Bob White

The parents pin is for civilian wear only, it is not for display on the uniform. Information on proper uniforming is in the Isgnia Guide 2002-2004 available at your Scout Service center. Bob White

OK everyone who has been waiting for this moment mark your calendar. This proves that scouting isn't what you think it is it's what the BSA says it is. There is a paragrapgh in the 20o2-2004 insignia guide that says Female Cub Leaders in the Yellow blouse or optional Tan shirt have the option to wear their one temporary patch centered above the BSA strip over the right pocket. Females in the Boy Scout and Venturing programs use the pocket as do the male leaders. I sit before you a humbled servant. I should have checked before I answered. Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)

ASM1, I'm not quite sure what spirit you meant that comment in. Does it really bother you that I understand the program? This isn't rocket science. The answer to almost every question asked on this board is in a pamphlet or handbook. I read the books and practice the methods they teach. If you wouldn't want a board member to understand the company then not only am I glad I'm not on your board, I am relieved that I'm not a stockholder. Bob White

Returning to the original question asked in this string. My main question is any requirements for Senior Patrol Leader. I can't seem to remember them. Age or rank? Anyways please let me know and I will keep looking in the handbooks. From page 9 of the BSA's Senior Patrol Leader handbook. each Troop sets it's own age, rank, and other qualification standards for its senior patrol leader, though these may be temporarily waived if a troop is newly organized. Keep in mind that the "troop" is made of the patrols and representented by the patrol leaders not the scoutmaster or other adults. Bob White

James, The only camping requirement for Quality Unit is attending long term camp.(This message has been edited by Bob White)

Whoa! There seems to be a number of topics being intertwined here. 1. Does the BSA bar women from being leaders? NO 2. Can a Charter Organization choose to not have women leaders? YES (they can also choose to only have women leaders) 3. Does the BSA bar women from camping? NO 4. Are there restrictions on women camping? YES 5. Can a Charter Organization exclude women from camping? Yes (they can also say only women can go camping) The Charter Organization can be more restrictive than the BSA membership regulations but they cannot be less restrictive. Personal opinion on who the CO should allow to go camping is just that, personal opinion. The CO's choice is not right or wrong, it is just the CO's choice. Bob White (This message has been edited by Bob White)(This message has been edited by Bob White)

Merit badges are meant to be earned one scout at at time or in pairs. The testing must be done on an individual basis. As far as group instruction you need to go as fast as the slowest learner. So time is relative, depending on the needs of the learner not on the task. Bob White

Never do anything for a boy that a boy can do for himself. Scouts want to learn how to lead not to be lead by adults. Teach them how to make and follow an agenda. Create opportunities for them to use the skills they are learning. Smile Learn about the individuals rather than the group. Size does not equal maturity Even the Presidential election is a popularity contest, so don't let youth elections bother you. There is no such thing as too many parents helping, there is only poor management. remember the goal is not camping. The goals are Character, Citizenship and Fitness. If you don't use the 8 methods of scouting you aren't scouting, you are just doing stuff in a scout uniform. If you aren't having fun then they aren't having fun. Bob White

If you are not wearing the hat then it's staus as official or un-official is irrelevant. You may Salute in or out of the hat. As far as whether you may wear the hat indoors, there are times when wearing a uniform hat indoors is appropriate, refer to the Insignia Guide 2002-2004 for specifics. Bob White

I have only found reference to elements of White Stag being used in the old Wood Badge course http://www.whitestag.org/history/index.html there is no reference to White Stag being used in Wood Badge for the 21st Century which is completely new this year and has little resemblence to the prior course. Where White stag was based oon the writings of Bela Banathy, WB for the 21st century is based on the management teachings of Kenneth Blanchard. You mentioned having a BSA resource linking White Stag to the NEW Wood Badge Course. i would be interested in that reference. Bob White

The First Aid Merit Badge book is the syllabus and the test questions. Bob White

Sorry benny but Ron is closer. A Boy Scout can begin work on a merit badge at any age (not 11) and has until his 18th Birthday to complete it. See the Advancement Policies and Procedures manual, or attend Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training.

Scoutmaster Ron, I was not stating my preference only that the BSA does not discriminate against women participating, but that it allows Chartered Organizations the right to choose. I would never tell any parent or legal guardian that they could not go camping, as long as they behaved according to the rules of the program. Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)(This message has been edited by Bob White)

ASM1 Don't smudge your calendar up yet. Sctmom points out a clear example on how the choice is left to the CO. If you take a look at my response to the other other answer you thought incorrect you will see that I'm 2 for 2.

White stag, according to there own history on the website had elements of its course incorporated in Wood Badge in 1967. many of those elements remained through 2000. But in 2000 a entirely new Wood Badge was developed. significantly different than the previous incarnations of the course. Woodbadge for the 21st Century was based on the management writings of Kenneth Blanchard and contributing writing of 50 volunteers selected from across the country. I was one of those 50. Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)

The BSA does not bar females. However it does not require them to be included. It is a choice left to the Chartering Organization. Bob White

The BSA does not bar females. However it does not require them to be included. It is a choice left to the Chartering Organization. Bob White

I can tell you from first-hand knowledge that White stagwas not the model for the new Wood Badge for the 21st Century. Bob White

There is no rush. It was a hypothetical question. We ony said it was technically possible. Bob White

They are Ed, According to the OA the requirements are; "The youth must have experienced fifteen days and nights of Boy Scout camping during the two-year period prior to the election. The fifteen days and nights must include one, but no more than one, long-term camp consisting of six consecutive days and five nights of resident camping, approved and under the auspices and standards of the Boy Scouts of America. The balance of the camping must be overnight, weekend, or other short-term camps." Bob White

The answers you seek are in the Advancement Committee Policies and Procedures manual as well as in The Scoutmasters Handbook. Rather than have us tell you what we do (since some do it incorrectly) it would be more beneficial for you and your scouts to read the scouting resources and then if you have questions on how to implement the scout methods we could offer suggestions. Bob White

There are really two points made here one is Scouts salute the flag. The other is that there is no Class B uniform. During the Scoutmaster Leader Specific Training leaders are told that there are two Boy Scout uniforms. Either is considered in uniform. The point is there is NO Class B uniform. There is a field uniform an activity uniform and out of uniform. Each has its appropriate time. If you are more comfortable with scouts giving the hand over the heart salute in the activity uniform that's fine. The important thing is they salute, and that we as leaders do not set an example that substituting uniform pieces is appropriate. Bob White(This message has been edited by Bob White)

Read page 120 of the Scoutmasters handbook! Bob White

PERSONAL OPINION Troop-Wise and the associated purchasable items are nothing more than a ripoff of materials already produced by the BSA. I am amazed that volunteers complain when profits from BSA merchandise benefit scouting but think nothing of enriching "volunteers" who repackage BSA materials for personal profit. Bob White

With the exception of the section in the Guide to Safe Scouting that gives direction on what to do with scouts who violate scout behavior and the Advancemnt Committee Policies and Procedues, the resources of the BSA are not written to tell you what to do when things go wrong. They are written to tell you how to do things right. In almost every case in scouting when things go wrong it is because they were not done right to begin with. In most cases when things go wrong, if you go back to doing it the BSA way (read as right way) the problem is solved. A good example is elections. If you do not allow the scouts to elect or select their own leaders and things go wrong don't be surprised and don't look for the resources to tell how to deal with negatives. Look to the book to see what would have been the right way to choose leaders in the first place. If you follow the BSA program, every position is either elected by scouts (Patrol Leaders and the Senior Patrol Leader positions) or they are selected by scouts (patrol leaders select all patrol positions and the SPL selects all troop positions with discussion with the SM). Once in office it is the adult troop leaders responsibilities to train and develop the junior leaders. If the leaders don't do that then replacing a non-functioning junior leader is pointless. They will all be non-functioning. If the a scout accepts a position and refuses training or refuses to actively serve then what do you do? WHO elects or selects junior leaders? The scouts. If they want to live with a non functioning leader it is their choice. OR they can excercise their program responsibility to elect or select a leader to perform the job. But it is not the SM's troop nor is it his/her authority to appoint junior leaders. Bob White