Theyoungeagle

The way I learned it about 5 years ago is that lashings are to be used when the structure being made is a tempoarary structure (such as a clothes rack for a campout or a gateway at summercamp). Lashings should not be used on a long lasting structure (such as a bridge) because the weather and other wear and tear on the rope could cause the lashing to break and cause the structure to collapse.

Lisabob, In our troop, we greatly utilize the Troop Guides. We started this 3 years ago when we had 16 new scouts crossover. Myself and another scout were assigned to the two NSPs. Ever since then, we have had at least one Troop Guide assigned to each NSP (sometimes we assigned more or have a floater based on the type of New Scouts and their abilities.) Our general understanding is that when a scout volunteers to be a Troop Guide (and is appointed by the SM), he knows he should be with them for at least six months before running for another position in elections. Generally, most of our Troop Guides love the job so much they don't want to run for anything else and continue guiding their patrol through their 2nd year. Our Troop Guides are the main people in our NSP program. They teach the 1st years the basics of Scouting and focus on getting them to 1st class by the next year. Normally each NSP is also supervised by an adult who backs the Troop Guides. A JASM serves like an ASM, just as a youth. I volunteered, as a JASM, to supervise, aid, and teach our 7 Troop Guides (3 assigned to 2 NSPs, 3 assigned to 2nd years in which have a couple have special needs, and one floater). I make sure they have what they need and help them plan out their skills. By doing this, I indirectly have volunteered to help with running our NSP by working with the Troop Guides to the point where they can teach everything needed by themselves. Hope this helps you in your quest for answers

MollieDuke, to be an archery range master or instructor for Cubs you should have gone through training and you should have earned certidications to instruct by the NAA and by the BSA. BSA certification applies to all BSA sponsered groups (Boy Scouts, Cub Scouts, Tigers, Venturing, Explorers, Varsity, etc). As long as you have BSA certification you should be more than qualified to be a range master or instructor.

In my troop, we elect the SPL, ASPL, QM, Scribe, Historian, Librarian, PL, and APL. I know that everyone says that this way causes issues with cooperation and teamwork in the troop leadership, but I think it is a good way of forcing Scouts to put their differences aside and cooperate. I am a product of this system, therfore I know my opinion is a little one-sided. However, I also understand the SPL choosing his staff and I think either method can work. The SPL should be elected by the Scouts. How is it a boy run troop if the adults choose the leader? Scouting is meant to be primarily boy run, so the boys should have a say. In our troop, the Scoutmaster has final say in Troop Guides and JASMs, though he does ask for the SPLs opinion. Sandyt888 I hope this helps you along your path. I suggest you talk to your PLC and maybe even all of the boys to see what they think. After all, boy run troop

I am a JASM in my troop. My troop has a large amount of younger Scouts and we have a lot of troop guides to work with them. I was appointed to oversee the Troop Guides, train them and organize them. If your troop has more than one Troop Guide you may want to consider this as a possibility for you. It, for the most part, isn't as involved as being SPL but I feel it keeps me active in my troop. I would recommend you also talk to your Scoutmaster and see what he/she thinks you should do.