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Mine was two manuals previous to this one, but I think they are built similar. I actually had two books. My original book was placed into a leather cover my first year at camp. It was taken everywhere and is in still pretty much the same condition. I also have a Hardback edition that has also survived well and I still carry it around some and has survived two moves and much else. I recommend every boy put there book in a cover or get a hardback one.

Yes Lone Scouts is a real thing. However, this does not sound like the proper application of it. The LS is supposed to be used ONLY if there is NO troop near enough to the scout to be practical. I don't know where you live, but I really doubt that this is being used properly in this case. Anyone wishing to be a LS does have to be approved by council, so it is hard to say where the breakdown in proper use of this program was. That being said... I never attended the session of the Eagle committee when my project was reviewed

Having read the thread and the comments, here are my thoughts. First let me summarize. Lets say this is three different instances. One scout complaining about one scoutmaster in one unit, repeated for three separate units. One scout filed a complaint about Bullying (by the Scouter, I assume) One scout filed a complaint about Emotional Abuse One scout filed a complaint about 1-on-1 contact. ALL of these complaints should have been taken to the COR before the Council ever saw them. None of these things are crimes in and of themselves. If they were, the complaint should have

I would like to hear from you guys what you think the expectations you should have of a scoutmaster. Specifically I am talking about time. I know many people see the Scoutmaster as at every meeting, at every roundtable, and on every activity. Is a good scoutmaster on every event/at every meeting, or is he able to be confident that his assistants can take care of things when he can't be there. Here is the brief version of why I ask. What if you know the best choice for a Scoutmaster (he is willing), but you also know that he will unavoidably miss the occasional meeting and not b

Thanks. I will try your advice. I would have posted this in a more appropriate place, but with out a "Forum Support" section, there didn't seem to be one. A private message has told me that this has already irritated at least one other member, so if a moderator wants to lock or completely delete this thread, that is fine with me.

Hey guys. I have two questions. First, does anyone know of a good way to get a hold of Scouter Terry? I tried using the contact form on the site but I didn't think he got my message. I wanted to talk to him about helping him update the forum to a more modern platform. Second, I alreAdy have a working model of what the forum could be, but I wanted to see if there was anything particular those who used the forum the most would want to see in an update. Not new categories, but things like moderator functions, tapatalk support, avatars, a language filter, or anything you have seen els

I don't think we are thinking of changing everything BACK. Many things that have been changed need to be reverted. For example, restricting membership does increase the value of membership. However, I was Called out and not Tapped out, but I see no benefit in changing this ceremony. Most of the changes need to be made to what the Order does and how it runs. These things are much more important than the specifics of the ceremonies. The focus of the Order must be outside itself. It must offer something to the Arrowman and it must offer something to the Scouting community. Right now,

So do you have the new Microfiber shirt or are you still using an ODL?

So... Have a question for everyone. My ODL uniform no longer fits. I currently have a Centennial uniform, the Poplin one I think. I don't dislike it, but some of the things annoy me. I have the opportunity to buy a new uniform shirt and donate this one to the uniform closet. I am looking at the new microfiber shirts. Is this really the best option? Does anyone actually prefer the Centennial?

Regarding: Vigil Honor. The OA has stated that Vigil is bestowed on an Arrowman that has demonstrated exceptional service to the Lodge, the OA, The Scouting Community, or his Scout Camp. Therefore, it is entirely possible that an Arrowman that has never been to a chapter meeting could be eligible for Vigil Honor. This is the way it SHOULD be. The focus of Service in the OA has always been service to the UNIT, not to the lodge. The scout should be taking something back to his unit. If this is what we were contributing to scouting, then people would still see benefit in the

I don't understand the Restricted flaps. Both of my lodges have done the same thing. Flaps were available for sale 100% of the year through the Council service center shop. You have to have a current OA membership card. My old lodge had lots of special event/service flaps that satisfied the traders. As for borders, my new lodge is a merger of lodges. So there has never been a flap with different color borders for this lodge. No big deal. My original lodge still does the different color flaps. White for ordeal, Red for Brotherhood, and Gold for vigil. There are so many white bo

I am sorry if I have missed something here, but I wanted to offer my perspective and so read the previous posts quickly. The original question - I have no problem with the SM not being part of the OA. Adults should be part of the OA for two reasons: 1. They were inducted as a Youth - This reminds arrowman that this is something you are, not something you do as a youth. 2. They have something to offer the Order. Many SM's do not fall into this category because they simply do not have time. I would hope though that at least one adult in each troop is an Arrowman because then they underst

Because this has not been stressed enough... Now that the COR and IH are involved and if you are not exaggerating and it is really as bad as you say... If this is not resolved to the satisfaction of you and your supporters... here is the best advice anyone can give... GET OUT, GET OUT, GET OUT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (yes that is shouting, with arms flailing) If the COR and IH do not fix this, there is nothing you can do. Take yourself, any sons, and anyone willing to follow to a new pack. Don't hesitate! First and foremost, do what is right by you and yours. Do not hold o

The current requirements are 13 + Completed 8th grade, or 14 years old. I don't know where 13 1/2 comes from... There may be some confusion from the Commissioner because this information was in the Summer 2011 edition of "The Commissioner." However, the requirements have been in place since May 1, 2010. I have heard rumors of them dropping it to just 13, but it hasn't actually been done yet.

Is everyone treating these new uniforms like the ODL uniforms as far as patch placement goes. I have a physical copy of the Insignia guide that refers to the Centennial and classic(ODL) uniform and wanted to make sure we were just going back to the sleeve patch placement I grew up with.

Just want to point this out. Some have referenced the Journey to Excellence one rank each year requirement. Remember that 1 rank per year is very different than FCFY. One rank per year means 6 years to eagle. That is a 16 or 17 year old Eagle scout. That is very different than the 14 year old Eagles people are complaining about. Also think about this... FCFY fits a plan for a boy to move into Venturing at a younger age without having to complete his Eagle once he moves to a Crew. I think that this may be the direction that National is heading. Boy Scouts being 11-15 year olds and

I did not read each post for memory, and I cannot find the actual National Policy on FCFY... BUT As a UC I have been taught that FCFY is supposed to be where a troop has made it POSSIBLE for a scout to get to First Class in one year. The concern that created the policy was that Troops were making it so that the advancement of a scout was slowed by limited opportunities instead of pacing his advancement based on his own motivation. This is at least what I tell my SMs. If they can show me it is possible, even if all scouts do not do it, then I say they have achieved the goal.

As an Eagle Scout who did not come from an "Eagle Mill" I offer my opinion on the subject. Advancement and non-advancement related recognition has a purpose, and it is a good one. Easily attainable short term goals that build up to a long term goal keep boys interest. Sometimes they may not understand that what they are learning is a valuable life lesson, but they can understand that it is a requirement for that next rank or the merit badge they want. Advancement is an important method of scouting. We should not wish for the scouts that desire that next rank more than anything

2 comments... First I will have to agree with others that the Scout Oath and Law, LNT, and the Patrol Method do more to resolve this situation than any other rules. If "Scouters" don't follow our highest Law they will not abide by any other rule set by national. Second, On the subject of complaints. I will tell you that if anyone calls the Council with a complaint, it is at least discussed. They are always passed to our Council Exec and Commissioner. If the complaint is about a specific district activity it is passed to the District and discussed at the Commissioner and Committ

I am really shocked at the idea that anyone would reject an application based on age alone. I am especially shocked that any troop would turn away their own Eagles. As background, I am a 26 year old Unit Commissioner who was once an 18 year old Assistant Scoutmaster. I wholeheartedly believe that you potential and current Scouters be judged solely based on their demonstration of the Scout Oath and Law in their own lives. I my short tenure as a UC, I have seen more ineffective, unqualified, and destructive leaders that are 40+ (and more often than not, a parent) than I have in

Without having conducted a "performance review" or at least being told "You need to to these 3 things from now on if you want this to count" I would say that the Scoutmaster is acting VERY inappropriately. First, AN EMAIL!!!!!!!!! Wrong on the first count! Should have been a SM Conference at least! For everyone else listening, this kind of thing should NEVER EVER be done through email! Second, "Failed at one leadership role" If anyone failed it is the Scoutmaster!!! When our scouts fail in their leadership role it is our failure as well!!! (Yes I am yelling at my computer screen) The

Just what the title says. As it is, BSA chaplains are un-registered/registered in another position. There is very little guidance or organization to what a chaplain is supposed to do other than a short page on the national website. What I would propose is that Chaplain be a unique registration code that allows for dual registration in any position except SM. This is essentially the way it works now, except it would allow leaders to register as just a Chaplain. I would also propose that there should be district and council chaplains as well. This is the purpose that directed me

Personally, I feel that Generic "Nondenominational" worship services are vain, mildly offensive practices. We cannot worship in everyone's way at once. First off, Nondenominational services are just that. They automatically exclude all non-Christians. They also usually exclude many Christians as well. There is no way to be both collectivity religious, and all-inclusive. For example, How do you start a prayer? Let us instead, allow each scout and scouter worship in the way that pleases his deity. If scouts/scouters want to worship together, let them. However, don't

There has been a lack of true scout spirit in the last few pages of this thread. Would everyone please take a moment and repeat after me... A Scout (and Scouter) is Trustworthy, Loyal, Helpful, Friendly, Courteous, Kind, Obedient, Cheerful, Thrifty, Brave, Clean, and Reverent. Now, as to my opinion on the original post. Any boy or parent who can look at the Scout oath, law, and DRP and say "In my mind, my beliefs fit in these principles without alteration or qualification" can be and is welcome in Scouting. PERIOD. Why some are so intent on keeping BOYS out of Scouting I

An overly important sounding title I know. After some recent discussion about the loss of the different border flaps another adult Arrowman brought up another issue. That is, he believes there should be a way to tell which adults were "selected" to serve as Scouters, and which were "elected" as Youth. We never could agree on whether this was a good Idea or not and what would be an appropriate distinction but I thought that I would get your opinion on the subject.