Eagledad

I tried a hammock for sleeping and found that I have the same complaints as packsaddle. Still, I take one everywhere (except Philmont) because I like resting off the ground after a long day of activities, expecially backpacking and canoeing. While I used one during the day after canoeing in Canada, I can't imagine using one at night with the Canadian dive bombing mosquitoes. Barry

>>I love it when our old SM does the "pack shake out" before a long hike with the new boys. I am amazed at what some boys think they "have to have" just in case.

>>10 years from now I hope my son will have aged out an active scout, with whatever rank he gets, and he and his troop-mates will remember Scouts as fondly as I did. We'll see.

Yes, Trev shows one letter that is pro gay role models, but how many does National see with the opposite view? OGE is right, follow the money. National will not change until the monetary risk is minimal. Barry

>>What you want to avoid is getting a pack that is so large you get tempted to fill it!

>>The difference is that then the 5 min SM minute was a 30 minute campfire where the SM told a story to the Scouts. The meeting plan back then was 2 hours

>>I think this discussion has become hysterically funny with SP and Barry defending the Republican party and giving them credit for being the only ones trying to fix this economice mess we are in, as well as blaming the liberals for this crisis.

Last year the Republicans made the biggest gains of a single party since the 1940s. What has changed in the last year for the results to be any different next year, OWS? The Tea Party movement really is a grass roots originated that is focused and simple. Tea Party folks, and folks who unknowing agree with the Tea party platform, are quietly waiting to make their protest heard November 2012. Barry

>>The uniform remains optional, as a scout is and should be a scout whether he is wearing the uniform or not.

>>Personally, I wear a full uniform but none of my Den Leaders so far have followed that example.

>>I had a feeling that would get spun off...I regret ever bringing it up...

The uniform subject comes up often, not so much at the Cub level, but age doesnt really matter for the justification anyway. As I was reading how this leader is struggling to get the whole pack of cubs to wear the uniform, I have to ask why. Why is wearing the uniform so important for an 8 year old boy? Why is it important for a 14 year old boy? What personal quality do they get from wearing the uniform that boys who arent in the BSA don't get? One thing I learned as a coach, guide, leader, role model, mentor and scout leader for these young men is; if we adults dont have a good reason for wearing the uniform, the scouts will struggle to meet our expectations. So, why is wearing the uniform so important? I love this scouting stuff. Barry

I am getting old, the only thing I understood there was the 15 passenger vans. Anything new on throwing horse shoes? Barry

We had the similar situation where we were getting a lot of scouts 14 and older transferring in from other troops and almost all the scouts transferring in from out of state. When I asked council about it, they said it was the DE. You have to look at it from the professional's perspective, they want to put families in units where they will stay a while. Warning: when you get a reputation of a successful program, you will eventually be recruited to a lower position in district or even council to spread the wealth. Barry

There are lots of references on how we should judge, but you can just back to the scripture in mathew you refereced. Barry

>>The point is it is not your place or my place or anyone elses place to pass judgement on any other group of people.

>>I think that passage I quoted speaks for itself, and it is not just about hypocrisy.

>>The biggest problem I see with what you propose is the BSA's current focus on NSPs and other 'age appropriate" patrols.

>>"Judge not lest ye be judged" -a Bible quote for you that blows apart the theory in your last post> IMO scouters are hardly in any position to judge other scouters as to their lifestyle,

More focus on Patrol Meetings and less on the Troop meetings. I could see it becoming one Troop meeting a month with two or three patrol meetings a month. Barry

>>my Christian Bible tells me that I am a sinner too and that all men are brothers under God.

The uniform as the great equalizer is one of the main qualities I teach scouts. I once had a scout do his on personal poll and he agreed, he couldnt tell rich from poor in our troop. He could tell mood though by how the scouts wore it, which is what I teach adults to look for when scouts dont seem focused on scouting. More often than not, a change in how a scout wears his uniform means something is going on at home or school. Barry

>>Christians who sit back and judge everybody and find a million faults and openly state them - but never look for the first good quality

>>Stage-shy is an understatement. If he were forced to sing it would be devastating to him. You people who think this is no big deal need to get your head out of the sand or whatever dark place you have it in.

I advocate everyone starting the discussion at the same place, which is with God. God is fair and just, so starting there starts us in the right direction.. That is why it doesnt work man, try as we might, we can't seem to get our self interest out of the mix. As for the Leviticus reference, read Mathew for the updated version. Barry