From the Cogioba District Roundtable Archives

Dear Aunt Tony

Dear Aunt Tony,

I get a lot of information about the monthly themes but most of the time we do something else instead. What's with those themes anyway? D.O.A.

Dear D.O.A.,

The monthly themes are selected by B.S.A. to help Scouts advance in ranks and grow as individuals. The selection of monthly themes makes it possible for information, program suggestions, and training to be provided to Scouters in a timely manner. Roundtable, for example, always presents information and a brief training segment for the next month's theme. Although experienced Scouters typically have "been there and done that," newer adult volunteers often find themselves struggling to plan meetings that work well and will hold the interest their Scouts. Even if a unit doesn't follow the planned themes, it is to their advantage to attend Roundtable and save the materials and program helps. The quarterly program inserts in Scouting Magazine are also a valuable resource.

Dear Aunt Tony:

My son has just joined a Boy Scout Troop and I went ahead and registered as an adult leader.  Now they want me to get trained.  Why? I already enjoy camping and hiking. Training just seems to be another case of being made to jump through hoops. (Clueless in Cogioba)

Dear Clueless:

Boy Scouts is a 7 year program. Boys can join as young as 10 1/2 and stay until they are 18. During those 7 years, a boy will become a man and will earn up to 7 different ranks and as many as 120+ merit badges. He will spend more than 100 days and nights sleeping in a tent he has pitched and preparing his own meals.  He will provide several hundred hours of service to his community.  The odds are extremely good that he will participate in saving his own or someone else's life.  He will face some of the greatest personal challenges of his life.  It is an extraordinary 7 years. In Scouting, we are privileged to play a key role in that growth and development. Why trained? Because being a Scouter is like an being an orchestra conductor. It's not enough just to like music you must be able to read it, to understand what it means, and to be able to see how all the parts fit together to form a whole. If we are not trained to do this properly then we cannot provide the Scouting program to the youth we serve. The hoops through which you jump during training are the same hoops through which we are going to ask our Scouts to jump. It seems only right that we go there first and check it out.

Dear Aunt Tony:

What is the BSA smoking policy? - A.N.M.

Dear A.N.M.:

Basically, Scouting is a drug, alcohol, and tobacco free activity which promotes physical and mental health. The Guide to Safe Scouting is an excellent resource for unit leaders. The policy in question is section IV which applies to drug, alcohol, and tobacco use and abuse. "The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. (Adult Leaders) may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants." Although the use of "may not" and the phrase "BSA activity" provide language which is not as restrictive as it might be, there appears to be little room for interpretation in this guideline. Boxwell Reservation as well as other Scouting facilities is a smoke-free environment.  Hope this helps.

Dear Aunt Tony:

There seems to be a lot of Cub Scouts at District activities but I don't see many joining my Troop. What's happening? - I.M.

Dear I.M.:

There are numerous explanations for the attrition rate between Cub and Boy Scouting. Often, what you don't see at Cub activities are Boy Scouts and Scoutmasters serving as role models. Cub Scouts need a reason to cross-over and seeing Boy Scouts in action provide the best reason there is. Cub Scout leaders tend to advance with their dens, leaving the pack when their boys do. This reduces the amount of first hand information about Boy Scouting that packs have. Active involvement in Cub Scouting of former Pack leaders, Scoutmasters, SPLs, and especially Den Chiefs is an excellent way to keep the bonds strong and provide that important path to cross-over on the trail to Eagle. Finally, Unit Commissioners are an essential part of the communication chain. Unfortunately, individuals willing to serve as Unit Commissioners are hard to find. Individuals with leadership experience in both Cub and Boy Scouting should think seriously about volunteering for this one. - A.T.