OldGreyEagle

from the BSA publication "Advancement Committee, Policies and Procedures" "The Scout should be neat in his appearance and his uniform should be as correct as possible, with the badges worn properly. It should be the desire of the board to encourage the Scout to talk so that the review can be a learning experience for the candidate and the members of the board." A scout uniform is not required for membership so it can not be required for a Board of Review

Beavah, this may be a slight rephrasing of your post, but as a Community member I pay for the education of school age children and I expect the time in class be spent on educational program, not on non-school related activities. Recruiting Fairs/Scout Nights, off school hours, its open, during class time, no

There are tables tables tables With legs like Betty Grables' (Maybe Brian is right, some aspects of scouting could use some updating) at the Quartermaster's store. My eyes are dim, I can not see. I have not brought my specks with me. I HAVE NOT brought my specks with me.........

Maybe Councils could tap the Scoutcraft Director of their Summer Camp and do some scout craft skill presentation. I know there is nothing more impressive than doing an eyesplice while talking to a scout about an upcomming event

I may need to bow out of this discussion because I am being very misunderstood. I never said that Wood Badge was FOR people who don't interact with youth nor camp. What I said was that Wood Badge presents leadership and organizational skills that everyone in scouting could use, that it is not limited only to a select few. If you want outdoor scoutcrafty skills take "Introduction to Outdoor Leader Skills"

I apologize Kudu, I didn't make myself as clear as I thought. Let me try this again. The way I see Wood Badge for the 21rst Century is that BSA designed it so it would give organizational and leadership skills to every adult who was associated with a troop. (also pack, crew, team, etc. but we will stick with a troop for this explanation. The troop has its' requisite scoutmaster and assistant scoutmaster, are these the only one who should be allowed to "Do" Wood Badge? What about the Committee chairs, treasurers and Advancement Chairs? Do they not also need leadership and organizational skills? WHat about Distirct and Council positions? These people may not camp a single night in years, but do they not deserve leadership and organizational skills? To me the biggest change was making Wood Badge more open and less clique-ish. Allowing more people to participate has to be better, isnt it? I think you misunderstood my knot analogy. I dont see the reason for teaching outdoor skills to many people in scouting who dont interact one on one with the youth. District and Council position holders may never a camp a day in years, but that doesnt mean the work they do is not valuable to the program. I hope I explained it better this time.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

My father is from The Forks, near Caratunk. When he was a boy his mother, nine months pregnant at the time, went a visiting a relation that lived in Dover, New Hampshire. While she was there she started to have her contractions. Try as they might, Uncle Rodney was born in New Hampshire, a quarter mile from the Maine border. Through his entire life he was never able to hide the shame that he was from away

In the Council I serve, its always been the first two weekends in November, maybe the thought is that being in Maine travel will be easier in February?

hey there, I always wear my "Vote for Pedro" T-Shirt and tell kids I am in training to be a cage fighter...

the best recruitment that can occur in schools, public as well as private, and this may actually occur during class time at that is when the cub scout is telling his friends what he "got" to do because he is a cub scout. Whether its a trip to the fire house, police dept, sewer plant or whatever. The best boy scout recruiting occurs when the scout tells about how he earned the SCUBA patch at summer camp and everything he "got" to do. Maybe a white water trip, climbing at a local gym or even outdoors. Doing a midnight hike lit only by a full moon, the possibilities are endless The best Venture recruiting is when the girls and boys are in the school or the mall telling others how they just canoed, kayaked or cycled how many miles and saw whatever, that they are planning a whole week doing whatever it is they want to do. See a trend here? The best recruiting tool is a completely jazzed up participant, they will speak with words and in a style we adults can never effectively present

I like the idea of giving him a stave. You could also do a review of his scouting career, the date he started, the first patrol he was in, who was the patrol leader, what was the patrol cheer, what positions did he hold? What campouts, memorable events was he on and other notable dates. Emphasize what he has done for himself and the troop. Under no circumstances should there be any refence about not being Eagle, this should be about what he has done, not what he didnt do.

I think Boy Scouts should be allowed to recruit members on the same level as any other non-school sponsored organization. I do not think they should receive "in class" time unless that same "in class" time is also available to other non-school sponsored organizations.

In an effort not to get bogged down in what is wrong with scouting, how about a thread about what you have done to update the program? I have been asked to "officiate" as the adult Boy Scout leader in many "bridging ceremonies", I was casting about trying to find someway of getting the boys attention after a usually very long Blue and Gold Banquet. I settled on this song, spoken as poetry just before they cross over the bridge. Many of the kids recognize it, for them its "Classic Rock". Please note, I have changed one word from the original text: Another turning point, a fork stuck in the road Time grabs you by the wrist, directs you where to go So make the best of this test and don't ask why It's not a question, but a lesson learned in time It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life So take the photographs and still-frames in your mind Hang it on a shelf of good health and good time Tattoos of memories and dead skin on the trial For what it's worth, it was worth all the while It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right I hope you have the time of your life It's something unpredictable, but in the end is right I hope you had the time of your life I hope you have the time of your life yes, its Good Riddance by Green Day

this is my understanding of the "new" 21rst Century WoodBadge versus the the version it replaced. The New version does not emphasize outdoor skills, outdoor skills are emphasized in the Outdoor skills training session albeit I understand some outdoor skill classes are better staffed and run than others. Hanging around this Forum I have picked up a few hot topics, one of which is that it seems like the pool of volunteers to support the program is shrinking and many wear multiple hats. To address the situation the BSA developed the new Wood Badge to train people to be organized leaders who could use their training in multiple roles. Whether the participant is a Cubmaster, an Assistant Scoutmaster a Chair of a Venturing Crew or the Treasurer of a Varsity Team they can apply the skills taught at Wood Badge for the 21rst and the BSA doesnt have to run training programs for each section of the program. I am sure a lot of tradition was lost in the Wood Badge program when the emphasis went away from outdoor skills, but not all adult scouting positions require outdoor skills and to continue to emphasize skills that only a portion of the group will utilize does not seem a wise choice. There is a thread running in this section on Wood Badge elitism and arrogance and I beleive the previous versions fed that attitude much more than the current version (then as a participant of the 21rst century edition, maybe I am arrogant and elitist to it). If faced with the same factors as the BSA faces, what would B-P do? Well, we dont know, but I dont think, in my opinion, he would continue to train people to tie knots when their role in scouting would never take them back to ropes.

if you are merely contemplating Wood Badge, contemplate no more, sign up now. I have my axes to grind about some of the good ol' boys who think the current Wood Badge is for sissies, but with that said where else can you join in with literally scores of other adults who are as addicted to scouting as you are and are there to improve the program? You will meet people who will be great resources in the future and meet people you will always see at District and Council events. My Wood Badge experience was terrific, I wouldnt exchange it for anything. Having been in Management for 20 years, the actual leadership skills were a repeat of the "latest" management styles, but if you have never had these principles presented, its very worthwhile, and you get to meet people who are as nuts over scouting as you are, did I mention that already? Its ok, it bears repeating anyway. Dont look at it as which course was better, look at it as a way to network with people and get to know a whole load of people who are as nuts about scouting as you are!

Induction Of a Scoutmaster Materials: Scoutmaster Handbook Scoutmaster badge of office Participants: Senior Patrol Leader Outgoing Scoutmaster (called Scoutmaster) Incoming Scoutmaster (called Scoutmaster Candidate) Chartered Organizational Representative or Head Troop Committee Chair (Special setup: Present Scoutmaster should have his or her badge of office loosely sewn on the left shoulder sleeve or attached using tape) The Troop Committee Chair asks for all members of the Troop to stand behind him or her. The Troop stands in a semi-circle behind the Troop Committee Chair. Troop Committee Chair: This evening marks another significant mark in the history of our Troop and this community; for tonight, as you are aware, we install a new Scoutmaster and say so long to our present Scoutmaster, (name of Scoutmaster). Before I ask (name of Scoutmaster) to come forward, I would like to review what a Scoutmaster does. To provide this explanation, I now call upon the Leader of this Troop, (name of Senior Patrol Leader), the Senior Patrol Leader of our Troop. (Troop Committee Chair stands to side and allows Senior Patrol Leader to come center) Senior Patrol Leader: (name of Scoutmaster) works closely with me as I lead the Troop. As Scoutmaster, (name of Scoutmaster) and I manage the program and he (she) insures that I get the training and coaching I need to do my job and to lead other boys in our Troop. (Name of Scoutmaster) also works with the Troop Committee Chair and members of our Troop Committee to insure that the proper support is given to whatever we as Troop leaders plan -- a campout, a day trip, or just a regular Troop meeting. The Scoutmaster is also the visual example for all of us here and works hard to insure that each Scout is guided in the direction toward Eagle and is making good progress toward his goal. (Senior Patrol Leader may address specific comments about Scoutmaster and wishes him or her well). Troop Committee Chair: At this time, I wish to call upon our Scoutmaster, (name of Scoutmaster) to come forward. (Scoutmaster comes forward). We have enjoyed working with you over the period you have given to Scouting as Scoutmaster of this Troop. (at this time, various plaques, certificates or other items may be presented to the outgoing Scoutmaster and the Scoutmaster may make some remarks and comments about his or her service.) It now becomes time for us to appoint your successor and to induct him (her) as our new Scoutmaster. It gives me great honor to introduce (name of Scoutmaster candidate),our candidate for the position of Scoutmaster. (Scoutmaster candidate comes forward and stands on one side of Troop Committee Chair) Troop Committee Chair: It is the desire of this Troop's Committee to appoint and commission you as Scoutmaster of Troop (number). As you have heard from our Senior Patrol Leader, you main job is to advise the Troop officers and assist in their training and coaching as they develop the Troop's program. We are placing the confidence of our families and our Scouts onto your shoulders as you continue to provide a quality program for our Scouts and this community. Will you accept our nomination and serve as Scoutmaster of this Troop? Scoutmaster Candidate: Yes, I will do my best. (The Senior Patrol Leader brings the Troop's flag forward and in front of the Troop Committee Chair. He then hands the flag to the Scoutmaster and then leaves. The Chartered Organizational Representative or Head comes forward and takes the place of the Senior Patrol Leader. The Scoutmaster then gives the flag to the Chartered Organizational Representative or Head as Troop Committee Chair states: The Scouting program is a part of the community service mission of (name of chartered organization). It is highly appropriate that the symbol of the Troop, the Troop's flag, be returned to the representative (head) of (name of chartered organization), because it is this organization that gives final approval to adults working with our youth. The Scoutmaster then removes his or her badge of office and hands it to the Chartered Organizational Representative (Head). The Chartered Organizational Representative or Head then invites the Scoutmaster candidate to place his or her left hand on the pole of the Troop's flag, above that of the Chartered Organizational Representative's hand. Chartered Organizational Representative or Head: Please raise your hand in the Sign of the Scout and repeat after the Troop Committee Chair. (Scoutmaster Candidate does so) Troop Committee Chair: (said to allow for repeating by Scoutmaster Candidate) I promise to do my best ---to be worthy of my office as Scoutmaster --- for the sake of my Scouts --- This Troop --- and the World Brotherhood of Scouting

I took Wood Badge because I noticed that when I was Roundtables and a topic was being discussed, the same thing could be said by someone not wearing "the beads" as well as one wearing "the beads" and it seemed like the one wearing the beads would be heard and the other guy would never be acknowledged

Thats right, Wood Badge Lite, since I was forced to take Wood Badge for the 21rst Century, I shall always be garbage to those who did it the "right way" and shall always be less a scout than they are because they did it the "right way". And let's not have any talk about the elitism that Wood Badge encourages, after all, its not elitism when its a proven fact that the displaced version is of course vastly superior and those taking the new course are just pale imitations of what the end result is supposed to be. Makes me want to rush out and tell everyone just what Wood Badge will get you, revile from the good ol' boys who got to take the "right way" and questioning looks from people who say they dont have the time.

Lets see, he is president of his class, is on the varsity tennis and football teams and is an honor student. Sounds like a guy we will be working for some day, glad he's an Eagle!

Remember you have 18 months to complete your ticket items, Eamonn let me know if I am wrong, so thats your time frame. If you want to do a particular item, ask your counselor how to do the item in the framework of the ticket, you may have to add some "fringe" but you should be able to accomplish what you want, maybe with extra added value, but it will be what you want done

I know this isn't a NE Scout Camp, but check out http://www.dutchsprings.com/scuba.htm The best reason is these guys sponsor a SCUBA crew in the District I am a ADC-V for. Maybe you could get a better deal here, though I can't guarantee a thing. Its about 60 minutes from the Holland Tunnel down Rt 78

Speaking of the Jungle Book, do you think B-P thought that Kaa would represent Professional Scouters?

Hay now, didnt B-P base the younger scouting program on barnyard kipling's stories of India? Baloo, Akela, etc?(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Neigh Neigh Neigh there SSScout, you may need a hand to straighten your Longfellow out, the author of "The Charge of the Light Brigade" was Alfred Lord Tennyson so I think you should rein it in a bit I know you guys like to horse around, did you ever see the story of Tonto's friend in Japan? The Roan Ranger?

Eamonn, the "Conferderate Flag", also referred to as the Stars and Bars, as opposed to the Stars and Stripes can stand for many things. It was the Standard for the Confederate States of America during the Civil War/War between the States/War of Northern Aggression. For some it represents the flag flown when their ancestors went into battle to protect a certain way of life, to some it represents opposition to the federal government mandating how every state should govern (slaves or no slaves, amoung other issues), to some it represents a general resistance to authority and to others it represents a culture that was inherently racist (slavery). If in my family could trace itself back to the Civil War, (actually it can and I am related to Jeb Stuart)I could say I fly the Stars and Bars in honor of my ancestor who gave his life fighting for a cause in which he deeply beleived. Then others could say I fly the flag to honor a totally racist society. Both valid arguments which have no compromise. I see two issues here, one is the flying of the flag, then there is the issue of personal property. I may not appreciate the Stars and Bars, or I might, but either way I still don't have the right to mess with another's property or teach scouts that when you disagree with something, you just unilaterally remove the bone of contention. My guess on this is the flag was flown to elicit a reaction. The less said the faster it would go away. but now its known the Stars and Bars are a flash point, it will fly again.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)