DuctTape

Some may have forgotten that the original scout mess kit design was based on the concept of using it in the fire "dutch oven style".

Capture the flag using patrol flags becomes much more meaningful when the patrols use their flag! I still have one of my patrol flags from when I was a kid. .

While allergies create a much greater concern, scouts also have taste preferences and/or religious reasons for not having certain food items. (note: I am not equating the dangers with preferences.) Patrols who work together can accomodate all food issues with proper communication and planning. This is real life cut down to scout size. Imagine if the "boss" in the adult stories had a real patrol experience communicating and planning a menu for their pals, all of whom had different tastes, religious restrictions, and/or food allergies, etc... By providing this opportunity for scouts in a controlled environment, we are helping them make the safe and ethical decisions later in life.

Or the "untrained scout version" 2Breakfast: poptarts lunch: hot dogs dinner: hot dogs and cookies snack: smores Total: $15.14

Well I didn't beat you. But I met my goal of keeping the total under $20 and also trying to not have anything the same as yours. I figured this would provide more variety for folks reading Total: $16.87 2 Breakfasts: Pancakes, butter, syrup lunch: grilled cheese & tomato soup, bug juice dinner: chili dessert: choc chip cookies shopping list: see instacart screen shots

When I was a scout, our patrol never said anything prior to eating. We only witnessed this practice at Council wide events. In my roles over the years as a scouter, most of the time a meal blessing was done was at the direction of an adult. Usually "reminding" the scouts they do it.

At our school we have this poster which helps distinguish rude vs mean vs bullying.

Re: adult volunteers. start with a specific ask instead of title. For example, ask mom#1 if she can bring snacks to the next committee meeting (remind her she will be reimbursed, but give her a $limit). Ask dad#2 if he can drive scouts to the day hike location next month. etc... Folks rarely say yes to "titles" but are willing to help in some capacity. Build up from that. Be sure to thank them 3 times. First privately as soon as possible, second, publically at the "event", and lastly another private thank you when you say goodbye and have another "ask".

I love the challenge. I will try to remember to visit my local Aldis and see what I can come up with. Besides cost, I will also look to calories and nutrional value. Easiest way to do it is to put everything into an online recipe calculator and run it as though it was one recipe. Off to the store...

How about encouraging the scouts to use the Court of Honor as a way to recognize more than just advancement? Recognitions could be for individuals and for patrols. Imagine a scout being recognized by the PLC for his exemplary character on a campout, or a patrol recognized for the "most service hours" logged for the year, etc...

I suppose I am using "efficiency" in the most vague, most broad way. I think they all stem from lack of trust of the scouts and the program.

First step I would suggest is the troop committee all take the training together. This way they begin on the same page, understanding their roles/responsibilities and excising the pre-concieved beliefs which are not part of their roles.

One area in which we all can improve is the removal of barriers to the Patrol Method. In general, all of the things adults do to make it easier or more efficient which could be done by scouts may be barriers to developing the patrol method. For example, adults towing the troop trailer which stores equipment to the campout for easy access to gear which allows scouts to go back/forth whenever something is needed. This habit denies the patrol the opportunity to communicate, plan ahead, and learn to cooperate. Better would be the following: While planning the outing, the patrol determines which equipment they will need. The patrol QM (ad hoc) requests the equipment from the troop QM. The equipment is divided up among the patrol to be packed with their personal gear. Each patrol member is responsible for specific items. The patrol QM keeps track (a list?) of who has what. Upon return, the patrol mates return the equipment to the patrol QM who then returns it to the troop QM to store in the trailer. It is very common when I bring up these types of examples for adults to "defend their practice". While they sometimes have legitimate reasons, almost always they are just trying to justify their interference as they fail to even consider the positive rationale for doing it differently (ie, letting the scouts do it.). What other "adult efficiencies" are barriers to the Patrol Method?

Yes. This is my experience too. I have my suspicions as to why, but nothing close to definitive.

A long time ago I worked at a video store which had a contract with the local prison to provide movies. We were given a list of "prohibited content" to exclude from the tapes we would send them. No specific film titles were excluded, just general content.

When McDs was developing the egg mcmuffin, they were trying to make "eggs benedict" into a sandwich. They had difficulty with hollandaise sauce (too messy I presume) and then "someone" suggested to top it with a piece of cheese and the mcmuffin was born. Another method is to make a "square" version using pie irons to fry the egg, and a square ciabatta roll instead of an english muffin. Bonus is those that want "panini style" can finish their sandwich in the pie iron (gets the cheese all melty). I usually forego the egg as they are a relative pain to pack and use extra cheese (a nice swiss or cheddar) and either sausage or ham instead of canadian bacon. All gets cooked on a tiny grill over the fire. The addition of a tomato slice and/or avocado makes it delish.

yeah. they can also spend two weeks at summer camp living under canvas but never once preparing their own meals, or doing anything resembling the patrol method.

Barry is spot on. This a great opportunity for scouts; adults should not deny them by doing what the scouts can do for themselves.

If the State has an "open meetings" law, this practice may be illegal. Often there are strict laws governing what may be discussed in executive session. At the very least it is unethical. The purpose of public meetings is to discuss (debate) issues.

As examples, they are to help guide not be exhaustive lists. The counselor approves the specific meeting based on the purpose of requirement.

I have always viewed the motto as a character mindset which complements the slogan, "do a good turn daily". For me, "be prepared" is NOT about gear, but one's character to make the ethical decision and willingness to act on it. "Are you prepared to do what is right?"

I was a reader/lurker for a few years before I "joined". I remember some big debates and some time-outs but it was not as far back as you guys have been here.

I know. The adults make it difficult. Often trying to find "loopholes" to take away from the reqs, or ways to add to them. A high quality mB counselor understands the reqs as written and helps the scout complete them. The problem arises when unqualified folks sign up to be a mB counselor and the district does no vetting beyond YP.

While the requirements may not state "debate" at the meeting, a public meeting following Roberts Rules any discussion of a motion is considered "debate". Only during this time can any viewpoints be given. Thus the requirement to attend (not view online IMO) a meeting with differeling viewpoints presented can only occur during "debate". Yes, it is semantic. I think the focus on the "public" is missing the point of the requirement. Public means you can attend, private is closed to "the public".

+1 on the sawyer squeeze.