Eamonn

Back when I was in Boy Scouting, I knew that I had a problem!! I really did try and do what I could to put the Patrols first and the Troop second. We did most things by the book. We had Patrol Camp-outs, Patrol hikes. Regular Patrol meetings and a monthly PLC meeting. But much as I knew it was wrong, this bonehead would push for Troop activities over Patrol activities. Maybe because it was less work? Maybe it was because I was thinking that we would do more good if we had more Scouts doing "Stuff" at the same time? I had never heard of this "Bring your own grub" idea until a friend of Her Who Must Be Obeyed who has two Boys in a Troop in our District made mention of it. As with a lot of new ideas. I wasn't sure if this was a good thing or a bad thing? A little time later, I bumped into the SM from this Troop and it came up (I wonder why?). This guy thought this was one of his better ideas. His big thing was that it was a lot less work. Scouts brought what they wanted to eat, no fussing with menu planning and fighting about likes and dislikes. Everyone cooked, again no duties and no fighting about clean up -The Scouts cooked in their mess kits. His list of why this was such a good thing seemed never ending. I went away feeling a little confused. A lot of what he had said made sense. It might have been wrong and I knew I didn't like the idea, but I wasn't altogether sure why? If the goal was just feeding these Scouts? I can see that this was being met. But surely we have bigger goals? Surely when Scouts meet to plan and work out a menu isn't it about more than just about food? Don't Scouts learn a lot about team work? Making compromises and team work, from something as simple as planning half a dozen or so meals for a weekend? My list of why I thought it was a bad idea seemed to grow longer and longer. By chance? I happened to bump into the SM again, in a nice way I said that I'd thought about the way they fed the Scouts and went over some of my reasons why I thought it wasn't a good idea. He informed me that he was under pressure from the parents to do it this way!! I didn't say anything!! But I did think it would be a cold day when I'd allow parents to dictate to me about how the Troop would be run. I can't imagine a soccer coach allowing the parents to pick what positions the players would fill? Nine center forwards and two goalkeepers? I can't help thinking that we have allowed the parents of the Scouts to become too powerful over something that they don't really understand and worse still have some knowledge of? Ea.

Not really sure where the Big Ditch is? Just a few minutes ago arrived home from New Jersey. Drive down wasn't bad. Took the Sea Scouts for the Quarterdeck Training that Liberty Flotilla, were presenting. They did a good job. I managed to play with some block and tackle raising the scuttlebutt. Think this is my next "New Thing"!! It wasn't too cold and we did sleep indoors last night!! Came home on the PA Turnpike. Plain sailing till we came through the Allegheny Mountain tunnel!! Then it seemed like we had entered a winter wonderland. It was snowing and black ice!! It seemed to me that all the Scouts at the training had a good time. They were outside for a couple of hours, but there was lots of hot drinks and soup for them when the came back in. I seen a few adults out in short sleeved shirts!! I thought they must be nuts!! Her Who Must Be Obeyed thinks I'm a little nuts.. 680 mile round-trip!! Wait till she finds out how much the blocks cost!! Ea. (LongHaul, I do have all the super-duper high wicking underwear. Have to admit to not liking it!! It doesn't seem very warm. It cost an arm and a leg. Even my winter jacket has zippers on the sleeves to allow for ventilation. I don't mind hiking in the winter, but much prefer to stay at a hostel or a cabin. Many years back as part of my Queen's Scout I hiked the 267 miles. it took me three weeks. Even in summer there were times up in the Peak District, when the wind and the rain was just down right nasty!! I was tired, cold, wet. We went to bed, knowing that the next day we were in for the same!! When you are hiking like that it's strange that you seem to respect the sheep a lot more.)

GernBlansten I agree that training is a big part of just about everything we do. I do worry that at times adults forget that we are dealing with young Lads. Because I don't like the cold (And maybe because Rory does!!) I have gone the extra mile to ensure I'm prepared for it. I'm willing to spent the extra few dollars to ensure my comfort and well being. Sadly many of the young Scouts don't have all the right gear and some leaders don't become aware of this until they have to deal with a cold unhappy Scout. I do see the challenge. But I also see the risk. I'm not sure a 12 year old Scout is ready for the challenge? I'm also unsure if at times the adults allow their ego to get the better of them? A couple of years back our Council held a ski day at Nemacolin Woodlands. One Troop from our District decided to go up on the Friday night. They arrived late (After dark) didn't really have the right gear, the Scouts were young and the Troop has never been known for its outdoor skills. That night the temp went down to minus something without the wind chill. The scouts were cold and not very happy. At about 4:00 AM they were all up causing a fuss. Everything was frozen, they couldn't get the stoves to work. We arrived to participate in the ski day. The SM was so proud of "His" Scouts!! All the Scouts quit!! Talking with our DE earlier today he informed me that the Troop only has two Scouts and will not be rechartering. Of course I'm not saying we need to go into winter hibernation, but I would hope that the Scouts who we do take out do have the gear and the training and the adults are not ever to proud to say "Hey this just is too cold" and either go home or move to somewhere warm. We are supposed to be going to New Jersey this weekend. I'm watching the weather -If it gets too bad, we will stay home and like my buddy Beav, I'll give the recliner a work out!! Ea.

I don't like winter very much, I really dislike the cold and hate being cold. I'll admit that I shy away from winter camping. I just don't enjoy it. Because I dislike the cold so much, I think I have most of the gear needed to keep warm. I know my dislike of winter comes into play, but I worry about Scouts camping in tents when it's so darn cold. Seems to me that many Troops have a date set and come whatever they are going and nothing is going to change their plans. I wouldn't take Scouts out on the water in high winds. We do practice drills about what to do should we get caught in them, but taking the boats out knowing that high winds were coming would be very unwise. The low temp in our area without the wind chill went down to 5, last night. The high for Saturday is only in the 20's. Camping in this is just not my idea of fun. Planning to take young Scouts camping with low temps like this seems to me to be foolhardy. I have some nice equipment, but the tents I have are all 3 season tents or below. I know some people enjoy the winter, snow and the cold. We have one Scout who lives next to Seven Springs Ski Resort and works as a ski instructor. All he has done so far this winter is complain about the lack of snow (And money!!) I'm fine with taking the Scouts away to a nice warm cabin in the winter. But to go tent camping just isn't my idea of fun. Eamonn (The fair weather camper!!)

Some of our Scouts have the inexpensive blue mats. -I'm unsure what store the pads came from and I'll admit to never having used them, but from what I have seen the pads don't seem to want to unroll. I watched a guy try and blow up some over-sized Coleman pad the other weekend. It was to be inflated with some sort of rechargeable pump. Somehow his wasn't charged. As he puffed away he didn't look like a happy camper. Ea.

"In my court we suspend licenses every week of ordinary every day people who have done something dumb" I do something dumb everyday!! So far never while driving!! (I'm sorry -It was just to easy!!) Of course I don't know this parent. But I do admit to having some concerns about the way both the BSA and Councils manage our information. I wish I could put my hand on my heart and tell someone who is worried that everything is safe and secure but I can't. Sometime back hackers did manage to get into the company that does the back ground checks for the BSA. To make things worse the BSA waited months before telling anyone!! DE's carry new leader applications around for days in their cars -What happens if the car is stolen? The papers sit on the desk of a service center employee, who goes to lunch? ID theft is real, it happens and can be a real pain. I think we need something from the people we give the information to, so we can know what happens to the information. Is that tour permit application tossed in the garbage bin? Or is it shredded? How secure are the Council computers? Be nice to know. Ea.

Funny you should ask. Last summer we went to Camp Blue Heron, to participate in the HA Sea Kayaking. Before the trip we were introduced via e-mail to the Boy Scout Troop from Atlanta that would be joining us. Both the Boy Scouts and their adult leaders were and are a super nice bunch. But their leaders did seem very concerned about our female Sea Scouts. The Atlanta Scouts had a history of high adventure activities and sent me photos of them at Philmont, Northern Tier. I was a little worried. We were new to Sea Scouting and most of our efforts had been put into working on stuff from the Sea Scout Manual. The girls hadn't done very much camping and we had only been river kayaking. But they did a wonderful job. Without wishing to sound big-headed they in fact were better than most of the boys. They certainly were better at reading the charts and planning around the tides than any of the males. I was a little worried about them and having to use cat-holes. I now however have a addition to add to my all time favorite things that Scouts have said list. " I like the view when I have to go!" Yes Barry I love this Scouting stuff!! Ea.

I hate the cold!! I use a fairly expensive Therm-a-Rest self-inflating sleeping pad. I bought it a few (3 maybe 4 years ago) I like it because it packs well (I have a very bad back so I use year round) I also have the light weight frame for it to make it into a chair. I think it cost about $70.00 on sale. Looking in the local Gander Mountain store the other day I seen a new pad made by Therm-a-Rest - A light weight sheet of closed-cell foam pad, with a egg-crate form that folded in an accordion style. So it will be good for hiking?? It was about $30.00. I haven't tried any of the pads that Alpine Mountaineering they seem to sell good stuff at a fair price and are very helpful when you talk to them on the phone. (I bought a lot of cots for the Scouts going to the Jambo and they were really great.) I think there is a thread about staying warm at night. I use a good sleeping bag and if I'm not hiking add a sleeping bag liner. Some things that work for me are. Remove everything that you were wearing and put on clean dry gear. (I find if I'm clean and dry I sleep better) I wear a light skull type cap (It's never on when I wake up?) Make sure the tent is erected correctly and has a good water-proof liner under the tent. (Some people swear by adding hay or newspaper as well I never thought it was worth the effort) Go to the bathroom just before you go to bed -Nothing is worse than leaving a nice warm sleeping bag to have to go and answer a call of nature. I like a nice warm mug of something before going to bed. Scouts seem to want to tie down and zip up everything that can be tied or zipped!! While keeping the wind out,do allow for some ventilation. If you don't the condensation inside the tent will freeze. Eamonn.

I fail to see how or where an age limit can be seen as part of the "Old Boy's" whatever. I think my big problem (And yes I do see it as my problem) is that the young men I have talked too don't seee the course as I do!! They seem to see it as something you pick up along the way -Some sort of an award. I see it as a tool to help make you a better leader. We have Sea Scouts in the Ship who are still considered youth members at 18 -Yet some of these are the very same people who want to attend the course. Does an 18 year old with only a few months in as a leader really have a true vision? Or is the vision still all about him or herself? Ea. (Boy -Would I like to read their tickets!!)(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

At present there is as far as I know: No tenure requirement to attend Wood Badge and as long as the training requirements are met, no age requirements -Other than those needed to be an adult leader.(21 for leaders and 18 for Assistant Leaders) This does mean that 18 year old Assistant leaders can attend Wood Badge. Of course some 18 year olds might at this young age have a real grasp of the program and have some idea of what their Vision and Mission might be. Sadly it seems there are some 18 year olds who now see WB as some sort of award that ought to be picked up along the way. -Almost like a "Big Boy Merit Badge". Our Council is hosting a course this year, which I'm not involved in (for lots of reasons.) Already I have talked with three 18 year old Lads who want to attend. These young Lads are very involved in Scouting, mainly the OA and Venturing. Yes they are on a charter somewhere listed as an ASM, but the real truth is that they just don't have the time to devote to being what I might call a "Real" Adult Leader. I know I might be sticking my neck out a little, but I just don't see an 18 year old as being ready for the course. I know that participants are supposed to be invited to attend. But as we all know in the real world most CD's are so worried about getting the course off the ground and filled, the only real requirements are having attended the necessary training's and a warm body. Heck as long as the fee is paid I'm not so sure if the warm body is required!! I really do feel that there is a need to raise the minimum age to 21 years. I welcome your comments. Eamonn.

Not sure if I should spin off or not? Over the years I have working with the youth leadership helped organize and put together a fair number of Summer Activities. The agenda for planning a summer activity starts with: What, Where and When. The What is at times the hardest item. The Scouts have all sorts of ideas about what they want to do and at times I know that I have been shall we say forceful with my ideas. I'm a firm believer that all of our Scouts need to have a firm grasp of the basic Scouting skills and this grasp allows us to do more activities without too much fuss or bother (Hopefully!!). Some skills are just fun. To be honest other than as a fun activity I have never ever had the real need to light a fire with flint and steel. I'm happy to sleep in a tent. But I see it as a means to an end. The best thing about going away and sleeping in a tent is that it's inexpensive. There have been times when bringing tents and equipment just wouldn't work so we stayed somewhere else. When we took the Troop to Kandersteg, the first time we stayed in the chalet. The second time we joined up with a BSA Troop based in Germany, used their tents and ate with them in a big mess tent, where some of their adults took care of the cooking. Some of the Scouts who attended this activity still to this day say it was the best summer they have ever spent. When we took the Troop to Galway in Ireland. We camped in a farmers field. For the most part the Scouts cooked in Patrols. We had taken the canoes with us, so each day a Patrol would be out on the lakes. We also had days when we went sightseeing. On these days they either packed a lunch before leaving camp or we ate out. Some days when we arrived home a little late, I would grab a couple of Scouts and I'd cook the evening meal for the entire Troop. When we went to Rotterdam, we camped at the Camp Center. Some days were spent working with the younger Scouts on advancement, while others build pioneering projects. Again some days we went out to see the sights. Clog making, cheese farms and the Maduradam. (If you want to see a great miniature city you have to go!!) We camped with Dutch Scouts, mixed the patrols. Again for the most part the Scouts cooked in Patrols, it's easier to cook for eight than fifty. We spent the most miserable two weeks of my life camping in the Lake District of England, it rained and rained and rained some more. The Scouts were wet (I was wet!!) We were camped on the side of a mountain. We had gone with the idea of sailing on the lakes. That wasn't happening. We changed the program a lot!! We ended up visiting steam railways, one night just to cheer the Scouts up we went to the movies and finished the evening with fish and chips from the local chip shop!! Our District held an annual Camp Craft competition. This was the competition that everyone wanted to win. Scouts camped in Patrols and just about everything was judged. We were the winners a lot of times and in my 11 years were never out of the top three!! I like and enjoy what might be called Traditional Scouting, I think every Scout should have mastered the skills to be First Class. Still I also see that we promise the Scouts Fun, Adventure and Challenge. When we don't provide these the Scouts don't remain in Scouting and any possibility of them ever becoming a "Good Scout" is lost. Eamonn.

Kudu, Thanks for the history lesson . No!! I'm not joking. It's a shame you felt the need to add the little digs in about Wood Badge. As I think you know, I was a Scout and Scout Leader in the UK, mostly after the Advanced Party Report. I left England in 1984 and really don't know that much about the changes that have been made since. Scouting in the UK never seemed to be as organized as it was here in the USA. I haven't seen the new offices at Gilwell Park, but was a frequent visitor to the offices at Baden Powell House and the one at Buckingham Palace Gate. The National Staff at that time numbered a lot less than the Staff in a large Council in the USA. At one time I remember reading that the Scout Association was among the top 10 land owners in the UK.I found that to be amazing when you consider that the Crown, the Church of England and the National Trust are also in that group. Unlike here in the US, where the BSA owns very large camps and parcels of land,many of the donations were very small parcels of land. A couple of years back OJ and I joined the 2nd Cuddingtons' Scout Troop for a few days at their Summer Camp just outside of Nottingham Forest. The camp was owned by the local Scout District and set in eight acres. They had loaded up all their gear and taken the Scouts away for a week. Photos of their 2006 camp to Buddens, Dorset can be found on their web site: http://www.2ndcuddingtonscouts.org.uk/index2frameset.htm As I posted earlier in this thread until I came to the US, I'd never experienced a Council Summer Camp. My main concern about them is that they are just so darn expensive to operate. When it comes to "Selling" a camp to the Scouts. I kind of think we the adults are at times maybe a little less than honest. I know last year I "Sold" our kayaking trip with the 50 miler award, wildlife, porpoises and fun. Along the way I might not till nearer the date mentioned cat-holes, trail type food, cooking and all the work involved!! So I think Beav might have hit the nail on the head, when the Scouts opt for the mess hall over doing the cooking and clean up. Lets be honest how many Scouts really want to spend time washing up? At one time some bright spark in our Council came up with the idea of having a computer lab at camp!! Needless to say I wasn't for the idea!! I really haven't paid any attention to the number of Troops that have signed up for our Council camp this year. Last year the cost went up by $25.00 per camper. With the rise in the minimum wage here in PA. I think it will have to go up again this year. Already I'm hearing that some Troops are now planning not to attend the camp, because they can offer a cheaper alternative. Of course this will become a catch 22 situation, less campers means less income, so the price goes up which means less campers... Till one day the camp can't open. All this while the Council is trying to raise a million dollars for a new dining hall?? Councils seem to be having a hard time making camps pay their way. About ten years back it seemed that Cub Worlds would help keep Scout camps affordable, but with the decline in Cub Scout membership? I'm not sure that will help. In our area it seems that the weekly Scout meeting has been replaced by the weekly Merit Badge Class, Troops are doing more and more merit badges in house. I wonder if one day the big factory will just not be needed as the reason to attend will no longer exist? Already I see that our Council has cut back from seven weeks to six. This will save money, but the older guys who need the money for college just can't make enough money over the summer when the weeks are just not there. The end result will be a much younger less experienced camp staff. I'm unsure if the smaller Council camps will survive? Eamonn.

One problem I have with the forum is that someone asks a question. Hey -That's Good. Someone provides the "Official BSA" view, guideline, rule, regulation call it what you will. - That's also good. But then it seems we end up looking at and posting opinions about the rule. I wish people would spin off and start a new thread, something along the lines of "Why I disagree with the rule." I hope we never become an organization of book Thumpers!! We all want to do what is in the best interest of the youth we serve and protect the BSA. I do think that most rules can be looked at, scrutinized and if this is taken to the extreme found to not work or full of holes. Some could ask : "What side of the road do people drive on in the UK?" The answer is: On the left hand side. Over the years I have read a good many explanations as to why this is so. But the real truth is that no one really knows. Yes people drive on the left hand side, but they might drive on the right hand side when going down/up a one way street or road. They might drive on the right hand side of the road if there happens to be a long line of African Elephants blocking the road. I feel sorry for Jenn. But rule or no rule I would from a Scouting point of view I would urge her not to join the same Crew as her boy-friend. My reasons for this are: I've seen first hand what happens when two people who have feelings for each other disagree, especially when they are away from home. It's really hard to separate what the issue at hand is from the feelings and the past history. Before I married Her Who Must Be Obeyed, I was dating a very nice girl. She became an Assistant Cubmaster in the Pack. I was Scoutmaster. The Troop went to Kandersteg, Trish (my girlfriend) came along. My main focus was the Scouts, she felt "left-out" we had a gigantic fight. Of course she was stuck there with me and I was stuck there with her. The tension was running high, the Scouts of course sensed it. I wasn't my happy little self!! We arrived home still not liking each other. She quit working with the pack. Which hurt the pack. It just wasn't very nice. About a year back we had two Sea Scouts who were dating. We (the quarterdeck) did lay down rules about what was and what wasn't acceptable. This worked until they stopped dating, both remained in the Ship, but both took every opportunity to take jabs at each other. In the end they both quit. So rule or no rule I would strongly urge Jenn to give her boy friend his own space to do what he does. When he is with the Crew, the Crew has to be his main focus and this can play havoc with a relationship. That's my opinion and then there is the rule. Eamonn.

Fuzzy Bear Have to admit to not giving Wisdom much thought. Maybe because I have never thought of myself as being wise!! Before Walt Disney did the Jungle Book, I seem to remember that Akela was a very wise wolf. The members of the pack looked to him for leadership and guidance. I seen myself more of a Baloo!! Not as wise as Akela, but a little more fun. Like it or not, I do think that until we prove them wrong a good many young people think and expect us old people to be wise. They can get past us maybe not being good at everything, they like when we do let our hair down and join in the fun stuff, but they expect us to be wise. I know I should really spin off, but I'm interested to know: What are the qualities of wisdom? How do you acquire them? Can they be taught? I'll post my thoughts later. Eamonn.

I'll agree that more could be done to make the Executive Officer of a Chartering Organization more aware of the rules and guidelines. Having been in the position of dealing with these Executive Officers (Are they now Executive Officers or are they still Institution Heads?)I'm willing to go so far as to say that I did a terrible job of letting them know what they were letting themselves in for. Some reasons for this were: They never asked!! I took it for granted that "Everyone knew" I was overjoyed at having a new unit. Still in my defense when they did ask I did everything I could to provide them with all the information they asked for. Going as far as having them contact my pal who works in the BSA Relationship's Division. Some people also contacted others within their own organization to get and find out more details. This works when starting a new unit, but in many cases the unit is older than the Executive Officer. With this in mind can we really expect someone who might not know or understand the rules and guidelines and might not have a good understanding of why they are in place to go about changing them? One of the main duties of a District Executive is to meet and deal with Chartering Organization Heads, the Scout Service Center phone number is in the book. I'm sure if I were the head of a chartering organization, I'd call before I went out on a limb. All the information is out there for the asking. Eamonn.

I would hope that we as adults in the program try and make what ever it is we pass on to the youth relevant. Teaching Leadership and never allowing them to lead would seem silly. Teaching knots in the Scout meeting place and never using them is just as silly. OJ called from School yesterday, he had forgotten his hard drive, he needed it for a mid-term exam in computer graphics. I boldly went into the unfamiliar land known as his room. I couldn't help thinking how when I was a Lad, bedrooms were for sleeping in and maybe reading the odd book by flashlight when the lights were supposed to be turned out. As I worked my way through the jungle and jumble of cords attached to just about every electronic device known to man. I remembered the conversation from the night before when he said he couldn't wait to return to work at camp next summer. Yes live in a tent with only a few of the devices. It's sad that we only find out that what we are doing isn't relevant until a kid quits!! Eamonn.

I hope someone can point out if and where I might have come off being "shrill and discourteous". As for : "do we really want BSA regulations to become the size of the U.S. Tax Code? Or can we instead trust good people to do the right thing without a 23-part rule? No of course we don't, we do however have a set of guidelines and rules, which are in place. Suggesting that COR's or Chartering Organizations can alter or change these at will is not true. As partners they have agreed to "Ensuring that the Scouting program is conducted according to the policies and regulations of the organization and the Boy Scouts of America." Nearly all of the organizations that charter a sizable number of units are represented on the National Council, they have a voice and can work toward changing things that might seem to not work. I see this as being very different than the local Elk's who are the chartering organization for the Ship I serve, wanting to change things. If there is a need to change the rule, be it standing up in a canoe or rewriting the youth protection guidelines, it needs to be changed the right way, not just ignored or left in the hands of a local chartering organization. If this was what the BSA had wanted I feel they would have said so. Some of us might not like it but when it comes to down to it the BSA does dictate to our partners. The program belongs to the BSA. I might not always agree with the BSA, but I like to think that the BSA is trying to do what is best for all the youth in the programs and there are times when I or a chartering organization may not have all the facts. Eamonn.

Over the past few months it seems that there has been a lot of discussions about rules, authority and who can do what? These discussions have ranged from what is and what isn't a pull up! To what a Chartering Organization can and can not do. I feel that some of this is only confusing people who might be new to Scouting and the BSA. Some forum members seem to be of the opinion that a COR or a Chartering Organization can change or make alteration to the rules and guidelines set by the BSA as they (the Chartering Organization) deem fit. I think this is complete and utter balderdash. When I read: Ensuring that the Scouting program is conducted according to the policies and regulations of the organization and the Boy Scouts of America. I don't see this as an "And -Or". If a Chartering Organization does agree or doesn't like the rules of the BSA, it is of course free to not be a Chartering Organization. Or it can use whatever methods are in place to try and have these rules or guidelines changed. There may well be times when the rules or guidelines might seem to unkind, of no service and maybe wrong. But they are the rules. In just about every document I have read the BSA adds the "Ensuring that the Scouting program is conducted according to the policies and regulations of the organization and the Boy Scouts of America" clause. This really doesn't seem to allow any "Wiggle room". I have over the years spoken with a lot of people who work for the BSA; these people are however just employees who are supposed to be following the wishes of the National Council. I don't care where they are from, where they work, or what their job title is! When it comes to the rules and regulations we have no choice but to follow what is found in the official BSA publications. Eamonn

This coming November if all goes well I hope to celebrate my 52nd year on the planet. Of course I can't remember everything from the past 52 years. I do remember when I was an Alter Boy that the Mass was in Latin. My Irish Grand-Mother never accepted or got used to this "New" Mass and seemed happy to race around her Rosary beads all through Mass. I remember when we did away with there being twelve pennies in a shilling and twenty shillings in a pound and changed to a new decimal currency with a hundred new pence in a pound. At the time I was working after school in a hardware store and people said that they would never get used to it. My first Scout uniforms came with garters, the bits that hung down were different colors depending on which program. When the garters went no one knew how they would keep their socks up. Sunday afternoons at Camp outs with the Scouts (Yes I was around when English Boy Scouts, just became Scouts.) were spend with Brillo pad in hand trying to remove the soot and black stuff off aluminum Billy cans. If that was supposed to build character, my character is in great shape. When I first became a Leader, the Troop News Letter was produced on a Gastetner Machine. Ink everywhere and really bad copies. I know that my sell by date is fast approaching. I try really hard to try and see the world through the youth I'm supposed to be serving. Still my cell phone lives in my car, I give out the number but forget to turn it on!! When I do remember to turn it on and carry it I end up taking photos of the inside of my pocket. The photos I take on my digital camera are great until I try to print them, then they have a pinkish tinge to them. I don't understand why people can be famous, just because they are famous? What did Paris Hilton ever do? I'm not sure if it's just me but the Scouts I have seem to have the attention span of a gnat. Their parents seem to want them on some sort of advancement fast track. No time to have fun and enjoy what the activity might be, just hurry up and get that requirement signed off and move to the next. My hope is that I can remain relevant and not allow myself to become one of them "In my day.." types. I don't want to become like my Grand-Mother, going to Mass and not participating, because I'm unwilling to change. I liked and enjoyed a lot of the "Old Stuff" I didn't enjoy the Brillo pads or the garters that cut into my legs. In time I'll fix the printer and find out how to stop the cell phone taking photos. I'm learning to deal with the short attention span. I no longer care that a new penny equals 2.4 old pennies -Why should I? It's of no use. We can look back and reminisce about the good old days. There are as we have seen organizations that still want to do things that way. I wish them well. I don't think the kids I serve would be interested, but I'm sure that some kids are. I might not like it, but the Scouts I serve live in the 21st Century, they are taught in a different way than I was, they see the world in a different way -Some of it in a much kinder and more forgiving way than I. I know I don't always agree with all the changes. But just being around these young people listening to them and learning from them, will I hope help maybe extend that "Sell By Date" Eamonn.

Hi, I'm not going to disagree with those who have posted about attending training's or rafting up with a local Troop. All good stuff. I do think that a lot can be gained from just reading the Boy Scout Handbook -In fact read it a few times. Read it just to know what's in it!! Read it as if you were a Scout reading it for the first time. Read it again, looking for fun and interesting ways of "Selling" it to the Scouts you will serve. Then move on to the Scoutmaster Handbook!! Just about all you ever need to know can be found in these two books. Eamonn.

My thoughts about "The Council Summer Camp" have changed over the years. Kinda like my idea of cooking at camp. Back when I was a little Scout we cooked entirely on wood fires. When I became a Leader we started taking camp stoves for emergency use only. Later it became too easy to use the stove for my early morning beverage (Tea at that time) Over time we added stoves to the Patrol Boxes and started to teach the Scouts how to use the stoves along with the fire. I think we need to look at summer camp the same way. Sure it's nice to take the Scouts to camp at Friendly Farmer Gilles Field, spent the time doing things the way they were once done. That is a lot of fun. But it's nice to take the Scouts to the Council Summer Camp and use what the camp has to offer. My hope is that maybe we can expose our Scouts to both. Eamonn.

I don't see Rank advancement as the goal of Scouting. It is a method. At times in my opinion it seems that we are guilty of making things far bigger than they really are. I know some really wonderful youth members who for different reasons will never become Eagle Scouts, earn Venturing Silver or Quartermaster. This in no way means that they are failures or that we have have failed them. Some of the best adult leaders I know never made Eagle or Queen's Scout. OJ now serves on our Council Camping Committee. Without any input from me!! It seems that he has been trying to push for making Summer Camp more about what he sees as "Real Scouting" and less about running from class to class. The nice thing about camp is that the Scouts are there. No not turning up because Grand-ma called twenty minutes before the meeting or the gang is all going to a movie. While with a little effort I'm sure just about any activity a camp offers can be found some place else, it is nice to have the opportunity to use the facilities a camp has without all the hassle.Having the pool, the lake, the shooting sports ranges is nice. For the Scouts and the adults who don't have to go "Out of house" to find or look for these facilities and opportunities. Still I think it's a shame when the success or the lack of success is measured by the Merit Badge Count. My crystal ball is out of order!! But I think looking to the future camps will need to change. So many other organizations and schools now go to camp and more and more Cub Scouts are attending long term resident camps, that just living in a tent isn't the adventure it once was. Add that to the declining membership and camps will have to start thinking out of the box to offer more exciting programs that appeal to the youth members and their parents. Back in 1977 I found myself in a lot of hot water for calling the Scouts in the BSA a bunch of softies!! I happened to mention this to someone from the press at a reception given by the Mayor of Philadelphia it hit the news wires and as they say the stuff hit the fan!! I had just spent the summer working as an International Camp Counselor. Seeing Scouts arrive at a camp where all the tents were up and waiting for them, seeing Scouts eating meals prepared and served to them in dining hall, was just not my idea of Scouting!! It was a far cry from the kind of Scouting I was used to. Back then I was very (note the word very!!) young! Over time I can see the merits of both ways of doing things and would hope that Troops work toward some kind of balance. I would hope that Councils start to be more accommodating to Troops who want to maybe not buy into the entire Summer Camp Council Program and who want to maybe participate in parts of what is offered or maybe want to just camp and not be part of what is offered. This might be dependent on the age of the Scouts and the skills of the adults. Like it or not Council run camps are a business. If the parents see the value of a camp by looking at the Merit Badges offered, Councils will push Merit Badges. I see this as shooting ourselves in the foot. We will end up with Scouts becoming Eagle Scouts more rapidly an at a younger age and then leaving the program. Mickey Mouse Merit Badges like finger printing offered by camps is not going to hold the interest of the Scouts older than 12 or 13. Eamonn.

OK -I kinda guesstimated!! We have about 10,000 Youth members, of while a little more than half are in LFL. While I can't back this up! -I do feel that a lot of events like units have peaks and valleys. For a while it just seems that the chemistry is right and a group of people who share the same interests and goals come together. Then for some unknown reason it falls apart. Maybe not all at once, but over time. About ten years back in the District we had a group of people who just somehow managed to mesh and get things done. Of about 20 only two or three remain. We still talk and see each other, but what ever was once there just isn't. Events like a University of Scouting depend on a team of people, sadly over time teams tend to not stay together. Even with new members coming in, with great intentions, things just never remain the same. Just look at the season the Pittsburgh Steelers had this year!! Eamonn.

Sadly from the look of it Pine Tree Council is more than twice the size of our Council. At one time there was supposed to be several local Councils getting together for the Commissioner College, but it seems to have fallen apart. On one side we have a big Metro Council, who seems both happy and able to go it alone, on the other side we have several small Councils - smaller than us!! Part of the problem is that between us and them we have some mountains which in the winter can get in the way!! At one time we had a group of outstanding R/T Commissioners who used to do presentations at the Natcap Council Pow Wow. But many of these have sons who made Eagle a few years ago and the interest is no longer there. Eamonn.

Msgr. Brady, celebrated a Mass I attended the other week. The Mass was for Sea Scouts. He truly is a wonderful Priest. As he put on the vestments for the Mass he went over them with the Scouts, explaining the history behind them. The Mass was held on the feast of the Epiphany. I nearly swallowed my teeth when during his homily he was making the point that Jesus really did become a man and as a man he had to deal with all the things we do "Going to the bathroom, getting dirty, sweating and farting!!" He really knows how to hold the interest of the Scouts. Eamonn.