OldGreyEagle

Well, I must thank all the good wishers who have posted here. The course starts on August 23, 24, 25,(three full days) and then Sept 13, 14, 15 (three more full days. You should have seen the expressions in the office when I asked for the two fridays off so I could be a "Boy Scout", most are convinced I already am. And Bubba, When I was a scout I attained the Eagle rank. I may end up a Bear (and a good ol' Bear), or a Fox, Buffalo, etc. But I am an Eagle Scout first In the words of the MacScouter Website If you get paid to do Scouting, you are a Professional If you dont get paid to do Scouting, you are a Volunteer If you PAY to do Scouting, you are a Scouter Pax Vobiscum

Ok, I understand the point about it being easier to do without the boys. Will this be a onetime thing or can you see this developing into a pattern? If this turns into a trend, the boys learn that when there is a problem (in this case financial) some one will come along and bail them out. If its set that only adults will do the event, is there some way to have the scouts take some ownership somehow? Planning, Helping ready supplies? Just something to help them see the conneciton between their efforts and the money raised.

Hi Dad, Welcome I am a member of a troop of 90 scouts. We have no requirements of attendance, meetings or events. We know we will lose some scouts in the spring to baseball, in the fall to band and football, in the winter to basketball and wrestling and when the season is over, we will see them again. Our requirements for advancement is that the scout fulfull the prescribed requirements and show scouting spririt not only when they are present but every day. Scouts who do not go on events or attend meetings dont advance and when they ask why their active friends are leaving them behind, this is explained. They soon learn their descions have consequences. (This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Having an attitude of anything goes as long as we dont tell anybody who its for really makes me give pause. A mens "smoker" ? with blue films? Is that an idea? A Poker night with half the proceeds going to the troop? I always thought honesty was the best policy, and the Boy Scout way, anything else is wrong

For various reasons I have been interviwed by a couple of newspapers regarding my job. Each time I read the interview and wasnt sure it was me who was talking. I barely recognized my words I spoke in response to the questions. It may be bias as well. Controversey sells papers, happy contented Boy Scouts dont. I like the idea of contacting the editor before the next event, have a face to face, ask them what they would like to have when they arrive. But dont be surpised if it all goes for naught.

With all due respect and tenderness... Whoa there big fella, you may be jumping the gun just a bit, how far are you from Eagle? you say you are almost Life, how many more merit badges do you need for Eagle? How far way is having the correct set of 21 ? Could information change between now and then? What will be accomplished by filling out something now that might change in 6 months. I have no adversity to getting a jump on things, but also, dont rush along either.

You can look at the Eagle packet, (your eyes wont burn out, even if you are only a Star scout) You could do some preliminary research if you have settled on a Project, but offical sign-off and approval and when you start counting hours begins when you are life Thats the way I understand it

Everyone As I am unfamliar with most aspects of Boy Scouting Hierarchy, please help me understand. What is the typical length of term of a District Chair?, Council Persident? Council Committee chairs? District Chair? The more I learn about Boy Scouts, the more I realize I dont understand near as much as I should.

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Any fundraising is supposed to be done under an fundraising application. What do you have in mind?

Hersh, As august a body this forum is, and as extensive its experience and resources, you should be seeking the counsel of your Scoutmaster, Troop Advancement Chairman or even District Advancement Chairman with ideas for Eagle Projects. They can tell you what has and hasnt been approved in the past and how to proceed. Have you sought their help?

Our troop counts Cub Day Den Chiefing et al as service hours, the provision for Eagle Projects not to benefit scouting is specific to Eagle Projects only (my opinion)

Den, Welcome How long have you been on the Committee and how many Executives has your Council hired in that time and how long has your president served?

This is an offshoot from the Pledge of Allegiance Thread and I am not sure where I want it to go, but I wanted to make a comment and pose a quesiton that didnt quite fit in with the discussion there. The quesiton is, what is your opinion about duty to God and Country and which is higher? One of the saddest events I can recalling reading about war, and I dont even remember if it was WWI or WWII, but on the Christmas Truce, the English could hear the Germans singing "Oh Tannebaum" while they sang "Oh Christmas Tree". This may not have actually happened, it may just be a fable, but it could have happeend. The quesiton is, what is more important, duty to God or Country?

Ed, Why dont you count Eagle project time as service hours? Just wondering as our troop does and the reasons why troops do things always fascinates me.

The whole idea of backpacking is to haul on your "back" everthing you "packed". If the scouts ever go to Philmont, you can bet there will be no wagons used. If it was damaged maliciouly, those damaging it should pay, if the troop knew the wagon was comming along and it was "approved" then the troop is repsonsible. If it just appeared, then those who brought it are responsible.

See, when I saw this topic I was about to fly right in and explain the difference between Venture Patrols and Venturing Crews and then read the previous posts and decided they have done a much better job that I would. So, the question actually is not whether you should start a Venture patrol or a Venturing Crew, the question is which of these two WILL you start. You have idenified the need, now you just need to decide how to fill it. Crew or Patrol

Quioxte, All the things you mention i beleive would qualify for service times

We did see this comming. The initial scout had not participated in the church "lock-down" sleepin, did not attend the First year Camp-out (just for our first year scouts) or any of the two troop camp-outs prior to Camp. So camp was the first time he was away from home. (for the first time it turns out). The kid was crying/sobbing all day tuesday from breakfast till the dad arrived at 9:30 pm. Older scouts, adults, counselors, nothing made an impression. This all effected two other scouts, one of which came back which got him a cheer from the other scouts when he returned. We just have to be sure Camp is not the first away from home experience for the boy and keep them busy, I think thats the key from the postings.

Most of our troop will take the "adjustable baseball hat" open it up and clip it on a front facing belt loop. Doesnt get crushed and you know where it is.

Back from Camp and had something new happen, out of 22 new scouts (first year program), three went home homesick, one came back a day later with his father, but the other two stayed. Scoutmaster and Committee Chair talked, cajoled, wheedled etc for hours before giving up as the attitude of the home sickies was infecting the rest of the group. How do you battle this problem? In 5 years of comming to camp, this is the first time I ever saw this.

BTW, had three venture crew girl members do the Muck Hike. I will post those on the Crew website and let you know when the are there.(This message has been edited by OldGreyEagle)

Just back from Camp Minsi, took 62 scouts, three left due to home sickness, one came back. I will have to start a thread about how to handle that. About 119 merit badges earned and many partials, mostly due to the scouts not having the 20 nights of camping in tents with 4 making scout, 2 first class and one life. Overall the program was excellent and the staff was very eager to please, the crowded dining hall was a bother, but the staff tried every way to make it work. At least we had the Council Exec with us all week and he lived life as a camper, cant wait to see what happens. OA campfire/call out was spectacular as was the OA ceremony that was held for first year campers explaining what the OA was and greeeting them into scouting. Excellent facilities and due to leader attrition I ended up as interim scoutmaster on Friday and Saturday. I had no problem signing us up again for the 4th week of camp in 2003. Can you ever see All you Eatta to many times???

Off to Camp Minsi in Pocono Summit, Minsi Trails Council. Taking 62 scouts and 14-18 adults depending on the day. Will have to let you know how that works out, we will be in two sites. ALso, as I alluded to before, we will have the Council Scout Exec with us all week. And for the great Muck Hike, three of the Venture Crew will come up (all girls)

At first I was thinking great, another pearl of wisdom from Yaworski. But he makes a lot of sense. Having the name tags may advertise more information than we want. I'll reconsider the name tag idea.