dancinfox

I have a saying I tell all my scouts. "With every choice, comes consequences." Every time they make a choice, be it cooking, cleaning, merit badges, campsite selection or behavior choices, they all have consequences. At summer camp last week, two of my scouts decided to prank call the operator at the camps payphone. I quickly found out from the other scouts. The younger scout came back to camp to face the Scoutmaster rath, and the older one decided to go to the waterfront to participate in the water carnivile. Each had different consequences, both wrote a 500 word essay, on why I don't use the pay phone in that way. They both came up with additional punishment, added length on the next rank and losing the merit badges completed that week. Both had to give their essays to their parents on return from camp. My point is, that my committee and parents know that this helps them grow and mature. They are responsible for their actions, and have to face the consequences.

If the CC and the rest of the board of review uses the resources that follow what questions should be asked at the approiate ranks, their is not a problem. Even if the cc or cm goes out camping with the youth, if they follow the logic of a board of review ie: it is a review, not a test, then there is no problem.

As a Scoutmaster, I here you say your scoutmaster has a lot of duties. I wonder if your committee is doing its job right. My committee does everything from fundraising to recharter. My Patrol Leaders Council and Senior Patrol Leader do their jobs by making sure the meetings run right. My Assistants help with two deep leadership and on outings. I'm more like an MC at the troop meetings and Courts of Honor. I do make sure the Scoutmaster Conferences and done when needed, and that Advancement and Boards of Reviews happen, but I rely on my Committee Chairman and Committee to follow through on things. I haven't had youth ride in my vehicle in four years, I have a committee member for transportation. I don't do merit badges for the Scouts, as my Committee Chairman is always finding new counselors. There is one other thing. The Boy Scouts of America has a program that works. We as leaders can not pick and choose the areas we like and discard the areas we don't like. I am a firm beliver in using the whole program. I also belive that you can not "SELL A PROGRAM, UNLESS YOU BUY IT", and also the we as Adult Leaders must "SET THE EXAMPLE" in uniforming, training, living the Scout Law and Oath and attitude. We can not expect our youth to change and grow up with good citizenship unless we give them the example to live by. I will now get off my "Soap Box". In Scouting Dancin

Dan, I did my Wood Badge there in "95". I have a few patrol mates from that area. One of my Patrol mates will be there the week you are. His name is Doug Wheaten. Look him up, he's a great guy. I do my best to make those guys do you right. In Scouting Dancin

I let my troop elect their Senior Patrol Leader every six months. If they choose to elect one for a second or third time, it becomes their choice. I always run a Junior Leader Training about 3 to 4 weeks after a election to train the new leaders and let them know what is expected of them. Good or bad, the Senior Patrol Leader runs the show and the Patrol Leaders Council sets what the troop does.

We are going to Rota-Kiwan in Kalamazoo, MI. Also as Dan did we went to Camp Phillips in WI last year. I go to a different camp every year so a scout will not see the same camp twice in his tenture in the troop. Dan, I would like to know the week you are going. I am going the first week of camp. June 23, thru June 29.

I allways have my new scouts do one merit badge and the FYC program. I review with them and my assistants the requirements they have remaining for their ranks thru First Class and we work on them in our campsite during the week, ie: Flag Raising, lashing, etc. I feel that the leaders can teach these requirements better one on one that in a setting of 30 or 40 boys.

I went to Cub Trainer Wood Badge and Boy Scout Wood Badge, both week long courses. I used to be a FOX. I am on staff for the council's Wood Badge for the 21st Century in August and September. Just being on Staff I have learned a lot. I find myself dealing with the youth on a more even keel. I know this sounds funny, I've been a leader for 13 years, and thought that Boy Scout Wood Badge taught me alot, but I was wrong. I think anyone who has the chance to be on staff, should, or if not, take the new course. It will help you deal with the youth in your unit in a whole new way.