Herms

I was a registered leader in GSUSA for several years (the only male in the council). I ran the outdoor program for our troop and the parents (many of them single mothers) loved having me around (As I was male influence in there girls life, but I ALWAYS made sure a female leader was with me!) On the first camporee I was told by the Service Unit Leader that, I had to be out of camp by 10:00pm (yeah right, I was still doing dishes) and that I had to pitch my tent 75 yards away (neither of which is a GS rule, but I did to be a part of my girls scouting expierence). My girls were very prepar

"The Clinton administration had an active program to find and root out al Qaeda. The work they did prevented the millennium bombing. What about the 1996 bombing of the World Trade Center? They just didn't get it done the first time. If anyone out there thinks that the U.S can stop the terrorist if they really want to hit us, they are deluded. We live in a great free country, but it is that freedom that they can use against us if they want to. It is how we respond when they do that will deter them from future actions. Also if you think that there is a politician out there who do

I have been watching this thread and have seen lots of great ideas (some of which I have printed out and will bring up at the Adult Training Development Conference this weekend). After talking with my wife again about some of the things I've heard in this discussion, I think her frustration was with the Tiger Specific training. She liked the Youth Protection and New Leader Essentials, but thought that they spent to much time on those, and not enough time learning how to run, and what to do during den meetings, i.e. activities, games etc. (guess she'll have to learn it from me, Ha! Ha!)

(Great Closing) May the peace of the forest, The song of the birds, The inspiration of the hills, The warmth of the sun, The strength of the trees, The fragrance of the flowers, The joy of the wind, The calm of the lake, In all of which is the creator, Of all good things, Be in our hearts tonight and always.

Opening (Have a boy read each one) Let us draw from this campfire, with all its vibrancy and warmth, the secrets of Scouting and the spirit of brotherhood. In its light we see new chances to be helpful and to do our best. From its warmth we strengthen the bonds of fellowship and learn how to get along with others. From the ring around the fire that keeps its power in check, we learn how we can curb our tempers and become good citizens. From the smoke that rises out of the fire, we learn to lift our eyes upward and worship God. The spark that started this fire remi

Very well put Eamonn.

It's obvious from that beautiful tribute that she did a good job with her son. Be proud of who you are and what you do, because wherever she is now, she is. My condolences.

Eamonn and Bob, You two are very knowledgeable in the ways of scouting, and I respect and value your advice. However, we all know what the intent of this kind of "rule" is, to get kids active in scouts. Everything is not black and white all the time; there are always shades of gray, which no official BSA policy addresses. With our troop as I explained, there are exceptions. Let's use school for example. If a child misses school, he will get to make up the work if he has and "excused" absence. However, if he makes a choice not to come to school the "unexcused" absences doesn't

I am very confused by terms some of you are using in your posts. Philosophically, an ATHEIST by definition acknowledges the existence of a supreme being, but denies it. An AGNOSTIC doubts the very existence of a supreme being. (Wow, to deep for a Friday!) Think about it for a second. For you self-proclaimed Atheists out there, are you Atheist or do you really mean Agnostic?

Just wondering what the Scout World, especially they newer leaders out there think about the training they are receiving. I have been in scouts almost 20 years, but my wife (who I just recently conned into being a Tiger leader) took the Specific training and was very disappointed. From the previous thread I saw where another leader had a similar experience, as well as when I have taken most trainings over the years. As a Cubmaster I run a very exciting pack program (we have the greatest job in scouts, wind up the boys and then send them home!) and have had several Cubmasters visit thi

Liberal Radio, Isn't most of the media liberal??

They can be ghosts or a great help. Its the "luck-o-the-draw". Seriously, a good UC can keep you apprised of what is happening at the District level, give you ideas as to what successful things other packs/troops are doing and be an extra of ears, eyes and hands.

If the kids (and parents) want to spend the summer on Scout activities (instead of getting into trouble or staring at the idiot box) LET THEM HAVE AT IT!

Deloe, You got both points backwards, both are choices.

Our troop uses the >50% policy as a consideration when talking with PARENTS and boys about Scout Spirit (do your best from the Oath). If the boy is at 49.9% (i.e. he was sick and that was the best he could do) will he still be signed off on Scout Spirit, sure we will. In todays society, children are put under intense pressure to perform in athletics. Im a Young American Football League (YAFL) referee, and have actually heard parents yell at us telling us that we are hurting there 10 year olds chances at an athletic scholarship, and one even told us we were affecting his NFL career pr

Merlyn, Such anger!?

Thanks Bob. Been to the training (several years ago) and read the handbook (going to have to go back and read again), but this is the first time we've actually had enought new scouts to start one (in fact we ended up three new patrols!).

Our adult patrols is called the Anasazi Patrol, an old indian word meaning "the ancient ones", but man can we make a good dutch oven cobbler!.

Kudos NJCubScouter, on taking a little time to research a subject and post an intelligent response.

Wow, what a thread. As you can see, reading this whole thread, the media (which is in the entrainment business) is accomplishing their goal, which is to get people riled up. If they use lies or stretch the true a bit who seems to care. It's entertainment. People these days dont seem to care about true and integrity, but sensationalism (just look at all the reality shows). Most often times truth, facts and logic are boring, but controversy sells. The sad fact is that most people dont, or wont take the time to filter out fact from fiction. Look at how people vote, most couldnt tell you wh

Woodsmith, The Campfire isn't dead. We have some great campfires (sometimes without a fire) with skits and songs. At first some of the new parents and scouts aren't much into the songs, but after a few they get into it. At our campout week before last our campfire lasted two and a half hours and could have went on a lot longer (S'mores finally won out). It's a great opportunity to have boys get up and perform in front of the troop or pack.

Proud Eagle, I like your idea of the museum out near D.C. I think you would have many more visitors, especially on years when they hold the National Jamboree.

Maybe this should be a new thread, but what do my fellow Scouters out there think of the "New Patrol" concept of putting all of the fresh Webelo crossovers in a new patrol together until they have adjusted to Boy Scouts? The reason I ask is that the troop has recently doubled in size, with over twenty new scouts. The troop has really started using the Patrol method and I am watching these new patrols, who are very active, trying to run as a patrol with a patrol guide (an ASM) and patrol assistant (older Boy Scout). Each boy takes a turn (a few weeks) doing each one of the different jo

On the previous thread there was talk about permission for boys to do a particular merit badge, which brought to mind incidents I have seen in troops over the years and the underlying question: What is the purpose for a boy doing a Merit Badge? To me the Merit Badge System is a way for boys to try new things, and explore new interests. I encourage my boys to try merit badges that they may not know anything about (and one picks Atomic Energy!). But many times over the years I have heard parents, and leaders, guiding boys to focus on merit badges that that they need for advanceme

Very good thread. I also don't believe that the signature is a "permission slip" to start a MB, but rather to give them the resources to start the MB (i.e. counselor info, and is an opportunity for the SM to, counsel and guide, a scout on their goals and interests.