Kahuna

Joined Boy Scouts in 1954. I know the world is a different place and some of the things we did in Scouting are just not possible anymore, but still I don't see much real change for the better. Patrol camping: We used to hike or ride bikes, without adults, miles away from civilization to camp for a few days. Summer camp: Camp today is unrecognizable from what is was in the Fifties and Sixties. The only merit badges we could earn there were outdoor ones. No computer MB, Cit in the Nation, World, etc. Why not do that at home and have fun at camp. OA: Goes right back to summe

Camps have their rules. Troop leaders have their rules. I have often told Scouts to disregard certain camp rules for specific reasons (to make sure they understand they are not being told to disregard the camp rules, period). This has led to many interesting discussions with camp directors over the years, but I was never thrown out of a camp. Might be different in the 21st Century version of Scouting.

>>Then what do they work for?

"has the BSA lost sight of it's original vision and purpose?" I think so. Although the purpose of Scouting has always been to use camping and the other program features to attract boys so that their character can be built and their physical abilities be improved, in which case it doesn't matter what the program actually is as long as it accomplishes those goals. I would argue that the BSA has really taken its' eye off the ball, though. The outdoors, camping and hiking have always been the mainstays and they worked pretty well in the past. All you have to do is look at a troop of

Don't forget to wear your Eagle lapel pin today, if you are an Eagle Scout. http://tinyurl.com/bsf4xtq

I've 90% ID'd the man on the front row, second from left, as Harold F. Pote, Director of Personnel and later Region 10 Executive. The man between Pote and Goodman could be Arthur Schuck, later Chief Scout Executive. Man on the far left standing might be Dr. George Fisher, Deputy Chief Scout Executive. Fisher did hold the Silver Buffalo in 1932. One of the other men may be E.W. Beckman. According to William Murray, in The History of the BSA, those six men were members of the Coordinating Committee. I'm not sure and definitely can't ID the other man.

I have a January, 1932 picture of members of the National Staff, labeled Coordination Committee and Secretary, Home Office, BSA. I know that James E. West is the center standing figure and that E. Urner Goodman is seated at far right. I recognize the man to the left of Goodman, but can't name him. I think one of the men may be Dr. George Fisher, Deputy to West, but can't be sure. Any IDs will be greatly appreciated. http://i1130.photobucket.com/albums/m530/Kahuna46/natlstaff0001.jpg

G2SS would expand exponentially. Bigger than a New York phone book.

Words of "wisdom" from old-timers usually begin with: "It all started to go downhill when . . . " So, I'll spare you that. When I was a Scout and camp staffer, back in the '50s and '60s, OA was a regular part of Scout camp. Tap outs were followed immediately with the Ordeal. The candidates were led back to their campsites, in silence, and packed up what they were allowed for their night in woods. Next day, they were seen around camp, wearing their wooden arrows around their necks, doing work that the camp director had determined, usually something that could be seen for a while, not c

ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ . . .

My thoughts: Here they go again.

"Invidious" I'm gonna see if I can get that one on Netflix.

Great suggestion.

Wearing the sash over the belt was a tradition in councils where I've been over a long period of time. I'm not sure when the prohibition came along, but I don't see any problem with wearing the sash over the belt. Show offy? Yeah, but the Scout uniform is designed to show off the insignia of awards the kids have earned. Can it be overdone? Yes, but usually that's the adults.

Okay, you got me with "yellow cards" in boot camp. As a retired USAF guy, I had to look that up. False. See Snopes. http://www.snopes.com/military/stresscards.asp

The professionals and the council higher-ups don't give a rat's patootie about Sea Scouts because it doesn't bring in the money or the membership and it never will. Cub Scouts is easy membership numbers for them. Sea Scouting for adults is like a mild derangement syndrome. That's why I love it. Everybody is doing it because they really love it and are willing to spend the time and money to do it. And it really is expensive.

Kudu: You certainly have my permission. I like the way you have taken the points and turned them into inquiry subjects. Please keep us posted on how they are received and what kind of responses you get. Side note: Sorry I did not post "Spoilers" at the top of my post. Didn't even think about it.

I guess I have to weigh in on this thread, since I have rather strong feelings about Enders Game. As a sci-fi fan since my early teens, I loved the book and am eagerly awaiting the movie. I thought Asa Butterfield will be great as Ender and I really don't know the other youth actors, but I'm sure Card made sure they're a good match. However, I cannot imagine the book as a guide to youth leadership (or for adult leadership of youth). I'm not sure what the Marines are using it to develop, but that's an entirely different matter. I should also mention that Master and Commander, b

Not JUST SR-7 any more. It's all over Florida now. They are presenting them at regattas regularly. Our council has approved it for units here. We have a set of instructions on how to get it and who approves it, etc.

Thanks Eagle92. I notice they refer to it as an "award," but it's supposed to be a service order like OA. I'm still a bit confused. I'm so far inclined to support it and I guess it will get refined as it goes along. OA started in the same way, of course. One council adopted it and then more.

This seems to be an OA type of entity intended to be of service in Sea Scouting, since boys can't wear OA flaps and girls can't be OA. It offers a rather classy insignia http://www.facebook.com/media/set/?set=a.356692921025698.96690.353763341318656&type=3. Some councils have adopted this and approved it for Sea Scout wear in the council. I have heard it is being presented as an "award" at some regional regattas. If any SS people are familiar with Golden Dragon, what do you know about it and what is your take on it as a benefit to Sea Scouting? I'm not with the uniform police,

I think he stands more than a chance. It's probably going to be a close election, but Obama will not attract the starry-eyed folk who turned out in droves in '08. True believers on both sides will be out in force. It will depend on what the independents do. IMHO, if you don't want another four years of even worse troubles in this country, Romney is the only sensible candidate. Is he lovable? No. Is he qualified to be president? Yes. Would he help get us out the Obama morass? Probably.

"I'm unaware of an age limit for staff" I don't think the BSA has one, but this old body does.

I'm supposed to be staffing the Sea Scouting booth.

Visiting at this jamboree will be limited to a small area not inside the jambo site. If you want to visit someone, you make arrangements for them to meet you there. You will not be allowed into the jamboree itself. There is also a fee for visitors. I'm not happy with what I'm hearing about this one. I'll be too old for the next one. I hope it works out, but I don't want to be a guinea pig (at a high price).