DuctTape

If by the time a boy makes it to life he hasnt internalized a meaning or drive ir what have you for Eagle, then the entire process from the beginning was lost on him. Many laugh at me when I bring up the 1911 handbook and say it is outdated, times have changed etc... I disagree, I believe the values espoused, specifically the "boys learning to do things for themselves" as the primary (sole) purpose of Scouting as the hb describes, it is those things which allow a scout to live up to his duty. Too much time and energy is focused on the abstract "values" and ethical decisions and not on the practical application. If by the time a boy has reached life scout and does not desire nor have the knowledge, skill, and understanding to complete the rest of his journey on his own (knowing and turning to resources for help of course) then he hasnt demonstrated fulfillment of the mission of scouting let alone demonstrated fulfillment of its highest award. The awards beyond first class rank are a fulfillment of Scoutings purpose, the practical application. IMO, the most important requirements are the most pencil whipped. Not the scoutcraft, or POR, but Demonstrating Scout Spirit. The boy's practical application of Scoutings mission and purpose. Do a good turn daily is too often just a phrase and rarely manifests itself in reality.

I still do not like the"work on any requirements for any rank at any time" business. This perpetuates the "one and done" problem as well as the "doing the bare minimum". Eliminating it would force real growth of the scout with those skills as they move along the continuum.

Yep, and SM Jones is a man and CM Smith is a woman. They are living together unmarried.

I agree with Stosh that other "experts" can and should be used as resources. I will add that scouting adventures at their core are led by the boy leader. Built into the boy led and patrol method is (or should be) a continuum of adventure led by the boys as their experience and knowledge grows. A patrol might want to go on some extreme type of adventure, but to get there they will need to plan a series of smaller adventures to build the knowledge and experience of the patrol and the boy leaders. The SM role is not to be a "wilderness guide", that is the job of the boy leader. The SM is there as a resource for the patrol. Some might say that the boys "cant do xyz, so how can they lead the trip?" My immediate response is then what level are they capable of, and encourage them to start there. Crawl, walk, run. This is Scouting, otherwise it is just a paid guide service staffed by unpaid guides.

I would recommend Chapter 1, Specifically the Aim of the Scout Movement. http://www.gutenberg.org/files/29558/29558-h/29558-h.htm

It is expected the boys are able to explain, demonstrate etc... for their requirements. For adults they need to show up to be "trained". Many of the adult trainings I went to while they may have had good stuff in the curriculum, there was zero assessment let alone any follow-up to ensure understanding or putting theory into practice. Thus I would add some level of testing and/or accountability to the adult training.

The earlier and earlier they keep pushing the web-bs crossover I think is misguided. I know requirements have changed, but as we often bemoan here, not all are for the better. I also understand the rationale of the troop wanting more time with the new scouts before camp. I remember when the new scouts didnt really start with the troop until the fall. They were a bit older, having completed the 5th grade and this gave them and the troop a full year of integration, campouts etc... before summer camp.

No, my conclusion that your simplistic use of statistical modeling (ie linear model), assumptions, cherry picking of data intervals makes your conclusion nebulous at best. In the field this is calling into question the methodology. It is a common practice. If one were interested in actually determining something, they would accept critique if their methodology, improve on it, etc... instead of holding fast to their desired outcome.

Yes you said you concluded. I apologize for stating it as proof. However, the rest of what I said stands, replace proof with conclude.

Yes modeling is important, and complex and incolve both long term and shortvterm forecasting and causes are multi-variate. Yet, in this specific issue, you attempt to simplify it down to a single cause, with the only evidence being something changed, and you also force it to be linear by using an average, and you select only a subset of the data. That is not how modeling nor statistics are done except if one is looking to "prove" their preconceived notion.

Bad Wolf, your signature line is apropos. So why choose a linear model based solely on the last few years?

I hesitate to mention this, but so far we have only heard one side of the story. I agree with the general responses operating under the assumption that the side we heard was true. While we have no reason to doubt the accuracy, I am certain if the others involved had their say, the picture would appear much different. That said, we can all learn from the experience and how to deal with a similar situation.

Why not a patrol activity where they make their own?

Qwaze is correct. Building forts in the woods, cooking hot dogs on a stick, and staying up late with your buddies. That is the essence which attracts and retains.

Q, I do not disagree with you. I was operating under the premise a discussion with the SM has already occurred and thus knows full well what is going on. He either is supporting it, or doing nothing to stop it.Perhaps I am wrong.

I disagree with your "most pressing need". You will not get your desired result, not even close. My advice would be to go somewhere else and report your experience to the Council.

Interesting that some see the death of bsa and their own involvement so related to each other. It may be hard to believe, but there are quite a few volunteer scouters who do not have boys in the program, either at present or never did. There are some adults who give back to scouting for other boys, not just for our own kids. The future of scouting will require more of these adults, as those who are only there concurrently with their sons drop out. These scouters have always existed, and will continue to exist. I know the best SMs I have ever worked with did not have boys in the troop. Some did in the past, but no longer. Others never did, but were involved in Scouting as a youth and see their service as giving back.

The claim is that there are organisms to break down. This means in the food. If the organisms come from dirty hands, then this will happen after the your entire process is complete as well. The sanitizing is a waste, there are no organisms to kill, yet. A sterile dish touched by a contaminated hand will become contaminated regardless.

Like I said, the steps are unecessary, but change is hard. Keep doing it your way.

The viruses that are currently in the food that was just eaten? That is what we are removing in this process.

No soap, use wood ash. The ash with water will release potassium hydroxide, a form of lye which will effectively cut grease and help remove stuck food.

2 buckets instead of 3. But I dont use any buckets. Hot water is made. Put drop of soap in mess kit (If oily, soap is to cut grease) add hot water, just enough to wipe out any remaining bits of food. Rinse with a little more hot water. Wipe dry with bandana. Instead of putting dishes into buckets of water, change the paradigm and add the water to what is being cleaned. Sanitizing is a waste, there is nothing to sanitize. The entire purpose is to remove any remaining food which could grow bacteria.

The sanitizing step on a campout is unecessary. Soap kills nasties, boiling water kills nasties. But even that is overkill because the "dirty"plate was not contaminated in the first place. The point of cleaning it is to remove the medium in which bacteria will colonize if left unwashed.

I have always loved this line, "No Boy Scout has ever starved to death on a weekend camping trip."

What are those scout moms thinking showing up to a blue and gold dinner with their wives. Making a spectacle of themselves by flaunting their sexual activity in front of everyone.