt at an overnight activity, even if it’s a lock in at the YMCA. It would be nice if every troop in the BSA was in a location, and strong enough to do all of their activities in the out of doors. JTE isn’t discouraging that, but is opening up other possibilities to get troops more active hoping that all will become strong enough to have the best program possible. Sincerely, BOY SCOUTS OF AMERICA Mission Impact Team 1325 West Walnut Hill Lane | P.O. Box 152079" On the telephone, I was told by a BSA rep that, after forty-three years as a unit Scouter and district volunteer, "You don't understand how hard it is to get kids to camp outdoors." Ah, yes; "time," as in different values of. The most recent reduction was in 2017 - just ages ago! The First Class camping requirement was reduced from six overnighters to three. (It had been that trivial before.) And remember, for Journey to "Excellence" purposes, all "campouts" may be indoors. In my "time," Scout patrols camped every month, alone or in the same area as other patrols. I knew no patrols in our district that did otherwise. Under Second Class Requirement II. "Participation, " you were required to "work actively" in that camping program. No one got by under 50% except in exceptional circumstances (My best friend in the troop got polio, and missed some campouts. This was accepted as a valid excuse.) In addition to all that, to achieve First Class, you had to plan and execute your First Class Camp with your patrol or a companion approved by your Scoutmaster (Mine was my Patrol Leader, an Eagle Scout.) None of this could be indoors. So, a First Class candidate in my troop, considering summer camp, typically had 20 or more days and nights of camping when he earned First Class. This was ages ago, when Scouting reached well over 10x the percentage of eligible youth as it reaches today. It had not previously been thought necessary to have a camping requirement, any more than a breathing requirement, except for the fourteen mile First Class (crosscountry) Hike "alone or with another Scout.," which could be an overnighter. After all, kids joined Scouts to camp and hike. That was a "method," not a hurdle. The original Wood Badge course (1948-1971), which I staffed as an experimental "Junior Staffer," [QM helper] in 1959, was a seven-complete-day week devoted to what we mostly are told to cover now in one day in Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills - all outdoor skills up to First Class of that day. I have been staffing Scouter training at the district, council, section, and area levels ever since, with a break for grad school, marriage, and starting a career from 1967-1981. Basic Scoutmaster training, which I staffed starting in 1959, expressly covered, in over three hours of genuine interactive discussion, the Patrol Method, with the learning objective that the "learner" be able to "explain the patrol method" as we at least pretend to expect the candidate for Scout Rank to do today. Current Scoutmaster...Position-Specific Training does not expressly cover most of the Patrol Method in the thirty-five minutes allocated, and understanding the Patrol Method is not a learning objective. Not to say it was not far worse from 2000-2013, when the word "patrol" appeared once in the syllabus section "Working with Youth - the Patrol method," a section that lacked a single sentence on the Patrol Method. From 1920 until the near-death experience of the "improved Scouting Program" in 1972, Scouting literature, especially training literature emphasized the Patrol Method and it's inventor, Bill Hillcourt was around to keep proselytizing in writing and orally. The writings of "The Scoutmaster to the World" live on, though he left us in 1992.. BSA HAS FAILED TO COHERENTLY EXPLAIN THE "PATROL METHOD TO ANYONE IN OVER FORTY-FIVE YEARS, although Mark Griffin had the knowledge and the will do do the job. He snuck in these prescient words in 2014 before being pulled from the project and kicked up to Area leadership: "In Scouting, a troop is composed of several patrols. Scouting happens in the context of a patrol. The patrol, a small team of eight or so Scouts, is more than an organizational convenience or a ... version of the Cub Scout den. It is the place where Scouts learn skills, take on leadership responsibilities, and develop friendships that will often last throughout their lifetimes." B.S.A., Scoutmaster... Position-Specific Training (2018)(current publication) at p. 20 [emphasis added]. Too bad he was not allowed to complete the job. The other good words are still here and there, scattered about, if anyone understands their significance, which BSA, as an institution pretty clearly does not as it does nothing to promote them, recognize their use, or discourage the perfidious "adult-run troop method."

Officially, neither Eagle nor any other "advancement" is a goal of Scouting BSA. Officially, Advancement is merely a tool to achieve the goals of character development, producing good citizens who are good leaders and fit in mind and body. In reality, some forty years ago, BSA misplaced large portions what it says it is about, including many of the official methods. To wit: The outdoor program has been deemphasized. An "overnight campout," includes a weekend "lock-in" playing video games per the BSA Q&A for Journey to "Excellence." Time allocated to courses to train adults in the outdoor program has been sharply reduced. Camping requirements for advancement have been sharply reduced. Merit Badge mills are universally tolerated (also teaching a "lesson" applicable to the "ideals" BSA says we are developing in youth). Advancement requirements in general, with few exceptions, have been dumbed down to match the official program offerings. BSA has not taught Scouters what the "patrol method" consists of for over forty years. The BSA model plan for a troop meeting allocates ten minutes to the patrol and there is no training on planning patrol meetings (or other activities) at any level. There is no recognition for using the patrol method and no discouragement of not using it. It's troop. troop, troop, and one BSA website offering since 2006 claims that the "patrol method is one component of what we call a youth-run or youth-led troop." "Family Camping," where Mom and Dad adults will be in charge, is now emphasized instead of patrol camping. Leadership development and personal growth is hamstrung by BSAPT's requirement that two "registered adults" be present to "supervise" every single Scout activity (except meetings with a Merit Badge Counselor). This is matched by the failure to offer guidance to those adults in keeping their thumbs off the process. Instead, BSA uses "leader' to almost always refer to adults: "There will be a leaders meeting Friday night." There is no "uniform' - merely a brand of diverse clothing items across a substantial price range. "Buy BSA." We had a good run.

BSAPT is an understandable method - THE method. However, the "blank check" nature of the required form, while likely due to incompetence rather than conspiracy, is the proverbial "last straw."

The people in the safety bubble focus on their topic, which is not program. This is the age of the lawsuit and BSA is a prime target. However, we may die off in total safety. The safest mode would be no activities whatsoever. I was told that I was to help the Bell System function, not just say "no." We had over 1,000,000 employees and almost 90,000 motor vehicles out in the public, so risk has an issue. My boss, the General Counsel, reminded me regularly that there was a business to run. A compromise would be to have the two adult "supervisors" located out of sight of the Scouts at all "activities." BP would approve were he with us.

The adult as resource seems perfectly in line with TPM.

Good points. Still the real professional advice seeks to prevent cross-contamination by killing the bacteria that got there by the means you discuss. The jamboree in question had kids defecating in portable toilets well over 120ºF, impelling a rush by the kids to get out. Also. hand-washing facilities were not generally provided (The troop I was with had a hand-washing station using soap and Lysol, and the leaders (boys, that is) enforced use as a condition of entering the troop site. Underwear was being washed by Scouts by hand at the sub-camp water point SE of our troop site. We took it on ourselves to spray the water point 4-5 x/day with chlorine solution as reporting the behavior had no result.

The 3rd pot, sanitizing rinse method was first rolled out in B.S.A. literature in Boys' Life. It then appeared in the early "printings" (what is normally an "edition") of the 12th Edition Boy Scout Handbook at p. 327. later "printings" of that "edition" went back to the unsafe two-pot method, then back to three pots. The 13th Edition incorrectly puts the chlorine in the first rinse, where food particles reduce effectiveness, followed by a hot, third tub. (p. 308) This incorrect method is covered in the Scouting blog. Bryan on Scouting :https://blog.scoutingmagazine.org/2017/03/30/how-to-wash-dishes-at-campsite/ For professional advice: https://stopfoodborneillness.org/news-from-stop-clean-sanitize-disinfect/ [step 4] "the activity of chlorine is dramatically affected by such factors as pH, temperature, and organic load; however, chlorine is less affected by water hardness when compared to other sanitizers, such as quaternary ammonium" http://www.fightbac.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/06/Cleaning_and_Sanitizing_Food-Contact_Surfaces.pdf USFDA: Sanitize This third step in the 3-sink method is arguably the most important. It ensures that all harmful microorganisms are killed and can be accomplished one of two ways. Chemical sanitizing means you use a chemical solution to kill bacteria. You can use EPA-approved water sanitizers, which usually come in dissolvable tablets, or a chlorine solution. If you use a water sanitizer, simply follow the manufacturer's directions. For a chlorine solution, consult your local health codes and the table below to help you determine the solution and temperature you need and how long the dishes should soak. Chlorine test strips can also help confirm you have achieved the correct concentrations. In most cases, each dish will need to soak from 7 to 30 seconds to be completely sanitized. Virginia Department of Health: [think jamborees] 3 COMPARTMENT SINK PROCEDURES For Pots, Pans and Manual Ware Washing Pre-Scrape - Excess soil from ware – soak as long as possible. Wash - In clean, hot, soapy water. Rinse - In clean water. Sanitize - Immersion for 1 to 2 minutes in a clear chemical solution at 75°F with one of the following: a. 50 to 100 parts per million (ppm) available chlorine, or b. 200 ppm available quaternary ammonium, or c. 12.5 to 25 ppm available iodine, or d. use approved chemical sanitizing agent according to label directions. Change solutions when they become cloud or when a film appears on top. Air Dry - Do not wipe. West Virginia Department of Health: [think jamborees] Dishwashing Facilities  Use clean, warm water.  Use a three compartment sink or three clean containers.  Wash.  Rinse.  Sanitize (the correct concentration for a chlorine or bleach water is 50-100 ppm).  Follow manufacturer’s directions if other type of sanitizer is used. ALSO: https://www.alabamapublichealth.gov/foodsafety/assets/DishwashingDiagram.pdf

By Larry Geiger on January 25, 2012 in Scoutmastership,The Patrol System Adult leaders often say things like; “I don’t override the boys decisions at all. ” “I asked them what they wanted to do.” “This was their decision.” What most of us fail to recognize is that many of these ‘boy led’ decisions were probably coerced, at least in part, by the presence of adults when they were discussed. It’s not that the adults shined bright lights in their eyes or twisted their arms behind their backs – it is much more subtle than that. When adults are present youth leadership – the Scouting way- is not happening. Say what? You mean when I am in the room listening and not talking I am somehow affecting the outcome of their decision making process? Yes! So I want to suggest that you lead by walking away. Let Me explain: When adults are listening, watching or talking Scouts are instinctively looking for the assent and approval of the adults. This is a result what they do at School and at home; listen to adults and seek their approval. So even if you say absolutely nothing at all your presence is somewhat coercive. It’s not that you are a bad person or anything – it’s just the way things are. So if we are not supposed to be around and not supposed to talk to them and not supposed to watch what they are doing, how do we do our jobs as adult leaders? Excellent question. We use very specific, scheduled, regular, and commonly understood opportunities to interact with youth leadership. Otherwise we leave them alone; alone enough that sometimes we cannot see them or hear them. I have found that one good opportunity to exercise this concept is when patrols go grocery shopping. The Scouts create a menu, estimate how much money they need, schedule a time and place, their parents drop them off and leave them to shop. No adult leaders or parents accompany them into the store. They work totally autonomously until they exit the store after successfully shopping and paying. Are you comfortable with doing something like that? What do you think would happen if you did? No adult is assigning, watching, checking, offering oversight or any other means of interference or intervention. Drop them off at the door and pick them up when they exit the store. Only the patrol leader works with his guys to get it done. A patrol leader given this opportunity is leading; if adults are present he is looking for their approval. In my experience his is true of all Scouts up to around age sixteen or so. Here’s a few of the times when adults and youth leaders talk with one another: 1. Occasional reflections with a senior patrol leader or patrol leader after a Scout meeting. 2. Scoutmaster Conferences. 3. Scoutmaster senior patrol leader two-minute chat before a patrol leader’s council. 4. Scoutmaster’s minute. 5. Troop Leadership Training. This is the Scoutmaster’s show. [BSA says the SPL should help lead the training .] 6. When a senior patrol leader or patrol leader walks over and asks the Scoutmaster a specific question or asks for help. [Note: "senior patrol leader" vs "Scoutmaster. How about "Senior Patrol Leader"?] Here’s times when you should refrain from interacting with youth leadership: 1. During patrol and troop meetings. 2. During patrol leader’s councils. [Even if they ask a question?] 3. During campouts. 4. During the troop annual planning conference. 5. During summer camp at meals/around the picnic table during the day/etc. 6. During patrol shopping trips. 7. During patrol and troop activities when a Scout is in charge. I cannot overemphasize how important it is to realize that when adults are physically present Scouts are looking for approval – not leading. Think about this, think about it a lot; When adults are physically present Scouts are looking for approval – not leading. Start observing how this happens and change the way you do things; I’d be interested to hear the results!

The SE was a decent guy. He had "taken one for the team" by closing a camp in a smaller council in Ohio - a camp that BSA wanted closed and probably needed closing due to lack of a waterfront and adequate space. His reward was to, largely, retire in place in our council with a higher salary. (To his credit, he did emphatically put a stop to registering mythical units , and membership, a constant problem in BSA councils and in ours in particular - we had 30% fictional membership when he took over, and he took the hit on the year-over-year "decline" to correct the books. But that seems to have been the last "hill" he was willing to storm.) Membership and financing continued to spiral downwards. Council now "serves" well under 5% of eligible youth. The replacement SE, told that many Scouters found training to be of low quality, decided the "solution" was less training, but leaving the same awful training leadership in place The emphasis of the couple in charge is on enlarging the "No" list, to the extent that we have fewer than a dozen "official" training staff in the entire council, so promised training is cancelled about as often as it happens. No "other' training in four years (Fortunately the councils around us have strong "other" training.) Promised Scouter training at summer camp canceled most weeks. Most past WB Course and NYLT course directors and several dozens of other experienced trainers are, with one exception, uniformly "NOs", so they staff in other councils, areas, region, at Philmont, and in Canada but not in their home council. So "less is more," and we are meeting that objective. This SE has set up "Service Areas" - like districts run by typical "professionals." 😡 "Roundtables" are 75% or more announcements or exhortations to give money/sell stuff/ patronize counsel profit-making activities, with predictable impact on attendance. ("Has your estate plan recognized your obligation to support scouting?") But what do we know? I am reminded of the debate at a National Jamboree between the "professional" "supporting" health and safety about safe dish-washing, the head volunteer Gold Hat having run off. The "professional" had a BA and, doubtless, Camp School training. On the other side was a fellow with a Phd in Microbiology. In later years, he was a top executive at the World Health Organization, specializing in E. coli. While in Switzerland, he was selected as a lecturer in biotechnology at the Haute Ecole Specialier. The Camp hospital was filling with E. coli dysentery cases. The Virginia Department of Health would come to threaten pulling the permit for the Jamboree over illegal dish-washing practices. But what did Doctor Horsfall know compared to a "professional."? We WOULD put the chlorine in the second, and final, hot rinse! In the end, B.S.A. capitulated to the Health Department's ultimatum and distributed third washtubs to all Jambo troops for the legally required final, tepid sanitizing rinse - although it took over fourteen years to change official B.S.A. practices. (Our two troops already had and were using the third tub and had no dysentery cases, mere volunteers us. Horsfall had presented at our Roundtables years before, being from our area, so we knew the proper practice and ignored the Handbook practice.) (Some printings of the 12th Ed. relapsed into error a few years ago, but it was corrected - all with no announcement. The 13th Ed. is incorrect. Like the incorrect illustration of the tripod lashing that has come and gone in BSA publications for almost sixty years, error has a high survival quotient [13th Ed. illustration is correct. 12th Ed. illustration is incorrect.].) We need all hands on deck for bare survival. That necessity is not uniformly recognized, much less who the "top hands" are. Until then, one can only prepare and hope for an opportunity to serve. Oh, and give money. No list No. 147.

Our District Committee voted unanimously to do it as a district, to be awarded at Klondike Derby or Camporee or District Dinner, with ceremony at the unit as a last resort. Council Exec vetoed on grounds leaders might see it as pressure. Imagine that , a ribbon's-worth of pressure to deliver Scouting to youth. 😉 Shortly thereafter, all districts were abolished, creating some interesting Bylaws issues.

Not black and white, and, like all scoring system, subject to "gaming," but JTM doesn't even try. If you have more than one patrol. all Scouts, except troop leadership, belong to a semi-permanent patrol that meets, camps, performs service, learns, and participates in troop program together. Patrol Leaders and,If you have more than one patrol, the SPL are elected by democratic vote of the Scouts. If you have more than one patrol, have at least X PLCs, including an annual program planning event, at which the patrol leaders, chaired by the SPL, plan the troop's program for the year, inclusive of all troop meetings and other activities, and prepare a written annual program plan. The SPL presents the troop annual program plan to the Troop Committee and, with the SM's support, asks the TC to support that program Have at least X patrol meeting lasting at least one hour every month. Have at least x patrol outings a year Have at least x patrol service projects per year. Scouts primarily learn Scout skills in the context of their patrol. All patrols by month x of the program year have names, patrol medallions, flags and yells, cheers, or songs. Every Scout by month x of the program year has a job within his patrol and can explain the responsibilities of that job in summary fashion. All troops certified by their UC (judged by the DC to be performing as UC to minimal standards ) to be complying with the X points of the Patrol Method certified by the District Program Committee, to be annually awarded a ribbon for the troop flag bearing the words " Scout Troop" and the program year (e.g. "2020"). The ribbon shall be publicly awarded at a district event. The SPL leads troop activities, working through the patrol leaders whenever practicable. Of course, this would be more fair if BSA actually explained what The Patrol Method" is.

I note with interest the centrality of JTE in the UC's assessment role. "Patrol method" is one category for JTE scoring points. Yet JTE gives no points for actually using the Patrol Method. You can score "Gold" if the PLC plans nothing and the patrols do nothing. One "Gold'""winner" for 2016 with which I am familiar, had PLs (wearing the patch) who could not say which patrol they were in. They had no actual leadership responsibility - apparently wore the patch for POR purposes so the troop could churn out "Eagles." Even troop games ("Time for recess," the SM would announce.) were 1s vs 2s. The UC for that unit only attended Eagle courts of "honor." Scoutmaster is also the defacto unit CC. He was council "Scoutmaster of the Year' for 2011. Down the road in the next town was a "Scout-run troop," whose Scouts, I was told, had "no time" for any patrol activities whatsoever. At least the PLC was given a menu of adult-choices for campouts and really got to pick from those choices - except summer camp ("Too important for kids to choose."). They had patrol contests. SPL ran the meetings. PLs or ASPLs were assigned by the SM to run piece-parts of meetings, , although the SM would regularly interject emphatically if things got messy . ("We have our standards," he related.) I saw six meetings. Each was the same sequence of elements: opening; half hour of adult announcements; Scoutcraft instruction by an adult; game; more announcements; closing; PLC run by SM or ASM. JTE could actually encourage use of the Patrol Method.

Ah yes, the 317 Commandments. Guidance or CYA?

About twenty years ago my troop attended Summer Camp at a council camp in West Virginia. Three youth staff were caught smoking MJ with campers. How does that rank, ethically, with the practice of handing out merit badges with no requirements met? Lesson learned? Rules are for suckers?

Because my first SM was Council Training Chairman for Life (11 consecutive years High School Teacher of the Year selected by students and faculty- Wood Badge at Gilwell Park while in Army overseas), I got to see lots of Patrol Method Scouting. “[The patrol members] interact in a small group outside the larger troop context outside the larger troop context, working together as a team and sharing the responsibility of making their patrol a success.” B.S.A., Scouting.org (2018)[emphasis added] “Patrols will sometimes join with other patrols to learn skills and complete advancement requirements.” B.S.A., Scouting.org (2018)[emphasis added] “Your Boy Scout troop is made up of patrols, with each patrol’s members sharing responsibility for the patrol’s success.” B.S.A., The Boy Scout Handbook, 13th Ed. (2016) at p. 25 (current publication) In Scouting, a troop is composed of several patrols. Scouting happens in the context of a patrol. The patrol, a small team of eight or so Scouts, is more than an organizational convenience or a Scouts BSA version of the Cub Scout den. It is the place where Scouts learn skills, take on leadership responsibilities, and develop friendships that will often last throughout their lifetimes. B.S.A., Scoutmaster Position-Specific Training (2018)(current ublication) at p. 20 [emphasis added]. Team The troop is not the primary team in Scouting; the patrol is. Every Scout needs not a duty but a job. in his/her patrol He or she needs to be trained to do that job and supported in that job. He or she also needs to be responsible for doing his/her best to perform. The Third-baseman is not to expect the Catcher to field ground balls hit towards Third Base. Not everyone wants to play, but those who have no desire to play a position, after counseling and encouragement of effort, have no place on the team. Life. "Mr. Smith, Johnny does not want to play the game. We are not in the business of forcing him to play. If he changes his mind, we would be happy to have him. if not, no good will come of trying to force him, and we are nor set up to do that." "To share responsibility – to be a 'team' – everyone needs a job within the patrol." B.S.A., Scouting.org (2017) The Patrol Leader appoints every other member to a patrol job, such as Assistant Patrol Leader, Scribe, Quartermaster, Grubmaster, Hikemaster, Cheermaster, Firemaster, Photographer, Webmaster . . . B.S.A., Scouting.org ( 2018 ) "Everyone has a position on our team. No one just sits on the bench. Everyone plays. Sue has agreed to the Assistant Patrol Leader, to back me up, to lead the Patrol in certain activities, and to and lead the Patrol if I am absent. Someone has to be Grubmaster, who does x,y,z. No Grubmaster; no food. Who will take that job so we can eat on campouts?" To share responsibility – to be a “team” – everyone needs a job within the patrol. B.S.A., Scouting.org (2017) To share responsibility – to be a “team” – everyone needs a job within the patrol. B.S.A., Scouting.org (2017)

Scouting already has a Code of Conduct. it is notably and intentionally positive" "A Scout is ....."

Have your patrol(s) meet separately every week for a month. Only then have troop meetings - to the extent that they do not interfere with patrol meetings. "If it's not happening in the patrol, it isn't so."

"I am shocked; shocked...."

An inmate requests a specific publication. The request is approved or denied by an employee given authority to do so. Someone, once, requested the 1911 edition or 2011 reprint. It was denied, as was one request for a copy of Popular by another inmate.Mechanics. There is no list of items approved at that linked site. There is a pattern of denial of requests for escape, survival, racist, anti-prison, and sexual publications.

What are the Military Explorers? The Military Explorers is a Boy Scouts of America sponsored program for young men and women ages 14 (and have completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old. There is also an Expoloring Club for youth in 6th to 8th grade. The purpose of the Military Explorers program is to provide real world career experiences and develop critical skills necessary for success in any branch of the United States Armed Forces and in life. Our purpose is to help our youth grow both mentally and physically through the United States Military training practies. Military Explorers participate in many activities: Flag Etiquette and Patriotism Rappelling Land Navigation First Aid Training Leadership Development Community Service Tactical Training Physical Fitness Training Recreational Activities Survival Training Rifle Skills and Weapons Safety Training" http://militaryexplorers.com/ info@militaryexplorers.com Illowa Council EXPLORING What is Exploring? Career Exploring is a worksite-based program for young men and women ages 14 (and have completed the 8th grade) through 20 years old. The purpose of the Exploring program is to provide real world career experiences and develop other critical skills necessary for success in a college and a career including: Leadership development Character development Social & professional networking Community service Exploring is based on a unique and dynamic relationship between youth and the organizations in their communities. Businesses and community organizations initiate a specific Career Explorer post by matching their people and program resources to the interests of youth in the community. The result is a program of activities that helps youth pursue their special interests, grow, and develop. We work with thousands of local, regional, and national businesses and organizations to deliver the Career Exploring program. Career Exploring posts have been successfully established representing over 100 different career fields. Check out the career clusters below to learn more. Also, check out the national Exploring website for more information! . . . Military Army Post 44 (Davenport)" http://illowabsa.org/Exploring/

i believe that we have established that, according to B.S.A, only insignia "awarded by" BSA or may be worn o n the uniform. All BSA insignia remain the property of the BSA. We are merely custodians. Those insignia include rank insignia. E.g.: Famously, the council decides who serves as Board of Review for Eagle Scout. In my case, it was the Council Executive Board. in my current Council, it is selected by the Advancement Chair of the "service area"( We no longer have districts - somehow. When we did, it was the District Advancement Chair.) and may, or might not, include a member of the unit's committee. The Board of Review members of such a Board need not be registered in BSA Scouting. ("A board of review shall not occur until after the local council has verified the application. In the case of a board of review under disputed circumstances, the council must verify all the information that is not in dispute before the board of review is scheduled.")

A novel concept in my experience. Source? Please consider: "The general rule is that badges awarded by organizations other than the Boy Scouts of America (BSA) may not be worn on an official uniform. This includes military medals and service ribbons." A unit is not "the Boy Scouts of America."

"The Neckerchief Official neckerchiefs. Official neckerchiefs are triangular in shape. The Lion neckerchief, No. 646377, is gold with a dark blue border. The Tiger neckerchief, No. 620616, is orange with a dark blue border. The Wolf neckerchief, No. 802, is gold with a blue border. The Bear neckerchief, No. 801, is light blue with a dark blue border. The Cub Scout rank emblem is displayed in a central position on the downward corner of each rank’s neckerchief. Cub Scout leaders may wear the blue and gold Cub Scout leader’s neckerchief, No. 64070. Webelos Scouts wear the gold, green, and red plaid neckerchief, No. 64077, with the Webelos emblem on the downward corner. A Webelos leader wears a neckerchief, No. 64078, similar to the Webelos Scout neckerchief, except that it has gold embroidered edging and is larger. A special Lone Scout neckerchief, No. 611209, is gold with the black and red printed insignia of the Lone Scout. It is worn by both Lone Cub Scouts and Lone Scouts. Scout neckerchiefs are optional. Troops choose their own official neckerchief. All members of a troop wear the same color. The troop decides by vote, and all members abide by the decision. If the neckerchief is not worn, then the shirt is worn with open collar. Scout and Scout leader neckerchiefs may be worn in a variety of plain colors and contrasting borders. Neckerchiefs available through the Supply Group include the embroidered universal Scouting emblem if permanent press, or printed if not. Local councils may prescribe that the specific official neckerchief be worn by Scouts and Scouters on a council or district basis. When engaged in Scouting activities, members may wear the neckerchief with appropriate nonuniform clothing to identify them as Scouts. Special neckerchiefs, the same size as the official ones, may be authorized by local councils. Such neckerchiefs may include identification of the chartered organization. The standard designed neckerchief may be personalized with troop number, city, and state. By troop approval, an Eagle Scout may wear an Eagle Scout neckerchief." Boy Scouts of America, Guide to Awards and Insignia, ISBN 978-0-8395-3066-4 ©2018 Boy Scouts of America 2018 Printing [italics added]

Our Canadian friends, like our UK brethren, use the Patrol System. We use the Patrol Method. They differ, most significantly in the adult appointment of leaders under the System. Which is why the "famous" BP quote about the patrol method was actually by Bill Hillcourt.