No, 10 lol. Around here swimming is a 1st year recommendation. I am not really worried about it, more just trying to understand the level of expectations for requirements. This isn't Cubs. The boy can swim, he did 25 laps a few weeks ago, a mile is 36. He isn't taking lifesaving because that is just to much time in the water he may have trouble getting the brick up in 10 feet of water, he can do it 6 feet. He is only 60 lbs.

Why do your boys wait so long to take swimming? Is it an access and lesson issue outside of camp?

This boy wants to be eagle by 13 if not 12. I think 12 is seriously pushing it.

Do we not have the ability to deregister scouts from the troop?

7 days but who's counting. Will I get in trouble if it is a Girl Scout cookie?

Ha. Just got back a bunch of test results for my 7 year old. 99% Definitely headed to the gifted program. Explains why he is always arguing with me. The problem is he is usually right. It is really going to suck raising a teenager who actually is smarter than me and knows everything.

This all brings up another issue. To what level of mastery do we expect a scout to achieve at a skill before a t-1st requirement is signed off ? The Scoutcraft skills should be improved and honed as he gains experience. If we expect them to be an expert at them before they are signed off, I see the potential for the boys to really loose interest in both performing and teaching them down the road.

For instance some of these tents are really difficult to set up alone. The map and compass skills are important, but do we require a mastery such that working on the orienteering MB is just a refresher.

The swimming MB book is one that I am still fretting about. I am a certified Y instructor and RC lifeguard, so I understand the strokes, but taking that pamphlet literally, I don't see any boy under the age of 14 having the mastery to complete it. My boys have been on a year round Y swim team for two years and that book seems to expect a very advanced whip kick.

The actions by the IRS staff may have not been proper but can we at least accept the premise that hundreds of small mom and pop PACs popping up in a relatively short time period is a cause for concern and warrants some scrutiny ? The potential for criminal abuse by these types of organizations is huge. Or are we supposed to just assume if you associate yourself with the Tea Party all is good.

Well they become respected politicians and potential candidates for the top slot.

It does say strong not fit, it takes some serious muscle to lug around an extra 200lbs. Have you taken a look at your district or council level Scouters recently ?

With all due respect, out in the business world the respect does not go the person who does their job. It goes to the person who plays the political game the best. With proper adult guidance it seems Scouts takes some out that out of the equation, but still seems ripe for abuse.

All it takes is one person of influence who has a personality conflict or grudge against you to sink or stifle your career.

There is also that pesky election cycle that can delay you as much as six months. That can add up to 18 months to advancement. In my book that is holding up advancement. I know it is just one of the methods, but a very important one to keep them motivated. Thus the appeal of a smaller troop vs a larger one with more opportunities for activities.

Sorry to be so cynical, but my kid has some issues and is a geeky loner so he is never going to win the popularity contests. I like our current troop and it has a solid core of parent involvement on the committe, but it does seem like a 14 and out troop. Though that does seem to be a rather universal problem. I was hoping for a more vertical social environment for him rather the relatively horizontal stratification of school.

He is very smart, just missing the gifted program by 1% so the book learning parts will not be a problem. His holdups will likely be some of the physical challenges. He can't roll up his bag small enough to fit in the sack, it is a challenge for me. Need to get a larger sack. We spent a lot of time and money over the past three years on swimming so that should be a cinch, he is way ahead of the NSP.

One aspect I need to come to grips with is that Scouts trains them for life where forces beyond your control impact you, whereas success at school and to a lesser degree sports are largely dependent on your own effort and ability.

Sounds great, but the limited number of available POR make me very wary of larger Troops, even though there may be many benefits to them. As anyone that works for a corporation knows, merit alone does not get you a promotion. The popularity contest is always present, it is human nature.

Looks like most of the official pants only go up to 3x, but this version is available up to 56". If you want to avoid shipping call your scout shop first they may be able to order them in for you.

http://www.scoutstuff.org/centennial...ic-canvas.html

Look at the requirements for Leave No Trace, as they can use the LNT principles on this outing and apply it to the award. You can sometimes add seemingly unrelated awards on a trip like this like the Good Manners belt loop. If you plan it right they could come home with a fistful of awards and drive your treasurer nuts.

Be careful with the collecting belt loop as many wildlife areas get wigged out if you as much as take a pebble from the property. The science belt loop requires running through the scientific method, but may be applicable.

Each rank has requirements and electives. Going on hikes and the type of learning activities about nature and generally in each level, so you need to thumb through the books and find them or use the websites I list later. I don't see awards that can be earned just by this trip as described, but the activities can certainly be applied to the hiking and wildlife conservation belt loops and pins. Also the outdoor activity award and the wildlife conservation award apply. If this event takes place in June, July or August and is a full pack event (including Webelos if you have them). It could qualify as one event for the National Summertime Pack Award.

If you look those up and talk to your guide you may be able to modify the program slightly to fulfill other requirements of the awards. Although most Conservation Guides know all the scout requirements very well. Meritbadge.org and UsScouts.org have details on all the awards I mentioned and printable worksheets the cubs can use. Bookmark those two sites as they are excellent references for requirements and awards. You will smash your monitor in frustration trying to find stuff at scouting.org

If your pack is into patches, you can always find a patch to match just about any activity you can think of. Google scout patches. There is no shortage of companies that have hundreds or thousands of different patches for sale. The scout shop will have a small selection. If you are a wealthy pack you can even design your own and have it made.

Check with your Cubmaster or Committee Chair or advancement coordinator about pack policy on funding these awards. Our pack does cover most awards but not the belt loops and pins. Be aware some awards like Leave No Trace can cost upwards of $5 each. That adds up fast when you have a whole pack earning them. You do not want to get stuck with the bill. You can go to Scoutstuff.org for official patches and look up the price of the various awards, it is usually the same as in the scout shop. Beware official BSA sites are slow and not well organized.

Good luck.

Damn you auto-correct ! Does National have a policy on "figuring it out on your own" ?

I wonder what direction this thread would have taken if I had originally asked, "Can you take a break from summer camp and meet your wife at the KOA down the road for a couple of hours? "