ValleyBoy

No I do not. First off none of the money raised was used to pay for the new flag. Most the raise money will be used to help cover part of the cost for Summer Camp. Also several of our scouts are from economically depressed families an some of these funds could be used to assist them with cost associated with the scouting program.

The parents have been very hands off when it coming to the way the weekly scout meeting have been run. From what I have seen there are no helicopter parents in this group.

Thanks for that information it has been several years back since I had checked the information on ordering a flag.

Update. Wife saw surgeon yesterday and she will not have to have surgery. I thank each of you for the above suggestions. My plans as far as the Troop are to still stay involved just as long as there are no conflicts with my family obligations. Family will always come first in my life. The time I spend with the scout troop for the last several years is many just weekly meeting and .few hours on different day activities each month. I have only been averaging about 3 camping trips each year with the troop. Yes I am in a position that I could just completely walk away but I have not due to the fact that scouting to me is a good stress relief. Also in other good news. In the 10 years that I have been working with the troop until now we have never had any parents step up and handle any fund raising activities with the troop. Just completed an very successful BBQ Pork plate and raffle fund raiser this weekend that all details involves were handled by the parents. Every time the Scoutmaster asked this group of parents was there anything that they need for him to do he was informed that they had it handled. Only thing that that SM & I ended up doing was sell a few tickets and a load of wood. This is the same group of parents of the Webeloes that are moving over to the Troop. Just and FYI the funds raised were split with the Cub Scout Pack. Last night the Unit Committee met during the troop meeting . These same parents were at the meeting. Total raised from the fund raiser was given and how the funds were to be used. One item that was brought up was that the Troop needed a Troop Flag. The SM & I have been wanting to get a flag for the troop for years but with the cost we had just not had the funds to do so and what money that the troop had in hand had been used by the troop committee for other better needs of the unit. The SM was asked last night to get up a cost for a Troop Flag with the different costs depending on what was included on the flag and bring back to the committee. As each of you that has had to order a unit flag the main cost is dependent on the number of letters that are included on the flag. Flag has to have Unit type which would be Troop number, City, State and Charter organization name. The least number that our unit could have on a flag is 22 letters and that would be with listing the Charter org as FFBC in stead of the full name. At the end of the meeting while the SM had stepped out of the room I was asked by the group to make sure that the flag was not ordered by the SM. These same parents had already ordered and paid for a Troop Flag. New flag will have Charter Org full name and complete Council district name which did not have to be included on a unit flag for a total of 64 letters.

There are a number of videos on youtube that come up under searching "Patrol Method"

Yes my family will come first. With the Troop I am in a position that I could step back in my involvement without it effecting the unit and still be a resource to the unit without completely leaving the program.

My plan going into this fall with the start of school as UC was to focus on the Pack adult leadership when the pack started meeting again. The Pack did not meet during the summer. i was unable to do so due to the health issues inside my family. My mother-in-law was in the hospital for 10 weeks until less than 2 week ago when she was moved into assisted living. 3 days after she moved to assisted living my Father-in-Law had to go into the hospital were he is still at this evening. Along with having to deal with their health issue we have a 24 year old special needs daughter that we also have to deal with. Since I am on a roll I will vent even more. Wife will see surgeon tomorrow and will be scheduling surgery in the near future. Due to these family issues and other that I will not list here. I am not considering switching to WDL with the Pack. If anything I would be more inclined to step down as UC. Also there is no one else with the Troop that is willing to move over to become the WDL with the Pack.. The pack committee to tell the truth is a paper committee. What makes the situation so bad is that our past District Chairman is a member of the church that is the Charter Organization. The parents of all the Webelos wanted the troop to help.and met with the Troop adult leadership before the Troop ever started working with their youth. Also before fall roundup in September the troop was again asked by the Cub Master of the pack to take on the 1st year Webelos.

As the Unit commissioner I also wish that the packs COR would take a more active role inside the program but it is just not the case with this unit. So as the units commissioner I try and assist the unit as best as I can with the resources that I have to help the youth get the best program possible.

Because at that time I did not see it as an issue.

As the Unit Commissioner I was asked by the Cub Scout Packmaster if the Scout Troop could assist the 2nd year Webelos Den. At that time our district did not have a DE and the position was not filled by the Council until close to the end of September. We informed our new DE when he started the job . Also as a Unit Commissioner I informed our District Commissioner of all actions taking place between the Troop and the Pack.. As Unit Commissioner I contacted the council registrar about the Cub Scout Units advancements being entered with the Council since I knew it was a problem with the Cub Scout Pack. As unit commissioner I know that advancement were given out to the other dens inside the pack back in May. I have talked to the Cubmaster about getting these advancements into the system so that they can be recorded. I even have gone so far as to let her know if she will get the advancement information to me that I would assist her in recording the advancement. I know for a fact that none of the advancements for the other dens inside the pack have been recorded. Unit Recharter which is due January has been an issue with this Pack the last two years along with advancements being turned in to the Council. The Pack at this time has good Den Leaders with the Wolf and Bear dens. There Cubmaster would have stepped down last year when the unit rechartered if unit would have has someone to step up into the position. As Unit Commissioner I know this will be issue with the Pack. From past dealing with the Units Charter Organization I know that they will not be much help in filling this position unless things have changed which I doubt. How I know this is because since 2001 the Charter Organization has just signed off on who was the Cubmaster from which parent from the youth in the unit that was willing to step up and fill the position. The Packs Charter Organization used to be the CO to both the Troop I now work with and also a Pack. Due to lack of involvement by the CO with both the pack and troop both units approached the CO about changing to another CO for both units. The CO agreed to this change at that time.(8 years ago). 4 years ago the Packs new Packmaster who was a member of the old CO for both units approached the new CO about moving the Pack back to the old CO since he was a member of that CO. This change took place at that time, but one year later he changed jobs and left the area. The present CM of the Pack stepped up to fill the position at that time. The Packs CO down thru the years has never giving much support to the pack and only really rubber stamped the actions that have took place by in the day to day operations of the units that they have been the Charter Organization over. I wish they would take more involvement with the unit but I just do not see this happening just from past history. .

Our Troop was asked by the Cub Scout Packmaster and the Webelo Den Leaders to do this. I can see why you might feel this way but I know for a fact that this Pack would fold if the entire recruitment of adult leadership was left up to the Charter organization. I also know for a fact that the Charter Organization Rep and the Executive Officer of the Charter Organization would have signed off on what was done if they would have been asked. The Troop did not approach the Pack in the above case but was approached by the Pack for assistance.

He joined the pack last fall during the round up so his years of service would only be off by one year at the most. Our main concern was the Arrow of Light Award since it is the only one he can carry over and wear as a Boy Scout and later in life as a Adult if he stays involved with the program as an adult.

We had the following issue come up in the past several months and this he how we resolved the issue. At the end of the school year our troop adult leadership took on the 2nd year Webelos from our local Cub Scout Pack. (Different Charter Intuitions) There were 9 Webelos in the 2nd year Webelos den. All 9 had completed and been awarded their Webelos Rank when the troop took over the den. We took over the den due to the fact that there den leaders had no idea how a Boy Scout Troop worked to be able to complete most of the requirements for the Arrow of Light Award. As Unit Commissioner for both the Pack and Troop along with being an ASM with the Troop I knew that the Pack was not very good at record keeping and getting advancements into the system with the Council. Our former DE for the district had been entering all advancements reports into the system. To insure that that all advancements were in the system for these 9 Webelos, I took on the responsibility of making sure all there advancements were in the system and up to date. The issue that we became aware of was that the Pack for some reason had not registered one of the Webelos as a member of the Pack. The youth threw no fault of his own or his family was left of the units charter when the unit re-chartered at the first of the year. Therefor we registered the youth with the pack them added the advancements that he had completed into the system. Due to this youth age we could have taken the easy way out and just registered him with the Troop but that would have not been fair to him since he would have been the only one out of the 9 that would completed all the requirements for the Arrow of Light Award but not be able to receive the award since he was not registered with the Pack thru not fault of his own.

One type district camporee that we have had success with in the past was more of an interactive camporee. At this type camporee out troop has set up our campsite and all our scouts 1840's clothing. We demonstrate char cloth and starting fire with real flint and steel. Also demonstrate starting friction fires. Flint napping, Animal hide curing. Another troop in the district that is really into year round hammock camping demonstrates the different type hammock set up. We have had a blacksmith station also set up and have civil war/war of 1812 re-enactors come in and do demonstrations. The camporee is set up more as a show and tell of different scouting camping skills that not every troop and or scout will be exposed to in there scouting career.

Sounds like the plan of getting involved with the OA and going the college reserve route is a good option at this time. Many moons ago when I aged out then went off to school that made me a better adult leader today was the 2 years I spent as an ASM with a troop located where I was going to college. It made the transition to the adult role much easer just due to the youth of the new unit saw me as a adult instead of one of them. Also it did not hurt that the SM was only 24 and did not have any active ASM's at the time with about 30 active youth in the unit. To this day I would still have to say it was the best boy run scout unit that I have ever worked with.

I agree with you above statement except for the following reasons. 1. The scout ages out in December. 2. Communications Merit Badge is Eagle required. What I would like really like to know is how close the scout is to completing all the Eagle requirements before his 18th birthday.

Our unit is able to afford it by getting and using old binders that are going to be tossed out with the trash by the company I work for and the company our Scoutmaster works for. Our unit might not have started using binders if we would have had to buy. As a unit leader you look for resources where ever you can find them.

No this requirement does not have to be approved before it is done. The only requirements for the Communications merit badge that have to be approved by your merit badge councilor are #5 Attend a public meeting (city council, school board, debate) approved by your counselor where several points of view are given on a single issue. Practice active listening skills and take careful notes of each point of view. Prepare an objective report that includes all points of view that were expressed, and share this with your counselor. #6 With your counselor's approval, develop a plan to teach a skill or inform someone about something. Prepare teaching aids for your plan. Carry out your plan. With your counselor, determine whether the person has learned what you intended. #7 b. Create a web page or blog of special interest to you (for instance, your troop or crew, a hobby, or a sport).. Include at least three articles or entries and one photograph or illustration, and one link to some other Web page or blog that would be helpful to someone who visits the Web page or blog you have created. It is not necessary to post your Web page or blog to the Internet, but if you decide to do so, you must first share it with your parents and counselor and get their permission. Requirement #8 Which is the one that is in question in this thread is as follows: Plan a troop or crew court of honor, campfire program, or an interfaith worship service. Have the patrol leaders' council approve it, then write the script and prepare the program. Serve as master of ceremonies. These are the only 3 that have to be approved by the merit badge councilor all other only have to be done after the boy joins the Boy Scouts. From the statement that the troop only uses one version for COH's and there is nothing to plan needs to be changed. The reason it needs to be changed is so that what ever scout serves as master of ceremonies will have completed the above requirement. With this change the Scoutmaster could not question that the requirement has been met. The same change should also be in effect for unit campfire programs and interfaith worship services.

This is how our boys use them

The Binders stay at our meeting location. The scout could lose his handbook so it is a 2nd location besides his handbook to record what the scout has completed.

We have done this in the past. In the 10 plus years that I have worked with my local troop we have never had over 15 active youth. At this time we have 10 new scouts working on tenderfoot, 1 that turns 18 in 7 months that only needs his project to earn the rank of Eagle. 2 others that only need their project and completing one or two more Merit badges for Eagle such as Personal Finance. And 4 other Boys that are between 1st class and Star. Being a small troop we try and gear our program more toward the needs of the youth of the troop at any given time which at this time is scouting skills which is rank advancement up to the rank of 1st class. If the youth makeup of our troop was different then we would adapt to meet the needs of the new makeup of the youth membership of the unit.

Yes. We usually have a camping trip every month except for December and sometimes do not have one the month that our unit goes to summer camp. Our January camping trip always a district camporee held the last full weekend of the month.

Just my opinion but I would be more concerned with the ones that are 14 to 15 about rank advancements than merit badges earned. One thing that our unit does with each new scout is gives them a binder when they join the unit with the tenderfoot thru 1st class requirements. Most of merit badges that are earned by our scouts before they earn the rank of 1st class have been earned at summer camp or at merit badge university type setting. The few merit badges that are earned by these young scouts in other setting we see a gravy.

Looks like to me he had a very good time if the picture is not from just a made up picture from an agency.

About 10 years ago we planed a camping trip to campout and go day hike on the Pine Mountain Trail located inside FDR State Park which is about a 30 mile trip from troops home location. All the primitive camping sites were book for that weekend at the state park. We knew that the Troop in Pine Mountain owned about 40 acres over in that area that they used for camping so we contacted them and made plans to camp out there. At that time we were a very young troop and our oldest scout was 12 years old. .We follow the directions we were given to the campsite since none of us has ever been to this campsite. Some of the scouts from the other troop that were training for Philmont and there Leaders were going to meet us at the campsite and camp and hike with us that weekend. We turned off the main highway well after dark and following the directions we were given. For the first little ways the road was a good paved road then it turned into a gravel road then a little bit father it turned into a dirt road About a mile from the campsite the dirt road turned to the left and we had to go straight onto what I can only call a pig trail. This campsite was really out in the backside of nowhere. We later learned that the Troop that owned the property had not campout there in about 5 to 6 years. Kids had a great time on the camping trip and on the day hike. Everyone of our boys were given a nickname by the boys from the other troop. Late Saturday afternoon the former Scoutmaster of the Troop that owned the property can out from his home and visited with us,. at that time he was in this 70's and was our Districts Advancement Chairman besides still serving on his Troops Board. Very close to our campsite was an old well that had been roped off by the other Troop before we got to the campsite the night before. While talking to the former Scoutmaster one of our leaders tells him some of our young scout had been talking about a body being thrown down inside that well. All of our ears perked up when he told us that they were not far from the truth. His next statement was "do you know about John Wallace". One of our adults says "Yes", His next statement was "the well the body was thrown down into is about 300 year over there" as he pointed off to the East. "The creek where the body was burned at and the ashes thrown into is down at the bottom of the hill" as he pointed toward the South. John Wallace had left the property to the Scout Troop just days before he was executed. Our next statement to the old Scoutmaster was that ya'll could have told us this before we came out here. We have not camp out there since. I will not say that we will not go back there again. The name that this murder is know as is Murder in Coweta County.