dg98adams

3-4 times a year, like yours. The one after summer camp (August) is a big one. One just before The Troop Thanksgiving dinner is good sized as well. The other 2 are needed, some ranks adv and several MB. So far, the 5 ECOH were separate, and varing degrees of attendance. I'd say the real answer is "as often as needed".

http://www.projectlinus.org/ Our pack (all the boys/parents in a Pack meeting) made some fleece blankets (cut to size then tie the edges to make knotted fringe. Best Project we ever did, next to planting 2 Oak trees.

Favorite zombie phrase, "bring more brains". So, go to the unrepresented Troops/Packs, and make a personal invitation to go. You don't have to be the RT chair to ask someone to come. Especially new leaders. Now the RT chair needs to offer something worth coming for: "local where to go what to do" roadmap/guide Naturalist magazines (usually free from your local soil/conserv. office CPR training Webelos Transition stuff Where to get Den chiefs from? And how to attract them. Info not publish anywhere in council or on the calender yet, at least 2 months out. Freebies, like coupons to local attractions (Scout-friendly) Info on activities/events prior to publication by council. Stuff like that.

Had an issue with the national site last week. Kept getting "Object moved here"... I was trying to log into the Unit Commissioner tool for Unit Visits. I emailed the help desk and got the following answer: "You need to keep your PC and Explorer up to date, then try to reboot." I emailed back, while I myself have chanted the "Microsoft mantra" to others, and fully appreciate the advise, I was not on a PC (Linux Workstation), and I was using Firefox as the browser. To that reply I got, "the national site only supports IE 7 at the moment (and excludes Mac and other Os/browsers), and we are updating and going thru some Java updates." That I did find reasonable - Translation - "Yeah we know it's a problem, and we are working on it."

I've seen it where the target is the SM, and the Scouts ask the audience which body part next? Probably not a skit I'd advocate, but if done without malice and involves the senior Scout (and no surprises), ok... for a Webelos event... no. Basic rule I use, "if you can do the skit on the church steps in front of your grandma, then it's probably ok."

Our council has a provisional camper program and a good Tecumseh Island (1st year camper track) program. We're in Central Ohio. http://www.tecumsehcouncilbsa.org/camping My son/daughter are on-staff, with several others from our Troop and Crew.

Our Troop started out with the old stand by fuel stoves/dual burner. We converted a couple to propane. These are not really back pack style though.

I am sorta known (maybe just in my head) for a few "pat" answers that are sorta common phrases in our Troop. "I don't know, CAN you (insert go/do and a location here) and why are you asking me?" "Are you're asking ME because you don't know who your PL or SPL is?" "Where do YOU think (insert anything here) would be and have you checked there yet/again?" "I'm just the Asst. Scout Master, I don't even remember your name......?"

Lie other posters point out, the BSA goal is not to have all the Scouts reach Eagle. And I also believe 1st Class rank is the main target. Your Cub to Eagle Analogy is like asking: "how come out of 10,000 6th grade Football players only 10 make a Pro team, isn't the goal of Middle School Football Pro Ball?" That is a ridiculous notion. Scouting builds citizens with character, leadership skills and personal responsibility. Some take it farther than others, but the process is what counts no matter how far along they go. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

When I was a Cub Master, I made up a 2 foot pocket knife of card board that folded up. I got the Asst CM to stand behind me and "demonstrate" the skills I was explaining the Bears had achieved to earn this Card with the giant knife. Of course, I played it straight up, and the Asst. CM really did the opposite of what I explained, to include lopping off a couple fingers (Carrot stubs), to all kinds of crazy stuff. When I finished up, I asked the Parents of the Bears to come forward to present the cards to the Bears. By this time the Asst. CM had wrapped his hand in some Halloween gauze (bloody) and tried to "shake hands" with the Bear as he got the card. With Cubs, you have a short attention span, and if you keep it FUN, it's be good. The pack loved it.

While I agree with the spirit of Beavers response, and sympathize with those experienced leaders now considered "untrained", the reality is quite simple. "If you are a Direct Contact leader (National back-pedaled on IH/COR/CC) without valid youth protection on Dec. 31st", you will be dropped from the unit roster. And if you are in a key leader spot, you could prevent your unit from being rechartered. The unit will have to complete a new "Charter" application, which could take a while. During that time, the unchartered units will not be able to record rank/advancements, earn time on Veteran unit status. Yes, it's not polite, but it's a mandate from National not an optional Council choice. So, with all the warning about YPT becoming a requirement on Dec. 31st, 2010.... how does complaining or delaying it serve the youth? Full position training is coming.... now pushed back to 2012 in our council.

BALOO, Webelos Outdoor Skills, IOLS and position specific are a 1-time course, no expiration date. - check the cards - no expiration. Youth Protection and Safe Swim/Safety Afloat is 2 years, BSA lifeguard is 3 years - cards have expiration dates. From the Guide To Safe Scouting, Under Cub Scout Safe Swim Defense/Safety Afloat, in supervision: the ratio of Cubs to Adult Supervisors is 1 to 5....(For Boy Scouts it's 1:10). Otherwise Cub Camping is 1:1 (and always 2 deep leadership). It's in the BALOO syllabus.... and Guide to Safe Scouting. When you chair the course, make sure your staff does not tell the attendees how "their pack does it", that's how wrong info gets perpetuated. when I have chaired the course, I try to find "answers to questions" in the book and show them where I found it. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

It's sad that your Wood Badge you experienced in your council (wherever it is since you did not fill out your profile) was that poor. I'm just glad my council's Wood Badge course was not like yours. For me, Wood Badge opened my eyes and made me really "see" the volunteers in many of council events, without which, would require Scouters serving Packs and Troops to do double duty. While I have been a Wood Badge participant and staffer, I am not defined by it, no more than I am defined by my Cub or Boy Scouting experiences by themselves.... I think I'm a product, by my choice, of the whole experience. And when it comes down to it, it's a "choice" to live each day bettered by the day before. No matter if the experience the day before was good or bad.

When I was a DL/CM, I took any training offered. If only to tell potential Cub Leaders what to expect and how it can help. As a UC/ASM, I still take any training offered, especially if: There's camp food involved, and an opportunity for a good camp fire. I've gotten to the point now in Scouting now, that usually I end up on staff, so the best part is working with some of the best friends I have ever had.... course, food and a campfire is still good enough!

OWLS is a requirement for the Webelos Leader knot, under Training. OWLS covers the Outdoor activity badges which IOLS does not (specifically anyway). This is pretty much the biggest difference, but is OWLS IS NOT needed to be considered TRAINED as a WDL. IOLs IS required for SM/ASM to be considered TRAINED. Our council finally offered OWLS at the same time as IOLS. I was the chair this time, and we only came together for meals/cooking demos.

I have never seen a BSA required amount of square footage for a tent.... besides BSA does not specify the required size of a Scout.. I do have to report on my BSA physical for I am exceeding the allowed gravity specification for my height. A quick Google search hitting some camping guides for long-term summer camps of 30 square feet per scout, which probably coincides with a 5'x6' area which is 1/2 of a canvas wall tent. Most Scout tents are 2-man tents, roughly 30-50 square feet depending on the size. The better questions are: "How many Scouts do we intend to take camping, how much can we spend, and what can we get for that?"

Ok, 1st off, since no one here has observed anything first hand, relax and read thru the replies for useful info. Did you visit any other Troops when you son was a Webelos? Why did your son choose this Troop? So, here's my thoughts... DO NOT go beyond the Scout Master/Assistant Scout Master/SPL right now... Your DE or Unit Commissioner (if you even know who that is) is not going to be able to solve anything for you. Same for the Committee Chair. Boy Scouts will not look like Cub Scouts, Girl Scouts or Awana... some chaos is a given. I agree, fighting has no place in Scouting, and should be dealt with by the leaders. Maybe it was... What do 12 year old's look like? We have a 6 foot 12.5 year old at about #190, and 4 foot tall 14 year old I bet goes #75-80 pounds (with rocks in both pockets). If you mean there appears to be a gap between older boys and younger boys, then it's possible an entire Patrol (grouping of like-aged boys) left the Troop or were never recruited. It's common to observe that leaders kids can advance quickly (it's at the Scouts own pace which is different that Cub or Girl Scouts)... and leaders kids usually come to all the meetings and outing (since dad or mom is there). The time required for advancement is in the Boy Scout Hand book.... if you want to look it up. A New Scout Patrol guide that plays foot ball should not be the Patrol guide for the new Scout Patrol (if that's what your son is in). This is probably due to the lack of leadership, and IS a valid concern. New Scouts being told where to sit (probably by other Scouts is not out of the norm) since they are new Scouts after all. they should be sitting with all the Scouts in their patrol anyway. Scouts that are 14-15 and not 1st Class can either be new, not interested in advancement (which is ok), or not coming to opportunities/outings to learn skills (also their choice if it's offered). Your son should advance (or not at his own pace.. again is he reading his book?), assuming they are being given direction and opportunities. Does he have a Boy Scout hand book? H Has he started reading the joining requirements and started on Scout requirements? Boy Scouts are responsible for their own advancement. As far as the activities being too hard, did you know the Cycling Merit Badge requires a 50 miler in 1 day? And this merit badge is available to any Scout 11 to 18? Is this a good activity for a brand new Scout, probably not. But the Scouts choose their activities, and probably the lack of younger Scouts (up to now) was the reason for the limiting activities. When our Troop did Whitewater rafting, we also excluded anyone not a swimmer, did not have the canoeing Merit Badge or under 13. You need to get some training (at least volunteer to be on the committee). There's training online at national for a lot. If you are not allowed to sign up for the Committee (after doing all the training you can online) ... then find a new Troop. (This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Don't see a reason why it couldn't be either...

Don't wanna make Den meetings resemble school... Don't need any more paper work.... Try this ..... Maybe have the CM/ACM visit the Den Meetings. Maybe have the CM/ACM have a friendly chat with the DL/ADL and let them know advancement has it's place, but the boys should WANT to come to meetings. Boys need to move, and do things at meetings it's the DL/ADL's job to "herd" them in a way that they get their fun and work on requirements/electives along the way. The best requirements are the ones earned that way.

He is a Crew member (Our CO has a Pack, Troop and a Crew). I know he just completed ASM training. He has been given the council Merit Badge Counselor form. The Outing Chair ASM for the Troop we serve wants him to work with him on activity/event planning with the PLC ... I also suggested as a Crew member he get the LNT Trainer course when it comes up and help with that as a "Crew member", doing LNT for the Crew/Troop/Pack.

The Troop I serve has it's 1st Eagle Scout, that has turned 18 (been in Scouting since he was a Tiger Cub). I see on the Merit Badge Councilor form he can sign up with council to be a Merit Badge Councilor. I think paperwork has been submitted to register him in the Troop as an ASM (or at least will be aby recharter). I think I read that every other adult position within the Troop needs to be 21. Is that correct?

As much as I dislike using the Troop trailer when we go camping, I would like to see a telescopic flag pole atached to the corner, that would rotate longways onto hooks for easy storage. I'd still want to see round lashings get used every camp out.

In our Troop the 1st signs of a heart attack begins when this ASM hears from 300' away, "Hey you guys, watch this!" Just kidding! Not about the 300' part.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)

Our Council University event is every 2 years.... but we hold BALOO/Outdoor Skills Spring/Fall.

I have had a few not even come close to the traditional pull up..... so here's how I worked with some Scouts. Sometimes called an "Australian pull-up", "reverse push-up", "inclined pull-up" or "inverted row", this is performed with the bar 2 to 3 feet off the floor. The user lies on the ground under the bar, face-up, and grasps the bar with extended arms. The exercise is performed by pulling the chest up to the bar. The body is held in a rigid plank position while the heels remain on the floor. I ll have a couple bigger Scouts hold a staff across the Scout just out of easy arms reach laying on the ground and let them have at it. No, they don't get to pummel the Scout, just hold the staff horizontal while the supine Scout works the "Aussie pull-up". It's actually a little harder than it looks (to do it right), but it's less intimidating and easy to do without a chin-up bar.(This message has been edited by dg98adams)