Fuzzy Bear

The BSA does not accept homosexuals. The BSA does not accept atheists. The BSA accepts those who believe in a higher power. The BSA wants Scouts to learn reverence and duty to the higher power of their choice. Simplistic in its' concepts but powerful. It has been enough to change my life. The concepts beg the question and cries for an answer but there is none because they refuse to be pulled into a fight that has no end. The organization does not request a clarification or a change in policy to become perfect. It is unnecessary. I am sure I don't meet the other criteria posted for heaven but God still speaks to me when I pass Him on the street and that is good enough for me. FB (This message has been edited by Fuzzy Bear)

Prayer for me is a conversation with God. Putting an "Amen" on it redirects the conversation to earthlings. Amen doesn't end our talk because prayer is best suited as an open-ended walk. FB

The key word is "potential". So a chicken crosses the road, it is not a problem until we make it a problem. Every SM does not read the book or follow every last tittle. We are a volunteer organization that gets allot of things correct most of the time. Try reading these posts sometime and I believe you will see that few of us understand all of the rules of the road all of the time and these are the ones that seem like they really care and try. Shoot, most of us have been trained well beyond what any sane person would consider doing in the same situation and we still don't know or always do. Should we give this Scout a break because he or someone else failed on one item? Maybe it is two items that were missed. What do we do then? I believe that every person that posts here is probably kinder, more thoughful and forgiving in person than what ever appears in written form. I'll bet everyone here would jump through a hoop of fire to overlook this "failure" in procedure to help this young man make it if they thought for one minute this Scout held to the basic tenets of what it is to be an Eagle. So, can we look down the road and tell how a BOR would react knowing full well that this one item was missed? Yes, I believe that we can and all of us would most likely agree with the outcome. For what it is worth, FB

I was thinking out loud on this subject and here are some questions I came up with concerning God and duty. Give some examples of duties to God. What does it mean to keep yourself morally straight? What actions can God expect of you when only He is looking? Tell a story using the subject of a Scout being reverent. If an Eagle Scout is expected to do his duty to God, then what can be expected from you? Let the Scout be the judge of his answers. Should he pass himself or should he return after a period of reflection or should he set some goals for himself to achieve? The question of God is complex but an Eagle Scout should demonstrate growth in this area. He, of all persons, should realize the importance of being honest about this issue and being able to have an understanding that is worth passing on to his brother Scouts. I sincerely hope that our Eagles take their actions and thoughts about this question as seriously as any person that would sit on a BOR. FB

Wc, I deal with young people and work every day. There is another twist to this story but I won't bother you with that now. I want to share some insights. You are going to get turned down not once or twice but many times. To prevent the blues from getting so black that it looks light midnight, build a campfire. How do you do that? Remember your friends, family, neighbors, merit badge counselors, Scoutmaster(s), etc. You have 12 years of people to remember. Make a support network (campfire). This network can give you the type of warmth and fellowship that is necessary at this time. How do you make Support network work? It means that you go to those people that will listen to you and will give you help. Don't turn anything or anyone down. Take every lead and follow it. Figure leads from the leads. When speaking to people about a job that no longer exists, ask them if they know of anything else and follow that lead. For the people that will listen to you, talk to them and share your woes. You will also find some laughs. Tell your story. Keep a notebook with every lead and then Thank every person. Keep addresses and send Thank you notes. Think of it as being a castaway at sea. You are floating on a small raft and to stay alive means to find, figure, and make every resource count and you are grateful for every little fish. God is there and He is listening. His voice is small and can only be heard by very careful listening. He is telling you the answer to not one problem but many and for a longer period of time than just the next day or year, so listen. Part 2 (it should be Part 1): You are presently looking for anything. Don't look for anything. You are telling people that you don't have an interest. People can smell that one from a distance. Who are you? What do you like to do? Profile yourself. Do you like inside work or outside work? Do you like stand up or sit down work? Do you like to be busy or do you like to think about your work. Are you good with information or do you like to work with things? Maybe youre a people person. How can you find this stuff out? Try writing your history from year one and go forward. As you put together a picture of yourself, you will find some interesting things about You (the inside you). Getting the Eagle award counts because it lead you down a path of many interests, some good, some bad. You know what they were, so note them. The Eagle badge means many things but most of all it means something to you. Make it count not so much on your Resume but what it taught you to do in bad situations. (*This is one of them! You didn't quit then, so what's the difference? You are an Eagle!) This profile will be a lead all by itself. It will point you in the direction of jobs that may not even be open. It will point you in the direction of friendship. Work is generally more about friendship than it is about the work or the money. Although, work is what you have in common with your new possible friends and money is important but money is secondary because you have to spend so much time with your co-workers. I could write a book but I won't. There are a bunch of other things that are important to know about this job hunting quest but this is not the place or the time. By the way, it is OK to question your faith, your God and your Eagle badge. Even if you do, they are still part of you. You can't get away from who you are. One last item because I don't want you to think this is magic and you can't fail. You can fail. We all have failed. But, there is an answer. Give yourself time and work at this just like you would a job (i.e., at least 40 hours per week) or how you worked on your Eagle badge. That is part of the answer. So, yes the Eagle badge has importance to all of us who have earned it and it continues to pay off. FB

Jason, I have decided to answer only one part of your question. 'What would life be like if you had gotten your Eagle?' I believe that you would have married into lots of money and had boys. You would now be a Scoutmaster of a great Troop and would most likely be up for the Silver Beaver. You would have lots of friends and projects galore. Most likely you would be going to Scout events every night of the week. Many would think of you as Mr. Scout instead of Mr. Mom. (Sorry, this was just for a little fun.) But really, As an adult leader, you will find a new perspective about Scouting. Your past has value and will give you insight but your present status has changed your duties and responsibilities and there are some remarkable opportunities that await you. Take a small job and get to know people. Get training. Once you have your directions, doors will open. FB

I have done this job a few times. I enjoyed it. Here are a few ideas. 1. Find out what the leaders need and make sure they get it. 2. Seek information on Camp problems. Address the issues and report back the results. 3. Make sure that you take something to give to leaders and boys. This doesn't need to be expensive and it doesn't need to be physical items. It can be training sessions for specific requests. Example: How to carve a neckerchief slide, How to braid plastic lanyards, Quick nature studies. Make an offer during the course of a casual conversation but be ready to act on it. 4. Make sure that you know all of the side trips, evening adventures, extra cooking features, etc. that the camp offers but doesn't promote. You can be the person to tell them and you need to know who to contact. 5. Don't interfere. Ask when is the best time to come around for a cup of coffee and a little conversation. 6. If there is some type of camp conservation project requirement, work with the Ranger to make a list before camp starts. This also needs to include knowing where the tools are that will be used. 7. Make sure that you go to the Staff meetings to know what information needs to be passed on to the Troops. Then pass it on. 8. There is always a Camp project, small to medium in size, that needs to be done but nobody can get to it. Make it your project and get it done over the course of a week or two. Then find another one. This silently makes you part of the crew and the Camp Ranger will be the one to make it so. 9. Know what items are standard issue for the campsites. Make sure that they are there. This is usually a double check. 10. There are several items that you should bring with you. Visit the Camp before the season starts. Talk with the Ranger and scout the area to make a list. This list should include items needed to undertake any projects that you might take on during your stay. This is a full time job and is important to help make the camp experience more enjoyable. If done well, it looks like you are there to enjoy the experience. You need to be in good physical condition to make it look that way. Three things to avoid: 1. Sitting in the Camp office all day. 2. Drinking coffee in the Commissioner area all day. 3. Sitting in the Camp Dining Hall all day. FB

Death gives life a lovely but painful fourth dimension that brings us into focus and explains to us emotionally who we are. Somehow, I think we know him from a distance. FB

Hello, We're baack.

The purpose is to hold up the dual ceremonial sheath knives.

OK, so the CO gets the gear but decides to ask the near rightful owner, the Scout Council if they would have need of it. Wouldn't it make more sense for the Council to take the gear and pass it on to a new unit? Or maybe, sell it during an annual auction or garage sale. They could then take the money and use it for Camperships for low income Scouts to be used at their local Scout Camp. Then, keep recycling the gear until it gets too old or outdated to be used and then mark it up and sell it again as Scouting memorabilia. Just a thought or two about our natural resources. FB

A Troop is folding its' tents for the last time. The Scouts have graduated and none took their place. Now, do the adults split the tents? Do the boys get one each? Do the tents belong to the Sponsoring Organization? Does Council get the tents? A very sticky problem. Who has the answer????

This thread could get real "icky" very quickly. I think I will find another.

To be is the answer to part of your question. Do you want to be is even more important. I visited a Troop meeting and the Scouts knew their SM was leaving. I noted this look in their eyes that may have been asking if I was to be the next and if not, then who and if nobody, then what? Scouts want a program and an adult that wants to lead them. If it is your desire, then you will find a thousand ways to do a great job. Obstacles are deliberately placed to allow a person time to make their decision. Once the decision is made then that choice will begin to clear the path. FB

I know this computer guy that charges $80.00 per hour during regular hours and $140.00 per hour for weekends and after hours. Let's see, if that is the case, either we buys a new computer or we goes to school again. oooh my precious!

If a person wears the merit badge sash and the OA sash, the protocol is to wear them across each other like crossed bandoliers. It makes others feel at ease through the use of rich but subtle humor.

I do not have a current Insignia Control Guide either but I am sure that there is something about either excessive insignia or duplicate badges. The BSA has got us by the pocketbook again. Now where is that BW when you really need him? FB

Here goes an answer straight from the book to be refuted by any number of people and sources. Order of the Arrow Handbook, 1992 Revision, Page 59, Uniform and Insignia. Only currently registered members of the Boy Scouts of America and the Order may wear the insignia of the Order of the Arrow. The Order of the Arrow sash is worn with the official "Class A" uniform.(...) The sash may also be worn by Elangomats who are not in "Class A" uniform at an Ordeal, youth wearing ceremonial attire, and in such instances as approved by the Scout executive. (...) Page 60. The sash is worn at Order of the Arrow functions and special activities, including courts of honor and on occasions when members need to be identified as Arrowmen rendering special services.(...) Page 61. The Universal ribbon is to be worn with the official Scout uniform. *The 1998 version changes the "Class A" uniform requirement to the official Scout uniform. *also the Elangomats "who are not in uniform", a slight change in 1998. So, it looks like a dangle, a flap and a sash with the official uniform and current membership be FB

I have one hobby that has interested me since the early '80's. I stumbled on a Boy Scout adventure book in an attic of a house that was about to be torn down. It was rat eaten and looked terrible but it caught my interest and imagination. I began looking around for the next one and soon I was traveling far and wide, making friends by mail and by phone. I traded up and down and across. I found out about Scout Tradeorees and attended several over the years. I spent the night and paid for the lodging but never thought about it because it was the way to achieve my passion. The gasoline cost never entered my mind. I am not rich but I am richly interested. The way I feel about Scouting is even stronger. I have learned more from the program than I could ever pay in to it. My time, effort and money are insignificant to the experiences that I have received. It is like being given the opportunity to stand on the top of a mountain and look into the distance for the first time. Other views cant compare. I would never dream of anyone paying my way. It would be out of place and it would make me feel uncomfortable. Someone else might have a different perspective but that is mine. FB

I am and was across the aisle from President Reagan. I admired his ability to communicate. He was a man with a vision that helped to bring down the Iron Curtain. He adjusted to the oppositions doctrines yet claimed many of his goals. He loved his wife and was devoted to her. He was a man with a great sense of humor. He saw himself as a type of cowboy and a President. His ending was hard. Nobody deserves to die like that but he endured. He left us with memories of how life could be lived fully. He will be missed even more in the future. FB

I grew up with the game of Monopoly. I became very good at it over the years. One day I sat down and read the rules. To my surprise some of the rules that I thought were rules were really modifications made-up by our family and friends. What I also found out is that few people ever take the time to read the rules. Scouting has many of rules that are written down. Everything is not a rule, so some of us have made rules based on our experiences. This forum has been a way to clarify many of those points. It has lead to some bitterness and to some positive changes. I for one am surprised by many of the rules that are written down that I failed to read. FB

Barry, I understand and respect your position. I accept the fact that agreement is unnecessary. I am sure that you do well using your methods based upon your experiences. What I have learned here is that there is very little agreement among so many knowledgeable and talented Scouters on various issues. FB

Several years ago, several of us in the local NESA chapter started assisting with the Eagle COHs. Over a period of time, it became like planning a wedding. I couldn't help comparing myself to Martin Short in Steve Martin's, The Father of the Bride. I am not sure that we helped by making the ceremony so elaborate. It is an important step and should have the proper decorum attached but I have never been satisfied with what I have assisted with and what I know about it. It seems like it should be simple, semi-formal, yet dignified. Here are a few suggestions: A table should be set up with a display of the Scout's projects. I would like to see either a video or still shots on a large screen with highlights of the Scout's career, narrated by a good speaker with background music. A biography of accomplishments could be given by one or two friends/Scouts. The SM could give an overview of experiences. Scouting music could be sung by a group of Scouting friends. The presentation of the Eagle and a quick acceptance speech about what the Eagle means to the Scout. The ending should have a group song that is meaningful and inspirational. Afterwards, a potluck dinner. The first part should be no longer than 20 to 30 minutes with the dinner planned for no longer than 45 minutes. Clean-up should be simple with paper plates, napkins, and plastic ware for utensils. Everyone should tape their names to the bottom of their dishes and one Scout should be in charge of getting all dishes to the families and checking for names on dishes brought to the main serving table. Have large plastic lined trash barrels, so that everyone can police their own mess. This kind of an event involves everyone, yet gives the Eagle Scout a personal evening. My .02, FB

I can remember vividly being a boy, especially that one day at Philmont. (*action-cyclone spins and memories fade back in time-strange music in background) "John" a rich kid who believed himself to be cool had every Scout item that money could buy. He even wore a sheath knife on his belt. He was a practiced and proficient bully. Everyday on the trail, he showed us a new perspective on how to intimidate any of the younger, weaker, or smaller Scouts. He was a master at the art. One day while we were camped at one of the base camps, I heard a noise in one of the large wall tents. It was John and he was at it again. He was facing off with a younger Scout and he had drawn his sheath knife. That something inside of me snapped and I knew I had enough of the problems that John had brought along on our hike. I pulled the Scout back and asked John politely to give me his knife. He not only refused but stepped forward with his blade pointed at me. I instinctively kicked the knife and it flew from his hand up into the ridge pole above us. He shouted a profanity and stalked out of the tent. We didn't have any more trouble from John for the remainder of the trip. His sheath knife was turned over to the crew leader to be returned to John upon arrival back home. I don't know how I kicked the knife from his hand but it worked and it ended a reign of terror for many of us. (Return from yesteryear-cyclone spin, weird music to present day) Why am I against sheath knives? Well, I know what a cool person feels about his brother Scouts and it is not generally being helpful. It is usually a sense of "power over" others and that is unnecessary. Scouting teaches how to be really cool which most kids never have the opportunity to learn. Scouting teaches Scouts an understanding of the Oath and the Law. By most standards, that is not what life is about. Does it mean that all kids that carry a sheath knife want power over others and have not learned the Scout Oath and Law? Of course not, silly, but it certainly can be the road that is the easiest to travel for a young person with the propensity to take it. I would rather a Scout be focused on the important issues and a sheath knife is just not one of them. FB

After reading that piece, I have to comment that is one dangerous little ceremony. Don't try it at home folks or any other place.