Eagle94-A1

They changed the tie and scarf out about 19 years ago, just after I left the profession. Still have the the tie and name badge. Sadly the expensive pin on patch was lent to someone and never returned. $30 down the drain. I almost wore that uniform to a funeral that is scheduled for later today. But I have left the "Dark Side" and I should never look back.

Webelos was changed to a to a 18 to 24 months with the goal of getting the Webelos to Cross Over no later than April of 5th grade so that they, and more importantly IMHO their parents, could get use to Boy Scouts, now Scouts BSA, and go to camp their first summer. I know first hand how much an advantage those who go to summer camp their first summer have: I didn't catch up to my former den mates in rank until almost a year later. Pack I was with crossed them over as early as December 18th (oldest son), and as late as February 25th ( youngest son). Youngest Son was chomping at the bit to join Scouts BSA, and beginning in January was going to meetings and helping with fundraising. DL picked the 25th because it was her birthday, and having them Cross Over that day was a big deal for her. But several Scouts were ready in January. This exact scenario is one reason why BSA switched from a 1 year Webelos program with Cross Over in May in the 1980s and earlier to the 18-24 month program post 1990. Crossing Over no later than April gives people time to adjust to the new program and get ready for Summer activities. If your pack is an old one with lots of history, they may be tied to the tradition of Crossing Over in the May/June time frame. Or if they get lots of new 5th grade Webelos, they may trying to catch up, hence the pushing back of the Cross Over. It's an option. You gotta do what is best for the bulk of the Scouts. Some Scouts will get it together if they feel they will be left behind. Some may not care about AOL. Webelos is one continuous program with 2 separate ranks earned. The plan should have been made the summer between 3rd and 4th grade. In the pack I was with, and when I trained WDLs, I stated that Webelos should begin transitioning to Boy Scouts, now Scouts BSA, AS SOON AS THEY BECOME WEBELOS (emphasis). It is a continuous program so that they can earn all the required Adventures need for both Webelos and AOL ranks to receive their Webelos Rank, then work on electives to get the AOL rank. By doing this, February is pushing it, but March/April is more doable. My old pack did stuff year round, with summer going to biweekly fun activities. Webelos tend to be chomping at the bit come December to Cross Over.

Like the 1995 WSJ stamp from the Netherlands?

I know at one time it was described in the handbook. I know oldest son's book, 12th ed. has a description and picture of it Online there is this Activity uniform description is here https://scoutingmagazine.org/2018/08/clearing-up-common-questions-about-what-we-wear/ What’s the activity uniform? It’s appropriate for informal occasions. It’s the same as the field uniform, with a Scouting T-shirt or polo shirt replacing the uniform shirt and neckerchief. (Sometimes you’ll hear this unofficially called “Class B” and the field uniform called “Class A.”) Anyone remember the 1989 to 1998 Activity uniform of khaki shorts, and red polo for Scouts, maroon polo for Scouts in a venture crew/patrol, and khaki polo for Varsity?

Better but they have some challenges. Limiting the number of adults has helped the Scouts overall. The Scouts are gaining more experience and doing things on their own. While it is "organized chaos", they are growing. Gunship is now SM, but he has mellowed some. Some of that is growing into his role. Before I left we had a good chat, and saw he is getting it. Some of it is his job. He is being called out more, and needing to rely on the Scouts and ASMs. BUT the have had to cancel camp outs due to lack of adults. One of the problem parents, who is a trained ASM and approved by the COR to camp has not done so. Some think it is his way of protesting the fact his wife and younger son can no longer camp with the troop except at the designated family camp out. Another ASM is slowly backing away because he is taking care of family. He was one who until recently went in every camp out. But now being the primary caregiver, family first. As for the previous SM. While he almost handed his SM patch because of the 2 problem families at the camporee, he stayed until Feb 1 2019, when he stepped down to become SM of his daughter's troop.

NO! I have seen "family Scouting" first hand, and it nearly destroyed the troop. As it was. I left it because it was not only negatively impacting my Scouts, it was also destroying my sons interests in Scouting. Thankfully my family's decision to transfer was the wakeup call the SM and COR needed to fix the troop. I just wish it would have happened a lot sooner.

He got it for free by asking someone in the dining hall for one. Walks onto the porch and sells it.

I think the trip without adults went up until 1972. Give me a few to verify. I am really surprised BSA is working with the Duke of Edinburgh program since it requires a trip without adults.

Actually the #1 selling item at jamboree, the one they could not keep in stock in the trading post, was solar showers. i could see my middle son, the entrepreneur, renting out a solar shower for 15 minutes. This is the guy who sold a "poncho" a garbage bag with holes in it, for a dollar at summer camp one year.

In my neck of the woods, none of the Scouts, at least until they reach Life and work on their projects, and very few Scouters know you need to fill out paperwork. Even then either the paperwork gets lost by council, doesn't get approved until after the event occurs, or as is the case with my old troop, the council wants 10% of the profits as a "FOS donation." Many just stopped filling out paperwork as a result.

It was a regular part of our program too. usually after several months in the troop, when we knew they could take care of themselves, and at summer camp. in a controlled environment.

Playing Devil's Advocate. The council may have a legitimate reason for not allowing the fundraiser. If they accept United Way or other 3rd party funding, they may not be allowed to any fundraiser during a certain time period, to include all suborganizations like troops, ships, packs, and crews. The council may also be planning to ask for a large donation from a donor in the community. I know my council was getting ready to ask a donor for money to buy canoes and kayaks for a new sea base program. A local troop went ahead and asked the donor directly for the money, and got it for themselves instead. Now onto my experience One troop I was with went through the formality of filling out the paperwork to do a fundraiser and was denied because the council wanted a"FOS contribution" of 10% . This after overcharging the unit for popcorn. (an aside, unit lost money on popcorn). Long story short, the fundraiser became the CO's fundraiser with proceeds benefiting the CO's Scouting units. The units sell the tickets for the CO, and provide the manpower for it.

Sadly people would say it is hazing. Closest thing on this side of the pond was Snipe Hunting. And it is banned. Personally I saw it as right of passage and one of acceptance, if done correctly.

Sadly, National does not think the Scouts can handle it. Discipline is there realm of adults according to national. And I don't think some Scouts could handle it. I remember the time when Scouts conducted BORs per national policy. My troop did it, and no problems. Talking to peers, one peer's troop didn't do it at all. Another stated that it didn't work and described his negative experiences with the Scouts running his BOR. Considering he is a know it all and never wrong, he does not take well when folks try to talk and work with him.

Awards or ranks? Ranks, whether the patch or pin, are for youth and not to be worn as adults. Now some youth ranks: Eagle Scout, Sea Scout Quartermaster, Cub Scout Arrow of Light, Venturing Silver/Summit, and some discontinued older Explorer ranks, do have knots that represent the rank that adults do wear on their uniforms. And for Eagle, Quartermaster, Silver/Summit, and the older awards with medals, those are worn on special occasions. As to awards, I do have some of the awards on uniforms because i can still wear them. But most of them ar eframed on wall.

Strongly discourage waiting, especially when they are chomping at the bit to join Scouts BSA. Youngest made the choice to wait 2 months to Cross Over when his den did. However he was "visiting" the troop for 2 months before joining. He even did his fair share of fundraising.with the troop as a Webelos. Forgot to add, while having fun and learning stuff during those 2 months, none of it counted towards advancement. Which is not a big deal for him or me.

National said no hot water ANYWHERE at the Summit. So I assume that includes training center. Hopefully that has changed.

I am originally from New Orleans, and one guy for a NSJ made Tabasco hat pins. He hot glued a safety pin the micro bottles with 1 once. VERY POPULAR. I made woggles, and traded like crazy.

Unless things have changed, those going will be surprised that there is no hot water at the Summit. When The Summit announced that they will only have "ambient temperature" showers, I said it would be mistake when it came time for winter training ans sessions.

On facebook there were comments about the lack of outdoors experiences in this "Wood Badge" course, and many people have no issue with no camping and outdoor skills being used for the course. In fact some folks were praising the lack of outdoors since it would open it up for those volunteers who do not like camping.

Note that it is not conducted outdoors, but entirely inside.

NO, especially at the Cub Scout level. At the Scout level, some people would call putting a rank requirement to attend and a mandatory prep trip an "Invitation Only" event. But in reality it is a way of making a trip more successful for those attending. Trust me, there is a reason why First Class Rank is required for HA activities.

Actually no it is not up to the DE. OA policy states what you asked is possible. Now the SM can decide to put his name on the ballot or not.

Here is the application: https://filestore.scouting.org/filestore/pdf/33748.pdf You are correct.

Troop elections, or unit elections as they are now called do have a set of procedures mandated by National OA. Do not have the updated 2019 policy posted online yet, but here is the 2017 policy and it is not safeguarded. Pages 13-15 of the document has the exact procedure. https://oa-bsa.org/uploads/publications/GuideToUnitElections2017.pdf Regarding can you use part of the nights at Summer camp towards the 15 days, here it is in the Q and A section (page 17 of the document) I posted above 8. My team attends summer camp for five days and four nights. Can that count towards the camping requirement? A. The camping requirement for long-term camps is a minimum of five nights, so three nights of this could be counted as a short-term camp. (italics for quotation) SO 3 of the 5 nights of summer camp can count as short term camping.