Eagletrek

As I've been told before by some folks on this forum that Scouting doesn't require the boy to have a uniform, let's take the uniform cost issue out of it. Let's stick to the principles the BSA preaches; the Scout Oath and Law. That said, consider this before stating that we should accept low cost goods from China. "Since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) by the Communist Party in 1949, Scouting has officially been banned, while the Young Pioneers of China and the Communist Youth League have become the dominant youth organization in mainland China for younge

Besides the problems with the new uniform already covered in other forum posts, I think the real problem with it is where it is made. Think about it, we're buying a uniform from a country which has banned scouting!!!! Please read the following and become informed: "Since the founding of the People's Republic of China (PRC) by the Communist Party in 1949, Scouting has officially been banned[citation needed], while the Young Pioneers of China and the Communist Youth League have become the dominant youth organization in mainland China for younger and older youth, respectively. Currently in

"Certainly offering up some alternatives is one approach; another would be to discuss your concerns with the boy's suggestions and ask him to come up with some different suggestions. Repeat the process until you arrive at a mutually acceptable movie title." Couldn't agree more!!!! Now back to the intent of the OP. He asked us for some "valid" suggestions. I don't see how "Dr. Strangelove" would be a valid suggestion considering the requirement is: "With the approval of your counselor and a parent, watch a movie that shows how the actions of one individual or group

Just some comments and observations based on the OP and subsequent posts: 1. According to BSA policy, the BOR is not a test or re-test. I totally agree. 2. If only 6 of the 20 scouts seem to regularly participate in troop camp outs, it is no wonder why some of the scout aren't proficient in some of their skills. Only repetitive use of scout skills will allow a boy to become proficient in them. Camping provides a great opportunity to practice those skills. 3. Who is providing quality control to ensure a scout knows his skill(s) prior to the advancement requirement being sig

Just how old was BP when he dreamed up this concept????? I think it's time to back off us old guys. There are some of us who are in touch with how today's youth think and are more than willing to add excitement to the program.

Another great black and white classic is "Twelve O'Clock High." I think it would be much better than "Kelley's Heros" and "The Great Escape."

"To Kill A Mocking Bird" If the boys are mature enough, it should fit the bill fairly well. Another great black and white classic.

Now I'd have to agree with GW on this observation. Been on both sides of the fence and have found that not having a "vested interest" allowed me to focus more on the program. Prior to the birth of my sons, I served as the ASM for Troop 366 at Fort Leavenworth for 2 years. I had no vested interest except to see the program flourish. Just recently, I transitioned to becoming my pack's Cubmaster. After three years of being my oldest son's Den Leader (Tiger thru Bear) I now relish the phrase "Well, have you asked your Den Leader?" You should have seen the look on my son's face when I fir

Oh GW!!!!!! There I go again assuming things. I just assumed that the kinda' folks who would have earned these knots would be the folks that would be purchasing them. That said, I assumed they wouldn't be stupid but I guess I've been proven wrong.

Wow!!!!! I guess "a scout is thrifty" doesn't come into play anymore. When I looked, the Philmont Knot was already up to 34.00 +. Why would someone pay those prices when they can be had for about 1.50 at the scout shop if you've met all the requirements. That said, I find it hard to believe anyone has completed all the Philmont Knot requirements so far, but then again I hope we're not compromising "a scout is honest" thang!!!!

No it doesn't sound logical at all. When I was a kid, the scout uniform was required for most activities: weekend camping, camporees, summer camp, scout retreats, jamborees, and yes, even troop meetings. That was the standard and my parents and I saw no problem with that. In fact, my first uniform was a hand-me-down from my cousin but it was a complete uniform. As I've been away from Boy Scouting for awhile, can someone tell me when blue jeans were allowed to be worn as part of the uniform?

I'm confused!!!!! If I'm to believe as some have stated that the uniform is an optional item in the scouting program, then how do you explain why it is needed, by the BSA, to be part of a national or world jamboree contingent?(This message has been edited by Eagletrek)

Dittos of the Radio Shack hand-held. Bought it over twelve years ago and it's still going strong.

It's great to see that some of us understand the real intent about becoming a NESA member. Blade 1158 summed it up well. Speaking on behalf of my fellow NESA memebers (life-time and non-life-time) I'm glad we could help to defray some of your college costs. Once an Eagle, Always an Eagle! Eagletrek

John This is the last I'll comment on the "Gathering of Eagles" event. While I was in the council, the event was run to recognize each year's new crop of Eagle Scouts. I, along with other older Eagle Scouts(30's thru ancient) were asked by the local NESA guys to act as sponsors/hosts for the event. From what I can gather from your posts, your son should have been invited to the event as a participant and not a sponsor/host. If that didn't happen then he missed out on a great evening. YIS Eagletrek

OGE the 13th point of the Scout Law is: "A Scout is humorous!!!!!" That said, I like all my scout headgear: overseas cap, red beret, campaign hat, and stetson. In fact, if I knew how to post a photo in this forum, I'd post a current photo of me in my red beret!!!! I can't believe it still fits as my wife is always telling me I'm suffering from a swelled head!!!!

"Yes, and that event was closed to youth Eagles. I know, my son got the invite, called Council and was told he could not attend." John, if you're familiar with the event "A Gathering of Eagles", you and your son would have known that the event is designed to recognize the Heart of America Council's new crop of Eagle Scouts for that year. The hosts, us old Eagles, are invited so we can host (ie. pay for the new Eagle Scout's dinner as well as that of his parents) and impart some career/profession guidance to the new Eagle Scout. See, each new Eagle Scout attending the dinner is

Who cares about the cost, they're throwing out a tradition!!!!! Oh well, I guess in a couple of years we're all going to be doing "virtual camping" so who will need a Jac-Shirt anyway.

It's true!!!!!!!! Going, going, gone!!!!!!! That's it, I'm going to start wearing my red beret in protest right after I get back from the Scout Shop so I can buy up the remaining stock.

No, LCS, there are two classes of Eagles now: - Those who pay $180 for a special mylar bordered knot. - All the rest. That's my observation of it. Vanity, vanity... the new class is just vanity. No John, my Eagle square knot isn't any better than your son's. My new square knot only indicates that I'm a life-time member of NESA. Frankly, I don't expect new Eagles or their parents to fork out the $180.00 for a lifetime membership. In fact, I didn't write that check until I was a Lieutenant Colonel in the US Army. Now that NESA has issued a knot to recognize l

I really wonder if anyone from National has addressed the "fair cost" "US made" uniform issue with the many corporate leaders they constantly use to sing the praises of the scouting program and who state the program is needed for America to flourish??? If they have, I find it strange that nothing has happened. Just think, if guys like H. Ross Perot, J.W. Marriott and Michael Bloomberg (all Eagle Scouts) were brought into the mix, what could happen. While none are leaders in the textile industry, they all wield enough clout along with other CEOs who were Eagle Scouts and/or former scou

I'd have to disagree with GW. Technically, China may "currently" be the best place to manufacture the new uniform however, the political, ethical, and morale principles practiced in China don't seem to dovetail very well with the principles of scouting. I guess the question is, do we sacrifice our own morals, ethics and principles just to get a good deal on some scout stuff? Frankly, the National Council could fix this issue if they had the zeal to do so. If we are to believe what the heads of corporate America say about the value of Scouting and it's ideals, then the folks at Nati

Hey folks, both the shirt and pants of the new Centennial Uniform are made in China. At least, that's what the label on my pants and shirt indicate.(This message has been edited by Eagletrek)

OBTW, not all the defective square knots have been sent back to the manufacturer. I purchased five of the "super-sized" knots at the Scout Shop in the National Scout Museum in Irving, Texas this weekend, 16 AUG 08.(This message has been edited by Eagletrek)

As a Lifetime Member of NESA, I have no problem with the new square knot and I plan to wear once one problem with it is resolved. As you must know by now, the new square knot has been manufactered in China like 98.7% of everything else the BSA sells. This time the quality control guys weren't paying attention. (Maybe they were suffering from lead poisoning!!!!) Once you trim all the excess fabric away from the new silver border, the knot is about 1/4 of an inch too long and 1/8 of an inch too high. Yes sports fans our Chinese friends made it too big. Now maybe they thought the lifeti