Tampa Turtle

When we are short, naturally the kid(s) of the driver get a seat. This has become a bigger issue since the pre 2005 15 passenger van ban took affect especially on trips where we need some trucks to haul gear...we lose capacity. We have tried having some 'backup' drivers on call just in case if it is not too close. I really don't see why this happened for you...usually we get some parents that are glad to drive a few hours just so they do not have to campout. But 4 out of 7 means there needs to be some sort of discussion.

12 Kayaks is a pretty good memorial. I hope the boys think of something for the ASM. We lost a popular 'retired' SM a year ago and some of the boys he brought along were hit kinda hard. And we Scouters miss his cheerfulness.

Scout should be almost an AOL redo. I'd have some older boys run them through that requirement--it's a good way for them to start mixing. Cooking hasn't really impacted that much. We placed a big emphasis on patrol cooking and usually offered the Cooking MB every year and did a Cooking competition campout every year. Now we get a little better participation. It helps to have someone with the actual food preparation certification do the (boring) food preparation part. (we once had the church part-time cook show the boys how it worked in the church kitchen and they made a snack, too) . Mostly we try to get the boys to try all different ways to cook at campouts as well as being a bit ambitious on occasion. It really helps the newbies do something besides hotdogs, pop tarts, and pringles. There is usually always a kid these days who is an aspiring foodie. I dislike the 'artificial' cooking events merely to sign off the requirement IMHO. Tenderfoot should be easy if boys come to a few campouts.

Sorry I said anything.

Now THAT is the question.

We have done dry runs on paddling and seat switching etc on dry land but most of the practice is at a local dog beach and with some ways many challenging swamping drills. Controlled chaos...fun to watch. Makes the actual trip a lot easier (except for the gators).

In any case at our recent planning meetings it was the boys that requested we re-start the practice or having the theme, start the MB and other stuff at the meetings and then the camp-out (hiking, biking, etc) where they put it all together. We did the other way last year and they expressed some dissatisfaction. (and no the adults didn't get a vote or a voice). But we would not prohibit a lad from going if he didn't take it as long as there is space.

Am I missing something? Why not tie the merit badge to an actual activity in stead of some Merit Badge in a universe without applications. I have seen a number of boys start to get the 'aha' moment of the J-stroke after paddling for a few days...

We view the Canoeing MB as a good pre-requisite to a long canoeing campout. Only then are they ready to start learning by doing. The adult logistics on getting the canoes out there seems to be the hard part for us. As for the cost of scouting while not cheap it costs significantly less than a lot of youth activities--football, marching band, etc. At least in the Turtle household analysis.

Hang in there. He just had a much more autistic boy make it as well. It just takes longer, especially if they do it right. I have found the number of scouts 'with issues' to seem higher than the general population; I suspect many parents try as an additional option especially when boys start falling behind in school. Nothing helps dealing with transition issues like camping every month in a different place or with tolerating noise like a Troop meeting. We did discover that putting 30 pounds on his back (as in backpacking) greatly improved his balance and gait--a fact confirmed by our occupational therapist later. Go figure.

In a practice EBOR (the Troop does them on request, important for someone who is autistic to lower stress) he had paired 'Friendly' with 'Reverent' as he said honestly discussing faith sometimes offends your friends no matter what you say. This question get asked a lot here and many scouts just say they are all equal and all important and just can't decide. Usually when pressed (I have been told) they drop clean, reverent, or thrifty. I think it amuses the reviewer.

We were pushing hard for the Patrol method and the boy had been told many times he needed to participate more. Was liked enough...just a bit of a loner. Never really got how he was supposed to work with the younger less experienced guys. He later said he was only in it to get Eagle for his college application and wanted to do the minimum to get there. And he did but it took some parental begging, requirement lawyering, and tire treads on our heads to Council.

Seems like it is pretty weak though some counselors will try to beef up. The real problem is so many younger folks have weak camping skills take the watered down IOLS and think they are good to go. IMHO

He has his moments.

I totally agree. I knew a family who skipped an NRA sponsored activity; seems only fair. But it does get messy fast.

The Brunswick stew memorial is very cool. When I was a Architecture student I got a small commission to design a large carport in my neighborhood. As I walked the dog past it twice a day I made me feel pretty good. Two years later the next homeowner tore it all down. I hadn't even finished my degree and I had a work destroyed. Made one philosophical.

He and long-suffering scout mom are in negotiation. He is very nervous in front of people (which is why one SM made him Chaplain's Aide for a year) and would like something where he could slink in the back of the shot. We are hoping his buddy will hurry up with his Eagle paperwork and they can do a co-ceremony. They got in a lot of trouble together...a lot of the not suitable for parents stories came out last night. My wife kept turning to me "that happened and where were you?". But nothing too bad, mostly tales of gastric distress. I was getting pretty nervous my son is through but moves toward his goals slowly and deliberately. When his project came up short of funds he had to do a whole new proposal, etc. I was afraid he would narrowly miss his deadline. This morning he is feeling pretty cocky. His younger SPL Life brother is keeping his mouth shut to the taunting. And of course since I was never a scout he will lord that over me! But he can have his fun.

Been EXACTLY where you are. I liked it once when my boy roared back at a (jackass) teacher (...years later I recognized she was just a bully) "that's why its called a dis-ability!" If we hadn't advocated for him at certain times he would have gone under...and frankly few would have cared.

Gentlemen*, Just passed his EBOR. (I know we are waiting on national now) I have spoken of him in past. He has a number of disabilities but has been a hardy camper and backpacker. (120 nights/800 miles in scouts) Very old school. The Eagle paperwork was a major challenge for him. Will age out in 6 weeks but because he was held back in Elementary school still has a couple years to go before college. Said he was 'over prepared' for Board. Was asked question about views of ISIS and Islam (by chance he was prepared for). Scout law most important:Reverent. Scout Law willing to drop:Loyal (his logic was loyalty to something evil is not a good thing, you may need to drop it). As he is 'on the spectrum' his answers were always pretty direct. I cannot help but flash back to the Tiger 10 years ago who the 1st time he met an Eagle Scout said "someday I'm gonna be an Eagle Scout". *sniff* He did say I made him do it the hard way. * and a few ladies

We made a Star Scout "come around for another pass" when (he was a boy who did things on his own and avoided meetings and camp outs) could not identify his patrol. patrol leader, or the name of a single fellow member of his patrol.

As my boy just passed his EBOR last night this hits close to home. It is the boy's prerogative. Common courtesy should dictate that he invite the Troop and, ideally, the Troop should want to celebrate with him. But I disagree that the troop PROVIDED the Eagle (certainly the program and many volunteer hours) but it is the SCOUTS achievement and the FAMILY's responsibility. We have been getting some strongly suggested 'dictates' as to what the Troop wants to do for the ECOH as it is the "Troop's Eagle" and why don't we just start ganging them all up and save all the work. I have to a number of these affairs and they tend to be long, overly formal, and a bit boring. My son wants to have a ECOH with his buddy he went through scouts with when he Eagle's soon and have it less formal and more religious because that is just how he rolls. As long as he invites the people who helped him I am OK with that. My other son is in OA and I think an OA style would appeal to him as well.

I withdraw the comment sunshine.

Stosh, "snowflake"seems unscoutlike.

I doubt many Death Bed Eagles are gonna worry about it...they are off to College and other pursuits...besides the nation cannot seem to maintain our bridges and highways why single out the poor scout...

I still would not be that offended. BTW Hooters started nearby...I use to drive by their original restaurant in Clearwater on the way to work. Even my wife the bible study children's leader said it was no big deal BUT that Hooters should expect some criticism because if they objectify women (and spawn all sorts of places with stupid names like Mugs N' Jugs, etc) some women who are mom's are gonna get offended. The Hooters Calendar post was the most exciting thing to happen to Scouter in a long time. NSFW though... BTW years ago she forbade me from wasting money in Hooters as she thought the outfits were stupid. Said if I was gonna waste money to look at girls I might as well as go to a strip club...it was a better value. (Then she forbade me that)