Tampa Turtle

I got a rock.

And that sad thing is I used to LOVE leadership training. I took a number of long courses in my time. But it seems to me that the traditional Boy Scout methods, oath, and law is enough. It works if you work it.

I find in my OA Lodge quite a few of the WB folks copping an attitude with us just plain long serving Scouters. A bit of a turn off. I am tempted to make some woggles and a song just for fun. Our recent NYLT seemed very very Wood Badgy as well. In my experience 2/3 of the folks in our Troop who did WB get sucked up into District and Council support and we don't see them that much anymore. (regardless of what ticket it supposed to be). I think when that happens it reinforces the notion that the Troop is the lower rung of the pyramid.

My old pack let the Dens modify the names ('Siberian Tigers', 'Polar Bears', 'Grizzly Bears') instead of Den#1,2, etc. (We usually had 10-13 dens). Some even had their own flags and yells. While this practice rankled on this board some folks the boys liked it and it seemed to increase spirit.

Sadly a SM I know from Polk County who I went through OA Ordeal with told me his entire Troop of 18 boys disbanded over the policy. It was a Baptist sponsored unit out of a small church and the adults let the boys discuss with no adults in the room. He said 3 of the 18 went to a BP unit but it surprised him. I also know two adults who left (but were kind of fading out anyway) and one new parent who came 'in' because of it--that was our unit.

I apologize for my earlier flip behavior. I don't see why they don't leave it in both places. I have seen how it really can be a dangerous practice easily avoided with a little good planning (map, GPS coordinate, everyone's phone numbers.) Especially dangerous since sometimes folks are driving vehicles pulling different loads and stopping distances.

A good 12 step program might help with that Wood Badge addiction. But welcome anyway!

Our church has warmed to our Troop again once the boys (very visibly) helped out on service opportunities and church clean ups. It has an aging congregation and needs the young muscles. Once you become more visible some of the older members start feeling nostalgic for the scouting of their youth.

Great write up...I saved it for future reference for my boys!

Beavah, Our is as you just described....usually by folks in our district from neighboring Troops. 2-3 boys scheduled once or twice a month. We try to have a scouter/committee member sit in on the others...they usually are short handed and it gives you insight (more importantly it is fun and rewarding). I once was around during a couple from my Troop and waited with the families. I think my only function was to josh with the boys and tell some favorite (positive) memories before they go in. I do think on either model it is good to have some Troop non-parents adults along for the ride as a sign of respect for the boys. Occasionally our lads get guff as we are a 'no necker' Troop by long tradition; it helps to have a troop leader in the building to confirm that they are in 'full uniform'. "Oh they are from THAT unit".

Get your documents in order, find a new troop, and get out. Understand it will be hard to walk away but yes different Troops have different cultures. My troop would be happy to have a Life Scout who had been an SPL even if he didn't grab a leadership position right off. Most Troops needs that kind of guy. Holding on to the Blue Cards sounds like a power trip move by the SM. As for the rest, this is Boy Scouts not the US Marines. Most of the time it is supposed to be fun.

Yup. All that checking needs to stop at some point or the finish line will never be met.

I'd try to keep them together. Some denominations/churches not too hip on BSA...sometimes education is needed. However if a congregation just left because of a dispute then heck yeah they are gonna want to be able to pick the leaders of their sponsored unit. You either accept that or go on your way. Seems like that may be (sadly) a split in the congregation on that. Again, I think that situation is just going to be a distraction.

There are win-wins everywhere.

Some folks who sat in on the boards who thought it was a final exam for a military rank. Not accepting the scout's answers on what he wanted to do with his life as 'worthy of an eagle'. Threatening to turn down the scout because he muffed the outdoor code. Throwing a rope at him and telling him to do a bowline. Basically bullying the interviewee because...well he could. Eventually some wise old hands intervened with national and things were cleaned up. I guess it spoiled the fun for some. This was a real good kid, former SPL, with 45+ MB. He did go on to a service academy so I guess he was not scarred for life.

Our District EBOR guy, while over worked, is wonderful. But before him some EBOR were kinda 'gotcha' star chambers and the boys felt ambushed. So we started offering the practice...it is not required...just like offering your buddy an ear to practice their speech or a dry run before a job interview. Some people need 'em, some just want the confidence boost. It just seems like a scout like thing to offer. But yeah I see the danger in it becoming a new hoop or requirement. For my son who is on the autism spectrum I would have asked anyway. The physical rehearsal helps reduce stress and he gives truer answers (not obsessing over weird stuff). As an aside we did this with TSA and he got to board a plane before an international flight and it helped a lot. When we do a practice we might give some reminders but mostly it is to give encouragement. Any 'after review' is really an excuse to prolong the congratulations and find out any fun stuff from the review.

If for no other reason the Summer Camp experience is good to gain an appreciation of all the comforts of home so taken for granted. I value backtracking trips for the same reason; air conditioning, real mattresses, and showers never looked so good. Electricity and indoor plumbing is a modern miracle. And Mrs Turtle seems quite foreign and feminine. Good for your nephew for making it through the week! Not all boys do. While maybe not a mountain top experience it is an important step on the path to better things! And the stories will only get better with time...

'Crater Church' that is a new one. Years ago I used to use GIS (for free) help different churches map out their 'worship-shed' of attendees. It is not unusual for folks to drive 10 miles/30 minutes or more even in a dense area to go to the 'family' church or one they really liked. These folks also would split between a neighborhood church and one they preferred more. It was a fascinating study in human behavior. But, as usual, the Turtle digresses. I think you should keep looking. A 'meh' partner may just cause trouble down the road once you have invested time, identity, and energy in that location. Surely you can find a church that would like potential to draw families in or simply because the pastor likes Boy Scouts. A few years ago when the policy change caused a local Presbyterian church to kick out a very long term Troop I, and many others found several new partners in the surrounding area. In the end, their CC told me, they had four good solid offers. Of course the publicity helped...maybe if you had a local story saying you are looking for a location/partner. In my area we had a mix of local public schools who had a very different reactions--some all but blocked the establishment of a new Pack but others that thought it was a great idea--Elementary School Principals in many places have great autonomy. So who knows? '

We have had a number of transfers including some 'problem children' who had bounced through several Troops. We offered a clean slate provided they met expectations. Sometimes there is just too much bad blood at the old troop to move forward. But most of the time it works out.

Let me turn this one around. If this refugee scout showed up at your door what would you do?

We always practice as an option. Some boys just need some practice, reassurance, or an idea what it might be like. Our Life to Eagle lady just sat with my son and asked him some practice questions--he seemed ready so that was that.

I have seen several DO's in addition to MD's. DO training now is very similar to MD's is what I was told. It really is a difference in outlook. In my experience the DO is more of a total systems thinker and will ask more questions about work, diet, family as well as check for drug interactions. My MD's tend to be very much more focused but miss a few things. As a diabetic I prefer the DO...as there is a whole furball of issues. I don't find them that 'nontraditional' any more; none of my DO's have ever mentioned anything chiropractic though they have done more through abdominal exams checking organs, etc. IMHO the colon exam is the same as MD vs DO; I look for hand size on that more than anything. ;P I would think BSA would be pretty conservative on this

We have a house boycott of KK after the local shop dropped Mrs Turtle's favorite the Chocolate Glazed. (though 3 versions of maple) Thus ended the monthly KK Sunday run. But DD opened up a mile farther and donuts are restored...and they have peanut and coconut varieties. The boycott did extend to any 'free range' donuts left in the work breakroom.

In our Troop leadership training I will always counsel the boys (new Patrol Leaders es[especially): "Rule#1 Take care of your boys, take care of your boys, take care of your boys" and give examples (help the new boy set up his tent, make sure everyone gets fed, check up on advancement 1 on 1). Though the older boys do most of the teaching. I cringed one time when an adult started lecturing on Total Quality Management and handed out notebooks of 50 pages of Sigma Six notes,