Scoutmaster Teddy

I have a young man who finished all of the requirements for Second Class before January 1st EXCEPT for the BOR. He's a two-sport athlete and wasn't available for a while. Does he have to complete the new requirements? Thanks!

No reasons I can think of. I've only been Scoutmaster for two months, but yes I have enough camping nights. Maybe I will be nominated, perhaps I will not. I just want the boys who are OA to be involved and have an adult to get them to events. Too much sash-and-dash going on. I may have upset a few folks by missing events to staff a WB course twice in the last three years. WB is frowned upon, as if you are collaborating with the enemy at Council. (LOTS of ancient hard-feelings the locals can't let go of).

I am the Scoutmaster but I'm not an OA member. Interestingly enough. I fumed-out as a scout and have been back in Scouting as an adult for 7 years, 3 with the troop.

Thanks for the replies. The ASM only stayed at camp from Sunday thru Wednesday morning. I'll ask my OA advisor to inquire with the lodge. They would be a plus to the OA scouts, which is what is needed.

Jump right in! The Pack I started in has the Lion program and the boys love it.

Do the 15 camping nights in the previous 2 years still apply? If so, I have a question. If an ASM has 5 long term nights, 9 regular camping nights, and tented for only 3 of the 5 days at a second summer camp, does at least 1 night at the second summer camp qualify? That would give them the 15 needed to be considered. Thanks!

http://www.nccs-bsa.org/index.php/faq/membership-standards

I did some research on Scouts-L and found that the unit in question does indeed run a clandestine co-ed program. It works in Cambridge... More info and an article on the unit can be found at: http://archive.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2010/08/07/girls_not_allowed/ The Pack/Troop/Crew are combined using LFL to add the females. It's only a matter of time. Money and lawyers will determine the outcome.

I wouldn't doubt that co-ed units are coming. I heard from a insider at BSA HQ that they are already working on integrating the sexes in Cub Scouts. I can't offer proof or disclose the person but you can be assured it will come. Mention "lawsuit" and things change rapidly.

Next up on the chopping block "A Scout is Reverent." Wait for a couple of lawsuit threats and God is out.

Bingo! Same problems I'm facing as new Scoutmaster.

The scout is in the right. The BOR is a progress check, nothing more. No retesting should be allowed at the BOR. The scout and the BOR members should reconcile with each other. After that, consider having the scout teach other scouts some knots and have the BOR members trained (after his BOR reconvenes and rank is approved, he has done the requirements).

Not enough visitors in Irving, close to the National Headquarters? Seems to me that technology isn't the only thing needed fixed at National.

Welome to the forum! Jump right in.

Ah, yes. Fathers who can't see the light even when their wife pointed it out to them. We have two active Moms in the troop. Both are trusting enough with boy-led that they do not interfere nor question. Unless, of course, they hear something bad happen on a campout or other activity. Dads, on the other hand, especially this fresh from Cubs are a pain in the arse. We don't have helicopter parents, we have helicopter ASMs.

My district, like that of Sentinel97, has experienced growth the last three years. And we are considered rural. We had the only positive growth in our Council for two of those years. We owe it to a stellar DE, a strong recruitment committee, and good old-fashioned elbow grease.

22 scouts (~14 active) 1 SPL 1 ASPL 2 PL's 1 SM 7 ASM's Committee has 10 people (7 are ASM's)

Qwazse nailed it! It would be a blast to let the other boys see his "bling."

There has been a tendency to hover around the boys and make corrections. Instead of helicopter parents we have helicopter assistant scoutmasters. Since we have scout skills as part of the troop meeting plan, I was thinking of scout skills as part of the leaders meeting plan. Like five minutes worth. A little friendly competition away from the regular troop meeting. Besides, an assistant scoutmaster who cannot pitch a tent, tie down the adult's dining fly, or operate a camp stove is in need of training. Some boys think it's funny that Mr./Mrs. So and So can't set up a tent or light the lantern. The 'patrol' is mostly symbolic. We use it as part of the fun.

That is a fine line. If any of the boys objected we would drop the patch in a heartbeat. The boys don't seem to mind. We will begin to separate ourselves from the boys when camping. Right now there is a tendency to let the boys do all the cooking and cleaning. I plan to have the adults cook their own food all the time and mind our distance.

http://www.patchtown.com/images/view.aspx?productId=373

We have the 'Old Gray Hair Patrol,' complete with a patch! When I become scoutmaster here in a couple weeks I plan to take our patrol a few steps farther and make sure we all have scout to 1st class skills. I'll also implement a separate dining area on campouts. We are considering a Philmont Trek for leaders. I think they call it an 'Autumn Adventure.' Dean

Welcome! Another midwesterner here, from West Central Illinois. I lurked for a while also. Dean Roberts Scoutmaster-Elect, Troop 315 Macomb I used to be an Owl, C3-133-11 ..and a Staffer too! C3-133-14 and C3-133-16 "Train 'em. Trust 'em. LET THEM LEAD!" - William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt

We have an All-You-Can-eat Chili Supper every November. $6 for adults, $3 for kids, the whole family for $15. Scouts can keep 1/3 of their personal sales for their scout accounts. A lot of the supplies are donated and we use the CO's kitchen for cooking and serving. Net "profit" usually $1500+. Popcorn only if you want to sell. We tried selling first aid kits but that failed. Dues are $18 per year for scouts, no dues for adults. We also do service projects each month and we usually get pretty good donations from the VFW and American Legion and their Auxiliaries. That keeps our campouts to an average cost of $5 per person per day. We also maintain our trailer and equipment. The last few years we have been the lucky recipient of a Comcast Cares Day. We find a local project and have Comcast supply the materials and lunch/tshirts. In return, Comcast donates about $40 per person to the troop (anyone, including non-scouts) who shows up for the work. Big turnout - big check. Dean Dean Roberts Scoutmaster-Elect, Troop 315 Macomb I used to be an Owl, C3-133-11 ..and a Staffer too! C3-133-14 and C3-133-16 "Train 'em. Trust 'em. LET THEM LEAD!" - William "Green Bar Bill" Hillcourt

http://www.macscouter.com/cubscouts/ - Dean Roberts