DuctTape

I, too, remember scout stuff at Sears and/or JC Penny.

Interesting concept. I will spend some time pondering this. Thanks for the thought.

Interesting that yesterday a Voice of the Scouter survey appeared in my email inbox and was focused on council responsiveness, programs, etc... as to how it provided benefit to scouters and units.

I understood beads for WB, back when it was an advanced course for experienced scouters. Now that it is an intro to leadership (nothing wrong with that), having beads or other regalia for completing an intro course seems a bit much. There aren't beads, etc... for IOLS or SM Specific. Maybe it would make sense if there was an AOLS course.

It would behoove us to remember that some cubs/families might have dietary restrictions due to health or beliefs. One pot meals are awesome, but having only a single one-pot course makes it impossible for those with dietary restrictions. Having enough variety in meal courses will allow those to eat something.

It might behoove us to review the expectations of the unit leader when first providing the blue card. Most of the time I have seen it go like this: Scout: I want to do "xyz" mB. SM: Do you have a counselor? Scout: Yes. SM: Ok, here is a blue card. Have fun! This is NOT appropriate, and the unit leader has signed a card without doing his/her job. There should be a significant conversation between the unit leader and the scout at this time. The initial signed blue card should be the unit leader attesting to this conversation. Many (not all) of the issues surrounding mBs could avoided if the process is started appropriately. The entire process should be reviewed by all unit leaders annually, and involve parents. The PLC should also include this in their annual planning especially when a large group of new scouts joins.

Almost all the ones with clips have a "fast and light" set-up option where one uses just the rain fly and poles. By setting up this way first, the inner can then be clipped from the inside. At the backpacking course I teach (for adults), I recommend folks set up their tent this way as their SOP. In general, I recommend they have all their routines assume inclement weather that way when it does happen they follow their normal routine instead of trying to figure it out then.

I would agree with troop iff, the entire goal of their unit is getting scouts to eagle. It is then their own fault for not delivering on the promise of scouting. Now, I have zero evidence this is the case.

There is no prohibition. I applaud the focus on adventure where advancement (specifically T-fC ) is a by-product and not the goal. However I would be cautious about the "launching a program..." because this sounds like an adult designed, adult planned, and executed program. The scouting program us supposed to be planned and executed by the scouts at the patrol level. Advancement, specifically mBs are supposed to be chosen, planned, etc... by the individual scouts.

DFS? I am unfamiliar with the acronym Probably something I should know, but don't.

It sounds like the pack does not have active dens, apart from pack meetings. Am I missing something?

Any type of advancement poster, or chart is best used at the Patrol level. In my experience this is a perfect role for the APL to take on. Not as a cudgel, but for patrol planning purposes. For example: At a patrol meeting: PL: "So for next month's outing, what are you guys interested in?" Patrol mates chitter chatter for a minute. PL: "Sounds like a lot of you want to go back to campsite xyz. Ok. Let's do that." APL: "Looking at our advancement chart it appears Johny needs to do FC req 2, menu and cooking, and Timmy needs to do 2C req 2. Andy needs 2C req 3 and Danny needs FC req 4&5. Patrol chatters about advancement, and ideas. PL: "Good info. We can use that to plan our campout actitivities, and duty rosters. How about I work with Andy and Danny to plan our days activities, focusing on map, compass, hiking, plant id, etc... and you work with Tim and John on menus, shopping, cooking, fire prep etc... " APL : "Sounds good. We should be able to have basics mapped out in about 30 minutes. Reconvene then?" PL: "Awesome, lets get to work."

or that Gold actually represents Excellence. I see that not getting gold means serious deficiencies in at least the basics. Like a restaurant passing their health inspection. It doesn't mean the food in any good, just that the place shouldn't be shut down.

I think it is too much, by one. The answer is 42. 😁

You asked the question, and now appear to be defending the JTE instead of taking our analysis into consideration. If I am mischaracterizing your response, I apologize. To some of your comments: Subjective, non-measureables can be consistent. It requires significantly more time, and effort. As I mentioned before, using descriptors instead of numbers. Just because something is measureable does not mean a higher number is a reference of quality(excellence). That is how I would change the JTE.

My sole complaint is that it is an attempt to measure quality in an objective manner by using quantifiable metrics. Excellence is a term of quality not quantity, so using numerical metrics can only, by definition, objectively state quantity. Quality is much much more subjective and can only be expressed as descriptors, not numbers. It is unfortunate that in recent decades subjective analysis using qualitative data has been relegated to such an inferior position as its cousin, objective analysis using quantitative data. Subjective analysis is not merely "one's opinion" as it is often referred in an attempt to dismiss it. Not everything that matters is measureable.

In the end, parents still need to provide adequate supervision, oversight, and accountability of their children. It matters not whether it is an agricultural, industrial, or digital world. The raising of kids is hard, it is a continuous test of choices, responsibility and accountability to earn new freedoms and responsibilities. Sure computers add a different dimension, so did tv, telephones and car keys. Giving kids age-appropriate responsibility and holding them accountable (meaning taking away freedoms and responsibility when they demonstrate their unreadiness) then giving them another chance in the future. Over time they get more and more freedom and responsibility (as they demonstrate they are ready) is how kids transition to adulthood. This of course is the ideal, and often doesn't happen.

Like you, I focus on the scouts. My father used to have a saying he would repeat to us Scouts when we asked him a question, usually permission to do something (we never caught on that he never said yes/no). I doubt this was his own invention either. Scout to SM: "Can we..." SM reply: " Is it safe? Is it fun? Is it scouting?"

easiest solution is for units to do YPT right before re-charter so everyone is on the same calendar. Do it at a December troop meeting. The scouts are doing their own thing, the adults can do theirs. Might be a good way to keep adults separated from the scouts a little more. By Dec, the patrols should be functioning quite well with SPL/ASPL helping the PLs.

edit: no comment

VHS? What about the slide show trainings? I was too young for those, but remember my father setting them up.

As with all things in Scouting, we as adults can do the research, shopping, etc... much more efficiently than the scouts. I always try to see how anything we as adults do can be a learning and growth opportunity for scouts. If an adult is a "tent expert", great! How do we utilize tgat expertise to help the scouts become more skillful and knowledgeable moving forward. Ultimate goal being the scouts become the future experts. If a scout cannot "do" yet, the adults should not just do it for them by themselves, but instead involve at least some scouts in every stage of the process. Even if the first step is the scouts "watch & listen". For example if I am calling a campground to inquire for camping availability, I do it with the SPL and ASPL there to hear the conversation. As they progress, they make the call with me listening. If I am internet shopping around for new tents, scouts will be doing it with me. Everything we do is an opportunity for scouts. They may not be ready to do it all by themselves, but they never will get there unless we show them and let them try.

or it could be done in reverse order. The QM in consult with the PLC determines what gear is needed, puts together a proposal to the SM who brings it to the Committee to approve the funds.

Your speculation is what I have witnessed. While some of the youth instructors might be well versed in the content, this still denies the scout an opportunity utilizing the adult association method. Even more so when the mbc abdicates his responsibility for testing.

That is only one wall in the (finished) basement. There are two more walls, plus the parlor which has all the scotch bowls, and other non-hangeable items. In the kitchen I keep just one skillet, and one griddle. I don't take the CI camping, I use stamped steel.