AggieScouter

I am not web expert, but I wanted our trrop to have a web site for communication. Add a Woodbadge ticket item and you have my site for our troop. Pretty basic, but it gets the job done. The hardest part is getting others to give me the info to update the site. We pay $50 a year for hosting, which includes domain name registration and 333 MB (huge) of space, email boxes etc. You can check it out at http://www.troop80houston.org/

I think using surplus gear is OK, but not for uniform items. I like the web belt with suspenders. You can clip on a lot of gear for hiking, and it's pretty comfy; not as hot as toting a day pack. I agree with FOG that the military E-tools (shovels) are about the best you can get, but most military equipment has a lighter weight/minimalist equivalent these days. I don't carry a heavy E-tool when I can get away with my trusty U-Dig-It shovel. And the ALICE pack? No way. There are many packs that are a LOT more comfortable than that old thing. The worst? The old shelter-halfs. Half of a canvas pup tent (find a buddy, or you are out of luck) with no floor (except your poncho, real fun when it rains), and weighs too much.

-Recruiting and retaining youth - Preparing for High Adventure- very popular at our U of S. - The role of the COR, UC, CC- this is a mystery to many people, even those involved in Scouting

I am not fond of the Scout uniform. I think the poly blend shirt is too hot, especially in Texas summers. I have a 100% cotton shirt I like better. The shorts & pants are not comfortable at all. That said, I always wear my full uniform correctly as an example to the boys, as do the rest of our adults. Camo? I am proud of my USMC service, but I do not want Scouting to be a paramilitary organization. No military syle uniform, no drill except for what is needed to put on a decent flag ceremony. Now, I have had several of my older Scouts mention that the new Venture shorts are great; comfy and good enough to wear as backpacking gear. Maybe BSA is finally onto something....

I used to be an Eagle....

Our BOR's are designed to see if the program is serving the scouts. If a scout is up for a BOR, the Scoutmaster has stipulated that the scout has met the requirements. Our job on the BOR is to see if this is true. It is a review of the program, specifically the Scoutmaster. This is what the Committee is for. It is not a youth function to judge the Scoutmaster. This is why BSA states that only Committee mebers should be on BOR's.

I took WB for the 21st Century last a couple of years ago, and it was one of the best training workshops/seminars/classes I have had. Unlike most training, WB makes you apply what you learn to make your unit better than it was before. I really think my ticket items made the troop a better unit. As for the Patrol Method, I thought the course did a great job of promoting that. Our patrol did everything together, and bonded like glue from the get-go. If anything, there was an over-emphasis on the Boy Scout stuff; Cubs & Venture get mentioned, but not much else. On the other hand, the skills they taught us are easily transferrable to any level. Our patrol had blue, red and silver loops, and all of us thought the course was great. AggieScouter SR-472 Eagle

NWScouter: I saw that page too. That was not what he was talking about. Actually, the "Trained" patch was put out to replace the two different patches. I am using this info as evidence that it is possible to wear an ASM patch w/o the "Trained", since there is only one patch now for both trained & untrained. Dozer: Thanks for the tip. I will look it up when I get home.

There is noe requirement for training, although it is highly recommended. Our Council and District are good about this.

A Scouter from our District training team told me that the ASM position patch must be worn with the "Trained" patch, that is, he/she may not wear the ASM patch until he/she is trained for that position. Therefore, several of our adults are not in proper uniform. As I read the Insignia Guide, it says that the "Trained" patch "...may be worn only in connection with the emblem of office for which the training has been completed". To me this means that you can't wear the "Trained" patch with the ASM patch unless you are ASM trained, but can still wear the ASM patch without the "Trained" patch if you have not done the training. The only other reference to this I can find is on the Female Leader Uniform Inspection Sheet which states "When earned, the Trained leader strip is worn touching the badge of office". Is there any other source I can point to? This Scouter won't take no for an answer; I need my ducks in a row before I get back to him.