welilissit

XLpanel - thank you for commenting on your opinion of how woodbadge can be updated and changed. Like other posters, my first experience with the non-zero-sum game at NLS and I think it was done better there. After going to WB21C I recalled how funny it was to me that the youth I took the NLS course with handled the Game of Life much better than the adults of WB21C. They "Got it". When I was a troop guide later, the staff made sure that we tried our best to pull this off in the way it was intended - but I have to admit, it is not always so. As has been exhaustively explained- the Game of Life has a specific purpose. It is supposed to bring about an AHA! moment - that not all is as it seems - Adults have so many years of conditioning behind them that winning is everything, but the cost of personal win is not always seen by us. You are correct in your observation that "we are not kids". I'm assuming the follow-up thought you may have is something like, "We're not kids, don't treat us like kids". The founder of our movement always looked for ways to get adults to think like kids, and in many times, to act like kids. He himself was described as a "Man-boy". When you attended WB21C you were in fact treated like a kid from day one. Woodbadge is supposed to give you a new perspective - that of the scout. Bbecause so many leaders were never scouts themselves, they cannot relate to what happens in the heart and mind of a scout trying to make the patrol method work. We want scouts, and scouters, to understand that one has to think outside the patrol, for the betterment of his troop, and the world brotherhood of scouting. Just my 2c worth. Edward

oh I love this topic....it was my most embarrassing in scouting, and my life. but it definately showed me who my friends were. Although this was not as a leader, it helps me with my therapy to tell it again. I was 14 and attending the BSA High Adventure camp at the US Army Ranger Camp at Camp Frank Merrill in Dahlonega GA. We ate the Ranger provided C-rations the whole week. Mid-way we did a 25+ mile hike on the Appalachain Trail which included a walk from the Camp to Springer Mountain. About 10 miles from Springer, mother nature SCREAMED AT ME (hint, wash the p-38 can opener after use). I ran off the trail telling my buddy (been together since wolf scouts) to watch my pack. I ran off the downhill side of the trail to the sounds of my buddy giggling, grabbed a tree and pointed the important end downhill and answered Mother nature with a scream of my own. It was then that I realized that in my haste I had disregarded caution when choosing my trees to hold onto. As I fell backward and downhill with my shorts around my ankles I put my hand back to catch my fall. I slid from my fingertips to my armpit to my waist! Now, everyone knows that c-rations and MRE's have so little AP paper that you have to use both sides, and I had to yell to my buddy to come help. He just hid behind a tree and threw his paper at me (giggle now full heehaw). I did best I could, with the 1.5 quarts of water between us. When we got to Springer MT, my buddy set up the tent and I went to get water (for obvious reasons). It was then that I found a line at the spring, two quarts per hour! Nevertheless, my bud didn't let the cat out of the bag, and even let me sleep in the tent that night. We didn't speak of it in public until after we had both been best men in each other's weddings. Welilissit.

Without trying to make glue (by beating a dead horse) So who makes the determinantion that TKD will be lumped together with Karate? I understand the philosophy behind the difference between Judo and karatedo and lumping Taekwondo with Karate due to the methods of weapon delivery (kicking and punching). Wrestling and Judo, all use leverage and an opponent's momentum against him. (I am getting somewhere here) So, does that mean that we can lump Yudo with Judo, Hapkido with Aikido and Juijitsu? Gungfu with TAichi? Paqua? What about leaving out the low styles of Bando but including their high styles (soft looking kata and philosophy much like TaiChi)? Is it a judgement call for the Merit Badge Counselor? BTW, I have a brown belt, black belt, the black one is basketweave and the brown one I wear everyday because it matches my shoes. My fav Mr. Myagi quote? "Ah Daniel san, best block is not to be there".

Dear Major, I agree with FScouter. Getting the correct training and materials is definately the right thing to do. The problem is that it just ain't that easy to implement change in a way to keep the peace and be productive. It ain't easy, but it can be done, slowly. I would ask how long has your scoutmaster and troop committee been in charge. It is my experience that 2.5 to 5 years is a really good indicator of Scoutmaster (committee as well) burn-out. When burned out, planning is the first thing that goes assunder. I witnessed a new Assistant Scoutmaster work this in a wonderful way. He asked the Scoutmaster for permission to coach the PLC's. When the SM said 'sure' he "informed" the Troop Committee that the SM had delegated the task of coaching the PLC to him. The ASM then began hosting PLC's. He began with the leadership bell curve and used the appropriate leadership style. Since the PLC had a very low competence and low confidence, he used a highly directive leadership style, telling the boys how to hold a meeting and how to set goals and objectives, etc. After a while the boys' confidence and competence rose a bit, and he started letting go of the reigns more. He gives the SM the credit for having a well planned out program and the boys the credit for pulling it off. For those that say this is a "boy run troop" they need to know the definition of two very different concepts: Boy Run Boy Led There is a difference. Welilissit. "Boys will be boys" (unknown author) "No, boys will be men, if someone will lead them" (Baden Powell)

I think that the college reserve program or something like that is what I was thinking of. I didn't want to bother you guys with all the details, because they are long and dark. But it looks like there were some assumptions made. Imagine that there are three ASM's in the troop. ASM1 and ASM2 have a grudge against each other. ASM1's son was placed on probation for six months following an assault on another scout. ASM2's wife was committee chair. ASM1 had grudge against ASM2, and pulled ASM2's son into it. ASM1 is best friends with SM. ASM2 left troop to keep the peace and a new chairperson came in as well. ASM3 is the Chapter advisor. ASM2's boy (an eagle) is elected chapter chief and serves faithfully for a year. Then ASM2's boy is elected lodge secretary. Of course, ASM2's boy does not necessarily want to be around the troop that much due to conflicts with ASM1. It is common in this troop for boys to be on charter for a year or more, even if they are not attending meetings. After much time of no issues, ASM3 sees ASM2 at a fundraiser. ASM2 imediatly launches into a tirade questioning how son of ASM2 can be active in OA if not active in troop. I stalled - this is not the time and place to discuss... Then I found out that the boy is still on roster but considered by SM as 'inactive' and in danger of being dropped from roles at recharter time. SM says boy needs to attend meetings, boy does not want to attend meetings due to possibilities of running into ASM1 yeah, I know, there's a lot more here than meets the eye, I just wanted to know if this exception was still around or not. Solution...Our lodge OA dance guys have a venture crew! Looks like our lodge secretary may be dancing from now on Helpfulness, Cheerfulness, Bravery (sticking with it through the crap takes courage) and reverence (things like this brings me to my knees). Thanks for the help. YIS!

Thanks for the warnings. I lurked around the politics area a bit and saw what that was all about... whew! Strong stomach and thick skin abound here, but I don't think I'll subject myself to that, I get enought of it at work policing (read southern pronunciation: pO'-lee sin)

Permission to enter camp?!? Introductions... I am currently wearing many hats (aren't we all?). I live in the North Georgia area and work as a law enforcement officer. I am former tiger, wolf, bear, webelo leader, cubmaster. I am currently the Chartered Org. Rep. for the Cub Pack as well as WEBELOS leader. I am ASM of troop (can you tell I have two boys?) and an OA Chapter Advisor. Attended NLS and Woodbadge for 21st Century (worked my ticket, waiting on beading). I am very fortunte (lucky) that as a youth I was charter member of the pack and the troop that my boys now attend and that I now assist to lead. I wish that they desire to complete their Eagle projects and take scouting just one step higher than their old man. If not, that's OK, they'll have to learn that lesson like me. When I read in previous posts that we have a Life Scout sitting at our round table discussion, I was immediatly prompted to join up and gain access to the experts. As I see it, I can learn more from the boys than from a buncha old... well... leaders anyday. I would love to visit Gilwell one day and sing the song loud and clear (and a bit off key). Right now I'm patiently awaiting a return trip to Mecca (oh, Philmont) as well as Nyeri (I long to walk down B.P. Road once again). Until then, take me to any campOree where scouts abound... making you want to strangle them one minute and beam with pride the next. I pray to my maker that I can always keep the watchwords of my vigil. YIS, Welissit

This post is specifically concerning the requirement of a boy to be actively registered with a BSA unit to remain active in the OA. I have a vague memory of reading last year that there was an exemption, for lack of a better word, for boys that have moved away from their home town (i.e. gone to college) and are no longer attending troop meetings, but are still active in the lodge (Lodge Officer). I am chapter advisor and an ASM in a troop. I'm in the middle of "one of those" situations, you know, the whole politics thing where people are more intersted in their stake instead of what is best for the boys. I need help. Does this rule sound familiar to anyone? And if so, where can I find it? YIS