Gonzo1

Congratulations to you and GoodKid for making Eagle.

I've usually seen one ceremony at at time, but I also recently saw 7 scouts, that's right, seven, get their Eagle at the same time.

Mine was solo as are most.

You can check out the following link for some guidelines and scripts and you may want to combine elements of one with another.

http://www.scoutresources.org/bs/index.html

Since your troop doesn't have much of a tradition for Eagle CoH (as you said), it's about time to start some.

Each scout should probably do his own invitations but they should be printed as a joint ceremony so some gradma or aunt are confused later. It may be nice to have a "special adult" make a few remarks about a scout, maybe a scouter from some leader training course or something. Mr. Jones says some funny stories about AverageKid while Mr. Smith remarks about GoodKid.

We used slide projectors in the olden days, but maybe a continuaous slide show going featuring GoodKid and AverageKid at campouts, meetings, parades from their early days to today.

You (they) may want to tailor the whole "logistics" you ask about. did they do alot together? Were they in the same patrol and do the same things? Their scouting resume should be read separately.

If you did one scout and then the other, only rude people would leave before the second was done, so I see no need to switch back and forth. A pot luck dinner works well or a catered event is fine too. Get RSVP's for your invitations so you have enough room at which ever location you choose. It's up to you, them and AverageKid's parents too.

Good luck,

Gonzo1

I had a tan one in the early 80's.

I thought however that we are not allowed to mix "old" and "new" uniform parts.

Gonzo1

How about this:

We combine many, but not all of the suggestions in this thread, update uniforms, or return to green shirt green pants, mayber better materials, zip off pants, whatever, more colorful patches, update merit badges, etc. We get Spielberg to do the TV commercial with interviews or comments made by famous Eagle Scouts and also make an exteded version to be put on a DVD for use at round ups and recruiting drives, presentations to potential new chartered organizations and to give to the public in general. Each TV ad and DVD could have BSA's website on it where potential new members could enter their zip code for the concil nearest to them, or a toll free phone number and get transfered to the nearest council.

Round up is a valuable tool to get new members, but maybe some of the round up (and FOS) presenters are not good at public speaking. By the way, there is a Public Speaking merit badge, 5 requirements and one of them is to give a 10 minute speech. Hmmm, boys could help recruit more boys, now that's and idea.

By the way, keep the neckerchiefs. Many units have their own neckerchiefs and traditions with them. When I joined boy scouts, the new scouts was issued a plain, light blue neckerchief, but when he earn Tenderfoot, he traded in the plain one for one customized with the troop patch sewn to it. it was very cool.

Maybe National could have a representative participate in some of these online discussions, maybe host some or have regional conferences about some of these items.

Gonzo1

The best way to recruit new scouts is by scouts inviting a friend (and parent) to a meeting or outdoor activity (other than campout due to registration and insurance reasons).

When the friend experiences quality scouting, he'll WANT to join.

Gonzo1

Lisa,

Depends on your part of the country, Way up north or way down south?

Go to an Army Navy surplus store and get regular type long johns for moderately cold weather or army "issue" polypropylene (commonly called polypro) for colder weather. A polypro neck gaitor workd well to keep neck and ear covered and warm as well.

I'm not sure about sleeping in the stuff, I usually sleep in the skivvies, no t-shirt (you'll probably want one just in case) and I use a sleeping bag rated to zero degrees and I and warm when I wake up.

I hope this helps.

Gonzo1

Packsaddle,

One last thing:

We can agree to disagree on this.

Now I'm done.

Packsaddle,

If you are indeed trustworthy and meet all requirement, then you must be straight, so don't be defensive. If you are hiding, take of it yourself. If you are straight and support gays in BSA, I disagree completely. It's not so much that we disagree, I've read many of your other posts and agree with many of them.

We have anonymity here. I suppose I could go to Scouter Terry, but I don't have proof, no real admission. I'm not in the thought police business, I hope none of us are.

Regarding your 'edited' part, I'm not accusing you so much as you alluded to it. You said you're staying. Is that because you'rfe straight or because you're not and are being defiant? If you're straight, great. If you're gay, go. I'm not on a witch hunt, I don't have the time or energy. Remember, I said I have no problem with gays, it's not something I choose for me. I don't care what gays do, it's none of my business. I have no desire to hunt anyone down, If either party so much as says the wrong thing, then the lawyers get involved and that's a mess. Nobody needs that.

The bottom line is this:

Gays not allowed.

Atheists not allowed

Girls not allowed (except Venture)

I still hope you have a nice day.

G

ps I'm done with this thread,

I meant:

I submit the same for an adult who drinks or smokes on outings or in front of youth.

Packsaddle:

The military's don't ask, don't tell isn't hipocritical, it's the law. The military says the homosexual activity in the military is disruptive to good and discipline.

When I enlisted in 1982, THEY asked, I said no because I'm straight. If someone was found out to be gay, they were dischared. Nowadays, with don't ask, don't tell, if someone outs himself, he's gone, if he is outed, he's gone, but the military establishments can't ask. Gay people can join the military, BUT THEY MUST NOT ENGAGE IN HOMOSEXUAL ACTIVITY. The know the rules before joining, even about abstaining from sexual activity. We both know that isn't realistic, but that's the law. I also know that BSA's policy is not tied to the military, but only discussed here for comparison.

As for BSA, you know the rules BEFORE joining. Play by the rules. If an exception is made for gays in BSA, and if you're willing turn a blind eye, which other rules are you willing to overlook? Smoking by adults? drinking beer on campouts? How about 2 deep leadership? How about a scout who doesn't say the Scout Oath or Scout Law because he one day says he doesn't believe in God?

I agree that there is no requirement to out someone, but I might suggest that a gay adult should be approached by unit leadership and ask the person to leave. I submit the same for an adult who drinks or smokes on outings or in front of you. Drink is not allowed, period.

Gays in BSA are not breaking a law per se, but they are breaking BSA's rule. Play by the rules or get out, since you seem to have outed yourself by your comment of "I'm satying and there's nothing you can do about it", perhaps you should reconsider and leave.

If you are gay and an adult leader registered with BSA, your standing IS NOT EQUAL with mine.

I encourage gay people who want to be scouts to start your own program.

Gonzo1

Lisa,

Don't decline, sit on the board. Ask the questions that need asking. Those questions will 'put him on notice' and let him know he is being watched.

Also, talk to the SM and have the SM get with the SPL / ASPL to put the peer pressure on to not bully anyone. The SPL will be a better influence than the scouts parents.

If you see a problem and don't take any corrective action, yo're wrong.

Apparently, Trevorum and packsaddle don't get it. Of course, in a group where there is a rule prohibiting something (like homosexualtiy), some will defy the rule and hide in the shadows. Sounds like illegal immigrants, but that's another story for another time.

Trevorum:

If some judge rules that the BSA must allow homosexuals into membership, the BSA becomes weaker, not stronger. While tolerance is a virtue, and I have no real problem with homosexuals, tolerance is not one of the 12 points of the Scout Law.

Packsaddle:

It's not fear of them, it's assurance that they shouldn't be there in the first place. Shame on you for not having the integrity and trustworthyness (and list for yourself other points of the law omitted here) for not reporting your gay fellow scouters. It's not hate of gays, I could care less, BSA rules state that gays are not allowed. They are free to exist as they please, however, they are not allowed in this private organization.

As I mentioned before, start your own group, join the Campfire Girls, I mean Campfire, they caved in and now admit boys. Maybe they admit gays too, I don't know. Nothing against Campfire, I'm sure it's a fine program.

As a recently retired member of the armed forces, I can tell you with certainty that more military members have been dischard since Clinton's "don't ask, don't tell" policy wen into effect.

Have a nice day,

Gonzo1

It seems that the love that once dared not to speak its name is now the love that won't shut up.

Homosexuality is not allowed, atheists not allowed, girls in Boy Scouts not allowed, girls are allowed in Venture.

BSA is a private group. A group, any group will NOT be made better by forcing into it a membership segment the original group doesn't want.

Members today know this and potential members are made aware of these rules/restrictions. If you can't abide by them, start your own gay scouts.

I have a young daughter who will probably become a girl scout when she's old enough. I will not be sending her on campouts when men are present, would you send your daughter? I wouldn't send her with lesbian leaders either, would you send your daughter? I doubt it.

Welcome back, and Welcome Home.

Bravo Zulu shipmate.

Gonzo1

ex AW1

I meant to say that he should be paired up with an older scout his age and an ASM. He may not have the skills necessary to be JASM, at least not yet.

Advancement is how this gent can learn the skills and and have some fun. C'mon, join and be Tenderfoot in about 6 weeks (gotta do improvement for 30 days in push-ups, etc.) and then second class and first class, he learns basic skills, has fun and will do well.

Put him with older boys,

It seems that playing with scouts should be OK, but any contact or perceived contact could be taken wrong. Make sure the next time you play British Bulldog you pair up with another adult (of the same gender), same for Steal the Bacon but you should be fair game on Capture the Flag.

Gonzo1

Brianbuf,

I agree the uniform needs some change, maybe other parts of the program too. I didn't have to learn Morse Code, but I did have to earn a merit badge to become a Tenderfoot. Many new Merit badges have been added since I earned my Eagle Scout award.

When you volunteer to go someplace (woodbadge) and they say to wear the full uniform, WEAR IT! I bet you knew in advance what the uniform would be before you arrived. Hat, shirt, green belt, the same green pants that everyone else wears, dark socks and shoes, not the Brianbuf unorm of the pants of his choosing. Do you like football? How would it be if your favorite quarterback or lineman showed up in baggy blue jeans because he thought it was roomier than the skin tight pants they are made to wear?

Maybe the staffers comments about "hey, nice pants" was meant as a jab at you, much like saying "nice socks" to a guys who isn't wearing any socks. It's not up to Brianbuf to set his own uniform standard, that's why it's called a uniform - one form. Maybe a better ticket item might have been to help influence National about a newer uniform design or to volunteer to sit on the uniform board or collect real data from the field. I'd like to see a return to the green shirt, green pants, color background in office badges, smaller collars, (Elvis has left the building), etc. Let's bring back Skill Awards while we're at it. But you can't do it alone.

Man, get with the program, good leadership sometimes comes from good followership. Set a good example and wear the right stuff, soon you'll be the right stuff.

Before you mention it, I'm sure you'll accuse me of attacking you. I'm not, remember, I'd like to see change too, but not by myself. You know, there are cargo pants that zip off that are made of cotton or a cotton / poly blend that would be great. Same for a shirt. Many kids and adults already wear this type of clothing maybe that would work if National could contract with a supplier aafter a field test.

Gonzo1

(Eagle Patrol, Woodbadge SR 59)

No, Sell all of them from the sheet.

My son sold over $2,200 and did it with some effort, but not a great deal of effort.

Map out the area where your scout will sell and keep track of which house bought and which didn't, were'nt home, etc. After closing the sale, have the scout ask if it is OK to leave the popcorn at the front door when it arrives.

My wife printed up little thak you for your purchase notes, he wrote his first name only for the thank you note and these procedures sped up the whole thing.

Gonzo1

It should be the COR, UC and if resistance is met, bring them back with the DE. It should be done privately, but the COR should announce to the committee ONLY what happended and why and who the next chairman is.

Gonzo1

Many good points here.

I think the whole "secrecy" of Woodbadge and the ticket is to allow for your own personal experience, not what you heard about your friends experience. The "secrecey" also allows for "guided discovery". You'll learn many things about scouting, in the newer type WB, you'll also learn about it's other programs and review some basic skills. I'm glad I had no prior kowledge and I actually appreciate to this day the "secrecy" of the whole thing. It adds a little mystery to it.

They can't hurt you. They won't beat you up. You'll actually feel like a kid again in many ways. You'll have fun and eat very well. Enjoy!!!!!!!!

I used to be an Eagle, a good ol' Eagle too.......

Gonzo1

(SR-59)

If he wants to join, he's not too old. He'll need an older scout and ASM his age to mentor him along. When he joins, he should do as much as he wants at the pace he wants, Star is certainly achievable.

Best of luck,

Gonzo1

There are many good points made here. It shouldn't matter much if it's July or August or the last day of school. The question remains as to whether the boy is active or not.

LongHaul, a boy cannot be 'counted' present for meetings that weren't held. If a den didn't meet, nobody met, so he didn't attend 100% of anything. However, he could be 'active' if he worked on advancement items with his parent(s) but was unable to attend a couple of meetings if they were otherwise held. He should be considered inactive if he didn't attend any den/pack function for a month. That scout may have gone to another district or council event and could have been considered active.

The organized baseball should count for the pin.

No scout, epecially this age, should be held accountable for actions or inactions of adults.

I also agree that the requirement could be worded differently.

Remember, it isn't a race, award the Webelos badge at a pack meeting or B&G, Webelos II to Boy Scouts crossover should be in mid January to mid March timeframe. The award is for accuracy of completion, not speed of completion.

Gonzo1

I don't agree with most of Brian's comments, but we can all agree that a Scout is friendly, courteous and kind if nothing else.