Tampa Turtle

I think they were good clarifications. My Troop tried pre-Scout Master Conference forms that went down (as they should have been) like Lead Zeppelins. Why do so many adults feel like they need to 'improve' the programs by forms, forms, forms. Bores so many boys to tears.

If the 'local option' was pulled than my United Methodist Church CO (which leans slightly right of center) would likely 'decline' sponsoring us. I get tired of arguing the BSA "God" requirement as it is such a weak, wishy washy demand very close to a 12 step "belief in a higher power". Really I have known at least half a dozen scouts who were atheist and did not hide it (all in church CO units) where it was not even a speed bump on the way to Eagle.

The pictures are brilliant (did I get that right?). I hope you show them to the younger scouts to inspire them to plan on going someday. We found that worked when we showed our Appalachian Trail pictures at a Court of Honor. It gives kids (and parents) ideas. The ones that went start joking around and everyone sees the camaraderie of the shared adventure, the parents see either the spectacular vistas or misery their youth went on, and a few mutter "how hard can it be if 'x' went on that trip." That trip looked pretty rugged. Like you train astronauts on that. Kudos for actually getting the pictures--my experience is that for every 8-10 pictures taken maybe only 1 gets shared. I have suggested assigning a photographer to such trips (like the Historian) to no avail.

We adults used to have a ban in place (OK while travelling into the lockbox at Camp) and we liberalized after we started the Cyber Chip. It became a big distraction again and the youth leadership re-instated the ban. For Summer Camp they are considering an "electronics allowed" period once a day for those who have done their Scout duties (for example: supposed to do the Patrol dishes and did not--no Smart Phone for you tonight!)

I know a SM in another Troop who swears by these.

I have a couple parents, one was an Eagle at 13 back in the day (he must be 50) and his wife both well meaning type AA+ types. They want their 2 boys in scouts and to get Eagle and push, push, push and the lads are so, so bored. I wish they would just find a sport or something. I try to work with the boys but they are so underwhelmed about everything it is draining. They are also big complainers and make the SM's life miserable. I'd be more upset but my last son in 17-1/2 so I may be able to walk away if the Troop goes south which it shows signs of. On the bright side we belong to a terrific OA lodge and Sectional is this weekend and I usually encounter enough old scouters and active boy-led chaos to restore my faith in scouting again.

While some view knots as vestiges of an old technology (Sailors needed to know a LOT of knots in the Age of Sail) I believe they are still a very relevant and overlooked tool for combining, attaching, and holding things in this age of DNA strands and molecular strings. Perhaps a scout will grow into the scientist who will use the best knot for some advanced nano-technology.

Depends on the boy. I was on a Project recently where the bear of a boy was doing most of the work to avoid telling others what to do. So his folks stepped in. I had to pull them aside to let him lead and then explain to him what he needed to do. After a while he was demonstrating what needed to be done (it was moving and re-aligning headstones) and then letting others do the work; he did a good job--for him it was a stretch-and he was able to have more than 1 party working and Mom and Dad stepped back to taking pictures and fetching food. I have seen other boys really do detailed logistical planning and set themselves up as a 'command post' as parties in different locations. Occasionally they would have to problem solve. I have also seen almost absent boys let their parents or volunteers figure everything out--I really don't think that demonstrate leadership.

I like Scouter to hash over problems and vent and less to 'humble-brag'. But yes, we are achieving results--it is just hard to see.

I once recall two new scouts at Summer Camp (who always volunteered to help) step up the first day at Summer Camp to clean the Latrine. (Each campsite had an old school latrine house on site--the bath house with civilized toilets were a 10 minute walk away). One of those fresh faced lads was my son; and I basked in the glory of what a wonderful father and role model I must have been. A couple years later both boys said the reason was it was better to volunteer the first day when the Latrine was clean than be 'Volun-told' later in the week when it became a horror. Oh well, enlightened self interest is better than nothing.

I left one Pack when my son was a Wolf because I just couldn't stand that group of irresponsible Dad's (who thought Cub Scout camping was about drinking, playing cards, and ignoring the boys). I found a good Pack and was glad I did. Congrats on pulling the trigger. Yours sounded like a leaking lifeboat.

WOW

6-8 seems to be the natural size IMHO.

My son had a mix of Scouts, jrROTC buddies, and a couple guys from church. It's all good.

Avoid full names. Beyond that it is almost unenforceable. While some parents are almost paranoid about their child's unauthorized on-line presence there is always someone that posts a picture from an event. Don't get me started on what the boys take pictures and post. While we do the Cyperchip training the boys do not really follow it unless you let them use their phones at scout events and can use it to take it away. After we tried that for a while our PLC started a phone ban at meetings and campouts so the boys pay attention to the Cyperchip guidelines even less.

Since I have been tongue lashed by my Council Rep for the temerity of asking for a clarification on a confusing but important issue I no longer care.

Remember keep your receipts and that BSA has a lifetime guarantee even if a lot of the new stuff isn't gonna last a life time. I am on my 2nd free replacement of my 2010 purchased switchback pants with the amazing un-weaving crotch. Keep an eye out for clearance sales at the scout store, I got some super lightweight switch backs on sale for $10 one year and wear them a lot. The color is a little off but since it is officially issued it is OK. I have also purchased Olive Drab BDU's for less that have lasted my boys much longer than the BSA issue. You need to check on your Troop policy on that. My older boy kept blowing out the knees and seat and the BDU had those areas reinforced. My younger boy always checked out the clothes closet we had looking for old outgrown class B shirts, socks, and pants. He has several different scout era outfits now he has pieced together. Ask around.

In Cub Scouts our pack included these into the awards program where the boys seemed to like a lot of 'bling' and see that they had a 'dedicated' adult. Sometimes the CM just handed it to you at the leaders meeting. In Boy Scouts we only do so warily, the adult awards seem to expand the COH too long. I have seen overly long Wood Badge beadings in the COH and think it is a mistake but that has been discussed elsewhere. We do include some quick adult achievement recognitions into announcements during the regular meetings especially if it was a slow night. Some of these might be better done at a campout. One exception we make in our Troop is for long suffering background essential recognitions on the Committee: popcorn sales, treasurer, advancement chair, etc. They deserve the glory at the COH.

Unfortunately we have to be more overt in the list of banned subjects to include the KKK, Nazi's, the Holocaust, and Mexican deportation jokes.

Apparently Council posted that 'Yes, of course it is real' and implied I was stupid for asking. I don't know why I care I never filled one out anyway. Our CC, who is a lawyer, said he will send them in to Council as a CYA even if it goes unread and if the new policy says 'no'.

I just heard from Council that said yes Tour Permits are going away BUT they thought it was NEXT year. LOL

Understood.

Zero interest in our Troop. The boys who are interested are already doing it elsewhere in other programs and do not see why they should do it in scouts as well. Some very disappointed parents who were STEM types.

Yes but my Dad verified. Like many Mom she reminisced on my birthday. That was story#3. Story #2 was her telling Dad that she WAS calm and take her to the hospital as she took off her socks and calmly flushed them down the toilet. Story #1 was how when my delivery time was still a few hours away the doctor had her rolled out to the hallway to wait and offered he a cigarette to calm her nerves. So Mom and the Doctor had some last minute drags inside the Hospital. It was a different era. As to the issue at hand my DE is trying to run it down; they seem confused with National on this. I will endevour to avoid the spicy language I would like to express.

BTW as a person whose birthday is April 1st I am very familiar with and tolerant of April's Fools Jokes (when I was born the doctor told my Mom 'congratulations you have twins' and she promptly fainted). I have always 'played along' because well "can you come into the break room" could mean a surprise party. It has also meant a bucket of confetti on my head as well as a group lay-off. So you never know. I do my best to be a good sport. I am suspecting this was a badly planned April Fools Joke and folks are backing off to the backlash. Maybe it is not even BSA? It is so believable because National never misses an opportunity to shoot itself in the foot, calmly reload, and shoot the other. Oh well, I have a hike to load up for.