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  1. Today
  2. I think you're right on the money here. Part of the reason things have turned out fine generation after generation is that the youth were guided skillfully enough by elders who didn't give up. The youthful perspective is important, but so is that of the elders. Both are needed. So it's important to rouse wakeful energy and confidence when they start wanting. We can make a difference, there is a point, even if youth don't show it as you do the helping! Also, youthful mistakes as well as parenting mistakes tend to correct themselves with more reality feedback. Can't imagine people who being
  3. Thanks, you are of course right in the general way. We have it much better today than in the past. That in itself may be a contributor to the seeming lack of too many to fend for themselves. There is no doubt that many young people are babied so badly that they do not have a clue of reality in the wider world. At the same time, some of us on here can extoll the benefits many of our mentees have garnered from being asked to think and act on their own. I keep getting reminded that while I too often get annoyed at the absolutely ludicrous ideas with which the proverbial helicopter adults con
  4. Yesterday
  5. Even with a red passport in addition to a blue one, I represent US scouting with the BSA when I'm in the BSA uniform. The Swedish flag goes on the Swedish scout shirt, the US flag on the US scout shirt. Puerto Rican flags make sense for Puerto Rican scouts. So unless they're in Scouts Ukraine in a Ukrainian scout shirt...
  6. Well, considering that the youth of today have been terrible since the days of Aristotle, I'll say it could have gotten much worse 😂 Are you familiar with the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling? He's got a few TED talks that are lowkey inspiring in terms of building a better world. We in high-income countries don't feel it day to day, but the world is actually a much better place now than in the past. Even here, things are better in a lot of ways. It's good to remind oneself sometimes.
  7. 100% agree. It is inappropriate to remove the US Flag to add the flag of another county. How does he reconcile that with the citizenship aspect of scouting?
  8. A lot of Scouters need to think long and hard about how they are modeling the Scout Oath and Scout Law for their Scouts. That Scouter should reflect on what he is teaching his Scouts about Duty to Country. Others need to take "I will keep myself physically strong" a little (ok, a LOT) more seriously.
  9. For a number of years now, after I was forced into stepping back, our unit insists on keeping me as SM on the charter, though I really am a figurehead now. I have thought a few times that if we curmudgeons could be registered sort of at large with a unit or council as Emeritus. That would cover various hats over time. Limits starting at least a minimum of twenty years as adult volunteer, with maybe borders for decades in some manner. Just a thought as I soon enter the ninth decade of my journey.
  10. Since 1955, with a few gaps. Sequential since 1975 when reupped as adult. I mean, we even marched with dummy rifles in local parades with a VFW sponsor, and we rode in the backs of trucks, mostly open. Pack frames were often home made, or heavy wood, and bedrolls, rather than sleeping bags were fairly common, especially in our unit with VFW who furnished us all wool mummy bags. Yet, most of the past that I remember is familiar to today, just with modern adjustments. Moaning for the old days is nonsense, other than the disappearance of common sense and taking responsibility without be
  11. I know at least one member who is on the National Staff. IF they are smart, they would be regular lurkers here, and heed what we have to say. For some of us, our Scouting experience goes back to the early 60s.
  12. I've always believed that if you address the little things, it typically prevents bigger issues from happening. I wouldn't have to be rude about it, but it should get addressed as long as you are comfortable with the possible pushback.
  13. Only time I've seen a US flag replaced with another country's flag is Puerto Rico. BSA even had literature with pictures of Scouts wearing PR flags instead of US flags.
  14. No, he's from a pack in another town, based on his unit number.
  15. In my view, a bigger problem than that it's a uniform rule violation is that it's taking a side in an armed conflict as a scouter. Even if everyone else there agrees with the position. Whether you or anyone else can address it with the person skillfully or not is a somewhat different question. A scene a la GSUSA threatening the scouter with the Palestine bracelets with legal action isn't a great first step. Do you know the person in question?
  16. Funny how we discuss these things here, and voila! National starts "testing the waters" on this...
  17. This is timely. Ever since a mountain lion from South Dakota was hit by a car in Connecticut around 2011, it has become apparent that young adult males are dispersing widely from established populations. They can turn up almost anywhere in places where they haven't been seen in 150 years and a surprising number of state wildlife agencies are reporting confirmed sightings the past few years. I can say in our area, scouts don't get any education about them but they probably should start.
  18. For you, maybe. Some survivors (including myself) do find on balance that it is healing. It got me back to therapy and there will be some sort of finality. How many people actually post in this thread regularly, 20? Are even half of those stating they were abused in BSA? It's just such a small representation of the number of victims. I'm glad to see @Bzzyadding a voice and it's crushing to know this is not the case for everyone. That was me for a good portion of the bankruptcy process (mad at the underfunding, inequity of distribution, the lousy lawyers, the amount of time, etc.
  19. Yeah. There is nothing healing in this process. Whether you believe BSA was at fault or you believe BSA was trying to do more than other organizations at the time, the fact is this process is damaging to many. I really doubt lawsuits litigating incidents from 20+ years ago. 30+ years? 40+ years? Society and laws and expectations have changed so so much. The only lives changed are in the law firms and the insurance companies.
  20. Quick reacting women cyclists fought cougar and pinned it down with bike to rescue their friend. SCOUT SALUTE! Source: https://www.nbcnews.com/news/us-news/women-pinned-cougar-hand-hand-combat-friend-trapped-jaws-rcna143806
  21. "Raluca Popa, serving as the Peace Education Team lead for the European Scout Region, brings a wealth of experience and passion to her role. Her journey started in Romania with a simple curiosity that blossomed into a profound understanding of the Movement's broader impact through her active participation in jamborees and various projects. However, he onset of the full-scale war in Ukraine ignited her interest in human rights. Stepping into action, she coordinated first responders at the Romania-Ukraine border, showcasing her dedication to humanitarian efforts. This pivotal moment propel
  22. Life Scout organizes a dog wash and raises around $1000 for her Eagle Scout Project. https://www.1450wlaf.com/2024/03/18/bsa-troop-435s-dog-wash-a-doggone-success/
  23. The reasons for a radio station would include music for people cooking, working on merit badges, and especially the Radio merit badge. The best part is that because it's a radio station, it obviously isn't related to the Internet or other online devices.
  24. Last week
  25. Sadly, I expect that this will drag on for several more years at the least. I wish all survivors receive just compensation but has been pointed out, there will be inequities. There are lawyers and firms that just saw $$$ signs and didn't care if claims were factual or directly related to BSA programs (while most are) but just wanted to sign up as many people as possible and increase their slice of the pie. Certainly the corporation BSA has to do what it can to limit the damage and try to remain viable. The program did and still does serve huge numbers of youth and adults. While the total numbe
  26. And this is a surprise? It was written on the wall from the outset almost. Human frailties and too much time were bound to run the train off the rails. And when it is engineered by many questionable lawyers, impossible expectations, and media hype, it should have been obvious. Sadly, the most injured will, as noted, possibly end up with little, while others, find a way to take advantage with little or no proof. There is no equitable way to assure the best outcome, but that will not stop the scammers and carrion birds.
  27. Isn't Raccoon Ridge the best spot? When it's just my daughter and I we stealth camp in a little grassy spot just south of where the ridge opens up to the views. I use AllTrails, plus I have paper maps of the AT from Swatara Gap in PA all the way through the Berkshires. That link is very cool, though. Going to take a closer look at it after dinner.
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    • I think you're right on the money here. Part of the reason things have turned out fine generation after generation is that the youth were guided skillfully enough by elders who didn't give up. The youthful perspective is important, but so is that of the elders. Both are needed. So it's important to rouse wakeful energy and confidence when they start wanting. We can make a difference, there is a point, even if youth don't show it as you do the helping! Also, youthful mistakes as well as parenting mistakes tend to correct themselves with more reality feedback. Can't imagine people who being parents to job interviews get many offers, and most likely get told point blank it's completely inappropriate eventually. Rough and unfair in a sense, but... From a larger history POV, probably corrects itself.
    • Thanks, you are of course right in the general way.  We have it much better today than in the past.  That in itself may be a contributor to the seeming lack of too many to fend for themselves.  There is no doubt that many young people are babied so badly that they do not have a clue of reality in the wider world.  At the same time, some of us on here can extoll the benefits many of our mentees have garnered from being asked to think and act on their own.  I keep getting reminded that while I too often get annoyed at the absolutely ludicrous ideas with which the proverbial helicopter adults confront us pop up, there are many examples of youth that inspire and give hope.  And we have the privilege to interact with more of them than some adults.  Just need to not get distracted by the brash foolishness.
    • Even with a red passport in addition to a blue one, I represent US scouting with the BSA when I'm in the BSA uniform. The Swedish flag goes on the Swedish scout shirt, the US flag on the US scout shirt. Puerto Rican flags make sense for Puerto Rican scouts. So unless they're in Scouts Ukraine in a Ukrainian scout shirt...
    • Well, considering that the youth of today have been terrible since the days of Aristotle, I'll say it could have gotten much worse 😂 Are you familiar with the book Factfulness by Hans Rosling? He's got a few TED talks that are lowkey inspiring in terms of building a better world. We in high-income countries don't feel it day to day, but the world is actually a much better place now than in the past. Even here, things are better in a lot of ways. It's good to remind oneself sometimes.
    • 100% agree.  It is inappropriate to remove the US Flag to add the flag of another county.  How does he reconcile that with the citizenship aspect of scouting? 
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