Cheerful Eagle

John, I thought that was the "Buffalo Shuffle". *grin*

I appreciate that both articles are posted for us to review. Both writers have some powerful points to make. As a sub-urbanite ( and looks like I'll be "stuck" here for quite awhile), both challenge me as a scouter to invest more in the scout-reach concept. I think we all agree that scouting is not the remedy that Rivers and Barnette dismiss -- "Many, perhaps most, boys would be bored to tears in the kind of classroom that is now being described as "boy-friendly" -- a classroom that would de-emphasize reading and verbal skills and would rely on rote learning and discipline -- because it is really a remedial program in disguise. That's great for boys who need it, but most boys, especially those in affluent suburban schools, don't." Even a small pack or troop has the educational advantages of small class size and positive adult interaction. Both of these advantages trump adult educational background in studies regarding homeschooling. Factor in the support network we have as scout leaders (of course there's room for improvement, but it is a shared value) and we have a potentially powerful impact. Sax maintains that: "During visits to predominantly African-American public schools around the nation, I've learned that many black boys would rather read "For Whom the Bell Tolls" -- a book without any major black characters -- than anything by Morrison. In reading, as in almost every other aspect of education, gender runs much deeper than race. Boys have more in common with one another than they do with girls of the same racial or ethnic background in terms of what they like to read, how they like to spend their spare time and how they learn." And even Rivers and Bernette conceed that: "But those "problems" are hardly widespread. The alarming statistics are rarely broken out by race or class. When they are, it becomes clear that if there is a crisis, it's among inner-city and rural boys." IMHO, that's a fairly large population. At any rate, it makes me wonder: how can we sub-urbanites help scout-reach to work better; and how can we avoid what's happened to other scouting organizations that seem to have lost their identity as scouts in an effort to appeal to the widest audience? Thanks, Aquila, for bringing in both articles. Cheerful Eagle a Californian sub-urbanite

Oh wow, SemperParatus, I like that PowWow idea! Kids that age (Cubs and Brownies) LOVE learning about Native American culture. One of our favorite evenings at a Philmont training conference in 2004 was when a Venturing Crew came and did a Native American Dance demonstration for us. And, Region 7 Voyageur is right. We Cub Scouters do get involved early at the district level -- even before we are members of a troop. One of my Cub Scouter friends is a roundtable comissioner, and I am on the District Training Committee. But the only thing I know about the OA, is that they often have a meeting in an adjacent room while we have our roundtable meeting, I've seen a few female Adult scouters with that funny white arrow patch on their uniforms,and that we occassionally run into them at our Council's scout reservation. Other than that, I just trust that it's not a "seceret organization"; I am sure that none of the other families in our Pack even know that it exists. Well, except for the time the OA scout nearly set himself on fire lighting a campfire at our family camping event.... but that's another story... :-)

Any old crows out there?

I used to be an Eagle, a good old eagle, too. But now I'm finished Eagling, I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feeble, and I can Eagle no more. So, I'm going to work my ticket if I can. (Screee!) Back to Gilwell, happy land! I'm going to work my ticket if I can. Diane WE3-55-04 Eagle Patrol "...'m not home yet...."

I used to be a beaver, a good old beaver, too. But now I'm finished beavering I don't know what to do. I'm growing old and feable, and I can beaver no more. So, I'm going to work my ticket if I can (Tail slap x2) Diane WE3-55-06 Troop Guide to Bold Beavers

Thank you.

*grin* I like pack meetings. Last week I tried the "digging in the dirt" award ceremony. I covered our crossing over bridge with a brown table cloth and hid a bucket of dirt, a tin box of awards and a shovel behind it. For the awards I "dug" a hole, piling the dirt with the shovel on the table cloth. Went through the whole song and dance about maps and buried treasure and caches. "hit" something and pulled up a tin box and brushed the dirt off it Later, after the meeting I heard one of the older(!) boys, as he helped clean up, exclaim in a puzzled voice, "Hey, where'd the hole go?"

Huray for Tiger Cubs!! I just put my youngest to bed; a brand new tiger cub scout. He's been waiting for this for three years. If you could bottle the look on his face when the new wolf cubs gave him his scarf, slide and book, ... well you could cure any depression in the world. Like any good scout, his next question was, "When are we going to Boulder Creek(our council scout reservation)for camping, Mom?"

6. If everybody picked and chose what rules to follow, there would be chaos, and dumb people would ignore the wrong rules. Too true. One of my dear friends puts forth the following idea. He's not a true libertarian, but has his moments :-) The I'VE GOT A CLUE card. Whenever you encounter a rule that really needn't apply to you, simply flash* your IGAC card. *The bearer of this card, by the action of presenting it, waves all expectations of rescue and/or sympathy for the resulting consequences oftheir actions.(This message has been edited by Cheerful Eagle)

I'd agree with the previous posts, except as regards Webelos. The requirement to earn a CS Academics belt loop to meet requirements for the Citizen Pin (for example) reads as follows: "As a Webelos Scout, earn the Cub Scout Academic belt loop for Citizenship..." I interpret this as meaning that the scout needs to do the belt loop activities during the time that he IS a webelos scout. If the scout has earned the belt loop at an earlier level, why not keep it fresh and help/challenge him to earn the pin?

Bros: Honestly, the whole men's shirt style fits me about as well as can be expected. My personal hang up is the unfortunant placement of temporary patches [just think about it for a minute :-) ] Please, don't remind me of the CS women's yellow blouse thing (shudder). For your interest... I remember reading SOMEWHERE (don't you just love it when you can't find it again??!!) that the primary purpose of the neckerchief was to distinguish the scout uniform from a military uniform. Found this at: http://www.threefirescouncil.org/History/1914.htm 1922: A new uniform replaces the Army-based one originally used by the BSA. This uniform is designed to avoid the confusion that existed because of the military appearance of the previous version. This version also added the famous neckerchief. Unfortunately, boys consistently refused to adopt this new uniform and it took years to be accepted.

ROFLMAO I'm taking this one to my next Position Specific -- Cub Scout Leader -- training class!(This message has been edited by Cheerful Eagle)

When my DH and I were first faced with the responsibility of rule-making and discipline, we agreed on a policy of graded consequences. Writing on the wall got a mild lecture and clean-up duty; stepping off the sidewalk into the street without permission got a few well placeed swats on the behind. My perspective: I can live with scribbles on the wall; I can't imagine living with my child in a wheelchair, or worse in a coffin, because of a preventable accident. Back to the idea of how to manage conflict, I think it's important to realize that the waterfront staff's worst nightmare is for a scout to be hurt. We only worry about drowning or near-drowning accidents when we go to the water; THEY worry about it every day. In the case of the rule-happy staffer, after you spend time finding commen ground, perhaps the way to go is to remind the scouter that the youth have a SMALL short trem memory. None of them will remember 79 rules. Far more effective and SAFE to have seven or less Cardinal Rules which can be posted in LARGE letters by the waterfront, and recited quickly. In the case of the confident ScoutMaster, please recognize, when you break a rule, especially a standard operating procedure one, you are effectivly challenging the waterfront staff's authority AND competency. You may not have intended it that way, but that is a legitimate and logical interpretation of your actions. If only to avoid giving waterfront staff (and range staff, too) nightmares and panic attacks, we should respect their authority: they have accepted responsibility for the lives of our scouts.

This past month, at wood badge, we had a flag retirement ceremony that might work for a big group. The first flag was retired at the end of the troop campfire in a typical full ceremony, then the other flags which had been previously disassembled by the program patrol were brought out, and a piece given to each scouter present. Veterns led the way, and in silence, and single file, we each passed by the fire and reverently placed our portion of the colors in the flames. One of the staff retrieved the grommets from the ashes, and publically (during lunch)presented each vetern with a set on a leather thong tied with the friendship knot.

I agree, Lisabob's post is spot on. Another thing I found helpful with my Webs during their second summer and fall was doing a few events with a Boy Scout troop. We visited a couple of different troops (coordinated with their Webelos nights, or a night where they were doing something visitor friendly, like a cooking competition, or egg drop) and went on an overnight camping event with a Troop -- letting the webs be as independent as possible. This gave them great vision, as they had a "been there done that" attitude towards camping (we've done alot of family camping). Not all the boys went on, I think we had a 50% retention, and they all went to different troops. But even those who left, left with a positive attitude towards scouting; they just decided to follow different interests.

eagle-pete, You wrote, " I know of no way to present Scouting in its entirety over a 2 day period which will be sufficient to prepare a new leader in all aspects of their position. But Leader Basic Training is a good start. What it does (or should) provide, above all else, is the enthusiasm and Scouting Spirit. " Thank you for your encouragement! I think you've hit the nail on the head. There are times when I look at my syllabus before a training and think, "yes, but what about...". I am thankful for the trainers that I've sat under, particularily at Philmont and Woodbadge, who have put their hearts into projecting Scout Spirit to us mouldy adults. I have started to view NLE/PST (new leader essentials/position specific training) as a trail head. You give the new leader a quick pack inspection, make sure they have a good map and compass, the ten essentials and that they can reach the next guide point. Send them off with a song in their heart and excitement for the journey. Less than 2 hours is all the time I have to spend with the new den leaders, I do my best to emphasize roundtable (fun and inspiring)and Pow-Wow (more fun and good bang for your buck), encourage networking --we all exchange email addresses and I follow up by sending them all my favorite scouting links -- and then I put my money where my mouth is and show up at roundtable and help teach at pow-wow.

Yes, Lots more training to do *sigh*. I only have one more to do for cub scouts (BALOO -- I jumped into the program with a Webelos den), and now can set aside my personal training time for GS... but need to get in ASM training in there too.... Can I get graduate degree credit for this? A Master's degree in American Scouting?

Does GSUSA produce any materials re patrol method for training the girls in leadership? BSA has a Patrol Leader Handbook for the boys. It's going to be very time consuming if I have to "reinvent" that wheel for the girls...

Hi, Troop Dad! I personally define camping as in a tent without electricity. I'm sure not all the girls do. Last year at our first camporee, serveral arrived at camp with fully equipped -- luggage. And everything their Mom could think of that they *might* need. This was a wake up call to me (been camping with my family all my life and love backpacking) that more preparation for camping was needed! As I am thinking about how to begin to introduce the patrol method, we will have to do some brainstorming as well about raising funds for equipment, and what to buy as a troop. Currently, we have access to what individual families own. IMHO, getting a bunch of 9 year old girls to settle for the night will be way easier in 2 man tents, then to have the whole gaggle in a big family tent. As for my hopes for the troop. I think I'd like to start with a day hike in September, followed by an overnight at a local state or county park in October. My goal is for them to be comfortable with a couple nights at a walk-in primative site by the end of their second year. Hi Anne! I think you'll be hearing from me... alot :-) I'm saving your post and plan to track down the publication you mentioned!

Last night I finished my GS leader specific training for the Junior program (9-11 year old girls). The patrol method was mentioned as one of three governance models, but not given much time. I'd like to hear from other scouters who have experience with GS and the patrol method. I hope you're out there. I'm beginning to wonder if anyone follows this forum....

I've been checking this thread every day, and I'm so encouraged by the thoughtfulness of the feedback all you scouters are giving. Thank you!! I think I'm going to print FuzzyBear's post and past it in the from of my den planner! Lisabob, I agree. Especially if you aren't a native to your area (especially typical in my neck of the woods) it's hard to know the local resources. As a trainer, I don't have time to get into that during the class, but I am starting to collect e-mail addresses from my participants so I can follow up with them later. But the best source of local knolwedge I've found is the monthly Roundtable meeting. cubbingcarol is sooo right. Planning and prep for a den meeting aren't complete without a backup. Semper Gumby!! thanks again, all. I'll keep checking in as long as people keep posting!

Here I am, looking at the Junior Program for next year. Our council only organizes one campout a year (Camporee) so it's up to our troop to develope an outdoor program. I'd love to hear advice, anecdotes, "stop, start, continue" reflections from those who have gone camping with their GS troops.

If the 1st year Webelos are still wearing their blue uniform shirt, you can have it changed for a brown one. You could work in a blanket tunnel so some sort into your cerimony -- the boys go in one end wearing a blue and come out the other with a brown -- "one short year away from being a Boy Scout!"

OOps... you're absolutly right, Scoutnut, I forgot to specify. I am currently a district trainer usually involved in New Leader Essentials, and Position Specific Training. I haven't been to the "Train the Trainer" conference, yet. But I have sat under some very good trainers here in our council and at the Philmont training center. I also have a master's degree in education, and professional experience being a teacher trainer. You are right about knowing the material you're supposed to be presenting. I've learned to say, "I'm not sure; let's see if we can find the answer."