dancinfox

Eamonn, First, the Scouts in the unit choose their merit badges a month before camp starts. This way I can assure that the troop has all the merit badge books needed. We do take our merit badge libary to camp if they want to take another class. Second, most of the camps we attend, require that the meds be logged in. By doing this I save time registering into the camp and usually, I have to dispurse the meds. The camp will give me a lockable box to store them in. That's why I use my own. We have gone to camps that require pictures of the Scouts on their health forms. I have found over the years that being organized this way saves a lot of time and energy on my part and the Scouts parents part. If this is against BSA policy, then tell me the area and page numbers. All the camps we attend like the idea. While, I'll admit, this isn't for everybody, it works for our unit. Dancin

I make up notebooks for the Scouts with their schedule of merit badges for the week, the blue cards for those merit badges signed by me, the merit badge books for their merit badges, a map of camp, a troop pen 20 sheets of paper and the troop rules for camp. I give all the Assistant Scoutmasters a notebook with each Scouts schedule, a map of camp, a copy of the leaders guide for camp a copy of the troop roster for camp and paper. I have a notebook with all the information the Assistants have plus we take pictures of the Scouts and Leaders going to camp and I use publisher to place them on photo paper with their names, rank and office under their picture. This works good for a lost scout. We have a picture of them. I've been doing this for about 7 years at camp and it helps out alot. I also have a notebook with forms for the meds the Scouts and Leaders take. The parents sign the form after they give me the meds and instructions. I have the Scout and Leader sign every time they take their meds. I carry a fire proof lockable box with me and keep all the meds in it. I try to make summer camp as easy for me and the Scouts. Dancin

Ron, If your talking about the old 50's and 60's service cap, I have one you can have. If this is what you want, email me your email address and I will send it to you, free of charge. In the Scouting Spirit Dancin

Whether at Summer Camp or a weekend outing, I let the Scouts know in advance that I am going to bed at a certain time. The rule of the troop is that when the Scoutmaster goes to sleep, things have to quiet down. You don't have to go to sleep, just be quiet. If they keep me up and extra hour, I wake them up an hour eariler. Haven't had to do this in quite a few years Dancin

I agree with OGE too! The project was to by playground equipment and have the troop set it up. The fundraiser was used to fund the project, it was not the project. The Scout could have changed the scope of the project by having some other people put together the playset, instead of the troop, thus still completing his project, which was to install a playset for the local community. Dancin

I own two older Boy Scout mess kits. One is from the 50's and still in the box. the other one is from the early 60's and the canvas cover is like new. I use the one from the 60's on camp outs. I have one of the newer ones I bought about 3 or 4 years ago. The quality is better than any of the new ones including the stainless steel ones I have paid 30 plus dollars for. What I like about a mess kit is it seals when making dutch oven type meals. Dancin

I use a large flat stone to cook on at outings. I can make stir fry, bake bread, cook chicken, eggs, bacon, meat loaf, etc. No pots, dutch ovens. I have wittled a spoon and spatula out of wood and use these to cook with. Tastes great, the kids use it after I'm done, or have found their own. Dancin

If you are involved with a troop, how about having it at Summer Camp. You could have a ceremony at the troop's campsite, or I've seen it during lunch or dinner at camp. Does not interfere with the troops regulare ceremonies and still lets the scouts see what it means. Dancin

In our district we allow Webelos to camp with a troop. They must have a parent or guardian with them to come. The district activities committee creates areas for the Webelos to compete with other Webelos not Troops. This seems to work well. Not all packs send Webelos, because it is hard to get a parent or guardian to go along. Dancin

First, I would have a meeting of my ASM's and Committee Chairman and show them the flow chart of what their positions are. Then I would let them know that they do the jobs assigned to them by you. When it comes to the program of the troop the PLC has the say with the Scoutmasters advice. The ASM's are in their position to help the Scoutmaster not to run events or outings unless the Scoutmaster has requested them to. If I were on an outing with the troop and I as Scoutmaster, make a decision different from the normal rules, so be it. Dancin

Robby, If you would like I can get the National number of the certificate for you. On the course last year the Course Director had me scan the certificate and produce them off my computer and printer. I set it up in an Microsoft Publisher format and put the name, course number and date the beads were presented. I was a Troop Guide on that course and I even went so far as to buy oak frames for each participant receiving their beads and framed their certificates. I think that looks better than just handing them a certificate. If your course director would like the Publisher file, I can attach it and email it to you or her. Dancin

Did you go to a 21st Century Wood Badge Course? If you went to one of the last Boy Scout Leaders Wood Badge Courses, then your certificate would be one of the old ones. Dancin

The new certificates have Roy L. Williams name on them. They have the 21st Century Icon on them. Dancin

Since it is the job of the PLC to create the program for the troop, I think you need to start there. I read from your OA post that you don't have a PLC, but nothing says you son and the other scouts can't ask the Scoutmaster and SPL to start meetings. The Scoutmaster should be following the procedures of the BSA and allow the youth to create their own program with his guidance. If the PLC votes to go to Summer Camp and there is enough adults to make it happen, then the Scoutmaster doesn't need to go, just help set up a program for Summer Camp. If the PLC decides they want a OA Election, the the Scoutmaster should contact the proper youth from the Chapter and make it so. As long as there is at least one half the troop present at the meeting during the election and the eligible youth receive at least one half of the vote of the members present, then they are elected. They still have to go through their ordeal (they do not have to be called out) to be OA members. I would think talking to your Unit Commissioner should get you some assistance in making all this work. Dancin

When a Eagle becomes a adult leader in the troop, I buy him an Eagle Scout Knot and present it to him. I explain that he can't wear the cloth badge anymore, but he can wear the Eagle Knot on him uniform. Dancin

FYI As of January 1, 2005, a 21st Century Wood Badge Course Director has to have staffed at least two 21st Century courses. One as a Troop Guide and the other in any of the other positions. It is true that once a course director, you can not staff another course. You can be a mentor to a course director once. I think what National has done with the course is great. It is truly a course with no additions. Dancin

I agree with Bob White. I was asked by the committee and the Chartered Organization to be Scoutmaster, and have been honored ever since. On the issue of soda for adults at campouts, I have always told the scouts, I will not have them do anything I wouldn't do myself, ie.(Polar Bears, Climbing, repelling, backpacking all your gear in, cooking, and anything program oriented. Dancin

First, if the young man has earned all these badges and his Eagle, then it's a done deal and who are we to judge. As Bob White has said, he has met the requirements and was passed off. Also, the idea of the merit badge program is to give scouts an opportunity to get a taste of different aspects of life. If the purpose was to totaly retain everything you learned, then the merit badges should take six months to a year to learn. I don't see anything wrong with a scout earning all the merit badges. Even if he spent all his time scouting, is that all bad. I was into sports in school and my friends were scouts. Would I do it over, I don't know, but I think I would be more involved in Scouts if I had to do it over again. (Thank God I don't.) Just my two cents. Dancin

I am an Securities Rep and Insurance agent working for an indepenant Financial Planner. I worked as an Asst. Manager for a Credit Union, a controller for an oil company with 30 retail gas stations, an accountant for a CPA firm, a bookkeeper/truckdriver for an oil company.

Just listen to the instructors, take notes during class time and remember, COPE is teaching, if you can't do everything, that's ok, it's how well you teach the participants. When I went to COPE training I couldn't do everything the youngsters could, I was mid 40's. The 21-30 year olds can do everything. Have fun. Dancin

Tim, I went to NCS for COPE in 2000. You are in for a great time. If your friend is just involved with COPE, then he is registered with the BSA. You will also need a uniform for a picture of the COPE trainees. We wore clothes to help us from being bruised (Ha Ha). But did wear the uniform to Breakfast and dinner. Good luck and have a great time. Dancin

Besides selling popcorn, we do a spagetti dinner and a pancake breakfast. The Scouts sell tickets to the dinner and breakfast and earn $1.00 for their scout account. The profits from the event after taking the money for ticket sales out is divided amoung the scouts who worked at the events. If a mom and dad and sibling work 3 hours each, we total the total hours everyone worked and divide the profits by those hours then multiply the per hour amount by the total hours the scout, his parents and sibling worked (ie: 4 people times 3 hours equals 12 hours times $3.00 per hour or $36.00 into the scouts account. If the scout sold 20 tickets then an additional $20.00 would be added to his account. All told he would receive $56.00 into his account. This works well, because if a scout is not going to be around the day of the event ie: going to Grandpa's and Grandma's or it's his birthday, he can still sell tickets and have something go into his account.

In reading the Eagle Scout Workbook, it gives guidelines to the scout how to go about finding and getting approval for an Eagle Project. The scout must first go to the Scoutmaster. To me, this is where the scout finds out if the project is Eagle Project material. Once the project is approved by the Scoutmaster and the workbook is signed, then the scout presents it to the Troop Committee for their approval and signature. After the Committee approves the project the scout then presents it to the organization for their final approval and signature. Then the scout presents the project to the District or Council Advancement Chairperson. Once the Advancement Chair approves and signs the project workbook, work can begin on the project. There are a lot of people in the mix that can have the scout change or improve upon the project until it's final approval by the Advancement Chair. Once all approvals have been received, and the project done, it's a offical Eagle Project. If anyone has problems with it, to bad. I think everything starts with the Scoutmaster. If he or she is doing their job corectly, then the project should be one that the Eagle, organization, and Troop can be proud of. Just my 2 cents. Dancin

You will love the experience of Wood Badge. Just as dsteele said, it's great. I was lucky enough to be on the course that dsteele worked for his dad. It was a GREAT course. I served on staff last summer for Wood Badge for the 21st century. I am going to serve on staff again this summer. Do I mind giving up vacation to do this. NO, the greatest experience of my life. Dsteele, FYI, our mutual friend, JPR, our current council commissioner, is going to be course director in 04. I used to be a FOX. Dancinfox

LauraT7, I have the 2003 Local Tour permit in a PDF file format that is fill-in. I don't know if I can e-mail it to you at hotmail. I will try but sometimes hotmail and yahoo don't let you accept attachments. dancin