njeagle92

I was as surprised as everyone when I learned yesterday of BSA's decision to open enrollment to girls at the Cub level in 2018 and Troop level in (projected) 2019. I am curious: I was emailed a survey from BSA this spring or early summer. It was a short survey of about 10 questions, but the gist of the survey was to probe the relevance of the BSA program for girls. The survey also asked whether the Eagle rank should be awarded to girls who complete the requirements. I presume those who read this topic are connected in some way "electronically" with the BSA. That is to say, the BSA has your email. I can't possibly be the only one who was surveyed. And while I far from a statistician, I have to ask whether the sample section included only BSA families, and if so, how reliable is the data which led to BSA's conclusion to open the program to girls? Yesterday seemed like a decision out-of-the-blue, but I can't say I did not see it coming.

I'm an Eagle scout and Scoutmaster. I would welcome girls to my troop tomorrow. Why? Because they want to be active. They choose to conduct themselves according to the scout Oath and Law. Two deep leadership? Yes, that will most certainly be an issue, but I already have active moms on my Troop Committee. I just don't see how an all girls' unit makes it off the launch pad without significant support of the local BSA troop. Let's do this right the first time. Let's figure out how to integrate and not segregate. This weekend my troop will camp and tour West Point, USMA. My boys will see a unity among cadets male and female, and a mutual respect regardless of gender. Why can't BSA offer the same?

So will this be a "separate but equal" program for girls in 2019? We've been down that road before... Why not use the Venture model to integrate BSA troops?

My buddies razzed me and the girls laughed at my "little uniform". Then the local paper did a write up following my Eagle COH. Same buddies, same girls (even the "hot" ones) all agreed my Eagle accomplishment was pretty cool. Go figure.

I had Skill Award requirements on my trail to Eagle: 1985-1992. The Skill Awards were discontinued at about the time the rank patches got redesigned. We called them the "diarrhea brown" ranks. Anyway, the lower rank advancement required Skill Award completion. Once you got to 1st class, the focus shifted to merit badges. Still have my handbook from 1979 and its my best resource for teaching scoutcraft to my Weblos. I haven't looked at the current Boy Scout advancement. The skill awards were a nice primer for Camping, Cooking, Envi Sci and other merit badges. Have the "skills" which comprised the old Skill Awards found their way into the new advancement?

GREAT TOPIC!!! I have my scouting apps grouped together on my iPhone. Among them: Star Walk- an awesome astronomy app! Also, Grog Knots- this app shows how to tie dozens of knots/hitches/lashings/splices step by step with animation; Leafsnap is a plant/tree identifier: just take a pic of a leaf against a white background! MapLandNav- All you ever wanted to know about compass/orienteering, I've also installed Army Ranger survival and SAS survival apps. Lastly, if your Troop or Pack is without a bugler, pay the 1.99 or so and buy Army Bugle Calls. All the bugle calls we've come to know and love at summer camp. Most apps were FREE. Don't think I paid more than a few bucks for the others.

Nice find! Thank you!

What happened to the red loops?

This post reminds me of a similar question I've often wondered... I've been to Eagle CoH's out of uniform and have noticed others in civilan attire wearing their Eagle medals. Is this common? I've worn my Eagle medal in uniform at CoH's, but never the opposite. Regardless, I still stand when the call goes out to "all Eagles in attendance to please stand and be recognized".

I'm sure it's a hot topic on the boards- ill search for some suggestions. Thoughts of a mass resignation have crossed my mind.

Any ideas how to get other committee members to round table? Or other parents?Despite some 60-70 families in our Pack, it's been the SAME 5 parents performing multiple Pack roles, myself included. No one wants to step up. Sure, we get the pats on the backs for a job well done, but we also get the petty criticism. I know the 5 of us would like a break, but we carry on our multiple roles out of necessity.

Our boys keep the same den number as they progress through the ranks. We "recycle" den numbers once boys cross-over. We encourage Weblos dens to take on a patrol identity but thats a hard fought battle. Once they trade their blue uniforms for khaki, the den number is usally replaced with a patrol patch. We prefer our dens number no more than 8-10 boys and no fewer than 6-8 boys. We will often have multiple dens in a given rank.

I should put 'inspections' in quotes... "Inspections". My Pack is on the larger side- about 70 boys comprising 8 dens- Tigers through Weblos 2. We don't line em up and walk the ranks. During our Pack meetings, one or two parents/assistant Cubmasters wil casually look around and make a mental note of which dens are in uniform. We meet in the school auditorium and so we have the benefit of seating scouts in rows by den with Tigers up front, then Wolves, Bears, Weblos with the parents/akelas in the back rows. We leave it to the den leaders to keep watch of their scouts. We sit the parents in back because they make too much noise. Towards the end of our Pack meeting, a parent will signal the den number who best represents the proper wearing of the uniform. We'll bring them up on stage (that is its own reward) and we will point out the basics: hat, necker, Class A tucked in, belt- and we leave it at that. Our cubs wear jeans or blue shorts. Maybe one kid out of 50 will show up in scout pants. Kids grow too fast! We award our totem mascot, the kids jump up and down, and the Pack as a whole gets an idea of our uniform expectations. There's alot more to our award of the totem mascot and a nice story that ties it to the wearing of a uniform, scout spirit, group identity, etc. We usually tell the story once in September and once again at the B&G in February. We dont force pushups and we dont shame the ones out of uniform (a sign of kinder, gentler times I suppose), but a little positive reinforcement goes a long way. Our Class B's are simple Cub Scout blue tshirts with our Pack number on the front and an American flag and "Do Your Best!" on the back. The Pack gives one Class B tshirt to every boy and more are available for purchase. We have mom and dad sizes too.

You raise an excellent point that, until now, had escaped me. I do see the value in councli roundtables in the opportunities to help others. Thanks!

We require Class As at monthly Pack meetings, Pinewood Derby, Blue and Gold, Memorial Day Parade, and any other "formal" activity. Class Bs for Den meetings and go-see-it activities, with Class A always an option. If a scout is not in uniform, there's probably a good reason, and no one bothers. A respect for the uniform is a basic principal. I completed my Eagle requirements one day before my 18th birthday. I attended Troop activities through high school. When I got old enough to drive myself to and from meetings, I'd arrive in "street" clothes and change just before. The little cubs don't know "cool" yet. If no one wants to wear a uniform because "it takes too much time to get ready", you have a bigger issue than convenience. If a kid has pop warner, little league, or some other activity and still comes to meetings out of uniform- that kid wants to participate in scouts! We don't turn him (or anyone) away from the program. Your Pack need not go overboard with uniform inspections. Make a game of it. Call up the ones who set good examples, but don't call out the ones who don't.