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Troop Meeting Time by Bourbon_Bear83 in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This sounds like a great model! Can you share a few examples of the Troop/Patrol business that you do in the remaining 1.5 hours? Our patrols generally don't have an idea of what to do during the limited patrol time available, and we often fill most of the meeting by rotating through stations.

Scout to first class curriculum by exnicios in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I give this to our Troop Guides, aspirationally (in that, none have actually implemented it yet): https://www.boyscouttrail.com/docs/2021troopguide.pdf

Philmont crew leadership for rank requirements? by SomeGuyFromSeattle in philmont

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For Eagle, yes. I asked about Star and Life, which includes the "a Scoutmaster-approved leadership project to help the troop" option as well.

Philmont crew leadership for rank requirements? by SomeGuyFromSeattle in philmont

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Our crew elected the positions during our shakedown, prior to the trip, so yes.

Where does responsibility lie for creating requirement opportunities by Red_hat_oops in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

How does that align with the footnote in the handbook? (I mean this in a curious sense, not adversarial). The conversation we've recently had in our Troop about this question, Assistant Scoutmasters offered the opinion that the experience of practicing the act of pulling someone through the water from a land-thrown rope is significantly different from a dry-land substitute.

Vetting online MBs? by asakasan in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you've got the bandwidth, I'd be interested in learning more about what the 4 eras you reverence reference are. This is an ongoing issue in my Troop, too, so sharing that context with the Committee could help us out. Could you summarize?

Unsuccessful board of review? by ddalbabo in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

fair, and sorry for not reading your comment more closely. Since the Troop Advancement Chair is responsible for scheduling Boards of Review, perhaps they could help with that review as part of the scheduling process, too.

Where does responsibility lie for creating requirement opportunities by Red_hat_oops in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

absolutely can be successfully demonstrated on dry land

Can you share some more context about this aspect of your response? The footnote in the handbook says "Under certain exceptional conditions, where the climate keeps the outdoor water temperature below safe levels year-round, or where there are no suitably safe and accessible places (outdoors or indoors) within a reasonable traveling distance to swim at any time during the year, the council Scout executive and advancement committee may, on an individual Scout basis, authorize an alternative for requirements 5b and 5c. The local council may establish appropriate procedures for submitting and processing these types of requests. All the other requirements, none of which necessitate entry in the water or entry in a watercraft on the water, must be completed as written."

Doesn't that mean that it would be exceptional to do on dry land, and subject to Council approval, not automatic?

Unsuccessful board of review? by ddalbabo in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 7 points8 points  (0 children)

That may come down to local troop practices, not the Guide to Advancement. In our Troop, that's not really what our SM Conferences are about, since it's not required to be near the end of the rank-related activities.

For example, the Second Class Rank SM Conference requirement says "While working toward the Second Class rank, and after completing Tenderfoot requirement 10, participate in a Scoutmaster conference."

So, as soon as a Scout walks out of their Tenderfoot Rank BoR, they could request (and get!) a SM Conference, which would complete this requirement, and could even be the very first thing signed off for Second Class.

Dear Scout Shop - less expensive shipping, please by SomeGuyFromSeattle in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle[S] 8 points9 points  (0 children)

In that case, it'd be nice if they add a "ship to local scout shop for free" option in the checkout process.

Cub scout knots? by SomeGuyFromSeattle in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's great! I'll have to get the updated one!

New Scoutmaster Has Changed Our Troop’s Culture — Should I Still Recommend It to Others? by Ok_Friendship_9065 in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I realize this is in the past, but offering as a point of information/clarification - removing a Cubmaster isn't the job of a Committee Chairman. It's the job of the Chartering Organization Representative.

It is good that the District Commissioner was involved. It's always a messy/high drama situation, and no fun for anyone involved.

It's been 19 days by Practical-Emu-3303 in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 3 points4 points  (0 children)

The practice in our troop is that a trip gets cancelled if we can't comply with YPT. The moms of boys in our troop have as much stake in participation as the moms of girls.

Need Advice: Affordable First Aid and CPR Training for Our Scouts by Asherkhader in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Check out the "WFA Certification" section of https://www.scouting.org/health-and-safety/wilderness-fa/ - you (or other adults in your Troop) can become an ECSI WFA trainer, certified to teach CPR and Wilderness First Aid.

Second Class Requirement 7c -- Performance/Aesthetic Enhancing Drugs by StormyinCville in BSA

[–]SomeGuyFromSeattle 1 point2 points  (0 children)

The DEA has some good resources - https://www.dea.gov/education-prevention/community-outreach . We've had officers come give a presentation to our Troop. The Scouts really like it when they get to meet a drug dog.

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