Eamonn

The addition of SPL's to our R/T meetings has worked out well. Originally they were invited to help plan District Camporees and the quality of the Camporees along with the attendance went up. Now we hold a District SPL meeting and cover just about anything and everything. On another note, I have never used the word purpose when it comes to Scouting. Are aims and purpose the same thing? I have to admit to liking the Vision and Mission statement of the BSA a lot better. Eamonn.

dancinfox, I'm saddened to hear that numbers are down, but it is nice to hear that you have some Judges that can think and see things for what they are. Eamonn.

acco40, You have answered your question. Things were a little harder last year. (2004) As the 2% growth was no longer allowed. In prior years there did seem to be a very abnormal growth in Venturing in some Councils.I am guessing that when the 2004 numbers come out we will see a big rise in Scoutreach membership. My Community FOS Chairman, who is an Eagle Scout, but is only involved with Scouting through the work he does for our District FOS, called me yesterday asking if I had heard anything about a Council that was being investigated by the United Way for having less members than they were reporting. I have not heard anything. He asked me if I had seen the movie The Firm? I had seen the movie and read the book, but was unable to see what he was getting at? He went on to explain all about mail fraud. I'm almost sure that I remember hearing something similar a little while back happening in Texas. I did of course tell him that our District Membership is 100% true and accurate. Our District Committee, will not on any account allow cheating, we don't have any paper units, our members are all real. There are no Donald Duck's or Cabbage Patch Kids on any of our charters. I will admit that about 3 years back we were 3 Boy Scouts short and the year was nearly over. I did go back to the pack that I had served as Cubmaster and with the parents permission transfered 3 Webelos Scouts who were over 10 1/2 into a troop, we made sure that they got their AOL, before they moved. We had a lot of extra Cub Scouts, unfortunately the Council needed Cub Scouts and my moving 3 into Boy Scouts didn't help the Council. It did make our's a Quality District. Eamonn

A little while back I posted that I thought that my 16 year old was sleeping too much. I have to admit to being very much an night owl and not at my best early in the morning.In fact I resigned from the Council Membership Committee because they started having breakfast meetings. I can get up at whatever time I need to be up and will go along with whatever the program is. I'm just not at my best. On a day off when there is nothing pressing I'm happy to stay in bed till 9:00 or 9:30. When we had both of the restaurants running I rarely got to bed before 3:00 AM. On my ever lengthening list of pet peeves I have added people who think that there is something virtuous about getting up early. No, that's not true it's the early risers who tell me that I have missed the best part of the day, that really get to me. At the 2001 Jamboree, we had the misfortune of having a troop from Philadelphia, next to us. They had a female, African-American Leader, who at 6:00 AM, on our first morning ran around yelling "Rise and Shine, Rise and Shine" The next day she added a frying pan and what I think must have been a metal spoon which added percussion to the chant.Our Scouts thought it was funny and they started greeting each other with yells of "Rise and Shine". Those who know me well are aware that I do have a big yellow stripe down my back. So in true British tradition, I sent one of the ASM's over to tell her that this early morning noise had to cease. She was very nice about it and did stop. Depending on the program, I think 7:00 or 7:30 is fair. What to do with the Lad who likes to sleep in?This is a tough call. I have heard reports from people in the OA and the JLTC Scoutmaster that they have had problems getting OJ to get up. While school is in, the school bus picks him up at 6:55. His alarm is set for 5:55 AM,and he is up and about by 6:15. A lot of the time because of soccer, track or the school play, he doesn't get home till 6:00 PM or later. I think that is a very long day, longer if he just comes home eats and then is off out again. I do see the need for people to be where they are supposed to be, when they are supposed to be there. Most people are a little bit like me they will be on time if they know that there is a need. So it comes down to communication. We need to let everyone know what is happening and why they have to be up and ready for whatever. Getting them up, should just be a matter of calling and maybe a gentle shake. Making a big deal about it, adding water, having a gang carry the Lad out is not the way I would go about it. If the Lad is habitual about sleeping in and this is causing problems for the activity,Patrol, or Troop. A one on one (Within the rules of the G2SS) would be needed, maybe to find out if there is a reason. We tried to find out why OJ was such a sleepy head at JLTC, the only thing we could come up with was that he was taking allergy pills. They were marked non-drowsy. But talking with friends who are MD's they say that different people have different reactions to different drugs. Of course if he doesn't take them he doesn't get a good nights sleep. So it is very much like a rock and a hard place. Knowing that there could be a very valid reason, I think punishing is out of line. Cleaning latrines should be done in a manner that is fair,not given to a Lad who might very well be suffering from a medical condition. Eamonn.

Quality District has some goals that are set in stone by National. These are the ones that deal with membership. No one can get away from the +1. The Finical Goals are set by the Scout Executive. He can change these if he wants.He might see that a District is really trying, but for some reason is not going to meet the goal and he can if it is his pleasure lower the goal. I have an annual sparing ( We used to fight, but it was just too much effort!) match as to what our district goals will be. We have a FOS goal, which is broken down into : District, Family, and Community.It has happened that we have not reached one goal and gone over in another and still made the over all FOS goal. We have a project sales goal, and a popcorn goal. We also have Special Events which have goals but these don't count toward Quality. Every year I start by meeting with our Finance Committee, we come up with a set of goals. We send these off to the Scout Exec. He sends them back saying that we need to do better, this can go back and forth for a while. Normally till one of the two of us gets fed up. I feel that I know the District better than anyone else or if not anyone else at least better than the Scout Exec. I hear about plant closings and new job opportunities. I like to think that I know what is going on. If a unit came to me and said that they didn't want to participate in the popcorn sale, but would be willing to donate a sum of money to the FOS campaign, I wouldn't have a problem lowering the popcorn goal and increasing the FOS goal. I would explain to the Scout Exec. The reason. Of course I would need to know ahead of time how much you were going to donate. Skipper, have a chat with your District Chairman or the District Finance Chair. They will gladly allow you to make a donation to the FOS. Eamonn.

mhager, I am a little saddened that you are going away upset. You asked for an explanation. I thought that you got one in fact I gave two: One from the Charter and Bylaws and one from a position statement that the BSA has available on the Scouting web site. It seems to me, and please believe me I'm not always right that you were a little upset at some of us because we are happy to say : The rule is the rule and that is the end of it. I freely admit to falling into that category. I'm not overjoyed that you ended your visit by resorting to name calling. I don't know if there are forums out there where you could find others that would agree with you? By and large most of the people in this forum are supporters of Scouting and the BSA. As such few would agree with you - I kind of think you could have guessed that before you came on board. I have no idea what the future might hold. I do know that earlier tonight I sat in on the Board of review for two Scouts going for Eagle Scout Rank. I asked both if they thought that God should be taken out of Scouting. Both were shocked at the very idea. One 18 year old had been and is very active in his church, the other was not a big church goer. I have asked this very same question to every Scout who has come up for his Eagle Scout BOR, I think about 28 Scouts in the past year. All have said that we need to keep God in Scouting. Of course I know that some of them are telling me what they think I need too hear. But over half of these Lads have been active in their churches. These guys have all said that if and when they have kids of their own that they would encourage them to join Scouting. These guys are the future and it seems that they want to keep God or some higher power in this organization. Of course I have no idea what the World Scout Organization, might come up with at some point down the road and who knows what the BSA reaction would be to something that the National Council would see as not being right? There are other Scouting Organizations around that allow people who don't hold with the values of the BSA. I for one wish them nothing but the best. You might want to consider joining one of these organizations. Eamonn

I started to look at this last night. The first thing that became very clear to me was that I am not qualified to offer an explanation. I did find a resolution made by the National Council WHEREAS, the national officers agree with the report that "duty to God is not a mere ideal for those choosing to associate with the Boy Scouts of America; it is an obligation," which has defined good character for youth of Scouting age throughout Scouting's 92-year history and that the Boy Scouts of America has made a commitment "to provide faith-based values to its constituency in a respectful manner cil: This is the explanation. Anything that I would offer would be my opinion. Many people take up causes, only a few days back in this forum there was postings about fishing and whether it was cruel to fish? For the most part I don't have the time or the inclination to worry about fish. Many people in this forum are unhappy about Scout uniforms, again I may agree with them, but I'm OK with the uniform and I think if it was changed I would be OK with that. Sometimes, while it might seem that I'm burying my head in the sand I am guilty of thinking " I'm OK Jack, this doesn't effect me." So me not being homosexual and not being an atheist. I feel that I can say that I'm alright. I don't have any Axe to grind with atheists or homosexuals. I think that I fail to understand them. I think a world without God would be pointless and I have never looked at another man as being the subject of my sexual desires.I am happy to admit that I just don't understand. The BSA has made where they stand very clear. When I read what the stand is, I have every right to disagree with it and not join or accept it. Back home in the UK, they decided that homosexuals would be allowed to be members of the Scout Association. I didn't follow how they got to this decision. I know that they did and it really is a non-issue. The average guy in the street just doesn't care. None of my friends that were in Scouting before the decision left Scouting because of it. Also back in the UK, when I was a Scoutmaster (Over 20 years ago) In the rule book of the Scout Association (Policy Organization and rules. Commonly known as POR) There was an Outlander's Scout Promise. I did visit the UK Scouting web site and was unable to find it. I did find the Outlander Promise that was in a 1912 Scouting for Boys: On my honor I promise to do my best: To render service to my country; To help other people at all times; To obey the Scout Law. There was an explanation that read: According to tradition, Baden-Powell wrote an alternative oath called the Outlander Promise for Scouts who could not, for reasons of conscience, recognize a duty to a King (the norm in the USA), for individuals or members of religions (such as Buddhism, Taoism, and others) that do not worship a deity, and for members of orthodox religions that do not use the name of God in secular settings. Any Member, Patrol, Section, or Group in a Scouting Association like ours may make the Traditional Outlanders Scout Promise as an alternative oath. In the 11 years I was Scoutmaster, the occasion to use it never came up. Looking at the explanation, I'm unsure if the intend was to allow atheists? The wording of the promise would. I can't see how an atheist leader could ask a youth member to make the Scout Oath, as it is now? Being as the Scout Oath and Scout Law are the very heart of Scouting, allowing atheist Leaders to serve would be a contradiction. I haven't spent a lot of time thinking about it, but there are a lot of organizations that would not allow an atheist in. Scouting isn't about camping and being an outdoors man, these are just the tools that we use to teach our youth members. The big picture is us adults teaching our youth members how to make ethical choices over their lifetimes. We teach good citizenship and the Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts Of America does include: The Charter and Bylaws of the Boy Scouts of America maintain that no boy can grow into the best kind of citizen without recognizing his obligation to God. Scouting is absolutely nonsectarian in its attitude toward that religious training. The Boy Scouts of America does not define what constitutes belief in God or the practice of religion. Eamonn

The OA is really doing a good job with youth training. OJ, really enjoyed NLS and the Lodge is really doing a great job with training you might want to talk to your Lodge Adviser. http://lld.oa-bsa.org/search/results/ This site shows a lot of what the OA is up to. Eamonn.

with smoking areas located away from all participants. I'm not trying to rationalize anything I'm just following the guide. Eamonn

OK - You got me!! Eamonn. Thanks.

SemperParatus, While not wishing or wanting to come off sounding as a smart Aleck. When you wander into your local Wal-Mart do you buy stuff from China? When it comes to Human Rights violations they are up there. Eamonn.

As I said I have never found anything in black and white. To me and me alone it all comes down to a matter of respect. I respect the American Flag and what it stands for. Heck this country has been kind enough to allow me to live here and earn a living for over 20 years. I get upset when I see people who burn Flags as a way of protesting. I don't see it as free speech, I just see it as being wrong. Plain out and out disrespectful. Yes I can see that when you are at war with another nation that their Flag, becomes a symbol of something that no longer is to be respected. However once a war is over, we are men and nations of peace. I have the greatest respect for cultures and symbols of different nations and different organizations. I don't say the words of the American Pledge of Allegiance, any more than I would expect an American to sing the words of God Save The Queen. It is worth noting that the band outside Buckingham Palace did play the American National Anthem on 9/12/01. It was followed by a two minute silence. At times I see things from English history, become great the thinking behind great American thinking: The Magna Charta (1215) Which did lead to the American Bill of Rights. We live in a very mixed up world,not so very long ago I would have had a hard time counting all the countries that used God Save The Queen, as their national anthem. Today it seems that there are more royalists in Canada and Australia, than there are in Scotland. We live in a global economy, it's now a status symbol to drive a German car and use a Japanese camera. It seems that when I get dressed the only thing made in the USA is my underwear. Maybe in 20 or 30 years time the status symbols will be coming from Palestine and Iraq? Some friends of mine think it is very funny that we at times visit a club called the Kosciuszko Club. It seems that Tadeusz Andrzej Bonawentura Kosciuszko played a big part in beating the Brits back in 1776. Our English history books make no mention of the old boy. They however think it's hilarious that I would drink a beer, with a picture of the old Lad looking down at me. For my part I don't care. But it seems Thomas Jefferson, called him "As pure a son of liberty as I have ever known," It seems that America and Americans have a long history of making hero's out of non-Americans: August 18, 1797, throngs of Philadelphians lined the wharves to welcome a Polish-born Revolutionary War hero back to the United States. The mob carried him on their shoulders while bands played and cannons fired fusillades of homage. The object of this adoration, Polish-born engineering genius, Thaddeus Kosciuszko (KOS-CHOOS-KO), was called by Thomas Jefferson, "as pure a son of liberty as I have ever known." Next time the President is some place where they play the National Anthem of another country I will be keeping my eye on him. Eamonn.

First thing to do is slow down. Next ask the troop members what they want. Yes the first response is very much like Deer caught in the headlights!! But don't give up. Show them pictures of Gateways from past Jamborees and the video from 2001 (Look real carefully at the video and you will see both Gateways that our troops built.) Make suggestions as to what they might want to build. Maybe something from Scouting or something from your local area. Last time one troop that went from our area wanted to build a gateway that was a representation of Fort Ligoner. The other troop built an arch shaped gateway with paintings of local attractions and wild life. This time one of our Scouts has a Mom who works for the Fred Rodgers Foundation and they have given permission for the troop to build King Fridays Castle. The big selling point in them allowing the use of this was that the Scouts would be building the gateway. You need to make sure that you follow the rule about holes!! Yes making the thing so it can fit in a truck and then be assembled on site is a challenge and does mean that tools and things are needed. We were very lucky that where we were the ground was fairly flat. You do need to make sure that you have the permission from any company or sports team that you might want your gateway to represent. While I am not 100% sure if it's true or not I did hear that a troop from Pittsburgh wanted to use giant Heinz Ketchup bottles in their design, but the Heinz company wouldn't allow it. We did get the OK for King Friday for the gateway, we are asking for permission to use it for the CSP, as yet they aren't sure. Eamonn.

In my book for something to be classified as Hazing there has to be some intend in the mind of the Hazer. " Go look for a left-handed smoke shifter" When you know that left-handed smoke shifters don't exist is hazing. Her That Must Be Obeyed, had me tear my desk apart looking for something that she had forgot that she had in her car. Both cases have someone looking for something that isn't there but only one is hazing. We use a lot of ceremonies in Scouting,all I hope are done to mark the occasion of something being special. When the new SPL gets up to do an opening and forgets a Scout Law, he is hurt and a little embarrassed. There never was any intent of this happening. I don't see the OA wanting to hurt, embarrass or cause any harm to a Scout. Without the intent there isn't any hazing. Eamonn (One of my many multiple personalities.)

Sometime last December OJ informed me that he had to attend the Council Camping Committee meeting. He is now driving on a learners permit, so I went with him. The meeting was in our Council Service Center. It started at 7:00PM. I don't sit on the camping committee. I know that I could have sat in and no one would have minded. I choose not to. I made myself busy returning phone calls and setting up our FOS kick off. While it's not written in stone, I think any meeting longer than 90 minutes is just too long. I finished doing my stuff and waited and waited. At 10:00 PM, I looked in the conference room and they were still talking. I made sure that they seen me. I wanted to go home, they juggled the agenda to discuss Camp Promotion, OJ sat and listened to all their ideas. He was attending as the OA vice-Chief Administration. One Lady from a District who was there for Cub Scout Camping was full of ideas and was telling him that he should do this and that. He sat there with his adviser by his side. When they had done talking he said that he would bring up what they had said with the OA people in charge of Camp Promotion. The Cub Scout Lady was very upset, she by now had her diary out and was ready to plan dates. We left at 10:50 PM. OJ drove home, with me in the passenger seat. I said "Well how was your meeting?" He didn't even glance at me he just said "Boring". Eamonn.

A friend of mine wanted to take a cooking class.I strongly recommended our local community college. Somehow, someway she ended up taking a course that dealt with desserts. It was only six weeks so she went anyway. What she really wanted was a basic cooking course. (She has a hard time making tea!!) She can now do all sorts of things with puff pastry and is great at making clairs. But has no idea how to roast a chicken. It goes without saying that she didn't get what she wanted or needed from the course she took. Wood Badge is about leadership. not about how a crew, troop, pack, district or council. For that you need to take the specific course. I can't see why people don't see that? Eamonn.

Sorry Ed, I don't agree with you and I'm in the same camp as my favorite Muppet that wise and Fuzzy Bear. Eamonn. Fuzzy - Fonzzie! Hey they are close. Fozzie Bear was born in Yellowstone National Park. As a cub, Fozzie enjoyed the hilarious antics of such comedic geniuses as Milton Berle and George Burns. As a young bear he began standup in his neighbors' caves, getting some pay to move out of his. He snuck out of Yellowstone in 1975. From there, he tried getting booked for famous night clubs in Hollywood. The best he could get, unfortunately, the best he could get was stand up acts for local hunting lodges."It really hurt me. Literally." Says Fozzie. While vacation with his mother in the Pocono Mountains in Pennsylvania, he met a joke writer, Gags Beasley, by mistake.Gags was known world wide for his "Banana Sketch", although nobody has ever heard it, oddly enough. He thought the bear had real potential. He introduced him to Kermit the Frog and the Muppets. Kermit hired Fozzie because was looking for a comic for The Muppet Show. And besides, he owed Gags a favor. From that day on in 1976, Fozzie has been buying jokes from him(a whopping 5 dollars a laugh, from a very reliable source) for his most important appearances (TMS, The Tonight Show, etc.). Still, Fozzie is working with the Muppets on most of their projects. When he is not working, Fozzie enjoys going back to the old lodges during duck season, or rabbit season, to relive his past. While I'm not sure there is a rumor that Fuzzy likes to return to his Lodge and perform cheerful service.(This message has been edited by Eamonn)

http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/cpsc-ccsp/sc-cs/anthem_e.cfm This is the link to The Department of Canadian Heritage. Here is what I found Etiquette during the playing of the national anthem As a matter of respect and tradition, it is proper to stand for the playing of "O Canada" as well as for the anthem of any other nation. It is traditional for civilian men to take off their hats during the playing of the national anthem. Women as well as children do not remove their hats on such occasions. There is no law or behaviour governing the playing of the national anthem; it is left to the good citizenship of individuals. While I don't think that there is any real black and white answer, I know that I as a British Citizen do salute the American Flag, in fact I will use the Scout Salute for any National flag. More out of respect than anything else. I have seen American Troops in the UK participate in flag ceremonies, where both national flags have been hoisted ( Which is unusual, as normally the Union Flag is broke!!) at the same time. Both Flags should be about the same size and flown at the same height. Both Flags are treated with respect. When I came over to work at a American camp. they wanted to fly the American Flag on top of the Union Jack, I wouldn't allow it. So we flew the American Flag on top of the International Scout Flag - I was OK with that. Welcome to Scouting. I hope your team wins. We don't have any hockey at the moment thanks to the strike, but with everything going on with the Steelers, I don't think too many people have missed hockey!! Here we go Steelers.- All the way!! Eamonn.

All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. This is from the G2SS. I see this to include any place where there are youth members, which does include any vehicle they may be in. I don't smoke around people who for any reason find it offensive. I don't smoke in my car when Her That Must Be Obeyed is in it. However, if I was undertaking a long trip and an adult were to ask for a ride, I would explain that I am a smoker. I'm willing to pay for the gas to get me to where I'm going. If you want to save a couple of bucks that is your choice. This:All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. Does not "Outlaw smokers or smoking" It is to my way of thinking very clear. Trying to interpret the word "May" is completely redundant just read the guide. Eamonn.

I am not sure if I'm religious tolerant or not!! I am the product of two Irish Catholic parents and was educated in Roman Catholic schools. As a Roman Catholic I believe that my religion is the one true faith. Up until a few years ago every easter we prayed that Jews would one day see the light. As a person I tend to think that as far as religion goes: "To each his own." I don't push my religion on others. I have at different times supported the work of Catholic and Christen missionaries. I have seen the good work that they do, not only spreading "The Word" but also the work they have done trying to improve the living conditions in some parts of the world. Her That Must Be Obeyed, is not Catholic, but has supported me over the years in raising our son as a Catholic. While I do believe that there is only one God, and in my view I really do agree with Baden Powell that it is better to do good than be good. Some time back in these forums there was a discussion about different religions and myself and another poster landed ourselves in hot water for poking fun at Druids. We were out of order and shouldn't have made fun of them. I do think that the Roman Catholic Church under the leadership of Pope John Paul II, has done more to reach out to people of other faiths than was ever attempted in the past. Eamonn.

Yes of course it was Beethoven. I do feel that we need to trust our children. Of course at times when we do this trust will come back and bite us in the tail. However I do feel that not trusting them isn't an option. One of the things that makes Scouting so good and different is that we do trust our youth members. We, the adults are there to train and support, but if we don't trust them everything falls apart. I have had way too much time on my hands and have been stuck in the house for a while. I have been really surprised and taken back by the amount of trash that our kids are exposed to even on TV.In fact it has been a real eye opener for me. As most of you know my son OJ, is 16 going on 17. I like to think that he is a good kid. Not an angel, but a good kid. I bought him his own computer because I was being cheap, I thought in the long run it would be cheaper than buying an endless stream of video games. I hoped that he would use it to help with his school work. So far I like to think I was right. I did set the content tools at a very safe level. Of course he might have found a way to get around them. I don't know. I really prefer that he has this computer, which he uses to IM, his pals, do school and some Scout stuff on, then be holed up in his room killing people in a video game. I know when I was his age I sneaked copies of Playboy Magazine and it wasn't for the quality of the written articles, so maybe he has found a way around my content settings. I do at times use his computer and I have never found anything other than the bad choice of down loaded music on it. To be fair I have and do like Working Class Hero, by John Lennon which does use the "F word" twice. Still some of his stuff was just swearing for the shock value. Still it's a double value on my part. Eamonn

Hi Hops, You will need to check with the person in charge of the area in which you will be working, in case you might need any special or different equipment. The Jamboree is just like a summer camp only a little bit longer. The staff are there for about two weeks. I have never attended as a Staff member, so I may not have all the answer's. Participants are expected to travel to and from the Jamboree in full Scout Uniform. What some people call "Class A". You can look up what it is on the National web site, but I feel sure you know what it is anyway!! Your Council may have made a special Jamboree CSP, which you could wear and some OA Lodges also make Jamboree Flaps for OA members to wear. There is also the Jamboree patch, which you should get from National, in fact I think you get two, when you have paid all the required amount of cash. I really don't know the rules about Staff members traveling or arriving in uniform. OJ is going with some guys from our Council and they are traveling and arriving in full uniform. I'm not sure if that is just them or if it is a rule? Two full uniforms is enough. You do need them for the shows and you might need them for dinner depending on what the dress code is and you will need to wear it for church services if you plan to attend. The rest of the time you will be in the Activity Uniform, what some people call "Class B." This means that you will need a good supply of Scout socks and shorts. If you can wash these out in your free time, you can cut back a little. I took 6 pairs of shorts and 8 pair of socks. But that was just me!! There are a few Laundromats on site. I found late at night the best time to find the machines free. The weather when it's not raining is hot, very hot. When we arrived in 2001 it was over 100 degrees. There is no escape from the heat. Light colored T-shirts are better than dark colored ones and you need to drink lots and lots of water. When it's not hot it is raining. When it rains it really does come down. I bought a cheap rain suit and it was worthless. I have upgraded to a good gore-tex one. A good quality poncho would work and be a lot cheaper. By far the quickest way to get around the site is by walking. There are buses but they tend to be slow and very full. You do need good quality walking boots/ shoes to get around in, remembering that when it's hot your feet will sweat and when it rains you will need to keep your feet dry. Keeping your kit dry is a problem, last time the tents that the staff had leaked a lot!! Plastic garbage bags work good. You need about the same stuff as you take to summer camp. I carry a small bottle of antibacterial soap, as there never seems to be any in the bathrooms and a small supply of TP, because the cleaning crews always seem to use a very big hose!!. Phone cards to phone home are a good idea, keeping a cell phone charged might be easier for staff members, but isn't that easy for participants. You need to bring everything with you that you need. The trading posts are well stocked but don't carry everything. With all the security getting off the site and back on again is not going to be easy. So if you think that you can't live without something you need to bring enough for your entire stay. I recommend that you bring a small first aid kit, with some over the counter medications in. There are really good First Aid posts all over, but things like talcum powder, and allergy pills if you need them, you should talk to your parents about bringing them with you. I heard that the staff sleeping areas were very crowded last time. My knowledge of Scouter's is that they tend to be very noisy sleepers. I can sleep through anything, but some people do need something to help block out the noise!! Sun screen is a very good idea. The food for the participants was good last time. I heard different reports from different staff as too how their food was. The staff eating area and food for sub camp 4 last time was really good. The kitchen was staffed by some people out of NJ. I was a frequent visitor. With the heat and the insects personal hygiene is very important, you do need a good wash kit. Of course if you do forget something this is an over-sized Scout Camp and if you tell someone I'm sure they will do everything that they can to help you. Eamonn

I don't like violence. I don't like horror movies or blood and gore. I don't care if it is only make believe, when it comes to the "Bloody bits" I'm a real woozy and close my eyes. I have never liked video games. Mainly because I was never very good at them and this really frustrated me. I would much sooner play Monopoly or Scrabble. I haven't spent much time playing video games, the only one I ever really played was Zelda. I was almost at the very end of the game when the wire to the handset broke and by then the system was just old to be able to get a new one. Back in the 70's there was a big out cry when the movie a Clockwork Orange was released. Things got worse when a bunch I think it was 3 young lads went out and killed someone in London. The defense claimed that they had watched the movie repeatedly and were reacting or copy catting what they had seen. This opened a dialog about kids seeing violence in movies and if I remember correctly led to a tightening up of how movies were rated in the UK. The other week our local news had a story about how someone had spray painted graffiti all over our county capital. They had sprayed a synagogue, a church and a monument of some local hero on a horse. The media wasn't sure if this was a hate crime or just kids. They had sprayed three letters. I think there was a G ,a W and one other letter. About a week later the police caught the offenders. Three young 15 year olds. They claimed that the letters were from the video game Grand Theft Auto. I have seen some of the ads for video games and they seem to be out of control. The level of violence is outrageously high. Kids spent hours and hours playing these games which as far as I know (Not playing them myself) allow them to become more violent. Some of these games have lots and lots of different levels and kids can spend weeks and weeks playing them. The quality of these new games is so far superior to that of what was available a few years ago. People killing each other and bashing the heck out of each other in high quality video and surround sound. Clockwork Orange was a very frightening movie, the music made me think about Bach in a whole new way!! But the idea of our kids holed up in their bedrooms killing and hurting people for weeks and hours on end, is just wrong. I know that the games are rated and parents should be aware of what their kids are up too. But in this age of super fast information, it is becoming really hard. Not that long ago I was shocked to find songs that OJ had downloaded on to his computer that were full of four letter swear words and the lyrics seemed to be all about disrespecting women and police. When I found them I deleted them and told him that we didn't want, need and wouldn't have that sort of thing in our home. I'm not sure if he really understands why, he does understand that he can't have that sort of stuff. Of course the argument could be made about the music that I listened too when I was young. Maybe we older people are guilty of allowing this sort of stuff to be marketed. Maybe we are scared that saying no to this stuff will be seen as taking away some right to something. I do know that I don't like it and it's not coming in my home. Eamonn.

The Boy Scouts of America prohibits the use of alcoholic beverages and controlled substances at encampments or activities on property owned and/or operated by the Boy Scouts of America, or at any activity involving participation of youth members. Adult leaders should support the attitude that young adults are better off without tobacco and may not allow the use of tobacco products at any BSA activity involving youth participants. All Scouting functions, meetings, and activities should be conducted on a smoke-free basis, with smoking areas located away from all participants. I smoke and follow the guide. I expect people who chew or rub to join me in the smoking area, they are using tobacco same as I am. If I see anyone smoking, rubbing or chewing I will ask them to use the designated area. If non smokers want to see me when I'm in the area then it is their choice. They can wait till I'm done or come to the area. While I agree with not smoking in non smoking areas and respecting the rights of nonsmokers or tobacco users. I do think that I have some rights as a smoker. I understand that alcohol use at all Scouting facilities is a definite no. I can go without alcohol for weeks. If I couldn't I wouldn't sign up for events that would mean no alcohol. If a event is a total "Smoke Free Event" Please tell me ahead of time, so I know not to attend. Please don't wait till I'm there and then tell me. This isn't fair to me. At Philmont Conference Center a few years back there was two choices you could smoke in your car or at the designated smoking area. I was happy to comply with these rules. Some one told me that they went unknowingly to a Scout facility which was smoke free. In order to smoke they had to drive off the site. Of course they complied with the rule, but people got very upset that they could never find the person when they needed him!! Because he was out driving around. I very much doubt if he will ever return to that facility. At this time I am a smoker. If Scouting were to become totally Smoke Free, I would have to leave. While I know that everyone can be replaced. When I would go I would cease my support. If this comes off as sounding irresponsible, I'm sorry it's just how I feel. Eamonn. Eamonn

I don't think doing nothing and hoping that everything will come out in the wash is an option. In my experience only bad things happen when you allow this sort of thing to happen. We had a case last year where our District Commissioner was rushed to the hospital with a heart problem. One unit Commissioner, who was a real out and out twit took it on himself to E-mail everyone from the Council President down that he was the Deputy Assistant District Commissioner (Yes we had a laugh about his new job title.) and he would be taking over!! I of course E-mailed everyone to say that this wasn't the case and that the remainder of the key3 would look after things until the District Commissioner was back. Of course the Commissioner was not happy and it turns out that the wife of the District Commissioner was upset that I had acted in such a brash way. You need to tell the CC that this is not your problem, you don't select or appoint leaders, you do recommend people, but the final word lies with the CO and the Committee. It is his (the CC) Problem and you expect him to deal with it as soon as possible. How he deals with it is up to him. Hopefully he will find a nice tactful way, but if he doesn't that is his problem not yours. You need to express this to him in clear terms and make sure that he understands. If he doesn't? Maybe you need to tell the CC that you are going to tell this person that before he can be a ASM he will need to be selected by the Troop Committee!! Yes it's passing the buck. But the buck is where it should be. Eamonn.