dsteele

Not yet. Holding pattern. Unc.

Something is definately amiss here. In the words of Mr. Banner, "Don't make me get angry. You won't like me when I'm angry." Unc.

I've been reading these posts with interest. I'm an Eagle Scout myself. To me, it's a moot question. Whether an award or a rank (I believe it's a rank, but that's not my point,) Eagle Scouts are expected to live their entire lives according to the Scout Oath and Law. Period. End of Report. If an Eagle Scout does not live according to the Scout Oath and Law, his actions diminish the badge for all of us. At my Eagle Court of Honor, when the medal was pinned on me, I had just finished reading Frank Herbert's Dune trilogy. I felt like the Kiwsatch Hiederach (sp) -- that I had j

Max: Raffles are a no-no in Scouting. It smacks of gambling because most will not get anything for their money, or something like that. However, if you want to do a desert auction -- where people decide what they're willing to pay for what they want, you're back on the legal side of the tracks and will probably make more money. Unc.

Marvin: Did I miss a memo? When are the GOOD posts supposed to start Unc.

I think that a nickname given and cheerfully accepted by the recipient is a good thing. I also believe that a nickname given and not accepted (particularly if it's an unflattering in the eyes of the recipient) is hazing. I've had both kinds. Fortunately, I only remember the ones I liked. Unc.

I don't know of any way to tell if the merit badge pamphlet in your hand is the most recent version or not. The year of the printing will be inside on the left on the first paper page. That may give you a clue. Given your sense of humor you'll probably understand why they don't print THIS IS THE NEWEST VERSION on the inside front cover of every merit badge pamphlet. Unc.

I've stayed silent on the "too young to advance" topic, thus far, because that particular shell lands a bit too close to my foxhole for comfort. I won't tell you how old I was when I passed my Eagle Board of Review, but it was roughly 380 days prior to my 15th birthday. Yeah, you read that right. I believe that the program calls for each Scout to advance at his own pace. There are time requirements for star, life and eagle which I believe coincide with the leadership requirements. At the time I earned my eagle, there were time requirements for every rank, but that's a different st

Time marches on whether we're ready for it or not. Glad to hear your Eagle Project lasted for 32 years. Not sure how long mine lasted. I know it was there for five years, but never returned to the site after that. Heck, I've barely spent more than 20 nights in the town in the 20 some years since then. Unc.

Man of Steele? Sounds like a comic book character to me. Unc.

Does the Scout have reading problems? I ask because it seems that he did all but the written requirements. I wouldn't put too much effort into Dad. Scout leaders aren't here to fix him. You gave him an opportunity to spend a wonderful week with his son. He chose to stare at a book. I phrased it that way on purpose -- he may have reading problems as well. Unc.

Sorry. My apologies to Zahanada. I'm a Social Science guy, not a mathematics guy. Wrong field. Zahanada is correct. Unc.

This is a slight tangent (remember your geometry) to Fuzzy's post. I do believe that some content on these boards needs to be controlled. I also believe in an individual's right to chose. I beleive the moderators (whom I support whole-heartedly) have a responsibility to keep these forums worthy of Scouting discussion. HOWEVER, I also believe in an individual's right to squealch or ignore other users writings. I, for one, would rather read an opposition opinion than ignore it and would certainly not deny myself the right to read what someone is saying. I chose not t

Oaky -- The theme running subterraneously through this thread is one of loneliness and abandonment -- at least the way I'm reading it at the moment. We are not lost! I know the scene in the Disney Jungle Book to which Eamonn refers. It is on a bleak background, but there's a lot of humor there. I submit that there remains a lot of Scouting knowledge here. Yes, among us regular guys. Some tout the BSA line, and some do not, but between our shared resources, we have all it takes to answer one anothers questions, or at least point one another in the right direction. Th

OGE -- I find it highly amusing that you felt the need to explain the meaning of F 451, but did not explain un-erudite. I know what it means, but I wonder how many others do? Please apply only 450 degrees to any reply to this post. Having a little fun this evening, Unc.

I just went through this discussion with one of our district's newer unit commissioners. I'm not the district commissioner, but the young man came to me for answers. If one reads the wording on any (or just about any) BSA form, the questions are answered. When do you need a tour permit and when should it be filed? It's on the form. Answer the questions on the form and secure the signatures of the people holding the identified positions, and you're okay. If you have to squint, ignore boxes, and leave blanks, you're probably missing something. Call someone (commissioner, council of

What do we tell the kids? Interesting question, as always, Eamonn. I'm not a parent and will resist no argument telling me to shut up and that I don't know what I'm talking about. I don't. That doesn't stop me from having an opinion on any topic. What do we tell the children? This is a question that has been aroudn for years and generations. It applies to all questions and to all who have a hand (or finger) in child rearing. We tell them what we want them to believe and to live. It only sticks if we live it ourselves, regardless of what we tell them. So, to boil it do

I have to agree with silver-shark on this one. Making a Scout sing for lost items can be hazing and can even be fun for the Scout. Not usually, but even if the Scout is having fun, it's sending the wrong lesson, IMHO. It's sending the lesson that "your friends will take care of you if you misplace something, but you'll have to pay for it in some fashion." I think this will tend to make that singing Scout want to find something of someone elses so that person will have to go through a similar experience (punishment, whatever.) I'm reminded of one of the first things I actually lost

. . . And what recruiting lesson can be learned from it? Did you join as a youth or an adult? Unc. PS -- This is the first time I have seen no topics under "Open Discussion" in the Today's active topics list. UG

Dancin Don't forget to kiss the Moose! Unc.

I like tatoos and body piercings -- the next generation learns from the mistake and eschews them. In spite of my opinion, I don't think anyone should be judged adversely because of them. What one does is one's own choice. Unc.

I think that there is no list because "Best Camp" is at best an opinion. How do you define best? It depends on what's personally important to you? Do the number of campers make it the best? Which do you prefer, high numbers, low numbers, or is staff ratio a consideration? Do you want dining hall, patrol cooking, or both? Is advancement the goal? Open program, or scheduled classes? Get my drift? There really isn't a way to quantify. One of my favorite camps is exclusively patrol cooking and is very small in numbers. Another is mid-size in terms of numbers

Are these navy blue campaign hats by any chance made for state troopers? I have no trouble with that. In fact, I think the price is probably reduced because of the number sold. Do you also sell the straw version. I dislike my BSA campaign hat simply because it is too hot. Are your hats also available in straw in olive? If so, I will buy one. Unc.

Eamonn: I think dyeing your uniform shirt would be a violation of the Uniform Insignia Guide Unc.

Why not just have an adult run them all through a regular washing machine? I seem to recall (I was on staff, not a camper) having washing machines available at the Jamboree. Unc.