Eagledad

>>I just think it narrows the definition when "morally straight" is de facto connected to morality as defined in a judeo-christian model.

>>Barry, I wonder what you say to people who are not Christian and who, therefore, do not follow the same religious text as you do?

Intesting. Scoutfish suggest that immorality changes with time and cultures and that makes homosexuality OK, for now I guess. I half agree with Scoutfish, immorality does change over time, but morality does not. Morality is a gift from God and his word hasnt changed through time or cultures. If one reads the bible, they learn that God says sin is a self-serving act that generally leads to corruption in one way or another. Homosexuality is one of those sins. Trying to convience folks that they are smarter than God rarely changes a mind. Maybe trying to understand why God says homosexu

That was a really good article, thanks guys. Its interesting how much the manufacturers have caught on to lightweight backpacking, there is a lot more choices now than just seven years ago. Our crew typically weighed in with packs between 20 to 25 pounds, so I am very impressed with this writer. There are few comments: One of the problems with Philmont is the cost. While it seems expensive just paying the BSA for the experience, the gear can triple the cost for the first timer. Our troop made an art form of light weight backpacking on a low budget. When I look at the pictures of that arti

There are some good responses, but even getting the scouts more involved and invested in the project won't always work, sometimes the scouts aren't willing to give what it takes to make such things happen. We talk here like it just boys being boys because the adults didnt handle it right, but when you work at the District or Council level, you are awakened that adults are just as bad. I don't think it is an age thing. While there are good lessons here for everyone, the SPL, PLC and the SM owe at least a word of thanks and maybe even an apology for all the effort that was put in by the v

I think a 30 degree bag is fine. Long underwear can make up for a really cold night. Hiking poles are cumbersome because they are just two more things to keep up with and add more weight to carry. They are a blessing for hikers with bad knees and I would advise adults do a few long hikes at home to see if they have that problem. But I find scouts dont use them correctly because they dont feel the advantage polls give. I agree with the idea of loading up a pack and hiking around with it. I think two or three mile neighborhood hikes are fine to get the body in shape for the weight, but th

>>The BSA still doesn't behave like the private club it insists it is

>>Just because you have a legal right to do something doesn't make it "right." Actually NJ, the legal right does make it "right". Now you may not emotionally agree with it, but legally it is factually right. Barry

Yes, NJ and evmori are right. The ruling wasnt about gays or the BSA, it was about the government forcing itself on a private club to change its rules. If it had gone the other way, the government could force the BSA to accept atheist, take out the reference to God from all its materials and even force it to take trustworthy and clean out of the Scout Law so as to be fair to those who like to be dirty and arent trustworthy. Really its a basic right of United States freedom. That a few judges favored Dale still scares me. Now if the BSA eventually feels it must change, that is a different

>>Some packs address it by working with the troop to ensure that the boy is included as a "guest" of the troop, until such time as he is old enough to join. This requires a clear understanding that he can participate, but that nothing "counts" toward any ranks or awards until he is officially a member.

We had a few atheist parents and I have to say the only negative experience I ever had with atheist in scouting is here on the forum. The parents in our units were open minded and letting their sons choose their own path. In fact, many of those parents were fairly active in supporting the unit, they just didn't sign up. One parent was an Eagle. He was less active with the pack, but very supportive of his son in the program non-the-less. Barry

>>Nope, I like the 6-8 patrol members recommended by BP for each PL be retained and that the PL be responsible for them. This would then imply that the SPL could comfortably handle the responsibility for 6-8 PL's (PLC) and that the SPL not have to try and deal with 64 people, i.e. "run the troop".

Dangerous? I can't put into words the confidence this kind of experience builds into a boy. Its starts him to realize that nothing is impossible and that they can conquer even the smallest fears. It is a confidence that they will keep forever, and it is an experience they will tell to their grandkids. I found (by accident) that for a boy today, just setting up a tent in the hard rain while in the black dark of night is the same kind of experience. Yep, I love this scouting stuff. Barry

>>BSA literature states that the SPL runs the troop. Okay, fine. I don't know of many pre-18 year olds that can run a troop of 30-40 boys and probably just as many over 18.

While I have not experienced not using a SPL, I have experienced the scouts doing what is necessary to ease their burden of running the troop. Troops tend to get too heavy or to lean and adjustments need to be made to improve the program. Once the scouts realize that you really have given them permission to run the program the best way they can, they will adjust the leadership structure to fit. If things are going well right now, I think I would leave it alone and let them find the need for the SPL. If and when they do get one, the position will likely be more efficient and substantive for the

We always had a lot of adults go with us, but I guess the reason it was no big deal was because we typically camped at least 100 yards from the scouts, and we didn't feel the need to keep adults busy doing scouting stuff. We encourage them to go fishing, hiking, biking or something like that. Many just hung around the campfire reading, but the adults were not encourage to hang with the scouts. It may have turned into a camping club thing for some of the adults, but the only time our scouts might see most of the adults was during the campfire. Barry

Of course you all are right in most cases, but I remember when Lisabob brought up the problem of the adults not letting the older scouts camp or hike by themselves. If I remember correctly, it wasn't so much a matter of trust, but a matter of parents having an excuse to go camping or hiking. Add that the SM is indifferent to the boys needs and adults needs, I think this is a different and more difficult problem. As was said by the other poster, the adults are not stating their goals to the scouts very well, so there is confusion. But when you have a SM who doesn't have goals, then it turns int

>>but there is a fear that I am too serious about the job to lead..

What do you mean by support him? In the big world, his misleadership should be enough for the rest of the patrol to not support him back. If they do, then this is an indicator of a bigger problem with the patrol method. As for the scout, did he grow at all in his position? There hopefully is something to salvage there that can be used to push him to reach a little higher in his future scouting experience. I have had some scouts who just don't seem to care or react to counseling of their performance. I remember one such scout who told me during his Eagle COH that he earned the Eagle

>>As a Scoutmaster, I view my main job as making sure these crazy scouts don't hurt themselves.

>>While I would hope not to judge others, it seems a little daffy that we would not allow two loving parents to join our organization, but have no problem allowing a guy who out and about cheating on his wife. If we really do believe in living by the golden rule? How would we feel if we were being discriminated agains

Well, Ive been there and done that and personally I think you have done a pretty good job so far. Good Work. A few thoughts as best as I can reflect: Just be careful the goals are realistic. Even though a good Scoutmaster instills a scout to envision that kind of scout he can become, the Scoutmaster has to resist giving the scout the scoutmasters vision. We must instead guide the scout to set and reach his goals. One small step forward is better than two steps back. Many adults get hung up on the scout not making progress toward the big goal when the small steps are big for so

Hey the Who are like what, 100 years old. They did manage to hit some high notes that surprised me. Im really glad they didnt have any wardrobe malfunctions. Ewuuu I like the Betty White add the best, but I agree this wasnt one of the better years for commercials. Game was OK, but we didnt have a dog in the fight, so we just ate a lot of good food. I had to ride my wifes stationary bike after because I felt guilty. Barry

>>BSA's policy is going to force alot of Scouters to either starve or not be able to go on trips w/the sons.

My troop did this when I was a youth with chickens and turkeys. We also did a hog, but that really turned into the adults doing it. I don't know what the BSA would say about it, but we really enjoyed it and it is a very good learning experience and a real good confidence builder. I do know that folks raise rabbits just for eating, so I'm sure you can find them as well. You might check with a Chinese restaurant to find a source. I think that was where our adults found them. Personally I think cleaning and skinning a rabbit is easier than the chicken and someone could use the fur for tanni