dfolson

While I have many more things to work on, I can report that my ticket is complete. I need to try figure out a suitible venue for my beading. There are no Round Tables in the summer around here, so I have to think.... Area Sea Scout Regatta, Fall University of Scouting, Fall RT, ..... any other suggestions? Still working my ticket, David

OGE: I am leaving tomorrow for Philmont. We are doing Trek 16 and go on-trail at Cathedral Rock on 6/29. Although unlikely, I will keep an eye out for you... Have a great trip! YiS, David Olson

Venividi, Great suggestion!! p.s. SM did approve it (and me) to work with them.

Hey all, I was asked to be a MBC for my Sons Troop for Swimming. OK, no problem there. I am now registered with the District and all up to date. I was recently asked by my son and another boy if they could start the Swimming MB with me. I said 'No problem, just show me your blue cards'. Still no problem... Day 1, my son and other boy meet me at the pool (other boy's dad is there too) and they did great. Knocked off several requirements. Now here is my concern. My son has asked several times since if we could go to the pool and work on more, so we have and he has made great progress. I am concerned on whether I should sign off on the requirements he has done with just he and I there. The other Scout has made no attempt to contact me and ask me to continue - which I would be happy to do. I know I have been harder on my son than I would be for another Scout as I want there to be NO question that he DID the requirements. Am I blowing this out of proportion? I am the only Swimming MB Counselor registered with the Troop, so he would have to find someone else in the district to work with if I don't. I am interested in feedback from the forum. YiS, David

Now for a slight shift.... Last year I had a Webelos at camp refuse to take the swim test because they would not let him use his mask. Is there any reason they could not have let him use it?

I was just reviewing Aquatics Supervision 34346. Chapter 5, page 38 Swim Classification Tests----- Any conscientious adult who is familiar with basic swimming strokes and who understands and abides by the following guidelines can administer the test. So where does the requirement for a lifeguard come from?

So as the OP, I have to say this has strayed a bit.... Since I had only rumor to go from, I said nothing to anyone and just kept my eyes and ears open. I did suggest to the SPL, ASPL, and TG that they should take the new guys under their wings and work on advancement with them. The second night almost everyone slept together in the shelter they built in the woods some 300 yards off from where my tent was. Next morning I received a message from the TG (he slept in a tent) that they didn't want to get up until someone came and took a picture for the Troop records. Overall it was a great team building weekend. I will attribute the rumors to unfiltered comments that were not truly meant.

This weekend is the Troop's first campout with the new Scouts. I will be acting as SM (Officially I am an ASM). I heard a few rumors that the older scouts may be planning a welcome of some sort to the new boys. I don't think it amounts to anything more than making late night noises outside their tents. I am wondering if I should ask the older Scouts about it... Suggestions?

The pilot phase is closed now, but the program is anticipated to be rolled out at the national meeting later this month. Pilot Councils received the initial program information from here: http://www.scccbsa.org/sccc/news/council-initiatives/stem-nova/ There is also a facebook link here: http://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/NOVA-Award-BSA/172074796171840 I was an advisor for 7 Cubs and 1 Venturer during the pilot. We will be presenting her with the Super Nova at the Council's annual meeting in 2 weeks. Please note that what is on the website now may be changing as all participants were surveyed and adjustments to the requirements will likely be made before the official release. YiS, David Olson

I would like to offer this link to the open house / recruiting resource from my Council: http://venturing.nsbsa.org/LinkClick.aspx?fileticket=d2QrSuUzOr8%3d&tabid=1823&mid=4094 My daughter who is a VP for the Council VOA recently reported to the Council Committee on ways to improve recruiting, that a key (number one as tabulated by the VOA) influence in recruiting youth is to offer food. YiV, David

Beavah, So having been the UC for the Troop for the last 3 years, I have gotten to know most of the boys. It is a small Troop and one of the things I have been trying to help with is coaching them on recruiting. Is that really being too involved as a UC? moosetracker, Thank you. That was where I was - watching the train wreck coming and trying to fiigure out which siding to shunt the cars to. I also wanted a sounding board to see if I was the only one that felt the result of the BOR was a lot of HORSEHOCKEY

I have polled the SM - strongly disagrees with board CC - agrees with board, but vaguely indicated was not there or involved...??? Next thing to do is poll the board. Tonight is the Troop COH. I have already recommended the SM have a sit down with the board and the CC. I wanted to have the board's side before approaching the COR.

The boy is indeed only 13, but I feel that has no bearing on this case. I would like to see where in the requirments is the age check off for life. If he mouthed off to the board (unknown) I could understand if they said he needed to improve his Scout Spirit. I have never heard or seen anything but exceptional behavior by him... And again I point out he already met this POR requirement as Librarian... David

The issue as QM in my look at the problem is moot, as he served 7 months as Librarian. The second problem I have is the addition of requirements to plan additional meetings and campouts. The third problem I have is the arbitrary time delay. The reasons for denial were written in the Scouts Handbook. He was not in agreement and was not given information on how to appeal. I as a UC am looking at this as a potential mess for the Unit. The Committee is essetially saying they don't agree with or trust the SM. Most important is the fact that the SM and I, both know and have been watching this kid for a while now. He was at the point of dropping out about a year ago (before his Star BoR) and has for the last year become refreshed and reinvigorated to the point we have both seen he is cognizant that he is a role model for the younger boys and goes out of his way to help them. The SM and I both thought this was a slam dunk BOR. I am afraid that the boy will give up and drop out because of the bushwhacking. If he were to ask for an appeal, I am 99.5% sure he would get advanced, but I am also concerned with the health of the Unit and how the heck do I get the COmmittee on the same page with the SM - and get them trained (at least on how to run a BOR and what is the purpose of one?) David

Hi all, I had a phone call from an angry parent and find myself wondering where to go next.... I am the UC for a Troop. One of the boys was turned down by his BoR for Life. He had met all the requirements and had a favorable SM conference. Now the Committee is fairly new as is the SM, (a bit over 1 year of experience) And the SM is fully trained, but the Committee is not. The parent of the boy is also the former SM (trained). The Scout has had 2 - PoR 7 months as Librarian and 6 months as QM. The SM thought he had done a good job as QM and all other aspects of Scout spirit and Troop participation. The board's reason for denial was: 1 as QM he had not cleaned out the storage room where the gear is kept 2 He had not planned enough Troop meetings or campouts 3 He should not ask for another board for 5 months Additional background to the boards points To the best of my knowledge no adult - esp the SM had told him he better get the storage room cleaed up or else. No one ever complained about his service as librarian. There is no written policy specifying a number of meetings a Scout is responsible for (or campouts either) He had planned several things. I need a sounding board before I react, or do somthing stupid. Feedback please...

One comment... If registered as a Scout Parent, it does not trigger the background check. That is only done when the application is for a MC, 42, ... David

Commissioning for a Crew: Please remember that for a Crew, the Commissioner should have the direct contact with the Crew President, not the Advisor. The Crew President is (should be) in charge... of course be in compliance with YP rules.... speaking of which, please make sure to take Youth Protection for Venturing (YP2). It is different and covers missing ground that is useful. If possible you really should consider Venturing Leader Specific training.

Eagle92 and ScoutBox, Thank you - that was the kind of ideas I was looking for... I also intended to give them privately such as a toy sand shovel with our totem on it for the facilities ASM when we finish that duty... YiS, David

I just finished weekend one at Gilwell. What makes for appreciated gifts to staff? Still a Buffalo(?) David

Hello, I just got back from Sea Base. I had hoped to replace my old DTG patch earned a while back. I did re-earn the patch, but rather dissapointing is they have gone to a generic (not Sea Base specific) round patch. Does anyone have the old rectangular Sea Base version? David

I would be very interested to hear the results if you do a side by side experement with different arrows! YiS, David

FYI - equipment could be a factor... Our council has supplied the camps with Genisis bows. They are good quality with durability (and they have a purchase program for Non-Profits like BSA). They also have the advantage of being able to accomodate draw lengths form 15" - 30" without adjustments. YiS, David

In case you were curious, the Venturing requirements are even more difficult: A. Recurve Bow 1. Indoor: Shoot 30 arrows at 18 meters on a 60-centimeter five color target. You must score 150 of a possible 300. 2. Outdoor: Shoot 30 arrows at 40 meters on a 122-centimeter five color target. You must score 200 of a possible 300. OR B. Compound Bow 1. Indoor: Shoot 30 arrows at 18 meters on a 40-centimeter five color target. You must score 150 of a possible 300. 2. Outdoor: Shoot 30 arrows at 40 meters on a 122-centimeter five color target. You must score 210 of a possible 300.

As a Level 1 USA Archery (and NFAA) instructor and a registered MBC for Archery, I have been using the 2011 version of the book available in the Scout Shop. It lists many different scoring methods that qualify: 1.Do ONE of the following options: Option A - Using a Recurve Bow or Longbow F. Do ONE of the following: 1. Using a recurve or longbow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following BSA, NAA,or NFAA rounds: A. An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 60 points. B. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 80 points. C. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 180 points. D. A FITA/NAA indoor* round I and make a score of 80 points. E. An NFAA indoor* round and make a score of 50 points. 2. Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a score of 150. 3. As a member of the NAA's Junior Olympic Development Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman. 4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch. Option B - Using a Compound Bow F.Do ONE of the following: 1. Using a compound bow and arrows with a finger release, shoot a single round of ONE of the following BSA, NAA, or NFAA rounds: A. An NFAA field round of 14 targets and make a score of 70 points. B. A BSA Scout field round of 14 targets and make a score of 90 points. C. A Junior 900 round and make a score of 200 points. D. A FITA/NAA indoor* round I and make a score of 90 points. E. An NFAA indoor* round and make a score of 60 points. 2. Shooting 30 arrows in five-arrow ends at an 80-centimeter (32-inch) five-color target at 15 yards and using the 10 scoring regions, make a score of 170. 3. As a member of the NAA's Junior Olympic Development Program (JOAD), qualify as a Yeoman, Junior Bowman, and Bowman. 4. As a member of the NFAA's Junior Division, earn a Cub or Youth 100-score Progression patch.

Thanks everyone. I have reviewed his service over the last year and confirmed with the requirements that he will have earned the DC service award in April - one month after his Den transitions. I will try to keep him in service to the Pack at least until his aniversary date (if not longer as I want to assign him to a new den...) The same CO(a) is for my son's Pack(a) and Troop (a)of the Scout in question. The boys are joining another Troop (b)that is nearby and has a different CO(b). The Den Leader is a member of the Church that is the CO(b) for the other Troop(b). I will coordinate with the Scouts SM for the next CoH. I will also try to get the CM, DL, and new Scouts to attend. YiS, David