Eagle94-A1

As others have said, it may be possible for this gentleman to still be in Scouting as a "youth." It will require contacting the council and using Scouting resources on the topic. here are some I was able to find: http://www.scouting.org/disabilitiesawareness.aspx Website devoted to disabilities awareness and links to supporting literature http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/GuideToAdvancement/SpecialNeeds/RegisterQualifiedMembers.aspx How to register special needs Scouts http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-935_WB.pdf Request for Registration Beyond the Age of Eligibility http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/510-071.pdf GUIDE to WORKING WITH Scouts with Disabilities http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/SpecialNeedsInformationSheet.pdf Special Needs Fact Sheet http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/GuideToAdvancement/SpecialNeeds.aspx Advancement page and link to registering info posted above http://www.scouting.org/Home/GuideToAdvancement/SpecialNeeds/AdvancementFlexibilityAllowed.aspx More advancement info http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-936_WB.pdf Individual Scout Advancement Plan ( assuming BSA's version of an IEP) http://www.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/512-730.pdf Application for Alternate Eagle MBs if needed AND there are a bunch of other links, including info to help the leaders of Scouts with disabiltiies. I have met Scouts with various disabilities, both mental and physical, who were outstanding Scouts, sometimes better than their healthy compatriots. I had a 30+ year old Life Scout who was both blind and mentally disabled teaching me when I went though the old Brownsea 22 Course, and I was proud to see him get Eagle in my Eagle class.

Stosh, You wouldn't have happened to read any William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt by any chance? I could swear he wrote your idea almost verbatim!

My DE stated he would rather be shot in the head with a shotgun than do the online training again. My district training chair heard that comment, went online to attempt it, and said he's doing a live class instead.

As far as I'm concerened, they are OK. We had a mom picking up son from day camp wearing flip flops. Between the car and the pick up area, about 75-100 feet, she fell and ripped a toenail. Having closed toe shoes would have helped. Grant you I looking into some water shoes for an upcoming backpackign trip with some water crossings. But normally when dealing with water, it's ALTAMA brand jungle boots. They were the USGI manufacturer. Don't recommend ROTHCO jungle boots. About 10 days old Rothco boots had the sole come out when I was doing a portage on a practice trip. Git stuck in the mud, and the mud sucked the sole off.

To my cheerleaders, heck everyone THANK YOU! This is a long, time consuming, and at times, very frustrating process. I need all the encouragement I can at times. Regarding the mixed backgrounds, some new Scouts are capable of functioning without adult intervention because that is how they were trained.. Some won't do a thing without an adult telling them to do something. You can have however many scouts tell them, they will ignore them. Some are capable of doing things, some do not want to even try to do something. They want the adults to do it for them. Or if they are to be taught, they want adults to teach, not other Scouts. Especially not their peers in the den. Rather interesting that once the 12 year old Tenderfoot showed his knowledge, skills, abilitiies, and gear to teach introductory backpacking course, the older Scouts would actually listen to him abotu various things. Heck when the 12 year old Tenderfoot put on a backpacking cooking demo, and told them about the cook off the following week, the older Scouts paid attention to every last detail and it showed in their meal. The NSP that the Tenderfoot was in? Well they would not take any suggestions or ideas from him, to the point where he was so frustrated, he decided to do his own meal and compete. Long story short Tenderfoot was disqualifies as "professionals are not allowed " Older Scouts won as they had the next best meal, and the NSP, well, it took a lot of fortitude to sample their undercooked, disgusting meal. Only reason it was "edible", and the term is very loosely used, is because they used precooked chicken.

On paper I'm a committee member, but in performance I'm an ASM. I'm working on that because I've been doing ASM work, since June 1st, except a brief spell when injured.. I would like to add a fourth reason why NSPs do not work: lack of cohesion, homogeneity, whatever you want to call it. What do I mean by that? The NSP came from 5 different dens in 3 different packs over a 6 month period. Each pack and den did things differently, and began the transition to Boy Scouts differently. Different sets of expectations of Boy Scouts, different sets of readiness for Boy Scouts. One reason why i think oldest's patrol did well as a NSP was because the process to transition started when they were Tigers. I showed them what Boy Scouts was about on a camp out that had Scouts. When they became Webelos, my replacement took over where I left off, and they began acting like a patrol. By the time Cross Over came, they were chomping at the bit to be Boy Scouts. One reason why guys were let down by the neighboring troop and came to the troop my son joined. And the reason why I realized this: The Boy Scout told me this.

I admit, the troop has a long way to go still. In fact, one of my friends suggested looking for another troop already. But from where we've been, to last nite, IS a giant step in the right direction IMHO. (FYI, all caps will be emphasis and not shouting.) We are going with the traditional, pre-1989, mixed aged patrol, so TGs are not going to be a POR. Game plan is to put more responsibility AND authority on the PLs. As mentioned, the patrol method IS contrary to our society's expectations. Let's face it, we are treating 26 year old adults as children still, and unfortunatley they are acting like it. My thoughts are to give the youth high expectations, so that they will perform to the best of their abilities. THEY ARE CAPABLE OF DOIGN THE JOB, EVEN IF THEIR PARENTS THINK OTHERWISE! Let's face it, I learned my lesson last year when son was elected SPL as an 11 year old Tenderfoot! SM and an ASM want him to run again for SPL. He wants a break after being a TG, but will run for PL if the guy in his patrol who he wants to be PL wins election as SPL. "Somebody has to take care of them (the new patrol mates)." As for training the PLC, We got a retired SNCO ( not the one who has caused problems) who is working on combining ILST and stuff he learned and taught at the SNCO acadamy. Basically more initiative games and emphasis on servant leadership added into the training, stuff they need. The goal is to STRENGTHEN the PLC members and not weaken them. Give them the authority and responsibity, let them make their mistakes and use a guided apporach to work with the PL and SPL to improve. And by guided, not commands and directions, but asking questions and letitng htem think of solutions. By 'screwing up" I mean not having a meeting plan, i.e. skills instruction, schedule for the camp out, getting information out in a timely manner, etc. The adults are hoping that after having last election where folks voted for their best buddy instead of who is most capable of the job, the Older Scouts will be elected into PORs. Game plan is for the PCs to work with these older scouts, who in turn will work with the rest of the patrol. Me personally, I think that once the Scouts realize the shackles are off, they will do VERY well. Regarding the current troop TOE regarding an NSP ASM and venture ASM. My troop growing up didn't have ASMs assigned to patrols. Scouts did all the work. When I was PL of the NSP, , if I had a problem, I went to the ASPL or SPL (remember, this was pre-1989 and we were guinea pigs with NSPs.) With those troops I've seen use NSPs, the ASM is OVERINVOLVED IMHO, and is treating the NSP more as a Webelos III than a Boy Scout Patrol. One reason I had such a hard time working with the NSP. I know I've crossed the line on occasion with the NSP. One reason why I pushed for both responsibilty AND authority, it can with some of the issues I'm seeing.

A bit of an update. Leader's Meeting There was a leader's meeting last night prior to the Court of Honor. I was only able to attend a few minutes as I had to sit on Boards of Review (don't ask, I've been in a SA position, but still registered as MC). Anyway from the outline the SM created, and basically told the other adults "this is how we are doing it," this is what will be happening effective May 2nd. 1) Each patrol will be assigned an ASM as patrol counselor, and that PC's job is to train, mentor, and advise the PL. Other PCs, as well as ALL of the leaders' jobs will be to keep an eye on each other and make sure we don't turn it into Webelos IIIs. 2) PLC members, and select others, will go through training to understand the importance of their newly given authority to sign off on advancement. 3) The adults will be expecting more out of the PLC; we won't be "saving" them when they screw up. Boards of Review The 3 Scouts I sat on BORs for were all in the NSP. When asked what they would change, all said nothing because we are getting rid of the NSP after camporee. Court of Honor EXTREMELY PROUD OF THE SPL AND THE SCOUTS! (emphasis, and a wee bit of shouting at the top of my lungs ) This was the first time the Scouts had any say in how the Court of Honor was conducted. All I did was hand the SPL several copies of COH scripts, told him to look up some if he wants, and use it this week making sure he shared it with the SM. Ok did the SPL do research, NO. Did he ask which script to use, YES. Replied with, "you're the SPL, you're in charge." Did the SPL ask who the MC was going to be, YES. Did I repeat my reply above, YES. Did he make some mistakes, ABSOLUTELY. Did he learn from them, I SURE HOPE SO. Did he do a great job for taking charge for the first time. YES HE DID.

I had a Scout teach portions of IOLS, because he had the knowledge, skills, and abilities to do it.. Great instructor. When be turned 18, the new district training chairman, who worked with the individual on the IOLS course, refused to sign him off until he completed the course. Sometimes it sucks to be the "leader's kid," having to worry about the leaders showing favoritism. And yes, once he completed IOLS, dad did sign him off.

I don't know who used the term Parour Scout first, but an audio recording from the 1920s has BP using the terrm. Going off on a tangent, when has that NOT happened , But wife got me a book called LEFT OF BANG about the USMC hunter-scout program. Not very far into it, but a lot of it so far is observing and being aware of your surroundings to ID threats.o reminds me of BP's yarns in the original BSHB.

I admit I volunteer for my own selfish reasons. One is I want my boys to have the same opportunities for adventure that I had. Another is that I am a Scouting and outdoor addict, to the point where during Cubs, the wife kicked me out of the house to go camping wiht the OA or a troop because I was going through camping withdrawl. Finallly I feel an obligation to pay back to the leaders I had by continuing their legacy. As for Eagles being unlearning what they have learned, I agree. I say the most difficult transition was from Boy Scout to Scouter as opposed to Cub Scout Leader to Boy Scout Leader. I was worse than a jerk for a while. But going from Boy Scout leader to Cub Scout leader was a bit of a challenge too. Still wish I took a picture of my 5year old Tiger wearing an ALICE pack on a camp out. I should have named him " Helpless Turtle.

When the heck did they add the 2 year thing? Grant you I'm glad that a brother and sister can share the same tent now, we have a set backpacking, and they are a backpacking buddies.

Well, we had to adapt for teh weekend trip, couldn;'t get the enough permits to do the area we wanted. Plan B is national forest, and we definatley want the spray. Wife, dad, and friend were hiking a trail in the area, and encountered bear,.

Just wait until you try to find info on the website, and I'm a librarian who can make most databases dance on a dime. I think one of my Cubs could do a better job doing the coding for that website.

Wanted to give a quick update. Looks like the police report will be useless for documentation. Apparently someone else claimed to jump in and do CPR on the victim. I'm not happy, wife could care less, but my friend with the police department is TICKED OFF (both emphasis and shouting on his part). He's madder than a hornet's nest because A) the people who deserve the credit are not getting it and B) it's falsifying a police report. But because it's not anything major ( EMS was able to revive him and send him to a hospital) it's not worth the time or energy to correct it.

All this talk about sheath knives, Why do I want this knife for bushcraft?

AMEN! I admit I was a horrible ASM at 18 and 19, to the point where some of the Scouts, including a few friends, wanted to quit when I was the "lead ASM" since I was at summer cmap the entire week, and the other adults were in and out. Thankfully the SM at the time went though the same problem with his Sea Scout ship, and was able top correct my course. "Unlearn what you have learned." Yoda.

Back in the day, we paid monthly dues instead of weekly dues. Started at $2/ month then moved up to $3/month. That $24-36 covered registration, BL, and some troop supplies. However we did fundraising with some money going to Individual Scout Accounts ( I know not allows) that we could use for dues, and activities, but the bulk went into troop operations. The Pack my younger sons are in charges a lump fee, although you can spread it out over 3 months. I'd take spreading it out over a lump sum anyday. Way it worked for me, and oldest now, dues are HIS responsibility, and he needs to pay out of his allowance.

Sorry, scribe not QM. My brain is fried after work today.

AMEN!

That may be a very good one.

A few thoughts. 1) for AOL, you "Be active in your Webelos den for at least six months since completing the fourth grade or for at least six months since becoming 10 years old. (Being active means having good attendance, paying your den dues, and working on den projects.)" So unless he's 10.5 at the end of 4th grade, he can't earn AOL. Now my tale. My son has a late birthday. He will be over 10.5 when June 1 hits. He was seriously thinking about skipping the Webelos badge and going directly to AOL so he could cross over in June and go to summer camp with big brother. When it was pointed out he would be in the NSP and when his buddies joined 6 months later he would be in a different patrol, he decided to stay in the pack. Regarding Mixed aged patrols and new Scouts. Way it worked in my old troop, the "expereinced" scouts of ages 12-14 in the patrol would buddy up with a new scout and mentor and mold them. It was usually people's first time doing servant leadership. The PL would pick out who would work with whom. When we eventually got a feeder pack, we would buddy them up at the meeting(s) before the webelos overniter so they could get comfotable with the patrol. Then on the cmapout they worked with the patrol. GREAT RECRUITING TOOL

Way it workls in Son's troop is patrol QM collects money, fills out the patrol dues envelope, and turns in the envelope tot eh troop QM. I don't know if the patrol QM's keep copies of the deposits. I know the troop QM and SM keep records. Some Scouts will not be getting their awards Monday until their dues are paid, becasue that's where teh $.25 / week goes to. And awards aint cheap. 14 MBs and ranks was over $30!

$52/ year in addition to the $24 registration? $76/ year. What do the Scouts get from it? I know the pack I'm with charges $60/ year without Boys' Life and $72 with. Money is used for registration, wards, supplies, etc. My son's troop is $.25/week plus $25 for registration and insurance and an additional $12 is you want Boys' life. Going to go up some, $.50/ week to cover expenses.

In the situation I'm referring to, it is a trained ASM who is an Eagle, and hence SHOULD (emphasis) know better, and in fact does. But when it comes to his son, he thinks he knows best, and BSA is messed up. Don't get me started on that one. Long story short, a lot of the problems started when his pack and troop folded, and he transferred over to us. Maybe that's why his pack and troop folded. sad thing is, the guy has a ton of knowledge, skills and abilities. he can be a vital asset to the troop, IF he would learn some patience and learn to stay out of the Scouts way. I think I may use some military analogies on him he may understand. The Scouts are the "grunts" in the field doing what they are suppose to be doing, or doing their best to accomplish and learning from their mistakes, and he's being the REMF, who is screwing things up and frustrating the Scouts.