Crew21_Adv

Fellow Scouters, Greetings again! Sometimes an Eagle Mill and running the program as designed may be synonymous. IMHO.. I discuss with Scouting friends that trail to Eagle Scout should be an accomplishment not necessarily a struggle. If it is a monumental achievement, outstanding for the newest Eagle, my biggest and hearty congratulations!! If it is just an achievement, great, kudos, and a sincere "good job" to the newest Eagle. If a unit has an actual program, then Eagle Mill may be synonymous. It would be a Scout or family that would be falling short of the available opportunity. Regarding Merit Badge Day, there are just a few merit badge that can be done within an 8 hour period. I like the Merit Badge day concept; but Scouts, Scout leaders, and parents need to be realistic and honest. Many academics for merit badges may be started, and blue cards initiated. Just a limited few merit badge can be completed. During my own troop meetings, my troop demonstrates a few merit badges skills, the opportunity to participate in the merit badge and whom the available counselors are. But still, each year, we have parents and sometimes Scouts asking why our troop doesn't do merit badges every meeting. After we show the parents any of the merit badge pamphlets, and that just a portion involves knowledge. More than half require reports, observations and work; then it is up to the Scout to complete the majority of the merit badges outside of the troop meeting. We can certainly understand that a relatively new Scout or recent Scouting parent does not understanding why troop meetings are not a merit badge class. But then when they see the work put into any merit badge, they come to appreciate that merit badges are not completed in an hour and half. So back to a Merit Badge Day. Exposure to some "hard to find" professional experts (merit badge counselors) in distributed career fields is great. Some merit badges they will never begin on their own, or within their patrol or troop. But they will only be able to achieve maybe one-third of those merit badge requirements in one day, and bring home partial completions. I do like the MB Day concept, but the complete blue card results will be a limited few. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

kahits and Fellow Scouters, Regarding the PreJamboree tours and excursions. Yes.. It can be a monumental challenge, moving Troops of 40. Some councils send a few troops so that would be 40, 80, 120, or more Scouts and Scouters. They plan and work on the agenda over a year out from Jamboree. For example, it would seem to run like precision clockwork; breakfast at a nice restuarant, white water rafting, lunch on the shores, tour a battle field in the afternoon, dinner at another restuarant, then sleep at a military academy. Then get up the next morning to hit a museum or historic site. It really is a vacation. What might take a few families maybe 20 years to see all these sites and events, many Jamboree Scouters will experience a week before Jamboree. Enjoy! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Kahits, Greetings! You've already received a few good answers. I'll repeat what a fellow posters have already stated, but I've seen it in a few council Jamboree budget breakdowns over the years. Beyond attendance and transportation cost. Some councils have purchase new canvas tents, cots, benches and dining flies, just for Jamboree. But even more, much of the remaining cost is usually for a week long high adventure excursions and historic East Coast tours (all meals included still driving up the cost). Such as the Military Academy, white water rafting, rapelling, NYC Empire Tower & Statue of Liberty tour, USS Consitution "Old Ironsides" Boston Harbor and Naval Shipyard tour, the National Mall and all the memorials Washington DC, Philadelphia and the Liberty Bell. All are "once in a lifetime" great tours and excursions. Although, they drive the cost up to what a family may budget for the annual vacation, not just another summer camp. I didn't see it posted yet. But in the Jamboree literature, the council contingent troops are suppose to have one or two pre-jamboree experiences. To bond as a troop, and also to elect SPL, PLs, etc. These Pre Jamboree experiences (just for the Jamboree contingent) should also be included in the total cost. It does seem if you are west of the Mississippi, primarly due to travel, the cost climbs significantly over the councils on the East Coast. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Scouters, Greetings! I never intended to highjack the discussion. But, I never look at the BSA as being a charity. I was attempting to reply and offer my opinion to SMEagle819 comment. "Youth members shall not be permitted to serve as solicitors of money for their chartered organizations, for the local council, or in support of other organizations." Now forgive me if I am misinterpreting this, but shouldn't this apply to popcorn sales?" To clarify for Beavah, I sincerely respect your comments, but I think you are misinterpreting my post. I do see selling a council product and soliciting for charity as two separate agendas. My units have requested and obtained permission to sell popcorn from the neighborhood board association and mall management. Our intent has always been to sell popcorn, not to beg for handouts. I am appreciative of others generosity and I do say "Thank you". I think I've said that long before Beavah's post, and appreciate Beavah's attempt to teach me to be courteous. But our application agreements with the neighborhood association and local mall is that my units are not a charity, but conducting a fundraiser. I do know of (and a long time member of) another private organizations (not a BSA organization), which conducts membership campaigns monthly. The written application with the neighborhood board is that they(we) are only accepting funds for membership into the organization. They ask mall customers if they would like to join our organization. If the customer says no, they will the hold up a "donation can" and shake it in the customers direction while turning their heads the other way. Which totally violates our application with the neighborhood board. I no longer participate in those membership drives and protest during our monthly business meeting. I offered this story to say, I don't like misleading the mall, mall customers or the neighborhood board. My troop and crew (as well as other scouting units) have been applied to the mall to sell a product, not to solicit charity. I have always had happy customers, that were glad to purchase popcorn, or others that were pleasant but did not desire to purchase anything. But overwhelming increasingly during the past two years I have seen many people that wanted to donate to Scouts, at our popcorn sales display. Our units are trying to honor the intent of the generous giver, and honor the intent of our application with the mall and community board, and honor the intent of the unit money earning project not to serve as solicitors. So, regarding the original thread. In my opinion, I can appreciate the charitable events of the Salvation Army. I can appreciate why the Unit Money Earning Project states Scouts in BSA uniform should not ring a bell for the red kettle charity or other similar soliciting events. Call me a renegade, but I do like and purchase popcorn for my family, and I believe that it is selling a product, not a charity. I like to honor my agreements or applications with the neighborhood. I've slowly resisted accepting donations during sales, but have sense changed my opinion. And I've always said "Thank you" to customers as well as donors; again my own values, but I preferred to have a happy customers rather than a dutifully compelled donor. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Scouters, Yeah.. I may be a little sensitive about donations. Allow me to clarify, when I say it irks me. I meant in regard to fellow Scouters that speak on behalf of the entire BSA. Or the falsely represent the district or council. For example when we do the community FOS drive, and local businesses state they have already made generous contributions to the Scouts. Which is partially true, they made generous contributions, but to one pack, troop, or Eagle Scout project, stating they were representing all Scouts. Or local businesses that do not want to conduct business with the district, because a pack or troop has forfeited on a contract, while they stated they were representing the BSA. Those are the issues that irk me. When individual Scouts falsely give the impression that they represent the local council and national (such as a professional BSA employee would legitimately do). I have no problem, when they represent their own pack, troop or crew. But when an individual Scouter falsely speaks on behalf of the district, council, or national, I do have a problem with that. Regarding the donations. I am appreciative of business, but not charity. I don't believe that my troop or crew should be seen as a charity. When we are selling popcorn, we are selling, not asking for handouts. I can appreciate the concern about honoring the intent of the donation. Although I have never sought a donation, on behalf of my pack, troop or crew. When we are in a courtyard or at the local mall selling popcorn (or any council product), albeit marked up in comparative price, I was always hesitant with people thinking Scouts are a charity. The scouts would be at the mall, selling popcorn, not holding their hands out begging for money. Bottom line, I don't like the local public to believe my Scouts and Venturers are a poor charity. Simply we represent our own troop selling a product, and I've seen more than a few mall customers which are very adamant about giving donations. So I have always felt hesitant with those that urgently wanted to donate. My fellow Scouters in the district have shared similar concerns. Similarly, we don't want the district or council, or even the neighborhood board association to get the notion that we are falsely representing a charity drive during our popcorn sales. So it was slow and stubborn in changing my mind, but I do say "thank you" now when receiving donations. But I make sure my Scouts and Venturers disclose how the contributions will be used (which my unit committee has decided to use, and other units have similarly determined), and that Scouts are not a charity. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Scouters, Seasons Greetings! Hopefully without stirring more controversy.... Here are my thoughts. I appreciate what the Salvation Army does in our communities and around the world. I personally learned this during the National Prayer Breakfast about a decade ago. The Salvation Army is a church and religious denomination. It does have its charities (red kettle) which all proceeds benefit the community while sharing the Bible and the doctrine. It doesn't offend me, I was just surprised. I guess you can say I was naive and it never clicked until a few Salvationist explained it to me, the basic tenets of their religious denomination during the prayer breakfast. I'll still drop a few bucks in the red kettle, and every few years I may ring the bell for a few hours shift. But I will look at the Salvation Army Red Kettle just a little differently, as a church's mission and charity instead of just a charity. Regarding council product sales and soliciting funds for the council. I think they are apples and oranges. I see popcorn sales (first aid kits, Christmas wreaths, or whatever items the council is providing) as providing a product in exchange for a cash sale exchange. It is even listed in the Centennial Unit Award checklist. I look at soliciting as asking for donations in the name of a troop or the council, or a uniformed member falsely representing the entire scouting organization. I have told just a few neighbors and businesses, "No you have contributed to this pack or that troop. It did help some of the youth of your neighborhood, but not all the youth. Not the entire BSA." It really irks me, when fellow Scouters tell others, that they are "benefiting the entire BSA". Just not true, contributions are benefiting a pack, troop or crew, but not the entire BSA. I think it has been that abuse and misleading that is why we have the policies on the back of the Unit Money Earning Worksheet. Further, I am torn. I really hate donations, and I don't solicit for them. But I actually see people that would rather give 10 dollars, than purchase a small 6 dollar box of popcorn. You can't get them to take the 6 dollar box with them. Dialoguing with them doesnt seem to help. If the youth cant explain it, I will attempt to explain; we are not a charity, we are selling a product. But in addition to happy popcorn customers, I have also seen many, many people that are happy to contribute to purchasing popcorn to give away to someone else. The Scouting units in my neighborhood have received enough donated money, that the units in the neighborhood provided a few cases of what we call "purchased by donation" popcorn to the Red Cross and USO. This has been a common agreement and discussion during our local Roundtables. I did not like the donations being handed to us at all; but I have finally given in, seeing that some others would prefer to donate and when units agreed to use donations to purchase popcorn for others. I still emphasis that when customers choose to donate rather than purchase, where their monies are going to (actually purchasing popcorn for other organizations) and that the troop (or crew) is not a charity. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

wbcarley, Greetings again! It is certainly understandable for a Scoutmaster to have high expectations. Or, At least I would call them Troop desires. I applaud that you have high standards for your Troop. There are examples of how troops should perform in the Boy Scout handbook, Scoutmaster Handbook and the Troop Program Helps and Features. As well as modeling from Introduction to Outdoor Leadership Skills, Wood Badge and National Youth Leadership Training. Some Troops and Life Scouts will perform like model Scouts every day of their life, others will meet the very basic minimum and barely functional troops and Scouting behavior. But those troops that barely function, their Eagle Scouts will still meet the minimum to achieve Eagle. I encourage you to have high goals and lofty expectations for your troop, but not to limit the Scouts that just barely satisfy the minimum requirements. Like I stated earlier, If you stick around Scouting for a while you will see many, many Eagles that soar; and just a few Eagles that sit in their nest, and never do anything with their skills. Myself, I would pass a Life Scout that satisfies the minimum (that is why BSA has a minimum requirements, correct?). In the future, they will know what kind of Eagle they are. Good Luck! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

wbcarley, Greetings! Regarding achieving Eagle Scout. Achievements do not need to be a struggle, but they do need to be an achievement. I think I have said it in this forum before. Some Scouts will stumble and trip across the low threshold, some with clear it as though they were running hurdles in the Olympics. Some Eagles will soar, some Eagles will just sit in their nest. They all earn Eagle, and when they are adults they will know how much effort (or lack of effort) they put into it. My kudos to those that just earn Eagle (they earned it!), and my big congratulations to those that have worked hard in their achievements. Regarding the Life Scout which has approached you. The leadership time is counting since he earned Life Scout. Is there a discrepancy between what his father says and your Troop records? Within my troop we hold monthly PLC's. The attendance is fairly good, it takes an hour and a half to conduct 30 minutes of business with these guys. But we went to having an hour TLT every six months. Just last night, we spoke about communications (in addition to the Know, Be, Do). Our adults leaders desires are high. We tell them that if they plan and communicate, then they are "DO"ing the part of Patrol Leader. The more they plan and communicate, the more the adults can sit in the back of the meeting and "DO" less. Each month, they Do a good job of planning, they Do an okay job of acting on the plan, unfortunately they do a lousy job of communicating (or they just dont communicate). Our desires for my troop's PLC are high, but our expectations with these guys are low. Still, we will give them credit for acting as a Patrol Leaders. So regarding your Life Scout. I can empathize, the expectations are high. It would be great if you saw him, hiking his patrol around Summer Camp, leading with their patrol flag, singing a patrol song, constantly yelling their patrol cheer, meanwhile sitting a table and reading merit badge pamphlets to each other. I think I would clutch my heart if I saw that. But did he do the minimum job? Did he stand in front of the patrol? Did he talk with his patrol on occasion? A very, very low threshold, but did he cross it? If so, I would give him credit for it. I cannot speak for you. But I would give him a Scoutmaster Conference for Eagle, and discuss how well he performed as Patrol Leader. Ask if anyone advanced a rank during his tenure. Ask if they had any Patrol outings. Ask if all the Scouts in his Patrol are still in Scouting and if they are approaching near Eagle. Probably end with discussing Know and Be. And asking if he believes he actively participated in the Do. In the future, he will know how good (or maybe not as good) of a Patrol Leader he was. Good Luck! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

KSscoutmom, Greetings! I don't have my handbooks in front of me, but a training session is on the Scouting.org website. http://www.scouting.org/boyscouts/trainingmodules/scoutmaster%20conference%20training.aspx There are points there are re-emphasised throughout this training, and a requirement for each rank. Scout Spirit. I usually ask if Scout Spirit is just for one hour on Scouting night? I expect them to tell me it is every day. Then I ask if they would say hi to me in the mall, if I walked thru in my Scout uniform. I ask them not to memorize and repeat the Scout law to me, but to actually explain what it means. There are many sample discussion topics that can be found in the handbooks and in various troops websites. But I would ask you son to concentrate around his Scout Spirit and Scout Law, and to be able to understand it, explain it, but even more to demonstrate and live it. Have you son go back and review the first couple of chapters in the Boy Scout handbook, and not only to repeat it, but understand it. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Lisabob and Fellow Scouters, As others stated, Certainly concur with the cost of souvenirs, not only at Jamboree, but during their historic tours before arriving at Jamboree. (Some councils schedule a two-three week itinerary, with an East Coast patriotic sites tours) Last jamboree, they offered scoutstuff Jamboree cards. So that you can place money onto the card (used only at Jamboree) rather than giving large amounts of cash to your Scout. There are pros and cons of course. So watch scoutstuff and your Jamboree login in the next few months and make up your mind, if you want to invest in a card. Sometimes a council contingent cost includes matching luggage (footlockers and backpacks). So check with the newsletters your council is distributing. Each council should have most things planned in their cost. (They usually estimate very well) So you should not be too surprised by extra costs. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

keoki12 and Fellow Scouters, Rereading the letters sent to the keoki12's family. (excerpts copied below) It appears that Regional determines that the youth may be forgiven for errors in judgment. If the letters are correct, Regional states that the youth application may and will be accepted by regional and national. But regional does not mandated that the Blue Grass Council has to be the council to accept the application. I do not have my entire literature, but some fellow forum members have previously posted on this forum (and other forums), that councils are independent corporations, which contract with National BSA. Possibly with the regional letter, you son's application may be accepted in the neighboring council. Looking at another statement from the Blue Grass Council's letter "strong emotions from those involved in and affected by it". If you state up front any history with another council and troop. There should not be the same strong emotions, and he may start with a clean slate. I am all for given a second chance where warranted. But possibly his second chance may come from a fresh set of eyes (and emotions), even if it is in another council. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv The committee has recommended that __________'s membership privileges be reinstated. This means that __________'s registration will be accepted if he decides to re-register with the Boy Scouts of America. Regional's letter clearly states that our son's application WILL be accepted, but the BG Council translated that to mean his application would be considered.

keoki12 and Fellow Scouters, Greetings! IMHO. Quiet often the forum only receives one side of a story. You have only presented one side of the story, and then you are asking forum members to state if the BSA is about mentoring or destroying. Sounds like entrapment. Further you express a disappointment with your state's Department of Education, which your statements seems to transcend to becoming the fault of the BSA. While I hope you son grows into a mature young man that can make ethical decisions. Possibly, the BSA is not the best place for him to develop his values. Or possibly he does deserve to be in the BSA, but I am not the one that processes his application or give him a Scoutmaster conference. I would also ask you to caution you words. "Yes, my son was wrong to smoke the joint, but it was not an act of malicious misbehavior. It was the action of a boy who once again felt like a failure and was looking for acceptance where he could find it." If you statement is true. Then summer camp staff would be distributing joints around the campfire. Troops might as well bring a few bottles of hard liquor in their chuck boxes as well. Why not, it is not malicious behavior. I don't think it is true. If a Scout, adult, or staffer smoked a joint at summer camp, I would call it an act of malicious misbehavior. As a parent and summer camp staffer. I would not want my sons, my Scouts or my staff exposed to others smoking joints. I would consider it to be an act of malicious misbehavior, and I would want some separation between my sons, my scouts, and a person that decided to smoke a joint. Could young boys be forgiven and redeemed? Yes. Possibly. Depending on what the misbehavior was. But it still was a wrong and immoral thing for your son to do. Has your son changed his values and paid his debt for his bad judgment. Possibly so. Should your son be allowed membership into the BSA and your local council. Possibly so. But that is a decision for your council, and not necessarily this forum. Good Luck! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Scouters, Greetings! Hal, The Scout has not yet attempted a BOR for Eagle. He was "Not Advanced" to the rank of Life Scout. For not having an authorized POR, and/or not completing a Scoutmaster-assigned leadership project to help the troop. IMHO..... I don't have the Advancement Committee policies and Procedures manual if front of me currently. But I've read thru it a few times. After a spirited debate with a friend, I previous thought that only Eagle BOR could appeal a decision to their respective District/Council over the judgement of a BOR. Then my friend demonstrated how this statement is in the manual twice, once under Eagle BOR, and also subordinate to the Tenderfoot thru Life BOR paragraph heading. I guess you can say. Some Scouts blaze a steep trail to Eagle, Eagle Palms, Ranger, Silver and etc. They set the standards for others to follow. While, some other Scouts stumble along the Scouting trail, and the trail to Eagle is wide, paved, and well lit. The Eagle's still make an accomplishments. But some make a tremendous life changing journey, while others just make a journey. (No disrespect intended) The Life Rank advancement calls for serving their troop in a (listed) POR for six months. Not for the immediate most recent six months. (most Star Scouts I've seen, linger for a period in that rank, while achieving merit badges). Did he not serve in any sufficient POR since achieveing Star Scout. A couple of my concerns. How long was the Scout in the Star Rank? and did he complete six months of an approved POR since achieving Star Scout? Also, Did the Scout, in anyway, request an appropriate POR from the SPL and SM? (this would require the Scout to be motiviated enough to review the requirements. Some Scouts do, some Scouts don't.) Essentially, did the Scout honestly request a sufficient POR and was instead assigned APL? As our fellow Scouters have commented. If he did not make the appropriate request for a POR and he was unaware of the Advancement requirements, shame on him. To myself. If either of these two conditions honestly exist. If the Scout was aware of advancement requirements, requested to satisfy these advancement requirements and was denied, then he was wronged. He has a valid basis to Appeal a Decision of the Life BOR to the Council Advancement Chairman. If neither conditions exist. Then I concur with our fellow Scouters, the young Scout had failed himself. Was this Scout aware of the Advancement requirements? Or was he just assigned APL, and he could care less? Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Jamboree Staffers, Greetings! (and a jealous grrrr too) Mrs Crew21_Adv has already been accepted and assigned to International Exhibits, for nearly a month already. Good to know that she'll be looking for the patch in the mail. I've been accepted to staff, but I am still awaiting on position assignment. I joke with her, that Mrs Crew21_Adv will have to come out to parking lot duty to say hi to me. Oh well. Hopefully my assignment (and patch) arrives soon. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Buffalo Skipper, Greetings! You are not alone. If I can explain about my troop. It is great when all the Scouts are within walking distance of the meeting location and there are no other after school programs, or sports seasons to compete with. We start on time. Program or no program. Either it will be a really good meeting, and okay meeting, or a horrible meeting, we will not know the outcome till an hour and half later. (We have cancelled the last meeting in lieu of PLC on that meeting night, so we do have a monthly plan with the youth leadership) My troop has troop elections every six months. We have had one SPL, that lived a few miles from the meeting location. It depended if his father was at home or away on business. When his father was away, we could almost guarantee that mother (a nice lady) but not as enthusiastic about Scouting would drive him to the meeting. When his father was away on business, we would frequently expect a call an hour out from a meeting, and that specific SPL would state that he would not be able to attend. All other SPLs and PLs that we have, have regularly been good. Sending emails two, three, even four days out letting us (SM and ASMs) know that they will not attend or fulfill their assignments. Still within my troop, We can understand sports or other events, when the SPL/PLs notify us. But other tardies are split between the youth late getting into their parents car, or by the parents late getting around to driving their youth to another meeting. We don't like or appreciate tardies. But we still strive to begin on time. If the SPL runs across the room, to get to the front of the assembly after the opening ceremony has began. They will normally let their parents know the need to be at the meeting just on time. So.. Start on time. or continue to start on time. Be sure the PLs have assignments for opening ceremony or pre-meeting events. It may not cure all the tardies. But hopefully it will reduce the amount of tardies and they will arriving on time because they have task or assignments due. Good Luck! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Lexington76, Greetings! Your post doesn't really seem to have difficult questions. Just some common sense discussion topics. Heck, I would love to brag about having 60-70 youth. Here are my thoughts. Delegate yourself out of your position. Your CM and SM should be doing the same. Take this with a grain of salt, while asking your new leaders to accept important and specific positions. As "A Legend in my own Mind" (I'm joking) I, myself, certainly cannot control my Pack, Troop or Crew after I leave. I would like to see them thrive after I leave. Maybe they would do less, but maybe they will thrive beyond what I ever offered. Best I can say, is to consider yourself eventually being out of the picture. And hopefully, whomever the replacements are will be "Gung Ho" towards Scouting in you Chartering Organization and also honor your legacy. Next, it sounds like you have good units at your church, you just want to sustain those units. I would say training. Adult and youth. All the Basics thru Wood Badge, NYLT and KODIAK. Then program. Always offer a program and calendar which educates and satisifies advancement. Guide your adult and youth leadership to constantly follow both of these goals. Training and Program. They may follow different paths to the same destination; but will share the same bottomline goals. Maintaining Training and Program a successful, stable and consistent Scout unit should appear natural. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21(This message has been edited by Crew21_Adv)

Frank17 and Fellow Scouters, You asked to different major questions.... When are they official? Concur with John in KC. When the application is accepted at council. When do other Troops consider ASMs to be functional? That could vary, from when they walk in the door to when they have complete all the recommended basic training items. My fellow ASM's come into our troop with various experiences. Some are Eagles, some have spent years in Cub Scouting with a few sons, some just signed up for the first time with their son. Our fellow ASM's within my troop are official and functioning when we receive their application. They don't run to take charge. They understand our SM/ASM corps is similar to our Troop Committee. We all come together for similar goals, we may bring different avenues to get to the same destination, but we will work together to find the best mutual trail. So while our newest ASMs are official and trusted, they themselves are usually conservative and discuss plans with the PLC and SM first. Again, my Troop considers them official after receiving their application, but we urge them to complete the training as soon as they may. Good discussion about if YPT is a required training to earn the trained strip. I've been told that quiet often, but never seen it in writing online or in BSA literature (similarly, I never seen the a YPT "2 year" expiration until a fellow Scouter showed it to me on the recent OLC version). I have been told that the percentage of trained leaders to earn the centennial quality unit award, counts YPT in with the Fast Start, NLE and Specifics. Trained Leader emblem, No. 00280, is available for all leaders who have completed the basic training program appropriate to their positions. It is below the Cub Scout menu and Cub Scout training portion of the Scouting.org site, but it is not stated below the Boy Scout menus. On occasion, some information on the Scouting.org website has been in conflict with itself or obsolete from another portion of the same website. Probably it has been overlooked by the previous Boy Scout Division. Here is where the YPT is required for Cub Scout Leaders. http://www.scouting.org/CubScouts/Leaders/Training.aspx All registered Cub Scout leaders must now complete the following four training courses to earn the Trained Leader emblem: * Fast Start Training for their position (online or instructor-led) * Youth Protection Training (online or instructor-led) * Cub Scout Leader Specific Training (for their position, instructor-led) * New Leader Essentials (instructor-led) Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21_Adv

Frank17 and Fellow Scouters, Greetings! We had this as a brief discussion during our Fall training, (What the policies are and when the uniform can be worn) and quickly looked at the Unit Money Earning Application. I am not looking at my manuals right now. But expect the Cub Leader and Venturing Leader manuals will have a similar statement to the Scoutmaster Handbook. About 10 years ago there was an infomercial on late night TV selling fishing rods which had a troop discussing how well the fishing rod worked and how many fish they caught during a weekend campout. About a month later, the same commercial was still showing, but the shirts were pixelated, and the 30 minute informercial was cut from 30 minutes down to 15 minutes. The product appeared to be good, the Scouts seem to be honest(which it all was probably a true statement); but it appeared like the entire BSA was endorsing these fishing rods, not just this one troop. The unit money earning application has a few paragraphs that specifically cover it. (Specifically paragraph six.) On the front of the application. Will your members be in uniform while carrying out this project? (See items 36 on other side.) On the back of the application. 6. If a commercial product is to be sold, will the fund-raising activity comply with BSA policy on wearing the uniform? The official uniform is intended to be worn primarily for use in connection with Scouting activities. However, council executive boards may approve use of the uniform for any fund-raising activity. Hope this helps! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv (This message has been edited by Crew21_Adv)

John-in-KC, Oh yes. Certainly makes sense. I wasn't doubting it, just that I've never heard of it. But even if the OA history questions have been taken out of the Brotherhood walk. The OA Jeopardy game seems like it could still be a spirited competition and be a fun way to learn a little OA history. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Scouters, Greetings! MRCTroop340, Excellent Posting! Though, The short quote is still a little too restrictive. NER is Northeast Region, and addressing about staff positions. I am pleased to read about that. But, the Jamboree council contigent SM, 1,2,3 ASMs are participant positions. Ideally, WB trained is WB trained. We don't make adult Eagles re-earn their Eagle Rank after every advancement or merit badge change. Of course, maybe if we took away the Eagle Rank from adults and make them earn it all over again; the previous Boy Scout Leader Wood Badge versus the current Wood Badge for 21C disagreements would quickly stop. Hopefully, all four regions and national will follow suit with NER and consider WB trained to be WB trained. Regardless of Jamboree Staff, Jamboree Participant, or just your old WB trained Scoutmaster and ASMs taking their Troop to Summer Camp. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

CampSalmen, Greetings! You've received some expert advice already. Not really an answer to your question. "what do you need to make sure every boy has the opportunity that I have had?" But here are my thoughts.... Sometimes a new DE may re-energize a District. From my observations of the years; If I may describe an example of what Ive seen and would expect. If you take the geography of a Council and overlay it, as if it were concentric circles like a bullseye. The more urban or metropolitan downtown towards the inner part of the circles is where it is only a city block between troops. A DE may conduct all his business in a few city blocks. The outer circles are rural neighborhoods, farms and agricultural areas. A few miles between families, and miles between Packs and Troops. The council executive committee and CE usually know this, and set realistic goals for the different districts. A DE may drive for miles to conduct one single item of business a day. The unit leaders and District Committee may be exhausted from either the rural long work day life style or a long commute between home and the downtown area. The outlaying districts are usually adjacent to other outlaying districts of the adjacent councils. Obviously, a Council will be concerned about all youth. But they will concentrate their efforts where the majority of the youth population resides. I feel the success (or failure) of a DE is based off of location. For example, If we used two average, good, normal working DEs (maybe even twin brothers), same experience, same background, same demeanor. Place one in the downtown urban district, he may thrive and be wildly successful. Place the other in the rural district (somebodys got to do it) and he may become burnt out after a couple of years attempting to meet minor benchmark goals. I do feel empathy for the rural DEs. They come in ready to take on the world and work towards the improvement of their District, Council and the BSA. But most rural DEs give up from exhaustion or are eventually transferred to a more Urban district closer to the downtown area. So my question is. Where is the Council Executive offering to place you? If you are in the downtown area, it may be a dream job!!! If you are in the country and rural environment, the constant obstacles may take the fun out of it. Good Luck in your decision and hopefully you get one of the downtown districts! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Arrowmen, Excellent. Thanks for the replies. I've gotten one copy enroute I believe. I've never heard of the Nemat concept, only just the Brotherhood walk, Brotherhood letter and verbal test, which I still understood existed. My chapter is looking at a few fun events during a one day Chapter Fellowship (and also to refresh everyones understanding of the OA), without re-creating the wheel. I will admit, it would be plagiarism, but it a downloaded or emailed copy of the OA Jeopardy game, would be better than my amateur attempt. I have played the Wood Badge (Jeopardy style) game show a few times, and have a few variations of that game on my laptop and home computer. But unfortunately, I've only heard about OA Jeopardy from other lodges, and not yet been able to obtain a copy. We have obtained two ppt briefs and modified them to our Chapter information. Arrowman 101 (What is the OA) and Arrowman 102 (Brotherhood Study Guide briefing). They are good, but could be considered "death by powerpoint" to a 13-14 y/o. So the OA Jeopardy sounds like it would be a fun and competitive way to learn or refresh Chapter Arrowmen of OA history. Even the OA-BSA.org talks about it the Jeopardy game at past NOAC conferences, but doesn't post the game on the website. So I would equally be happy to find it (password protected) on a lodge website, but have not found a copy of the game on any lodge websites beyond their conclave and fellowship announcements. and lodge newsletters. Please continue to let me know if you have a personal copy or know of a lodge website version. Thank you Fellow Arrowmen! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

Fellow Arrowmen, I've heard the positive benefits of retaining the purpose of the OA and learning Brotherhood items thru playing OA Jeopardy. But I have not had the opportunity to see it played. I would like to present it to my Chapter Chief for brotherhood study and also for fun. I do not know if the OA Jeopardy game would belong under protected material. I've done a few searches of OA Lodges websites, to find flyers for Conclave and work weekends. As well as ceremony material, but I'm unable to find the powerpoint version of the game. Does anyone possess a powerpoint version of the OA Jeopardy? or, Can anyone direct me to a Lodge website which may have it posted? Thank you! Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21_Adv WWW-Brotherhood (This message has been edited by Crew21_Adv)

tagguy and Fellow Scouters, Greetings! First I would view the movie for entertainment value, and first as a heartwarming story. But secondly, it may be a good opportunity to segue into topics such as G2SS and safety. (If the majority of your committee was not yet trained) Rather than making a bad example out of the movie, I would only remind them "Hey, you know we handle safety much more thorough now." and "You know, we don't climb on the back of a moving car, or ride in the back of a truck" I would hope that everyone would let it be a fun night for the audience, and maybe only take away that there are more current safety guidelines in place to return our Scouts safely back to the parents after a campout. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv

April-D, With respect to our mission statement, we all work to prepare the youth to make ethical choice throughout their lifetime. IMHO. Youth, from 1 to 21 are constantly learning habits. Both good and bad. At home, at school, at sports and at scouts. Some of them are bad habits that Scouting (with only one hour a week) may never improve upon. It appears that the boy in your Bear Den has learned to be a smart mouth. Not that an apology would be insincere. But he probably does not realize that he is being offensive, and not have a clue why you would want an apology (which is a civil adult reaction to disagreements, not a common youth reaction). I would expect that his learned behavior has come from home. So I would start with the root of the problem and speak to both the parents about Den protocols and his expected behavior. Second, if you have a Den closing, I would give a Den Leaders minute to all the Bears(many Cubmaster, Scoutmaster, Advisors minutes are available in alot of literature and online) to remind them of the Scout Law and to say please, thank you, yes ma'am, no sir, and an occasional I'm sorry. Scouting Forever and Venture On! Crew21 Adv(This message has been edited by Crew21_Adv)