Double Eagle

And when I earned skill awards, Scouts were allowed to teach and sign off on them. Didn't need a MB Counselor to do it. Skill awards were part of a troop meeting for those under 1st Class. Worked great for me and looking back, the Scout taught SA allowed new scouts to interact and build a rapport with the higher ranking scouts. win-win.

The question is whether you wish to wear it inside or outside your uniform. If worn inside your shirt (concealed) you can do it without worry, unless there is a safety issue, like rope course, etc. If you wish to wear it visibly, I would think you can as long as it isn't offensive and you can explain the meaning. I wear a religious necklace 24/7 and not an issue under my uniform. If you have to visually display an item, I would have to ask whether the display is for your reasons or to advertise to others. Either way, I don't think too many people will have a problem with it, unless it is so big or ornate that it takes away from the uniform.

At that point on the trail to Eagle, your SM conference can almost be reversed as the Scout can do much of the conference about the program and person experiences. And, the SM conference is not just a one-time requirement, but when ever the SM has a conference type tone, if there such a thing. Most often I focus on the board prep to relieve some anxiety. My follow-up, post-board conference is probably the most in-depth conversation I had from SM to Scout. At that final board point of the trail, I like to stress how the Scout can share their Scouting experience with the board that may not know them.

As a long-time knife lover, I always found giving a knife or other useful daily-use-tool was a great way to say thank you. After giving away a couple dozen over the years, many of the recipients still mention their gift. A couple of times, we even had a special dinner, get together, or public event to show how that Scout went above and beyond. When a Scout does something that earns an official BSA medal, that process should be followed...in addition to another knife.

After reading the recent threads on this, I just have to mention how advancement posters and handbooks will have to be changed again. They just changed the Wolf colors to red a couple years ago. To think they had a team/staff work on this Cub revision. As CS handbooks go for $17 off the scoutshop site, have to be replaced each year with rank advancement, what are they thinking. I know we've had CS rank handbooks from my time in the 70's until now, but may be a time to go away from hardcopy books as a whole. Just make them a free download with a completed registration form. Please don't mention scoutbook just yet until that site gets into detail on requirements/electives like a handbook.

To keep this short...every previous post is spot on. Some of us older folks are cyber-immigrants that had to learn that language and use. Scouts today are cyber-natives that had cyber-use before they could make a sentence. One great example is an app that once you take a photo of a leaf, it tells the name of the plant. The other example is quick ID of anything live or dangerous.

Boy will this get some responses. Most who reply can write books on just summer camp. To focus on your questions, you have a few options. Letting scouts choose would be my first choice, let them decide as it is their program. You can also rotate tent mates half way if they want. I would be cautious of any special needs, I had a scout that wet the bed nightly and found out on the first night. Parents failed to let us know. It also took me working with the camp staff for laundering help. Two other must do's for me: 1. Any homesick scouts can make for long days and nights. Speak with parents to decide if nightly calls, at a set time, are needed to keep them in camp. For those that wish, parent pre-written, daily-mail envelops for a scout handed out each day to the scout works too. Both methods tend to lighten and motivate. 2. Scouts will buy every licky-chewy at the camp trading post. Some run out of cash on day two. To offset this, my units bought snacks at the big-box stores and we had them in daily sacks for daily issue. We stressed to spend money on camp items, MB items, and other than $1.50 slim jims. One more thing: Keep the adults from being that Cub Den Leader that drives everything and all over the scouts. Train them, trust them, and let the lead.

With prices like that, I'm banning those specific knives for myself. Crazy prices for museum pieces you would be afraid to use daily. More national mark up to pay for ...

Sounds like a much better eagle project than a bench or ga-ga ball pit. Everything in that sounds like a scout-skill-heavy opportunity. In addition to posting trail signs, often unknown or forgotten landmarks are visible in the burnt areas. I often travel controlled burn areas for landmarks, shed hunting, and historical features to share. What a way to show what Scouting can do and partner with local Forestry officials.

As a district commissioner visiting new units and prospective organizations thinking of chartering units, I often had my bear and wolf granddaughters, in uniform, to accompany me. It was two-fold. I had them that night, and they could get a scout's view of the program. I remember "Scout-o-rama" where any scout and unit came together to show scouting skills. The more public sees the uniform and manner in which it is worn, the better for us. I see every scout as an ambassador to sell our program. No problem with any scout visiting units. The activities is a concern, but the age-appropriate activities listed above covers that. Lastly, I would expect any visiting scout to be uniform. Nothing says BSA like the uniform, and hard to say being in uniform at any BSA meeting is a bad thing.

This was a topic of discussion last January where our LDS troops folded. Their CO was the church and kept the assets to use in their similar program. I don't see too much of an issue with a civil meeting between the unit and CO. Many times the CO chooses to just let things go as they don't want to store old gear. Event he troop flag, purchased by the CO, has been a long discussion. I'd like to hear what the LDS leaders experienced last January.

Ok, you are talking the Black Eagle Lodge as it was when I was the Edelweiss chapter advisor. Then everything was in Heidelberg Germany. Since you can't get any TAC records with membership, you have to convince the lodge of your actual induction and membership. Any old membership cards like we had in 93 would work. Photos of you with uniform and sash and/or flap, personnel that can vouch for you, the real burden of proof is on you (not hard really). They put the burden on you as there is "stolen valor" within the BSA, and a lot of it mostly with adults. I'm sure you are familiar with the term used now. You should be able to speak about your experience in the OA without a foggy memory as most it is pretty easy to remember. As for chapter and lodges, they are hit and miss. In the past few years, the OA has taken a hit with membership and other issues. They extended ordeal to brotherhood by 6 months to get more to commit. Some lodges were/are only offering ordeals once a year. Some troops are not even scheduling elections (one per year). Chapters are more a geographical aspect more than anything else. With merged councils and bigger footprints, chapters have often taken on a lodge role. The biggest problem as I see it is the adults want to get into the running of the lodge rather than the 21 and under leaders. Our seasoned adults should be more advisory, supporting, and getting to work with service. You will get out of the OA what you put into it.

How about the voyageur sash or plaid items? Fortunate enough to grow up on the Michigan/Canada border, we all had a sash at one time or another. Mine is not the blue or traditional red, but a tan plaid. I couldn't get into the stocking cap mode. I see the NT doesn't carry them anymore or is out of stock. Personally, I think the sash goes with NT as the Black bull goes with Philmont. And how about the red or green plaid items. For those scouts that are first timers, they may want to look around and buy before paying a lot.

Stick to the cub u uniform that works with the program you are delivering. Sounds like the blue is it. There is a reason webelos activity pins are on the right sleeve webelos colors tabs. Save money, deliver the promise and make every scout proud to wear the uniform they have.

To keep this short, yes go fot it. I've seen a ton of Woodbadge patrols go way beyond a hat.

As for the receipts and thought of stealing...invite this ASM to the monthly committee meeting where there should be a treasurer report. I would also recommend the approved monthly treasurer and approved committee meeting minutes be sent to the COR/Institutional Head after each meeting. Many COR/IH won't bother to review it, but is a good practice. David is correct that all property is the chartered organization. If a unit folds the CO gets to decide what to do with the property. We reminded folks of this when we lost our LDS troops in December.

First, you don't nee district of council involvement unless a commissioner can help. There are a few steps before the COR/institutional head ask him to resign or move on. How about an ASM or trusted peer as a medium to address this with him. Many times we aren't in Scouting alone and have trusted peers we can vent to and address issues. Chances are he has a scouting buddy that can be a moderator. This gets it handled at the lowest level. Not a medium or doesn't listen/change, you can have a commissioner take a look and speak with him to get his take on this. The commissioner can make a recommendation to the COR/IH on how the session went. If he still doesn't change and turn into a positive leader, the COR/IH may offer retraining, a probationary period, or ASM buddy system. The final straw would be the COR/IH asking him to take an absence. Worst case if there is still a fight in him, you can ask the council to revoke his membership due to all the reasons you list and corrective measures taken to that point.

I think the question is not if it is allowed, but rather is it practical. I've never camped with a flare in the vicinity. I don't even carry these in my truck. I think it is a bit much to do with the WS MB. There should be some expectation of what is practical. Although burning tires with the black smoke is a great attractant, it isn't practical for that training. I think that is a skill the family could teach outside scouting if the need is there. Sometimes, you have to say "good idea, but not in the scouts".

5thGenTexan, I hope you don't opt out for that reason. If there is a physical or mental issue with the swimming, there are ways to modify the requirements. I happen to think his lack of swimming is one main reason to keep him in scouts. You may not be able to get him to swim, but peers and trained scouting folks often have proven ways to teach rather than throw him in and see what happens.

During the lockdown and dreaming about hitting the trail, I've had a few conversations with Scouting folks about backpacking towels. I tend to keep two of the shamwow type towels in my pack. They do the job, dry quickly, and soak up quite a bit. I've used traditional cotton towels, but recommend these type of towels for backpacking. Having been to Philmont a few times with a different towel each time, I'm interested in what you use or tell your scouts are best.

Imagine the surprise if you went to camp and found your ex-wife as a leader in an adjacent campsite. If you need to get away, go on staff. That is a longer stay and better yet, go out of council.

Ok you asked. The entire cub uniform from Lion to AOL needs to be reworked. Just last year they changed the wolves from gold to red...why? Lions became the gold rank. Every WEBELO has a tan shirt, but has (you know I'm right) to get a new one as they cross over. Most won't remove cubby stuff as a Scout or Tenderfoot, just buy a different shirt. Lets not talk about each cub rank has its own socks, belt buckle, $15 book, $15 hat, Neckerchief. I'm glad they did away with activity arrowpoints, those were a royal pain. I'm just glad Scouts BSA has one shirt, a neckerchief if the troop decides, belt is usually most any camp's, and one book for about 6 years as a scout in a troop. Everyone is wearing a "class B" uniform on outings as the "field uniform" costs so much, not very practical on outings, and can't replace it cheaply. I too have a love for the Kelly green shirt (with and without a collar). That uniform was pretty simple and you could find backup shirts at most thrift stores. The knee socks had to go. I still put myself through the pain of those socks with garter tabs now and then. Never ever bring back the beret or red trucker cap.

For the Grinches that don't have the desire to participate, I would say stay home and let other less seasoned adults attend camp. If you have decades of scouting and think you have done all that with a woodbadge cluster, how about you volunteer to manage the program for new adults. Maybe my unit was a bit weird, but we always seemed to have a new parent from a newly joined scout that liked to come. More often than not, that lure of a program like MattR mentioned sparked the scouter commitment of an adult. I see a ton of fun and sharing at every woodbadge event and there aren't many grinches. If you aren't going to have fun at camp as a SM, why would you go?

Since it seems many summer camps are being cancelled, reduced, or greatly changed, I wanted to see if your council or camp offers a Scoutmaster Merit Badge. There is no official BSA MB for Scoutmasters, but many camps offer the program to get adults attending summer camp a chance to get out of camp, maybe learn a skill, and show scouts you never stop learning. I blew the dust off mine today from 2000 in Camp Freedom, Germany. At that time, we earned a button pin, certificate and patch. I don't have anything that tell the requirements from then, but can remember a few. I am interested if you camp offers this to adults and the requirements. Lets here what you have.

The good thing is they only need to go 25 feet and back 25 feet for 2nd class (task 5b). For First Class is when they need to pass the BSA swim test of 100 yards total. If they get the basics to 2nd class, they can then work on the first class requirements. Also, a good thing is the scouts can work on any requirements Scout-First Class at any time, but ranks have to be done in sequence with time limits observed.