BadenP

" We are no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free but one in the Body of Christ." It is not for any of us to judge anothers faith for God is the only and final judge of what is in a persons heart. Jason this is the one point you need to understand, it is not up to you or anyone else to condemn someone for their beliefs. Jesus embraced all he encountered pagan, Jew or Christian; that was the example he gave us to follow. Do not blaspheme God by claiming to speak for him rather show love and compassion and the light will show through to others. God is the only one who is always right.

My Venture Crew put together care packages, and did a book drive for our troops in Iraq. Weput together 500 care packages and collected over 500 books that were delivered to a local Army reserve base who flew them out the next day. The crew received a commendation from the base CO, and the local council called me to put the crew in for this award after reading about the project in a tiny local paper. The teens were overwhelmed by the response, they felt proud to do their bit for the troops.

TP what you said is basically true with a couple of exceptions. First any new DE can not always remove an entrenched volunteer, as much as they may need to, it goes through proper protocols. As you know in the business world males can and do patronize women. When a female DE goes in selling Boy Scouts, she is not as quickly accepted as her male counterpart. You are right that if she is tough and determined she will overcome this obstacle. Bob has got it down exactly, it takes many years to become an SE and regional office makes those decisions.

I have worked with two female DEs when I was a professional. They were both very good at their jobs, however they told me that many of the male volunteers would not accept them and gave them a bad time. Unfortunately both resigned after only one year. I have no problem with a woman Scout Exec., but honestly I think there are probably problems with acceptance not only with volunteers but also with the business community in soliciting the financial support that the council needs.

Unc Thanks for the olive branch, you show the true scouting spirit, and i accept and agree with you. Bob and Eamonn, I'm sorry you guys feel the way you do, I hope you two might change your minds in the future as I really never meant to offend you two , and I bear no ill will to either of you. TP- Man you gave me as many laughs as I gave you. You have a great sense of humor, Peace.

"Methinks you both doth protest too much." I could show you both where you went out of your way to insult me. Frankly, I do not want to rehash the past and am willing to let bygones be bygones, but apparently neither of you are big enough to do the same, too bad. Well I won't lose any sleep over it. Looks to me like you two can dish it out but not take it. Maybe I was right after all.

Gee guys you have to devote a forum to me to take potshots, that is so sad. Bob, Unc, TP,Eamon, etc. if insulting me gives you your jollies go right ahead I can take it. I want to all to know I don't dislike any of you. In fact I was hoping we could exchange info and experiences, since most of you have been in scouting a long time. Something I said a long time ago apparently set all of you against me, hence that post stating "you guys don't know squat". I want you guys to know I really didn't mean it. I hope we could start over, but if you guys don't want to thats okay too. In either case than

TrailPounder Your last post to me just proves my point, look who is name calling. You know nothing about my background so your comments are slanderous, untrue, as well as unfounded. I think it is you who needs to learn to be civil. UNC - I will send you a book on how to write poetry, lol.(This message has been edited by BadenP)

I stand by what I said. (short enough for you TP)

To Eammon, OGE, Bob, TP For supposedly long time scouters you really don't seem to know very much. In the forum on religion I have seen you insult people who do not agree with you in a cold and vile attack. I think all of you should re- read the Scout Oath and Law because you sure don't live by them. I feel sorry for the boys that are exposed to your loathsome prejudice and ridiculous ideologies. It is too bad that any scouting unit feels the need to rely on any of your assistance. If anyone has any fear about the future of Scouting they should start with people like yourselves, and may

I would agree with most of what you all have been saying. One big complaint I hear all the time is that the BSA program and policies are too slanted towards the needs and desires of the Mormon Church, who is the largest Chartered Partner in many areas of the country. That the Mormons run their scouts through award mills turning out 13 or 14 yr old Eagle scouts who have not really earned this highest honor in Scouting. In my council their programs are given a blind eye by the professionals because of their large financial support. What do all of you scouters feel about this? Do you feel this is

Hi, I am fairly new to this forum. I got involved in scouting starting at 12yrs old because my family hated camping and the outdoors, which I love. I was a life scout, patrol leader, etc. In my 20's I was an Asst. SM. In my 30's I was a Webelos Leader for two years and a District Executive, OA Advisor, JLT Advisor, and Camp Director for 3 years. Now in my 40's I am a Venturing Advisor for one crew and an asst. Advisor for another crew. I love Scouting and, this looks like a great group to swap stories and suggestions with.

I just wanted to add my two cents worth. First I have experienced Scouting as both a volunteer and a Professional Scout Executive so I have seen both sides. Are there some things that could use some change, sure there are. Should the BSA be undermined because of them, no way. Everyone has a right to disagree, but as one of you said ,"never in front of the youth." I am a Venture Advisor and the COR for my unit, we have changed many things in our district and council through our COR meetings, after getting feedback from leaders in our district. Find out who the COR is for your unit and invite th

Hey MarineLaw, My Venture crew and I are heading down to the Florida Sea Base in a couple of weeks. I will let you know if there is anything to your fears. So far the personnel have been wonderful and responsive to me. They even sent me a video on what happens for the week to show to the parents. After viewing it they all seemed to be perfectly comfortable that safety was a top concern. I am not a very experienced sailor and I am not worried at all. I will update you when I get back.

You guys ever notice that its just the three or four of you old senior members on this forum, I wonder why? Unc, I'm glad your buddies could help you plan out your meeting, even though it is already done for you in the book "Here's Venturing". You all should get a copy of it if you stay in Venturing, its a great resource of ideas. Well it is obvious you good ol boys are not wanting anyone else crashing your lil group so I wish you all well, even you Unc. I hope you treat your units well and they continue to grow in the scouting spirit.It has been a pleasure getting to know you gentlemen. SEE Y

Mr. White after reading your last two insulting letters I am not going to get into verbal wars with you. Suffice it to say that in your last letter to me your opinion on Venturing is totally false, it did not replace Exploring but is a totally seperate program. Just because a few people you know tried to implement the program incorrectly does not mean the program is flawed. I did not read any compliments to me in your last letter, just a vicious attack about my professionalism. Your statements on National are based on the limited information you have heard from others, whereas I spent three mo

Bob White, your reply shows a high degree of insults and immaturity. While I was a DE my districts and council were the highest in numbers and money raised in its entire history. For your information I had no less than five offers to return to my position, but I turned them down because of my current lucrative position. Next unless you have been to the National Professional Training Center you should keep your ignorant comments to yourself. I won't lower myself as to tell you what kind of Scouter you are, even though it was probably many years ago. Finally to silence you ill informed critics I

This is to specifically you Bob White. You are wrong on most of your rebuttals to my letter. First, since its beginnings to the late sixties scouting was at a national high of over 5 million, since the 1970's the numbers of scouts has dropped by more than half and the movement has never been that high again. National figures are usually overinflated to present a better picture, I know this since I helped work them up one year. More than twenty five percent reported are only paper units put in to make the council look better, this is a fact from personal experience with National stat dept.

Wow, I didn't expect all of these replies, and I did not mean the term crybaby applied to all of you, my apologies. In my district I have seen too many new crews fail due to "red-coat-itis", and good Venture leaders ostracized for so called stealing the older boy scouts, 15 yrs and up. The point I was trying to make is that Venture is very capable of standing on its own, and that scoutmasters need to look at these crews as potential partners rather than adversaries. TwoCub is right when he stated that older boy scouts are disappearing more each year if Venture brings them back, then great. I a

Wow what a bunch of crybabies. First thing all you old time scouters fail to recognize is that Venturing was not established to be another boy scout troop, but a program to bring both male and female teens in touch with their leadership and personal skills who may have never been in Scouting before. All of the crews I have seen who model themselves like a troop fail in the first two years. Another thing, as all you scoutmasters know, when a boy scout reaches 15-17 years of age they get bored of scouts and take an interest in girls. Statistics show senior boy scouts are few in number overall. N

I started a new crew this past year, 25 members over half female where I am youth pastorat the church. Advancement was not required or forced, but the girls got the boys motivated and ten have completed their first bronze in Religious Life and their faith award, and are working on other segments. They have all participated in a variety of service projects, including one for the troops in Iraq. They have also gone on camping,backpacking and mountain climbing trips. Next month we are going river rafting. I have found out that when they realize they can receive credit for all these events they pu