TAHAWK

It is now.

WB is not intended to strengthen program skills or ability to apply Scouting Methods as such but focuses solely on leadership skills. Having served both in Cubbing and in Scouting, I found that "Leading Change, Problem Solving, Valuing People and Leveraging Diversity, Managing Conflict, and Coaching and Mentoring" are as applicable in Cubbing as in Scouting. But where is the training in program that is only "introduced" in "basic training"? As I suggested above, one can self-educate and there is "other" training, such as universities of Scouting. But the "advanced" program skills training incorporated in the first WB and, to a leser extent in the second version, has not been replaced. So far, I cannot find out what the plan is for first aid training now that it has been eliminated from IOLS.

... unless he adds to it. E.g.: B.S.A. now wants the third step of dish-washing to be a "hot" rinse (presumably to remove non-existent "chlorine residue") State health laws require that a hot rinse to replace a final chemical rinse needs to be 170 F for thirty seconds. Water at that temperature burns exposed skin in .25 second. The Handbook does not warn about this burn hazard and shows the third pot being used barehanded. So one adds in IOLS that there is a burn hazard and that gloves, tongs, or net bags should be used. One might also point out that state law approves of the former B.S.A. method of three tubs: wash, warm rinse; tepid chemical rinse.

Duct, given that the staff are told they must follow every tit and jot of the syllabus, defects in a course syllabus are anything but their responsibility. Most staffers refuse to teach what is patently erroneous or directly inconsistent with other, more authoritative B.S.A. statements, and they also do their best to compensate for weaknesses in the syllabi.

I see the value in a leadership course. I personally have seen adults wise in the ways of the rope, axe, and dutch oven who chase boys away from lack of leadership skill. I still regret the lack of any BSA course that goes beyond the bare introduction of IOLS - which now does not include first aid. I believe that more competence in Scoutcraft, given an adult who can lead and understands his role, should lead to better program and, thus, better retention of Scouts. I can hope that the effort in the third version of WB to motivate and inspire may lead Scouters to learn more on their own. The information is certainly available. As for "it never was," the first version of WB was expressly designed to teach the Scouter how to teach "Scoutcraft" through First Class. I witnessed that version as "Junior Staff" (an experiment that did not result in permanent change until the third version of WB) and have the course syllabus. As a result, the course was about 90% Scoutcraft. As the "learners" were mostly quite experienced and Scouting was still "Bill Scouting," they needed little teaching about the Patrol Method and the Outdoor Method." The second version of WB (circa 1972), which I took as a "learner," in 1984, was built around eleven "Leadership Skills" but still used perhaps 1/3 of it's time for advanced Scoutcraft skills. (Helicopter Chicken anyone?) WB COULD be used to teach the Patrol Method, but it ought to be taught at the "basic" level since it is fundamental. As it is, WB assumes the participants know about the Patrol method when few actually do. Certainty, some at National Council could use the training: " Patrols are one component of what we call youth-run, or youth-led, troop." Others at National Council are Patrol Method champions and are fighting the good fight for Boy Scouting.

The WB syllabus devotes only a few minutes to explaining Aims and Methods. (Course Director is staring fixedly at you and tapping the face of his watch.) Currently, no BSA training syllabus has as a goal that the "participant" learn what constitutes the Patrol Method. (Although there is a goal that the participant learn how to apply what is not explained.) This weakness is recognized by some employees of National Council and efforts will continue to improve training adults in 'Scouting's most important method." If you have somehow picked up what the Patrol Method is, you will see it demonstrated at WB,. So the participant who knows more than the bare minimum will get far more out of WB. It is unfair, rather, to the participant who knows only the minimum or, as is being discussed, even less than the required minimum. (How about a suggested reading program for participants?) Inspiration is useful as the Scouter is only introduced to the program methods and other tools he or she will need to deliver the program to youth. Compare and contrast (from the syllabus for Scoutmaster Position I have had several Scouters convey that they see no reason to attend "other" training (e.g. University of Scouting) as they have achieved the pinnacle of Scouting training by earning their beads. They were emphatically not taught that at WB. Perhaps the message of the need for continuous learning needs to be strengthened. It is not strengthened, I think, by allowing the untrained to attended WB.

You might want to avoid admitting on the Internet that you shot at or shot down an "aircraft." The "shall be fined" part may not deter, but the "twenty years" could be a problem. Just sayin'

Scots do tree launching, but under regulated and restricted conditions. (Also hammer-trowing and sheaf tossing.)

Líbí se mi jít-putování, Podél horské dráze, A jak jsem jít, mám rád zpívat, Můj batoh na zádech. Sbor: Val-Deri, Val-dera, Val-Deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-Deri, Val-dera. Můj batoh na zádech.

This sounds like an anthem of such folks. It's German, but it was sung at my camp when I was a Scout I love to go a-wandering, Along the mountain track, And as I go, I love to sing, My knapsack on my back.Chorus: Val-deri,Val-dera, Val-deri, Val-dera-ha-ha-ha-ha-ha Val-deri,Val-dera. My knapsack on my back. I love to wander by the stream That dances in the sun, So joyously it calls to me, "Come! Join my happy song!" I wave my hat to all I meet, And they wave back to me, And blackbirds call so loud and sweet From ev'ry green wood tree. High overhead, the skylarks wing, They never rest at home But just like me, they love to sing, As o'er the world we roam. Oh, may I go a-wandering Until the day I die! Oh, may I always laugh and sing, Beneath God's clear blue sky!

I an effort to clear the jam, the applicable legal standard as set out by the federal department with jurisdiction seems to be: "Can someone without a permit help a sick, injured, or orphaned migratory bird? Any person who finds a sick, injured, or orphaned migratory bird may, without a permit, take possession of the bird in order to immediately transport it to a permitted rehabilitator." https://www.fws.gov/permits/faqs/Rehab%20Permit%20Fact%20Sheet.pdf Now that the Council President knows this, perhaps the Council will follow the ancient advice: "When in a hole, stop digging." Scouting is getting murdered on the Internet over this. Then we have: "6. A Scout is a friend to animals. He should save them as far as possible from pain." As for Natures way - red in fang and claw - I have a friend who supports exposing politicians at birth - like naked on a rock in Winter, could we but determine which ones they are.

As for people avoiding risky behavior with drones that cost "good money," that would be logical. But H. Sap. is not always that way. What does an "average" drone cost compared to an "average" motor vehicle? How many of those get smashed each year becasue someone was reckless? How about really expensive rides like the Porche that took Scott Walker to his death? And I couldn't afford the Lamborghini that Justin Bieber was pushing 136 in a 25 zone. I fear we need education, rules and enforcement. http://rochester.nydatabases.com/map/domestic-drone-accidents

I have no idea what the rationale is.

WB is now for "'all 'qualified' Scouters." The objective is said to be to have every Scouter who has completed basic training for his/her primary position also take WB.

Those four Beavers mentioned above (one Sm and three ASMs) who had no training needed to have many things explained to them that they were assumed to know - such as the Aims of Scouting. Explaining things took significant time away from focusing on the WB materials they were to absorb. They didn't have a chance to understand the supposed "teaching of the Patrol Method by demonstration" because what they saw was that the staff (adults) had all the power and the patrol members -- even if understood to be surrogates for Scouts -- had no power to plan anything and little opportunity to run anything beyond the "patrol meeting" between weekends. (This second problem would have not been helped much by basic training for SM/ASMs as that training, like WB, does not have the learning objective of teaching the elements of "Scouting's Most Important Method" and does not do so - just bits and pieces. Prior to September, 2014, much less about the Patrol Method was taught in basic for SM/ASMs and nothing in the Patrol Method section of the syllabus. Cheating to puff up numbers would not seem to model Scouting's Values.

It's been going on since at least 1989. Since then I went to camp after camp where mere presence at sessions earned "Scoutcraft" MBs. In 2015, the historic finality of the Merit Badge Counselor's signature on the Blue Card went away with the new provision of the G2A empowering Scoutmasters to deny merit badges if the Scoutmaster determines that the Merit Badge could not have been earned. So if there is a lack of rigor, we can't just point a finger at merit badge mill summer camps and "Merit Badge universities." It's a Pogo thing. We have met the enemy and he is us or some of us.

But you are describing actually earning the badge.

So let us add the fact in our "theoretical" that the participants know that they do not meet the supposedly invariable qualifications for WB.

Got it. And she's the one with braided armpit hair.

I was told that B.S.A. didn't develop the WFA course.

Influence the PLs and PLC to schedule more applications in patrol and troop program.

Given that adults in Scouting have a nondeligible duty to be the "safety officer," I personally believe we need to know more that a Scout needs to advance through Eagle. As a old fart, I hope the Scouts know even more than I need to know. "Bites - Epi pens? Other than that not much can be done." The Wilderness Survival MBP says epi pen than immediately doctor/hospital - in the wilderness. How long does the epi pen last, Stosh? Thirty minutes? Sixty? In the wilderness. So oral antihistamines AFTER epi pen? Treat for shock and position to avoid aspirating vomit? SSSScout, I have a Eureka with an outside frame and no fly, but it's cotton and never had a fly. Sort of a stone age Timberline II. Good puzzle for IOLS classes.

I was not remotely clear. (What? Mind-reading weak today?) I meant SM or ASMs. But whatever their position in a troop, as you suggest, they are to complete the basic training for their position. Yet, many are being allowed to take WB with no, or incomplete, training. It is one of those "open secrets: - i.e., not secret all all - a wink and a nod.

BSA once taught that application is the true method for learning. However, that was not taught as a contrast with passing requirements when "the Scout is tested."

With the removal of first aid from Scoutmaster Specific, there may be more demand for WFA.