johndaigler

I'm not sure I know where to begin... why is it that some on the left hate being called liberals?... But you have showed your cards, so I know where you stand. So much for "speaking well." BrentAllen, start with my PM, then reread my post. If you're referring to me as "on the left" then you don't have a strong enough understanding of me to call me anything, and since you use the term "liberal" in a negative manner, I prefer you not use it with me. My last post didn't show any "cards", I gave a negative example of how labels are inappropriate, overly-generalized and are used whe

That's a whole new thread -- Is "Pirates" an appropriate theme? What's next: "Gangsters?"; "Pillaging Barbarians?"; maybe "Dread Lazer Taggers??". But, Alas, I'm a lowly Pack Trainer (One of several hats - obviously. You can't make decent living nowadays just being a Pack Trainer!) and not the Council's Day Camp Themer (Which, BTW, is quite the good gig, if you can get it!), so I merely run around screaming, "It's the Program! Learn it - Love it!!!" Now, I'm off to contact all these publishers, so I can try to do this the right way before I face the moral dilemma of whether

I just want to make sure I have the rules down correctly: A conservative's answer to a liberal's question, which the liberal doesn't like, is a screed and a rant. O.K., I think I've got it. Sorry, BrentAllen, apparently you don't have the rules down correctly. If you did, your post would have read more along the lines of: "I just want to make sure I have the rules down correctly: I answer LisaBob's question, Lisabob doesn't like my answer, so it's a screed and a rant. O.K., I think I've got it." See, the labels take away the personal responsibility we each have to other

mdcpcare, WELCOME!!! Interesting idea, there's no reason not to go ahead with it, but -- couldn't you simplify your life by meeting new Webelos in your own Council? A more distant Camp makes boys and parents that much less comfortable. Any issues would be that much harder to resolve. Your Council can't be so small that you know all the other Webelos. The more distant trip would be more expensive, wouldn't it? jd

Great thread, guys. Thanks. jd

Kaji, I agree with most of what you said, and most of your intentions. Just remember, for the Cubs, the standard is "Do Your Best". For one 4th grader, thinking "broken leg >> splint" is his best, for another "broken leg >> get out of road >> splint" is his best. The trick is to set the bar high enough that each boy can accomplish his best -- you just have to have an adjustable bar!! Though I commend challenging the boys, perhaps your bar starts a bit high -- splinting broken bones isn't exactly Webelos-level first-aid. Similarly, combining the "hurry " first

Welcome, Steve!!! ScoutNut is right on target. 'nuff said! My $0.02 >> The Webelos Program is ideal for "farming out" Activity Pin leadership. That is, check your local: >>YMCA to find "Aquanaut" programs >>Americorps (American Red Cross) to find "Readyman" classes >>Forest Preserves/State Parks for Naturalist, Geologist, Forester, -- ours even does Engineer >>Schools for Artist, Athlete, Fitness, and Sportsman "teachers" >>Scout Troops for Merit Badge Counselors who might be interested in leading the appropriate Webelos Activity

As we prepare for Day Camp 2006, I've collected a CD worth of Camp (Pirate Theme) songs and stories. I own all the CDs the individual pieces come from. Several are BSA products, and others were purchased retail. But I think I'm on thin ice - perhaps a couple of times - and I don't want to pirate my Pirate songs. Can anyone point me in the correct direction to find a layman's explanation of the appropriate music copyright rules? My original thought was to burn a CD for every boy who registers - sort of a promoter/motivator/souvenir/momento, etc. It's a long drive to Day Camp a

My "SWMBO" willingly eats chip crumbs -- quite enjoys them actually -- I think I may have married her for this reason -- er, amongst many other reasons, er, obviously!!!

Good Luck -- don't surprise anyone with your selections. Take the time to preview with ALL the appropriate church leadership. I'd be interested to hear how it goes, and if you can get your non-Lutheran boys to attend (and participate?) and how Church leadership responds to your efforts and choices. I think there are many Units out there a little shy of Scout Sunday and Scout Shabbat. Your sharing will help us all with our Reverent efforts. jd

I definitely reach for a new bag of chips -- Do you really think that potato chip crumbs and bits taste the same as nice, big, roundish, whole chips?????? Not even close! Other than that, let's empty those boxes, kids (ya you, the 6 and 9 year year olds standing in my pantry!)!!! AND THEN take the six seconds needed to throw out the inner bag and fold up the box for recycling!) -- there are few things wackier than 6 boxes of cereal open at one time, but one of them is 3 empty boxes sitting on the shelf next to 3 open boxes!!! If my space wasn't cluttered, I wouldn't be able to find

Lisa'bob, Thank you for your participation in this thread. Your intelligent, cool-headed discussion adds greatly - not just to the conversation, but to all of our efforts to meet your high standard of careful thought and respectful manners. That being said (and heart-felt), I'm not lisa'bob and I tire of the "Issues and Poitics" forum as a place without manners, respect or good thinking. Free speech is a powerful tool, let's not weaken it by overuse of labels and over-generalized, under-thought rhetoric. It's possible to debate, disagree, and even argue, without calling out or insultin

Hi all, Aren't we spending too many brain cells on relatively ancient history? I think we feed the rhetoric-asauri when we try to create archetypal truths from individual incidents. That singular event speaks little as to how "democrats", "liberals", "Californians", "homosexuals", "whites", "blacks", "hispanics", "middle-aged politically connected people" or anyone else feel about Scouts, the Flag, the Convention process, or anything else. On that day, those 50 people felt that way about that moment. That moment speaks even less to the "Quality" of followers of different political agen

Lex, WELCOME! Is the Church the CO? Are all your boys Lutheran? Can you (Should you?) step outside the traditional service texts to embrace Scouts who are not members of the Church? You can find examples of "Scout's Own" services at: http://www.scouter.com/compass/Leaders_Resource/Chaplain_Resources/ http://www.kidslist.uc.edu/kidslist/gs/neil/scown.html http://www.macscouter.com/ScoutsOwn/ http://www.dacbsa.org/CC_RR/RR-scout's-own.htm http://www.geocities.com/SoHo/Square/6487/CF_poemtitles.htm http://www.pinetreeweb.com/sctsown.htm Whatever your answers to t

BaldEagle, WELCOME!!! Just as Scoutnut sent you to your council's website - you should go visit neighboring Councils' sites. 4 hours is a long way - I'm sure that would cross into neighboring councils. Your own Council should be able to help you with this -- or try the national BSA site and plug in zip codes just outside your Council's borders. If there isn't a training planned, go talk to your Council/District Training Chairs and see if they can pull one together for you -- expecially if you help organize it, and gather some other Scouters to make the class worth their effo

Great job, msnowman!!! Move that "Good Deed" coin to the other pocket!!!!!!!! jd

The thing I like about repeated electives is the demonstration of growth, -- and the boys creating, accepting and overcoming, a challenge they set for themselves. I think it gives the boys a real-life demonstration of what we're all about. And the boy usually gets that he's showing he's growing up and able to improve upon his last effort. I understand Jerry's comment -- and I like the idea of showing effort in a different content/context area. I think both situations show that the boy is growing. jd

Sorry, CMJ, but the Cubs can't use the unused pieces of Bear Badge Achievements. The Bear Cubs are told this on pp. 6 and 180 of their handbook. jd

scottteng, WELCOME! I agree FUN is truly important, but there are times and places for fun. Not to draw too dark a line, but if the local pastor has a few announcements at the end of a Sunday service and your boys break out into this song -- is that a good thing? Or at school? IMHO, "FUN" can't be our ONLY criteria for what we're doing with Cub Scouts. There's just a time and a place and a "quality" for good fun. I doubt your Pack Meeting, or anyone else's, relies on this song for the evening's FUN. There would be much greater issues to discuss, if that were true! Pac

eager2learn, WELCOME!!! Bike rodeos come in all sizes, shapes and styles. Plan it yourself or with another group. I'd think that unless you're using the older boys to lead events - the activities may need to be different for the various age groups. Wear helmets, Have fun!!! jd

The Cub Scout Outdoor Activity Award is intended to be worn on the Cub shirt's right pocket flap. Does it matter if the shirt is blue or tan? Can the patch be placed on the red vest? jd

BTW, DenLeader10, The birdbath project is also an optional requirement for the CS Acad. & Sports "Wildlife Conservation" Pin. It's a whole other discussion whether to use one project for two different requirements, but given that I don't think it really is the best option for that Wolf Elective, I'd certainly be sure to count it for the WC Pin. jd

WELCOME, BobT!!! jd

Nice move -- can you do that to music????

WELCOME, JayHawk!! Laminating would be done as a memory preserver? Interesting . . . jd