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Showing content with the highest reputation on 02/07/18 in all areas

  1. Well, our 83 year old Pack just had our first girl den meeting... and I believe the Earth is still rotating. No media present but we did have some pictures taken of the girls. Most were in uniform and no skorts. Overall it was a lot calmer than a boy den meeting. We have 3 den leaders working the 3 separate age groups present. All of us we experienced in the Pack and we remarked that we need to prepare more as the girls got through the material more quickly than we planned. That could be due to smaller groups, but they were also a bit more focused. Several of the girls were tal
    6 points
  2. I stand corrected. Allow me to rephrase We seem to have adults who think that the troop exists for their fun and benefit rather than the scouts.
    4 points
  3. Sorry about that, I wouldn't wish that on anybody.
    3 points
  4. It was pretty clearly noted here (in the forum and in the media) that the implementation was to be "separate but equal" with regard to Boy Scouts and the implementation of coed. If this message is being changed now it may be that BSA has heard what many of us were saying originally, that the building a totally separate coed program put too much of a strain on already strained unit resources. I wonder how long it will be before they realize they are cannibalizing Venturing crews too? However, it is 180 degrees from what they were trumpeting this summer in order to sell this to the opposing
    3 points
  5. Right. I makes them poor planners and leaders, but not liars.
    3 points
  6. And this is the trend you will see in the future. That is why the girls will take over leadership with their focused attention to detail and the boys will let them because it's easier to follow and enjoy the fun of no responsibility. This will extend well into the high school years. Unless it is segregated, such as sport activities, the girls seem to do better at running the other school clubs and activities. I'm sure with the recent media focus, this will occur in Boy Scouts as well. In 4-H the gals excel in the domestic areas, but hold their own just as well raising a championship pig.
    3 points
  7. The only thing that can doom Scouting is people who allow themselves to believe that Scouting is doomed. If we embrace the pessimistic idea that Scouting's days are numbered, then sure, it won't last long. But while I may not be able to rescue the perceptions of cynics and fatalists, I can certainly save Scouting in the eyes of the boys in my Den or Troop. I can instill in them the ideals and aims of Scouting, and lead them to believe in the power of this movement, however it may be distorted or warped by reactionaries and so-called 'progressives.' I can motivate them to live the Scout O
    3 points
  8. @EagleVolunteer, welcome to the forums! Do you remember Mazda's "Dogs ... love ... trucks" commercial? Boyscouts ... love ... paperwork! Ask him if there's a young adult in the troop who can help you with the milling and assembly. He should be responsible for mocking up and drawing. If your 3-D drafting he and a buddy should be looking over your shoulder as you do. Surely, there's a hand tool that one can use instead of a Kreg jig. Same for finish hardware. We live in a century-old house. Screwing knobs was part of the kid's skill set from when they were old enough to ya
    2 points
  9. So popcorn sales outside a liquor store, smoke shop, or adult book/movie store would be good in your book? Legal commercial activity? Yes. Fitting with the program? No.
    2 points
  10. The change at the Cub Scout level has been in place for 23 days. The details of the change at ages 11-17 have not even been announced yet. I suppose one alternative would be to wait until we see what actually happens rather than drawing all kinds of conclusions based on what any of us thinks will happen. But I realize that in this forum, that's crazy talk.
    2 points
  11. If girls in Boy Scouts was as popular as National keeps telling us, there should be a surplus of fresh volunteers ready to carry the flag for this historic change.
    2 points
  12. Which is a problem all boy troops struggle with today with the helicopter gunship parents & leaders.
    2 points
  13. “Give me enough medals and I’ll win you any war” If giving people a $0.50 piece of cloth inspires them to financially support a critical organization, who am I to judge either party.
    2 points
  14. Knots are supposed to be achievements not purchases. Sends the wrong message. Want to donate $1000 then donate and get your plaque. A knot for this is a participation trophy that you buy.
    2 points
  15. No OldScout, you are correct, it IS the Scouts troop. Saying it is the CO's troop is akin to me saying the new jacket my son purchased, with money he earned, is MY jacket. Legally it is mine and I am responsible for him, but it is HIS jacket. Or maybe that the group of people he hangs out with are MY friends, because I provide a place for him to sleep.
    2 points
  16. I don’t like bling I don’t earn. Why would someone wear bling they pay for? That’s like participation trophies. What fun.
    2 points
  17. It is not an honor. You can't buy an real honor with cash.
    2 points
  18. I have a James E West knot and I have no idea who donated the money for it. I put it on my uniform as a way to say thank you to the donor. So please don't assume it's someone that wants to buy recognition.
    2 points
  19. The message of a charitable giving knot IMHO: A scout is thrifty. He manages his finances for that rainy day ... and so that he can return some of his earnings to the people who he sees doing good in the world. But, this knot may also be given to the person who inspired a donor to act. From http://councils.scouting.org/Council440/Donate/James West Award So when you see someone with that knot, ask more about their story. Find out who made the donation in order for them to wear it and why.
    2 points
  20. The charter organization owns all Pack assets, so if she leaves and takes the trailer she is breaking the law. Of course, unless there is a way to prove the Pack paid for the trailer (or was with Pack money) you might just be pointing fingers. There are a few lawyers around here who might be coerced in to providing their thoughts.
    1 point
  21. I think that building up the feeding pool from cubs to scouts to venturing will help add numbers to all programs. It's easier to enroll them when they are young and retain them as they move along. Think about how many scouts are in your troop who never went through cubs. Same for venturing.
    1 point
  22. Yes, you said it quite well. I guess I thought that was evident in my post but you spell it out more succinctly.
    1 point
  23. Not very scout-like; are we repressing dissent in BSA now too? I always thought the rights of the workers to gripe about the "man" was as american as apple pie.
    1 point
  24. Of course, until something is rolled out we just don't know. But this is a forum, which by definition is designed for exchanges, discourse, conjecture, learning and debate.
    1 point
  25. So just because the Federal and state law enforcement groups are at loggerheads, doesn't mean that an organization that prides itself on character should be making money off of the controversy. In fact, they should be staying as far away from this type of controversy as possible. What's next? Handing out clean needles to addict as a service project? Condoms outside of seedy hotel? Breathalizer tests outside bars? Common sense would tell most rational parents that being around such places is not something to expose young children to.
    1 point
  26. The thing I've always liked about venturing is that advancement is not such a big deal. I honestly think it's truer to scouting then boy scouts. Adventure and fun. The problem I've seen is that the parents don't really know about it and so there's little motivation for it. Also, the scouts that I've seen aren't really prepared to lead when they get there. The girls have little experience in the outdoors. The result is a very anemic program. I'm sure there are some good units but for the most part it's a bunch of kids without much motivation. I'd be more interested in working with crews bu
    1 point
  27. Interesting conversation last nite with oldest. He was planning to ask the SPL for 5 minutes of time to discuss the matter of the troop doing fundraising, but the Scouts having no input as to purchases. I reminded him that the fundraising committee also asked for some time to get ideas for other fundraisers, and suggested he bring the matter up to them. He's going with that. Thankfully he's been involved in debate and mock trial. So he can think on his feet. I posed some questions the adults might pull on him, and he countered every single one.
    1 point
  28. This was exactly the opposite of what I have heard at our meetings. Most have voiced support of fully coed and rejected this proposal as there were not enough volunteers to implement.
    1 point
  29. With apologies to Will Rogers... BSA has the best knot money can buy. That being said, I would not accept one given in my honor and if it came to be in my procession it would not be worn.
    1 point
  30. Cheapen the whole process? A bit of hyperbole? I don't know how long that knot has been in existence but prior to you knowing about it, did you feel as though what you accomplished was somehow less significant? I think you are giving that simple knot way too much weight. I would bet 95% of all scouts and adult volunteers don't even have an awareness of it. And personally, I would never let the accomplishments, swag, or little pieces of cloth others wear or even "buy" make me feel anything less about what I accomplish on my own. It is not in any way a reflection on who or what I am as
    1 point
  31. Sure, but in general, it shouldn't count as camping for Camping Merit Badge or for T-2-1 requirements. Special needs scouts are a different issue.
    1 point
  32. @Pselb Before this thread goes down a path of pro/con girls I would recommend (to all) that those posts go in Issues and Politics. There has been pages of debate and I definitely have no issues seeing that debate continue and I believe you have some valid points and concerns. I posted this in programs as my goal with this tread is to talk of the actual program as we add girls and issues/challenges/ideas as BSA already made the call and Packs that decide to add girls should have the ability to share experiences and ideas.
    1 point
  33. I think this is cool, and perhaps not that different from what Philmont was already doing. As I understand it, if a leader was going for training programs, they have programs in place for family members of leaders including girls.
    1 point
  34. Technical glitches aside, this is a much better program than the original YPT, much more in depth. I did have to do it over the course of 2 days, as module 2 would not make it all the way to the end and kept throwing me back to the starting point. I would encourage people to take it sooner rather than later. As for that October date, who knows what may happen if someone puts it off and does not show complete by that time. I do know that YPT will be a big part of our Commissioner meeting tomorrow. I do intend to ask if there will be a penalty in that instance, other than not being
    1 point
  35. That is what the true concern is. Is wearing the knot a display of wealth, or a display of support for the council, a display of an honor given, or all or any of the above? Is it like wearing a Rolex or carrying a designer purse? (though those cost a lot more) How people will view it depends on their own attitudes. ETA: Here's the thing, the BSA doesn't just run on volunteer support, they need financial support too.
    1 point
  36. From my experience, adults (leaders included) should be given prior notice regarding awards to them. If they say NO, then it is NO. They need not provide an explanation.
    1 point
  37. I would prefer that we not encourage displaying economic class distinctions in BSA, especially on the uniform.
    1 point
  38. I think I should edit out my two personal peeves -- the food and adults talking. It's cleaner and less about my preferences. The den leaders can manage these things.
    1 point
  39. I would never go to a scouts home uninvited.
    1 point
  40. ... and I feel fine? I think that song was meant to be taken ironically. And where would "Leonard Bernstein" fit into your lyrics?
    1 point
  41. Understood, but you didn't put that section under scouts, you put it under families. Might want to clarify who and what you mean.
    1 point
  42. I would hope that trained adults would push back on the SM and MEET with the Scout instead of being so hands on. This is where I think we fail the boys. If we know better, why even go to the Librarian's house UNLESS you are going to walk him through what to do? It's okay for adults to say "No" to the SM and tell him why this is a bad idea.
    1 point
  43. This is the "Ask me, I am a soft touch" Knot. Girl Scouts learn to recognize this knot at cookie time.
    1 point
  44. In many cases a decision was made many decades ago to be a CO, by people who are long gone. The people in charge now follow the path of least resistance and remain CO even though some of them would really rather not be bothered. I suspect that if our CO was asked to be CO now, having never done it before, it is no better than 50-50 that they would say yes. They do let us use their tax i.d. number though.
    1 point
  45. How many innocent men have been caught up in this? Anyone know? I have yet to hear of one. I just wear a body camera at work to protect myself. Kidding of course. But on a serious note, if it's a concern for anyone in their workplace, maybe ask your employer to install cameras if they haven't already. Technology could pretty easily put an end to this, at a cost to employers that would surely be less than any possible lawsuit that arrises. Not hiring women is not a good solution. That will land you with a different kind of lawsuit.
    1 point
  46. There is a lot of real anger and hysteria in America. I think trustworthy, loyal, helpful, friendly, courteous, kind, obedient,... scouts and Scouters are part of the solution. My $0.02
    1 point
  47. Ike had a similar thought And not sure who advised “No business plan survives first contact with customers.”
    1 point
  48. I always liked Churchill’s quote “Plans are of little importance, but planning is essential.” OR Tyson...”Everyone has a plan, until they get punched in the mouth.”
    1 point
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