Eagle94-A1

Poor judgement of the leader, and CO should remove. But sometimes, as others have stated, things happened. On one scouting camp out, one of my friends came upon one couple that happened to be in the same area we were in. On a non-scouting event, I was walking down a trail and came upon 4 bottoms over a log.

Yep, EVERYONE HAS A HEALTH FORM (all emphasis) is from national. No health form, no weekend activities. A few ideas. 1) Have Parts A and B, the parts that do not need a physician to sign and are valid for up to 72 hours, filled out when recharter is due.My Cub Scout Pack does that. 2) One month prior to summer camp, everyone going has to turn in a current Part C, the one the MD, DO, PA, or RNP must fill out. 3) use an accordion style folder, place everyone in alphabetical order, and SEAL IT. Bring on every activity 4) Make sure folks with epi-pens tell folks about them and where they are on their person. As someone who has had to go to the hospital multiple times on Scouting business, having the paperwork helps tremendously. EDITED: How much training has the committee members and those involved with the decision making had? With all do respect to committee members, that is my current position with my son's troop, but most I have encountered do not have any training except Youth Protection. My suggestion is to get tghe online training, and even do SM Specific.

Stosh, There are a bunch of different requirements that are supposed to be met in order for a campground to be approved by the council for camping. Yep the council is suppose to pre-approve camps that Cubs can use.List can be found in the B.A.L.O.O. syllabus. Having shower and bathing facilities is one of the requirements, but I know of a camp that has neither, but is still used for Cubs. Port-o-potties are used to meet the bathroom requirement, and a solar shower was purchased for meeting that requirement. But the shower isn't used. Don't know about your neck of the woods, but that hasn't happened in mine. Heck I've commented to the OA folks that they could put some type of notation in the Where To Go Camping book of the Cub Approved camps, and give those books out to the packs as well. Comment I got was "Cubs don't need to camp."

One idea in my neck of the woods that has never been followed through: a Backpacking/Mobile Camporee. Basically everyone starts at one location and stays overnight. Next morning, everyone is given an azimuth to shoot, then go to that location with all their gear. At the spot they do the event, shot a 2nd azimuth and repeat. eventually all end up at the main camp.

Qwaz, As I said, "I personally... BUT ...'never ask an adult what you can ask a scout." And as you well know, I have been wrong before . As for the SPL, very rough around the edges, and needs some mentoring like all first time SPLs, but otherwise doing well. Training went well, but sometimes I do think it went in one ear, and out the other. As for being asked to run a camporee, I could see him staffing one in 2-3 years. And thinking about it, I know I would love the challenge as a Scout. But considering what I've seen him do at the troop lock in, as well as hearing about what he's done during patrol corners the past 2 weeks, I have a very strong suspicion ( and again I could be wrong) that he would indeed pass on the opportunity in order to help his newest NSP and their troop guide. Yep, he's been working with them a lot to get them up to speed. In all honesty he's a better PL or TG than SPL, but that's because he's "Been there, done that, has the patch.":p Then again, he may just want be a.... TIMELORD and wear their T.A.R.D.I.S. Patrol emblem. Stosh, LOVE IT! (and yep I'm yelling this go around )

In regards to the scouts running the event, I personally would not do that as I would stick with adults running the events. My rationale for that is the camporee is FOR THEM (emphasis, not shouting,) and I think t would be more fun for them to participate than staff. BUT, as BP once said, "never ask an adult what you can ask a scout." So I'd ask the OA chapter their thoughts. Some ideas if the OA said it's a great idea and wants to follow through. 1) Get the OA on board ASAP. They are probably your largest group of scouts at one time. 2) Get the SPLs together ASAP to start organizing and planning 3) Embrace the scheduling nightmare if you want all scouts, including staffers, to have fun. A) Stagger when events are done so that event staffers have time to do events B) Have some"Special Events" that do not require scouts to staff. BEST SPECIAL EVER was a US Army Special Forces display. We are within driving distance of Bragg, and our camporee chief had some connections there. OK, the Blackhawk had to cancel last minute due to a hurricane, and the entire group could not come ( they were supposed to ride the Blackhawk) but we did have two soldiers with their kit drive up and put on a demo for us. Did I mention it was the BEST SPECIAL EVER? ( and yes those last two caps were me screaming in that old V-Bar camp staff voice!)

ImaChristian13, If your son is having concerns and is interested in visiting another troop, DO SO!!!!! (caps and! for emphasis, not shouting). The troop I originally wanted my son to join had a change in leadership prior to us joining. Hearing the stuff that was going on from Scouts leaving the troop, from parents of those scouts, as well as from posted messages, I had grave concerns about the unit. Luckily 2 things happened to dissuade oldest from joining 1) camp out with them was a complete mess up that turned him off and 2) he found out the had been cancelling camp outs. We went elsewhere. BUT 5 of his Webelos buddies joined that troop. 2 have since transferred to his troop, and 2 have quit. In regards to the 2 who quit, one of the boys was concerned about stuff going on, but wanted her son to give them a little longer with the troop. He eventually got fruistrated and quit Scouting altogether. Now in regards to who is on the troop committee members, unfortunately whomever did your SM specific is incorrect. Troop committee member is a REGISTERED (emphasis, not shouting) adult leader role. Gotta have the YPT and fill out the app to be one. From page 34 of the SM specific syllabus ...the committee is composed of a minimum of three members, one of whom serves as committee chair. There is no maximum number of committee members. Committee members are most often parents of boys in the troop and chartered organization members who are interested in youth programs. For those parents who want to get involved, service on the unit committee may allow them to leverage their special expertise. Yes parents can do activities with their sons and help out, but if they are not registered, they they are not members of the BSA. Time working with the troop will not be counted as membership tenure, and, if memory serves ( I am getting old you know ) BSA liability insurance won't cover you.

I heard about the fake bugles that you push a button and it plays Taps, but never heard one until last Memorial Day. You can tell the difference big time..

Some things I've received, given out, and seen given as gifts: Specific editions of the BSHB . My original BSHB got ripped in two and went for a swim. One of my Eagles, pre-internet, tracked down a copy and gave it to me. BEST. PRESENT.EVER! Scrapbook of photos. Cheap, Walmart photo album with photos through the years. Wasn't even filled up completely. Norman Rockwell print. 1910 ed. of the BSHB Challenge Coin. Dutch oven. The SM was really big into Dutch oven cooking and, the scout got a hold of one for his collection Gift card to Applebees. Some don't like to give those, but I like them.

Folks, I just got a copy of the new SM specific training syllabus. For those who may know, my question is: WHY NOW? (caps for emphasis) We all know that changes are coming ot the Boy Scout program in 2016/17, so why come up with a new syllabus now? For the most part the content is OK, short but good, but I ask the question because one section, Advancement, will need to be changed when the new requirements come out next year. Wouldn't it make better sense to wait a year?

Eagle90, I', sorry to hear about the loss of camps, but don't blame the Cubs. Blame who is coming up with these ridiculous standards that are causing camps to be closed: national.

OldScout, Try this link: http://nocbay.com/learningcircle/index.asp Look down try numbers 56 through 58

Stosh, Actually with my boys, it was SWMBO that was insistent initially with them going with her. Now she is good to go. Heck last Cub Camp out she made the comment, "You and me are in camp giving out [Halloween] candy. The boys are somewhere in camp. They know where we are." The only problem I had with a Webelos doing a 50 miler with the Boy Scouts (way back in the day and day was a leader) was that after that trip, the weekend trips and summer camps were boring after that trip. He dropped out of the troop he joined, but did eventually join the law enforcement Explorer post.

One thing to remember, Cub Scout camping is FAMILY camping (emphasis, not shouting). Yep Cubs should be able to handle it. But the pre-Cub age youth may be an issue. I know the wife took my boys in the bathrooms with her when they were not Cubs. On a different note, is BWCA still or running water? If' it's still water, and the Cubs pass a swim test, good to go. If running water, NOPE!

Sometimes you need to adapt, improvise, and overcome. Public facilities is one example. Another would be the emergency situation where we had everyone, in two rooms. All the youth were in one room, all the adults, including females, were in another. It was one instance where I was glad son got sick and went home prior to the storm. you could go swimming in the tents!

The anti-LDS attitudes is as bad as the anti-Catholic attitudes I've experienced. I even had one potential leader, write a very long, abusive letter about he and his family will not join Scouts since they let Catholics in it. Better off without him.

Ditto what Fred said. We had a volunteer in a similar situation, ID theft victim, who personally delivered the paperwork to the council office.

Mixed on this one. As others have mentioned, the turnover rate doesn't lead to a stable, quality program. I have had several experiences with playing phone tag and trying to get the unit leaders so I can get info to them, invite them to RT, or see if they want to have a OA election and camp promo. And Some of the meetings I've been to resemble more babysitting or sports than Scouting. But I did have a positive experience with one troop. Part of that was the LDS bishop was very involved in Scouting, serving as the district chairman. One thing I've have heard from LDS scouters is that the further away from Salt Lake City, the looser the program.

Showers? SHOWERS?!?!?!?!?!?!?! WE DON'T NEED NO STINKING SHOWERS In all seriousness, you're good to go. And having the pre-Cub age siblings in the female bathrooms is a common thing I've seen. I just wish my council would get with the program. Two of the camps that Cubs use for camping do not have showers.

My old troop always took the manufacturer's recommendation and divided by half so you could also store gear in the tent. So a 4 man tent became 2 with packs. 8 man tent became 4 with gear. Now my son's troop has tents with a vestibule. So they can have 3 inside like the manufacturer suggests, and the gear is in the vestibule. On a different note, may I suggest you take Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills as these questions are covered in that training. Also some of these questions can be answered by your older scouts. Finally, WELCOME TO DA FORUMS!

On reflection, my oldest is on addicted to all things British: money, tea, Doctor Who, etc. Says he want to immigrate there when he is olde enough. I'm thinking let him save his money and do the program I did to give him a taste of living in Britain. It opened my eyes to how good we got it over here.

Is he in the OA? The OA has programs at the HA bases where you bust butt for 1 week, then have fun 1 week. http://adventure.oa-bsa.org/index.php# Or you can staff the HA bases for the summer. While it might not be HA, one program I did that was litterally the trip of a lifetime when I was college was the European Camp Staff Program. http://www.scouting.org/scoutsource/International/ecamp.aspx I spent 11 weeks in the UK working at 2 scout camps. Free food, free shelter, and now 30% of travel expenses reimbursed. I saved for 2 years to go and spent approx $3500 20 years ago. A good chunk of that was I went to the WSJ with the Brits though. I worked with Scouts from all over: Finland, Switzerland, Australia, Croatia, Russia, and of course the UK. I met Scouts from Belgiums, Dutch, Germans, Irish, and Americans at the camp. Unfortunately, one of the camps closed, and it was the one I had a blast at. I repelled off the Cliffs of Dover, went kayaking and rafting in the English Channel, went sight seeing on my time and with a troop to France that had an extra space. The second camp, Youlbury International Scout Campsite, is the oldest continually used scout camp in the world. I had fun there too, but I didn't stay there as long and I also had some time off to go to the WSJ. And don't forget, the WSJ in Japan this year. http://www.scouting.org/worldjamboree.aspx

I am less than a mile at the moment. There is talk of district realignment in my council, so that may change. If we get merged, and it's where I think It will be, It may be doable. BUT for another district that will be in the merger, it will be over an hour 1 way.

Stupid question, but here it goes anyway. Doesn't WB21C teach the Patrol Method? I admit I have not gone through WB, either the old or new courses. Nor have I staffed NYLT. But I went through the old Brownsea 22 course, and staffed JLTC back in the day. The patrol methods was instilled in the patrols from day one. Having outdoor activities to do and compete, cooking meals, etc were part of the expereince that created the patrols.