Tampa Turtle

I was going to suggest to our new Patrol Leaders that if a Patrol wasn't using a yell it just isn't taking. They should come up with a new one when the situation warrants. Another adult suggested guidelines and I said as long as it meets the scout law especially Kind, Clean, and Reverent.

Ya got special Jambo shoulder tabs so why not OA tabs?

Well everyone gets a prize these days! I agree that the Ice Cream should have been a more immediate reward--maybe on the way home.

Scorpion Patrol had "Pinch em, Pierce em, Poison 'em!" One Patrol had "What?" which was funny at first. You'd go "Snake Patrol!" and get "What?".

I think it is a good and accurate metaphor; the question is WHO is the cancer? The person who is the uniform police or the slacker who undermines the uniform method? Maybe the person who acts like such a jerk regardless he turns folks away. I knew such a person at my church. The secretary. Rude, overbearing, and she did a poor job to boot. Many capable folks, both paid staff and volunteer got discouraged and left because of her shenanigans. She was there for years--a institution--slowly poisoning the culture. But she was the main 'face' of the church for many years.

They just don't seem to take. They do even worse than Patrol Flags. Only one Patrol used it and it was very corporate "Fly to Excellence" or something like that. Maybe if it was based on a video game or sometime...too much appealing to adults or something. Maybe it is something that needs to just happen on a good patrol outing--you know the sort of shared experience that becomes an inside joke--like the nicknames boys get after a multi-day hike. One boy got the handle "Dingleberry" --I really don't want to know. If a Patrol had the cry "We need a Cat Hole!" I would be happy.

Ah but what about the reports that Facebook requires unrealistic rates of ad revenue to continue? If it collapse that is the downside of relying on an outside vendor.

Now THAT is the truth! While I might consider being the SM I am not sure I would have the SM's spouse when it is all over with.

The intent of the code is too show respect. If an indoor flag raising is done as to invite ridicule than don't do it. If it is a respectful don't sweat it. If you raise the flag and it hits the ceiling rethink your plan.

There are other issues and while I want to give the guy a chance (he did use the word "outdoors" a few times his videos seem full of corporate speak. I guess I am beating my head against a wall here. I recently saw our Council "Map to Progress" (really a chart-I guess "Progress Maps" are a recent corporate fad) with its' 12 priorities (one was providing a quality outdoor experience) but a lot of it was stuff like "Protect the Brand". And that is what I think it is too a lot of corporate stuff is --protecting the brand that is their golden goose egg. And for the CSE what a nice little egg it is too. However (as someone who has toils in the bowels of government bureaucracy) there are sometimes moles who play along until they get in charge and then they surprise folks by being more independent thinkers than predicted.

All good advice. Remember that the boys sit all day in school and are pretty fed up in the evening, Get the boys more involved in the ceremonies--have them make up some of the ceremonies. Also--their boys! The ones with the most energy can be some of your most active scouts but they do get bored. I also tried to do some response from the boys to get them more involved. We used to encourage a den yell whenever their name was mentioned--it got a little wild but they listened more. Agree on coping ideas from school -- or doing the opposite. Good-I noticed early elementary teachers lightly touch the head or shoulder when directly addressing a boy. I copied that for Tigers and worked great. Bad- Avoid the temptation to do fill in the blank worksheets. Schools do that a lot in lieu of hands on and most boys do not get much out of it. Do as much hands-on as you can.

Oh that Ender! Like breaking that boy's neck. Such pranks.

I am always surprised on how hard it is to sign up for events. I send emails, make calls, etc. Now if I make an RSVP for my kids sunday school event, or afterschool activity it is usually via somesort of web-based program like EventBrite.

As a non-OA observer I only really notice the sashes. It seems to generate some interest amongst the boys--properly worn or not. The pocket flaps are OK--the red on white is a bit bland but there are other pocket flaps available. So I guess my point is who are the pocket flaps and sashes targeted toward? Fellow OA guys or the general scouting public? If it is the rest of scouts then let the sashes fly. If it just other OA brothers then you can have a secret lapel pin.

I think for our Troop it is, in order: (1) SM - Time commitment, boy issues. (2) Advancement Chair -COH's are a bear. (3) Treasurer- I know ours and she puts in a lot of extra time. (4) Committee Chair - A lot of moving parts to keep track of.

Braces?

Or then again just buy another dang belt!

I saw that too. It looks a little thin. But may be worth the gamble for the price.

Great--how exciting. All good advice. Have them learn the practical knots early so they can erect tarps and dining flies. Teach them lashing and make things. Fire and Knives first. Simple cooking and hiking skills. And practice them through friendly games and competitions at the weekly meetings. As for Merit Badges I would only worry about the ones like First-Aid, Weather, etc that help with those outdoor adventures.

Some great comments. I would say Scoutmaster...it is the hot potato. The last three SM's all ran afoul of angry wives wanting them back. Folks will jump to Committee Chair, Advancement, or Training just to be sure they are committed before the "SM roulette" begins. It is a huge time commitment.

I use a tiny handmade "mini-camp pillow" my scout son sewed for me. Smaller than an 8" by 6" it cradles the pressure point behind the skull. I have also used an inflatable one and my fleece jacket all bunched up. I don't feel like I need as big a pillow as at home just something to cushion that pressure point, provide a little insulation, and keep my head pointed up. I use my mini-camp pillow because it is small, compresses up even smaller, and my son made it. I like a small one as it can get crowded in there sometimes.

I tried that with the new web belt--leaving extra material on the buckle side but because of the thickness it doesn't seem to lay right. Could be I am an idiot as well. If it was the old style belt--no problem. It is easy to get replacement webbing. I wear them all the time instead of leather--but the Centennial is pretty thick stuff. Thanks though.

Our National shop says you have to buy a whole new belt. That seems pretty silly for a web belt thus I was wondering if anyone has a proper webbing supplier. If you actually cut your belt properly so "brass touching brass" it means if a waist gets bigger you have to buy a whole new belt...which is not thrifty.

I would not even know who to call or a phone number?

Does anyone know where to get replacement webbing. My boys are outgrowing their Centennial Boy Scout Web Belts (just getting older-both are pretty thin) and I was wondering if anyone knows where to get O.D. 1-1/2 replacement webbing. The stuff seems thicker than some. I hate to replace the whole belt when I just need to get some webbing.