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Scoutnut- Actually, the GSUSA has been criticised by WOSM for what they did. Scouting (and Guiding) is based on three fundamental principles: * Duty to God * Duty to Others * Duty to Self "Duty to God" is ALWAYS to be interpreted by the scout/guide/leader to refer to THEIR duty to THEIR "God", whatever they may call "God". In the Scouting world, you ARE, of course, to interprete 'God' as your spiritual beliefs dictate. HOWEVER, you are NOT to the word "God" with something else. You recite "Duty to God", and interprete it to mean your spiritual belief. The BSA has groups from many religious backgrounds (not just Judeochristian groups like some claim). The BSA has NOT done what the GSUSA has done. And per WOSM, they shouldn't. (PS- for those that don't know, WOSM is the World Organization of the Scouting Movement).

Leader Qualifications from the 2005 Jamboree from http://www.jamboleader.org/2005_BSA/attend.htm SM & 1st ASM- Be a SM for at least one year prior, completed basic training. (WB not required, but recommended. That really wasn't the point of my posting, its that you had to be a SM to be eligable for these 2 spots) 2nd ASM- at least 21 and served in an adult troop leadership position for atleast one year in the prior 3 years. 3rd ASM- be 18-21 and served in a scout troop leadership position. These have pretty much been the basic requirements for as long as I've seen them.

Keep in mind the concept of "Immediate Recognition". In my old troop, we had typically 3 Courts of Honor a year. One toward the end of the school year, one around when the school year started, then another about Dec/January time period. 1. At the meeting the scout completed advancement or rank, he was called up and we announced what he had done (earned merit badge, earned rank, etc). 2. Once we had processed the paperwork and got back from the council officer patches and cards, we would again call up the scout at the end of the meeting and presented him with the patches. This allowed him to get the new rank sewn on his uniform (why make him wait 2-3 months???), and sew the merit badge on his sash for wearing at the next court of honor. 3. At the court of honor, we would present the scouts with the signed cards. For ranks, we also had a ceremony where the mother's pin would be presented to the mothers.

Jblake makes a good point. I am aware of several living history/re-enactment crews in Florida. Some are indian hobbyist/seminole re-enactor types. Some are Civil War re-enactor types. I was involved with a Seminole War/Early Florida re-enactor crew that started out as an Explorer Post in the mid 1990s. AFAIK, they are still operating, so they've been around for awhile. But you typically don't encounter others until you are involved in that era. If you are an indian hobbyist (Crews that are also OA Drum team, OA Dance teams, etc, as well as groups like the aforemented seminole war re-enactor tyles), you are probably only going to be aware of others of that type. Buckskinner may overlap with some indian hobbyist crews IF they fall into the same time period (my old crew does, but a pure OA Drum/Dance team wouldn't). Civil War is another group. I've heard of WWII re-enactor types as well. What I kind of wished that National did was do a better job of categorizing the types of crews out there, and trying to 'bring together' (if only on-line) those crews of similiar interest to share ideas, etc.

The Crew Officer Orientation CD is AV-0322CD Other new items are the "Venturing Monthly Program Forum" (#34342), which replaces the Venturing RT Guide (and sadly uses the same number) and a new Venturing Youth Proctection video for the youth (AV-09DVD33), which updates the internet section and adds a new segment on suicide.

"There's a segment of WB21C that is taught by Venturing youth. At least that's how my Council does it -- I don't know if that's per the syllabus or not..." That's per the syllabus. Sadly, in some councils were Venturing is non-existant or very small, they use Arrowmen instead.

"Those may be your council requirements but they are not Nationals. The only national requirement was 1 leader is supposed to be 18-21. WB has never been a national requirement." Uh, National most certainly does have requirements for the contingent leaders, more so then what you claim. They do require that the SM & 1st ASM be a current SM. I've seen the requirements they set down for these positions. Sadly, I can't refer to them right now as they are off-line.

Keep in mind there are requirements for the 4 contingent spots with each troop. The SM and 1st Assistant must be Scoutmasters with WB experience (and some other requirements). 2nd Assistant can be any other leader, but must still have WB. 3rd Assistant must be between 18 & 21. Training & recognition help the candidated. So having Scouters Training Awards, Scouters Keys, Silver Beaver, staffed training, etc, all help, as well as past NSJ experience. Not that you don't have a chance, but keep all this in mind. There is also staffing the jamboree, which can be just as much of an experience. I tried going as a contingent leader in my council years ago (they only got 1 contingent). Was only eligable for the 2nd Assistant position. Was turned down. I (and some of my fellow scouters) didn't like it when I heard one of the reasons I had been turned down was that I was 'too young'. (was in my early 20s, but had been to a NSJ as a youth) I went as staff, and have been doing so for all other NSJs. I don't think I'll ever bother to try again for a position as a contingent leader.

Hasn't been announced. Its a little too soon. Keep in mind that council contingents will have a fee much larger then what the council's are charged by National. There will be the adult staff fee. Probably around $600-700. Youth staff fee will be half of that. The contingent fees are not made known, but are close to that. THEN the councils will put together a contingent with their costs. So they will have to had to this amount the cost of travel, equipment, and other items. Depending on the council, their fees will be about $2000 or more. I really don't expect to see anything specific until next year.

The book 'roughing it easy' had a lot of different recipies for unusual cooking methods, as did earlier scouting books. Some ones I recall from my scouting youth: * eggs cooked in a hollowed out onion * ground beef cooked in hollowed out onion * eggs cooked in a hollowed out orange * cake cooked in a hollowed out orange * breakfast cooked in a paper sack (used a small paper 'lunch sack'. Strips of bacon on the bottom, egg cracked on top) #10 can over coals as a skillet, cook pancakes, eggs, etc. * tin foil cooking etc

"The Bull is not for Baldy, it's for a Trek at Philmont, period. If you've not done a trek, then don't wear the Bull. If you have, do." Quite true. Which is why its the Philmont Bull. There is a myth about the Philmont Bull that you can wear the tail of the Bull over the shoulder seam of the red jac-shirt if you have hiked over the Tooth of Time (or is it Baldy?), but any knowledgable Phimonter will tell you that's nonsense. BTW, as noted you have to go on a Philmont Trek to earn the right to wear the Bull. Going to PTC (Philmont Training Center) doesn't count for that...

All- Mitch Reis's works would be a good source of information. As I recall, the BSA used the 'doughboy' style uniform for a while (5-10 years?). There were BSA items unique to it, such as BSA medal collar pins, BSA medal buttons, etc. Insignia was different, and not quite worn in the same locations. I think the idea of making uniforms of that style for re-creation purposes very interesting. (ps, everyone. the program is called 'Venturing', not 'Venture'. units are 'Venturing Crews'.)

"Why is it a Marlin Spike knife? Easy splicing? I'm curious." Marlinspikes and marlinspike knifes are an important item in traditional seamanship. The marlinspike is used to pry the sections of rope open, to make splicing easy. I would expect such knifes to be used in Sea Scouting then in WB, really. Marlinspike events are still begin in Sea scouting.

Its available on CD. I have a flyer at home I picked up at the National Meeting. I'll post the info tomorrow. There is also a Volunteer in the NC who has been creating DVDs of on-line Venturing resources, including this. He mails them out to Venturing people he knows. Guess no one in your area has gotten on.

"IMO if you are going to wear the neckerchief under the collar the collar should be buttoned same as if you were wearing a long hand tie. The slide is then positioned where a knot in the long hand tie would be." However, per the illustration in the Insignia Guide, this is incorrect. The collar should be worn open (ie, top button NOT buttoned), and the slide at the point of the open collar.

"1) Does the Life Scout have to be "dual-registered" in a Boy Scout troop to earn merit badges? " As noted, no. The policy for Venturers to earn Eagle as Venturers is clearly stated in the BSA Requirements booklet. Be aware that girls in Venturing can not earn merit badges. "2) Does he have to be a registered Boy Scout in order to wear his Merit Badge sash and old Boy Scout uniform at his Eagle Court of Honor?" If he is no longer a Boy Scout, he really shouldn't wear a Boy Scout uniform. If he earned is Eagle as a Venturer, it's almost a slap in the fact to his crew to now wear his Boy Scout uniform, especially if he's no longer a Boy Scout. In my area, we have several Eagles who earn this in their Crews. I see them wear their Venturing uniforms at the Eagle Banquets. Btw, the merit badge sash is not part of the Venturing uniform. Have him instead setup a display table with what he has done in scouting and put the sash there. "3) Can one receive an Eagle Court of Honor via the Venturing Crew, and wear just the Venturing uniform at the ceremony (no merit badge sash, neckerchief, etc.)? " Most certainly. See my comment above about the Venturers at our Eagle Banquets.

Ok, I'll add to this. As I am in Venturing, I have 2 different styles of gray shorts (2-3 of each on) that I wear at scouting events. All my green shirts are pretty much the same in that they have the same knots and other patches on them. I transfer to whatever shirt I am wearing my OA flap and pinned items, including my name tag.. I always wear my WB beads with the uniform shirt. At events in which a full uniform is expected, I will be in it. When 'class b' is ok, the uniform shirt comes off. I always have a scouting t-shirt underneath. If I know I won't be needing a full uniform, I may wear a scouting polo instead. I always wear a scouting belt (usually my philmont leather belt) and my gray venturing socks. Will wear a hat (always scouting related, either OA or Venturing) as needed. If I'm at an event were its better I have long pants, I have a couple of pairs of charcoal gray pants for that. I don't care for neckerchiefs, so don't wear them. Exception is the WB one IF I have to wear it.

"I have heard that National is searching for a new Jambo site for post 2010 Jambo's. It appears that Fort AP Hill will host the 2010 Jambo, however, plans for the base include development of some of the land that is currently used to host the Jambo. Consequently there will not be enough land for the Jambo." From several conversations with other BSAers at the WSJ, this is true. My understanding is that purpose of FT AP Hill is changing. Currently its a training base, and thus the Jamboree fits well into its purpose and the space is available. However, that will be changing, making it impossible to use after 2010. Thus the 2014 Jamboree (yes, I was told that is when the following one will be) will NOT be at AP Hill. Wonder if they can use Farragut State Park in Idaho again (site of 2 NSJ and the only WSJ we've ever hosted)?

"If you were a visitor to a jamboree, you may wear the emblem on the right pocket as a temporary insignia." Slight correction to this. ONLY if you were a visitor to the 2001 or 2005 Jamboree, and then ONLY if you are wearing the visitor Jamboree patch (these had black borders). Prior to that, visitors could not wear the Jamboree patch, regardless of where. If you check the Insignia Guide, its clear that only registered participants and staff are entitled to wear Jamboree insignia. No mention is made of the above visitor patches...

Several comments. Yes, council professionals can wear regional patches. This is noted in the Insignia Guide. I just didn't bother mentioning it in my previous post. "Jamboree participants can wear the region patch for a certain period of time after the jamboree." No. Jamboree staff with regional positions at Jamboree may wear the regional patch, but only during the Jamboree experience. Jamboree participants (which usually means the youth and the troop leaders) have no business doing this. Again, this is noted in the Insignia Guide. That said, I really don't care who wears Regional patches... I get more annoyed with the kids who are still wearing Jamboree troop numbers years after the jamboree was over. As noted, ALL badges of office go in Position 3. If one is a unit-level person, you wear CSP, unit number(s) and office patch ALL touching. If you are NOT a unit-level person, you leave the space open were a unit number would go. Office patches do not and should not touch the CSP. It's one thing if you are someone who doesn't have enough space on your left sleeve for the CSP, office patch, trained patch and arrowhead such that you need to push the office patch up closer to (or touching) the CSP. But too many do this who have the room to wear these in the right place (or either shouldn't be wearing the arrowhead patch).

Powder Horn is a 'High Adventure Resources' course for people involved in Boy Scout troops and outdoor VenturING Crews. The focus is on the activies needed for the Ranger Award. If you are not involved in those areas, you might not get an immediate benefit. What you will get is a great exposure to the Venturing program (have seen several troop leaders then go form VenturING crews after doing PH). Be exposed to and get a better understanding of a lot of more advanced outdoor activities AND know who to go to in your area to make this available to your youth (whether in a Troop or a Crew). And get a lot of BSA certificates completed (my first time to complete ClimbOn Safely and Trek Safely).

"Since COD seems to be going no where, why not get the VOA to design an honors program. Thats what they did with OA and Micosay years ago." Sorry, but I don't understand your comment. Neither the OA or Mic-O-Say were created by youth to be an 'honors program'. The OA was created by a couple of adults to be a camp society, Mic-O-Say was created by an adult to be a camp society. Except for one, all the various camp societies/scouting honor groups/etc were created by adults. Keep in mind that adults can be fairly successful at creating programs that will appeal to kinds. Remember that this thing call Scouting was created by a middle class white male in his 50s!

"At what point would you also add a region patch to the right sleeve?" District and/or council-level scouters do not wear Region patches. Only those involved with the Region (including Area) may do so. This is clearly stated in the Insignia Guide.

As noted, adding your "District Committee" patch to this uniform (along with silver tabs) is enought to make it complete. Please be sure to wear this patch the appropriate space below your CSP. NEVER wear unit numbers. As to necker, as you are part of the district, wearing a unit necker wouldn't be a good idea. WB necker is fine. Going forward, you may add the "trained" strip should you complete district training (yes, it does exist), any knots you have earned, OA flap (if in the OA), Jamboree patch (above the right pocket), any activity patch on the right pocket, district quality award on the right sleeve.

"So I'd move a Jambo patch to the temporary spot (right pocket) a month or two after the jambo was over. Still a great conversation piece and inspiration to the lads, but also a good example in terms of humility and not usin' the uniform to be a popinjay!" Sorry, but bad info. Jamboree patches by and large remain above the right pocket. You do not move National Jamboree patches to the right pocket. They should stay above the pocket, regardless of when you attended the Jamboree. Now, if you attended a World Jamboree and want to wear it on a uniform along with a National, you are required to move it to the right pocket. FWIW, I've attended the 1981, 1989, 1993, 2001, and 2005 National Jamborees. I have one uniform each that have the older jamboree patches on them, should I wish to wear them. Please do not insult older scouters who wish to wear a Jamboree patch from an older Jamboree in the appropriate location. You might think it makes them a show off. I think it makes you sound jealous.